Reviews

If diving the Great Barrier Reef is your goal, Reef Encounter is your method. This was an absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. Transport to the Reef Encounter liveaboard was spacious, the staff informative and entertaining. While on board, it was clear the main event was diving--all meals and basically the entirety of life on board were secondary to diving, just as it should be. Meals were excellent. Staff were knowledgeable and clearly had a passion and love for the sport. Accommodations, though not luxurious, were supremely comfortable and I slept like the DEAD. Photo equipment and images were handled by Scub'ado, who did an FANTASTIC job of keeping us in brilliant memories of our time aboard. For the price point and the quality of instruction, accommodation, and dive location? Hard to beat Reef Encounter. Highest possible recommendation. A+.

Boek hier je duiktrip! Wij zijn met z’n tweeën mee geweest op deze trip en hebben heel erg genoten. Wij hadden 3 nachten en 4 dagen op de boot. Mijn partner ging zijn open water halen en ik had deze al dus ben 4 dagen gaan duiken. Het team aan boord is super vriendelijk om je te helpen en ze doen hun best om het je zo goed als mogelijk naar je zin te maken. De lessen van Bernat en de gezelligheid van Santi hebben ervoor gezorgd dat we ontzettend hebben genoten. Absoluut een aanrader om je duiktrip hier te boeken!!!

Best diving in Barrier Reef Cannot recommend the reef encounter liveaboard enough!! From the staff to accommodation, everything was just perfect! Though at first some of us were nervous to dive , after the first time we couldn’t get enough of it! It was a great experience for intro diving and the staff were so calm, friendly and professional throughout the process. Special shout-out to SANTI who we were privileged to learn with - we’re so grateful! Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience the barrier reef. We’ll be back!

Amazing live aboard dive boat - wish I had a longer holiday! My daughter and I had a great 1 night dive trip with the team. Sail out with the day trip boat Reef Experience was fine as we had the upper cabin to do our paperwork and initial safety and dive brief. There was a joint marine biologist talk which was also very good. The Reef Encounter was the best dive boat I have been on, basic double cabin but clean and all functional. Jaz our purser was great and sorted a minor issue over bed bookings. She ran efficient meals and a nice after dive bar. Food was great, plentiful and on time. Fresh water and hot water for coffee/ tea/ milo etc. tab bar for soft drink and for after dive. Dive team were great from deck hands to the DMTs and instructors. I ended up using guides each dive as they knew the reef and where some of the more reliable residents were hiding ! Special mention for Richard and Lucas guides and the Scuba Wrangler with the dive ‘Stetson’! Managed to see a super array of wildlife from turtles and sharks to infant clown fish and gobies with their cleaner shrimp. Seldom buy the photo package but the pics and some of his other work was great so ended up taking the full package. Thanks I’m afraid I did not get his name. Sorry Weather was not our friend on the trip the the team did all they could to ensure the best given conditions. Thanks all would love to dive with you again next time I am in Oz

So glad to have chosen reef encounter Myself and 2 daughters, 12&14 stayed on the reef encounter for 5 days, we had never scuba dived before- we did our open water and advanced adventurer in the boat. We had our own instructor for all 5 days- Bernat put so much effort into making it a great experience kind, high safety standards, clear instruction, patient and great humour. It was the best experience we have ever had as a family. This was the trip of a lifetime for all of us. Unforgettable. As a single parent making this happen was a big deal and will probably be the only big holiday we manage. I’m so glad to have chosen reef encounter. Best mix out of all of the research I did between $ and experience. Family friendly, great onboard community….the staff are a massive asset. Really well run and customer focussed. I was blown away by the options - scuba, snorkel, glass bottom boat, tour with a marine biologist…Thank you to every single staff member for exceeding our expectations and giving us memories that will last a life time. Special shout outs to Bernat, Lucus , Santi, Lola, Miriam, the chefs, housekeeping…you are all amazing and a credit to the company.

Amazing Night on the Reef! This was my first liveaboard experience and it did not disappoint! I only stayed the one night but wish I could have stayed longer. Check-in was at 7:30 on Reef Experience where we had a bacon and egg roll in the wheelhouse before being transfered to Reef Encounter which stays out on the reef. The weather was pretty choppy and rainy on the way over but there was no rain at the reef. We had a welcome talk then was taken to our rooms before our first snorkel session. The rooms was more spacious than I expected and all rooms have a window which is nice. They also provided towels, shampoo, and soap. The first site we snorkelled at was nice but the diving was amazing! I decided to go with a guide for all dives so I could relax more and experience it. I was pretty lucky because the boat wasn't fully booked and only one other person wanted guided dives so there was only the two of us plus the DMT. The night dive was my first and there were so many sharks and trevally but my favourite dive was the 6:30 morning session! So many schools of fish and sharks were around! In total, we had six dives sessions and two snorkel sessions for the one night and we visited two locations at Norman Reef and one location at Saxon Reef. All meals were included and was buffet style, there was so much food to choose from and all of it was really yummy! Lots of fruit and cakes during the day too - you definitely won't go hungry. All the crew were really friendly and helpful. I do wish I had booked at least two nights because one night was definitely not enough!

Lots of fun to be had Great organisation and locally ran. Staff helpful and we met lots of other travellers too. Recommend staying 2 nights.

Great experience My wife was onboard to do her open water certification and was looked after by Dylan, hes an exceptional teacher who helped her overcome some fears too the point she now cant wait to go diving again. The food was exceptional from the 6am pastries pre 6.30am dive to deserts and fruit post 7pm dive. all the meals in between were restaurant quality and in abundance there was no going hungry. We visited Saxon and Norman reefs which were outstanding locations. i chose not to have a guide due to cost per dive but i believe they would have improved a few sites with their expert knowledge of the lcoations. Top Deck guests actually get a personal guide included in the cost for all diving sessions so the cost variance is well woirth the spend along with the personal table meals and free beverages. The dive sites from day to night were spectacular, plenty White tip Black tip and Grey reef sharks, Hawkbill Turtles, Giant Moray eel, various rays, pipe fish the huge variety coral fish Clowns included not to mantion the beautiful coral made for a very memorable trip. Topi and Jessi were fabulous as the underwater photograpers. I wish i could remember names of the crew who were instrumental in our enjoyment as they were the ones making sure we were always safe.

Great day out I did this day trip with my daughter today and we had a fabulous day. Only booked it last night. Well organised, friendly and kind staff. Was picked up from hotel, had bacon and egg in a roll and fruit. Staff were so good with people that had never snorkellled before. Lunch was large portions and tasty. There was an option with marine biologist in afternoon where he pointed out and talked about things whilst snorkeling . I thought it was worth it. There was then cheese and a complimentary glass of wine before we headed back. We were offered antisickness tablets and I am glad I took them as it was choppy.