Hey all. Heading up to Cairns for 3 days, followed by Port Douglas for 4 in about 2 weeks.
Looking to scuba dive with my partner, neither of us have ever done it before.
We're looking at a day trip departing from Cairns.
The best thing I've managed to find is $400 for 3 introductory dives through Divers Den. Is this the norm, and does anyone have any experience with them?
Would we be better off doing the scuba diving from Port Douglas instead?
Thanks for your help and insights!
Hello, if you are in Cairns, I would recommended this company, if you are looking at a budget session for about 1-2 hours. I went with them in 2018. Scuba driving is about $100 extra, on top of their cruise out to the reef. You would have to confirm prices with the company, as my memory for prices is blurry.
Might be better off getting your dive tickets before you go next time. It'll open up a lot more options
OP the $399 deal you linked to VIA … "divers den" doesn't appear to give you PADI open water accreditation … I guess why so cheap.
Which means … you wouldn't then be able to on and dive at a different site/company later on.
As to what you were initially considering doing (Cains / port douglas) part of your trip.
HEY - even in FREO WA … you are looking at $699 to be fully PADI certified.
OP … do you TRULY intend to scuba dive in BOTH locations - Cains + Port Douglas?
Could you get away with Diving in 1 location but snorkeling in next ???
Why I say this … got PADI open water cert back in 2003 to be able to explore Exmouth … but then never went scuba diving again after that (even to this day).
doesn't appear to give you PADI open water accreditation
Nope, these are just tourist dives - basic introductory lesson and accompanied by an instructor. best introduction to Scuba to see if a person is interested in going further and getting accredited.
I wanted to dive in Cairns a few months ago and made this spreadsheet. My partner didn't want to dive so I was trying to find something where I could dive and she could snorkel. Ended up going to Green Island for a day trip and got rained on most the day :(
Anyway to answer your question there are a lot of people offering the same things. I'd say go with a group who are dive only - preferably with less people for a more personal experience.
Looks like a good deal to me.
My only tip is to take something for sea sickness. It can be quite choppy getting out to the reef from Cairns. Everyone is different but my first time going from Cairns I was vomiting in the bathroom until I got in the water. Best to take in advance as it doesn’t do much good once you’re already feeling sick/vomiting.
Shame you don't have more time in either location. I did the ProDive 5 days PADI Open Water learn to dive course. 2 days in the classroom/pool and 3 days live-aboard on the reef. Would highly recommend, felt like good value at c. $1.2kea