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Reef Encounter

4.0 star property
Upscale cruise ship, walk to Cairns Esplanade

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June 2024
July 2024

Photo gallery for Reef Encounter

Boating
Terrace/patio
Standard Twin Room | Cots/infant beds, bed sheets
Free daily buffet breakfast
Shower, free toiletries, towels
Reviews
9.0

Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast includedBreakfast included
  • Hot tub
    Hot tubHot tub
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioningAir conditioning
  • Restaurant
    RestaurantRestaurant
  • Bar
    BarBar

Check-in time

7:30 AM

Check-out time

8:00 AM

Explore the area

Map
Cairns Marlin Marina - Marlin Jetty A, Boat: Reef Experience, Cairns, QLD, 4870
  • Popular LocationCairns Marlin Marina3 min walk
  • Popular LocationCairns Esplanade5 min walk
  • Popular LocationCairns Central Shopping Centre13 min walk
  • AirportCairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.)8 min drive
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Room options

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room | Cots/infant beds, bed sheets

Standard Double Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Private bathroom
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Superior Twin Room

Cots/infant beds, bed sheets

Superior Twin Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Superior Double Room

Cots/infant beds, bed sheets

Superior Double Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Cots/infant beds, bed sheets

Standard Twin Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Private bathroom
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Single Beds

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About the area

Cairns

Reef Encounter is located in Cairns Central Business District, a neighbourhood in Cairns. Cairns Marlin Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Cairns Central Shopping Centre. ZOO To You HQ Wildlife Discovery Centre and Esplanade Lagoon are also worth visiting.
Visit our Cairns travel guideOpens in a new window
View more Cruise ships in CairnsOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Cairns Marlin Marina - 3 min walk
  • Cairns Esplanade - 5 min walk
  • Reef Fleet Terminal - 6 min walk
  • Cairns Night Markets - 8 min walk
  • Cairns Central Shopping Centre - 13 min walk

Getting around

  • Cairns Station - 17 min walk
  • Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Salt House - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Horizon Club - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Grill'd - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Rattle N Hum - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Pier Bar - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Reef Encounter

Upscale cruise ship near Cairns Esplanade
Near Cairns Marlin Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal, Reef Encounter provides a free breakfast buffet, a terrace and a bar. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Additional perks include:
  • Tour/ticket information, coffee/tea in reception and smoke-free property
  • A TV in reception and luggage storage
Room features
All guest rooms at Reef Encounter have comforts, such as air conditioning.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries

Languages

English

Property amenities

Parking and transport

  • No on-site parking available

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 7 AM to 8 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Snorkelling
  • Spa tub
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Cot (surcharge)

Conveniences

  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • No housekeeping
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

More

  • 3 floors
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Cot (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels

More

  • Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 7:30 AM; check-in end time: 8:00 AM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 8 AM

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; your host will greet you
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
The property is a ship at sea. Guests must take the Reef Experience catamaran from Cairns Marlin Marina, A Finger, to reach it. The catamaran begins boarding at 7:30 AM, with check-in and breakfast on board. It departs for the ship at 8 AM. To return, guests will check-out at 9 AM and arrive in Cairns at 4:30 PM.

Access methods

Host will greet you

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are available for AUD 50.0 per night

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

  • Crib (infant bed) fee: AUD 50.0 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

Reef Encounter Boat
Reef Encounter Boat Cairns
Reef Encounter Cairns
Reef Encounter Hotel Great Barrier Reef
Reef Encounter Cruise
Reef Encounter Cairns
Reef Encounter Cruise Cairns

Frequently asked questions

Is Reef Encounter pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Reef Encounter?

This property doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Reef Encounter?

Check-in start time: 7:30 AM; check-in end time: 8:00 AM. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at Reef Encounter?

Checkout is at 8 AM.

Where is Reef Encounter located?

This vessel pulls anchor and sets sail from Cairns for at least part of your stay.

Reef Encounter Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 46 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Got us right out onto the reef multiple times per day!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Michael

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities
The ship was run down, a lot of signs that maintenance wasn’t a high priority. However if your goal is to dive and snorkel on the reef a “lot”, then you’ll be happy.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome trip to the famous Barrier Reef.All was well organised, comfy, bed, lovely people around, amazing diving. Waiting for my next trip!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

BrosonTravel, Portland

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great luxury live aboard adventure. Stayed one-night as it was our first time on a boat and found the 6 dives over 2 days was great and tiring. The "premium room" is their Top Deck package and the upgrade was well worth it to us though only 3 rooms were booked as this upgrade during our time there and everyone else had fun too.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tang

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome stay and a great staff :) Memorable for years to come!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

