TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice icon
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

Our Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards

Stateroom Liveaboard

Cairns' #1 rated liveaboard. Unbeatable on service and value! Come snorkeling, scuba diving or do some diving lessons on the Reef.

BookRead more

Top Deck Club Liveaboard

Experience the best liveaboard accommodation and fantastic service on the Great Barrier Reef. Make Your liveaboard trip the best it can be.

BookRead more

Your Holiday, Your Way!

Fun For Everyone

We offer the best scuba diving and snorkelling liveaboard Great Barrier Reef tours.

Reef Encounter cruising on the Coral Sea

Scuba divers, snorkelers and those who wish to stay on a floating hotel cruise on the Great Barrier Reef can travel together with a Cairns liveaboard tour! Live and sleep on the reef and see it at its best – day and night!

An excellent alternative to a resort based holiday and a fantastic upgrade from a day trip, it’s one of the most unique holiday escapes in Australia!

Luxury Accommodation

Our Cairns liveaboard is a boutique floating hotel surrounded by crystal clear waters.

View of Top Deck room

Accommodating only 42 guests at any time, Reef Encounter is large enough to provide the comforts of the largest cruise ships yet small enough to have access to spectacular reef locations inaccessible to other vessels.

Designed for utmost stability and comfort at sea, all our cabins are air conditioned and have private ensuite bathrooms.

Daily Departures

Our liveaboard trips depart every day, via our transfer vessel Reef Experience.

Reef Experience cruising to the Outer Reef

Enjoy greater flexibility with your travel plans and start your liveaboard holiday on the day that suits you – and stay as long as you like! Boarding daily in Cairns at 7:30 am from Cairns Marlin Marina.

Alternatively, helicopter transfers are low flying scenic excursions over the Coral Sea that are an excellent way to start or end your Great Barrier Reef adventure!


Highlights

SSI Diamond Facility

Best Locations

Great Barrier Reef locations

We visit a variety of snorkel/dive sites per day. Our experienced Captain selects the optimal sites for the weather conditions, so you can see the very best the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

Marine Biologist

Nemo Clown Anemonefish on Great Barrier Reef corals

During the transfer to the Great Barrier Reef, we have a Marine Biologist who gives an informative presentation about the Coral Sea, introducing you to this unique underwater habitat.

Friendly Crew

Your Reef Encounter team

Our crew are by far our greatest asset, and it’s their passion and pride that does make all the difference! If you’re not a confident swimmer, one of our guides will get in the water and assist you.

VIP Upgrade

Top Deck Club a la carte meal

For an extra touch of luxury, select our Top Deck Club package. Champagne on arrival, breakfast in bed, dinner under the stars and a personal valet/guide to ensure an experience nothing short of breathtaking!


What to do on the outer reef?

Snorkelling

Great Barrier Reef liveaboard

Everybody can see the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef snorkelling, no minimum age and no experience necessary – just fun! Read more

Scuba Diving

scuba dive Great Barrier Reef

See the Coral Sea up close and personal with the best scuba diving Cairns has to offer. Packages are tailored for all skill levels. All scuba equipment is included. Read more

Scuba diving lessons

Learn to dive with an instructor

Learn to dive or complete an advanced or rescue diver course. We are a dive training vessel and offer a wide range of scuba diving courses. Read more

Scuba divers, snorkelers and those who wish to stay on a floating hotel on the Great Barrier Reef can travel together with Reef Encounter

 


 

Or you can do nothing and relax on the Great Barrier Reef

 

10 Reasons why you should choose Us!

 

Cairns liveaboard package deals!

See more package deals