Product Name:
Sunlover 3-Day SSI Open Water Dive Course – Cairns
FROM: $1,030.00
All Prices in Australian Dollars.
Learn to dive on the Great Barrier Reef with Sunlover’s 3-Day SSI Open Water Dive Course from Cairns. Complete your theory online before arriving, then spend three days learning at Moore Reef with a professional SSI instructor. Includes 5 confined-water training dives, 4 open-water training dives, all scuba equipment and lunch each day. Small groups of up to four students, returning to Cairns every evening.
Book Online
Call: + 61 7 4041 1638
or Try our Tour Finder
$1,030.00
All Prices in Australian Dollars.
Book your exact date instantly — no waiting around.
Camera Special
*FREE UNDERWATER CAMERA HIRE
Book your Cairns reef tour with us; you must spend over $550.00 AUD to receive our 1 x Free Cairns Underwater Camera Hire. Only when you book online through our website.
You must come into our Cairns Esplanade Shop to pick up the camera the day before departure day before 5:30 pm. You also need to supply your own SD Card. Reserve your camera today!
*Not valid for any tours visiting the islands. Fine white sand damages the seals on the cameras and makes them leak!
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.
Where do all Cairns Reef tours depart from? Check-in: Reef Fleet Terminal (map + instructions)
Product Name:
Sunlover 3-Day SSI Open Water Dive Course – Cairns
Tour Type: 3-Day Learn to Dive Course + Online Study | Operates: Selected start dates, 3 consecutive days | Departs: Check-in 9.30am, Reef Fleet Terminal | Returns: Approximately 5.30pm each day | Transfers: No
Learn to dive on the Great Barrier Reef with Sunlover’s 3-Day SSI Open Water Dive Course from Cairns. Complete your theory online before arriving, then spend three days learning at Moore Reef with a professional SSI instructor. Includes 5 confined-water training dives, 4 open-water training dives, all scuba equipment and lunch each day. Small groups of up to four students, returning to Cairns every evening.
| AVAILABLE ON THIS TOUR: | |
|---|---|
| SSI Open Water Diver: Beginner certification course | 3 Days at Moore Reef: All training on the Great Barrier Reef |
| Small Training Groups: Maximum 4 students per intake | 9 Training Dives: 5 confined-water + 4 open-water dives |
| Professional Instruction: Qualified SSI dive instructor | Full Dive Equipment: Included throughout your training |
| Online Learning: SSI digital course materials included | Meals: Lunch, morning and afternoon tea each day |
Learn to Dive at Moore Reef
Want to learn to scuba dive in Cairns while staying in your own accommodation each night? Sunlover’s SSI Open Water Diver course combines online study with three consecutive days of practical training at Moore Reef on the Great Barrier Reef.
Your underwater training begins in Sunlover’s sheltered pontoon training centre. Here, you will learn how to use your scuba equipment and practise essential diving skills with your instructor before progressing to open-water dives on the reef beside the pontoon.
All practical training takes place at Moore Reef. You will travel out from Cairns each morning and return in the afternoon, giving you three days on the Great Barrier Reef without an overnight stay at sea.
What Is an SSI Open Water Dive Course?
SSI stands for Scuba Schools International. The SSI Open Water Diver course is an entry-level scuba diving qualification, designed for beginners with no previous diving experience.
The course combines dive theory, confined-water skills training and open-water training dives. Successfully completing all course requirements earns you an internationally recognised SSI Open Water Diver certification, allowing you to dive with a buddy within the limits of your qualification and training.
For divers aged 12 and over, the certification depth limit is 18 metres. Children aged 10–11 have a maximum depth of 12 metres, and students under 15 receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification.
Small Groups and Training on the Reef
Sunlover’s course has a maximum of four students per intake. You will learn essential skills step by step, including using your equipment, communicating underwater and managing your buoyancy.
Your first skills sessions take place in a sheltered ocean training area at the pontoon. These confined-water sessions help you become familiar with breathing underwater and handling your equipment before you progress to your four open-water training dives.
If you feel nervous about learning to dive, let our Cairns Dive Adventures team know before booking so we can help you understand the course and discuss your questions with Sunlover.