6/10 Okay

Diver, USA

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very overpriced trip. The yacht is very old. No cabin has lockers on the door - according to the stuff, that’s the policy on the boat. This mean that theoretically anyone can enter your room at any time. You can’t controll the conditioner in your room and in the dining area, it is freezing there. It’s a problem to get the fresh towel - you will be sent to use the only public dryer where everyone washed their stuff. The yacht has no shoe policy but the floor is pretty dirty. The wetsuits are literally tearing apart! I would say this is like a good friendly motel but they advertise and charge as 5 star hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Super stay
Fabulous trip out to the reef. The crew were extremely friendly and helpful, the food was great and the cabin was very comfortable. We saw loads of fish, dolphins, turtles and baby reef sharks. Excellent way to get closer to the reef.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Stefanie, Hong Kong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The hot tub is great and was very often in use. Great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Debra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This was an amazing experience! I recommend staying two nights. The staff was so accommodating and it almost felt like you were traveling with good friends! Food was delicious and beds were comfortable. Good sleep is very important to me,
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Karen, Memphis TN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Scuba/snorkeling
We were aboard Reef Encounter for 3 nights & everything was lovely! Food was excellent, staff were young and delightful. no complaints - would definitely return!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Highly recommend!
My family and I had an amazing 4 day, 3 night stay on Reef Encounters. The crew was terrific, food was great and the reef was incredible ... especially loved the night dives!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

6/10 Okay

K, UK

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Tired and in need of a good clean
We booked 2 nights on Reef Encounter so we could snorkel and dive the barrier reef. We were super excited about the trip until the moment we boarded the transfer boat; Reef Experience. The staff were very young and everything was a bit disorganised and the safety briefing had lets say some crucial bits of info which were at best lacking. The advert stated that we would be served breakfast during our morning transfer; if an unbuttered roll with a half cold veggie burger and some cut slices of watermelon, pinaple etc counts as breakfast then we got it. Maybe my expectations were a little high i thought, i'm sure the food must be better on Reef Encounter as that's the 'hotel' boat after all, whereas Reef Experience just the taxi boat. On Reef Encounter, the departure was fine, the staff sorted out offloading our luggage. The welcome onto the boat was good and much better than the welcome we'd recieved on the transfer. We were shown up to our rooms. The bed was a good size and was comfy, the bathroom was normal size for a boat but there was a strange and unpleasant pong from the drains. Needless to say we kept the door closed on the bathroom as much as possible to stop the smell entering the bedroom. The food was advertised as 'gormet', it wasn't. Portion sizes were good but the dishes lacked any kind of seasoning. The snorkelling and diving provided was very enjoyable and the ships dive master was brilliant. The sites on the Reef we visited were amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017

6/10 Okay

Dawn, Calgary

Liked: Cleanliness
Was ok
Food was great and a lot of it. Some staff were nice. Some more abrupt. No free introductory dive as told. Ocean was rough so if you don't have a strong stomach, don't go. Didn't see many fish as it was cloudy. Need the sun to shine into the reef.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Kim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Highly Recommend "Hotel" on the Great Barrier Reef
A really fun place to stay if you want to be out on the reef for more than a few hours. We stayed 2 nights/3 days. The boat is large and comfortable and well-outfitted for diving & snorkeling. We had a decent-sized stateroom. The staff were enthusiastic and fun, from all over the world, and did a great job taking care of guests' needs. Staying out on the reef is the best way to get in a lot of time seeing marine life whether you are a snorkeler or diver -- if the weather cooperates. Even in the bad weather, the crew did their best to keep it upbeat and fun for all. They proved themselves to be skilled and kept everyone safe. Oh - and the food was very good, and lots of it! Just remember to take your Dramamine...
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was great to have stay overnight on the reef, and we enjoyed the multiple opportunities for diving. definitely worth the experience.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome
Great staff, awesome snorkeling. You'll get tonnes of water time.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Wai Ling

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Diving and food provided was very good.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
CIO
Amazing time and amazing food!!!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
As Advertised
Great service. Price on hotels.com was for snorkeling option only. Time of our lives. Great service and accommodation. Everything as advertised.

10/10 Excellent

Jonathon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome experience for Great Barrier Reef
We did this to stay overnight on the reef. If you book through Hotels.com, you will still have to pay for the tax (per day that you are there) and any diving upgrades. This booking is only good for the snorkel experience but you can upgrade easily (you just have to pay the price difference between the snorkel and the diving trips). Overall the experience was great. The room was small but that's what you get on a boat. It was comfortable and clean. We spent all day diving on the reef. The employees were very courteous and helpful. We loved the whole experience!

10/10 Excellent

Pedram

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
So much fun. They staff take good care of you and the food is pretty tasty