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First-time divers giving a thumbs up on an introductory scuba dive at Moore Reef, Great Barrier Reef

Introductory SCUBA Dive

Try an introductory scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef — no experience and no certification needed. Full training on the day, all equipment included, and a maximum of four guests per instructor.

Great Barrier Reef · Moore Reef Pontoon · Daily from Cairns · Ages 12+

Quick Answer

An introductory scuba dive lets you try scuba for the first time with no prior experience or certification. You complete a full briefing and equipment practice on the Moore Reef pontoon with a qualified dive instructor, then descend the guide ropes at your own pace to explore the reef. Maximum four guests per instructor, ages 12 and over, available daily as an optional extra on your reef day tour.

Book a Reef Day + Intro Dive →

Package deal

Moore Reef + Intro Dive Combo

Your full reef day and your first-ever scuba dive — one booking, everything included.

  • Full-day Moore Reef pontoon tour with all included activities
  • Introductory scuba dive — full training & all equipment
  • Maximum 4 divers per instructor · ages 12+
  • Buffet lunch, snorkelling gear, waterslide & semi-submersible
From$409per adult$323 child (12+)Book the Combo →Fuel surcharge included · daily from Cairns
Subject to availability & medical checklist
Acknowledgement of Sea Country

We acknowledge the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Mandingalbay Yidinji, Yirrganydji and Gunggandji peoples, who for thousands of years have been the first scientists and caretakers of the Great Barrier Reef. Their deep knowledge, passed through generations, continues to guide how we learn from and protect this remarkable Sea Country.

1991
Operating since
1.3M+
Guests welcomed
4:1
Max guests per instructor
0
Experience needed
No experience neededAll training happens on the day. First-timers are guided through every step before entering the water.
Maximum 4 guests per instructorGenuine individual attention from a qualified dive instructor throughout your dive.
All equipment includedWetsuit, BCD, tank, regulator, mask and fins — everything is provided.
Ecotourism CertifiedEcotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia — independently audited — and an Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame member.

Breathe Underwater for the First Time

Breathing underwater while surrounded by fish, coral and colour is like stepping into a living aquarium. On an introductory scuba dive, you don't need any experience or a certification — your qualified dive instructor teaches you everything on the day.

Introductory divers complete a full briefing during the journey out to the reef, covering the equipment, key safety steps and what to expect underwater. It's calm, thorough, and designed to make first-timers feel confident before they ever touch the water. Only when you feel ready do you descend the guide ropes — at your own pace — to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

Watch

See the introductory dive experience

Filmed at Moore Reef when the I Love Cairns family brought first-time divers out with us for their first breath underwater.

Watch on YouTube →

First time? Here's exactly what happens

Four simple steps — at your own pace

Full briefing on the way out

Your dive instructor walks you through the equipment, the key safety steps and what to expect underwater — before you reach the reef.

Practice at the pontoon

You get comfortable using the gear in the water beside the stable Moore Reef pontoon, with your instructor right there with you.

Descend the guide ropes

Only when you feel ready, you follow the guide ropes down at your own pace. Maximum four guests per instructor.

Explore the reef

Glide over coral and among the fish. Feel like stopping at any point? Signal your instructor and you return to the surface.

From guests who tried it

First-time divers and certified divers returning after years away — Moore Reef, with the I Love Cairns family

“I'm not nervous, but I am excited. My dad said scuba diving was like flying underwater — I can't wait to see what that is like.”
JonathanFirst-time diver
“Scuba was much easier than I expected. It was so great to get close to the fish and corals.”
AllyFirst-time diver
“Diego and Aden were excellent — we felt very supported and safe. This was the best spot I have ever been.”
TimCertified diver, 26 years between dives
“I saw so much more than I ever thought I would. Now I've done scuba again, I really want to get back into it.”
AmandaCertified diver, returning after years away

Three ways to explore beneath the surface

Which dive is right for you?

All three run from the one Moore Reef pontoon.

