Click ‘Book’ to select your arrival and departure dates – and then choose your desired activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling or enrol on a dive course.
From the very beginning of your trip to the moment you step off the boat…
The Top Deck Club is the ultimate way to enjoy an unbeatable time at the Outer Great Barrier Reef…
Ideal for couples looking for a luxury getaway vacation, groups who enjoy a bit of the VIP treatment or anyone who desires personalised in-water care.
The VIP Top Deck Club guarantees a relaxing reef holiday, styled your way!
What is the Top Deck Club?
Fantastic service – A VIP Top Deck holiday is designed for people who wish to experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef in style! Much like ‘first-class’ with an airline, it’s a trip that’s tailored to your personal needs and so everybody’s Top Deck experience will be specialised.
Providing an unbeatable level of customer care, the Top Deck package comes with many additional luxuries including (but not limited to) a dedicated personal valet, late check-out times and deluxe three-course evening meals. Read on for more exclusive Top Deck services…
A crew member just for you! Whether it’s a professional in-water guide for private scuba/snorkel tours, a fountain of marine-life knowledge or all of the above, your personal crew member ensures your holiday flows the way you want it to.
From the moment you board until you wave goodbye, you can relax in the knowledge that all of your needs are taken care of.
Luxurious Accommodation
- The best rooms on the boat
- Check In Time:Â 10.00am
- Check Out Time:Â 2.00pm
- Spacious en-suite cabins with uninterrupted ocean views, crisp Australian bed linen, plush bathrobes, towels and toiletries
- Champagne and a fruit platter await you upon arrival*
- An evening turndown service for your cabin
- Towels and toiletries are replenished
- *If you’re getting in the water, complimentary champagne will be served with your evening meal instead
Gourmet Meals
- A deluxe three-course evening meal, freshly prepared by our onboard Chef each night of your stay*
- Choose to dine privately under the stars or join the rest of the guests in the spacious dining saloon
- Enjoy an Australian continental or cooked breakfast served to you just the way you like it, or join the rest of the guests for a buffet-style breakfast served in the dining saloon*
- Complimentary sunset cocktails
- Appreciate ocean views from the sundeck or outdoor hot-tub as you sip a chilled Australian cocktail while watching the sunset over the sparkling Coral Sea …the perfect setting for photography lovers!
Superior Comfort
- Late check-out times! On your day of departure, Top Deck guests keep their cabin right up until the transfer vessel departs to take you back to Cairns
- On the voyage to Reef Encounter, you will have the option to listen to a marine biology presentation about the coral reef and marine animals
- Top Deck guests can also enjoy a selection of local press coffee, tea and juices
- On the journey back into the Cairns Marina enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and a cheese and fruit platter
How to Get There
Your transfer vessel, Reef Experience, departs from Cairns Marina: ‘A-Finger’ View map to Cairns Marlin Marina
Boarding commences at 7:30 am for check-in, directly on the vessel ‘Reef Experience’
Arrive back to Cairns Marina at approximately 4:30pm
Where Can I Park?
There are a number of parking stations throughout Cairns that are in walking distance of the Marina. Click here to see where.
Important Information for Scuba Diving
We have a passion to show you Australia’s Great Barrier Reef so please make sure you understand the scuba diving laws.
Queensland, Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules in the world but also the safest scuba diving record.  We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules including medical as is the law.
To avoid disappointment on your day of travel we strongly recommend that all of our passengers complete our dive medical questionnaire prior to booking as some medical conditions, age and / or medications may prevent you from scuba diving.  It is always our mission to provide our passengers with the very best Great Barrier Reef experience.
Reef Encounter Medical Questionnaire
We are very happy to help you with any questions you may have.  Please contact our office on 07 4037 2700 or email us at tourdesk@reeftrip.com
Or alternatively, you may like to consult your own Doctor for a Dive Medical using the Australian Standard Forms ‘AS.4005.1
Flying after Scuba Diving
For a single no decompression scuba dive, you should not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive. For multiple dives, you should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive. If Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning you must wait 24 hours after your dive. We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours whenever possible*All dietary requirements will be met. Please advise our friendly team of any special requests upon booking.
Highlights
- The opportunity to stay on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a highlight that everyone should choose.
- Interact with thousands of brightly coloured fish and coral
- Delicious meals
- Night dive for those who are game there is plenty of action at night on the reef.
Included
Top Deck Club Packages Include
- Top Deck Club accommodation including ensuite
- Delicious chef-prepared meals
- personal valet
- dinner under the stars
- breakfast in bed
- sunset cocktails
- late checkout
- evening turndown service
- snorkel and scuba diving equipment
- Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Encounter, Cairns best Great Barrier Reef liveaboard
- A personal crew member for the duration of your liveaboard tour. This guarantees a personalised reef holiday, styled your way!
- Late check-out times. Top Deck Club guests keep their private cabin until departing Reef Encounter
- Private guided in-water tours – Tailored specifically to your ability and comfort level to ensure you get the most out of your Great Barrier Reef liveaboard!
- Superior Comfort – See “Top Deck Club Great Barrier Reef Accommodation” below
- VIP Meals – See “Top Deck Club Dining” below
- A variety of spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef locations during your stay
- Glass bottom boat tour
- On the voyage to Reef Encounter, you will have the option to listen to an informative Marine Biology presentation about the coral reef and marine animals
- Free luggage storage facility available at their offices in the Cairns City
- Daily transfers to the liveaboard vessel via a fast catamaran boat mean you can depart for your Top Deck Club liveaboard tour on a date that suits you – and stay as long as you desire. (Scenic Great Barrier Reef helicopter transfers to or from your liveaboard tour are an optional extra).
