Reef Encounter Queensland Australia

Reef Encounter is a luxury catamaran designed for the utmost stability and comfort at sea. Reef Encounter is air-conditioned throughout with spacious decks, large dining and recreation areas.

The 21 Deluxe Staterooms have double or twin beds, all with private bathrooms.

Reef Encounter is large enough to provide all the comforts of larger cruise ships, yet small enough to enable access to spectacular reef locations inaccessible to other vessels.

Guests can choose to transfer to Reef Encounter daily, via Compass Cruises or arrive in style by scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef.

The exclusive cruise itinerary introduces the very best of the Great Barrier Reef diving and snorkelling. Guests wishing to simply relax can take advantage of the sundeck and spa.

Reef Encounter offers overnight or several nights dive – snorkel expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef with all meals included. Cruising to five spectacular Reef locations including ; Norman Reef, the very outer edge, 70 kilometres off Cairns on the continental shelf. Incredible visibility. Dive the under water canyons; Saxon Reef, renowned for Manta Rays, schools of Barracuda, Turtles and a diversity of colourful tropical fish. An underwater paradise; Hastings Reef, ten square kilometres of spectacular corals and exotic fish. Famous for tame Reef Sharks, Wally the Giant Wrasse, huge cod, inquisitive Moray Eels and Giant Clam Gardens; Breaking Patches, forests of Staghorn coral, Black Coral Trees, seas Fans, Sensational Diving; take breathtaking under water photographs; Michaelmas Cay, an island (sandy cay) famous for its sea bird sanctuary. Clear, calm, sheltered snorkelling and diving in a garden of corals.

Reef Encounter is the perfect getaway to experience everything the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

Touring Options

Reef Encounter

Reef encounter offers an outstanding base for visitors to Cairns to experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef whether they have two or three hours or a week to spare.

Facilities onboard the fully air-conditioned vessel are terrific. Staterooms are modern, spacious, and bright with plenty of storage space, and all have ensuite bathrooms. Reef Encounter has its own onboard water desalination plant so guests have the luxury of unlimited showers. The dining room is big and fresh, the onboard heated spa is perfect to relax after a night dive or watch the sunset with a glass of champagne.