Product Name:
Reef Encounter – Liveaboard Dive Trips
FROM: $585.00
Overnight liveaboard dive boat departs from Cairns with private TWIN or DOUBLE Bed rooms. Offers fantastic service with wonderful chef prepared meals and beautiful diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Reef Encounter spend all their time diving on Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reef Systems.
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$585.00
All Prices in Australian Dollars.
Camera Special
*FREE UNDERWATER CAMERA HIRE
Book this trip with us, you must spend over $550.00 AUD to receive our 1 x Free Cairns Underwater Camera Hire. Only when you book online thru our website. You must come into our Cairns Esplanade Shop to pick up the camera the day before departure day before 5:30 pm. You also need to supply your own SD Card. Reserve your camera today!
*Not valid for any tours visiting the islands. Fine white sand damages the seals on the cameras and makes them leak!
Please Remember there is no other way to collect our cameras! All passengers must come into our shop the day before departure day before 5:30 pm.
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Can't decide? We have personally been on every Cairns reef and diving trip. We can help you choose the best tour, to suit your experience and budget.
Product Name:
Reef Encounter – Liveaboard Dive Trips
Tour Type: Liveaboard | Operates: Daily | Departs: 8:00am | Returns: 4:30pm | Transfers: No
HIGHLIGHTS:
Overnight liveaboard dive boat departs from Cairns with private TWIN or DOUBLE Bed rooms. Offers fantastic service with wonderful chef prepared meals and beautiful diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Reef Encounter spend all their time diving on Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reef Systems.
| AVAILABLE ON THIS TOUR: | |
|---|---|
| Certified Scuba Diving: Yes, Extra Cost See Prices | All Snorkeling Gear: Yes, All Gear Included |
| Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Yes, Chef Prepared Meals | TWIN Bed Rooms Yes, Two Single Beds + Private Bathroom |
| DOUBLE Bed Rooms Yes, One Large Double Bed + Private Bathroom | Introductory Diving: Yes, First Time Diving is Available |
| Full Dive Gear: Yes, Wetsuits Costs $5 per day | Outer Reef: Yes, 2 Sites Each Day. Norman, Saxon, Hastings Reefs |
Reef Encounter offers 2-3-4-5 day trips from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef. These trips are suitable for snorkelers and divers (for more information on these activities, please see the tabs below), and there’s a range of options available to suit all budgets and itineraries. What’s the benefit of a liveaboard trip? You can spend more time exploring different sites on the Great Barrier Reef. You also get to enjoy sunrise and sunset and the opportunity for night and early morning diving.
All of Reef Encounter’s liveaboard options have daily departures. This is thanks to their day boat, Reef Experience, which provides fast and comfortable transfers from Cairns to Reef Encounter, which is pretty much permanently located on the reef. This makes this liveaboard option very itinerary-friendly.
Reef Encounter is a large, spacious boat with 21 cabins, a combination of double, twin-share and stateroom, accommodating up to 42 guests. All cabins are air-conditioned and have their own ensuite facilities; linen is provided. The boat makes its own supply of freshwater, which means you can enjoy long hot showers at the end of your day of play on the Great Barrier Reef. There’s an air-conditioned dining saloon, bar, and lounge (including a fully licensed bar and a TV, DVD, and games area) with a spacious exterior sundeck, complete with loungers and an open-air hot tub! There’s even a helipad on the roof for those wanting to book a scenic reef flight. Did you know on this boat, you can find large schools of Bumphead Parrotfish, usually found on the early morning sunrise dive?
Reef Encounter spends all its time diving on Norman, Saxon, and Hastings Reef Systems. The Reef Encounter trip includes cabin accommodation (all with ensuites private bathrooms), chef-prepared meals, coffee, tea, and fresh fruit throughout your stay, snorkeling equipment and instruction, free scuba lessons for snorkelers, reef video presentation, and marine biologist presentation. Linen is also provided. Reef Encounter is a locally owned and operated company, and they move around the reef, allowing you to see / explore several different reef sites during your liveaboard stay.
