Can you please tell me about factors that would prevent someone from qualifying to have the Open Water Diver certification training? What times of the year are best for warm water when doing training dives and the Great Barrier Reef? How many days does certification training last, and upon passing, are you then PADI OWD certified? Is there a best time when attendees are the fewest and water temp is warmest, and activity is at its best?

Medical requirements involve a standard PADI Medical Questionnaire. If any 'Yes' answers appear, a dive medical from a doctor is required before training can begin. The Great Barrier Reef is diveable year-round. Warmest water is November to May (26–29°C). The PADI Open Water Diver course takes 5 days: 2 days of pool and classroom, 3 days on the reef. Upon successful completion, you will be fully certified as a PADI Open Water Diver, recognised worldwide. This certification never expires, though refreshers are recommended after long breaks from diving.

I am 65 years old and not a big fan of cold water. Is there any chance I can share with someone to keep the cost down? Is this trip ever discounted? Can those not certified get the same benefits? Does it cost additional?

The included accommodation is in hostels, so you would be sharing a 4 or 6-bed dorm with other guests. Cairns is generally always tropical, so the water is almost always warm. The 12-day trip actually includes your PADI Open Water Certificate, so you become a certified diver. For anyone already certified we offer the option of getting their next level in diving. The price already includes the cost of becoming certified. We do not discount this trip.

I am wondering when you will have the 2024 dates posted. I am interested in Feb. 2024. Also, I am not 100%--do you stay in a hostel for some nights and on the boat for others?

We are in the process of finalising prices and dates as well as some small changes to the itinerary for 2024. We will publish the dates soon. The trip in February is scheduled for the 4th. Generally you spend most nights in Cairns at a hostel and 2 nights on the reef on a boat.

Is this trip suited to singles over 40 (male)

Yes, this trip suits anyone young at heart with a sense of adventure. Accommodation is in dorms in a hostel, however, upgrades to a private room are available.

would i still get the project awareness card in this situaton then

i would still want to do the diving from day 4-6. would their be a different price that i would pay since i dont require the course work.

Can you tell me a little more about what the tour entails?

The first part of the program revolves around dive training where participants do their OWD course or AOWD if already certified. If you already have this level or higher you have the opportunity to do a 3 day/ 2 night live aboard trip to the Great Barrier Reef during the first stage of the trip, including 10 fun dives (2 night dives). Once back in Cairns you then spend 4 days diving with an Eco-guide doing underwater monitoring of the coral and marine life. All data is sent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority and input into their database. All participants get their PADI Project AWARE Specialty as well as a Certificate of Participation.

Do I need to have an experience in marine biology to join this program?

Experience in marine biology is not required, as you will be in the good hands of our certified Eco-Guide, who will be with you every step of the way, while you are doing all the conservation tasks.

From

US $3,221 per person

Eye On The Reef - Great Barrier Reef Conservation Experience

12 days

•

Start and end in Cairns

4.9 (4 reviews)

View all
It was the most fascinating thing I have done so far. It is so interesting and it makes you think a lot about the marine life.
Amalie•traveled in May5.0
View all

From

US $3,221 per person

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Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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Plan your adventure:

Operator: No Limit Adventures
Nature & Wildlife: Explore untamed landscapes teeming with wildlife
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Partially Guided: Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 3 - 8
Ages 18+

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Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
Cairns
Cairns
Optional Activities
- Stroll along the Esplanade
- Visit the Botanic Gardens
- Swim in the Lagoon
- Explore the port
- Explore the CBD
Landmarks
Cairns Esplanade
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Cairns Lagoon
Days 2 - 3
Cairns
Cairns
Included Activities
- Open Water Scuba Diving Course - Pool Training (Open Water students only)
- Course completion and certification preparation
Optional Activities
- Free time activities (for non-Open Water students)
Days 4 - 6
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Open Water Dive Course completion on the Great Barrier Reef
- Advanced Open Water Dive Course (Advanced students)
- Rescue Dive Course (Rescue students)
- Recreational dives for certified divers (11 included dives during liveaboard)
Landmarks
Great Barrier Reef
Days 7 - 8
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island
Included Activities
- Visit to Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
- Hands-on conservation activities (feeding turtles, cleaning tanks, beach clean-up)
- Ferry transfer to and from Fitzroy Island
Optional Activities
- Island walks
- Beach relaxation
- Swimming and snorkeling (equipment hire available at own expense)
Landmarks
Fitzroy Island
Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
Days 9 - 11
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Meals
Lunch
Included Activities
- Great Barrier Reef day trips on Passions of Paradise (3 days)
- Guided dives with Master Reef Guide (4 dives on days 9-10, snorkeling on day 11)
- Eye on the Reef Rapid Monitoring citizen science activities
- Fish counts and endangered animal sightings documentation
- Coral Nurture program education and participation
- Great Reef Census citizen science (seasonal)
- All diving and snorkeling equipment included
Optional Activities
- Free time activities in Cairns each afternoon
Landmarks
Great Barrier Reef
Day 12
Cairns
Cairns

