Reef Encounter

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience! I’ve been onboard 3 times so far and I love it! Great accommodation, excellent food, guides are awesome!

Fantastic experience: Awesome 3 nights onboard Reef Encounter for the 2nd time, this time with our dive club Scuba World. Great friendly service from all the staff onboard, great food, easy diving and fantastic locations. Thanks so much, we will be back!

Negative experience: We had the worst experience in my life. Very poor customer service, shocking. We booked overnight snorkelling tour for the beginning of August 2024. The tour was cancelled as we were ready to board the vessel. There was no help or support from the company. We were forced to look for the last minute accommodation to spend the night, which cost us a fortune as you could imagine. I don't even mention two days of snorkelling and diving. Be aware that there are ongoing mechanical issues with the vessel. The company wasn't willing to take any responsibility at all. I would rather pay a bit more and go with the rival company. Not recommended.

Fantastic experience: Incredible experience on the liveaboard and all of the crew were so friendly and helpful! Had a lovely time diving and meeting people on the boat

Fantastic experience: Great experience with the family. Very friendly and professional staff, comfortable rooms, great food and first class diving. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: Had an excellent experience with reef encounter, I am so glad that I booked the overnight because I was able to get in 5 dives, 2 snorkels, 2 different dive sites, many hot showers, and several delicious meals in 32 hours. They are so well organized and the crew takes care of nearly everything for you. Their briefings are thorough and they make you feel very safe and looked after. They offer guides for every snorkel/dive if you want it, or allow you to navigate on your own, with knowledge provided from site briefings and marine biologists. Everyone is friendly and very helpful. The schedule of the dive sessions and meals is a perfect balance for the day. The beds were almost too comfortable. The price you can’t beat either. Would recommend!

Fantastic experience: Amazing overnight trip. Comfy rooms with sunrise views, great food and all made better by the friendly, passionate crew! Would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: We booked a three day (2 night) live aboard scuba trip on Reef Encounter, and had an amazing experience during mid August 2024. This is a quality company and you can absolutely rely on them to give you an authentic and unforgettable experience. We’re pretty new to scuba, having qualified as open water divers in the UK shortly before our trip to Australia. One of my sons is 11, so he can only dive to 12 metres but this wasn’t an issue. We had pre-booked a guide for all our dives and each one we had was superb: knowledgeable, observant, reassuring and amusing. The transfer to Reef Encounter (the larger, live aboard boat) is by Reef Experience from Cairns. We were recommended to take the free travel sickness pills because the sea was quite choppy on the way out to the reef. Good idea! Fresh fruit on board and an interesting talk from a marine biologist. Those who didn’t take the pills spent their time at the back of the boat being looked after by the sympathetic staff! Upon arrival at Reef Encounter there were some briefings and then the diving began. For your full day(s) aboard, there are five water sessions and you can scuba for four of them (you choose which ones). When Reef Encounter moves to a new dive site, you get an informative briefing about the highlights which I guess is especially useful if you’re not diving with a guide. Do not miss the night dives! They are incredible and you’ll be diving with sharks and giant trevally, who enjoy hunting for smaller fish using the light from your torch. And do not miss the dawn dives either. There is so much activity on the reef at dawn. The gear was all top notch. Even though we were qualified beginners, other divers on the boat had experienced several other live aboard boats in different parts of the world and said that Reef Encounter was exceptional. And the photographers were also fantastic. We bought the full photo package. The beds were comfy, the showers were hot, the food was absolutely fantastic. Don’t hesitate, book today!

Fantastic experience: My wife and I spend a night snorkeling and diving with the Reef Encounter and it was an amazing experience, very high level of safety on board and some wonderful dives. Especially our diving instructor and on board help Helena was wonderful, always smiling and helpful. I can only recommend this to everyone.

Fantastic experience: Bing bong, Reef Encounter! Thank you for this amazing 3 days trip. It’s definitely the best decision we’ve made - to join your lovely and so friendly boat. The crew were so kind! Marina, Jup, Kristina, Steven - just only few to mention, but all crew members are your gold. We saw whales! - was my dream! And we dived with turtles and sharks - experience to remember for the whole life. Separate thanks to the chief - steak was perfect and our kids loved 8:00 pm desert time with your ice cream Separate word for the beds - oh, sooo good and comfy. 6:30 am diving always was a challenge, just because of beds Once again thank you so much, and hope we can repeat our experience

Fantastic experience: Went on a 4d/3n dive trip with Reef Encounter and had an absolute blast. It was my first liveaboard and a pleasure to spend several days on the boat getting to know the crew and other travelers. Food was great and bountiful. Rooms comfortable. Dive sites were great. But what made the trip was the fantastic crew--they were organized, knowledgeable, and great fun. Would definitely recommend. Hot tub on the bow was a cherry on top after chilly night dives. Bong bing.

Fantastic experience: This was one of my favourite experiences. I only stayed one night and wish I’d stayed another one or two! Did my first ever intro scuba dive which was so fun. All of the staff were fab, so friendly and made you feel at home. Communication and organisation was great as well. Highly recommend- I know I’ll be back one day and will stay for longer next time!