Did you know you can also learn to dive on this boat? For Open Water Dive Course, SSI Advanced Adventure Dive Courses and Nitrox Dive Course please visit here – SSI Open Water Dive Courses
Please note: Reef Encounter charges an extra $100 peak season surcharge per booking per person for bookings placed from 23rd December thru 02nd JAN also 28th MARCH thru 02nd APRIL 2024 each year.
All prices in Australian Dollars:
| CHOOSE OPTION | PRICE | TOTAL DIVES |
|---|---|---|
CERTIFIED DIVING: | ||
| 2 Day/1 Night | $675.00 | 5 dives |
| 2 Day/1 Night (Top Deck Service) | $1,030.00 | 5 dives |
| 3 Day/2 Night | $955.00 | 9 dives |
| 3 Day/2 Night (Top Deck Service) | $1,530.00 | 9 dives |
| 4 Day/3 Night | $1,235.00 | 13 dives |
| 5 Day/4 Night | $1,515.00 | 16 dives |
| 5 Day/4 Night (Top Deck Service) | $2,530.00 | 16 dives |
INTRODUCTORY DIVING: | ||
| 2 Day/1 Night | $795.00 | 4 dives |
| 3 Day/2 Night | $1,175.00 | 7 dives |
SNORKELING: | ||
| 2 Day/1 Night | $585.00 | - |
| 3 Day/2 Night | $825.00 | - |
| 3 Day/2 Night (Top Deck Service) | $1,360.00 | - |
| 4 Day/3 Night | $1,065.00 | - |
| 4 Day/3 Night (Top Deck Service) | $1,780.00 | |
| 5 Day/4 Night | $1,305.00 | - |
WHAT IS TOP DECK?: | ||
| Top Deck offers a Deluxe TWIN Bed or Deluxe DOUBLE Bed Stateroom with Champagne on arrival, Breakfast served in your room, Sunset Cocktails, Turndown Service, Romantic Dinners under the stars (weather permitting), Personal snorkel/dive guide available at all times. Top Deck includes the wetsuit hire as well. Leave a note in the booking form if you would like the DOUBLE Bed or TWIN Beds. Minimum of 2 x Adults travelling together. | ||
Itinerary:
As the Reef Encounter liveaboard trip can be booked as 2-3-4 day tour (price varies – see prices tab for detailed breakdown), we will prepare a sample itinerary based on a three (3) day tour. If you are booking a two (2) day liveaboard trip, just omit the middle day and if you are booking are four (4) day trip, just repeat the middle day. For ease of reading, highlights are provided at the start of each day, with more detailed information provided should you be interested. Please note itineraries may vary, pending weather and conditions: the information below is based on a standard trip. Please contact us for more information.
DAY 1. Highlights: Departing Cairns and arriving at the Great Barrier Reef. Settling into your comfortable cabin aboard Reef Encounter and having your first reef experience. Sunset and sleeping on the Coral Sea.
MORE DETAIL: Your Reef Encounter experience commences with a transfer from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, aboard their day tour boat Reef Experience. Reef Experience is moored at A-Finger on Cairns’ Marlin Marina and boarding is from 7.30am with a cooked breakfast served on board. (Bus transfers to and from your accommodation is available if needed: this is an additional cost to the tour, ask us for more information at the time of booking.) The boat departs Cairns at 8am to commence its 90-minute cruise to the Great Barrier Reef and Reef Encounter.
Reef Experience is a 24m catamaran that’s licensed to carry up to 140 guests. There’s plenty of seating and it’s a comfortable transfer. On arrival at Reef Encounter you are welcomed aboard by the friendly crew and given a briefing of the boat and allocated your cabin.
From here for the rest of the day there is a schedule of water sessions for divers and snorkelers. The first session is snorkel only at 10.30am. Lunch is served at noon and divers (certified and introductory) have a dive briefing at 1pm.? The first dive of the day is at 1.30pm. The second dive is at 3.30pm with the final dive of the day, a night dive, after dinner at 6.30pm.
Reef Encounter will visit several different sites during your stay, moving around the Great Barrier Reef. Once all in-water activities for the day are complete, you can relax in the air-conditioned saloon or star gaze on the exterior decks, grab a drink from the licensed bar or just retire to your cabin.
