Cairns has landed one of the biggest wins in the region's recent tourism history: host destination for the PADI AmbassaDiver Summit, running 30 November to 5 December 2026. The summit will bring together some of the world's most influential divers, ocean advocates and storytellers for a gathering on the Great Barrier Reef.
Hosted in partnership with Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland, the summit lands in a milestone year for the region, marking both PADI's 60th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Cairns as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. It's a global spotlight moment for a destination we've called home for years.
Dates: 30 November - 5 December 2026
Location: Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
Hosted by: PADI, in partnership with Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland
Milestone year: PADI's 60th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Cairns as gateway to the reef
After Cairns: AmbassaDivers continue on to Townsville, the Whitsundays and Bundaberg's Southern Great Barrier Reef
"We've been taking people out to the Great Barrier Reef for over 30 years, and it still doesn't get old watching someone's face the first time they see it. Having the world's best divers and ocean advocates come to experience what we get to see every day is an incredible thing for Cairns, and we couldn't be prouder of our region." - Peppi Iovannella, Managing Director, Down Under Cruise & Dive
For visiting AmbassaDivers, the week includes liveaboard expeditions, educational dives with Master Reef Guides, Indigenous cultural experiences and conservation-focused sessions. It's the same kind of reef experience our own guests come to Cairns for every day.
Whether you're a first-time diver or a future AmbassaDiver yourself, the reef Cairns is about to show the world is the same one we take guests out to every day.
Ready to experience it for yourself? Book your PADI Open Water course or browse our reef tours.
ABN: 73 683 832 334
(07) 4052 8300