Optional Extras
- introductory dive
- professional photographs
- scuba lessons
- barista coffee
- drinks
- snacks
- merchandise
What to bring
- Reef Encounter is a barefoot product.
- hat
- sunglasses
- light jacket
- camera
- socks
- casual resort wear
- For scuba divers
- certification card
- logbook
How to get there
Reef Encounter is positioned on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
How to get to Reef Encounter?
The first option if via our transfer vessel Reef Experience that departs Cairns daily at 8 am.
The second option is via a spectacular scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier and landing directly onboard Reef Encounter’s exclusive helipad.
Important Information
Important information for scuba divers
- This information is for all guests participating in scuba diving activities during your Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Tour.
- Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules globally and the safest scuba diving record. Please make sure you understand the scuba diving laws in Queensland, Australia.
- Great Barrier Reef liveaboard boats are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules including the requirements for a dive medical, where applicable, as required by law.
- To avoid disappointment on your liveaboard tour – we strongly recommend that all passengers complete our dive medical questionnaire before booking as some medical conditions, age and/or medications may prevent you from scuba diving. It is always our mission to provide our passengers with the very best Great Barrier Reef tour.
- We are delighted to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact our office on +61 7 4037 2700 or email our helpful team today.
- Alternatively, you may like to consult your own Doctor for a Queensland Dive Medical using the Australian QLD Standard Form AS.4005.1Â
-
Flying after Scuba Diving
- You should not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive for a single no decompression scuba dive. For multiple dives, you should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive. If Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning you must wait 24 hours after your dive. We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours whenever possible.
Add your review for Top Deck Club – Liveaboard
Matt W
5I was recommended this trip from another operator as their trip wasn't running, and I'm glad I was referred to as this trip was amazing! Incredible food, comfy beds and the crew are just amazing. Keep up the good work!
Bonnie, Ruby and Johann
5We booked this trip as we heard it was family friendly, and we were bringing along our baby. Overall the trip was fantastic, with the crew really making the atmosphere onboard cosy and special! Thank you! The chef made some really great vegetarian and pescatarian food, which is hard to find usually. Thanks again and hopefully we will see you on Reef Encounter again!
Jiahua Wu
5Wonderful experience for our first time liveaboard, home feeling stay. Thank you for all crew members. The crews are professional and friendly. They were super helpful in every bit of our stay. the best crew we ever met. Excellent meals and comfy beds!
Tana J
5A friend referred me to Reef Encounter to fulfill my dive passion! Good vibes, good energies, good smile, good cooker, only good, good, good! :) The trip was absolutely perfect, THANK YOU!!
Rosie B
5I just needed a holiday and wanted to dive, so I booked to join Reef Encounter. The crew were the right mix of friendly and professional with lots going on. Shoutout to Carlos Kohler for being so patient even though I gave up on the certification. Delicious meals and comfortable accommodation. Definitely recommend!
Stephanie Shear
5Fabulous! Next-level customer service. Everything was prepped & ready for us. The crew members are hard-working & never seemed to stop but keep smiles on their faces. The Bed was so comfortable, the food was tasty & the hot tub on the deck was a nice touch. Mackenzie is superbly organised & helpful. Rob's dive guiding was incredible. Turtles for days! Overall highly recommended trip & it's now in my top 5! Thankyou!
Marco Stalder
5The crew is amazing! Every single member is really passionate and they share the great vibes with the passengers & make you feel welcome. Food was outstanding. Peter did a great job! Ana took care of me & did a fantastic job. Always friendly, smiling & very patient. Thank you so much Ana. You made my stay once in a lifetime expereince.
Jerry & Mary
5Fantastic! Our guide Woody was exceptional, very knowledgable & wonderful. Personal service at its best! Highly recommend to anyone. Meals were fabulous - very tasty & delicious. Woody really helped in making our experience worthwhile. Attention to detail & meeting all of our needs. very helpful in our snorkelling tours & throughout the whole experience. Would highly recommend to friends - I have to come again!
Marco & Liz
5Fantastic! All the staff were friendly, informative & polite. Meals were excellent! As good as any meal we've enjoyed on our vacation. Our guide Woody was exceptional & went above & beyond to take care of our needs. Excellent! Thank you Woody - Bravo!
Terry & Lisa
5The Crew were very accommodating, helpful & divemasters were outstanding. They had great rooms which were very comfortable & fantastic meals.
Doug Tackett
4Good accommodation, great meals, the vessel was very stable and spacious. The crew were excellent, extremely friendly & helpful. Also very diverse & interesting,
Brian Battye
5Awesome! Everyone was personable & made sure to remember your name. I would highly recommend Nathan as a top Deck guide to anyone. Great room & good food! Would defiantly fly back to Aus to do top deck again. Simply UN-FOR-GETTABLE!
Thomas Z
5Cool people - there was never a problem the staff couldn't solve. Rob was the perfect guide.
El Dodds
5The crew are AMAZING! Everyone was so cheerful, friendly & knowledgable. They made us feel at ease at all times, especially in the water. Super clean accommodation & really good food. Very impressive menu for so many people. Beds were so comfortable they nearly kept me out of the water. I loved my time here - Thank you!
Melanie Russell
5We had a very good cabin - clean, comfortable & spacious. Meals were excellent - varied, tasty & light. The crew were fantastic - everyone is smiling, helpful, has time to speak to you, is knowledgable without being pushy. You are all doing an amazing job. The vibe on the boat is cool, relaxed, everyone is doing their own thing. The opportunity to swim 5 times a day makes it feel like we've been here a week. You're all so chilled :) I hope to come back one day!
