Octopus Dive

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The team at Octopus Dive are the kind of people you want to spend a day on the boat with. They’re based right on the Great Barrier Reef, so no long transfers to get out to the good stuff. We love that they keep their groups small, which means less fin-kicking chaos and more chances to actually *see* that clownfish nudging its anemone. Their real strength, we think, is the personalised approach to PADI training. If you’re looking to get certified, or even just brush up on skills without feeling like you’re part of a conveyor belt operation, this is a solid choice. We’ve found their instructors have a knack for putting even nervous beginners at ease, letting you take your time finning over the sandy patches before heading out to the reef wall. For certified divers, it’s a calm base to explore a few sites in depth, rather than a whistle-stop tour. They’re about quality dives, not just ticking off locations.