What is the difference between PADI and SSI?

Essentially, there is no difference at all between PADI and SSI; both are just a “brand” of dive learning and certification which were developed to provide divers with a “standard” of learning and professionalism. Much like Coke and Pepsi are both cola soft drinks, with a slightly different taste, so it is with PADI and SSI diving.

PADI – the Professional Association of Diving Instructors – and SSI – Scuba Schools International – both offer internationally recognised diving certifications, qualifications and licenses.

PADI & SSI LEARN TO DIVE TRAINING COURSES:

Pro-Dive Cairns learn to dive course with scuba divers

Pro Dive Cairns: PADI Open Water Dive Course

Learn to dive with one of Cairns’ most respected PADI Dive Instruction Centres. 4 and 5 day courses, allowing you to tailor your course to suit your budget & itinerary. PADI Open Water Certification.

Divers Den learn to dive course Cairns.

Deep Sea Divers Den: PADI Open Water Dive Course

Enjoy a total of 9 x dives on this 5-Day PADI learn to dive course. 2-days swimming pool and classroom followed by 3-days/2-night liveabaord, Private TWIN bed rooms. Also includes a night dive!

Scuba Divers in the new Port Douglas Training Centre

Quicksilver Dive – Learn to Dive Port Douglas

Quicksilver Dive are the newest learn to dive company in Port Douglas. A state of the art dive training centre and day boats visiting the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs!

Scuba Diver Entering Water

Reef Encounter: 3-Day Open Water Learn to Dive Course

The Reef Encounter: 3-Day Open Water Learn to Dive Course is amazing, Why? Forget the swimming pool and classroom training! All confined water dives are completed in the shallow coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef!

Do you need help choosing?

Can't decide?
CALL US: 07 4041 1638
Or try the form below, we have personally been on every Cairns reef and diving trip. We can help you choose the best tour, to suit your experience and budget.

Cairns, being the best place to visit the Great Barrier Reef, attracts divers and want to be divers from around the world. It is home to some of the best and most professional learn to dive centres in the world, offering both PADI and SSI courses to suit beginners and advanced divers.

Qualified PADI and SSI scuba instructors and dive masters are on hand to teach the skills you need, to dive safely and comfortably on the Great Barrier Reef. Both PADI and SSI have dive manuals, in a range of languages, which provide the practical knowledge you need as a scuba diver.

How to choose? The good news is that there is no right or wrong choice to make. Cairns is a safe place to learn to scuba dive. PADI and SSI standards are internationally recognised and Cairns professional dive centres provide training from the beginners, right up to those wanting to learn Advanced, Adventure and Stress and Rescue diving.

Cairns Dive Adventures lists a range of products available, so you can easily review duration, price and qualification, selecting the best operator and tour to suit your itinerary and budget.

Pro-Dive Cairns learn to dive course with scuba divers

Pro Dive Cairns: PADI Open Water Dive Course

Learn to dive with one of Cairns' most respected PADI Dive Instruction Centres. 4 and 5 day courses, allowing you to tailor your course to suit your budget & itinerary. PADI Open Water Certification.
Divers Den learn to dive course Cairns.

Deep Sea Divers Den: PADI Open Water Dive Course

Enjoy a total of 9 x dives on this 5-Day PADI learn to dive course. 2-days swimming pool and classroom followed by 3-days/2-night liveabaord, Private TWIN bed rooms. Also includes a night dive!
Scuba Divers in the new Port Douglas Training Centre

Quicksilver Dive – Learn to Dive Port Douglas

Quicksilver Dive are the newest learn to dive company in Port Douglas. A state of the art dive training centre and day boats visiting the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs!
Scuba Diver Entering Water

Reef Encounter: 3-Day Open Water Learn to Dive Course

The Reef Encounter: 3-Day Open Water Learn to Dive Course is amazing, Why? Forget the swimming pool and classroom training! All confined water dives are completed in the shallow coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef!
Scuba Divers Prepare to Dive

4-Day PADI Learn to Dive Course (Day Trips to Reef)

Don’t want to learn to dive on an overnight liveaboard? (Are you worried about seasickness or perhaps you have already booked your hotel in Cairns?) The 4-Day PADI Learn to Dive Course with day trips to the reef is for you!
Dive Training Onboard

Sea Quest: 2 Day Open Water Referral

Sea Quest offers a 2 day referral dive course on a comfortable 24-metre catamaran departing Cairns for the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Offering a total of four(4) dives.
Scuba Divers with Anemone fish

Pro Dive Cairns: 3 Day 2 Night Ocean Referral

Pro Dive Cairns Ocean Referral Course offers nine (9) dives in total on the Great Barrier Reef. Book today to complete your PADI Gold Open Water Certification.
Scuba Diver with Giant Mauri Wrasse Fish

Overnight Liveaboard: PADI Advanced Dive Course 2-DAY/1-NIGHT

Take your scuba diving skills to the next level with an Advanced Open Water Course. Liveaboard trips in 2 day / 1 night and 3 day / 2 night packages, includes most things.
Scuba Divers with Sea Turtle.

Pro Dive: PADI Advanced Dive Course 3-Day/2-Night

Get your PADI Advanced Open Water Certification on this 3 day / 2 night trip. Must already have Open Water Dive License. Includes 11 x dives, accommodation, training, meals and more.
Scuba Diver with Sea Turtle

Down Under Dive: 2-Day PADI Advanced Dive Course

Down Under Cruise & Dive offer a 2-Day PADI Advanced Dive Course. Enjoy two 1-day trips on the reef! Starts Tuesdays only! All dives are on the Reef!
Training dives under the boat!

2-Day PADI Advanced Dive Course (2 One Day Trips to the Reef)

Short of time? or Have you already booked your Cairns hotel and would just like to do day trips to the reef? This PADI 2-Day Advanced Dive course is for you!

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Cairns learn to dive information

Click the links below to find out more.

Do you need help choosing a trip?

Can't decide? We have personally been on every Cairns reef and diving trip. We can help you choose the best tour, to suit your experience and budget.

Special

FREE UNDERWATER CAMERA HIRE*

Cairns Underwater Camera Hire Service

Spend over $550.00 AUD on your Great Barrier Reef tour with us and receive the latest Digital Underwater Camera Hire. Take amazing High-Resolution images and 1080 HD Video. Only when you book online thru our website. 

Not available for any tours to the Islands as fine white sand damages the seals on the cameras and makes them leak!

You need to come into our shop located on the Cairns Esplanade the day before departure to pick up the camera before 5:30 pm. You also need to supply your own SD Camera Card and drop the camera off back at our shop before 5:30pm.

 

Please Remember there is no other way to collect our cameras! All passengers must come into our shop the day before departure day before 5:30 pm.