Reef Encounter has 21 cabins, one of which will be reserved for luggage storage. 14 of the cabins are on the upper deck, including 6 double bed and 8 convertible double/twin bed cabins. On the main deck there are a total of 7 cabins, including 4 convertible double/twins and 3 twins. All cabins have ensuite bathrooms and ocean views. All are the same price unless you elect to join the Top Deck Club.

All the cabins have:

No. of bathrooms / showers - 20 / 20 - unlimited hot water

Cairns Barrier Reef (2 Days / 1 Nights - 5 Dives)

Trip highlights: turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Outer Barrier Reef: Breaking Patches, Saxon, Norman, Hastings reefs, Jorgensen Patch

Day 1
You will meet at Cairns Marlin Marina and board the Reef Experience transfer vessel for the 60 minutes journey to the Outer Barrier Reef, an area where sightings often include reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, dolphins and barracuda. A breakfast of bacon and egg rolls will be served then you will be welcomed onboard the Reef Encounter liveaboard. After a safety briefing, it's time to check-in to your cabin, unpack your clothes and prepare your scuba gear for the rest of the trip. There will be time for a snorkelling session and then lunch is served in the dining room. At 1 pm, it's time for a first dive briefing before 2 afternoon water sessions (dives or snorkel excursions) at 2 different locations. A night dive takes place at 6 pm, after another briefing. Dinner time is at 7:15 pm, followed by dessert at 8 pm. Dinner is a waiter served, plated meal of your choice. Desserts include pastries, pannacotta, meringue, and cheesecake.

Day 2
An early wake up call begins the day at 6 am, followed by the first dive of the day or snorkel. Breaking Patches and Hastings Reef are shallow patches of reef that are ideal for snorkelling. Soft corals thrive here, swaying with the currents. On numerous sandy patches along the bottom you can spot sleeping reef sharks and small rays. Scour the reef and you will find a plethora of different crab and shrimp species, nudibranchs, as well as some impressive giant clams. Norman Reef is on the continental shelf, at the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef and is easily one of Cairns’ most prized diving destinations. There are shallow coral gardens, walls and drop-offs, swim-throughs, and caves, and one of the sites even has a small wreck. The crystal clear water provides incredible visibility, for which reef sharks, bronze whalers, giant Maori wrasse, and groupers can be seen. Saxon Reef is a patch reef with smaller bommies and giant boulder corals that are home to white-tip reef sharks, diagonally banded sweetlips, barramundi cod, and dozens of wrasse, parrotfish, and butterflyfish.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast at 7:30 am of bacon, eggs, roasted vegetables, beans, fruit salad, choice of cereals, toast and a selection of jams. as the boat moves to another location for the second and final morning dive at 10:30 am. A lunch of salads and hot dishes will be served at noon. Salad options include Rocket, poached pear, ricotta, lime and chilli salted cashews with lemon and honey vinaigrette, and Papaya, lime, mint, chilli and peanuts, mains includes curry, pasta and pizza. After a final opportunity to explore the reef on snorkel, the transfer vessel will be ready for boarding at 2:45 pm for the journey back to Cairns. Wine, cheese and biscuits will be served before your arrival back at the marina in Cairns late afternoon.

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Cairns Barrier Reef (3 Days / 2 Nights - 9 Dives)

Trip highlights: turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Outer Barrier Reef: Breaking Patches, Saxon, Norman, Hastings reefs, Jorgensen Patch

Day 1
You will meet at Cairns Marlin Marina and board the Reef Experience transfer vessel for the 60 minutes journey to the Outer Barrier Reef. A breakfast of bacon and egg rolls will be served then you will be welcomed onboard the Reef Encounter liveaboard. After a safety briefing, it's time to check-in to your cabin, unpack your clothes and prepare your scuba gear for the rest of the trip. There will be time for a snorkelling session and then lunch is served in the dining room. At 1 pm, it's time for a first dive briefing before 2 afternoon water sessions (dives or snorkel excursions) at 2 different locations. A night dive takes place at 6 pm, after another briefing. Dinner time is at 7:15 pm, followed by dessert at 8 pm. Dinner is a waiter served, plated meal of your choice. Desserts include pastries, pannacotta, meringue, and cheesecake.

Day 2
An early wake up call begins the day at 6 am, followed by the first dive of the day or snorkel. Enjoy a tasty breakfast at 7:30 am of bacon, eggs, roasted vegetables, beans, fruit salad, choice of cereals, toast and a selection of jams. as the boat moves to another location for the second morning dive at 10:30 am. A lunch of salads and hot dishes will be served at noon. Salad options include Rocket, poached pear, ricotta, lime and chilli salted cashews with lemon and honey vinaigrette, and Papaya, lime, mint, chilli and peanuts, mains includes curry, pasta and pizza. There is an early afternoon dive at 1:30 pm, before the boat changes location again for a second afternoon dive at 3:30 pm. Finally, there will be a night dive at 6 pm, followed by dinner at 7:15 pm.