Landmarks
Cairns Esplanade
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Cairns Lagoon

Landmarks
Great Barrier Reef

Landmarks
Fitzroy Island
Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre

Landmarks
Great Barrier Reef

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Automatic translation available in English. View in English

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

No Limit Adventures

Rating: 4.8 (23 reviews)
Response rate: 100%
Cancellation policy: Learn more

Traveler Reviews

4.9

Overall rating based on 4 Reviews

Itinerary
5.0
Transport
4.5
Guide
5.0
Accommodation
4.0
Food
4.3
Tour Operator
4.8

Malgorzata5.0•May 2023
Led by Phill
Karolina , Sylvia & Piotr were amazing, very helpful and knowledgeable, the whole tour was guided with the...
Show more
Traveled in May 2023
Erin5.0•March 2020
This was an amazing trip. It's perfect if you are looking to get certified and if you are looking to support...
This was an amazing trip. It's perfect if you are looking to get certified and if you are looking to support conservation efforts. I went as open water certified, looking to get my advanced open water so I had the first two days to hang out in Cairns while the open water people did their classroom training. The hostel we stayed at was really great, lots of people, decent cheap food for dinners. It's nice because you are traveling with the same people for all legs of the trip so you dont really have to worry about "strangers" in your room. Konrad was really great organizing everything and met with us prior to each leg. The live aboard was very well structured, knowledgeable staff and honestly really good food considering the limitations. The days afterward spent learning about marine conservation and doing your part helping with the efforts are definitely once in a lifetime. Russell is extremely knowledgeable and understanding in that you might not be on the marine biology path, but you want to help. I went on this trip as a single who wanted to go on a dive trip to check the box of diving the Great Barrier Reef but I definitely got a lot more out of it. The people that are involved in this trip from No Limit Adventures to Reef Teach to Eye on the Reef to the Turtle Hospital are all so passionate about their jobs and it made this trip truly a once in a lifetime experience.Show more
Traveled in February 2020
David4.5•October 2017
The trip was very good. As I already had my PADI Open Water, I had two free days at the beginning. The highlight of...
The trip was very good. As I already had my PADI Open Water, I had two free days at the beginning. The highlight of the trip for me was the liveaboard. Two nights out on the reef with 4 dives a day was great. As the boat moved ~2 times a day, the dive sites changed. The marine conservation section was interesting. It was a new experience completing the surveys. The only down side I thought was that we had to take a ~2hr boat ride every day and the dive sites were limited by what other passengers were doing. However, the diving was still good.Show more
Traveled in September 2017
Reply from: No Limit Adventures
Hi David, Thank you for your kind review. It was nice to have you join our program. I'm glad you enjoyed the diving and conservation work on the GBR. All the best, Konrad
Show more
Amalie5.0•May 2016
I was on No Limit Adventures' Marine Conservation program "Eye on the Reef" and it was the most fascinating thing I...
I was on No Limit Adventures' Marine Conservation program "Eye on the Reef" and it was the most fascinating thing I have done so far. I was able to take my Diving certificate and thereafter take part of the great conservation work they are doing on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. I can highly recommend it to others. It is so interesting and it makes you think a lot about the marine life and how easily it is destroyed. By the way the guys working at No Limit Adventures are the best ever they were our guides in Australia for a month and I simply had the best time of my life and I learned so much Show more
Traveled in March 2016
Reply from: No Limit Adventures
Thank you for the kind review Amalie! We're stoked to hear you had a great time with us in Australia!! :) We look forward to seeing you the next time you are Down Under...
Show more