Fantastic experience: An amazing way to see the reef. While the outside of the boat has seen better said the inside is lovely and spacious. The crew is excellent and the dive guides were great.

Fantastic experience: I've had an incredible experience with Reef Encounter! I stayed on the boat for 3 days to get my open water certification, I was a tense at the start, and my instrutctor was very patient, friendly and helpful, which helped me a lot while completing tasks under water. The boat amenities are execellent (hot shower after each dive was very appreciated haha) and food was yummy (I have diet restrictions and staff was very careful in that matter). Last but not least, staff was extremely helpful and friendly in general, everyone is very experienced and I felt very safe. I definitely enjoyed the trip, all the dives and am already missing the amazing days on the boat! Would highly recommmend Reef Encounter to anyone, and cannot wait to come back :D

Fantastic experience: My partner and I did 3 days, 2 nights on reef encounter and absolutely loved it! Big shoutout to Lucas for looking after us, giving us lots of tips for scuba diving and making our trip amazing. All the crew are very helpful and lovely! The biggest highlights were the night dives to see reef sharks and getting super close to meet Charlie the fish.

Fantastic experience: Great diving, crew were kind and fantastic.

Negative experience: Choose another company. They are the cheapest tour operators for a reason! I was onboard the same time as a boating engineer and he was genuinely worried for his life the whole time. I suggest Quicksilver or Diversden for a far superior experience

Fantastic experience: Great company and the staff is well trained and knowledgeable. I am looking forward to going back on another trip to the Great Barrier Reef. I wouldn’t consider using anyone else.

Fantastic experience: In the last 6 months have done 2 trips solo as a Diver and one with my wife who is a water shy snorkeller The whole crew captain, dive supervisor, guides and crew are the best. Dive equipment is top quality and safety is top priority On board chef creates miracles with every meal Going back next week for tripnumber 4. Can't wait! In November we went back and my wife completed open water certificate. Excellent training and she is now a confident diver as a result of the comprehensive training provided by Santiago

Fantastic experience: I spent a week with the crew of reef encounter and it was a blast. Highly recommend. The food was delicious. No repeats other than breakfast. The beds were very comfortable. Rooms spacious. The couches will swallow you if you let them. The fish are very plentiful. See lots of sharks on the night dives. Everything is set up so you just get dressed and jump in. Thank you to everybody. Watch out for them longtoms though they like to punch ppl in their escape from being shark food…

Fantastic experience: I had the most amazing time aboard Reef Encounter. I stayed for 2 nights as a guest and served as a hostie multiple times. Both experiences were fantastic. Plus, the crew is the best you'll find aboard any boat. They are so welcoming, kind and thoughtful. I never wanted to leave

Fantastic experience: We stayed two nights on Reef Encounter and it was brilliant. We got out to the reef in different locations and got some fantastic snorkelling in. The room was comfortable, the food was good, and the boat had comfy places to socialise and relax. Most of all though, the staff are amazing. They are friendly, fun, caring and generous hosts, who really took care of us and showed us the best of the reef. They're an A1 team of top people!

Fantastic experience: I did my Open water dive certification with Reef encounter in a 3 days/2 nights live aboard excursion and it was excellent. The instructor (Joe) was great and also the rest of the crew on board (Santiago, Archie, Miguel, Lu, etc), which were always helpful. The food was good and the rooms were really comfortable, even the bed was better than mine back home. I fully recommend going diving or snorkeling with Reef Encounter.

Fantastic experience: There are few companies that offer to spend nights at sea. With Reef Encounter, you can spend from 1 to 5 nights on the boat. They also have a program where by volunteering on board, you can benefit from free nights. A boat took us from Port Douglas to the ship where we had booked the VIP package. Very nice room. Jimmy was very attentive to us and accompanied us to each snorkeling session. He allowed us to see an eel and barracudas, in addition to sharks, turtles, and thousands of fish and corals from the Reef. Very nice international crew. Food was quite good.

Fantastic experience: Love the experience with the crew . The team onboard take care of every detail from safe try to your comfort. I really appreciate for the concern of the two crew specially to Gabriel making this experience most memorable out of all my dives. I don’t remember the girl name in the photo among the crew special thanks to her for arranging my powered googles

Fantastic experience: Exceeded our expectations! Our Host Epi was an excellent dive instructor and underwater guide. Helicopter brought us to the boat! Magical experience

Fantastic experience: Magical! I honestly couldn't fault my experience with Reef Encounter. I had the pleasure of doing my open water course with Reef Encounter. I had an amazing trainer, Gabriel was incredibly patient with my partner and myself as he taught us valuable knowledge about diving. He was able to make me feel at ease and relaxed under the water. His experience and knowledge were invaluable, I feel like I was lucky enough to learn from the best trainer on the East Coast.

