4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 28 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef worth booking?
4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef is a 96-hour experience in Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia, from $945 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 28 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (28)
- Duration
- 96 hours
- From
- $945 per person
Take the opportunity to learn to dive while you’re in Cairns! With classes limited to eight participants, led by professional and friendly instructors, you’ll learn to dive and earn an internationally recognized PADI cer
What you get
- All Fees and Taxes
- Learn dive theory with classroom lessons and practice in pool sessions
- Lunch onboard Evolution days 3 and 4
- Cairns City accommodation transfers every day
- Two full day cruises onboard to the outer reef onboard the most luxurious catamaran, Evolution
- All applicable PADI training material
About this experience
Take the opportunity to learn to dive while you’re in Cairns! With classes limited to eight participants, led by professional and friendly instructors, you’ll learn to dive and earn an internationally recognized PADI certification on your 4-day PADI Open Water dive course. Hotel transfers are included each day, and your course is gradual and safe. Learn basic scuba skills in the classroom, a pool, and confined water dives, then explore the Great Barrier Reef on open-water dives. Once you have successfully completed your course, you’ll be a qualified PADI diver!
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- Learn dive theory with classroom lessons and practice in pool sessions
- Lunch onboard Evolution days 3 and 4
- Cairns City accommodation transfers every day
- Two full day cruises onboard to the outer reef onboard the most luxurious catamaran, Evolution
- All applicable PADI training material
- 4 x Outer Great Barrier Reef Dives and 1 x FREE Fun Dive!
Not included
- Lunch on days 1 & 2
- Accommodation
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cairns & the Tropical North
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Thu
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Down Under Cruise and Dive
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- In our commitment to the safety of our guests, divers over 45 years for PADI dive courses must have a medical clearance with a physician the confirms they are Fit To Dive. This can be provided by your own GP before your course start date.
- Diving within 24 hours before your flight is not permitted. All participants will be required to complete a health/medication questionnaire prior to diving. Please be aware that certain medical conditions (e.g. asthma, heart disease, diabetes) and ANY prescription medications will require a letter or email from a doctor clearing you to dive. The clearance must state your full name, the doctor's name and practice and the clearance to dive for the specific medication/condition. If you have a certain medical condition or are taking prescription medication, please review the operators Certified Diver Medical Questionnaire prior to your course start date.
- Students must be able to complete a basic swimming and floating test to complete this course.
- Please bring sunscreen, hat, change of clothes, swimsuit and a towel and cash or credit card for on board payment/purchases (fares, soft drink, chocolates, underwater camera, T-shirts)
- Minimum age is 12 years
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 96 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Thu
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cairns & the Tropical North.
How much does 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef cost?
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Prices start at $945 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cairns & the Tropical North usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef take?
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Plan for about 96 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cairns & the Tropical North is not rushed.
Is 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 28 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Cairns & the Tropical North, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 96-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef?
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Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cairns & the Tropical North can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cairns & the Tropical North and add a light layer if any part of the 96-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cairns & the Tropical North within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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On Outty we rank every Cairns & the Tropical North experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran, Ocean Free: Small Group Great Barrier Reef & Green Island Tour, Ocean Freedom: Great Barrier Reef Stylish Snorkel, Dive Reef Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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