Michael Russell
5The accommodation was very comfortable & practical. Food is tasty not too heavy - great for diving. Excellent, helpful, fun, outgoing, proactive, professional crew! Great all round trip! I'll be back!
Tom Dodds
5The entire operation is run very smoothly. It would be very difficult to find fault with any aspect of the trip. The crew were exceptional in their helpfulness, enthusiasm & competency. they should all be commended on their efforts. I was pleasantly surprised by both the rooms & the meals, the rooms were spacious & comfortable whilst the food was of a very high standard. Thanks for a great time!
Marilyn.L
5Fabulous - staff were very professional, made sure they knew who everyone was in a short time period, very helpful & accommodating. Rooms were very comfortable & clean. Meals were delicious & the service was excellent. I would not hesitate in recommending this excursion to anyone!
Edward A Ellis
5Could not possibly have found better assistance when I started to swim with the crew (I have a bad shoulder & leg). Excellent service, friendly & helpful. Thanks guys!
Gail Schaffer
5Friends recommend this trip - The crew were UNBELIEVABLE! So helpful for whatever our needs were. And while helpful they never made you feel bad that you needed help. very caring crew! The accommodation was better than expected & the meals were good.
Jamie Russell
5Amazing staff! Everyone was so helpful. They worked tirelessly to ensure everyone on board had the best experience. Food smashed my expectations. As a beginner diver, I really did not expect to achieve the experiences I had. Staff were super patient, keen to help and really down to earth. I had an epic time both in the water and onboard. Thank you so much!
Elouise & Thomas
5Honestly had the trip of a lifetime & didn't want to leave! Because of both the accommodation of every staff member on board and the experience of diving the reef. Taylor was amazing helping us add on our course to our stay. Angus was fab taking us on our first five fun dives the through our certification which was super informative, friendly, knowledgable & made it fun! Everyone else was super helpful, accommodating & made our trip special. The rooms were really comfortable & the food was really good. I wanted to do this trip to tick it off my bucket list!
Mackenzie Adams
5The crew were amazing! Everyone is so upbeat. Cam was a great DM went beyond what was required to get me certified, Thank you! Everyone is so friendly & easy to talk to, it was great to spend my days laughing & having fun with everyone. Food was good, thanks for all the extra work to accommodate my celiac allergy! Love the setup/the way you works it so reefy always stays out, absolutely adds to the experience. Mackenzie was great, always smiling made my days as the hostie really enjoyable.
Rachel Rea
5Amazing!! So kind & helpful. Really put me at ease when I got nervous & showed great patience. Dorms & food were great. I was delighted to have meals suit me as a fussy eater! Overall it was a great experience. It was everything I hoped for & more. Special thanks to Cam for helping me on each dive which made my experience even better. Shout out to Gus too - provided great entertainment with his guitar & singing skills.
Joan
5This was the most amazing experience ... life changing as they say! The skill and expertise of the whole crew from skipper to diver team to hospitality is first class. I’m not young (!) so the training and care given for me to learn to dive then do several more was nothing short of amazing. The reef is beyond compare. .. thanks to everyone!
Clay and Tara
5Soo was our personal dive instructor and the whole experience was amazing. We loved this trip and will never forget it. Top Deck is worth it alone because you get to sleep in on the final day, no need to check out of your room early! There were no kids on the boat during our stay--this was also awesome--an adult experience and amazing swimming, meals, and fun. --Clay and Tara, USA
Tracie
5We were not on top deck. Just regular for us, but it was amazing. We had the time of our lives! The snorkeling was beautiful with lots of variety and plenty of time and opportunities. This is not like the tours where you have 1 hour. The staff is helpful and do their best to keep things fun and lively and still safe. Special thanks to Heather for helping us 2 55 year olds with our first dives. I didn’t think I could do it but Heathers patient and helpful and confident teaching gave me the confidence I needed. Thanks Heather! The food on board was delicious. This is not fancy. It’s laid back and fun and a nice place to make new friends. Try it!
LBui
5I have had the time of my life on the top deck thanks to the attentiveness of all crew member especially to Soo who was helping me with every single dive and snorkeling during my 3d2n on board and everything else from the moment i boarded the ship until the day I left. It’s a bit expensive indeed but for all the experience I have had ,it’s totally worth it. I have achieved all the things I wanted to do visiting Great Barrier Reef this time so I am glad the agent (Aquaprodive) mentioned the reef encounter tour with me when I was intending to book something else. I will certainly recommend topdeck reef encounter with everybody, especially if you are the rookie in diving
Kelly Jennings
5Incredible experience! Highly recommend Reef encounters. My husband and I had the best honeymoon possible due to the staff onboard. Everyone was helpful, friendly and Our guide ‘Kohler’ was perfect! The food was amazing and cocktails to match. We wouldn’t change a thing!! Thank you reef encounters, you made our honeymoon SO special.
Bruder Celine
5The crew were fantastic, very nice and friendly we enjoyed that. Thank so much!! The room was good, hot water in the shower :). The meals were very tasty and good equality. Thank you all, this was an unforgettable experience.
Talia Igel
5Fantastic!! So patient and helpful while diving and very accommodating and friendly on board. Meals were the best I've ever had on a tour. The beds were comfortable and the hot showers were great- All you need!! I would definitely recommend this tour to my family and friends. Martin was great very patient.