You're here

Introductory SCUBA Dive

First-time divers · no experience

$149 per person

  • No experience or certification needed
  • Full training & equipment included
  • Maximum 4 divers per guide
  • Ages 12+
Book Intro Dive

Seawalker Helmet Dive

Non-swimmers · nervous first-timers

$149 per person

  • Walk 3.5m underwater — no swimming
  • Keep your hair and face dry
  • Breathe normally in the helmet
  • Ages 12+
Seawalker Dive →

Certified SCUBA Dive

For qualified, certified divers

$149 per person

  • Up to 50 minutes underwater
  • Maximum depth 18 metres
  • All equipment included
  • Bring your certification · ages 12+
Certified Dive →
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Please check you’re Fit to Dive — before you book

This is the most important step before booking any dive. Some medical conditions and regular medications can prevent you from diving on the day — and our dive team can't make exceptions at the reef. Reviewing the medical checklist only takes a minute. If a condition applies to you, you'll need a "fit to dive" certificate from a doctor, and guests 65 and over always require medical clearance. Checking now means no disappointment on the day.

Review the Medical Checklist →

Introductory scuba dive — the essentials

Swipe through the key facts

💰Price

$149 first dive · $99 second dive (adults & kids 12+) · an optional extra on your reef day

🤿Experience

None needed — all training happens on the day

👥Group size

Maximum 4 guests per dive instructor

🎂Minimum age

12 years · under 18s need a consenting parent or guardian present

🩺Medical

Review the medical checklist before booking · guests 65+ need a doctor’s clearance

🎒What’s included

Wetsuit, BCD, tank, regulator, mask & fins — plus full instructor guidance

📍Where

Moore Reef pontoon, outer Great Barrier Reef · departs Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns (check-in 8:45–9:45am)

✈️Flying after

Allow at least 12 hours before flying — 24 hours after more than one dive

Introductory scuba dive — FAQs

Do I need scuba experience to do an introductory dive?
No experience is needed. Sunlover's introductory scuba dive includes full training, tuition and equipment. A qualified dive instructor guides you step by step, with a maximum of four guests per instructor, and you only descend once you feel comfortable.
What exactly is an introductory dive?
An introductory dive lets you try scuba diving for the first time with no prior experience. You receive comprehensive training and equipment practice on the pontoon under instructor guidance, then descend the guide ropes to explore the reef.
How much does an introductory dive cost?
The introductory scuba dive is $149 for your first dive and $99 for a second dive (adults and kids 12+), added as an optional extra to your Moore Reef day tour fare.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 12 years. Divers under 18 must have a consenting parent or legal guardian present, and guests aged 65 and over need medical clearance from a doctor.
Is there a medical check?
Yes. All divers must review the medical checklist before booking. If you have an existing medical condition or take regular medication, please seek medical advice and bring a "fit to dive" certificate. The dive team may decline participation on safety grounds.
What's included?
All dive equipment is included — wetsuit, BCD, tank, regulator, mask and fins — along with full instructor guidance. You just need your swimwear.
Where does the dive take place?
At the Moore Reef pontoon on the outer Great Barrier Reef. The tour departs from Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, with check-in between 8:45 and 9:45am.
How long after diving before I can fly?
Allow a minimum of 12 hours before flying after one dive, or 24 hours if you do more than one dive in a day. Plan helicopter transfers and onward flights accordingly.
Which tours can I add an introductory dive to?
You can add the introductory dive (and the other diving experiences) to the Moore Reef Full Day tour, or choose it as your one diving experience on the reef portion of the Reef & Island trip. There is no diving at Fitzroy Island.

Make a day of it

Add these to your Moore Reef day tour

Seawalker Helmet Dive

Prefer not to swim? Walk on an underwater platform and breathe normally — no swimming needed.

Learn more

Helicopter Flight

See the reef from above with a scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef.

Learn more

Semi-Submersible Tour

Stay completely dry and view the coral gardens through the windows of our semi-submersible.

Learn more

Read the full family story — two first-time divers and their parents returning to the water after years away — on our blog.

Read: First-Time Diving on the Great Barrier Reef →

Ready to breathe underwater?

Add an introductory scuba dive to your Moore Reef day tour. No experience needed. Ages 12+. Everything included.

Book Your Great Barrier Reef Day →
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