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Australia’s Best Liveaboard ‘Reef Encounter’ Great Barrier Reef, Cairns
Cairns best liveaboard ‘Reef Encounter’ – surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef – is one of the most unique holiday escapes in Australia. See it at its best – day and night!
Consistently rated ‘number one’ scuba diving and snorkelling liveaboard by both industry professionals and independent reviewers such as Google Reviews, Reef Encounter is large enough to provide all the comforts of a cruise ship yet small enough to access spectacular reef locations not accessible to other vessels.
Family owned and operated (and all scuba enthusiasts) it is our passion to deliver outstanding Great Barrier Reef encounters.
We take extreme pride in our products, our boats, our crew and most importantly, our guests! We believe that Reef Encounter is unbeatable on service and value.
Stay for as many nights as you like in superbly appointed staterooms, or choose to upgrade to the Top Deck Club for that extra bit of VIP luxury.
With daily transfers from Cairns by boat or helicopter, Reef Encounter is an excellent alternative to a resort based holiday.
Reef Encounter Facilities
- A fully air-conditioned 35-metre catamaran hotel, designed for the utmost stability and comfort at sea
- Large dining saloon
- TV and lounge area
- Outdoor, freshwater hot-tub
- Spacious sundeck with sun loungers
- Fully licenced bar
- Large, easy access dive and snorkel platforms
- Helicopter pad on the roof for low-flying scenic helicopter tours over the coral reef as your transfer to/from Reef Encounter (optional extra)
Reef Encounter Accommodation
- Check-in time: 10.00am Check-Out time: 8.00am
- Spacious, air-conditioned cabins – with ocean views
- All cabins have their en-suite toilet & shower
- Towels and toiletries provided (soap, shampoo)
- All cabins have Australian power outlets
What’s Included
- Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Encounter
- All meals prepared fresh daily, by our onboard Chef. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Fruit available throughout the day along with tea & coffee. We cater for all dietary requirements – please advise us of these when booking
- The best crew on the reef! The Reef Encounter team is the best in the business, winning personal and professional awards for outstanding customer service in the tourism industry year after year
- The latest snorkelling and scuba diving equipment (wetsuits are a small additional charge)
- Glass bottom boat tour upon request
- 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 our offices in the Cairns City
Reef Encounter Overnight Itinerary Sample
Day One
7:30 am Breakfast onboard Reef Experience, Marlin Jetty “A” Finger, Cairns. Meet your Top Deck Attendant.
8:00 am Depart Marlin Jetty Marine Biologist Presentation Scuba Dive and Snorkel briefing
9:30 am Arrive Outer Great Barrier Reef ~ Transfer to Reef Encounter
10:30 am Snorkel Session – Sun bake and relax
12 Noon Buffet Lunch
1:30 pm Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session – Relaxation time
3:00 pm Cruise to our next Outer Great Barrier Reef Location
3:30 pm Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session – Relaxation Time
5:30 pm Sunset Cocktails
6:30 pm Dinner under the stars (weather permitting)
7:30 pm Night scuba dive, Relaxation time, Stargazing, board games or movie
Day Two
6:30 am Early Morning Scuba Dive or Snorkel Session
7:30 am Breakfast served in your Cabin
8:00 am Cruise to next Outer Great Barrier Reef Site
8:30 am Scuba Dive or Snorkel session
10:30 am Scuba Dive or Snorkel session
Noon Buffet Lunch
1:30 pm Snorkel Session, Glass Bottom Boat Tour – Sunbake – Relax
3:00 pm Transfer from Reef Encounter to Reef Experience Wine, Cheese and Tropical Fruit Platters on return Journey
4:30 pm Arrive at Marlin Marina Cairns Itineraries can change slightly due to different SeasonHow 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 4:30 pm
Where Can I Park?
There are several parking stations throughout Cairns in walking distance of the Marina. Click here to see where.
Important Information for Scuba Diving
We have a passion for showing 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. The Queensland Government Code of Practice regulates us and comply with all regulations, including medical as is the law.
To avoid disappointment, we recommend guests complete our dive medical questionnaire as some medical conditions, age and 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 happy to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact our office on 07 4037 2700 or email us at [email protected]
Alternatively, you may like to consult your 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 possibleWould you like our VIP Service? see our Top Deck Club
Add your review for Stateroom Liveaboard
Claudia Züllig
5This was an unforgettable visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Fantastic organisation and staff. Very good cook. Comfortable accomodation. Although the weather changed frequentlly the sight under water was always good and we saw an amazing variety of fish and coral. We did about 3 dives/snorkel at the same site and than changed the location.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBob
5Excellent, friendly staff. Individualised experience. Very accommodating (room change, trip extension etc) Clean, comfortable quarters/bed. Delicious veggie meals. Huge thank you to all staff. Great experience!
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetCindy & Rich
5Fabulous crew- all of them, truly. Especially Taylor :) Excellent accommodation and meals; Top Deck was great and great for us having not dived in years. Private dinner was romantic! Alex was phenomenal! Made us feel so comfortable and, after not diving for several years, we really enjoyed our ENTIRE experience.
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetSigworth
5Fantastic crew. Funny, caring, experienced. Helpful with our seasick daughter. Great on the dives. Josh, Maddie, Meg, Angus were our main touchpoints, and they were awesome. Good meals. Every effort was taken to accommodate everyone's food issues. Thank you for creating a wonderful reef experience and memory.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsRick
511/10 for the crew. Top-notch human beings. Food was exquisite. I enjoyed the joke of the week, very funny.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsManjeet
5The crew were amazing. Super cool and really helpful. Everything was great.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsJaime
5Amazing crew! So helpful, knowledgeable and ready to help us at a moments notice. Great divers. They always seemed happy. Meals were VERY good when the oven was working. It's a great boat! I hope the owners take care of their awesome crew!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLizzy
5Nelson was a great instructor. Everyone was nice and helpful. They were great at helping us get familiar with the equipment and feel comfortable in the water. A/C was perfect. Meals were better than expected and tasty. We appreciated the extra PB & Js too!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTatsiana
5Amazing crew! Professional and fun. Rene showed himself as a perfect guide and company during this beautiful tour. Everything went perfect. Thank you.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterChelsea
5A huge thank you to Sam and Nathan for making our family feel at home and for all of their help in the water- thanks Sam for holding my hand. Loved Photographer Anna and PETER WAS AMAZING! The food was top notch. The room was set as expected and all the housekeeping crew was helpful. Staff makes a Boat and your whole crew was wonderful- so grateful for our two nights aboard. Wonderful memories made. Christmas 2019.
Reviewed on: Cairns LiveaboardsElise and Daniel
5Thank you kindly for a wonderful experience and an enjoyable stay! We loved it! Very friendly and helpful crew. Accommodation was good and food was great and catered to individual needs well.
Reviewed on: Cairns LiveaboardsKenneth
5Meals were the BEST meals I've had during our whole stay in Australia- Peter is the MAN! The crew were amazing and did a great job considering how crowded the boat was. The dive instructors (especially Mel and Josh) were so cool to dive with. Everyone was super nice and professional. If I had to recommed anything I would say get a megaphone to call out to the snorkellers as it was often hard to hear and understand the lookout.
Reviewed on: Cairns LiveaboardsJennifer
5Awesome crew! Upbeat, friendly, went with the flow. Nathan, Nathan and Taylor were especially great. Food was awesome! Chef was terrific.
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetAmy
5AMAZING crew! Very efficient and organised. Everyone seemed to work well together. Meals were spectacular- completely exceeded our expectations. Accommodations were comfortable- pillows a bit lumpy but adequate. I wish I could have stayed on and that I had found your company earlier when I travelled with my kids. The friendliness of the crew and the efficient and safe way they got everyone in and out of the water would have made me feel comfortable as a Mom.
Reviewed on: Reef TripJenna
5Amazing, helpful, kind, courteous- ALL crew members went above and beyond to make sure the stay was wonderful! All the crew members are the most extraordinary bad-ass people around! Thank you! Especially spending a holiday working and spending time with everyone on the boat. Chef was brilliant, food was amazing and filling! Variety and presentation extras were great! Everything was wonderful!
Reviewed on: Reef TripJess
5Absolutely loved the Top Deck experience. Would book the same trip again. The food was incredible. Hats off to the Chef!! All the crew were fabulous! Cam is awesome. Don't think you could pay him enough. The rest of the crew could not have been better. Can't think of anything to make it better!
Reviewed on: Reef TripAlice Lee
5Honestly...bunch of most genuine crew I've ever met. They tried to fulfil any reasonable request and tells you if it can't be done. Real friendly people. Peter the chef- excellent. Big kudos to Taylor (runs everything so efficiently), dive guides/masters/instructors- Nelson, Heather, Chantal, Sam...you guys rock! Thank you! Everyone made my stay a beautiful experience!
Reviewed on: Reef TripLise
5We were surprised about how good the food was. So thank you so much. It has a lot to say making a good trip. Beds were perfect. All really good. Really nice crew; so helpful, could help with everything. Liked the honesty. Always straight forward, giving us good information. Thank you for a really nice trip. Tried to scuba dive for the first time- awesome! You have a really great company.
Reviewed on: Australia BackpackersColin
5The crew was amazing. The staff were all self starters who exhibited enthusiasm and dedication in the completion of all tasks. Their customer service, attention to detail and constant over watch of the safety of the passenger make this tour a first class dive boat. The meals were top notch. Extremely good food! Accommodations were also good. Bravo to Reef Encounters!
Reviewed on: Australia BackpackersVictor
5Crew was very friendly and provided good assistance with everything. Nekon was a very good instructor for the open water course! Very nice rooms and the food was delicious. Nice arrangements/dinner for X-mas; over our expectations!
Reviewed on: Australia BackpackersShona and Nicolaas
5Amazing crew! So friendly and helpful. Everyone seems to work so hard and are just excellent all the time. The accommodation was great. The meals were unbelievable. Christmas lunch was absolutely incredible. It was a fantastic experience and we will definitely do it again. We hope to see the crew again in South Africa.
Reviewed on: Australia BackpackersSandra
5Brilliant crew. Thanks Heather-Lachlan, had a fantastic time. Nathan you were awesome keeping an eye on me. Sorry for going out so far! Hamish- awesome delicious food, love your fish dishes. I wish I could take you home. Thank you Scotty for all the lovely pics. Taylor thanks to you and your crew. keep up the fantastic job. We will be bakc for sure!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMichael
5AMAZING! Top notch! Everyone was so friendly, down to earth, helpful and wanted guests to have the very best time. Thank you! Room was beautiful and bathroom clean. Chef's meals were awesome- very happy! Just wanted to say thanks for the professionalism and experience- so fun! Thank you also for giving us a beautiful room- it has made our honeymoon experience extra special.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterFaaria
5Everyone is unique, kind, personable and VERY patient. I was amazed every day by how the crew all work together to run this operation so well. What a feat! Dear Chef: your food is delish, especially the fish, cooked just right. Also really appreciate how quiet it was after 10pm so we could get a deep sleep. Deep thanks for making this the best part of our trip!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLaurie
5All the crew were incredibly friendly and helpful. Our intro dive instructor Martin was beyond exceptional and patient, made the experience so much better. Everyone was wonderful to be with- you are the best crew on the reef, thank you! The accommodation was beyond my expectation; clean, plenty of room and beds were very comfy! Food was delicious and I appreciate the individual accommodations for food preferences. Memories made for a lifetime. Thank you!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterThe Beckers
4We had an amazing time on The Reef Encounter! Our room was spacious and clean, the crew were welcoming and courteous at all times. We are PADI certified divers but opted to have guided dives and the guides were awesome & professional, they knew the Reef like the back of their hand! The meals were delicious and of generous per portions. Only regret : we didn’t stay longer! Many thanks to the crew for making our trip to the Great Barrier Reef so memorable.! We hope to be back. Cheers
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAnn B
5AMAZING! We cannot say enough great things about our expereince, thanks to the crew. Taylor inparticular, blew us away. Nelson made our first time diving comfortable and spectacular. Every member went above and beyond for all passangers. The accomodation was clean and cozy and the meals were delicious. Thank you Reef Encounter :)
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsFlavia
5Awesome crew. Everybody works so hard to make our time feel special. I had a lovely time, Special thanks to Nathan and Nelson. Also a very big thanks you to Taylor. You are a fantastic worker and human being :) I will be back next time with my husband.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsSydney C
5I recently stayed on Reef Encounter, the meals were so tasty with decent size portions. The room was very clean and had everything i needed for 1 night. The crew were also very nice and helpful
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsAnn
5The great barrier reef has always been on my bucket list, so going on an overnight expedition was a must. I was very impressed with the reef encounter experience. Check in was very easy, and once on the transfer vessel, lots of food, including delicious breakfast sandwiches and fresh fruit were provided. Once at the vessel everything was very well organized. There was two main reasons why we chose this boat. First, the food looked delicious, and it lived up to the pictures. We had lamb that was excellently seasoned, and they were willing to cater to any food preferences (including not liking something). Second, due to various reasons we were not able to dive, therefore when researching we tried to find a boat that didn't just cater to divers and had a good snorkeling experience as well. The reef encounter constantly made sure snorkelers had the best experience. Giving a snorkeling briefing before every new location, explaining where the best snorkeling locations were and the common marine life that could be seen. They also gave tons of snorkeling time, usually leading to us getting out slightly early, but snorkelers could stay out until the whistle was blown (generally around an hour or slightly more at a time). Over a two day experience I snorkeled 6 times, but could have gone 7 if Id wanted to. Although this was stinger season, there was a low chance at being stung or seeing jellies where we were, but they did provide stinger suits for all to use, just in case. Overall, this was one of the best experiences, not just for divers, but also for snorkelers, and I highly recommend Reef Encounter for snorkelers and divers alike! well worth the money just for the experience. I would highly recommend doing the early morning dive, yes its early, but you get to see so many small fish that arent out during the day.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMarina P
5We had such an amazing trip staying 1 night on this liveaboard. We stayed during our honeymoon and went scubadiving for the first time. The weather was perfect, and the dive experiences were incredible! The food was delicious, and snacks were available in between meals. All of the staff were amazing and so helpful. I would recommend this to everyone!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBen D
5I figured this would be a bit more "civilized" experience after going on a trip with another company a few years back. I didn't realize the difference would be so drastic, for the positive. The rooms were quite functional. The private bathroom/shower was much appreciated. The twin hull boat design completely eliminated any seasickness (I was mildly nauseous the ENTIRE time on the prior single hull boat trip, although the waters were not quite as calm that trip). And wow, the meals were stunningly good! The chef served up dish after dish of fantastic food. My goodness. The reef sites we visited were absolutely amazing, on par with my memories from the previous trip. The crew were very cool people, always bringing a fun attitude and personal attention. Overall, we were really blown away. Nicely done!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterCiara Bridgland
4I stayed a night to help and work on the boat, instead, I was treated like a guest and given great service by staff onboard. I did my dues and I had a great time thanks to Reef Encounter and all the hard work they have put in over 30 years.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBritia
5Amazing crew, great meals and rooms. Peter the chef gets five stars!
