PADI Courses in Australia: Our 9 Best

1.4-Day PADI Open Water Course

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

Train with Divers Den across two pool and theory days, then complete four open-water sessions on the Great Barrier Reef. You receive equipment, PADI materials, instruction, reef trips, and selected Cairns transfers. Instructors such as Matt and Catalina are praised for patient, clear teaching. A 200-metre swim and medical clearance may be required.

“Fantastic! Catalina, my instructor, was great. Knowlegeable, professional and fun. Safety is a priority and I have discovered a new passion.”

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2.Quicksilver Dive 4 Day PADI Learn to Dive Course

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews Top rated

Train at Quicksilver’s Port Douglas centre for two days, then complete six open-water sessions across two Agincourt Ribbon Reef trips. You’ll use a heated pool, full equipment, and receive instruction from guides such as India, Adam, Emma, and Haylie. The group is capped at eight, with meals and Port Douglas transfers included.

“We had a great time! The staff was incredible, especially our dive master Gordon. The staff in general was super welcoming and accommodating to all our needs. We will 100% book another trip with them and would recommend it to everyone, diving or snorkeling.”

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3.3-Day PADI Open Water Course

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

Meet your instructor at 19 Karloo Street in Surfers Paradise for a three-day PADI Open Water Course. You’ll study safe scuba practice, train in confined water, then complete open-water sessions by boat. Instructors may teach in English, Japanese, or Spanish. Ryan, Rhan, and Josh have been praised for calm, patient teaching.

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

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

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

Train in a small group with instructor Frankie, starting with classroom and pool sessions before two outer-reef cruises aboard Evolution. You will complete four guided reef dives, receive a free fun dive, and earn an internationally recognized PADI Open Water certificate. Hotel transfers, equipment, training materials, and onboard lunches are included.

“Excellent!!!If I can give 50 starts review,I would.The best thing I did to myself was booking this course.I always have fear of deep water and just in four days I was able to dive down to 16 meters.I still can’t believe I did that.All this thanks to FraRead more”

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5.Great Keppel Island PADI Discover Scuba Dive with Keppel Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $132

Meet Keppel Dive at noon on Great Keppel Island for a PADI Discover Scuba session. You’ll learn basic theory, handle your equipment, practise in the water, then take a 30 to 45 minute boat-supported ocean session with a qualified instructor. Guides including Antonio, Tom, Sol, Anton, and Inés have helped visitors feel safe and well prepared.

“We didn't want to snorkel or dive. We just wanted a complete circuit of Keppel Island. Tom was our skipper and he was amazing giving us such a great guided tour and passing on so much information. He also found special spots for us to get out on the Island and do some walking and looking. The boat was an amazing boat to be in, very exhilarating!”

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6.PADI Open Water Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $498

Learn scuba skills in a Rockingham pool, complete shore sessions near Fremantle, then finish with a private boat day at Rottnest Island. Small groups, personal instruction, equipment, refreshments, and a hot lunch are included. Instructors include Claire, Lauren, Mel, Kate, and Antoni. You must swim 200 metres without stopping and float for 10 minutes.

“Thank you for this incredible experience! I would recommend instructor Claire to anyone wanting to learn how to dive, she provided such a safe space for fears and helped me tap into courage with her presence and guidance, I am not conRead more”

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7.Pro Dive 5 Day Learn to Dive Great Barrier Reef

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

Build your PADI Open Water skills over two days at Pro Dive Cairns, including training in the city’s 4.5-metre pool. Then join the same instructor aboard Scubapro for three days on the outer reef, with four training sessions, five recreational sessions, and an escorted night swim. Twin cabins, meals, equipment, and transfers are included.

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8.Gold Coast Learn to Dive – Open Water Certification Course

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $426

Learn scuba skills with Gold Coast Dive Centre instructors including Diego, Karolina, Jonny, Indo, and Heitor. You will study online, complete a pool session, then make four ocean descents from 12 to 18 metres. Equipment, instruction, and your SSI certification card are included.

“The instructors, Diego and Karolina were very knowledgeable, professional and fun. Their standard of client care was of the highest order and they both went over and above to make sure everything and everyone was taken care of. Safety wRead more”

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9.Great Keppel Island: PADI Discover SCUBA Diving

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

Learn scuba basics with Keppel Dive & Water Sports during a two-hour PADI introduction at Great Keppel Island. You’ll handle the equipment, practice key skills in shallow water, and explore the Southern Great Barrier Reef under direct supervision. The small group is limited to eight, and instructor Anto may be leading the session.

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