DAY 2. Highlights: Waking up on the Great Barrier Reef and watching the sun rise over the Coral Sea (spectacular!), chance for an early morning dive / swim and snorkelers can try a scuba dive today (included in tour cost). Sunset over the Coral Sea.
MORE DETAIL: Today you spend the whole day playing on the Great Barrier Reef. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will all be served aboard Reef Encounter in the dining room, at scheduled times throughout the day, which are advised by the crew. There’s plenty of time to swim, snorkel and dive while still relaxing on the spacious boat.
Reef Encounter will move around the Great Barrier Reef during the day, allowing you to experience different reef sites. Reef Encounter spend all their time diving on Norman, Saxon and Hastings Reef Systems. There is the option for a night dive tonight.
DAY 3. Highlights: Waking up on the Great Barrier Reef and enjoying an early morning swim/snorkel/dive. Make the most of your time at sea, before disembarking and returning to Cairns.
MORE DETAIL: Make the most of today with an early start, it really is magical watching the sun rise over the Coral Sea. Extremely peaceful and will set the tone for the rest of your day. There’s the option for an early morning water session (dive or snorkel) at 6.30 am with a hot and cold breakfast being served from 7.30 am. Then it’s time to pack up your room and place your luggage in the transfer station around 8:00 am (The lovely cleaning crew can now start cleaning the rooms and get them ready for the next arriving guests). Time for another two water sessions before lunch (8.30 am and 10.30 am) and your departure on Reef Experience. In the afternoon there is time for one more snorkel or glass-bottom boat tour (on Reef Experience) and you return to Cairns between 4-4.30 pm.
Diving:
The number of certified dives you can do, depends on the length of your trip (see below).? All equipment and briefings is included in the dive tour price.
INTRODUCTORY DIVING: This is a great opportunity to try scuba diving for the first time. No experience is necessary and if you are over 12-years of age and can pass the on-board medical, then you are right to try introductory scuba diving. This can be bought directly on the boat if you pass the medical requirements. Scuba diving will change your life and there is no better place to try it than on the Great Barrier Reef. Please Note: Night Diving Not Included!
CERTIFIED DIVING: Certified divers of all experience and certification levels will enjoy their time aboard Reef Encounter.? The boat visits several different dive sites during your stay and you can choose between guided (extra costs incurred) and unguided diving.
The dive price includes dive equipment (but not wet / lycra suits – these can be hired on board) and comprehensive dive site briefings. The maximum dive depth, due to ocean depth, is generally 20m and the number of dives you can complete depends on the length of your trip (for more details, please see below). Liveaboard trips allow for early morning and night dives. There is no solo diving on these trips. Those travelling on their own will be paired up with other divers or the Dive Crew.
Certified divers will be required to show evidence of their certification: through current dive licenses and your log book. All divers will be required to complete dive medical paperwork on board.
- 2 day / 1 night Trips = up to 5 dives (including a night dive)
- 3 day / 2 night Trips = up to 9 dives (including night dives)
- 4 day / 3 night Trips = up to 13 dives (including night dives)
You do not have to complete all of the dives: you can do as many, or few, as you like. Note: All Certified dives are unguided, this gives you the freedom to dive in your own buddy pairs and explore the Great Barrier Reef. If you would like a dive guide they do charge $15.00 per person per dive. You can organize this on the boat.
Snorkeling:
You can fit a whole lot of snorkelling into a liveaboard trip! These trips visit several reef sites and allow you to see sunrise and sunset over the Coral Sea. Please note that liveaboard trips are completed in the open ocean (rather than being near an island or pontoon), as such, they are recommended to people who are confident swimmers that are comfortable in the open water.
The reef itself rises up to sit just metres beneath the surface, so you will have plenty of opportunity to get close to the corals and marine life. These sites are situated within the Great Barrier Reef marine park, so are relatively sheltered from strong tidal currents and waves.
All snorkelling equipment – mask, fins and snorkel – is included in the snorkel price. Wet / lycra suits can be hired on the boat. There is also the option to try introductory diving (no experience necessary) while onboard. Glass bottom boat tours are also included in the tour price.
Customer Reviews:
CUSTOMER TOUR REVIEWS & FEEDBACK
Customer reviews are written by our customers using our 1 x FREE Digital Underwater Camera Hire Service. Remember to collect our camera you do need to come into our shop the day before departure day before 5:30 pm to pick up the camera. You also need to supply your own SD camera card.