Reviewed on: Reef TripNicholas
5Good operator, awesome crew. Really good compliments to the kitchen. Thank you for an awesome time!
Reviewed on: Reef TripSam
5AMAZING crew. This was my second time out on the boat and both times, staff were friendly, helpful and an absolute pleasure to be around. Peter is a fantastic cook and provided meals to suit my vegetarian diet with ease. Thanks Pete! Sam is also an absolutely amazing part of the team. He made this experience a "once in a lifetime" trip…..twice :)
Reviewed on: Reef TripFrederick
5The Reef Encounter crew were excellent, friendly and helpful at all times. Compliments to the chef, great food and comfortable accommodation. A great experience and highly recommend 10/10!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDorothy & Lee
5I would highly recommend Reef Encounter and would do it again! The food was great - kudos to the chef! The crew were excellent, they made me tired just watching them work.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLucie
5The accommodation and meals were excellent 5****! The trip was magical. Thanks to all the staff, they are amazing. I will always remember.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterPaul
5I would highly recommend Reef Encounter to anyone who wants to have the ultimate liveaboard experience. I wish the whole crew the best in everything they do. They were awesome, friendly,prefessional, capable and funny! Everything you could ask for. The suite was excellent, comfortable and beautifally presented. The chefs Peter and Mario made amazing meals - perfect after diving!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTyler
5The crew were fantastic. Every single person was so nice, friendly and helpful. Couldn't have had a better team. Accommodation, meals and desserts were great. Snorkelling at the Norman Fingers reef site was amazing. Great pictures taken throughout as well. Kudos to the photograhers.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKate
5Absolutely an amazing experience! Will come back in the future. The crew were excellent, so helpful, knowlegeable and fun to be with. The accommodation was very comfortable and the meals were great - very delicious! Thank you all so much for introducing me to scuba. Will recommend to all !
Reviewed on: Reef TripRosalind
5The trip was incredible and I only wish I could have stayed longer. The crew were fantastic, friendly, enthusiastic and helpful - all you could ask for! The food was fantstic and the beds were very comfortable. Thank you for everything.
Reviewed on: Reef TripStephanie
5The crew were great, friendly, accommodating, patient and professional. The meals and room was very good and I would defiently come again. An amazing experience and I loved the hot tub!
Reviewed on: Reef TripKate
5The crew were excellent! So helpful, knowledgeable and fun to be with! The accomodations were comfortable, the meals were great - very deliscious! Absolutely an amazing experience! Will be back in the future. Thank you so much for introducing me to scuba! Will recommend to all :)
Reviewed on: Cairns LiveaboardsRosalind
5The crew were fantastic, friendly, enthusiastic, helpful and all you could ask for! The food was fantastic and the bed was very comfortable. The trip was incredible and I only wish I could have stayed longer. Thank you all for everything!
Reviewed on: Cairns LiveaboardsCasey
5The crew were amazing! Loved all of them and had such an amazing time! Both the meals and accommodation were 10/10! Especially the food! Pro staff, great conditions and beautiful reef..cant wait to come back!!
Reviewed on: Reef TripReid
5The crew were fantastic, very helpful and accommodating. Definitely made the trip! The accommodation was great, clean and comfortable. The food was amazing. The whole experience exceeded our expectations.
Reviewed on: Reef TripFrancesc
5The crew were really nice and helpful. The meals were great, wasn't expecting this quality from a boat kitchen. Really tasty and healthy. The accommodation was great and very comfortable.
Reviewed on: Reef TripLily
5Wonderful crew, everyone is great especially Cam and Tito! We loved our room and the frequent change of towels. The food was great! We enjoyed our stay very much and will recommend to friends and family.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAndy and Steve
5The crew were so friendly and awesome and they all knew our names! Bailey was a fantastic guide. He showed us amazing finds along the reef and made our trip so special. The meals were great and deliscious, accommodations lovely. We loved our time on Reef Encounter, would highly recommend to all our friends. Thank you!
Reviewed on: Reef TripQuentin
5The crew were fantastic, very helpful and Oscar was extremely patient. Jade was super friendly amd made our experience very enjoyable. They have a brilliant chef and the whole experience was 6******!
Reviewed on: Reef TripLeslie & Sergei
5Jade, Peter, Oscar, Martin etc were so friendly, knowledgeable and informative. The crew were amazing! It was a pleasure chatting with everyone! The rooms were giant for a boat and the food was fantastic. Peter was a wonderful chef and so accommodating to our food requirements. We had an awesome experience even though we only snorkelled. It was 100% worth the three nights and fantastic value for money. I will highly recommend to anyone coming to Cairns.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBob
5The crew were superb - absolutely top notch and extremely welcoming. Very knowledgeable. The accommodation and meals were excellend on all aspects. We only wish we had a longer stay. The fun and welcoming atmosphere was secnd too none. I would recommend this to everyone.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterR Clements
5Superb crew, meals and accommodation. The stay on Reef Encounter was just brilliant! We ate well, we were looked after well, and everyone was so friendly and welcoming.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterClaire
5Happy friendly crew, with a great attitude and a wish for my stay to be the best. Cam, Sam, Jade and Tilly - thanks for going the extra mile for us! The meals and accommodation were A+. This was a once in a lifetime experience and we'll be back. Thanks guys and gals :) PS..loved swimming with Nemo and Tyson.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMichelle
5Excellent crew - very helpful and safety was a priority. Happy smiles all round. The meals were great with dietary requirements well catered for with generous serves for hungry divers!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMairhead
5There are not enough words - the crew were amazing, friendly, hard-working, fun, engaging, professional, great chef, love their jobs! Fantastic - they made the trip! The meals were excellent - HATS OFF to the chefs!! Aaron and Peter were legends. We loved diving with all the instructors! Kohler you were amazing and thank you for breakfast tea, nice touch! I will be back for sure - Thank you !
Reviewed on: Reef TripMairhead
5There are not enough words - the crew were amazing, friendly, hard-working, fun, engaging, professional, great chef, love their jobs! Fantastic - they made the trip! The meals were excellent - HATS OFF to the chefs!! Aaron and Peter were legends. We loved diving with all the instructors! Kohler you were amazing and thank you for breakfast tea, nice touch! I will be back for sure - Thank you !
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysNola
5Amazing, super friendly and helpful and knowledgeable crew. I love how they memorised my name almost immediately and always said hello with a smile on their faces. The meals were outstanding and delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by the spread and variety. Compliments to the chefs! We loved our time on Reef Encounter! Will definitely recommend to others and come back again to learn scuba diving :)
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysTiffany
5All of the crew were amazing, so helpful and friendly. The meals were also amazing, great-tasting and large portions. The accommodation was cozy and great!
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysDonatella e Mario
5Ciao, abbiamo trascorso ad agosto tre giorni con due notti, scelta perfetta perché godersi un intera giornata sulla barca è stato meraviglioso. La camera l’abbiamo trovata pulita e accogliente, buono il cibo. Fantastici tutti i membri dell’equipaggio, tutti ragazzi giovani, carini, disponibili ad aiutarci sempre, bravissime tutte le guide subacquee. Dopo due settimane in Australia, la grande barriera corallina non ha deluso le nostre aspettative grazie a questo tour, considerando che sia io che mio marito siamo entrambi subacquei certificati. Organizzazione ottima, attrezzature adeguate, sicurezza garantita, noi lo consigliamo senza riserve. Hi, we spent three days in August with two nights, a perfect choice because enjoying a whole day on the boat was wonderful. We found the room clean and welcoming, good food. All the crew members are fantastic, all young, nice guys, always willing to help, all the dive guides are very good. After two weeks in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef has not disappointed our expectations thanks to this tour, considering that both my husband and I are both certified divers. Excellent organization, adequate equipment, guaranteed security, we recommend it without reservation.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJames Holtby
5Keep doing what you are doing and I hope to see ya'll again soon! The crew were absolutely perfect from knowledgeable to extremely friendly, I couldn't fault anyone. Accommodation was sound food was incredible!
Reviewed on: Reef TripAndreas Groenning Pouken
5The whole crew was just beyond friendly and helpful. I just loved the whole experience, will definitely look for an opportunity to get back and scuba dive more. The crew were very friendly crew. Feels like coming into a family where you're instantly welcomed. Very professional as well. Room was very good and cozy. The food was amazing through and through.
Reviewed on: Reef TripTaylor See
5This whole trip has been amazing and the whole crew made sure that there was always a nice atmosphere onboard. The crew were always very nice and helpful! The diving instructors did a great job making our first scuba dive a fantastic experience! The room was nice and clean and the food was really great!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSilke
5I loved the dive maps for each site. Beautiful reefs! I would definitely recommend this and come again! Thank you for a wonderful 2 days! The crew were fantastic, friendly, welcoming, professional and fun. The guided dives were a highlight. Chantelle was a great guide, taking us to places we asked and was excited to show off finds in the reef. The accommodation and meals provided were great! The room was everything we could need. Meals were great and it was wonderful having allergies so well accommodated.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTom
5My husband and I were dive guests from September 9-11,'2019. The crew were all amazing, professional and friendly. Kohler was our main dive guide and was excellent at helping us find new ocean lifeand even helped me through some challenges (I haven't dived for a few years). The food was plentiful, and delicious. The chef/kitchen was so accommodating to my husband's dietary constraints. Thank you all. We'll be back!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLorenny
5Really nice people and good service. I loved everyone. I feel sad because I have to leave.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsCameron
5Loved being able to get my advanced certification out here. Marteen was a great dive master / instructor and I learned so much from him during my course. Meals were top notch! Chef did an incredible job and our room was great! Thank you again for another great experience.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMenaka
5Absolutely lovely! The crew couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. Accommodation was way better than expected, enjoyed the hot showers. Cannot recommend the food enough, truly exceptional. Some of the best food I've ever had on holiday.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRay
5Crew were five star! Exceeded all my expectations. Absolutely amazing service and hospitality was outstanding. Pete the chef knows how to handle his pan! Overall the best experience! Highly recommend.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsNatalia
0Thank you so much for letting me live this experience. Definitely this is something I will never forget! The crew are amazing. They have the nicest energy and vibe. The bedding was really comfy and the food was AMAZING!! The best meals I've had while being in Cairns.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsGuy
0Kohler was an amazing dive guide. His enthusiasm was engaging and he really went the extra mile to make sure we had great dives. Thank you to the chefs for accommodation my dietary requirements. Crew were personable, attentive and professional.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardNathan
5Thank you to all the crew. Made for an easy, relaxing and fun experience. Rooms were fab and clean. The meals were SO tasty! Plenty of food - great that chef checked each meal that all was ok. Amandine, Felipe and kohler showed us around. Very professional but also fun in the water.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardSapphira
5Thank you for an unforgettable experience! This was one of the best experiences of my life. The staff were so friendly! Always happy to help or explain whatever information you needed. Very chatty and social. Made our stay so much more enjoyable. Accommodation was comfortable and a good size. The food was amazing! Delicious and large portions.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef ToursBeau
5Everything was perfect - thanks guys! The meals were exceptionally nice. Did not expect anything like that! Crew were funny, helpful and always around.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef ToursRay
5Its absolutely incredible. Every individual who works there are passionate about what they do hence you get second to none service and experience. Highly recommended!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRuchi Bhalla
5We were very impressed with the experience. Mackenzie was a thoughtful, professional and kind guide who went above and beyond. I would definitely recommend this tour. The crew were genuinely excellent, They were friendly down to earth and went the extra mile. The accommodation and meals were to a high standard it was nie that they checked food preferances,
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBruce Chamberlin
5I am an experienced free diver but this was my first scuba dive. I really enjoyed it. The reef, fish life and viz were great. The crew were excellent friendly and helpful. The accommodation and food were both very good.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterNikki Chamberlin
5I have had a fantastic time, really enjoyed the scuba intro tremendously and will get my open water certification. Thanks Martin and Sam you guys rock! Thanks to the chef and especially Nicole for the hostess with the mostess and the awesome reef rum cocktail. The crew were fantastic. Friendly, informaed and experienced, the super vision (Martin and Sam) on the learn to dive was excellent and I felt safe, listened to. Their calm and ability to take me through when I had difficulties ensured I had THE BEST EXPEREINCE EVER!! The accommodation was very comfortable with great facilities. The food was excellent, thanks chef!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRick and Teri Jackson
5Thank you, Reef Encounter and all the staff for an unforgettable time on the Great Barrier Reef. They were all amazing, so friendly. Special shout out to Chantelle she led many dives and took great care of us. The food was better than we expected actually.....a happy surprise!! Rooms were as expected.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterErich Baden
5Steller crew, great meals, best place to stay on the reef!!! Shout out to Nelson! Nelson got me down with scuba, great comfortable instructor. Crew were exceptional, warm, welcoming and friendly, we will be back. The meals were 5 star and the rooms are perfect to stay on the reef. A cruise ship feel with a family vibe. I would love to come back again and again.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMichela Sibilia
5The crew were amazing, warm, genuine, friendly, relatable, knowledgeable, helpful and chill yo! The meals and accommodation were great! They exceeded my expectations. I don't like seafood and I am picky, they were wicked accommodating :)!! Everyone made this experience great. I would highly recommend this tour, I loved the reef....unforgettable experience, Thank you all :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAnnabel Blake
5The crew were Phenomenal!!!! Friendly, relaxed, accommodating, inclusive and competent. Our instructor Martin was 100/10. Super patient, encouraging, friendly and skilled. What a fantastic first diving experience. The meals and accommodation were 10/10 great, great, great! Loved the crew, loved the friendly PA announcements, we loved that the boat was quite and chilled (great sleeps and naps). Lots of locationchanges it was great! The photoswere also great, I loved not having to think about taking photos.
