With so many dive operators, it is often hard to know which company does what. At Pro Dive Cairns we make it simple. We offer the best quality product, with the highest standards, and the most professional team. We have always maintained the policy that the "price should be the price" and there should be no hidden costs involved. At Pro Dive, all our courses and trips are "all inclusive" to ensure every customer gets the best possible value for money.

So what is the difference? Here it is...

REEF TEACH: Is a fun and informative two hour Marine Biology presentation which enhances your clients Great Barrier Reef experience. This educational presentation includes an entertaining slide show, open discussion and limitless chocolate biscuits and hot drinks. Other dive operators recommend this presentation, but do not include it. The cost is normally $14.00 per person to attend. We include this in all of our dive options.

EQUIPMENT: All equipment means all equipment! We include everything. Mask (prescription if needed), snorkel, fins, long leg 5 mm wet suit, Buoyancy Control Device (BCD), regulator and octopus and a state of the art dive computer. A dive computer can cost as much as $20 per person per day to hire. Tanks, weights, and of course unlimited air, are also included.

WETSUITS: Pro Dive Cairns is the only dive operator who provides long leg wetsuits. They are not only warmer in the winter months, but also prevent divers from cutting or grazing their legs on the coral.

REEF TAX: Officially known as EMC (Environmental Management Charge), reef tax is a government charge, which is currently $4.50 per person per day, which amounts to $13.50 for a 3 day trip. This money goes towards research, preservation and management of the Great Barrier Reef. This charge is included in all of our dive options.

PASSENGER NUMBERS: "Scubapro" I, II and III are each surveyed to carry 32 passengers. Other liveaboard vessels from Cairns carry many more. Smaller numbers on board mean a more personalised experienced and fewer people in the water. This makes for a more exclusive wilderness feeling when diving.

BOAT TRANSFERS: Some of the liveaboard vessels stay out at the reef permanently and use transfer/day boats to ferry passengers on and off the vessel on a daily basis. This limits vessel movement, reduces the atmosphere of the group, restricts dive site variation and effects the overall maintenance of the vessel. With Pro Dive Cairns, the vessel you board is the vessel you stay on, with the same crew and passengers for the duration of the trip.

TWIN AND DOUBLE CABINS: All of the Pro Dive vessels have double cabins, these are available upon request and are at no extra cost to our customers. Other operators charge an additional fee for twin or double cabins.

CLASS AND GROUP SIZES: PADI, the diver training agency we use has a strict instructor to student ratio. We have a maximum of 10 students per instructor in the pool and 8 students per instructor in the ocean. It is often much less than this. Smaller group numbers allow for more personalised tuition and increased safety .

REEF LOCATIONS AND DIVE SITES: We have 16 exclusive dive sites over 4 outer Great Barrier Reefs. These reefs are rarely visited by other vessels and are without pontoons. We change dive sites every 2nd dive (weather permitting) giving the best variety of diving possible. Our sites have been chosen for their abundance and variety of marine life, magnificent coral and exclusivity of location.

ACCOMMODATION TRANSFERS: Transfers are included in all of our dive options. They are available from Cairns and the northern beaches of Cairns at no extra cost. If you are staying at Port Douglas a small charge is applicable.

PASSPORT PHOTOS: With every dive certification passport photos are required. We provide these for your client free. These normally cost $5 to $10.

STATIONERY: Customers do not need to bring notepaper and pens as we will supply all stationary needs.

COURSE MANUALS: With each scuba course, Pro Dive Cairns includes the relevant PADI Course manual for each student to keep. This manual has a retail value of approximately AUD$45.00

GERMAN COURSES: We provide two German courses each week, commencing Tuesday and Friday. These courses are taught separately from English courses by a German speaking instructor. German manuals and exams are also provided.

DIVE MEDICALS: Our training centre features its own on-site medical examination room. This eliminates having to commute students to/from the medical centres in the city.

INSURANCE: We include comprehensive dive insurance for all customers participating in a Pro Dive trip or course. This policy normally costs $25 per person.

TRAINING CENTRE: Our purpose built diver training centre features Cairns deepest training pool. This enables students to get comfortable in deeper water before diving in the ocean. The training centre has recently undergone major extensions and refurbishment.

RETAIL STORE: Our dedicated retail store provides the largest range of products and the best service available. For the novice or the experienced diver or snorkeller, we have every equipment need and accessory your client may require at very competitive prices.

RUSTY DIVERS: If our client hasn't dived for a while they may benefit from a diving refresher course prior to their trip. A 2 hour private lesson can be booked at a small extra charge.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Learn to Dive: full refund up until the end of day 1 of the course for any reason (e.g. failed medical or simply not comfortable in the water). Liveaboard trip: full refund up until 48 hours prior to departure. This policy is unique to Pro Dive Cairns.