Divers Den

Located in Cairns, Divers Den has been a fixture of the Great Barrier Reef diving community for over fifty years. As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development and Career Development centre, they provide a structured environment for both recreational divers and those pursuing professional qualifications.

The centre operates with a focus on the diverse ecosystems of the reef, offering day trips to various sites or extended liveaboard adventures. Their commitment to the environment is reflected in their PADI Eco Centre status, ensuring that diving activities align with sustainable reef practices.

The team is comprised of experienced instructors capable of guiding divers through every stage of their training. Whether you are starting your first course or working towards a professional rating, the instruction is designed to be methodical and safety-oriented.

For guided excursions, the centre maintains a ratio of one guide for every four divers. All instruction and boat operations are conducted in English, though staff may be able to assist in other languages if requested in advance.

Divers Den offers a complete catalogue of PADI courses. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Diver programmes, while those looking to enhance their skills can enrol in the Nitrox or Rescue Diver courses.

For professional aspirants, the centre is an Instructor Development Centre (IDC). They provide training through to the Divemaster level and offer the PADI Staff Instructor Course for those looking to build a career in diving.

For day excursions, the centre utilises the AquaQuest and SeaQuest vessels. These boats are equipped with sun decks, indoor air-conditioned spaces, and freshwater showers to ensure comfort between dives.

For those looking to maximise their time on the water, the OceanQuest provides a liveaboard experience. This vessel features air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms, a lounge, and a bar, allowing you to reach more remote sections of the reef.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit, including wetsuits, lycra, and prescription masks for those who require them. For night dives, torches are available to ensure you can navigate the reef after dark.

Nitrox is available for all divers looking to extend their bottom time. The centre also offers professional photo services and camera rentals if you wish to document your encounters with pelagic species or reef life.

The reef is home to a vast array of resident species, including green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, and various shark species such as whitetip reef sharks and grey reef sharks. You will frequently encounter maori wrasse, parrotfish, surgeonfish, and triggerfish amongst the coral structures.

For those interested in larger pelagics, the area hosts manta rays and various dolphin species, including snubfin, humpback indo-pacific, and bottlenose dolphins. During the months of June and July, you may have the opportunity to see dwarf minke whales, while whales in general are present from June to the end of October.

The reef floor is a busy habitat for many smaller creatures, including clownfish, damselfish, gobies, and cardinalfish. You can also find stingrays, such as blue-spotted stingrays, patrolling the sandy patches.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to observe, from nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani) to various species of shrimp and small crustaceans. The presence of soft coral (Alcyonacea) and sponges (Porifera) provides a complex backdrop for these smaller inhabitants.

Diving in the region is best planned outside of the cyclone season, which typically runs from December to April. During the warmer months, the water temperature remains around 26°C.

While many sites are accessible to all levels, certain areas may be subject to varying currents depending on the tide and weather conditions. Always check the daily briefing with your guide before entering the water.