Reviewed on: Reef TripHaley Schools
5We loved the Reef Encounter. Our biggest regret is not getting here years earlier. The reef is truly a great wonder of the world and reef encounter is on of the best ways to experience it. The crew especially Mackensea she was excellent. They were very knowledgeable and friendly. The accommodation was clean, comfortable, quite and with all desired amenities. Truly a hotel room at sea. Meals were fresh, delicious and varied. Well done!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterGreorgine Farr
5Thank you again for a wonderful adventure on the reef. The crew were wonderful they were a lot of fun and made my daughter feel really included. Thank you for a beautiful holiday experience. The accommodation and meals were great. Well done you got my 9 year old eating duck and gnocchi.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMatthew Lepane
5Third time back on board reef encounter. Loved it again. Thank you so much for running such a fantastic business and experience. The crew were brilliant!!! Always fantastic Heather was a fantastic instructor. The meals were brilliant!! Better than restaurant food.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKerry Mushkin
5Thanks!!! Enjoyed the glass bottom boat as well and the photographers were both very good. All the crew was great. Fabulous!!! Espically Aisah she was Amazing and made our trip special in every way. The meals and accommodation were fabulous! The chef was great. Thank you!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKogie Dhanapuc
5A great experience brought together by dedicated passionate staff. A special thank you to Phillipe and Amadene for looking for looking after un in the water. The crew were excellent!! They were absolutely approachable. We were very well looked after. The accommodation and meals were excellent. Compliments to the chef. Top Notch!!! Thank you Peter.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJessica Metras
5Thank you for making this the highlight of our trip to Aus! We will never forget out time with you. The crew were amazing!!! Super friendly and welcoming. Always available to answer questions. The food was truly groumet! Everything was beyond delicious.... even our picky 7 year old loved all of it!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKelly Paulson
5I hope to see you all again soon!! The crew were amazing. love em all. The room was good and the food was amazingly delicious food (Troy is the best!!!)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAutumn
5I loved the rice krispy treats, scuba diving was fun and easy with Martin and Heather leading. The crew were very friendly!! The beds were comfortable and the food was amazing!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAmanda Gladics & Khem So
5Nice snorkel sites, appreciated the dual focus for snorkelers and divers, The crew were great! Very safety conscious, friendly, good comradery among crew :). The room was awesome! So much bigger than we expected, great to have ensuite bathroom to warm up after being in the water. The meals were pretty good!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJonathan Mackenzie
5Thanks for an amazing experience. The crew were friendly, professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The food was fantastic!! Rooms were very comfortable. Hot water was plentiful.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTimothy McDermott
5Next time I will scuba.... and hopefully it will not be so stormy, I would have been good to have a marine bio tour on the reef encounter. The crew were excellent, helpful, nice and often very amusing. Food was excellent!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSara & Frank Steele
5What a great experience, staff were truly fantastic. The reef is a wonder. Special shoutout to Amardine!! Thecrew were outstanding. Props to Bailey, so funny and really nice. Kieran was also very helpful. Amandine was a great guide and very easy to chat to. Accommodation was 10/10.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSteve & Connie Nelson
5We very much enjoyed our stay and the diving. The crew were very friendly and helpful. The room was comfortable and the food was amazing!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBecca Cherry
5You guys are FANTASTIC. I will definitely be back (gutted I have to leave). The crew were absolutely fantastic!! Great chat, super knowledgeable, and made me feel super safe and well supported. The food and accommodation was fantastic, the beds were so comfortable.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterVictoria & Joseph Felt
5I loved the hot water showers, dive photos, food, people...…..EVERYTHING!! The crew were fabulous some of the best people I have every met. The accommodation and meals provided were lovely!! The food for vegetarians was very tasty, nutritious and filling.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDerek Meddock
5Nicole was a great guide, very helpful! The crew were fantastic. The accommodation and meals provided were good considering we were on a boat.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBente Payter
5This was a good trip to do I would recommend it to others. The crew were amazing and kind. The accommodation and meals I give a 10/10.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterWill Ripsher
5I had a great time and it made me want to go on more dive holidays! The crew were friendly and approachable, good level of experience. Really good meals, they were all delicious. I wanted seconds! The beds were really comfortable and great to have an ensuite.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAnnie Do
5Your team was amazing! Great experience!! Shout out to Martin & Heather for being awesome scuba guides!! The crew were amazing, everyone was so nice and accommodating. The accommodation was good! Yay for great snacks!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKaylee Paulson
5Thank you!!! This was magical. The crew were helpful and friendly....AMAZING!! The accommodation was clean and cozy, slept like a baby. Troy is a GENIOUS in the kitchen!! Only wish we could have had seconds #hungrydivers.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterEliza McDougall
5An absolutely wonderful 5 days that completely exceeded our expectations. The open water with Nelson and Sam were brilliant. The teaching was through and fun and both instructors were highly experienced and skilled teachers. I was apprehensive about diving at the start and now cant wait to dive again thanks to the wonderful team. All crew were welcoming and friendly especially as a solo traveller. It was great to see such a fun work ethic and culture amongst the staff. The meals and accommodation were very good. Staying for 4 nights it may have been useful to have new towels for night 3/4.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJared Mclellan
5Loved my time on the boat. When I next come back to Australia I will definitely do this again! Everyone was super friendly and helpful. Dive masters and guides were all great in the water and onboard. The room was good, food was fantastic for all three meals.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJamie Malcolm
5Really impressed with all the photos of my diving adventures. Thank you so much. Absolutely fantastic, very attentive and able to cater for my water panics. Lovely accommodation and super tasty food.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterReed
5This whole experience was absolutely outstanding! Thank you so much for the diving, food and the crew! The crew is what made my stay incredible! I did not expect anything like it. Thank you so much!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMisty
5Incredible crew! Very knowledgeable and professional yet laid back! Fantastic accommodations and delicious meals! Exceeded my expectations! Thank you for everything, we hope to come back soon :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTrey
5Wonderful attention to detail and help with seasickness! Went above and beyond to make it exciting and memorable.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterHeather and Ryan
5Thank you so much for having us, and for accommodating Ryan's upgrade to do his Open Water certification so last minute. Sam is a wealth of knowledge and experience - a brilliant instructor - we would highly recommend him to our friends! Heather was also for the intro dive, as were all the guides!!
Reviewed on: Cairns LiveaboardsCharlotte
5Everyone was really friendly and welcoming. Heather was GREAT. very reassuring, capable, fantastic for a beginner.
Reviewed on: Cairns LiveaboardsLeigh
5I booked on a liveaboard Reef Encounter. Crew: Mike is AMAZING, so knowledgeable, attentive, truly made our experience outstanding. The meals were delicious and far exceeded our expectations. Everyone (staff) was incredibly friendly and made us feel welcome and safe.
Reviewed on: Reef TripToby and Alice
5I booked my overnight reef trip on a liveaboard Reef Encounter, Trip Advisor has the best recommendation, value for money and availability. Crew is friendly, patient, informative, approachable, knowledgeable. Great crew - made my experience extremely enjoyable. Accommodation clean and comfortable. Food terrific, great range, the risotto was excellent.
Reviewed on: Reef TripMark and Maddie
5We booked with REEF ENCOUNTER because of great reviews on Trip Advisor. This liveaboard seemed more stable since it was larger. Crew is very professional, helpful, and upbeat. Really appreciated Johnny and Tan's patience as guides. They really made our trip. Our young daughter was able to get certified under Sam's wonderful instructions. Meals were so much better than I expected! Yummy meals with a wide selection. Comfortable beds. A little difficult to keep shower/bathroom day but to be expected. Holly's cheerful presence was always a delight - even @ 6 am in the morning!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMegan
5The crew really made this a memorable few days for my friend and I. They were fantastic! So much enthusiasm and very attentive during meal times. Sam was my instructor for dive lessons and he was informative and relaxed - great teacher. Great trip, will recommend!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMadison
5The staff were great, friendly and helpful :) Our room was good and clean. Food was filling and the menu was great! I had a great time and would definitely do this again. The reef was beautiful!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJanette D
5Excellent food, comfy beds. The crew were amazing! Very nice and friendly, knowledgeable. Very helpful. Keep up the amazing work. Don't change anything! :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLouise
5Room was very clean and comfortable. Meals were excellent. The crew were brilliant! Very attentive, friendly. Very good guides for those nervous in the water. Very safety conscious which was brilliant! Thank you to everyone on the boat. I will highly recommend this
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef ToursTobes Merriman
5Terrific trip. Accommodation was comfortable. The quality of the food was way beyond what I was expecting. It was like dining in a high quality restaurant every night. The diving was fantastic and the opportunity to have a guide on the dives took away the stress of navigation and helped us to enjoy the beautiful reef. I didn’t do any of the courses but the PADI courses that were available were terrific value. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. We felt very well looked after. Overall it was a five star experience.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJean D
5Excellent, very friendly and helpful crew. Especially Bailey who towed me out to the reef. Everyone was great. Meals were great, the cabin was fine. Fresh towel each day and the care for dietary requirements was excellent. Would definitely travel with you again and recommend you to friends.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLesley S
5Excellent! So impressed with your care, especially regarding my special dietary requests (speaking as a dietitian) Also the best care for us in the water, so appreciated given the rough seas. Thank-you :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJoe K
5Very friendly and customer focused crew. They preformed their duties admirably. Quite efficient operation. Accommodation and meals were very good, plenty of food and very tasty!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterZoe L
5Really helpful and friendly crew. The accommodation itself, really comfy beds! Very satisfied. We really enjoyed the freedom we were given on our dives and the advice the crew gave us - hence why this is my second trip on Reef Encounter
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterNatalie J
5The crew were really accommodating, they let us do our own thing which was great. The beds are comfier than some 5 star hotels I've stayed in. Lots of beautiful food, accommodated to my no seafood diet. This is my second trip on Reef Encounter and cant wait for my next one
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTan J
5Awesome crew, very bubbly and helpful. Our room was very clean and cosy. The food was ample and well presented. Big thanks to our dive instructors and guide. Will, Sam, Bronson and Johnny, thank you so much :) As well as the other crew members that made this trip totally memorable
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterStephen B
5I would have to say the crew were absolutely excellent in all aspects. Great overall experince, some memorable dives and a great dive master in Val, She was all round supurb! Thanks Val for everything
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSelena B
5I thought the crew were amazing, always available and happy to help, loved a good chat and genuinely enjoyed making sure we had a good time. Our room was perfect, nice warm water and a comfortable bed. The food was excellent, good portion size and fresh. This was my first diving experince, i loved it and i will definatly be back :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSelena B
5I thought the crew were amazing, always available and happy to help, lovaed a good chat and genuinely enjoyed making sure we had a good time. Our room was perfect, nice warm water and a comfortable bed. The food was excellent, good portion size and fresh. This was my first diving experince, i loved it and i will definatly be back :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJacqueline
5I booked on a liveaboard Reef Encounter. Liked that it had proper beds (not bunks) and ensuites in every room. Crew is absolutely fantastic, especially Jade and Ollie who made the perfect pina coladas. All other crew super friendly and helpful. Accommodation was fab, spacious cabins, clean and air con good. Food outstanding, could not feet it, especially rack of lamb! Food was actually gourmet. Thanks for the best 3 days!!! Will definitely give a glowing review on trip advisor. Also the photo packages were good value (unlike other touristic tours). *****
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysJoselyn
5Reef Encounter, the liveaboard, great reviews and diving opportunity! Amazing! So friendly and communicative. Wish I could getting to know everyone better. Thank you all !!! Accommodations and meals are comfortable and delicious. Really impressive on a boat! Really loved it, thanks for the great time.
Reviewed on: Reef TripHendrik
5Friends recommended us to book on a liveaboard called Reef Encounter. Crew is amazing, everyone was helpful, from the departure from Cairns to the departure to Cairns. Accommodation super. Big private rooms with a comfortable bed and nice warm shower. All meals were delicious, tasteful and generous. Bay and Hendrik would like to thank all the crew members. We were 4 on the entire boat. Great Experience on the GBR with great people.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsNicola
5Reef Encounter has best reviews, not needing to bring towels, how awesome is that! Fantastic crew, friendly, helpful, knowledgeable. Accommodation and meals really good, slightly too big portions :) Lamb and salmon were amazing! Brownies top notch! Maybe just a drying rack on a deck somewhere to hang wetsuits etc. Really epic experience though. Will be keen to bring hubby and daughter back sometime :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDiego M
5I chose this tour because of the affordable price and great reviews. Everything was excellent, no complaints. The crew were excellent. All crew members were attentive, kind, courteous, experience and approachable. The chef is really talented! I really like the opportunities provided to volunteer aboard. I think next time I come aboard the ship it will be as a "hostie." I am left very satisfied with my experience aboard the ship.
Reviewed on: Reef TripHannah K
5The crew are very attentive! Kind & knowledgeable. The rooms were clean, spacious and nice. Food was delicious! and everyone was very accommodating of dietary restrictions.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsTsubasa
5Everyone is so friendly, easygoing and very kind on Reef Encounter. We love you guys! The room was clean and comfortable. The meals were way better than I expected. Everything was great thanks! We'll definitely come back!!! Thank you!
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardVinay
5Real friendly crew. Loved the smiles and service around. Our guide was great when in the waters. Awesome accommodation and meals. Kudos to the chef - met my vegan diet requirements beyond expectations! Keep it going. :) Will come back given a chance.
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysYael
5It was an amazing experience! I enjoyed every second of it and the crew was awesome! So nice, kind, patient, professional.
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysGary
5I heard about Reef Encounter because it's the #1 recommended on Trip Advisor. I wanted a good price with lots of opportunities to snorkel, this fit the bill. Very nice and friendly crew, personable and very helpful. Meals were excellent and the bed was very comfortable. Excellent job guys, you did everything great, all very clean and great reef sites. Thanks for providing so many opportunities to snorkel.
