Certified Scuba Diving

Reef Encounter offers fantastic liveaboard scuba diving holidays to qualified divers, from newly certified divers to the most experienced scuba enthusiasts. Visit spectacular Outer Great Barrier Reef locations over a range of the best Outer Great Barrier Reef destinations.

Reef Encounter is owned and operated by a local family of avid and passionate scuba divers. We take great pride in offering outstanding liveaboard scuba dive tours – let us show you the Great Barrier Reef!
Anyone booking a trip that includes scuba diving must read our
‘SCUBA Divers Important Information’ Page…

What is Certified Scuba Diving?

Certified diving is for already qualified scuba divers who hold a minimum licence of ‘Open Water Diver level or higher. The Dive Supervisor will check your dive license at the start of your Reef Encounter tour. If you’re not already Open Water Certified or higher, check out our Resort Dive packages (no experience necessary) or become Certified with a Learn To Dive Course!

What are my tour options as a Certified Diver?

Once you’re a certified diver, you can explore the reef with your dive buddy at your own pace — it’s the standard way of diving in Australia! Guided dives are completely optional and available for those who’d like extra support or want to see the reef’s hidden highlights with one of our experienced crew.

– A Certified Diving Package

Explore the Great Barrier Reef with another certified diver as your buddy. Before each dive, you’ll receive a full site briefing from our Dive Supervisor.
Travelling solo? No worries — we’ll pair you with another suitable certified diver so you can enjoy your dives safely and confidently together.

– Certified Diving with a Guided Dive Package

Prefer to join a guided group? Choose to dive with one of our experienced crew members who will lead a small group of certified divers around the site.
Your guide will handle navigation and point out unique marine life you might otherwise miss — it’s a great way to get the most from each dive.

• Pre-booked price: $10 per dive (per person)
• Add-on onboard: $15 per dive (per person)

You can decide in advance or wait until you’re onboard to book as many or as few guided dives as you like.

– Private Certified Guided Dives

Want a personal dive guide just for you or your travel group?
Book our Top Deck Club Accommodation, which includes your own dedicated crew member for the entire stay. Your private guide will plan and lead all your dives, tailored entirely to your experience and interests.

– Scuba Courses

Enhance your existing dive skills by enrolling on one of our higher dive training courses. An Advanced Adventure Course or Diver Stress & Rescue Course with Reef Encounter is a great way to further your dive qualifications and have fun scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef! A great option to become a more qualified, confident scuba diver.

Read more about Advanced Courses
Read more about Rescue Courses

The number of included scuba dives depends on the duration of your stay and whether you are a qualified ‘Certified Diver’ or beginner ‘Resort Diver’, or are enrolled on a ‘Learn to Dive’ course

How many scuba dives are included with the different packages?