Charlotte Blake
5Fantastic!! Very friendly and professional. Felt very safe with the dive instructors. and dive equipment provided. The accommodation was fantastic!! Food was great. Thank to Martin for a great open water
Rocheblave Eric and Family
5The crew were very attentive, patient and competent. Divers are very good, we have learned so many things!!!! Thank you for dry towels. The meals were the best in Australia..... Everybody was great!!
Blake Campbell
5Amazing!!! Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Made the trip even better!! The dive sites were stunning and well lead. The accommodation and food was fantastic!! Room was comfortable and meals were great, lots of variety and plenty to eat. We were so impressed with the crew and how they dealt with our 6 month old daughter Grace. They were so patient and caring it allowed us to really enjoy what time we had on the reef. Aisah was an absolute star.
Jeff & Melanie
5Mike D made out top deck experience truly exceptional. He went above and beyond both in the water and aboard the boat. (Even after I threw up on him) Totally professional! We would recommend this experience to our friends. Simply Amazing. Everyone went above and beyond and made sure everyone was well taken care of which is tough with such a diverse group from all over the world. Truly amazing.
Richard Stuteley
5Absolutely bloody fantastic bonus points go to Jade, Ansley(DM) and Josh. Way above expectations. Very comfortable beds, haven't eaten so much for a long time, have relapsed to a Milo addict. One of the best trips I've done and definitely best value for money. Boat, crew were great and the diving brilliant.....Thanks guys.
Amir Yadi
5"The whole crew was great, Alex was incredible and Jade was just the best"
The McDougal's
5I would give more than 5 stars if possible- this is a must do if you are going to the reef! My husband and I were beyond impressed with the level of service that we received. The whole team is AMAZING! Every single person on that staff was friendly, helpful and fun. They work as a great team and made our time there so much fun we didn't want to leave. Special thanks to Sam who was phenomenal and took me out for my first dive ever! The food was so good the entire trip (we stayed 3 days) and the accommodations were very comfortable. Keep up the great work everyone! Thank you for everything Reef Encounter Team!
Reviewed on: Reef TripMichelle
5The crew were fabulous--Jade and Oli were Kick Ass! Really everyone was a friendly team and all very happy to help and answer all of our questions. Meals really yum--well done! Rooms were bigger than expected - and the hot tub in between water sessions was a lifesaver on cooler days! The crew were awesome - from hosties to kitchen crew, skipper and bar team, and of course the crew training and keeping an eye on us in the water. Knew their stuff. Was a really fabulous trip - THANKS TEAM!!! :)
Reviewed on: Reef TripErin
5We heard about Reef Encounter through Lonely Planet and booked because they have a Top Deck offering, and one night option vs a minimum of more than 1 night. Amazing! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Shiniee, our valet guide, was incredible and took such great care of us. She even got us to do a night dive despite our nerves - and it was so great! Wonderful room - loved the comfy bed and bathrobes. Good meals - thanks for the vegetarian options! I was so impressed by how well organized everything was. This was my first liveaboard trip and I really loved it. Thank you :) The hot tub was also a good touch!
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysMikael
5Incredible. Crew always helpful and cheerful. Reputation of Reef Encounter clearly based on customer service! Food was amazing and room was clean. Special thanks to Sam for being very patient with Anna and helping me with my advanced course. A true asset to the business. We will be back.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardAnna
5Amazing - very professional, fun and friendly. 10 out of 10. Very impressed with how comfortable the beds were. will be recommending Reef Encounter to family and friends. Special thanks to Sam for his patience and helping me become a certified open water diver.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardRyan
5Crew are amazing. Helpful, cheerful and engaged. Room is clean and comfortable, with great view. Food is even better, well cooked with variety of choice. Keep it going guys. We really enjoyed this diving trip.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardAudrey
5The best everrrr! Loved you guys. Warm, hospitable and very very approachable. Also, felt very safe with our guide Jenny as we explore the amazing reef! You guys spoiled us silly with the meals! So delicious and fresh, I don't know how I'm gonna do a normal liveaboard ever again! Thank you for an amazing 3 days. Loved the reef and everyone on board too. Everything from the time we boarded was very comfortable. Will be back! Maybe for a longer trip next time. :) Cheers!
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardGwendolyn
5Amazing crew! Super friendly & helpful. It has spoilt me and now, I can't do live aboard with any other company! Our dive guide, Jenny, was amazing. Luis the photographer took great shots of us. Overall great, memorable experience.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardMaggie
5Very friendly! Lots of fun & very hard-working crew. Definitely made the trip a very positive one :) The accommodation was very comfortable and the meals were very impressive. Delicious vegetarian options. Awesome trip with great crew!
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardMelissa Hebbard
5This was our fourth Top Deck trip and it won't be the last. Our fabulous 'dive butler' Martin looked after us to perfection. From his smiling face waking us up for the dawn dive with our tea and fruit, to guiding us to see Nemo and Dory, getting us warm dry towels at the end of the dive, making us cocktails, to our turned down sheets, artfully folded fresh towels and chocolates when we went to bed. This visit, it was too windy to eat up on deck, but we have enjoyed the sunset dining on other visits. The food was once again superb. We love diving with Reef Encounter and it is wonderful to see many of the same crew still there which speaks volumes in such a high turn over industry.