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysMadison
5Glowing reviews made me book Reef Encounter. This is one amazing company, the highlight of my trip, and I will tell everyone to go on this trip. Amazing, very friendly, helpful, warm and welcoming crew. Accommodation was very comfortable and meals were delicious! I was not disappointed at all. If possible I will be back!
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysArman M
5We spent two days and one night on Reef Encounter and we had the time of our lives. The staff, from the professional photographer Raewyn to the other crew, such as Will, Oscar, and Hollie, were amazing and they went out of their way to ensure everyone had a great time. They always had a smile on their face and were very enthusiastic. Whether you are a strong swimmer or not, I would highly recommend Reef Encounter. The guides would make sure you feel confident in the water and there is nothing you would have to worry about. In addition to the outdoing staff, the rooms were comfortable and spacious and the food was delicious. While scuba diving, we saw a variety of animals, from sharks on a night dive to sea turtles, clownfish, giant clams and more during the day! Being able to scuba dive or snorkel on the world’s largest coral reef is truly a once in a lifetime experience and I would definitely recommend Reef Encounter and would come back when I have the opportunity.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKatrina
5I booked Reef Encounter because it's a liveaboard, leaves every day, has lots of dives and good food! It was amazing! Crew were so helpful, friendly, and good fun. Meals were delicious!!! Beds were comfy. Everything was great. Will 100% recommend. Ray is a star! He is very good at scuba diving and being a crew member.
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetAustin
5Crew were Amazing!!! Heather and Mackensea were so great to dive with :) Other crew were respectful and kind. Oh and the photographer was great :) Meals were above expectation, I really enjoyed them. Keep on doing great!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterCourtney and Nelson
5We loved our experience aboard reef Encounter! The crew were energetic, friendly, polite (Oscar was awesome). Food was excellent, accommodations were comfy.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAllen
5Stayed overnight on February 4th an 5th. Right from the very start Reef Encounter stayed in touch, letting us know the weather and sea conditions the day before we arrived. WOW! Boarding was very well organized and prompt. Being Top deck, we met Mackenzie at the pier. From the start of taking our bags, to getting our room aboard ready, and then the fabulous meals, she was TOP SHELF. She helped us with our stinger suits, and attended to us in the water. Even making sure there was photos taken of us in the water. Rarely in all our travels have we been treated so special. Being aboard for an overnight stay on the reef was great, but it was Mackenzie that made it very special. She is definitely a valuable asset. We most certainly recommend Reef Encounter and Mackenzie. Thank you to all.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterArman
5The crew were great. They had a wonderful attitude and helped guide during snorkeling and diving. They were also very friendly and always had a smile. The meals were delicious and the accommodation was great. The crew made this experience amazing and I will never forget the amazing staff and wonderful wildlife that I saw. Reef Encounter was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Reviewed on: Reef TripMaria
5Fantastic, always helpful & smiling. Loved Holly, Rai, Maddi, Sean, Johnny, the chef<3!! Oscar, Ashley, Jaden, Holly's cheerful voice was a delightful sound track for a fabulous happy vacation. The rooms were very comfortable. Loved the cosy bed and coverlet + pillows + windows. The food was superb!! Every meal and snack was artistically arranged + tasty. Loved all the veggies! Best vacation ever + loved having so many opportunities each day to snorkel!! Love the big focus on fish.
Reviewed on: Reef TripTara
5Amazing crew!! So friendly and helpful, nothing is ever too much to ask. Always offering help and making conversations with guests and always smiling and in a good mood. All seem to be one big happy family. Accommodation was comfortable, clean and tidy and everything needed was supplied. Thoroughly enjoyed staying here. Meals were super tasty and a wide variety of lovely foods. I had an amazing stay here and will 100% be coming back, nothing could've improved my experience. Will was amazing at doing my scuba cert course with me, very patient and all round good trainer. Thank you all so much! :) Hollie was absolutely amazing, very friendly, helpful and always offering help!
Reviewed on: Reef TripDavid
5Amazing! Crew are very friendly and personable, catering to any and every need. Getting to know the crew was one of the best parts of the trip! Accommodation and meals were fantastic. Felt very lucky to have my own cabin and enjoy the great food. Thank you so much for having me. This was an experience I will never forget!
Reviewed on: Reef TripAmy
5Ramon was outstanding - as a guide and as a host for Top Deck. He is very knowledgeable about marine life and taught us so much! Out of water he treated us like royalty! The rest of the crew was great too- no complaints! :) Top Deck room - spacious, quiet, comfortable. Food was very good and plentiful. Loved the creativity. Hot showers = happy :). Reef Encounter runs like a well oiled machine! Appreciate the efficiency and organisation. Every dive was a thrill! Thanks to Ray and the whole crew for making our GBR trip awesome! P.S. much love to photographers too!
Reviewed on: Reef TripCallum
5Fantastic crew. Welcoming and friendly. Always happy to help. Food was great and a good variety. Beds were really comfy and the hot tub was perfect for an after dive relax. Great atmosphere. 100% recommend and would love to come again. Great experience.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAlex & Joyce
5Crew are lovely. Charismatic, personable and caring! Everyone was perfect. Room was simply perfect + perfectly simple. Food was a pleasant surprise - absolutely delicious! We had a brilliant time and couldn't have asked for a better crew.
Reviewed on: Reef TripNige
5I booked my overnight reef trip on a liveaboard called Reef Encounter. I heard lots of great things about it. Fabulous crew, kind, hard working, enthusiastic. A really top group people. Excellent accommodations. Bed very comfortable, very clean - so thanks to housekeeper and crew. Food was a real winner. well done chef! Keep doing what you are doing. Thanks. Great job XX <B
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsKathleen
5I booked my overnight reef trip with a liveaboard called Reef Encounter. The crew is awesome! Loved everyone! Great food. Comfortable room. Wonderful experience. Love the relaxed atmosphere and informative crew. Sorry to say good bye :( I would live to come back :)
Reviewed on: Reef TripCharlise
5Reef Encounter has the excellent service and comments and value for money. The crew were great. They catered for everyone individually and worked flat out the entire time onboard. The trip would not have been as amazing without the excellent crew members. The meals were delicious and suitable for everyone. They were freshest quality and the amount was very sufficient. While onboard Reef Encounter I highly enjoyed the trip. I was an Introductory diver and Megan (Meg) was so supportive and so helpful I was comfortable and love scuba diving with her. All the staff were bubbly, funny and interactive and made the stay pleasant and highly enjoyable.
Reviewed on: Reef TripVictor
5Reef Encounter, wanted to dive at the great barrier reef. The crew was great, very friendly and even remembered my name for the whole stay. Nathan was a great dive instructor. Hollie was great, and Rea was a great photographer and great person. Food was delicious. This was once and a life time experience. I enjoyed every second of my reef encounter. I would recommend it to anyone.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsMegan
5Accommodation on the reef. Good reviews on TripAdvisor. The crew were excellent. Always there to offer assistance. Could not be far better. Accommodation and food Excellent. I cannot thank the crew enough for making our family holiday on the reef so comfortable and enjoyable. Megan was an excellent instructor who took the time to make sure enjoyed all our introdives.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMick
5Hands down one of the best experiences we have ever had. Everything was perfect - couldn't think of a single thing I would change.. Staff are super helpful, professional and passionate about giving guests and unforgettable experience, diving is world class and food was exceptional. Special thanks to Sam for guiding my partner and I through our dive certifications, he really is an asset to the business. We will definitely be back!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTiana
5Holy Moly!!! Words can't describe. I don't want to leave because of the crew!! Best experience. The food was perfect, amazing, incredible. Can we take Troy the chef home please?! Just wow - 5 star. Our underwater engagement proposal was the most amazing experience. Would have never expected anything like it. And it was all thanks to the amazing crew.... THANK YOU
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsElizabeth W
5Special thanks to holly who was such a good host and to Michelle, Michael and Sean who were very entertaining and excellent guides. The rest of the crew were always welcoming and helpful. Everyone made the trip so enjoyable especially as a solo traveller. Rooms were great, clean and enough space.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMike and Hilary
5Mackensea was fabulous - we enjoyed being with her so much. She made my 1st (and only) dive memorable! She was the best and made us feel so special. The rest of the crew were amazing! Such hard workersand so friendly. Knowledgeable about diving. The reef was so amazing!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsIvan
5Friendly and nice. Really welcoming and made the experience amazing. They were very helpful and informative. I did the Advanced Adventurer course and it was also really good. Shout out to John, Josh and Terry. Will definitely recommend you guys. Best way to experience the reef!!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsJason and Lee
5Amazing! Hardworking and made everything run smoothly. Our guides and dive instructors were great and made this trip so fun. We both learned a lot and loved the reef! Accommodation was great, the food was so so good! Keep up the good work! :)
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsTucker
5The staff were absolutely amazing- helpful beyond request, entertaining. Couldn't have asked for better. Accommodation was very clean, always had warm water, great service all round. Michelle was a great instructor and guide. Props to the chef, some of the best food I've had in Australia!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSteven
5Crew were fantastic. I couldn't have asked for better. Accommodation and meals were perfect. Thanks Scott, Michael and Michele for being great dive guides. Thanks for the amazing photos. Thanks everyone for the highlight of my trip.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTzach & Shira
5Perfect. Compliments for the chef! The bedroom was just what we needed, cosy and comfortable. Crew are great! Very polite, helpful, and professional. We had a great time. Would repeat if we could, and definitely recommend it. Thanks a million!
Reviewed on: Reef TripMelissa (AUS)
5Crew are excellent, very competent, friendly and approachable. Meals were the best we had so far. Our dive 'butler' Martin was excellent. Very helpful, and willing to do all he could to make our stay wonderful.
Reviewed on: Reef TripDesh family
5Had a great time with Reef Encounter! Wonderful team! Special thanks to Ray who made our stay simply amazing !
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterGill + Dave
5Crew were amazing, very kind, excellent sense of humour. Very safety conscious, hospitable, lovely smiley happy people. :) :) :) Fantastic meals, compliments to the chef, gorgeous food, thank you. Highly recommend, you're all doing a fantastic job thank you very much. :) <3 xx
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardMaylin & Oli
5Crew were fantastic - friendly and professional. Clearly love their jobs. Our room was clean, great double aspect view. Food was hearty and delicious. Top Deck dinners at sunset were just wonderful. Special mention about Jack, our guide and helper. Invaluable marine-spotter during water sessions. Attentive and always going above and beyond for us. He really made our trip special - thank you.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMichael
5Crew were amazing. Don't think I can really explain in words how professional you guys are! Food top notch! Slept like a baby. You are all superstars!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRobert P
0The crew were lovely - sociable, friendly and helpful. Food was amazing. Accommodation was good - hot shower was excellent. Great experience - well run. Would recommend to a friend. Thank you!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMhairi
5Overall an amazing experience. The crew were amazing. All so lovely, made us feel at home. Food was a lot better than I expected!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLydia (USA)
5Very friendly and helpful crew. Great accommodation and amazing food!! Great photography! Amazing trip!
Reviewed on: Reef TripAusrine (Lithuania)
5Just perfect!!! I am a kitchen chef and I really enjoyed the food. Thank you very much, we had an amazing time, definitely recommend!
Reviewed on: Reef TripVictoria (USA)
5Love the crew. All in good spirits and seem to love their jobs. Delicious meals, satisfied with all the accommodations. Would definitely stay again if I come back to the GBR. Hitomi was my guide and she did an amazing job getting me certified and showing me awesome stuff during the dives.
Reviewed on: Reef TripJustin
5Amazing! Always helpful + pleasant crew. Accommodation was clean and nice. The meals were absolutely fantastic; literally every meal was delicious + above expectations. Had a great time - very glad I chose Reef Encounter after looking through many options. Equipment was also very nice for diving.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardWendy
5Amazing! Very attentive, helpful, friendly, listened and took time to make my dive experience enjoyable. <3 Great meals, and I am picky (vegan + GF)!! One of my best diving experiences. They reminded me how much I enjoy diving and respected when I couldn't do something.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardJohn
5Excellent. A great reef experience. Staff were fantastic, friendly and helpful. Value for money. Food was amazing.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardOmar
5Booked because the dates were more flexible than other services. The crew were very lovely. Everyone was very helpful, pleasant, and welcoming. I was honestly surprised by how amazing the meals are. Very delicious, healthy, & not what I would have expected on a liveaboard ship. Overall an amazing way to experience the reef. I will be highly recommending this kind of exposure to anyone that mentions going to Cairns to experience the reef.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardSteph
5Everyone was so lovely and helpful. Will and Hitomi in particular were so kind and lovely - thank you! Accommodation and meals were much more than I was expecting - exceeded my expectations! It was truly a lovely experience and I am so grateful to everyone on board for their patience and kindness!
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardLeonie W
5I booked this tour because they offer lots of water time. Accommodation was superb, lovely rooms, food exceeded all expectations, really amazing food each meal! The crew were absolutely lovely, really genuinely nice people who were happy to help with anything. Nicki was a really great guide for our intro divers. This was the best trip ever...couldn't have asked for a better experience with better people.
Reviewed on: Australia LiveaboardTeri - USA
5This crew is AMAZING!! The Barrier Reef is great of course, but the crew made it absolutely perfect! The food and accommodations are all superb. Delicious every meal and comfortable rooms. I stayed for 3 nights but I wish I could have stayed for much longer!
Reviewed on: Reef TripDemir K
5The crew are awesome, the rooms and food are perfect. Can't wait to come back. Been on cruise nad diving trips some places around the world, but this company was the best so far!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsRoss
5The Top Deck experience - was beyond our expectation. The Food, beyond our expectation. We lucked out - PERFECT weather. These two nights and three days MADE our Australia trip (staff - FANTASTIC!)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRyan Tucker
5Had a fantastic time with this wonderful crew. Great accommodations, friendly and helpful staff, great meals served on board and awesome dives all day long across multiple dive sites per day. Dives could be on your own if desired, or with a guide for very reasonable prices. Cannot recommend enough.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLuis
5All people were fantastic! Very kind, helpful and always in good mood. We will miss the crew, they and the reefs made this an unforgettable experience. Tasty and abundant meals. It's clear there is experience and commitment in the crew. We loved the schedule for the day and pics taken by Luis were great!
