Barrier Reef Australia Blog

If so, then we highly recommend our Pro Dive 5 day learn to dive PADI course. This five-day learn to dive course entails two-days in the swimming pool and in classroom theory training at our Cairns based state-of-the-art training centre and then a further exciting three-days and two-nights on an Outer Great Barrier Reef liveaboard dive trip to complete you learn to scuba dive PADI certification.

We have a fleet of three Scubapro, boats and these liveaboard dive boats, are fully air-conditioned and have 14 comfortable twin share bunk bed cabins and 2 double bed cabins for couples.

Each boat carries a maximum of only 32 passengers and there are 8 toilet and shower combinations, 3 spacious decks and plenty of relaxation zones for you to just relax and enjoy the amazing views the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the dive boat and our chefs are always busy preparing meals to keep all the hangry pains away by serving plentiful portions of high quality food whilst you are our guests on board and completing your learn to scuba dive PADI certificate.

You will find the team at Pro Dive are highly professional and approachable with any questions you may have. They have been teaching guests how to scuba dive since 1983 and welcome as many questions as you can possibly think of.

Learn to Dive Course Day one in Cairns Dive School

Day one starts by checking into the Pro Dive Cairns dive training centre at 08:30. There are complimentary hotel transfers if needed and available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches.

Theoretical classroom training begins in the learn to dive centre at 08:45am.

You will have a lunch break at approx. 12:30. Lunch is not included though on offer is a reasonably price lunch menu of sandwiches and salad you can order or you can pop over to Cairns Central Shopping Centre and go to the food court for any other specialities.

After lunch at 13:30 you will start the in Pool training where your Practical learn to scuba dive training begins

Day Two

Day two is a slightly earlier start with complimentary hotel transfer starting at 07:30.

At 08:00 there will be an equipment briefing followed by Hands-on scuba gear walk through with one of their highly trained and experienced dive instructors.  

Pool training will start again at 09:15. This is your final day on pool training. You will complete the skill you did not learn the day before and get a chance to revisit the skill that you have not yet mastered.

You will have a lunch break at approximately noon. You will be taken via shuttle bus to Grill’d (or and alternative food outlet (at your own cost))

After lunch you will be taken to the Pro Dive Cairns retail shop to be fitted with Dive equipment for your liveaboard dive trip out on the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.

After this you will sit your Final academic training session and exam. Your day will finish at about 17:45.

Day Three

Today is an exciting day for everyone. The fun begins at 06:20 checking in at the Pro Dive retail shop. Complimentary hotel transfers are available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels/hostels

At 07:00, you will depart the Cairns Marina on one of the three Scubapro vessels near the shipping terminal and begin cruising to your very first open water dive site. 

A Light breakfast will be served on board.

Our learn to dive company has exclusive licences to anchor at 19 different Great Barrier Reef locations that offer guests a huge variety of experiences. The Skipper has the opportunity to take you to the best sites they can, checking weather conditions, wind levels and water conditions.

Whilst out on the Great Barrier Reef you will have the opportunity to dive up to nine times and even partake in a night dive! 

At 11:00 you will take part in your very first open water training dive where you can put your new found skills to the test.

 After your dive has finished a yummy buffet lunch will be served and you can all share your experiences together over lunch.

 At 14:30 you will take part in your second training dive.

You will then have to opportunity to do some Snorkelling.

At 18:00 a dinner will be served in the dining room. Please note that we can cater for most dietary requirements with at least 48 hours advance notice. Please let our team know of any dietary requirements at the time of booking your learn to dive course.

AT 19:45 you will be able to sit on the back deck and watch the certified divers participating in the first night dive of the trip. These night dives are really exciting as you get to see some of the nocturnal creatures you do not normally see on a day dive.

Day Four

You will be woken up at 06:45 to take part in you third training dive at 07:00. Breakfast will be served at 09:00 with a selection of hot and cold offering on the buffet.

At 11:15 you will take part in your fourth and final training dive. And the good news is this also means you will have your Open Water certification after this dive!

After your dive a delicious buffet lunch will be served.

At 15:15 you will take part in your first dive as a newly certified scuba diver

17:45 is dinner time! With another amazing meal being served.

At 19:30 you can take part in the much anticipated guided night dive.

Day Five

On your final day you will be woken up at 5:45am to do your seventh dive, a sunrise dive to enjoy the reef creatures that are also waking up.

After your dive, you will have another fantastic breakfast of hot and cold options.

You can take part in an 8th and 9th dive after lunch. After the last dive of the trip finishes at noon you will have you last lunch on the Great Barrier Reef before returning to Cairns.

You will return to the Cairns boat Marina, and taken via shuttle bus to the Pro Dive centre to settle any extras with a return complementary shuttle to your accommodation if needed.

A Farewell dinner (optional, additional cost) so you can join fellow passengers and crew at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner at 19:30.

For more information you can read more details by following this link and you can also read about our other learn to scuba dive courses we have on offer.

Become a certified PADI scuba diver and then you can begin to explore the wonders of the underwater world as you travel the length and breadth of our Great Barrier Reef in Australia.