Complete Your Theory Before Arriving
Your SSI digital learning is included in the course price and must be completed before your first practical training day.
Allow approximately 8–12 hours to work through the six online theory sections. Completing this study in advance means your three course days can focus on practical training at Moore Reef.
Dive Medical Information: Every student must complete Sunlover’s SSI medical form before participating. Sunlover requires students with a health condition or taking prescription medication to obtain a doctor’s sign-off before diving. Please arrange any required assessment before travelling. For further information, visit our Cairns Dive Medical information page.
All prices are in Australian Dollars:
Prices are supplied by the tour operator and may change without notice. Additional fees, fuel surcharges or environmental charges may apply.
3-Day SSI Open Water Dive Course + Online Learning Price List
| CHOOSE OPTION | TOTAL | DIVES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day SSI Open Water Dive Course + Online Learning | $1,320.00 | 5 x Confined-water + 4 x Open-water | |
| No need for swimming pool and classroom training on land. All diving is done on the Great Barrier Reef. | |||
All Prices in Australian Dollars.
Book your exact date instantly — no waiting around.
Still got questions? Call: + 61 7 4041 1638 or try our tour finder
1 x FREE Underwater Camera Hire!
Enjoy 1 x FREE Underwater Camera Hire: Only when you book your reef tour with us and spend over $550. Conditions Apply! Only available on reef tours.
Itinerary:
Before Your Course – Online Learning and Medical Form
Once your course booking is arranged, you will need access to your SSI digital learning so you can complete the six theory sections before arriving.
Allow approximately 8–12 hours for your study and complete the required SSI medical form. If you need medical clearance, arrange this before your course begins.
Bookings must be made at least 24 hours before the course starts. We recommend booking earlier to give yourself plenty of time for the online learning and any medical assessment.
Day 1 – Cairns to Moore Reef: Begin Your Dive Training
Check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns at 9.30am for your journey to Moore Reef.
Your course includes a water fitness assessment: a 200-metre swim, or a 300-metre swim using a mask, snorkel and fins, plus a 10-minute float.
Begin developing your scuba skills with your instructor in the sheltered pontoon training centre. This is where you become familiar with your equipment and start practising the skills you will use throughout the course.
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea are included. Return to Cairns at approximately 5.30pm.
Day 2 – Continue Your Training at Moore Reef
Return to Moore Reef for your second day of practical training.
Continue building your skills and confidence under your instructor’s supervision. Across the course, you will complete five confined-water training dives and four open-water training dives, progressing as you meet the required skills.
After your day on the reef, return to Cairns and your own accommodation for the evening.
Day 3 – Complete Your Course Requirements
Your final scheduled day takes you back to Moore Reef to complete your remaining training and assessments.
On successful completion of all theory, water skills and open-water requirements, you will qualify as an SSI Open Water Diver, or Junior Open Water Diver for students under 15. Your digital certification card is available through the SSI app.
Return to Cairns at approximately 5.30pm.
Please note: The three practical training days run consecutively. The order and timing of individual training sessions may vary with conditions and student progress. Certification depends on successfully meeting all course requirements.
Diving Info:
Beginner Scuba Diving Course
No previous scuba diving experience is required. Students must be able to complete the swimming and floating assessment, meet the medical requirements and successfully complete the course theory and practical skills.
How Many Dives Are Included?
The course includes nine training dives in total:
- Five confined-water training dives in Sunlover’s sheltered pontoon training centre. All completed on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Four open-water training dives at Moore Reef. Enjoy stunning diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
The confined-water dives are skills sessions. They are separate from the four open-water reef training dives.
Certification and Depth Limits
Successful students receive an SSI Open Water Diver certification, or Junior Open Water Diver certification if under 15.
- Ages 10–11: Maximum certification depth of 12 metres.
- Ages 12 and over: Maximum certification depth of 18 metres.
Junior divers must follow the supervision requirements applicable to their certification. This course does not qualify you for solo diving or diving beyond your certification limits.
Children and Family Bookings
The minimum course age is 10 years. Please provide every participant’s age when booking.
No more than two students under 12 can train with one instructor. Students under 18 require a parent or guardian to sign their SSI forms. If children are under 18 years of age, a parent must be on the boat each day.