Reviewed on: Reef TripTyron
5Absolutely great. Always helping and in good mood. The room was very good, everything clean. The meals were absolutely delicious and of good portions. Keep your job in the same way. It's absolutely great!
Reviewed on: Reef TripMary A
5Very friendly and helpful crew. Professional but took the time to get to know everybody. Accommodation was very comfortable and meals were better than expected - VERY good! I had a great time and would recommend Reef Encounter/do the trip again. I had a great experience!
Reviewed on: Reef TripRichard
5I booked Reef Encounter because the standard looked a cut above (and it was). Crew were amazing - friendly, professional, fun to be around. Very slick and professional despite being relaxed, a real skill. Accommodation was excellent, more space than expected and comfortable bed. Hot shower, lots of water pressure! Meals were great, good and hearty. I just want to say I had a great time, I look forward to coming back with my family...
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsGarrick
5Crew were all friendly and helpful, enjoyed all their company and personalities. Room was great, and food was surprisingly delicious. Definitely the highlight of my entire vacation trip; would love to come again.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsAlexis
5Just perfect. It was just amazing, one of my best adventures of my life. Thanks to this I will do other diving all around the world.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsMegan E
5All the staff were excellent! They were efficient, professional, very helpful, but best of all they were friendly and helped bring a community feel to the boat! The accommodation was lovely, spacious and clean. The food was excellent - way better than expected! A great trip seeing amazing fish with amazing people! Thank you all!!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDavid and Deborah
5The crew were awesome!!! They work hard the entire time. Excellent accommodation, great food and variety. I'm just very impressed with the entire experience.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDavid S
0The crew are awesome!!! They all work the entire time. The rooms are excellent... great food and variety. .. I'm just very impressed with the entire experience!
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsMegan E
1All the staff were excellent! They were efficient, professional, very helpful, but best of all, they were friendly and helped bring a community feel to the boat! The accommodation was lovely, spacious and clean. The food was excellent -- way better than expected! This was a great trip seeing amazing fish with amazing people! Thank you all!!!
Reviewed on: Cairns Dive ToursMichelle
5I booked with Reef Encounter. Hot Tub and Hot Shower !!! Wow! Accommodating, funny, kind, helpful crew. Jade is my new favorite person! She went out of her way to make us feel special. Rooms more spacious than I anticipated. Meals were delicious and filling. I had a horrible experience learning to dive previously and I was very nervous about trying again. Will was extremely patient and knowledgeable and literally held my hand through my first dive ever. He was so amazing that I requested to dive with him on the night dive.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsUoyd
5I booked my trip with a liveaboard Reef Encounter. This was for me a new adventure. Crew is FANTASTIC. They all work extremely hard to make your stay on board a great experience. Accommodation and food are MARVELLOUS - lots of towels, quiet rooms, comfortable tables and deck. I would recommend this overnight on the reef to anyone. Nice to have different sites to snorkel and dive at. Thanks !!!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsJanet
5I booked my overnight Top Deck reef trip with liveaboard Reef Encounter. I could snorkel and sleep at the reef!!! The crew was perfect! Everyone was so helpful and happy to assist with anything! Aisah guided us for a snorkel twice and was so patient and kind! Accommodation and food, everything was so good (food, bed, pillows). Loved it! This is a memory of a lifetime for us! Thank you so much! I would recommend this to anyone coming to Australia!
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsPeter
5I booked my liveaboard reef trip on Reef Encounter, it has great reviews. The crew is excellent ! Great service, knowledgeable, friendly! Accommodation and food are excellent! Clean and tidy rooms. Good food and lots of it :) I would recommend this boat to a friend!
Reviewed on: Reef TripGabe
5I booked on liveaboard called Reef Encounter. It has great reviews, took snorkeling, good for families. FANTASTIC. HONESTLY, I do not know how they could be any better. In a lifetime of travelling this was probably the friendliest, most laid-back + stiil 100 % professional I have ever seen! Accommodation and food are great. Dinners and breakfast were my favourite. Loved the lamb. All was wonderful. Thank you so so much for a trip, we will be telling folks about it forever. Really, it exceeded my expectations in every way. Thanks again!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsDez
5I booked with Reef Encounter. The crew is awesome. Great photos, great advice and tours of the reef. The rooms were good sized, I slept well and the food was good too. I especially like the bread :) I loved that boat so so much. I will remember it for ever and ever and ever! Everything was perfect. I think it is so generous you guys take the time to take kids like me out snorkeling. Thank you so MUCH!!!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsLauren
5Booked with Reef Encounter cause of good reviews and best value. Crew was great! Very welcoming and kind, very accommodating. Room was cozy and clean! Meals were very good as well. Definitely exceeded expectations. Tina is wonderful! Love the photos as well! Thanks for a great experience!
Reviewed on: Reef TripJaci
5Booked with Reef Encounter Top Deck, has great reviews. Crew is fabulous. Aisah made our trip amazing. She did a wonderful job taking care of our family. Meals were very good. Plentiful. Desserts were fantastic - loved the cheese plates! Thank you! Aisah :) We had great service and really enjoyed our Top Deck experience. My family loved the diving opportunities. Also loved Ray and her photos. She was really good. Everyone was very friendly.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLindsay Goward
5Fantastic 5 days on Reef Encounter ! Although Cyclone Trevor made for rough seas , wind , rain , & cloudy skies & low vis diving . The ever smiling , happy Crew delivered a Great time on board . Many thanks to you all , was also awesome to be a "Hostie" for 2 days , helping out in the Saloon areas & assisting Chef Troy in the Galley preparing the Yummo meals ! You are all Legends !! Will be back again in the "Fine" weather , 10/10 , 5 Star Service , Thankyou Thankyou !!!!
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsMegan - USA
5Great rooms and tasty food. Chef did wonderful job with variety and dealing with dietary needs. The crew are amazing. Very helpful, thoughtful and made it a very positive experience. Thank you for a great trip!
Reviewed on: Cairns ReefBernardo
5We booked with Reef Encounter because we wanted to do SSI certification and it had availability. The crew was fantastic! Every single person! Accommodation and food were amazing! This for sure was a fantastic trip, amazing, wonderful, unforgettable, despite the bad weather. Thank you very much for that!!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterHeinz
5Brilliant. Rooms were comfortable, meals were exceptional. Wonderful experience. Crew and passengers all nice. Had a fantastic time.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMatthew
5Fantastic crew. Very helpful, fun and safe. They are what makes this experience so great! Brilliant accommodation. Rooms are adequate and comfy and meals are better than onshore restaurant food. Thank you for helping us make this such a fun and memorable experience. Special thanks to Will for helping us with the open water course.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTina
5The crew were all lovely, friendly and very approachable. I liked how they came and sat with us during meals to chat. Rooms were comfortable & clean. The meals were delicious! Kudos to the chef and all who helped. What a great tour! I will definitely be returning and recommending this to all my friends.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsAndrea
5Amazing. Everyone was friendly & accommodating. I have food allergies and always felt really taken care of. Meals were amazing with lots of variety over the three days. I loved my intro two dives. The instructor took her time to ensure I felt safe and confident each time.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsMikayla
5The crew were amazing. Especially Maddy was a great guide while diving. THe accommodations were great no complaints. The meals were soooo... good, and very good with dietary restrictions. Great experience for my first dives. Had a lot of fun. =)
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsAmanda
5Crew were amazing. Friendly, kind, helpful. Made us all feel very safe and comfortable. Accomodation and food were excellent. Really happy with the whole experience. Thank you.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsAnita
5I felt very good, you all do a very good job. It was for me like family :) Very nice and clean room, all you need is there, delicious food. I just want to say "Thank you" I had a wonderful time and would like to stay longer... THANK'S
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsEric
5Everyone was amazing!! Rooms were large and comfy (twin singles). Having towels was great. All in all one of the most enjoyable and sure to be memorable experiences of my life! Thanks, Eric
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsCollette K
5The crew were all really friendly and so helpful and the room was really nice. We loved the food, hats off to the chef :) the boat was so clean! Thanks for making our experience on the Great Barrier Reef so amazing!!!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsCharles P
5The crew were fantastic! The food and facilities were excellent! These were the best days of my life (and I'm 68 years young)!!!!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDale D
5We wanted to stay longer! Great trip, great itinerary, great people. Thanks for a wonderful time! Dale
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsMarie-Noelle
5Absolutely wonderful. Fun, supportive crew made me/us feel right at ease... and helped me with every one of my snorkeling sessions. Very grateful! :) Accommodated my food allergy. Thank you for everything guys! This was absolutely magical and you guys rock... or reef!
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsMegan
5The crew were fantastic! So helpful and so much positive energy! Accommodations were great and the food was fantastic - much better than what I expected on a boat. I had a great experience - would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the Great Barrier Reef.
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsMegan
5SO welcoming and the friendliest bunch. The best vibes from all of them. Slept like a baby and veggie food was dreamy!!! Thanks for having me! I'm sure I'll be back 110% <3 X <3
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsSamantha
5AWESOME! All of the crew so nice & friendly and great knowledge of marine lifes. Great guides I had. Also photographers were world-class - wonderful photos! Meals & accommodation all perfect! We were taken great care of and never felt hungry. Amazing encountering the Reef Encounter! Keep it up! You all give me the reason to come again!!
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsBrandon
5Booked Reef Encounter because of great ratings/fair price. Crew were friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to help! Accommodations were clean & bed was comfortable. Meals were well-balanced & delicious! I had a wonderful time and will be sure to recommend Reef Encounter if they are travelling through Cairns!
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsVeronica
5Amazing, all very kind and responsible. Funny crew always with a big smile on their faces. Very helpful and accommodating staff. Great accommodation! Well organized. All the areas very clean. Delicious meals! We wouldn't ask for anything better! An unforgettable experience! Thank you so much guys! <3
Reviewed on: Great Barrier Reef Tours CairnsHarry (USA)
5The crew were amazing! I really appreciate the time and attention of Will and Tajah as they gave me tours of the open sea as this was my first set of scuba dives ever! The meals were great - totally impressed with the reef and the quality of the food. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! A final shout out to Heather for the great pictures.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterClaire
5Excellent. Food was great. Comfy beds & clean room. Crew are really friendly and helpful. Had a great time, thanks! :)
Reviewed on: Reef TripTahir
5Crew are very organised and helpful! Great job! Much better than expected. We enjoyed the tour. Big thank you to the crew!
Reviewed on: Reef TripOlivier
5Crew are great, very friendly & helpful. Food was great and rooms comfortable. Everything was awesome, pictures were beautiful.
Reviewed on: Reef TripStephen
5Awesome crew. Room was nice and clean, meals were great. Thanks for a great trip!
Reviewed on: Reef TripMichelle
5Excellent crew! Very friendly, knowledgeable, very positive and helpful. Made the experience wonderful! Thank you for a wonderful experience! Enjoyed the 3days/nights that we spent. Loved the locations in the reef and the staff was wonderful.
Reviewed on: Reef TripJustin
5The crew was amazing, very helpful. Delicious meals, thought the whole thing and the rooms were nice too. I would definitely do it again.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAlex
5Great trip! I would come back again and recommend to everyone! The crew were AMAZING! 5 star service. Everyone was accommodating and helpful. Dive instructor Hitomi & photographer Greg were particularly helpful. Great intro to diving! Food was amazing and plentiful. accommodation was very comfortable. Thank you so much!
Reviewed on: Reef TripSam
5It was great! Food was amazing and rooms were good. it was especially nice that the food was tailored to any diet requirement. The crew was very friendly and helpful, especially when dealing with new snorkelers/divers. The trip in general was really good, would definitely book again. Thank you!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterEmma
5Accommodation was more than satisfactory, very simple but easy & really clean. The boat size is ideal to meet other divers. The food exceeded expectations - it was always great. The crew were amazing - Always super fun and helpful. They were really good diving guides also. We loved that there was always a photographer in the water. The photos were amazing and I thought it was a really nice touch. Thank you very much!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSeth (USA)
5Friendly & accommodating. We didn't have a single moment that wasn't great. We'll be back!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterHannah
5Loved it!! Couldn’t fault any of it!! Definitely recommend reef experience and reef Encounter!! All staff were amazing and helpful!! Accommodation was exactly what you expected!! Food was brilliant!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAngela
5Absolutely amazing, from the time we boarded to the time we departed, everything was perfect. Val was amazing and ensured all our dives and snorkeling saw all the best parts of the reef at each destination. Food was also incredible
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLaura
5The whole experience on Reef Encounter was incredible! Everything from the amazing staff, accomodation, food and dives themselves were brilliant! Thank you so much for an adventure I’ll never forget!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDavid
5Super rad. Cool, quick, nice, helpful, obviously passionate and professional crew. The room was good, loved having ow room as an option. Food was better than expected and consistently great! Oh, great rates too. Made easy to say yes. Hitomi was a great teacher, too.
Reviewed on: Reef TripDat
5AMAZING! I felt like at home. Great atmosphere, relaxed, pro, everything was smooth and nice. Special thanks to Hitomi for her patience and instructions. Can't wait to go back diving! Yay! The meals and accommodation were all nice and perfect. Big thanks to the entire crew. Highlight of my holidays in Australia. Great job! If I would have had more time, I would have definitely applied for a hostie position!
Reviewed on: Reef TripDavid S.
5This has honestly been one of the coolest experiences [email protected] The crew was over the top nice + friendly. We had a wonderful time, the food was fresh + delicious. Thank you to the entire crew for a memorable time.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAlice
5Accommodation was great, comfortable, and very clean, meals were excellent! Would highly recommend, wish we'd stayed for longer!