Sisi Ryder
5From the moment we checked in to the moment we left it was a 5star experience, excellent, attentive, knowledgeable staff. We opted for the top deck VIP package, which is well worth it, lovely room on top deck and of course, Martin, our personal, attentive valet. I would not have snorkelled as much and seen as much if Martin had not been there, he gave me confidence and pushed me to do more, the 6.30 am session was truly magical. The food and beverage was outstanding and plentiful, we enjoyed an amazing dinner on the top deck worthy of a top restaurant. I cannot recommend this experience enough, The knowledge we have amassed, and the wonderful memories will forever stay with us.
Sisi Andrew
5Out of this world! All very professional, friendly, attentive, always happy, nothing is a big problem. Cannot recommend this enough! Big comfortable bed, good shower, delicious food, beautifully cooked, large portions, quality produce. Our valet Martin is a credit to your operation. Very attentive and always there to make sure we had an amazing time! Thank you! xxx
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardMykael & Shannen
5Excellent! Mackensea should be everyone's guide, she is amazing. Accommodations were excellent and meals were beautifully presented and tasted great. House staff/keepers were phenomenal and work so hard! We hope to be back soon and will recommend to all family friends. Best dive experience ever!
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardCath P
5The crew are very helpful, friendly and accommodating! I really appreciated the extra assistance with my scuba gear! The meals were amazing! Nicole gave us wonderful service throughout our entire stay from coffee and tea in the morning to our wonderful dinner on the deck. Well done! We had a great time and will recommend to our friends and family!!!
Reviewed on: Reef TripJohn & Ali
5The crew were great! Super friendly and generous with their time. Funny and helpful. They were also having the adventure of a lifetime -- it shows!!! The food and rooms are excellent. Mackensea, our concierge, was just great. Ensured our time on the reef was super special without being too intrusive. She was a great guide and nothing was too much trouble--she is a great asset to your organisation!!
Reviewed on: Reef TripHannah G
5The crew are amazing, so friendly and helpful. Loved the fact that they sat with us on different tables at meal times so you could chat. Fantastic food and plenty of it - Best falafel I've ever eaten! Beds and rooms were clean and comfortable. Jenny was the best guide! Having a photographer was brilliant and the photos are fab!!! Definitely a great addition to the overall experience. Could not recommend Reef Encounter enough! :)
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsHerb H
5The crew were outstanding!! Martin & Aisah were amazing. They made it possible to go diving despite having 2 young kids with me. My kids loved them--they made our trip special.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsCHARLES POULTON
5DIVING THE BARRIER REEF WAS THE LAST TICK ON MY BUCKET LIST, THE REEF EXPLORER MY IT THE BEST TRIP OF MY LIFE ,CREW WERE OUTSTANDING, FOOD WAS EXCELLENT, "I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE" ,
Michelle Ian
5Everyone was amazing. We had Mackensea as our personal assistant & can't thank her enough - ensured we had everything we needed & wanted. :) Loved the Top Deck experience & dinner under the stars. Mackensea makes great cocktails; Louis took great photos. Was the best place to get engaged - can't wait to come back soon!
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsJackie H
5Above excellent!! Best service in the world! Nelson, our attendant, went above and beyond to fulfill our every need. Oliver "Ollie" also went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our experience. Michelle was a great snorkel guide. Jade provided extra special touches! Nelson was amazing in certifying our daughter to scuba dive. LOVED IT!! THANK YOU!!!!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsMichael
5Unbelievable 10/10. Our Top Deck guide Val was unreal. Really deserves recognition/praise from management for her hard work. A credit to the company. Really enjoyed the whole experience. Once again, management please formally recognise Val for all her efforts. Everyone on the crew was amazing. Especially Pablo.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsDiane
5We booked Reef Encounter because of the number of dives/snorkels in a day including the day of arrival departure. Meg was amazing!!! She took such great care of us and gave us tips and info on what to do and what we had coming up. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Our dinners were the best (Top Deck). What a treat for us. The buffets plated meals were tasty and a good variety. Our room had plenty of space and fresh towels helped. We will recommend this to our friends! Thank you for a wonderful holiday! - Diane
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsAngela
5Top deck is the way to go .. amazing staff, service and food .. I will certainly be recommending this to all my friends
Ana
5Crew are very attentive, helpful, knowledgeable, polite. Accommodation was great - everything was neat and clean. Meals were delicious, very suitable to such active days and activities. Keep up the good work! Thank you for the good service and experience!
Victoria & Julie
5Really friendly and attentive (crew). Rooms are spacious and comfortable. Food was really good. Overall great experience, would highly recommend!
Hannah
5All crew were amazing . Very helpful, welcoming. Couldn't fault them. We had Val as our guide, she was fabulous! Amazing food and clean & lovely accommodation. Would 100% recommend you guys! Amazing job! Thank you.
Angela
5Our guide Val was amazing. All the crew were amazing. Great value for money. I will certainly be recommending Reef Encounter to my family and friends.
Nina A
5Crew? AMAZING!!! Accommodation and meals? AMAZING!!!! Best trip of my life
Nina
5Amazing experience! Ray, our guide, was absolutely incredible. We loved every minute of our trip! The food was also amazing, sunset dinners on the top deck and the hot tub were an added plus. Night dives were our favorite but we saw cool things on every dive. Love love love and would do it again in a heartbeat. Worth every dollar!
Adrian Cunningham
5Fantastic dive experience on the Great Barrier Reef. The boat, the crew, the experience was brilliant. The entire crew was very friendly and helpful from the second you set foot on board. The accommodations were very nice and food on board was first class, compliments to the chef. The whole experience was very well organised and ran like clockwork. My dive buddy Niki was a fantastic guide so the experience underwater was fantastic, by far the most enjoyable diving experience I've had, the highlight - Night Diving with Sharks!! My only regret is that I did one night rather two!
