This vessel pulls anchor and sets sail from Cairns for at least part of your stay. Highlights at this cruise ship include free buffet breakfast, a restaurant and a bar/lounge. .This smoke-free cruise ship offers a terrace, tour/ticket assistance and luggage storage. Added amenities include a hot tub and coffee/tea in a common area. Each morning free breakfast is served. .
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily.
A hot tub, a terrace, and tour/ticket assistance are also featured at Reef Encounter.
This 4-star Cairns cruise ship is smoke free.
21 guestrooms or units
3 levels
Buffet breakfast (free)
Coffee in lobby
Storage area for luggage
Tour and ticket information
Terrace
Television in lobby
No smoking on site
Bar or lounge
Dining venue
Reef Encounter offers 21 accommodations with air conditioning. Bathrooms include a shower and complimentary toiletries. Cots/infant beds (surcharge) are also available.
Languages
English
Property amenities
Parking and transport
No on-site parking available
Food and drink
Free buffet breakfast available daily 7 AM to 8 AM
A bar/lounge
A restaurant
Coffee and tea in common areas
Things to do
Snorkelling
Spa tub
TV in common areas
Family friendly
Cot (surcharge)
Conveniences
Luggage storage
Guest services
No housekeeping
Tour and ticket assistance
Outdoors
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No lift
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
More
3 floors
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Cot (surcharge)
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Private bathroom
Shower
Towels
More
Air conditioning
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 7:30 AM; check-in end time: 8:00 AM
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 8 AM
Special check-in instructions
There is no front desk at this property
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; your host will greet you
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
The property is a ship at sea. Guests must take the Reef Experience catamaran from Cairns Marlin Marina, A Finger, to reach it. The catamaran begins boarding at 7:30 AM, with check-in and breakfast on board. It departs for the ship at 8 AM. To return, guests will check-out at 9 AM and arrive in Cairns at 4:30 PM.
Access methods
Host will greet you
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are available for AUD 50.0 per night.
Payment types
Important information
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Crib (infant bed) fee: AUD 50.0 per night
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy. A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in. Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. No on-site parking is available. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted.
We should mention
Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
Property is also known as
Reef Encounter Boat
Reef Encounter Boat Cairns
Reef Encounter Cairns
Reef Encounter Hotel Great Barrier Reef
Reef Encounter Cruise
Reef Encounter Cairns
Reef Encounter Cruise Cairns
Frequently asked questions
Are there any beaches close to Reef Encounter?
The closest beach to Reef Encounter is Palm Cove Beach (21.5 km).
Does Reef Encounter serve breakfast?
Sure does, complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily between 7 AM and 8 AM.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at Reef Encounter?
No, Reef Encounter does not offer an airport shuttle service.
Is there a bar or restaurant at Reef Encounter?
Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
What time are check-in & check-out at Reef Encounter?
Check-in begins at 7:30 AM. Check-out time is 8 AM.
Are pets allowed at Reef Encounter?
No, pets are not allowed.
Reef Encounter Reviews
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 46 reviews" "
10 - Excellent
32
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 46 reviews" "
8 - Good
9
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 46 reviews" "
6 - Okay
3
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews" "
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 46 reviews" "
2 - Terrible
2
8.8/10
Cleanliness
9.2/10
Staff & service
8.0/10
Amenities
8.6/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Jane
Travelled with partner
26 Nov 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Got us right out onto the reef multiple times per day!
Jane
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
8/10 Good
Michael
Travelled with partner
6 Oct 2023
Disliked: Amenities
The ship was run down, a lot of signs that maintenance wasn’t a high priority. However if your goal is to dive and snorkel on the reef a “lot”, then you’ll be happy.
Great luxury live aboard adventure. Stayed one-night as it was our first time on a boat and found the 6 dives over 2 days was great and tiring. The "premium room" is their Top Deck package and the upgrade was well worth it to us though only 3 rooms were booked as this upgrade during our time there and everyone else had fun too.
Very overpriced trip. The yacht is very old. No cabin has lockers on the door - according to the stuff, that’s the policy on the boat. This mean that theoretically anyone can enter your room at any time. You can’t controll the conditioner in your room and in the dining area, it is freezing there. It’s a problem to get the fresh towel - you will be sent to use the only public dryer where everyone washed their stuff. The yacht has no shoe policy but the floor is pretty dirty. The wetsuits are literally tearing apart! I would say this is like a good friendly motel but they advertise and charge as 5 star hotel.
Fabulous trip out to the reef. The crew were extremely friendly and helpful, the food was great and the cabin was very comfortable.
We saw loads of fish, dolphins, turtles and baby reef sharks.
Excellent way to get closer to the reef.