Reviewed on: Reef TripAmy G
5Wonderful crew :) Meals were wonderful. Accommodations were perfect. It was a great time! :) Really enjoyed.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDavid
5Amazing crew, unreal accommodation and food. Everything was top notch. I will recommend this to all my friends. Couldn't have been better!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLily
5Amazing! Thank you so much for making our trip so wonderful. Special thanks to Jade for being so welcoming and accommodating; Justin for taking us diving; Alex, Terry, and Maddie for the great conversations. And Heather for the awesome photos! Thank you! The meals were delicious! My compliments to the chef! And accommodations were comfortable. Thank you very much for making our trip an amazing one!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTravis
5The meals were excellent! Accommodations were clean and tidy. Extremely attentive, friendly, and accommodating crew. They made our stay fun and safe! Justin was a great instructor for our daughter and dive partner with our son. Heather was awesome and followed us out to the reef. Thanks to the entire crew for an excellent and wonderful experience! My only regret is that we didn't stay longer.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJabilli and Andre
5I booked a liveaboard on Reef Encounter. It had excellent reviews, guided dives, amazing food, well organized, nice boat. AMAZING! Everyone was so nice and friendly. The crew is so well organised and made sure every one was happy, comfortable and safe. Mike was our Top Deck crew member and he was the best! He made sure we had everything we needed, showed us all the amazing things in the best. No other dive boat will compare after this trip! The food was absolutely delicious!!! We were so well taken care of!!! Mike spent an entire dive heling with all the gear, he was so patient and attentive. Thank you for all the time you spent with us, Mike! We hope to come back another time!
Reviewed on: Reef TripMatt R
5We found Reef Encounter and booked as it had the best options for snorkelers and beginner divers for a couple of nights on the reef. Everyone on board was attentive to our needs and made our stay as comfortable as possible. They were all very professional. They ensured we had a great stay and that we were well taken care of! The accommodation was great, and the meals were well done and exceeded our expectations. Thank you for a great trip!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBo
5Good friend of mine recommended me to book on Reef Encounter. The crew is excellent! Very kind and accommodating, friendly and fun to chat with. Accommodation exceeded expectations, nicer than most hotels I have singed in. Food was really excellent. Great outfit! Keep up the good work! Thanks everyone!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBecky
5Crew are fabulous! Accommodation and meals are spot on! Much better than expected! Would thoroughly recommend
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMatt (Canada)
5Crew are very friendly and helpful. Had some wonderful conversations. Accommodation was better than expected. Meals were top notch. Obviously a very well run organization. An experience to be remembered.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMaeve (USA)
5The crew were extremely friendly and accommodating. Meals were better than expected. I appreciated the willingness to work around dietary requirements. Great trip, would recommend!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAnusha (Indian)
5We had a great experience with the crew. Everyone was very friendly. Stay and food both great. Enjoyed the veg options very much. Shout out to Alex for being super patient and calming when I was having trouble equalizing and walking me through it. Would recommend Reef Encounter to friends. Thanks again!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKristi
5It was nice that they (the crew) all called me by my name. It felt very personalized. Dive instructors were great! Meals were generous and varied. Very impressed! Favourite part of my Aussie vacation!
Reviewed on: Reef TripJoyce
5I booked Reef Encounter, the liveaboard, because it was highly recommended by my travel agent. The crew was fabulous! Very professional and knowledgeable. Val was awesome! Taking very good care of all of us. Greg (photographer) was wonderful and his photos were spectacular. Accommodations and food: very comfortable, all the amenities - food was excellent. We will recommend this to everyone we know !!!
Reviewed on: Reef TripKatelyn
5I booked with Reef Encounter because it is affordable, great services provided. The crew was amazing! So nice, so patient, explained everything really well, welcoming, friendly, feel at home. Accommodations and the meals: meals were amazing. Never went hungry, always great options, food was provided at all the perf. times. Room was clean and comfortable. Schedule seems to work perfect. Can tell it is a "tight run ship". Keep it up! Thank you!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJulie
5I booked Reef Encounter because of the good reviews. The crew is Fantastic! Great and friendly vibe from all crew. Sympathetic to those who are seasick and passionate about their jobs. Accommodation and meals: Spacious room, clean and comfortable beds. Food was impressive and many thanks to the chef for the birthday cake! Truly memorable birthday and I am grateful to all the staff for making it so special. Thank you!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterGabor T
5Everybody on the crew was super helpful!! Especially big thank you to Michael and Hugo for helping me underwater! The meals and accommodation were absolutely flawless. Keep up the good work. Well done guys!! Thank you all!!!
Reviewed on: Reef TripMike (USA)
5Great experience. There is nothing I would suggest to make the experience any better! The crew have such great attitudes. Really wanted us to have a good time.
Reviewed on: Reef TripEimear C
5The crew were so awesome and friendly and helpful. they were skilled in the water too. Great with nervous certified divers. Thanks to Alex for a great Reef Experience. The food was fantastic far beyond what I would expect from a liveaboard. Room and shared facilities were pristine. Loved the books available. Best holiday of my life. We plan to return!! Thank you and see you soon.
Reviewed on: Reef TripMichelle K
5The crew were wonderful and very helpful. Nathan is very patient and all are excellent at their craft! Thank you to Macka and team. The staff was very nice and the meals were quite tasty. I would totally do this again and recommend it. This was an amazing experience. I wish I had more time on board, but my schedule didn't allow it. Thank you to everyone.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAmy M
5Amazing! The value was awesome! Food was top notch, A++! It was varied and delicious. Cheers to the chef. So thrilled with my experience. We will be back for sure!! My first ever night scuba dive experience and it was definitely the way to do it!
Reviewed on: Reef TripLauren K
5the crew were amazing! They all knew my name right away and were very attentive and big on safety which I really appreciated. It was fun to watch them to rescue and emergency drills and even daily tasks because they all work so well together. The food was delicious and the room was lovely even though I was hardly in there -- just to sleep. I came to Australia to see the Reef and this was way above expectations. Really appreciated. The chance to get back into diving was the best.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRene Z
5The crew were so cool, fun, and professional!! The food was good, the rooms were clean and comfortable. Enjoyed a lot. All perfect -- thanks!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKayleigh A
5The crew were very lively and friendly and knew a lot about the many areas that we dived around and were very willing to help us navigate and explore the region. The meals were phenomenal and were great at accommodating dietary needs. Loved it!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterB & K (AUS)
0We would like to thank the crew for a perfectly organised trip to the 2 reefs. The care safety etc. was 100%. Good food too Thank you all xxx
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetSeth H. (USA)
5Exceptional. Would recommend to anyone looking to visit the reef. Thank you for a great time & exceptional hospitality.
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetAbby S. (USA)
5The staff were wonderful! Super helpful, nice, cool people. The type of people I'd like to be friends with in life outside the ship. :) Accommodations were great, food was super tasty, and I was excited you could accommodate my dietary restrictions. Everything was awesome. I wish I could stay longer! I'll definitely recommend you to friends and hopefully be back one day.
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetKarina M
5Amazing staff! Extremely friendly, attentive, funny, full of information, available and accommodating!! The rooms were comfortable and clean and the meals were so delicious! I appreciate the gluten-free flexibility. Love the option to get photos from the professional photographer as well.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLuis M
5The crew was great, I love you guys. This was one of the highlights of our trip. Everything exceeded my expectations!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterFrankie L
5I'm a repeat customer and love diving! It was amazing and I loved all of the crew. I would take them home with me if I could. The food and rooms are amazing. I had the BEST sleeps since I've had my baby on board. I loved every minute and will definitely be coming back again.
Reviewed on: Reef TripSweety L
5Awesome crew! Hugo was spectacular. Superb 5/5 accommodation. Thanks for offering vegetarian food. We loved the crew, the meals, and the time spent. Unforgettable!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSofia F
5The crew was amazing. Every member of the crew who passes by us always smile and say hi. The beds were really comfortable. Special and big thanks to Hugo. If it wasn't for him and his patience, I wouldn't have concluded my open water course (or even started!!) love to all on Reef Encounter and I can't wait to come back.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDelwen
5My wife and I recently stayed two nights (January 6 and 7, 2019) on the Reef Encounter, in the Top Deck Club option. We had a room right at the front of the top sleeping deck, and it couldn't have been nicer - spacious, airy, bright, and with great views of the ocean and reefs. It had an en suite bathroom, with a shower, and though small, it was clean and more than adequate. We were assigned a designated staff member, Mike, who saw to all of our dining, accommodation, and snorkeling needs. He was simply excellent. He damn near dragged my wife, who was feeling under the weather, around the reefs at which we stopped - all she had to do was hang on to the flotation ring and place her snorkelled face down in the water, and he did the rest (free diving to point interesting things out, moving her around, and making sure she did not miss anything). When it was just me and Mike snorkeling, he shadowed me, and let me explore at my pace and direction. When it was time for meals, he looked after our drinks and food, and ensured that we had a nice table for two set up outside on the top deck for our dinners (spent watching the sun go down over the reef). He was a prime reason for our stay being so memorable. Mike is an excellent ambassador for his company. The rest of the staff were great too. The purser, Eli, was polite and efficient, and a pleasure to deal with - she made sure we had chocolates and champagne on our arrival, and sorted out all our stateroom needs. She also handled the booking of our helicopter flight back to Cairns on the third day out (- something I highly recommend). The two dive masters - Macca and Josh - we had were very conscientious, and did their job with great care, but they were also hilarious, and fun to deal with - they'll keep you amused for sure. Troy, the young chef, is fabulous. His cooking is excellent, and you will be amazed at the creations he comes up with in his small galley, especially considering he has no sous chef, and has to feed upwards of 60 or so people three times a day. My wife and I are mature travelers, and we enjoy good food and wine - we were very satisfied with this aspect of the time on board. The true beauty of the experience, at its heart, however, is the reef itself. We were absolutely spoiled with calm, hot, sunny weather on all three days of the excursion. We saw turtles, big fish, sharks, amazing corals, every type of small colourful fish, sea cucumbers, rays, anemones, etc. We even got to interact with a wrasse who liked to be petted. The fact that the Encounter moves to 4 or 5 difference reef locations, some several kilometers apart, during the 3 days, is awesome, because we saw a variety of different sea life at each location. The choice of several snorkeling/diving times each day, from very early morning through to evening, is helpful and excellent. I would heartily recommend the Top Deck Club experience on the Reef Encounter to anyone interested in great snorkeling/diving, good food, and nice accommodations right on the water. I say without hesitation that the 3 day/2 night experience with this outfit was the highlight of our journey to Australia. Thank you, Reef Encounter, and your staff for helping us to make great Great Barrier Reef memories!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKimbley Turner
5I am 60 years old and have wanted to dive my whole life. I passed my medical and chose Reef Encounter for my SSI Open Water certification. WOW! The diving was everything I had imagined!! A whole other world. My instructor, Nathan, was exceptional - patient, knowledgeable, kind and he guided me throughout my course giving me confidence. The crew on board are the best - no doubt about it. Nothing is a problem - everyone is helpful and kind. The food sensational! The rooms spacious with very comfortable beds! I just want to go back and spend longer. It was like family. I would recommend this trip for anyone wanting to experience the Great Barrier Reef - spend the night - or more is even better - it is AMAZING!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMark (UK)
5Very good, friendly and helpful whilst being clear, concise and professional. Seeing a white tip reef shark on the personalised tour. The personalised service in the water really made the trip. The service throughout was excellent.
Reviewed on: Reef TripBridie (AUS)
5The crew are top class. All day they took care of us. I actually only went in water because a lovely staff member encouraged me. The marine biologist gave me a little tour to calm my nerves. She showed me a turtle and I felt amazed. This tour helped me face a fear. I can't thank you all enough.
Reviewed on: Reef TripVictoria
5Awesome crew, exceeded expectations. Great recommendations for dive/snorkel sites - friendly & approachable staff. Food was amazing especially the dinner on the Top Deck - great atmosphere and sunset setting. Room was very comfortable. Nothing bad to say about our night on board - would definitely recommend to friends and would come back!
Reviewed on: Reef TripAdrian (Ireland)
5Awesome crew, friendly and great service. Great dive guiding. Everyone did a great job making us feel comfortable. Accommodation was excellent, comfortable and clean. Meals were first class. Compliments to the chef. Fantastic way to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Would highly recommend to anyone.
Reviewed on: Reef TripJenny (USA)
5Fabulous! So fun, friendly, and helpful. Rooms and food were both excellent! The chef was also so kind to make special meals for our picky 10 year old. Thank you for an amazing and memorable experience! A great time was had by all, from age 10 to 70!
Reviewed on: Reef TripSterling (USA)
5Incredible. Shout out to Millie. Fantastic guide and everyone was so friendly. Some of the best food I've had in Australia and I slept like a baby. One of my favourite experiences ever. Thank you all!
Reviewed on: Reef TripAliyah (USA)
5Amazingly wonderful! Fun! Hardworking impressive! The entire crew was super nice friendly and helpful! Meals were very yummy! Accommodations were better than anticipated. Photographers were great! Macca is super funny! Jade works her butt off! Thank you for the chance of a lifetime! Unforgettable!
Reviewed on: Reef TripSteve (UK)
5Outstanding. All staff were great, knowledgeable, and made this perfect. Great food, freshly and well planned. Dreamt since I was a child of diving on Great Barrier Reef - the experience was made true by the staff and boat being excellent.
Reviewed on: Reef TripDakota (USA)
5Everyone was kind and helpful. Overall they made it a very enjoyable experience. All meals very good. I felt well taken care of and comfortable. Amazing dive locations. Thanks for such a wonderful experience. It was unforgettable.
Reviewed on: Reef TripSarah (UK)
5Very friendly and welcoming, informative and knowledgeable. Meals were delicious, high quality. thanks for a great experience. Very glad we chose Reef Encounter. Unforgettable experience of the Great Barrier Reef.
Reviewed on: Reef TripWilliam (UK)
5Excellent crew. Super friendly, very nice, really positive and outgoing. Really enjoyed completing my open water diver cert. Many thanks to my instructor Justin, he was excellent and patient with us. Many thanks to the crew. Good food, and amazing photos taken by Heather!!
Reviewed on: Reef TripLaura
5Lovely! All crew are friendly and will do anything to help you. Very knowledgeable about the reef. Room was great and spacious and meals were of high quality. Thank you for an amazing trip!
Reviewed on: Reef TripNeal M
5Grateful for how kind the crew was to our two children. The food was 5 stars!! Unforgettable trip.
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsRhonda Z
5The crew were perfect! We were completely satisfied! Rae is outstanding, as are all the employees. The meals and accommodation were perfect. Troy is a great Chef. The room was comfortable and a great size. We enjoyed the good night's sleeps and hot showers. We met some amazing people on the boat from all over the world and got to do 10 dives in three days. We will be happy to recommend this trip!! We will miss you all!
