P.A.D.I. Certified at the Great Barrier Reef! This trip is designed for those looking to get their diving certification in a safe, friendly and beautiful surroundings. Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, is known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This will be your base while you spend three days in a classroom and two days on a live aboard to have full hands on experience with the experts. After your course you will make your way two hours north to Port Douglas where you can enjoy four mile beach and do various day trips to the oldest rainforest in the world. Add on some more dives or visit more this vast Country has to offer.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef supports a wide diversity of life, and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Private transfer between Cairns airport and your hotel, or vice versa.

The Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns, one of the most distinguished hotels in Cairns, sets the standard for contemporary luxury and service in one of Australia’s most beautiful seaside destinations.Cairns' premier hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns, provides a haven of unsurpassed luxury in a tropical city setting. The hotel is magnificently positioned within the cosmopolitan Pier complex, overlooking the Marlin Marina and the Coral Sea. Shangri-La's special blend of service and attention to detail, combined with the ultra-chic guestrooms, make for memorable stays, and guests aspiring to return. It is a fresh modern hotel with appealing decor, offering all the creature comforts that well travelled guests anticipate. The spectacular waterfront location is renowned as Cairns’ premier dining precinct, hosting some of Cairns’ most acclaimed restaurants and bars.

Overnight at Shangri La Hotel, The Marin (5*).

Your Introduction to the world of underwater exploration. Today you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to our Training Centre where you will meet with other participants, and begin both academic and practical training. You will get your hands on the basic equipment used in scuba diving. Your instructor will explain the equipment in detail and you will practice using it in the pool this afternoon. Your PADI course includes 9 Dives (4 training dives and 5 pleasure dives – inc one night dive), PADI Gold Open Water Certification, PADI Open Water manual, Dive Log Book, 2 Passport Photos, All dive & snorkelling equipment Double or twin share accommodation on board and all meals while onboard. After training you will be transferred back to your accommodation in Cairns.

Overnight at Shangri La Hotel, The Marin (5*).

Return to the training centre where you and your fellow divers will earn more advanced skills involved in diving in the pool. The afternoon will be academic training followed by your written exam before board the dive boat the next day. Once again you will be returned to your hotel in Cairns.

Overnight at Shangri La Hotel, The Marin (5*).

Today you will be picked up VERY early and taken aboard our dive vessel with your fellow divers and set sail for 3 days and 2 nights of fantastic diving on various parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Your Instructors will advise the best possible options for diving on that day as weather conditions can alter visibility greatly. Enjoy a morning beginner dive followed by a slightly more advanced afternoon dive. A hearty lunch and dinner will be served on board promising a wide variety of delicious options.

The MV Scubapro I, II and III are liveaboard ships designed specifically for SCUBA dive training. Scubapro I was purpose built and launched in April 1998. Major specifications were that she would could handle all varying weather conditions in the Tropical North and offer a smooth and comfortable ride. The formula was a huge success and in February 2002 sister ship Scubapro II was launched, followed by Scubapro III in April 2004.

Overnight at SCUBApro I, II and III.

With some open water experience under your belt you are now ready for more challenging and possibly deeper dives. Your crew will set sail for new waters to experience some different scenery and challenges. Your first dive will occur before breakfast and your final dive out on the ocean will be an night diver – an unforgetable experience. Enjoy lunch and dinner onboard the ship.

Overnight at SCUBApro I, II and III.

Port Douglas is a town in Far North Queensland, Australia, approximately 70 km (43 mi) north of Cairns. Its permanent population was 948 residents in 2006. The town's population can often quadruple, however, with the influx of tourists during the peak tourism season May-September. The town is named in honour of former Premier of Queensland, John Douglas. Port Douglas developed quickly based on the mining industry, other parts of the area were established with timber cutting occurring in the area surrounding the Daintree River and with settlement starting to occur on lots around the Mossman River by 1880.

Start your day off with an early morning dive followed by breakfast. After breakfast, the vessel makes its last site of the trip, where you will enjoy some final diving. When you surface freshly made sandwiches are served as the vessel heads home and you are transferred back to your hotel in Cairns.

Transfer between Cairns airport and the beautiful town of Port Douglas with private vehicle and driver.

Thala Beach Lodge (5*) is a privately owned nature resort, situated 38 kilometres North of the city of Cairns and 16 kilometres South of the village of Port Douglas. Timber bungalows are scattered amongst a hundred and forty five acres of wooded headland and secluded beaches. It is one of the world's most beautiful private beach locations. The story of the natural history of Australia is unique and Thala nurtures this environment. The main building is designed to embrace all the elements of the tropics. Built from local timbers, it is open and spacious, allowing the cool sea breezes to flow.

Overnight at Thala Beach Resort.

We all need time out now and again, enter a laid back tropical oasis with sophisticated worldly comforts with a small friendly village atmosphere. Go from business suit to barefoot and frantic to free. Refresh, restore and revitalise, in the aquamarine reef waters of the Coral Sea, the crystal creeks of Mossman Gorge, and the palm fringed golden sands of Port Douglas' Four Mile Beach.

Overnight at Thala Beach Resort.

Departing your hotel and joining your fellow travellers, we travel through the rich farming areas toward the World Heritage Listed forest region of Cape Tribulation. We step aboard our own personalised craft for a cruise on the mirrored smooth waters of the Daintree River. We cruise close to riverbanks and under the overhead canopy of the rainforest seeking out the vivid Ulysees Butterfly, Kingfishers and various other wildlife. The cruise takes us through silent backwaters where crocodiles can normally be seen basking on the muddy banks. Arriving on the northern side of the river you enjoy a homestyle morning tea at Thornton Beach before making your way towards Cape Tribulation and the Coral Sea. Usually we are the sole voyagers on this stretch of wilderness beach. Just before you arrive you will see an outstanding panoramic picture postcard view at Alexandra Range Lookout. From here you'll have a spectacular view of the mouth of the Daintree River, Snapper Island and on a clear day Port Douglas.

Overnight at Thala Beach Resort.

You will be picked up from your Port Douglas Hotel and taken by private car to Cairns City or airport.

Depart from Cairns international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.