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Stepping into the water as the sun starts to rise out of the sea, is an amazing way to start your day! Beneath the surface, reef sharks settle into the sands, turtles glide through the water and bumphead parrotfish graze on the corals, the colours of which get brighter with the daylight. This is a magic time of day on the Great Barrier Reef – for divers and snorkellers – and you can only experience it on a liveaboard trip. Best of all, while you’re enjoying all this and more, the crew is hard at work preparing your breakfast and planning your day. Winning. We’ve just come back from a 4 day / 3 night Cairns liveaboard dive trip with Reef Encounter, and this is our review of the boat, the food, the crew, the diving and the details.
Early morning dives are the best! You can do up to 4 dives a day on Reef Encounter, which can be 4 day dives or 3 day dives and 1 night dive, so from sunrise to sunset – it’s dive time!
Reef Encounter’s Cairns liveaboard reef tour commences at 7.30am, when you check-in at their day boat Reef Experience, which is located on A Finger at Cairns’ Marlin Marina*. Here you are greeted by the crew and sent to the air conditioned upstairs of Reef Experience, along with all other liveaboard guests. The boat departs Cairns at 8am. During the 2 hour transfer to Reef Encounter, you complete your snorkel / dive paperwork and the crew provide detailed briefings on the boat and safety protocols. Once that’s completed, they serve bacon and egg rolls and you can sit back and enjoy the ride to the reef. *Please note when you choose Reef Encounter as your preferred Cairns liveaboard reef tour, there’s the option to skip the boat transfer and upgrade to a scenic heli transfer, this is ideal for those that get seasick and/or want to elevate their bucket list experience of the Great Barrier Reef. The heli takes off from Cairns and lands on the top deck heli pad of Reef Encounter. Heli transfer times are different to the day boat transfer times, and will be communicated at the time of booking.
“Reef Encounter’s liveaboard tours have daily departures, thanks to the day boat and/or heli transfer options. The liveaboard boat is permanently located at sea and has over 15 moorings at 5 different reefs. All their reef sites are on the outer Great Barrier Reef and are suitable for divers and snorkellers, making this trip suitable for guests of all experience levels. Reef Encounter is also one of the few liveaboard boats to cater to families with young children: we first went out with them when our son was 14 months old, 10 years later we are back with our now 11 year old – it’s very special being able to share these experiences with your children, and on both occasions the crew were more than awesome at accommodating and supporting us.” – Julie Johnston
The transfer from Reef Experience to Reef Encounter is an easy one, and the crew move your bags for you. Once aboard the liveaboard at around 10am, you’re greeted by the new crew who provide briefings in the dining room regarding the boat’s daily schedule, dive schedule and cabin allocation. For guest purposes, Reef Encounter has 3 levels. The first level contains the communal living spaces, including the dining area and bar / lounge area, some accommodation cabins and the back deck, which is the dive deck and has stairs to a lowered platform which provides easy water access. The second level is all guest accommodation, the cabins are a combination of double and twin, and the back deck of this level has wetsuits and ‘tubs’, which is where you can store your in-water equipment and towels. There are stairs from this level to the top level, which is a sundeck with sunlounges, and a ladder to the very top which is the helipad area. Once the cabins are allocated, guests head up to the top sundeck, which is where masks, snorkels and fins are provided. For those eager to get started, there’s time for a snorkel session before lunch at 12pm. Lunch on day 1 of our Reef Encounter Cairns liveaboard reef trip was fried rice accompanied by garden salad, pumpkin and fetta salad and spring rolls.
The first dive of the trip (dive #1) was at 1.30pm that afternoon, at a site known as Shark Mountain on Norman Reef. Note the dive tour price is for unguided dives, you can get a dive guide, but this is an additional cost. All our dives on this trip were unguided. Water entry is giant stride off a lowered platform, at water level. Descending the line we set out to explore the site during our 40 minute dive, highlights included seeing pink anemonefish, titan triggerfish, blue spotted stingray, flowery cods, purple anthia and lots of butterflyfish and angelfish. Back on board, we relaxed while Reef Encounter moved to a new reef site – named Evolution, on Saxon Reef – which is where we did our second dive (dive #2) for the day (the night dive and the early morning dive the next day). This was another great reef site, and we saw Nemo (the actual clown anemonefish), orange-lined triggerfish, moorish idols, surf parrotfish, regal angelfish, a peacock rockcod and more.
