6 PADI Courses in Australia Worth Booking

1.Cairns: 4-Day PADI Open Water Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 44 reviews · 4 days · from $704Our pick

Train with Divers Den over two days of pool work and theory, then head from Cairns to the outer Great Barrier Reef for four supervised open-water sessions. The small group is limited to 10, with equipment, transfers, PADI materials, and instruction included. Instructors such as Matt and Catalina are known for patient, clear teaching.

“My instructor Matt was fantastic - he had a lot of patience and was good at explaining the different exercises. He also gave us some useful tips.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Quicksilver Dive 4 Day PADI Learn to Dive Course

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews Top rated

Learn the skills for PADI Gold Open Water certification in a group of up to eight. You spend two days in Quicksilver’s heated training pool, then visit Agincourt and the Great Barrier Reef for six open-water sessions. Instructors including Adam, Emma, India, Haylie, and Gordon have guided recent courses. Port Douglas pickup, gear, meals, and logbook are included.

“We had the most incredible experience getting open water certified with India aboard the supersonic- the perfect instructor for us who made ensured safety, confidence and fun at all points. Couldn't recommend more highly!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Gold Coast: 3-Day PADI Open Water Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 28 reviews · 6 hours · from $315

Meet at 19 Karloo Street in Surfers Paradise for a three-day PADI Open Water Course with classroom work, confined-water practice, and open-water sessions. Your instructor teaches in English, Japanese, or Spanish, with Ryan, Rhan, and Josh noted for calm, patient instruction. Gear and boat transport are included, while the PADI e-book and certification cost AUD 99 extra.

“It was great!! Ryan is a great instructor super calm for beginners.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course – Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $677

Start with classroom lessons and pool practice in Cairns, then complete four guided reef descents from the Evolution catamaran. With groups capped at eight, instructor Frankie offers close coaching as you work toward an internationally recognized PADI Open Water certificate.

“Frankly is the most knowledgeable, funny, and entertaining instructor I could’ve imagined. the way he explains the open water course makes complicated topics simple, couldn’t have asked for a better instructor! the food on the boat was goRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Cairns: Pro Dive 5 Day Learn to Dive Great Barrier Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 days · from $888

You spend two days learning with one instructor at Pro Dive Cairns’ 4.5-metre training pool, then move aboard Scubapro for two nights on the Outer Reef. The course includes four training sessions, five recreational sessions, a nighttime swim, meals, equipment, transfers, and PADI certification on successful completion. Solo guests share twin cabins.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Great Keppel Island: PADI Discover SCUBA Diving

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2 hours · from $130Best value

Meet the PADI team at the blue dive shack on Great Keppel Island for a two-hour introduction to scuba. You’ll learn equipment basics, practise safety skills in shallow water, then explore underwater under direct supervision. The small group is limited to eight, and instructor Anto has been praised for his calm, patient teaching.

Check availability →Read our full review