Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Port Douglas
Osprey Reef, Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs, Coral Sea and the far northern reefs.
Dive Courses
In Queensland there are numerous places where you can learn to dive, take a refresher
course or improve your skills. Dive courses are generally of a high standard, and all
schools teach either PADI or Scuba Schools International (SSI) qualifications. Which cer-
tification you choose isn't as important as choosing a good instructor, so be sure to seek
local recommendations and meet with the instructor before committing to a program.
A popular place to learn is Cairns, where you can choose between courses for the
budget-minded (four-day courses from around $490) that combine pool training and reef
dives, to more intensive courses that include reef diving on a live-aboard (five-day
courses including three-day/two-night live-aboard start from $700).
Other places where you can learn to dive, and then head out on the Reef include Airlie
Beach, Bundaberg, Hamilton Island, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, Port Douglas and
Townsville.