Being our first night at sea, we decided to do the Night Dive (dive #3) and a briefing for this was provided at 5.30pm. You are allocated a torch for the night dive and the briefing is compulsory, for the first night dive of the trip. Before getting back in the water, we had dinner which was steak with wedges, mushroom sauce or gravy and a garden salad. Dinner is served to your table by the crew and it was delicious. The night dives are limited to 30-minutes and started at 7pm and as you would expect, we saw a lot of white tipped and black tipped reef sharks, red bass and giant trevally. We also saw a sea turtle head down under a coral ledge, settling in for a good night’s sleep. Back on board there was time for a shower, before dessert was served, which was chocolate brownie with strawberry ice-cream. A great first day at sea!
Rise and shine – the reef is calling your name and so is the crew, with a friendly 5.50am wake-up call. (We woke up before that, grabbed a coffee and enjoyed a glorious sunrise from the top deck.) You don’t have to do the early morning dive but trust me – it’s worth it – it’s the best time of day to dive (and snorkel) in our opinion. Stepping backwards into the sea (dive #4) we descended down the mooring line, watching some reef sharks glide slowly through the water, with some settling on the sandy floor below. There’s always an abundance of Great Barrier Reef fish around in the early mornings, so we saw a lot, including but not limited to black spotted puffer, common lionfish, orange fin anemonefish, schools of blue green chromis, dotted sweetlips, senator wrasse and orange spine unicornfish. After a 50 minute dive, there was time for a shower before breakfast was served – and what a breakfast it was! Fried eggs and bacon, black beans, roasted tomato and mushrooms, hash browns, fresh fruit and cereals, corn and zucchini fritters, avocado and preserves. While we feasted, Reef Encounter moved to a new reef site which was called Fingers, on Norman Reef – this is apparently their most protected location, which was needed because some new guests were arriving on heli transfer. As well as being protected, it’s an epic site for diving and snorkelling.
The second dive (dive #5) started at 10.20am and we saw a green sea turtle, flowery cod, pink anemonefish, saddled butterflyfish, red and black anemonefish, pennant bannerfish, spotfin squirrelfish, barramundi cod and more. There was time for a shower before lunch at 12pm, which on day 2 of our Reef Encounter Cairns liveaboard reef tour was Japanese curry (lamb or chicken – with a vegetarian option) served with rice, a garden salad and pumpkin and fetta salad. Our third dive (dive #6) was at 1.25pm – still at Fingers, Norman Reef – we went a different direction this time and saw flowery cod, coral cod, trumpetfish, sailfin tang, titan triggerfish, bird wrasse, moon wrasse and some more pink anemonefish (we LOVE anemonefish of all types). While we rested and enjoyed the sunshine, Reef Encounter moved to a new reef site on Norman Reef called Troppos, which is where we had our 7th dive of the trip. Troppos ticked some boxes for us, we saw a mantis shrimp for the first time as well as a female spotted boxfish – super cool!! Other highlights included bumphead parrotfish, white tip reef shark, blue spotted stingray, green sea turtle, giant trevally, pink anemonefish, titan triggerfish, emperor angelfish and more. This dive ended at 4.40pm and after showering, we grabbed a wine, beer and softdrink from the bar and headed out to enjoy the sunset before dinner, which was served at 6pm. Dinner was chicken parmigiana with mashed potato and salad and dessert was churros served with chocolate sauce. (Our son thought it was heaven on a plate!).
By now you kind of get it – life on a liveaboard boat settles into a glorious ‘routine’ of sleep, dive, eat and then repeat, repeat repeat. So, day 3 started with an early morning dive (dive #8) on Troppos at Norman Reef. Forward flipping into the water we immediately saw a cluster of bumphead parrotfish grazing along the coral walls, from there we set out to explore and highlights included seeing the mantis shrimp again (but getting a photo this time), purple anthia – these guys are so pretty – dotted sweetlips, bat fish, sea whips and a colourful collection of soft corals and sea fans. Back on the boat for breakfast, which was another delicious feast, we ate while the boat moved to a new reef site called Twin Peaks on Saxon Reef. This was our son’s 50th dive (he is 11 years old – we were pretty excited!) and the 9th dive of this trip. Twin Peaks delivered some different fish, including a Chinese Footballer, Clarke’s anemonefish, sweetlips, flowery cod, butterflyfish and a moray eel. Back on board it was almost lunchtime, a Mexican inspired spread of burrito wraps, with a selection of salads, black beans, chicken, mince, roasted capsicum and guacamole. During lunch the very lovely Augustine – Reef Encounter’s purser – made an over the mic announcement congratulating Ethan on his 50th dive. To say he was chuffed about this would be a massive understatement! In his words ‘I will never forget this moment’.