Joe F
5As good as it gets!! Everyone was so friendly and helpful as you ever hope. Our personal divemaster mike was off the charts 10 . He made the trip and especially the dives fantastic. The room was way nicer than expected. It was lovely. Food was a big surprise -- fabulous. Like 5 star dining. One of the best adventures we have ever experienced. Will always be remembered. Fantastic!
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysYesol H
5The crew were excellent! They were very helpful and friendly. Also, many thanks to Ray who made our experience great. He was very friendly and helpful and also an awesome dive master! We loved the Top Deck experience and how it allowed us to have private guided dives with the same guide for the whole trip. That really made the trip for us!
Hugh Robertson
5What a fantastic experience. Being greeted by your personal crew member and looked after the entire trip. One to one diving and instruction was simply awesome and Michelle got me OWD certified in 2 days!!! Also completed my first night dive which was cool. Entire crew and everything about the trip was off the scale amazing. Met some great guests and made new friends. When I come back to the GBReef I will be staying with you guys again. Many thanks for making the trip so memorable
Charlie R
5The crew was awesome! Great people, very knowledgeable. Helpful and friendly. It was such a memorable experience. Such awesome food. Amazing photos! My Top Deck host and dive coach Kari was unbelievable! Loved every minute!
Meejae K
5We really wanted to spend the night on board of a boat in the Great Barrier Reef and choosing this boat was the exact right decision. The crew were very friendly and kind. I really appreciated it! Meals were really great and wonderful! I really loved it. Thank you chef! The whole trip was a really special experience for me. I would recommend to my friends definitely. Thank you!
Gwynnie L
5We booked this trip at our hostel for the fact that it was live aboard and I could get my Open Water certification with no pool training, all of it at the Great Barrier Reef!. The crew were fantastic! They made my trip. I enjoyed them and the trip so much I decided to become a hostie. They knew how to make me feel comfortable when I knew no one. Loved them! The food and accommodation were so amazing! I knew what I would be getting into living on a boat and it was what I expected. The food was pretty good too! The open water dive cert program here was so so worth it. The instructors were very knowledgeable and I'm so Happy to have learned here. thank you so much!
Carolyn H.
5We found this boat online to do an overnight trip and get our certification, and it was wonderful! Everyone was very friendly and helpful. My instructor Jackson was awesome. He made learning fun and I feel very confident now. Thank you Jackson! Very well organized. I felt very taken care of. The food was really good, I was never left hungry. I like the snacks in between also. I especially enjoyed the rack of lamb. also, thanks for including a thanksgiving meal. very sweet! Thank you so much for a trip of a lifetime. What a great experience!!!
Annie Gerow
5This is the second time I have been on board Reef Encounter and it was to have the same experience I had the first time I was there. I had an excellent time. Everybody was wonderful. Shout out to Josh for being so well organized. Ian was a great scuba guide, as was Pablo. Photographer was cool. Everybody is great! Food was super good, accommodation was excellent. we are from the USA and appreciated the thanksgiving inspired meal. :) Room was bigger than I thought. Nudibranchs forever! night dives were my favourites. Lovely crew, lovely time. So, so, so gorgeous out there. Make sure Jenny gets her navigation down. :) I can't say enough positive things about you all!
JC
5I’ve been traveling through Australia for a few weeks and this trip has been far and away the best experience so far (so much so that I’m writing my first company review). The GBR was beautiful and the food was incredible, but what truly made this experience stand alone were the people working tirelessly aboard the ship The saloon was always looking proper with fresh fruits, tea, and coffee available. A five star dining experience on a boat The housekeepers were constantly cleaning sheets and offering fresh towels. They were willing to go above and beyond for the comfort of the guests The DMTs made everyone feel safe and prepared as they were entering and exiting the water The photographer’s pictures were so perfect that you would think they were photoshopped if you weren’t there yourself. Once you get past the mullet and moustache you’ll learn he’s a real sensitive guy My group’s guide was spectacular (but don’t tell him that or he’ll get real shy). He went above the standard throughout the entire trip and helped out with everything on the boat. He alone made the trip worthwhile I’d be blessed to dive with this crew again. Thank you Jackson, Josh, Val, Niki, Paolo, and everyone whose name I’m forgetting Until next time
Anna Lucille H.
5We booked Reef Encounter because it looked very interesting and the best option amongst the other boats for price/inclusions. The staff on the boat was really kind, always happy, helping out and made the best pictures! we enjoyed it so much. The food tasted great, we loved it! and the rooms were good and comfy, it was a perfect stay to be honest. We will hopefully come back one day for sure! :)
Lisa H.
5We loved the fact that Reef Encounter took us to so many snorkeling points. The crew were really kind, very friendly and helpful. The beds were so comfy and the food was so good! In general it was so much fun! Thank you very much for this three perfect days!!!
Nathan S. and Lauren M.
5We booked as we saw this amazing TripAdvisor Review. the crew were amazing!! Jenny was very helpful and an excellent buddy. Accommodation and meal provided were 5 stars! Room was really spacious, meals were better than expected and we were told to expect the best. Hugo was an amazing dive instructor. Thank you for your patience and for making the entire live aboard experience even better!!
Carolyn M.
5We booked Reef Encounter for the Liveaboard experience and value for money. The crew were patient, fun, knowledgeable, attentive and relaxed. Accommodation was perfect and the food was the best i have had in Australia by far. Thank you for an amazing experience.
Christopher L.