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsKrsita I
5The crew were so amazing and friendly. They were accommodating, fun, happy, and made everything so easy and comfortable. The meals and food were so amazing. Please keep up the good work! I will be recommending this experience to everyone.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAnn B
5I heard about Reef Encounter through Lonely Planet. The crew were fantastic. Everyone was extremely helpful. Kari was an Amazing instructor and helped me fulfill a lifetime dream of mine. Heather and Ollie were thoroughly entertaining for my 11 year old son. Everyone took the time to ensure we had an amazing trip. So well organized and the crew genuinely seems like they are having a good time. I really appreciated that they are their dinner with us. My picky eater children loved the food and thank you for making accommodations for us! It was the best! My son loved the food so much he asked for the dinner recipe!
Reviewed on: Reef TripStephanie
5We booked Reef Encounter, the liveaboard, because of the Trip Advisor Reviews. The crew was very nice and accommodating, they made the trip a lot of fun. Accommodation is excellent! Really, really pleasantly surprised by the high quality of food provided. Really enjoyed the whole trip. Appreciate the high quality of service provided by the crew in all aspects. Thanks!
Reviewed on: Reef Tripedgar (Spain)
5They were always smiling, very polite and friendly with everybody. For me, I will do all my scuba trips with them. 10/10! Clean, comfy rooms and everything well set up. Beautiful food provided from a very clean kitchen made for a spectacular chef. Yummy! I hope I can stay longer, the crew, the boat and the spots were amazing. Thanks for everything. I will come back! Cheers!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterEric (Canada)
5Instructors were awesome and the crew on board was really nice and helpful. great experience. The meals were really good and I was really impressed with the room. Looking forward to coming back again!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTheo (UK)
5Crew were brilliant, optimism was kept at constantly high level throughout the trip. Very friendly, and pleasant people to spend a few days with. Accommodation was very clean and relaxing. Meals? I don't get food this good at home! Overall very satisfied with the trip, plenty of diving to be had. Would definitely recommend!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterErin (US)
5Amazingly friendly and helpful. Michelle was so helpful and patient, she is the best! Thank you for an amazing family adventure!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMegan (USA)
5They were fantastic! Always so kind and happy! I got to know Michelle very well, she was always around to take care of us! Will and Josh also made great impressions! The other crew members were always ready to help with everything. Loved the abundance of fruits and vegetables! We loved our Reef Encounter experience! Boat was very comfortable and cozy. I felt right at home. Thanks Michelle for being awesome <3
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMacey
5Amazing. Very welcoming to a solo traveller. Special kudos to Hugo for being very patient and Jade for being so helpful and welcoming. Loved the hot water jacuzzi. Meals were great, especially the Pita. Was a well oiled machine. Definitely hoping to come back someday.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterIsabella (USA)
5The crew was great, super helpful and made my diving experience great. The accommodation and meals were great and everything was taken care of. hope to dive with this boat again in the future!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAlexis Drzewick
5The crew were amazing! Val took great care of us and made sure we had the best experience on and off the boat! Meals were good. Val and all the crew were awesome! Helicopter arrival was incredible.!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLeanne Lewis
5The crew were amazing! Very friendly, very knowledgeable about diving. Carrie was AMAZING! Thank you. The crew made the trip and again thank you Carrie! My first successful dives YIPPEE!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAleksandra Christow
5Super friendly crew, hard workers, extremely experienced, always there when you need help. Just AMAZING THANK YOU [email protected] Awesome job. Big shout outs to Eli - you are a machine. The Rooms clean and tidy and very comfortable, meals - super delicious - thank you chef. Everything was perfect. BIG THANKS!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSarah-Jean Goldschagg.com
5The crew were so awesome. Made you feel like family. Friendly, informative, polite and cheerful. Amazing food and accommodation. View was incredible food was fantastic. By the first day most of the crew knew who we were even if we hadn't interacted with them. They were more than happy to assist us with anything we needed. Special note to Eli, Macca and Heather - absolutely lovely.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJanos Van Hun
5The crew were very friendly and fun and very helpful. Thanks Michelle for finding the giant clam. Oliver thanks for re-inspiring me with photography! Five star accommodation, top quality food, thanks to chef Troy and the team! Thanks for the kitchen tour, I wouldn't mind working here - a bit different than the mining sites Im cooking at. I was a bit nervous for even snorkelling because a bit scared in water but in the end I was cool with it. Next time Ill dive for sure! Absolutely frothing
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterEmma Dennis
5The crew on Reef Encounter were easygoing, attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The vegan meals were delicious and accommodation comfortable. This was the best dive experience Ive had! thanks especially to Jai for leading my advanced cocurse, and Macca for being a lariikin.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDr.Milk
5非常適合浮潛or自由潛水的船宿體驗👍員工服務親切👍餐點新鮮好吃超棒👍臥室床鋪柔軟好睡👍浴室熱水充裕👍強力推薦🐠
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRachel & Simon (Bermuda)
5Shinee, our dive guide was great. Always checking everything was OK or if we needed anything. Very knowledgeable about diving and the marine environment. Accommodation was very good - much better than expected for a boat! Meals were good. Plenty of food! We had a very enjoyable time. Great diving, fantastic crew and Shinee was awesome! Great photos by Olly
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDonna
5I found out about Reef Encounter from Lonely Planet and reviews. The crew were very professional. The accommodation and meals were brilliant. Everything was better than I expected. Particular thanks to Hitomi who was a patient and very professional dive instructor. I felt very safe with her. Big thanks as I was nervous and its really made my trip!
Reviewed on: Reef TripEve
5I chose Reef Encounter because it sounded nice, was the first we saw and we ended up with it! The crew was so great! Really friendly, light - hearted and fun. I was a bit nervous about not diving in a while, but I felt could talk to them and they made me feel much more confident. Meals - way, way, way better than I expected - delicious. Fruit was really good when feeling seasick. Accommodation was great also very comfy bed and good distance from everything. Thank you ! I had a such an awesome experience, the crew made it so fun and comfortable. You all seem like great people.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterCaledonia T
5Everything was great! The room was great. The food was really GOOD. The crew was great. Dives were awesome. Thanks for the positive attitudes and friendliness. It was a great time.
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysMichael
5We found Reef Encounter online and loved the fact we did not have any pool sessions for the Open Water Certification, everything is done out on the Reef! I absolutely loved it all and the crew are the best I've ever had the pleasure to be with. They treated all of us like part of the crew (Great job guys) The meals on board far surpassed my expectations! I am not even exaggerating in saying this is my favorite holidays ever!
Reviewed on: Reef TripLauren S
5The crew were incredible! So patient and knowledgeable and approachable. Ray the photographer was particularly awesome. The meals and accommodation were above expectations. The food was out of this world. Thank you so much. Expect all of my friends on the boat after I recommend them to come!
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsBruna V
5The crew were amazing! Out of everyone I want to highlight Michelle and Jay who were so reassuring, patient, and always trying to provide us with the best diving experience. Jade was also GREAT. As were the other crew members. Ray, the photographer, was also amazing. The Accomodation was wonderful. The meals were delicious. Congrats to the chef! I want to thank you so much for the best diving experience. My family and I had a wonderful time. My brother and I are looking forward to getting certified and we are looking forward to our next dives. Definitely recommend!
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsDaniel
5The reviews and super helpful/knowledgeable online chat definitely give this trip justice. It was fantastic! The crew were super attentive, friendly, helpful, accomodating, knowledgeable. also made you feel safe on water/reef! The rooms were wonderful. Very clean and comfortable. The food wa really delicious (vegan). Chef was very accommodating too. Lots of food and great options. Overall and seriously, NO complaints! it was really a great Experience. Would do it again! 10/10. Thank you all very much!
Reviewed on: Reef TripHannah
5We were surprised by the comments and good tips on this boat as the best option to go on an overnight trip to the Reef and the conditions offered by this trip. The crew were Aaaaahh MAZING!!! Sooo much fun meeting all of you and you took such good care of us on the boat and on the water. The beeeest pictures from Taylor! Our accommodation and food was awesome! Good meals for me as a vegetarian. THANK YOU, I LOVE EVERY SECOND OF THIS TRIP!!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterNora
5We wanted to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef and came across Reef Encounter. The crew were really nice! Everyone is super friendly, fun and helpful! They made us feel very comfortable. The food was AMAZING and there was a lot of variety!! And our cabin was cozy and nice! we had our own bathroom. Overall, we had the best time & I'd recommend Reef Encounter to everyone :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLori
5What an amazing trip! very hospitable and knowledgeable staff! very accommodating. We were first curious about Reef Encounter and it exceeded our expectations. The accommodation was sincerely amazing! Food was fantastic. I loved it all and would love to do this again for longer or work on board! i will re book and advise others to do the same :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterEmmi
5This was a truly amazing experience in every level. Liveaboard was a new experience for us and it totally worked for us. What made us book in the first place was the good reviews in Trip Advisor, and also it seemed to be the best combination with everything (Dives, food, accommodation). Many thanks to the awesome crew; they were absolutely amazing, so friendly and always willing to help. Special thanks to Pablo, our magnificent dive guide who made it so much fun to dive. The accommodation and meals provided were very good, even more than expected. We are more than willing to recommend Reef Encounter to every one looking for a nice diving experience.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKatherine
5We came across Reef Encounter online and were hooked by the good reviews, the diverse dives and the course offerings, which for sure exceeded our expectations. The crew were excellent, the food and accommodation was great! Thanks for such an awesome experience. Favorite part of my 6 week trip this far! =)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterCopper S
5The crew was extremely friendly and helpful! The bed was comfortable and the meals were fantastic. I will recommend this to any of my friends who come to Australia. A quality experience.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJesse F
5The crew were amazing and super positive, super supportive, and always trying to help out! The accommodation was excellent and the food was amazing. Best chef I have had in a long time! I will definitely be back!
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsElena E
5It's amazing! They crew were so friendly and welcoming and on top of everything. They are so hardworking. It exceeded all expectations.
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsChristine M.
5We found Reef Encounter on google and booked on the telephone. Everything about the boat sounded just like what I needed. Once on board the crew were awesome, very friendly! loved the crew. Accommodation was perfect, and food was way above expectations. I would definitely recommend this experience. Nice with a lot of information about everything. enjoyed every second of it! You guys are awesome.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBenjamin C.
5We liked Reef Encounter because of the price and perceived experience. Everyone on board was very friendly and helpful, really contributed to the overall atmosphere. Accommodation and food were outstanding. The whole experience exceeded our expectations. Very fun trip!
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetCallan C
5We came across Reef Encounter online when we were looking for options to visit the reef and experience warmer diving, and it was fantastic! The crew were absolutely amazing, accommodation and meals were way beyond expectations. We had a genuinely amazing time and will definitely come back
Reviewed on: Cairns on a BudgetLynn P.
5We first saw Reef Encounter online and after seeing the reviews it sounded like a good way for a group of 5 to experience the reef. The crew was great. They were friendly and went out of their way to be helpful to everyone on board. The rooms were larger than I expected, very clean. The meals were way better than I could have expected! Your cooks are awesome! It was in general a great experience for my whole family. everyone from age 20-64 had a great time. Thank you to everyone!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMatthew H.
5We chose Reef Encounter online because of the amount of great reviews we saw about it, and it exceeded our expectations. The crew were all super friendly and personable. Justin, my open water instructor was awesome. All the dives were no stress and he really cared about what he was teaching. Had an awesome experience! The food and accommodation were great. I was pleasantly surprised how smoothly things ran. In general, it was a great experience and great people on the boat. Would recommend Reef Encounter to anyone!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKatie R.
5This is our THIRD time on Reef Encounter and it was fantastic as always! Crew are always very friendly, always accommodating. We recommend this tour to everyone and plan to come back again! The accommodation amazing, the food incredible. I just love the variety!. We have visited so many times because the service and value is top notch! Crew, food, etc. are wonderful!! Thank you
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterCaleb C
5Amazing!! 5 Stars! We loved having Pablo as our guide. The accommodation and the meals were amazing! Everything exceeded expectations.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJenni Deakin
5My dad booked this trip for me, and I will thank him forever. The crew were excellent, super happy, awesome attitude. Zero complaints!! You guys are awesomely amazing. Food was amazing, accommodation was great! The staff were all amazing. Thank you so much; especially for sorting out and rearranging my stay after my flight got cancelled. Incredible team. Thanks for everything! :) <3
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterNathan S
5Just wanted to say a big thankyou to all the staff who went out of their way to make the trip a great one. A really big thank you to Hitomi whose clear instruction and knowledge helped me greatly in getting my open water certification.
Reviewed on: Cairns TripsSamuel
5I booked 2 days of diving on Reef Encounter because it was cost effective and sounded exciting. Crew is incredible in very way. Extremely pleasant and high quality accommodations and meals. Thank you so much for all the wonderful experiences and for teaching me to dive. The night dive was especially memorable. Hitomi was a wonderful dive instructor and showed me a world I will never forget. I am extremely pleased with my short stay here and hope to come back for more someday.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAlexandre
5I booked Reef Encounter because we wanted to visit Great Barrier Reef. The crew was super nice and helpful. It made it that much better when they remembered my name. Accommodations and meals were all fantastic. I am definitely recommending this to my friends and family. I discovered a new passion here and the nice crew made it so easy to learn.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRiley (Australia)
5The crew are extremely friendly and easy to deal with. Accommodation was clean and well looked after. Food definitely a highlight. Third time on Reef Encounter and is always an awesome couple of days.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAdriane
5I booked Reef Encounter online. I booked it cause of the overnight stay, great reviews and immediate responses from the live chat person. The crew was amazing. Thank you. Excellent accommodations for us and our baby. Meals - particularly lunch - were very yummy. Thanks so much for an unforgetably wonderful reef adventure. Could not have asked for a better experience. Staff were frienldy, helpful and kind, really made this trip special.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBrock
5I chose Reef Encounter, the liveaboard, because I really wanted to get license for Scuba diving. The crew was amazing. Exceeded expectations. Accommodations and food were amazing. Thank you for an unreal experience of the Great Barrier Reef. I will definitely recommend Reef Encounter to my friends. Jackson, the instructor, was great.