Flying After Diving
Allow at least 24 hours after your final dive before flying or travelling to altitude. If your dive computer displays a longer no-fly period, follow the longer period. Please consider your onward travel when choosing your course dates.
Snorkeling Info:
Snorkelling and use of the Moore Reef pontoon facilities are included in your course package. The pontoon also has an underwater observatory.
Your dive training takes priority throughout the three days. Any snorkelling between sessions will depend on your training schedule and your instructor’s advice.
If someone in your group would like to visit the reef without completing a dive course, contact Cairns Dive Adventures about a separate Sunlover day-trip booking.
Customer Reviews:
CUSTOMER TOUR REVIEWS & FEEDBACK
Customer reviews are written by our customers using our 1 x FREE Digital Underwater Camera Hire Service. Remember to collect our camera you do need to come into our shop the day before departure day before 5:30 pm to pick up the camera. You also need to supply your own SD camera card.
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Full Reviews:
CAIRNS DIVE ADVENTURES TRIP REVIEWS:
Here you will find our dive trip reviews. Our staff have completed over 700 dives on the Great Barrier Reef. We love our scuba diving and we love to write reviews on what you can expect to see and do on a dive trip. See our full range of Cairns Dive Adventures trip reviews.
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All prices in Australian Dollars.
We accept VISA, MC, AMEX, UNION PAY
No booking fees!
To Try Any Form of Diving
To try any form of scuba diving, everyone must be medically fit, with no asthma and not taking any prescription medication that may affect their ability to dive. PADI recommends allowing up to 24 hours after diving before flying. Some tour operators have a no-refund policy for dives not completed for any reason.
Please note that freediving is not permitted on Cairns or Port Douglas day boats or liveaboard dive vessels. Due to the risk of shallow water blackout, operators do not allow freediving for safety reasons.
We highly recommend that all passengers take out comprehensive travel insurance for all tours and travel arrangements.
Do You Have Medical Issues?
If you have any medical issues, you will need to see your local GP before travelling and ask them to provide a signed and dated letter on practice letterhead stating that you are “fit to dive”.
If you have one of these letters, Cairns dive operators can usually accept you for diving, subject to their own safety procedures. Please note that these letters are generally valid for three months from the date of issue.
Learn to Dive Courses & Advanced Dive Training
For learn-to-dive courses and advanced dive education courses in Australia, dive medical requirements are strict. Dive medicals are only valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Australia has very high safety standards for dive training and dive operators. If you have any medical history, current condition, or medication use that may affect your ability to dive, please arrange medical clearance before booking or travelling.
Inclusions
- SSI digital learning and course materials.
- Professional SSI dive instruction.
- Five confined-water training dives.
- Four open-water training dives.
- All diving equipment required for the course.
- SSI digital certification on successful completion.
- Return boat transfers between Cairns and Moore Reef each day.
- Lunch, morning and afternoon tea each day.
- Access to pontoon facilities, underwater observatory and snorkelling.
Accommodation and Check-in
This is a course conducted over three day trips. Overnight accommodation is not included.
Check in at 9.30am at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns, each course day. The scheduled return to Cairns is approximately 5.30pm.
Online Study
Complete all required SSI online theory before the first practical training day. Allow approximately 8–12 hours.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made at least five days before the course start date. Cancellations within five days are non-refundable under Sunlover’s supplied course conditions.
Travel Insurance
We recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers your planned scuba diving activities and circumstances.
Need Help Choosing a Cairns Dive Course?
Our Cairns Dive Adventures team can help you compare course formats, understand the requirements and choose an option that suits your holiday. Call +61 7 4041 1638 or explore our Cairns learn-to-dive courses.
Satellite view of the tour location:
Special
FREE UNDERWATER CAMERA HIRE*
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.
While you're in Cairns… explore the rainforest!
Most visitors combine a Great Barrier Reef trip with a rainforest adventure.
Billy Tea – Daintree Rainforest 4WD Tour
Tropic Wings Grand Kuranda Train & Skyrail Tour
Barron River White Water Rafting – Half-Day Cairns Tour
Kuranda Day Tour – Skyrail & Kuranda Scenic Railway
