Dive courses
Dive into the beauty of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef with professional SSI dive courses aboard SV Summer Jo. Experience world-class scuba training and adventure in comfort, with all courses conducted entirely onboard for a truly immersive liveaboard experience.
Try Scuba – your first underwater adventure
Experience the thrill of scuba diving without a full certification. Try Scuba is perfect for beginners and first-time divers looking to explore the underwater world safely under the guidance of SSI-certified instructors.
Course Highlights:
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Safe, guided introduction to scuba diving
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Explore vibrant coral reefs and marine life in the Whitsundays
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Conducted onboard SV Summer Jo
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Ideal for first-time divers
Prices from $160
SSI Open Water Diver Course
Become a certified diver with the internationally recognized SSI Open Water Diver Course. Learn the fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive safety, equipment use, and underwater skills, all onboard SV Summer Jo.
Course Highlights:
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Pool and open water training in the Whitsundays
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Professional SSI-certified instructors
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Dive theory and planning
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Certification recognized worldwide
Prices from $995
SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
Enhance your diving skills with the Advanced Open Water Diver Course. Experience deeper dives, navigation, and specialty dives that showcase the best of the Whitsundays reefs. All training is conducted onboard for a seamless liveaboard experience.
Course Highlights:
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Deep diving, navigation, and specialty dives
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Build confidence and competence underwater
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All courses conducted onboard SV Summer Jo
Prices from $699
SSI Rescue Diver Course
Take your diving to a new level with the Rescue Diver Course. Learn how to prevent and manage diving emergencies, assist fellow divers, and become a more responsible diver. Training is fully onboard, giving you hands-on experience in real-life scenarios.
Course Highlights:
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Dive emergency management and prevention
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Rescue techniques and problem-solving underwater
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Pool and ocean training in the Whitsundays
Prices from $449
Get Dive Certified at Sea
Take your first breaths beneath the surface and unlock a whole new world with our onboard dive certification experience. Over the course of your journey, you’ll learn the fundamentals of scuba diving through a combination of theory, guided practice, and open water dives, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Whitsundays and the Outer Reef.
With expert instructors by your side, you’ll build confidence as you master essential skills, from equipment setup to underwater navigation. Each dive takes you deeper into vibrant reef systems, where you’ll encounter colourful coral gardens and incredible marine life in crystal-clear conditions.
Between sessions, relax on deck, soak in the ocean views, and enjoy life onboard, making the learning process feel effortless and immersive.
It’s more than just a course, it’s the beginning of a lifelong adventure beneath the surface.
SSI Dive Certification Itinerary
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SSI Open Water Course Itinerary
Day 1: Pool Training & Boarding Kick things off with your confined water training session on the mainland.
- Meet your instructor at 07:00 for your pool session
- Build confidence before heading out to the reef After your pool session, you’ll be welcomed onboard SV Summer Jo, with departure later in the afternoon (around 4:00pm, tide permitting).
- Settle in, meet the crew and fellow guests, and enjoy your first evening onboard as we cruise toward the Whitsunday reefs.
Day 2: Open Water Dives 1, 2 & 3
- Complete Open Water Dives 1, 2 & 3
- Practice your skills in real ocean conditions with your instructor
- Explore vibrant coral reefs and marine life
- Between dives, enjoy life onboard
Day 3: Final Dive, Certification & Fun Diving
- Complete Open Water Dive 4
- Demonstrate your skills and confidence underwater
- Become a certified SSI Open Water Diver. Once certified, the adventure continues
- Join additional fun dives with the group
- Opportunity for a night dive (conditions permitting)
- Start exploring the reef as a qualified diver
Day 4: Whitehaven Beach & Return Wrap up your experience with one of the Whitsundays’ most iconic locations.
- Morning visit to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Time to relax, explore, and take in the views
- Cruise back to port Arrive back around 2:00pm, where we say our goodbyes, leaving you as a fully certified diver with unforgettable memories
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Advanced Open Water Course
Day 1
- Board in the afternoon
- Depart around 4:00pm (tide permitting)
- Course briefing
- Begin your first Adventure Dive (conditions permitting)
Day 2
Complete up to 3 Adventure Dives, including:
- Deep Dive
- Navigation Dive
- Elective dives based on conditions
Build confidence, control, and awareness underwater
- Optional Night
Day 3
– 07:00 Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet
- Return to vessel at 10:00am
- Cruise back to portSSI Rescue Diver Course
Day 1
- Board SV Summer Jo in the afternoon
- Depart around 4:00pm (tide permitting)
- Course briefing and introduction to rescue scenarios
- Begin with self-rescue skills and diver stress recognition
- Evening onboard with theory and scenario planning
Day 2 - Your main rescue training day
Practical training including:- Tired & panicked diver response
- In-water rescue techniques
- Search patterns & missing diver scenarios
- Emergency management & teamwork
- Scenario-based training in real conditions
- Build confidence handling challenging situations
Day 3- Final rescue scenarios and course assessment
- Course wrap-up and certification
Then finish with a Whitsundays highlight:
7:00am – Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet
- Return to vessel at 10:00am
- Cruise back to port *