Dates & Prices

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

We couldn't find results

Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

E
Emma
Asked on November 19th, 2025
Can you please tell me about factors that would prevent someone from qualifying to have the Open Water Diver certification training? What times of the year are best for warm water when doing training dives and the Great Barrier Reef? How many days does certification training last, and upon passing, are you then PADI OWD certified? Is there a best time when attendees are the fewest and water temp is warmest, and activity is at its best?
Tour Details
Travel Support
- No Limit AdventuresOperator•Written November 2025
  Medical requirements involve a standard PADI Medical Questionnaire. If any 'Yes' answers appear, a dive medical from a doctor is required before training can begin. The Great Barrier Reef is diveable year-round. Warmest water is November to May (26–29°C). The PADI Open Water Diver course takes 5 days: 2 days of pool and classroom, 3 days on the reef. Upon successful completion, you will be fully certified as a PADI Open Water Diver, recognised worldwide. This certification never expires, though refreshers are recommended after long breaks from diving.
C
Christian
Asked on April 23rd, 2025
I am 65 years old and not a big fan of cold water. Is there any chance I can share with someone to keep the cost down? Is this trip ever discounted? Can those not certified get the same benefits? Does it cost additional?
Age Range
Price / Availability
Single supplement
- No Limit AdventuresOperator•Written April 2025
  The included accommodation is in hostels, so you would be sharing a 4 or 6-bed dorm with other guests. Cairns is generally always tropical, so the water is almost always warm. The 12-day trip actually includes your PADI Open Water Certificate, so you become a certified diver. For anyone already certified we offer the option of getting their next level in diving. The price already includes the cost of becoming certified. We do not discount this trip.
H
Heather
Asked on September 28th, 2023
I am wondering when you will have the 2024 dates posted. I am interested in Feb. 2024. Also, I am not 100%--do you stay in a hostel for some nights and on the boat for others?
Accommodation
Tour Details
- No Limit AdventuresOperator•Written October 2023
  We are in the process of finalising prices and dates as well as some small changes to the itinerary for 2024. We will publish the dates soon. The trip in February is scheduled for the 4th. Generally you spend most nights in Cairns at a hostel and 2 nights on the reef on a boat.
J
Joyce
Asked on June 12th, 2023
Is this trip suited to singles over 40 (male)
Age Range
Tour Details
- No Limit AdventuresOperator•Written June 2023
  Yes, this trip suits anyone young at heart with a sense of adventure. Accommodation is in dorms in a hostel, however, upgrades to a private room are available.
J
Joshua
Asked on March 15th, 2023
would i still get the project awareness card in this situaton then
Tour Details
- J
  Joshua
  Traveler•Written March 2023
  i would still want to do the diving from day 4-6. would their be a different price that i would pay since i dont require the course work.
- J
  Joshua
  Traveler•Written March 2023
  Does the project awareness card count as a specialty course towards the dive master program
- No Limit AdventuresOperator•Written March 2023
  Unfortunately we are unable to include the the Project Aware card in the program.
- No Limit AdventuresOperator•Written March 2023
  The cost for the certified diver program is A$2300.
B
Bonnie
Asked on June 1st, 2016
Can you tell me a little more about what the tour entails?
Other
- No Limit AdventuresOperator•Written June 2016
  The first part of the program revolves around dive training where participants do their OWD course or AOWD if already certified. If you already have this level or higher you have the opportunity to do a 3 day/ 2 night live aboard trip to the Great Barrier Reef during the first stage of the trip, including 10 fun dives (2 night dives). Once back in Cairns you then spend 4 days diving with an Eco-guide doing underwater monitoring of the coral and marine life. All data is sent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority and input into their database. All participants get their PADI Project AWARE Specialty as well as a Certificate of Participation.
D
Danielle
Asked on June 1st, 2016
Do I need to have an experience in marine biology to join this program?
Other
- No Limit AdventuresOperator•Written June 2016
  Experience in marine biology is not required, as you will be in the good hands of our certified Eco-Guide, who will be with you every step of the way, while you are doing all the conservation tasks.

Good to know

Tour ID: 73116

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$ - Australian Dollar
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Balance due
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Booking fee
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US $3,221 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select departure month

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Pay only 30% today. The rest is due 65 days before departure. Learn more

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Videos from No Limit Adventures

Australia & Papua New Guinea Adventures
Marine Conservation on the Great Barrier Reef - below the surface
Marine Conservation on the GBR, Cairns, Australia

Eye On The Reef - Great Barrier Reef Conservation Experience

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