The Cairns Outer Barrier Reef is an area where sightings often include reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, dolphins and barracuda. Breaking Patches and Hastings Reef are shallow patches of reef that are ideal for snorkelling. Soft corals thrive here, swaying with the currents. On numerous sandy patches along the bottom you can spot sleeping reef sharks and small rays. Scour the reef and you will find a plethora of different crab and shrimp species, nudibranchs, as well as some impressive giant clams. Norman Reef is on the continental shelf, at the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef and is easily one of Cairns’ most prized diving destinations. There are shallow coral gardens, walls and drop-offs, swim-throughs, and caves, and one of the sites even has a small wreck. The crystal clear water provides incredible visibility, for which reef sharks, bronze whalers, giant Maori wrasse, and groupers can be seen. Saxon Reef is a patch reef with smaller bommies and giant boulder corals that are home to white-tip reef sharks, diagonally banded sweetlips, barramundi cod, and dozens of wrasse, parrotfish, and butterflyfish.

Day 3
An early wake up call begins the day, followed by the first dive of the day or snorkel. Enjoy a final breakfast as the boat moves to another location for the second and final morning dive at 10:30 am. A lunch will be served at noon. After a final opportunity to explore the reef on snorkel, the transfer vessel will be ready for boarding at 2:45 pm for the journey back to Cairns. Wine, cheese and biscuits will be served before your arrival back at the marina in Cairns late afternoon.

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Cairns Barrier Reef (4 Days / 3 Nights - 13 Dives)

Trip highlights: turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Outer Barrier Reef: Breaking Patches, Saxon, Norman, Hastings reefs, Jorgensen Patch

Day 1
You will meet at Cairns Marlin Marina and board the Reef Experience transfer vessel for the 60 minutes journey to the Outer Barrier Reef. A breakfast of bacon and egg rolls will be served then you will be welcomed onboard the Reef Encounter liveaboard. After a safety briefing, it's time to check-in to your cabin, unpack your clothes and prepare your scuba gear for the rest of the trip. There will be time for a snorkelling session and then lunch is served in the dining room. At 1 pm, it's time for a first dive briefing before 2 afternoon water sessions (dives or snorkel excursions) at 2 different locations. A night dive takes place at 6 pm, after another briefing. Dinner time is at 7:15 pm, followed by dessert at 8 pm. Dinner is a waiter served, plated meal of your choice. Desserts include pastries, pannacotta, meringue, and cheesecake.

Days 2-3
An early wake up call begins the day at 6 am, followed by the first dive of the day or snorkel. Enjoy a tasty breakfast at 7:30 am of bacon, eggs, roasted vegetables, beans, fruit salad, choice of cereals, toast and a selection of jams. as the boat moves to another location for the second morning dive at 10:30 am. A lunch of salads and hot dishes will be served at noon. Salad options include Rocket, poached pear, ricotta, lime and chilli salted cashews with lemon and honey vinaigrette, and Papaya, lime, mint, chilli and peanuts, mains includes curry, pasta and pizza. There is an early afternoon dive at 1:30 pm, before the boat changes location again for a second afternoon dive at 3:30 pm. Finally, there will be a night dive at 6 pm, followed by dinner at 7:15 pm.

The Cairns Outer Barrier Reef is an area where sightings often include reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, dolphins and barracuda. Breaking Patches and Hastings Reef are shallow patches of reef that are ideal for snorkelling. Soft corals thrive here, swaying with the currents. On numerous sandy patches along the bottom you can spot sleeping reef sharks and small rays. Scour the reef and you will find a plethora of different crab and shrimp species, nudibranchs, as well as some impressive giant clams. Norman Reef is on the continental shelf, at the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef and is easily one of Cairns’ most prized diving destinations. There are shallow coral gardens, walls and drop-offs, swim-throughs, and caves, and one of the sites even has a small wreck. The crystal clear water provides incredible visibility, for which reef sharks, bronze whalers, giant Maori wrasse, and groupers can be seen. Saxon Reef is a patch reef with smaller bommies and giant boulder corals that are home to white-tip reef sharks, diagonally banded sweetlips, barramundi cod, and dozens of wrasse, parrotfish, and butterflyfish.

Day 4
An early wake up call begins the day, followed by the first dive of the day or snorkel. Enjoy a final breakfast as the boat moves to another location for the second and final morning dive at 10:30 am. A lunch will be served at noon. After a final opportunity to explore the reef on snorkel, the transfer vessel will be ready for boarding at 2:45 pm for the journey back to Cairns. Wine, cheese and biscuits will be served before your arrival back at the marina in Cairns late afternoon.