Reviewed on: Reef TripAdrian
5I chose Reef Encounter because of the good reviews, good food, variety of activities. The crew is the best, really friendly, genuine and very helpful. Accommodation is great, good space, fantastic food. The desserts were exceptional.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMarta M
5We chose this because it departures every day and offer the product we were looking for: 2 days and 1 night at the reef. The crew are amazing. they are kindly and all the time taking care about us. The room was perfect!!! Everything was really good: our room, the bathrooms, breakfast, dinner lunch...CONGRATULATIONS! Thanks for these two days. It was amazing to be there!
Reviewed on: Reef TripMilva E
5We came for our honeymoon! I hope to come back! It is my dream! The crew was professional, very friendly and very happy! Everything was good
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMonika R
5I booked this because it was a great deal - 2 days of diving! The crew were very friendly and helpful. The food was fantastic English breakfast made my day. We had a great time, hope to come back next time we are in Australia!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterLauren
5Fantastic crew! We felt well looked after throughout our stay. Service is escellent and the crew are knowledgable about sealife. Room was great. It was more spcious than I expected on a boat so that was great. Melas were very tasty and catered to my dietary requirements really well. 10/10! I will recommend this tour and would love to come back and stay forever! thank you
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterConny Hott
5Amazing! Very friendly crew, helpful, cool, accommodating, not judgmental at all. Accommodation and meals were very good. Our stay on Reef Encounter was awesome! Everything was perfectly accommodated. Crew was fantastic, enthusiastic, helpful and nice. I felt comfortable and safe staying onboard.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterCortney
5Our stay on Reef Encounter was awesome. Everything was perfectly accomodated. Crew was fantastic, enthusiastic, helpful, and nice. I felt very comfortable and safe staying on board.
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysRyan (USA)
5Crew are great! Well organized, efficient. Rooms clean and excellent tasting meals! Loved the scones and cream! Shinee was amazing. This young lady knows customer service!! Anytime we had concerns, Shinee was there. My wife's mask sort of leaked - she immediately swapped masks with her. We have never had this level of service - we were both beyond pampered. Thank you Reef Encounter - and especially Shinee!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBethany
5Crew were super friendly, helpful, keen for a chat, remembered names. Fab crew you have here! Super comfy room, delish food! Thanks for my first diving experience! Would love to come back and do the full diving! You were all amazing :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterEmma (Belgium)
5Everybody was so friendly, motivated, professional. You guys are doing a great job! Don't change. Great room with ocean view. Amazing bed, slept like a baby (rocked by the sea). Great food, may have gained a few pounds! We had a great time, will recommend this to all of our friends! Keep doing what you do.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDeb (New Zealand)
5Crew were great, worked really well together. Very professional, very friendly. Meals were amaizng, delicious. Accomodation excellent. Nice hot showers. Spectactular dive sites, dive instructors were great. Loved Josh's photos. Very safe signing system. Coming again!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterChris R
5The crew are great! Very friendly and relaxed. They were happy to go above and beyond for the guests. Very professional when it came to diving. The accommodation was great and the food was excellent. Both were better than expected. Would highly recommend Reef Encounter. Incredible diving experience with a great crew. They were also extremely helpful sorting out the cake for my girlfriend's birthday.
Reviewed on: Reef TripJo L
5The crew were so friendly, polite, helpful! I had full confidence in the dive instructors. The meals were delicious. Perfect food for being at sea. So healthy -- great fruits and salads.
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysMarie M.
5The crew were exceptionally courteous and cheerful. Always available to help and answer questions, very knowledgeable. The cabin was very comfortable, we slept so well! meals provided were very good. Furthermore, this was a very memorable trip which I would highly recommend to others, even if they are weak swimmers like me. The snorkeling was so enjoyable!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMajella C
5The crew were Fantastic! Special thanks to Nicky and Hitomi who took us on our dives and also to Cait, for looking after us inside. The accommodation was surprisingly comfortable and meals were delicious. Obviously a lot of thought and care goes into meal planning. We were so impressed by the quality of staff and dinning. Even as beginners, we felt we were given so much opportunity to experience de beautiful reef. 5 stars!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJames H.
5The crew were Amazing. They greeted us with warm smiles and made a point to make every experience personal. Accommodation was great, bed was extremely comfortable and the food was memorable. Dive instructors were extraordinary. Due to their help and encouragement I was able to get over my fear and dived for the first time along with five additional dives! Amazing people and instructors
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKim W
5When booking the company were exceptionally helpful. From the minute we boarded the boat the staff could not have been more accommodating. Together with the reef itself and the staff, this was a truly memorable holiday. We are really glad that we took the three day package as we had time to relax and chill out in addition to the wonder of the water sessions.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJoanne
5Wow! Wow! Wow! Have just returned home after a 3day/2night stay on the Reef Encounter. First visit to the GBR and I am still in awe at all that I saw while underwater! The staff were so professional, friendly and accommodating throughout the whole trip and went to great lengths to ensure safety of all passengers. The boat has a great atmosphere and everyone aboard was friendly and making the most of all reef locations. Thankyou Reef Encounter for a trip I will never forget!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterElizabeth J
5Our stay was amazing every single staff member was always smiling or laughing, our girls could not get enough of the reef, we saw every single animal we wanted to see. The food was of superior quality, the rooms are very spacious and extremely clean. The whole organisation of the boat from dusk till late night was just fantastic and I could not thank all the staff enough they certainly love their jobs and it shows. Got to put a huge hi to Sam, Josh, Josh, Rae, Macca and Iris for all their laughs super cool photos and Iris for taking that extra help by finding the swimmers we left behind :)
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAntoinette N
5The crew were excellent, nothing was too much of a bother. Super friendly and super helpful and cheery. The rooms were super comfy and the food was delicious! Was totally not expecting the standards to be that high! Will be highly recommending to my friends and family <3
Reviewed on: Hot GetawaysLisa W
5The crew was excellent/. Very helpful and friendly and fun! The bed was very comfy and the meals were unreal. Felt like I was eating at a restaurant. I like having 2 towels each - one for swimming and one for showering/ I would highly recommend this to my friends and family. Will be a highlight of my time in Australia for sure! Thank you all :)
Reviewed on: Reef TripAmssa H
5I booked because of the great reviews and word of mouth from friends who have been before. It was so much fun! One of the best things I've done in Australia in my 3 month stay! The crew are GREAT - super friendly and knowledgable. The rooms and meals are also great. Food was much better than expected.
Reviewed on: Reef TripKatharina S
5The crew are awesome. Fantastic. Pros at work! They made our stay a really special one. Meals were haute cuisine; wonderful dishes and fruits. Loved it! Thank you very much for this beautiful stay and meeting all these nice enthusiastic people and staff.
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsLewis A
5The crew made the trip as amazing as it was. They were all so lovely, friendly and helpful. Both the accommodation and meals were incredible - both better than my experience on a P&O cruise ship. Cannot fault any part of this experience! PS The crew has good taste in music! :) I will tell my friends!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsDayne and Mia
5The crew are excellent! Friendly,, fun, interesting, worldly and great scuba knowledge. Meals were great! Housekeeping was great! We'd definitely came again! Thanks for such an awesome experience.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterVarya K
5The crew are very friendly and helpful, always happy to chat. Made sure we were happy and comfortable 10/10! Delicious food, I really enjoyed it - big thanks to the chef. Our room was very nice, tidy and clean/ The beds were very comfortable. Luxurious! This was the dream holiday, thank you for making our time here so good! The reef was amazing and Reef Encounter was a great experience!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTeresa W
51000/1000! The accommodation and meals were fabulous! We want to steal your chef 🙂 The rooms were great and clean. We thoroughly enjoyed our 3N / 4D stay. Just everything was perfect, from booking to leaving. Our host, Sam, was brilliant in every aspect. Friendly, professional, knowledgeable, polite… the list is endless. We will be recommending to all!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAkshaya S
5The meals were so great! 5 stars! The cabin was tidy and comfortable. Thank you all! Big hugs. Your smiles and extra care made this one of the best experiences I’ve ever had so far. Kudos to all the crew members.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAngela
5Amazing! Everyone was incredibly warm, friendly, helpful, and professional. Great fun! The accomodation was clean, comfortable, spacious, and well appointed. All food was aboloutely delicious and far exceeded our expectations. Can't think of anything that would have improved our stay....except not having to go home. Thanks for an amazing experience!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterAngie (USA)
5Fabulous! Can't say enough positive things about every staff we encountered. Special shout out to Sam who made our experience amazing from start to finish and to Eli- the hostess with the mostess. Comfortable rooms, fabulous food. I would love to return again someday and will recommend to all our friends coming to the GBR! Thanks for a memorable vacation!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJackie
0If you want to dive the Great Barrier Reef - Reef Encounter's is simply the best of the best in every respect.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterRachel & Antony
5Excellent! So so friendly and helpful - you can clearly see they love what they do! The snorkelling and scuba diving - awesome!!! 110% would recommend this fantastic trip!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterSteve
5Crew are brilliant, all of them. Piers, excellent guid/instructor, very patient with me. Thanks to all, much appreciated! Great food, bed comfy. Keep up the good work. All the
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJess
5Thank you so much for having me! The whole teams work has been amazing. I have never felt so safe and looked after. The crew were absolutely phenominal!!! incredibly fun, helpful, caring, words can't describe! My room was beautiful and clean, super comfy bed. The meals were massive and delicious. I will be back and I'll be telling everyone to come out as well. Lots of love :) ☀
Reviewed on: Reef TripFred P
5This was the best liveaboard experience I have ever had. Fellow passengers were friendly and fun. Everyone was so accommodating--the crew were phenomenal! Kieran was top-notch, and just the best guide I've ever had. All staff, from hosties to divemaster to Captain were super friendly and professional. The room was superb! Best room on the ship with big windows. Meals were delicious! Such a good variety of options..Fresh and original. I will be back!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDavid
5Thank you everyone for such a memorable experience. The crew were amazing! Everyone was incredibly positive and supportive. The Dive Masters were so patient, and made me feel very comfortable for a first-timer. Eli and the on-board team were just so special too! The rooms and meals definitely exceeded expectation. We didn't go hungry!!! It was so amazing to be looked after by such a caring crew, and to learn scuba with such a professional organisation. Looking forward to coming back once certified!!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJesse and Paola
5Awesome trip!! My wife is already planning our return next year! Mike D was the best guide ever. THANKS FOR A GREAT TIME!!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterErica (USA)
5The crew were amazing! Super friendly and dun. Always had a smile and were willing to go above and beyond to make our experience the best it could be! The accommodation was clean and well kept. Meals were beautiful and very tasty. Mike was the perfect guide and host! 10/10 amazing. Would definitely come back to experience this again with him. Thank you Mike for everything. There are not enough words to describe how awesome Mike was!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterKim (Australia)
5Very accommodating! Both accommodation and meals were very suitable for the sport and heaps of room for a boat cabin. We were comfortable. This was our third time with Reef Encounter- come on number four!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterDiane
5The crew are great! Polite, accommodating, friendly, helpful. Top Deck attendant, Cait, was a great instructor & attentive to all our needs. Meals and accommodation are superb. Top Deck treatment was amazing. Night sky was phenomenal as well as the fish and sharks off the sides after dinner!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterCelina
5Everyone was very polite and helpful. You always feel free to ask for anything. it was an awesome time on the boat. Thank you for everything! I would definitely stay longer if I could!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterBernhard
5One of the best trips I've ever made. I can definitely recommend it
Reviewed on: Reef Encounterses
5Highly recommended on all levels and aspects! Fun and kind crew! very good food. Organized and clean boat. Very spacious. All good experience for the liveaboard dives! I will go back definitely. Some improvements I think is that i prefer the full wet suit and it should be part of the package. Also, booties for rent will be good too. This will really help to enjoy diving in cold waters.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJoseph
5This reef trip is AWESOME! Made me feel welcome as a guest, accommodation is outstanding. Food & service outstanding. Bar OUTSTANDING! I thoroughly enjoyed my reef experience and will recommend your company to many! Thank you!!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterJeanie
5I first heard about Reef Encounter through a friend and found it easiest to book online. The crew were very friendly and efficient. The room was comfortable and the meals were excellent! This was the adventure of a lifetime! Loved every minute of it. Thank you for a wonderful time!
Reviewed on: Reef TripVictoria
5They were great, really nice and friendly and helpful. I liked how they mingled with us at meal time and we got to know them as everyone was awesome. The food was amazing! The room was really clean and had everything we needed. Social rooms are big and welcoming. only good things to say - Thanks!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterPeter
5Excellent, great quality. I thought this was one of the best trips. The crew was very professional, yet personal and made you feel a part of their family.
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterStacy
5The crew was friendly, accommodating, so thoughtful. They wanted to make you feel welcome. There was no request too small or too big that they did not fulfill. The accommodation surprised me - the room was so spacious and comfortable. The food was delicious - another surprise. Special thanks to Michelle and Taja - they took care of us on snorkel and dive outings. They made the outings fun by showing us different wildlife and helping me to stay afloat. The trip was amazing in part because of them. I will highly recommend this experience. Bravo Reef Encounter!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTess
5The most amazing, hospitable, genuine, helpful, considerate crew I've ever met! always two steps ahead and smiling. Food by Rodrigo and Jess both delicious and had great vegetarian options! Eli was the most excellent super-human in the entire world. You should keep her forever. An incredible and unforgettable experience. Steph, Tash, Maria, Jackson, Tito also fantastic crew members. Thanks for everything!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterTess
5Absolutely fantastic! The crew were friendly, helpful, fun, personable, professional - basically all of the good things. The food was amazing - Rodrigo's chocolate caramel tarts were the best thing ever! The beds were super comfy. Eli was amazing! I have never met a more friendly and hard working person, except maybe Maria! Every single Dive master and Dive Instructor was fantastic. Basically the best trip & boat ever!
Reviewed on: Reef EncounterMei & Lee
5The crew were very professional and helpful--the room and meals were wonderful! We'll definitely come back and would highly recommend Reef Encounter to friends! Thank you!
Reviewed on: LiveaboardsCourtney H
5I'd recommend this tour to anyone. The crew were fabulous! Always helpful and friendly. I'm a nervous swimmer and they made me very comfortable. Tyler, our photographer was my favourite person I've met on our vacation too! Food was five stars! And the chef made amazing vegetarian meals for me! Some of the best meals I've had in Australia after 2 weeks.
Reviewed on: Liveaboards