Our 10th dive on Reef Encounter was also at Twin Peaks, on Saxon Reef. This time we saw a large school of paddletail snapper, 2 diagonally banded sweetlips, blue spotted stingray, pink anemonefish, trumpetfish, white lined rockcod, lattice butterflyfish, coral trout, pufferfish and more. In the afternoon the boat moved back to Shark Mountain on Norman Reef, which is where we had our late afternoon dive (dive #11) before emerging from the water and enjoying a truly spectacular sunset on the back deck. Bliss! Dinner that night was spaghetti bolognaise with toasted sourdough, followed by apple crumble squares for dessert with chocolate ice-cream. Please note Reef Encounter has 5 water sessions each day at 6.15am, 10.15am, 1.15pm, 3.30pm and 7pm. Snorkelers can snorkel during all of the daytime water sessions. Divers can choose to do a maximum of 4 dives per day, which can be a combination of 3 day dives and 1 night dive, or 4 day dives. We prefer day dives to night dives, so that’s what we did every day, except for the first day.
All good things must come to an end and in protest Julie’s brain decided to dish up a migraine, which meant there was no early morning dive for us on this last day on Reef Encounter. Fortunately we had medication with us so after popping some pills and getting some more sleep, we were ready to dive again, on our last dive for the trip (dive #12). Richard and Ethan had enjoyed breakfast as usual and then Reef Encounter moved to Fingers, at Norman Reef – this was because the heli transfer guests were departing today. Splashing into the water at 10.25am we headed out for a dive with Augustine, which was a super special way to end our trip. She pointed out a banded pipefish sitting on turtle grass, which we would have missed altogether. Other highlights included seeing a school of 15 smooth flutemouth, a humphead maori wrasse, two massive barramundi cod under a large table coral, beaked leatherjackets, bicolour blennie, blue faced angelfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish and more.
Heading back to the boat we had a shower and got ready for lunch, which was roast chicken served with roast potato and sweet potato, broccoli, cous cous salad, a garden salad and chickpea and fetta salad. After lunch there was time for a quick snorkel session, which we did. The snorkelling at Fingers on Norman Reef was great, we saw a white tip reef shark, giant blue triggerfish, lots of 6 bar wrasse, butterflyfish, angelfish, pennant bannerfish, coral trout and some chromis. Then it was shower and change and prepare for departure. During this time everyone settled up any bar tabs and the crew provided a farewell briefing. Reef Experience pulled up alongside Reef Encounter and we transferred back to the day boat at around 2.30pm, for our return to Cairns. During the 2 hour trip we enjoyed cheese and crackers, fresh fruit and a complimentary glass of wine. We arrived back at to Cairns on time, at 4.30pm.
I loved Reef Encounter – it was so much fun and the crew were really nice to me. When we got on they provided us with briefings on everything we needed to know about the boat. Our cabin was really nice and we had a rollaway bed, which meant our family could all be together which was awesome. I did my first night dive on Reef Encounter – it was really good, I saw lots of reef sharks and a sleeping turtle. The coolest thing I saw on this trip was a Barramundi Cod – it was the first time I have ever seen them. I did my 50th dive on this trip and I celebrated underwater with some dancing and somersaults. I want to give a shout out to Augustine – she announced my 50th dive on the PA and let me make some announcements too – Bin Bom. This was a great trip – food was amazing – I’d love to go again.
Yes, Reef Encounter’s Cairns liveaboard dive tour is worth it. The boat itself provides a comfortable base to spend your time at sea. It’s thoughtfully laid out, internally and externally, to maximise navigation between air conditioned interiors, exterior decks and the ocean. The cabins are well maintained. All of them provide sea views and have private ensuite facilities. The meals are awesome! The crew are friendly and genuinely want you to have the best time possible. The boat moves twice a day – weather permitting – so you will see a range of different Great Barrier Reef sites.
You can book anything from a 2 day / 1 night trip on Reef Encounter, to a 5 day / 4 night trip.
Reef Encounter is fairly stable in the sea. If you think you might get seasick – and have been seasick in the past – then the best option is to take preventative medicine. I get seasick and took Kwells and was fine. We’ve prepared an article providing more information on seasickness and the Great Barrier Reef.