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Cairns Barrier Reef (5 Days / 4 Nights - 17 Dives)

Trip highlights: turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Outer Barrier Reef: Breaking Patches, Saxon, Norman, Hastings reefs, Jorgensen Patch

Day 1
You will meet at Cairns Marlin Marina and board the Reef Experience transfer vessel for the 60 minutes journey to the Outer Barrier Reef. A breakfast of bacon and egg rolls will be served then you will be welcomed onboard the Reef Encounter liveaboard. After a safety briefing, it's time to check-in to your cabin, unpack your clothes and prepare your scuba gear for the rest of the trip. There will be time for a snorkelling session and then lunch is served in the dining room. At 1 pm, it's time for a first dive briefing before 2 afternoon water sessions (dives or snorkel excursions) at 2 different locations. A night dive takes place at 6 pm, after another briefing. Dinner time is at 7:15 pm, followed by dessert at 8 pm. Dinner is a waiter served, plated meal of your choice. Desserts include pastries, pannacotta, meringue, and cheesecake.

Days 2-4
An early wake up call begins the day at 6 am, followed by the first dive of the day or snorkel. Enjoy a tasty breakfast at 7:30 am of bacon, eggs, roasted vegetables, beans, fruit salad, choice of cereals, toast and a selection of jams. as the boat moves to another location for the second morning dive at 10:30 am. A lunch of salads and hot dishes will be served at noon. Salad options include Rocket, poached pear, ricotta, lime and chilli salted cashews with lemon and honey vinaigrette, and Papaya, lime, mint, chilli and peanuts, mains includes curry, pasta and pizza. There is an early afternoon dive at 1:30 pm, before the boat changes location again for a second afternoon dive at 3:30 pm. Finally, there will be a night dive at 6 pm, followed by dinner at 7:15 pm.

The Cairns Outer Barrier Reef is an area where sightings often include reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, dolphins and barracuda. Breaking Patches and Hastings Reef are shallow patches of reef that are ideal for snorkelling. Soft corals thrive here, swaying with the currents. On numerous sandy patches along the bottom you can spot sleeping reef sharks and small rays. Scour the reef and you will find a plethora of different crab and shrimp species, nudibranchs, as well as some impressive giant clams. Norman Reef is on the continental shelf, at the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef and is easily one of Cairns’ most prized diving destinations. There are shallow coral gardens, walls and drop-offs, swim-throughs, and caves, and one of the sites even has a small wreck. The crystal clear water provides incredible visibility, for which reef sharks, bronze whalers, giant Maori wrasse, and groupers can be seen. Saxon Reef is a patch reef with smaller bommies and giant boulder corals that are home to white-tip reef sharks, diagonally banded sweetlips, barramundi cod, and dozens of wrasse, parrotfish, and butterflyfish.

Day 5
An early wake up call begins the day, followed by the first dive of the day or snorkel. Enjoy a final breakfast as the boat moves to another location for the second and final morning dive at 10:30 am. A lunch will be served at noon. After a final opportunity to explore the reef on snorkel, the transfer vessel will be ready for boarding at 2:45 pm for the journey back to Cairns. Wine, cheese and biscuits will be served before your arrival back at the marina in Cairns late afternoon.

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[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

The crew comprises:

35m² Dive deck with toilets and fresh water showers - 30m² Dive platform - 2 Motorised dinghies - Separate rinse tank for cameras - 100m² Air-conditioned saloon with TV, DVD and sound system - 50m² Dedicated air-con restaurant area - 40m² Shaded, outside area - 150m² Sun deck with sun chairs - Movie and book library, games and magazines - Fish ID and diving books - Water dispenser - Well-stocked bar

Dining is one of the key features of any trip on Reef Encounter. Dinner is casual sunset dining over the water, but with restaurant quality, using high-quality cuts of proteins, flavours and colours. The aim is to cater for all diets with care and to respect and value each individual's unique requests.

• The menu aboard Reef Encounter is flexible, with a mix of Thai, international, Chinese, Italian, BBQ and Australian dishes served.
• The menus are not fixed and meals are served buffet style in the dedicated air-conditioned restaurant.
• Main meals comprise pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch & dinner with snacks in between.
• Fruit, tea & coffee and drinking water are available free of charge throughout the day. Milo and toast at breakfast, biscuits during the afternoon and ice-cream as desert are also free.
• Candy bars, soft drinks and Australian beer and wine are available as additional extras on board.
• Vegetarians and most other special diets are catered for with prior notice.
• Catering starts with a quick breakfast during transit on check-in day.

"Excellent food, diving, and crew!
Everything was exactly as described by Dive The World. I appreciate how everything was handled. Definitely a top company to work with." - Tina Stanco, United States, 10 March 2025 ...

"The trip was great, organization very good, crew - wonderful people. The only problem was with my course. I booked to upgrade to Open Water Diver and I needed only 2 dives with the instructor. Unfortunately they didn't understand my certification and made me do 5 dives with all the exercises that took 2 days - almost the whole trip." - Daria Chrzczonowicz, Poland, 9 January 2025 ...

"The crew were super helpful and friendly.
Dive The World helped find me an operator and time that fit my schedule." - Matthew O'Malley, United States, 21 October 2024 ...