5I was booked into Reef Encounter as a gift! and absolutely adored it. The crew were amazing. Very friendly and conversational & incredibly skilled & professional underwater. The room was perfect for two. Thanks to the chef for the amazing food! Thanks very much to Hitomi, Val, Steph & Josh for taking me to such wondeful dives and pretty photos! Made me love scuba diving once again
Emma S.
5We booked Reef Encounter because we really liked the dive course offered and the reviews.The crew were AMAZING! Shoutout to Hitomi who was an amazing open water cert. instructor. She was informative, patient, super positive and encouraging! The room was great, clean and comfortable and the food was DELICIOUS! We were so impressed at how well organized and welcoming the staff were the whole experience greatly exceeded my already high expectations. THANK YOU!
Melissa P.
5We booked reef encounter for the variety of options and experiences. The website had most of the information clearly on the website. The itinerary was very clear! Once on board, the crew were great. Also thanks to the chef for delicious vegetarian meals. As final comments, just a huge thank you for an incredible experience. Wow, just wow. <3
Sarah S.
5We booked reef encounter to do our Open Water course because all of your training is in the Great Barrier Reef, no pool training at all! which was great. The crew on board were Excellent! friendly, helpful, great attitudes all around. Well-informed and great personalities. :) Our room was lovely, very celan, fresh towels daily. Food Exceeded my expectations, it was like a gourmet meal every time. In general we loved it! I would definitely recommend and come back again myself!
Marg D.
5A friend suggested the trip for me and it was Excellent! I was new to the snorkel world and the crew were awesome, Martin, Nelson, Josh, Will and Alex helped me very much. Iris is wonderful! There was also plenty of fresh and delicious food! Compliments to the chef!! The crew works very hard! Always pleasant and extremely willing to assist in any way. Thank you for making my first experience so wonderful!
Alice G. and Owen B.
5We booked Reef Encounter first for value for money, and second for the skills training was all done in open water right at the Great Barrier Reef. The crew on board were extremely friendly, vastly knowledgeable and talented! Hugo was a brilliant instructor, we greatly enjoyed sharing in his expertise and great sense of humor. Tylah and Josh are such talented photographers. We will keep the photos they've captured for us to remember our first diving experience forever. Our accommodation was incredible with very comfortable beds with fresh towels, a lovely surprise after a glorious dive. Food was amazing and delicious. We would definitely recommend to everybody! Would love to return again very soon for the specialty scuba courses. Thanks for making our trip so unforgettable!! See you again soon <3
Svea O.
5We booked originally as we found the Top Deck Club package with the private valet very inviting. Once onboard, the crew was awesome, very friendly and well-trained. Niki is just the best! Our accommodation was amazing. Food was beautiful, even for vegetarians! In general it was a perfect stay and an unforgettable experience. Thank you!
Maria
5This was my second time On Reef Encounter but first time Top Deck! The staff, the accommodations, the food all were wonderful like the first time I stayed last year. The difference with Top Deck is I had my own personal dive instructor/guide who also looked after me throughout my 4 day stay. Dinner was served under lights on the top deck and coffee and fruit in the morning for my wake up call. Kari, my guide was top notch! She not only pampered me with creature comforts throughout my stay but was an excellent dive instructor and guide pointing out many wonderful creatures and things to see on our dives. She had extensive knowledge about the reef and was delightfully informative when asked. The other Top Deck participants were equally as impressed and happy with their experience as we chatted about it at dinner. They also have a photography team on board Scubabo, which take impressive shots of you underwater and on the boat. I took my own photos too but they don’t compare at all to the quality Scubabo puts out. You can buy all of the photos of yourself plus a lot of impressive shots they have taken at the reefs for a very reasonable fee. I am excited to frame some of these. In my personal opinion this is the best outfit to see the Great Barrier Reef with and whether you choose Top Deck or standard accommodations, you are going be looked after by a wonderful crew, have plenty of time in the water, and feel you spent your money well.
Raul and Ester
5One of the best experiences in Australia. We booked a 2 day / 1 night liveaboard trip at the end of August. We enjoyed it very much and if we had had more time, we would have spent more days there. Snorkelling and diving in the Great Barrier Reef was spectacular. Moreover, the crew was friendly, the guides were professional and the food was super tasty. Everything was fantastic, we recommend it to everyone!
Juan
5I went with the Top Deck package and it was excellent. Very happy with everything. The crew was excellent. Showed they really cared about the boat and everyone's experience. From taking care of the little things, to the food, just excellent. Thank you! For me, this trip has been something I have wanted to do for a very long time. so, with this opportunity, Reef Encounter made it perfect. I would like to thank Kieran for truly making this trip above and beyond. Thank you for everything.
Ian & Fiona Collard
5We did a 4 day trip with me diving ( been diving for 18 years and PADI rescue qualified) and my wife snorkling. I have used liveaboards in a number of places around the world and this is the best yet. Whilst quite large with 40 guests when full it doesn’t feel crowded and the staff work incredibly hard led by Michelle ( burser) who was superb. Dive sites were well selected and suitable for all levels of experience. Even though I have done 220 dives I still took a guide, Will a trainee dive master, as he knew the actual sites well. Very worth it given dive time is limited to 40 mins even though average depth only 10 metres. Diving is just awesome both day and night and staff made sure sensible sized groups went out - never more than 5 or 6. Food is excellent and accommodation ( we didn’t go VIP) roomy and comfortable- most room ever on a liveaboard. Can’t recommend these operators highly enough.