Reef Encounter has a daily itinerary, which schedules water sessions, meals and briefings. While the times might vary, pending season and weather, below is the daily itinerary that was posted in the rooms when we travelled (September 2024).
All the Reef Encounter cabins are either twin or double. Generally speaking the maximum number of guests per cabin is 2. However, Reef Encounter is family friendly and if you have a baby / infant, then a cot can be provided in the room – if you have a child aged 11 years old and younger, then a rollaway bed can be provided in the room – which takes the room occupancy to 3 people. There is an additional charge for this.
Yes! Your family can stay together on Reef Encounter, as long as there are 3 members to your family and the youngest is aged under 11 years old. Generally speaking, all of the stateroom cabins on Reef Encounter are double or twin, but infants and babies can be accommodated with the addition of a cot to the room and children aged 11 years old and under can be accommodated with the addition of a rollaway bed to the room. There is an additional charge for this.
Yes, Reef Encounter is suitable for snorkelers and there were snorkelers staying on the boat at the same time as us. They had an awesome time and were on board for 4 days / 3 nights. If you are a snorkeler wanting to try scuba diving, then you can do this too on an introductory dive (also called a resort dive). There’s no previous experience necessary. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old. Some health conditions, including asthma, epilepsy, heart conditions, chronic sinus and more will prevent you from trying / participating in introductory diving.
The diving on Reef Encounter is good. We had an awesome time and saw some things for the first time, including a mantis shrimp and dotted boxfish. All of the diving on Reef Encounter is unguided – with reef site briefings provided on each new reef location. There is the option to pay additional for a dive guide and this is charged per person, per dive. All of the photos included in this review – including the dive photos – were taken on our trip on Reef Encounter in September 2024. This gives you an idea of the dive and reef conditions, and a snapshot of what we saw.
There’s lots of inclusions in the Reef Encounter Cairns liveaboard reef dive tour price, which we will bullet point here for you.
Most things are included in the Reef Encounter price. Additional costs are below.
*If you want a dedicated dive / snorkel guide during your liveaboard trip with Reef Encounter, then you might like to book the VIP Upgrade to the Top Deck Club. Not only does this get you your own dive / snorkel guide, you are assured of the best cabins, sunset drinks and a personal valet. There is also the option to add scenic heli transfers to and/or from Cairns to Reef Encounter.
The Reef Encounter tours leave Cairns every day of the week, thanks to the daily transfer service provided by their day boat – Reef Experience. Check in for the tours is at 7.30am at Reef Experience, which is located on A Finger on Marlin Marina. Reef Experience departs Cairns at 8am.
The Reef Encounter Cairns liveaboard dive tours stay on Cairns’ outer Great Barrier Reefs. They have access to over 15 different sites, located across 5 different reefs – including Norman Reef, Hastings Reef, Saxon Reef, Breaking Patches and Jorgensen Patch. Where you will go on your trip is all dependent on the weather, tides and current. The captain will pick the best sites to maximum your inwater experience, at the time of travel.
Reef Encounter was awesome! Friendly crew, comfortable cabins and beds, great meals. Professional onboard photographer, to capture the souvenir photos like this one! Additional cost, but so worth it!
Reef Encounter is owned and operated by a local Cairns family, that also has a day boat called Reef Experience. The transfers to and from Cairns to Reef Encounter are on Reef Experience, which departs daily at 8am. The boat is well maintained inside, providing a comfortable floating hotel. The cabins and interiors are air conditioned, with exterior sundecks and a heli pad (so there’s the option for a scenic heli transfer). Reef Encounter also offers the ability to book a VIP upgrade to the Top Deck, which gives you the best rooms, sunset cocktails and your own personal valet and dive / snorkel guide for the duration of your trip. You can book this liveaboard tour anywhere from 1 night to 4 nights and of course, the more time you are at sea, the more time you have to explore the Great Barrier Reef. This trip is suitable for divers and snorkelers and is family friendly. All of the Reef Encounter sites are on Cairns’ outer Great Barrier Reef, this boat does not go to the Ribbon Reefs or Osprey Reef.
Unguided diving in Cairns is possible, but you must book the ‘right’ boat to do it, as most reef operators insist on guided dives. We’ve found the tour for you, so step right up and stride right in, it's dive time on the Great Barrier Reef.
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