SMITHFIELD WATER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Three Days to PADI Certification amid Fitzroy Island’s Vibrant Underwater World
A 3-day PADI Open Water Diver course with eLearning and practical dives on Fitzroy Island, taught in small groups to prepare beginners to dive to 18 m.
Three Days to PADI Certification amid Fitzroy Island’s Vibrant Underwater World.
This is a compact, instructor-led PADI Open Water Diver course run by Octopus Dive from Smithfield that combines 5–10 hours of eLearning with three days of in-water training on Fitzroy Island. Small groups and personalised instruction guide complete beginners through confined-water practice and open-water dives, capped at 18 m, with time left over to snorkel or hike the island between sessions.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Small groups and personalised instruction
Octopus Dive keeps class sizes small so you get focused, one-on-one time with an instructor through classroom reviews, confined-water practice and open-water dives — an ideal setup for complete beginners progressing to independent, buddy-team diving to 18 m.
Fitzroy Island’s beachside pace between dives
The course is staged from Fitzroy Island, where the schedule leaves room after dives to snorkel, hike scenic trails or relax at Foxy’s Beachfront Bar before returning on the evening ferry.
Structured learning from eLearning to open-water skills
Begin with 5–10 hours of PADI eLearning, move through a face-to-face knowledge review and confined-water skills, then complete four open-water dives across Days 2 and 3 to earn PADI Open Water certification.
What the day feels like
What the three days feel like
The course unfolds like a steady apprenticeship: finish eLearning at your own pace, meet your instructor for a morning classroom review and an afternoon confined-water session on Day 1, then spend Days 2 and 3 doing two guided open-water dives each day from the glass-bottom boat. Between sessions you sample Fitzroy Island’s shoreline and trails, returning to Cairns each evening on the 5pm ferry unless you opt to stay overnight on the island.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who it excludes.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a three-day course with required eLearning before in-water sessions; plan for 5–10 hours of online study prior to the practical days.
Students meet at Cairns Marlin Marina each morning for the ferry to Fitzroy Island; the operator provides the ferry to and from Fitzroy Island (depart Cairns at 8am, return from the island at 5pm).
Bring any personal snorkel/SCUBA gear if you prefer to use your own, plus water, snacks or packed lunch (or buy lunch at Foxy’s Beachfront Bar), a towel, sunscreen and a hat.
The course price includes all SCUBA and snorkel gear, PADI eLearning and exam, face-to-face knowledge review, and PADI certification. Ferry transport to and from Fitzroy Island is also included.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Open Water Diver course?
The program runs over three days of practical training, preceded by 5–10 hours of PADI eLearning.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Participants must be at least 14 years old to enroll in this course.
Where does the training take place?
Training is staged on Fitzroy Island (45 minutes by ferry from Cairns); there is also an option to train at Crater Lakes National Park or a mix of both locations at reduced cost.
What is included in the course price?
The course includes ferry transport to and from Fitzroy Island, all SCUBA and snorkel gear, the PADI eLearning and exam, face-to-face knowledge review, and PADI certification.
What does a typical daily schedule look like?
Day 1 features a morning classroom review and an afternoon confined-water session; Days 2 and 3 each include two open-water dives from the glass-bottom boat with departures at about 10am and 1pm and sessions concluding by 4pm, with the ferry back at 5pm.
Can I stay overnight on Fitzroy Island?
Yes — you may choose to stay overnight at the island resort for convenience and reduced course costs, or travel from Cairns each day.