Alexandra Russell
5Absolutely loved the top deck experience. Staff are super friendly and very helpful when needed. I reccommend the top deck club because the experience you get is invaluable. The food was also really high quality and delicious. Special thanks to Mackensea our top deck guide who made our experience all the more worthwhile. We will definitely be coming back to reef encounter. Thank you once again.
Rachel
5How were the crew? "Excellent: very insightful and always ready to help out with anything." How was your accommodation and the meals provided? "Rooms were amazing: clean, great view, lovely presentation upon arrival. Food was delicious for every meal!" Do you have any additional comments? "will definitely would recommended to everyone who's looking for a liveaboard cruise. "
Emi
5How were the crew? "Fantastic! super friendly, relaxed but professional very attentive w/out hovering, made you feel like you're w/very capable friends". How was your accommodation and meals provided? "hit the spot! never went hungry, and catered to my dietary needs, without compromising the enjoyment. I felt taken care of. Do you have any additional comments? "Meg was amazingly patient w/ my parents anxiety & indecision over what to. She made them feel safe & open to trying new things. She also gave me peace of mind & helped me relax as well. I'd ask for her again!"
Andy
5How were the crew? "Crew were very hard working, friendly and safety focused, credit to the company, 10/10" How was your accommodation and meals provided? "both room, facilities and meals were above expectations" Do you have any additional comments? "My background is in safety management, I was impressed by adherence to safety policy, code of practice responsibilities. Well done, crew were great people, I had a very enjoyable 8 days".
Karen
5Dear Reef Encounter We were on your boat last week for 3 nights. We did the Top Deck Package. What a great Trip. A big WOW. We saw more than we expected, sharks, turtles, fish , and coral. We would really like to congratulate you on a very well run trip. The staff were very professional, friendly and just lovely. They ran all scuba/snorkelling to time. Most impressive Reef Encounter. Hope to do it again soon. Shiniee was fantastic. Leigh and Murray
Laura
5Top Deck liveaboard bliss! I really can’t say enough about our Reef Encounter experience. My husband and I booked the Top Deck 2 day/1 night trip at the end of March. We looked at TONS of other dive companies and tours and chose the Reef Encounter based on its reviews and I’m so, so glad that we did. We went back and forth for a while about doing Top Deck due to the additional cost but it was absolutely one of the best decisions we made on our trip! We had both just been scuba certified a month before so we wanted to make sure we had a personal guide instead of a group (we didn’t want to hold anyone back as novices). From the moment we checked in we were well taken care of. Kari was our guide and she was amazing. Friendly, patient, funny— and she anticipated needs we didn’t even know we had (like throwing our towels in the dryer so that they would be warm when we got out of the water!). She also knew where to look for everything in the reef which was incredibly valuable. We would have been swimming around aimlessly, although the GBR is stunning, obviously. I wasn’t feeling well the first day, but I was able to go out with another guide (Nick Paul was incredible, too!) so the staff’s flexibility was really appreciated. It’s been said many times, but in addition to the service, the food was also outstanding. We wanted for nothing— except more time on the reef. It was an experience that we’ll cherish forever— book this trip, you won’t regret it.
Reviewed on: Reef TripPaul and Joanne
5Top Deck liveaboard bliss! I really can’t say enough about our Reef Encounter experience. My husband and I booked the Top Deck 2 day/1 night trip at the end of March. We looked at TONS of other dive companies and tours and chose the Reef Encounter based on its reviews and I’m so, so glad that we did. We went back and forth for a while about doing Top Deck due to the additional cost but it was absolutely one of the best decisions we made on our trip! We had both just been scuba certified a month before so we wanted to make sure we had a personal guide instead of a group (we didn’t want to hold anyone back as novices). From the moment we checked in we were well taken care of. Kari was our guide and she was amazing. Friendly, patient, funny— and she anticipated needs we didn’t even know we had (like throwing our towels in the dryer so that they would be warm when we got out of the water!). She also knew where to look for everything in the reef which was incredibly valuable. We would have been swimming around aimlessly, although the GBR is stunning, obviously. I wasn’t feeling well the first day, but I was able to go out with another guide (Nick Paul was incredible, too!) so the staff’s flexibility was really appreciated. It’s been said many times, but in addition to the service, the food was also outstanding. We wanted for nothing— except more time on the reef. It was an experience that we’ll cherish forever— book this trip, you won’t regret it.
JenJF5678
5***I researched many Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards before deciding on Reef Encounter. If you want a liveaboard that is roomy, serves delicious food, and moves the ship each day so you can see more of the reef, THIS is the one for you. I urge you not to wait to book your trip as the reef is dying due to coral bleaching. If this is a dream, make it happen now!*** We spent the first part of our honeymoon diving with Reef Encounters. We went all out and paid extra for the Top Deck VIP Package. It was so well-worth it! The package included several perks such as incredibly roomy accommodations and a guide on all dives. Kiri was a great guide, who took us to the best parts of the reef while pointing out multiple camouflaged creatures. The ship moved twice a day so we were able to dive different parts of the reef. There was a professional photographer on board who took some wonderful shots of us diving with sea turtles! The food was incredible! I cannot say enough about it! It was like dining in a 5-star restaurant with beautifully presented deliciousness! This is not just for those who pay for the VIP package...everyone, including the crew, eats steak and lamb chops for dinner! This was our first liveaboard experience and, from what I've heard from friends and researched online, nothing will ever top it! For those thinking about going solo, DO IT! There were several solo divers on board who decided to dive together. You also have the option of hiring a guide. Happy diving! Room Tip: Top Deck VIP rooms are the best!
Reviewed on: Hot Getaways