By: Jozef Klim
Staff Service - 5 out of 5
Reef Quality - 5 out of 5
Vaue For Money - 5 out of 5
Overall Rating - 5 out of 5
Travelled on: 05/01/2021
My 5 Day/4 Night Liveaboard trip on Reef Encounter was awesome! The staff and their professionalism often exceeded expectations. The Scuba Diving equipment was a first class quality and the Instructors and Diving Masters were only happy to help you with any questions or any problems you could have. This made my Scuba Diving experience on Reef Encounter very safe and enjoyable. Thank you very
By: Adriana
Staff Service - 5 out of 5
Reef Quality - 5 out of 5
Vaue For Money - 5 out of 5
Overall Rating - 5 out of 5
Travelled on: 16/08/2019
I did a two day/one night lifeaboard trip and I enjoyed it very much. Clint was very helpful with my numerous questions and worries and answered to every email promptly and very friendly. He even arranged to keep the office open a little longer so I could come and pick up my underwater camera. The boat itself was very clean, the cabin cozy and the
By: Roxane Lalonde
Staff Service - 5 out of 5
Reef Quality - 5 out of 5
Vaue For Money - 5 out of 5
Overall Rating - 5 out of 5
Travelled on: 26/04/2019
A hardworking crew and always smiling! Thank you for everything! The cook was our superman, lots of eating and diving and eating and diving. We really had a fantastic time! Roxane Lalonde – Canada
By: John Orlando
Staff Service - 5 out of 5
Reef Quality - 5 out of 5
Vaue For Money - 5 out of 5
Overall Rating - 5 out of 5
Travelled on: 14/07/2018
My girlfriend and I were vacationing in Australia and we have always wanted to dive the Great Barrier Reef! When we started to research our options we were overwhelmed and undereducated – That is where Clint stepped in! We found CairnsDiveAdventures.com.au and I decided to call directly for advice. We were not certified and had never been SCUBA diving before and Clint was able to…
By: Lynette
Staff Service - 5 out of 5
Reef Quality - 5 out of 5
Vaue For Money - 5 out of 5
Overall Rating - 5 out of 5
Travelled on: 07/05/2018
We had a wonderful time. The Reef sites we visited were astounding, our cabin was very comfortable, the food was really magnificent. Service was outstanding: we had clean cabins with fresh towels, punctual schedule, the crew was not only capable and professional but fun and friendly. The water events were well organized and very safe. We had excellent help when we needed it. It doesn’t…
By: Paul Cunningham
Staff Service - 5 out of 5
Reef Quality - 4 out of 5
Vaue For Money - 4 out of 5
Overall Rating - 5 out of 5
Travelled on: 03/01/2014
Reef encounter was a great boat to dive from. Staff were really friendly and professional. Dive guides are optional so you can explore on your own if you like. Equipment was all modern and in good condition.
Full Reviews:
CAIRNS DIVE ADVENTURES TRIP REVIEWS:
Here you will find our dive trip reviews. Our staff have completed over 700 dives on the Great Barrier Reef. We love our scuba diving and we love to write reviews on what you can expect to see and do on a dive trip. See our full range of Cairns Dive Adventures trip reviews.
Reef Encounter 2-Day/1-Night Trip Review!
By Clint |
Wow, just magnificent! We spent two days and one night on the magnificent liveaboard dive boat Reef Encounter. This really is a wonderful way to spend some time diving on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. It really gives you the time you need to explore this magical part of the World. Don't take our...
Staying Overnight at the Reef with Baby – Reef Encounter
By Richard |
For families with babies, toddlers and younger children, this is the only liveaboard option for spending a night on Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef. As well as being your only option, it’s an excellent option! The rooms are spacious enough to comfortably accommodate the port-a-cots and there are high chairs available in the dining room (ask...
Reef Encounter Dive Review: 2 Days / 1 Night
By Richard |
Reef Encounter is a boutique floating hotel on Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef. Certified divers can take up to six (6) certified dives on an overnight trip, with plenty of time to snorkel and enjoy the amenities on Reef Encounter, which includes the spa and air-conditioned lounge with TV and library. This trip is suitable for...
