This vessel pulls anchor and sets sail from Cairns for at least part of your stay. This 21-room, 4-star cruise ship welcomes guests with conveniences like free breakfast, a restaurant, and a spa tub.
The preferred airport is Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS): 9-min drive, 4.9 mi/7.9 km.
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, walk to Cairns Esplanade
Reef Encounter features a spa tub, coffee in a common area, and a terrace. Staff members are on hand to provide tour or ticket assistance and luggage storage. This smoke-free cruise ship also has a TV in a common area.
Recreational amenities at the cruise ship include a spa tub.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Languages
English
Property amenities
Parking and transportation
No onsite parking available
Food and drink
Free buffet breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM
A bar/lounge
A restaurant
Coffee and tea in common areas
Things to do
Snorkeling
Spa tub
TV in common areas
Family friendly
Crib (surcharge)
Conveniences
Luggage storage
Guest services
No housekeeping service
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 elevator
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
More
3 floors
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Crib (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
This property doesn't allow pets
Children and extra beds
Cribs/infant beds are available for AUD 50.0 per night
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.
Crib (infant bed) fee: AUD 50.0 per night
This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might 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
Check-in: 7:30 AM
Check-out: 8 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
No parking is available onsite.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:
Registered guests are the only ones allowed in guestrooms.
There are no elevators.
No rollaway or extra beds are available.
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
What's there to see near Reef Encounter?
This cruise ship is situated in Cairns Central Business District, just steps from Cairns Marlin Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal, and within a short walk of Cairns Esplanade. You'll also find Cairns Central Shopping Centre and Esplanade Lagoon less than a mile away.
Is parking available on site at Reef Encounter?
No, this cruise ship doesn't offer parking.
Does Reef Encounter have a casino on the premises?
No, Reef Encounter doesn't have a casino.
Will I find an indoor pool at Reef Encounter?
No, this cruise ship doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is a spa tub.
What do couples enjoy most about Reef Encounter?
Couples staying at this cruise ship will appreciate amenities like a bar plus some cabins include ocean views and a turndown service.
Does Reef Encounter have a hot tub?
Yes, guests can enjoy a spa tub at this cruise ship.
Does Reef Encounter have a restaurant with a breakfast menu?
Yes, Reef Encounter serves free buffet breakfast each morning from its restaurant.
Will Reef Encounter allow pets to stay for free?
No, pets aren't allowed at Reef Encounter.
Are there connecting rooms at Reef Encounter?
No, this cruise ship doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.
How close is the airport from Reef Encounter?
The closest major airport to Reef Encounter is Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS), which is 4.9 mi away (9 minutes by car).
Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Reef Encounter?
No, there aren't any cabins with balconies at Reef Encounter.
Reef Encounter Reviews
Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 46 reviews" "
10 - Excellent
32
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 46 reviews" "
8 - Good
9
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 46 reviews" "
6 - Okay
3
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews" "
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 46 reviews" "
2 - Terrible
2
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
Traveled with partner
Nov 26, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Got us right out onto the reef multiple times per day!
Jane
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
8/10 Good
Michael
Traveled with partner
Oct 6, 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.