Port Douglas Dive Courses

Introductory Dive

• PADI Discover Scuba Dive is an experience which acts as a trial run. It involves a short theory component followed by a single dive.
• Minimum age is 12yrs
• Medical declaration form must be completed (and signed by parent if U/18) prior to participation
• NOTE: some medical conditions exclude people from participating in an introductory dive
• Theory is done via quick online e-learning module or a 30min in-person briefing
• Practical involves minimum one open water dive; where 3 basic dive skills must be mastered prior to the underwater dive excursion.
• Maximum depth during excursion is 12m and dive is completed under direct supervision of PADI instructor.
• Ratio is 4 divers per instructor
• Program cost is included in the Resurface Dive day rate on private dive charters. Additional fees apply for rental gear hire.

PADI SCUBA DIVER CERTIFICATION

• This certification allows the licence holder to dive to a maximum depth of 12m under the supervision of a professional instructor.
• Minimum age 10yrs
• Medical declaration form must be completed (and signed by parent if U/18) prior to participation
• NOTE: some medical conditions require assessment from a dive doctor prior to commencement
• Theory involves e-learning (approx 6 hours)
• Practical involves: 1/2 day pool session and 2 x dives on the reef, which can be completed in a single day aboard a privately charted vessel
• Cost of certification additional to Resurface Dive day rate on private dive charters and gear hire rate, due to PADI instructional/ material fees (POA)

PADI Open Water Certification

• This certification allows the diver to dive unguided to a max depth of 18m
• Minimum age 10yrs
• Medical declaration form must be completed (and signed by parent if U/18) prior to participation
• NOTE: some medical conditions require assessment from a dive doctor prior to commencement
• Theory involves e-learning (about 12-14hrs)
• Practical involves: One full day pool session and 4 x open water dives
• Open water dives need to be complete over two days on the reef aboard a privately charted vessel. Overnight dive charters offer the best option.
• Cost of certification additional to Resurface Dive day rate on private dive charters and gear hire rate, due to PADI instructional/ material fees (POA)

Advanced Open Water Certification

• This certification allows the diver to dive to a max depth of 30m and also develops a range of dive skills for advancement on the open water level
• Pre-requisite: Open Water certification or Junior Open Water certification
• Medical declaration form must be completed (and signed by parent if U/18) prior to participation
• NOTE: medical conditions that have changed or arisen since becoming certified may require assessment from a dive doctor prior to commencement
• Theory involves e-learning (about 3hours)
• Practical involves: 5 x dives – Two days on the reef required. We recommended a private overnight charter
• Cost of certification additional to Resurface Dive day rate on private dive charters and gear hire rate, due to PADI instructional/ material fees (POA)

PADI SPECIALTIES

• Specialty courses offer divers a chance to refine skills in a precise area
• Pre-requisite: Open Water cert or Junior Open Water cert
• Theory often involves a briefing and short quiz
• Practical often involves two dives
• Popular specialties include:
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy
  • Deep Diver (40m)
  • Drift Diver
  • Digital Underwater Photographer
  • Night Diver (only available if chartering a vessel overnight)
  • Project AWARE
  • Coral Reef Conservation
  • Underwater Naturalist

• Requirements for these specialty courses vary, but most can be done in one day out on the reef.
• Cost for specialist course additional to Resurface Dive day rate on private dive charters and gear hire rate, due to PADI instructional/ material fees