All prices in Australian Dollars.
We accept VISA & MC with no booking fees.
Choose your options on the booking form.
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Remember to try any form of scuba diving everyone needs to be medically fit with no asthma and not be taking any prescription medication. PADI recommends allowing up to 24 hours after diving before flying in an airplane. Some tour operators have a no refund policy for any dives not completed for whatever reason. Please note the art of freediving is not permitted on any of the day boats or liveaboard dive boats from Cairns & Port Douglas. With the high instances of (shallow water blackout) companies do not allow this for safety reasons. It is highly recommended that passengers take out full comprehensive travel insurance for all tours and travel arrangements.
Do you have Medical Issues:
Please note if you have any medical issues you will need to go see your local GP where you live and get them to write you a letter on the practice letterhead signed and dated by your doctor that you are “Fit to dive” If you have one of these letters then all dive companies in Cairns will take you diving. Please note these letters are only valid for three months from their date of issue.
Prices in Australian Dollars Valid to 31st MARCH 2025
ROOM EXPLANATIONS:
STATEROOMS: One large double bed in the room good for a couple to sleep together or it can also be two single beds in the one room. Leave a note in the booking form if you would like the Double Bed or TWIN Beds.
NOTE: If you are a solo traveller book the TWIN room Stateroom or the Multishare Room you will share with someone else.
NOTE: If you are a solo traveller and would like the Double Bed in the Stateroom they do charge for 2 x people.
TOP DECK SERVICE: are a Deluxe TWIN Bed or Deluxe DOUBLE Bed Stateroom with Champagne on arrival, Breakfast served in your room, Sunset Cocktails, Turndown Service, Romantic Dinners under the stars (weather permitting), Personal snorkel/dive guide available at all times. Top Deck includes the wetsuit hire as well. Leave a note in the booking form if you would like the DOUBLE Bed or TWIN Beds. Minimum of 2 x Adults travelling together.
Inclusions: Transfers to and from the reef aboard Reef Experience (Reef Experience takes you over to the mothership Reef Encounter), Accommodation on Reef Encounter, All meals and light refreshments, Freshwater showers, Snorkelling equipment and instruction, Glass Bottom Boat Tours, Reef Video Presentation, Marine Biologist Presentation. [Diving equipment and briefings is included when booking a Diving Package]. Also includes bed linen and towels.
Extras: An additional $15 per person, per day (maximum of 3 days – $45 per person) is charged and payable onboard the boat. This is comprised of $3.50 Environmental Management Costs, Administration Charges and Fuel Levy.
Extras: Wetsuits you hire on board for $5.00 per day. You can also hire prescription masks on board the boat for $10.00 per day.
Medical: You must be medically fit with no asthma and not taking any prescription medication to try any form of scuba diving. Please note Reef Encounter has a strict no refund policy on any dives not completed.
Cancellations and Changes: Reef Encounter have a strict 30-Day Cancelation policy. You can loose 100% of the booking price if you cancel your trip within 30-Days of Travel. If you need to change your trip or cancel you need to give more than 30 days notice!
Note: All Certified dives are unguided, this gives you the freedom to dive in your own buddy pairs and explore the Great Barrier Reef. If you would like a dive guide they do charge $15.00 per person per dive. You can organize this on the boat.
X-Mass Surcharge: Reef Encounter charge an extra $100 per booking per person for bookings placed 23rd December thru 02nd January Each Year.
Reef Encounter Overnight Dive Video:
Special
FREE UNDERWATER CAMERA HIRE*
Spend over $550.00 AUD on your Great Barrier Reef tour with us and receive the latest Digital Underwater Camera Hire. Take amazing High-Resolution images and 1080 HD Video. Only when you book online thru our website.
Not available for any tours to the Islands as fine white sand damages the seals on the cameras and makes them leak!
You need to come into our shop located on the Cairns Esplanade the day before departure to pick up the camera before 5:30 pm. You also need to supply your own SD Camera Card and drop the camera off back at our shop before 5:30pm.
Please Remember there is no other way to collect our cameras! All passengers must come into our shop the day before departure day before 5:30 pm.