I spent 2 days/ 1 night in mid-May. I really appreciated the private room and shower. The common room is lush. The food is top-notch and the chef was very accommodating. Every crewmember is genuinely glad to have you aboard and they're all so friendly. Thank you to Gumby, our divemaster; Sash and Chris, dive assistants; Alex, our chef; Shannon... More

Dear Readers! I'm one of those travelers and tripadvisor users that rarely or never write reviews...HOWEVER, this adventure experience with the "live-aboard" diving boat "REEF ENCOUNTERS" was so formidable that I just had to compley when they requested i write a review! I looked at many operators and, to tell you the truth, the first one I was looking into... More

we spent 3 days/2 nights on the boat which has a couple of set destinations/reefs they move to every day. A transfer boat of almost similar size takes day-tourists to and fro the shore and transfers snorkelers/divers from Reef Encounter back to Cairns. There is a hot tub which can be used at set times including evenings under the starry... More

Extended a trip on the boat for a day to get my advanced O/W. Staff was excellent, good variety of diving spots, although the weather did not allow us to travel to their final Reef location. Newly renovated boat accommodations are outstanding, stayed in a single room, quite comfortable. Diving could not have been easier, given the boat was not... More

This is an excellent boat. Food was great. Crew was even better. Diving was jaw dropping. We booked a 3 night 4 day stay, referred by my boyfriend's parents, who loved their stay last year. The ship is solid - the crew is professional, the dive crew were very knowledgeable and friendly. It's recently back out on the water after... More

I had booked a 2 day trip on reef encounter for the month of April way in advance for my honeymoon trip. Reef Encounter never informed us about until the very last evening that they had cancelled our trip because the vessel has gone for maintenance for past 3 months and has not returned back. This was truly unprofessional behavior... More

I was recommended this trip from a mate who did what I did to celebrate his boy becoming a teenager. I decided to take the plunge (excuse expression) and do the same. Worked a treat for a Dad and son trip. We lived aboard for 3 days and 2 nights and ate like kings and even though my son was... More

Our family of 4(two teenagers ) stayed on the Reef Encounter for two days/ one night in July and we cannot praise the owners and staff highly enough. What a fantastic way to experience the reef. From the moment we stepped onboard in Cairns to the end of our trip the level of service and care was exceptional.

I did a live-aboard trip and got my first diving certification. In short, it was unbelievably great!! The instructors were all fantastic, especially Lucy. I really can't say enough good things about the dive instructors -- every single one of them was knowledgeable, helpful, and fun -- and Lucy was simply stellar -- a great communicator and really a great... More