Cairns Dive Adventures

Tour Length: 2 days & 1 night | Operates: Year round
Destination: Great Barrier Reef
Departs: 7.30am Daily (transfers to Reef Encounter)
Returns: 4.30pm Daily (transfers back to Cairns)
Transfers available: Yes, free from all Cairns City Hotels

Reef Encounter is a boutique floating hotel and liveaboard dive vessel, providing unforgettable experiences on the Great Barrier Reef.  It is also one of only three liveaboard dive operators to provide daily departures from Cairns, making it a very flexible product to incorporate in any itinerary.  How does it do this?  Transfers between Cairns and Reef Encounter are provided by the day tour vessel, Reef Experience.  Included in the Reef Encounter Great Barrier Reef overnight dive trip is return coach transfers from your Cairns hotel to the Marlin Marina, BBQ breakfast, twin accommodation (solo occupancy is available at extra cost), all meals and snorkelling.  Please note that the ‘standard’ ticket price is $359 per person, based on twin share, it is an extra $90 to upgrade to the liveaboard certified dive tour package, which includes five (5) day dives, one (1) night dive and all dive equipment.  Other upgrades are available to make it a longer liveaboard Great Barrier Reef dive trip, or to include a dive course.

Highlights & Inclusions

• 2 days and 1 night, liveaboard dive trip
• Up to 6 dives, including 1 night dive
• Add $90 to advertised price to include dives (total cost $449)
• All dive equipment, except wetsuits and torches
• Hydraulic scuba dive platform
• Accommodation on boutique floating hotel
• 21 twin/double staterooms
• Spacious sun deck & heated spa

Reef Encounter is an Australian family owned and locally operated experience.  This luxury catamaran has been designed to provide the utmost stability and passenger comfort.  It has 21 twin / double modern, spacious staterooms, each with their own private bathroom and ensuite facilities and lots of storage space.  Reef Encounter has its own water desalination plant, so you can enjoy long showers without worrying about running out of fresh water.  All features have been designed to maximise passenger enjoyment and comfort during their Great Barrier Reef liveaboard dive tour.  Reef Encounter is air-conditioned throughout and fresh, chef prepared meals are served daily in the spacious dining room.  Its sun deck has numerous lounges for your relaxation and there is even a heated spa, which is the perfect place to unwind and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.  As it is permanently located on the Great Barrier Reef, Reef Encounter provides daily departures for its overnight, certified dive experiences.  Transfers from Cairns are available by the day trip vessel Reef Experience, or for something special, book a heli or sea plane transfer.

Dive Notes

• Recommended dive experience level: Open Water
• Adventure level: mild to mid, pending weather conditions
• You will need to bring your dive certification with you
• All equipment is included in the ticket price except wetsuits and dive torches
• Night dives are included in the package
• Additional dive courses are available on-board

Reef Encounter: Sample Overnight, Liveaboard Great Barrier Reef Dive Itinerary
Wednesday: You day begins with a complimentary transfer to Marlin Marina where you will board Reef Experience at 7.30am for a 7.45am departure.  A hearty BBQ breakfast is cooked on board, as you commence your journey to the liveaboard dive vessel, Reef Encounter.  On arrival, transfer and enjoy a brief orientation of the vessel and your stateroom quarters, before begining your Great Barrier Reef diving adventure.

There is time for two or three dives today and the dive tender will take you to the best reefs, to maximise your dive to the conditions and water visibility of the day.  You are guaranteed to be amazed at the diversity of corals and marine life flourishing on the Great Barrier Reef: you may even get to swim with green sea turtles.

In the afternoon relax on the spacious sun deck, in the heated spa or around the air-conditioned common areas.  Complimentary fresh fruit, tea, coffee and milo are available throughout the day and the on-board chef will prepare a gourmet meal for that night’s dinner.  This package includes the option of a night dive, which provides a totally different perspective on the Great Barrier Reef.

Thursday: There is time for more Great Barrier Reef diving action today.  Wake up early and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before submerging yourself in the azure waters of the Coral Sea.  There are mantra rays, scorpionfish and giant Maori Wrasse waiting to greet you under the water.  Lunch is served around noon and you can enjoy the early afternoon on the Great Barrier Reef, before transferring back to the Reef Experience catamaran for the return journey to Cairns.

Passenger notes:

• What is not included in the ticket price? There is a AUD $15 per person, per day levy which is a combination of Reef Tax, Port and Admin Charges and a Management Fee.  Wetsuit hire is available at $ per person, per day.  Dive torches are the same cost.  Alcoholic beverages are available at the bar.