Course overview

Get certified with the SSI Open Water Diver course in Cairns and join the global community of divers on the Great Barrier Reef. Using SSI's free digital learning, heated-pool sessions and four open-water training dives on an outer-reef trip to sites like Flynn, Milln and Thetford, you build the skills to dive to 18 metres worldwide. The warm, coral-rich reef makes an unforgettable place to begin.

What you’ll learn

• Assemble, check and use scuba equipment confidently
• Master core skills including mask clearing, regulator recovery and buoyancy control
• Equalise and descend and ascend safely on a reef
• Plan dives and respect no-decompression and depth limits to 18 metres
• Manage out-of-air and other common problems with a buddy
• Conduct safe, enjoyable reef dives independently

Prerequisites

• No prior diving experience required
• Minimum age 10 (Junior) or 15 for full certification
• Able to swim and float or tread water for the required watermanship check
• Complete a diver medical questionnaire and obtain physician clearance if needed

What's included · What's not

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Digital theory and pool skills

   Work through the SSI digital academics and complete confined-water training in a heated Cairns pool.
2. Day2
   First reef training dives

   Head to the outer reef on a liveaboard or day boat for your first two open-water training dives at sites such as Flynn or Thetford Reef.
3. Day3
   Final training dives

   Complete the remaining open-water training dives, demonstrating all skills among coral gardens, turtles and reef fish.
4. Day4
   Assessment and certification

   Finish skill assessments and the digital assessment, then certify as an SSI Open Water Diver.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Cairns.

Frequently asked questions