Scuba diving is the most exciting way to experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Blue Dive is the longest running dive school in Port Douglas. We provide private lessons with experienced professionals, and dive on the best reef sites. Our 3-day learn to dive in Port Douglas courses includes 1 day of pool classes (with prior PADI eLearning) and 2 days of Great Barrier Reef diving, with 6 scuba dives. Why choose Blue Dive? We provide ‘the best quality learn to dive PADI course and the best reefs in Port Douglas’ (Trip Advisor, July 2022). We’re locally owned and operated and have access to pristine dive sites located on the edge of Australia’s continental shelf, with amazing underwater visibility. These are private courses, just for you and your friends and/or family. We are dedicated to outstanding customer service. Small numbers ensure individualised attention for students. Assuming prior PADI eLearning, our prices include everything needed to learn to dive in Port Douglas – from the instruction, to pool practice sessions, training dives and equipment hire. The minimum age to participate is 10 years old and on successful completion of the course, you’ll be certified to dive around the world. So, let’s dive in …
When you learn to dive in Port Douglas with Blue Dive, you’ll be exploring the simply amazing Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, which are a part of the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area and marine park. This reef system is a ‘must visit’ destination for divers and snorkelers, thanks to the abundance and diversity of corals, exotic fish and tropical marine life. Here your private instructor will complete the training dives and skill test requirements for Open Water Diver certification, as well as providing guided leisure dives. In total, you will complete 6 Great Barrier Reef scuba dives in conjunction with your learn to dive in Port Douglas course. All dives will be guided by experienced PADI dive instructors, with all equipment included. Travel to and from the reef is on a sleek, super-fast catamaran, with first class dive deck, equipment and water access. A hot and cold buffet lunch and morning and afternoon tea are included.
Prior to visiting the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll complete some introductory dives and basic skills testing, in a dive resort swimming pool. This provides the space and place for you to familiarize yourself with the equipment and sensation of breathing under the water for the first time. When you choose to learn to dive in Port Douglas with Blue Dive, you’ll be diving in style – taught by PADI professionals in small private classes, with lots of attention.
Our PADI learn to dive in Port Douglas courses are 3-day courses. On their successful completion, you’ll be a certified Open Water Diver. Please note it is a requirement that you must have completed the necessary PADI eLearning modules, prior to your arrival and commencement of our course. PADI eLearning can be accessed from the banner at the bottom of this page. There is an extra cost for this which is payable direct to PADI. Feel free to email us first with potential dates, so we can explain your options, availability and prices. The first day of your learn to dive in Port Douglas course runs from 8.30am to 4.30pm. It includes a review of your eLearning, followed by a fun day of pool teaching and instruction. Day 2 and 3 are spent completing your training dives on the Great Barrier Reef, with a 7.45am start and 4.30pm end. There are also 2 guided dives included in the Blue Dive learn to dive in Port Douglas courses. Please note there are some specific requirements regarding the PADI eLearning, participant age, swimming abilities, health and medical requirements – scroll down for these.
To participate in our learn to dive in Port Douglas courses, it’s a requirement that you have successfully completed the PADI eLearning, prior to course commencement. PADI eLearning costs $230 (+10% GST for Australian residents) in addition to our course fee – this is payable directly to PADI when signing up. PADI Open Water Diver Online uses videos, audio, graphics and reading to help you learn, plus short quizzes that let you gauge your progress, and offers a review of anything you miss. The program covers principles and concepts regarding dive skills and safety. It usually takes between 6-8 hours to complete. The minimum age for participants is 10 years old – who on successful completion will be certified as Junior Open Water Divers. Those aged 15 years and above will be PADI certified Open Water Divers, on successful completion of the course.
There are medical requirements for those wanting to learn to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef. By law, you are required to complete a Queensland Government Medical Declaration confirming good health. Please note certain conditions, including asthma and heart problems, may preclude you from being able to scuba dive.
Any yes answers will mean you need medical clearance to learn to dive. Please see below.
If the answer to any of the above is ‘YES’ you will need a medical clearance. Please note any participants with asthma or diabetes are required to contact us prior to booking the learn to dive course. There are very strict requirements around diving with these conditions and we need to discuss to discuss this directly with you. Please also see our Covid Safety plan requirements. Please see our medical page for further information.
Please Note: The current safety regulations require an 18-hour surface interval between diving and flying. All diving would be completed by 2.30pm, so any flights could be booked for departure any time after 8.30am on the following day. For more information please visit our medical page.
Blue Dive is passionate about scuba diving and the Great Barrier Reef. When you choose our private learn to dive in Port Douglas courses, you’ll receive individualized instruction by experienced dive instructors. On successful completion, you’ll be a certified Open Water Diver able to scuba dive around the world. Cancellations: For peace of mind please take out travel insurance in case you need to cancel your course. Cancellations must be made at least 5 days before your first dive day, in which case you will incur a $100 per booking administration fee to cover costs. Additional cancellation fees apply if cancellation made less than 5 days before your first dive/snorkel day. As a small dive centre – all services and staff are arranged to order – and we require at least 5 days to have a chance to resell the spaces. Please note your credit card may be charged for the balance due.
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