Fantastic experience: We had such an amazing experience on board the Reef Encounter - and that’s all really because of their amazing crew! We had a 2D 1N stay - in the middle of the wet season and with one less experienced swimmer. The crew was fantastic and helpful - even went on an assisted swim with us. We also took advantage of their marine biology tour which is so incredible! All in all - great service, a lovely stay on a comfortable boat with amazing food - and most importantly a lot of water time on this amazing reef!

Fantastic experience: This was my 2nd time 3 nights/4 days diving on the GBR and it was amazing. The accommodations, the food, all were very good on the live-aboard and the GBR speaks for itself. I also thought the everyone, from the captain to the staff even to the day volunteers were very friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Reef Encounter.

Fantastic experience: This is a really professional company that will absolutely take care of you for your trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. Right from the point we were welcomed aboard the transfer boat (Reef Experience), the trained staff were so helpful and clearly had a safety first approach. After a 90-minute trip, we reached the main accommodation boat for two full-on days of snorkelling and/or diving. The safety first approach continued seamlessly, again with a friendly and helpful team to assist with any questions and concerns. The food tasted great, the rooms were a reasonable size, with air conditioning, the beds were super comfortable. There is plenty of hot water for showers. There were plenty of water sessions each day at 6.30am, 8.30am, 10.30am, 1.15 pm, and 3.30 pm with a night dive if you're scuba diving, and if you have the necessary experience. The team offers guides for both snorkelling and scuba (extra charges), and if you're at all nervous at swimming, there are buoyancy vests, pool noodles, and life rings. I'd say this is definitely not 1st class accommodation, but it's all the better for it. It's a really effective working dive boat. It's clear from the first time you meet the team that they all love what they do and that they love enabling their customers to enjoy the experience too. Definitely can't recommend these guys highly enough. We'll done Reef Encounter.

Fantastic experience: We did one night on the boat and it was the best experience of our lives. The boat is outdated (exterior looking) but I imagine the wear and tear happens quick with how many guests they receive. You arrive at the dock to get on a large excursion boat. It takes you to the main boat you’ll be staying on and you’ll transfer over. We did a safety briefing and then was given our room. Rooms were spacious for a boat. There was 2 of us with 2 single beds. Small bathroom, but again we’re on a boat. You can do snorkeling and or scuba diving on this excursion. We only did snorkeling as we didn’t have enough time before and after to safely scuba dive. They recommend no flying before or after diving within 24 hours. We got to snorkel 6 times during our whole time there at different 3 different sites and it was incredible. Time went by so fast. Highly recommend going to as many swim sessions as you can as the different times of days can make a difference on the lighting you see with the coral and different animals you can see. Shout out to Gabe for being our lead. He was amazing to have. The rest of the staff were friendly and passionate about what they do. Safety was never a concern for me during this whole excursion because the staffed worked hard and maintained many safety protocols. I really appreciated that. There’s a photographer on the boat and she did amazing getting shots of us, corals, and animals we saw. You can rent gogros as well from them. Food was delicious every meal. I CANNOT wait to come back.

Fantastic experience: This was an amazing experience. Our family stayed for 4 days onboard and got certified. It was convenient, the guides knew what they were doing, and it is a very well done tour. The guides were so cool and all very nice. Kozel helped with our photography Joe was our scuba guide Santi helped us out with some scuba stuff too. The food was also great with an Italian chef who gave us amazing food every day. Great experience would do again.

Fantastic experience: Great crew and experience on the Great Barrier Reef! Thanks!

Fantastic experience: My wife and I had an incredible time on Reef Encounter. We booked the Top Deck Club (double bed) for one night, though we had wished we done 2 nights. Our guide Gabriel was really nice and very helpful in helping us learn to scuba. Hoping we have the opportunity to come back one day.

Fantastic experience: We had a one night stay on Reef Encounter and it was great- good food and facilities on board, excellent cabin, wonderful snorkelling. All the crew are really friendly and helpful. It was so much better than a day trip and we’d thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

Fantastic experience: Did the 2 day one night Top Deck trip, an amazing experience. Our host Gabriel took care of all our needs. He led us on 6 snorkel sessions over 2 days finding interesting coral and fish. Reserved a table for all our meals including our private top deck sunset dinner with complimentary prosecco. The crew could not have been more attentive to all the passengers. Highly recommend booking this trip of a lifetime.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I had such a wonderful time with Reef Encounters. We spent most of our time diving with our AMAZING guide/valet Jip. She was such a great guide—we saw a turtle, sharks, octopi, and so much more. Strongly recommend having her has your valet and/or guide! She went out of her way to make sure we were comfortable and that we had great diving sessions. She really made our trip amazing!

Fantastic experience: We did the Top Deck with Reef Encounter. Absolutely worth it, especially if you are infrequent divers. We had the most amazing experience on the @reefencountercairns I can’t say enough about how incredible it was. The crew were all amazing. The food was fantastic. The gear was good quality, well organized and well kept. The crew really did make it a great experience. From helping you get your gear on to delicious well balanced meals. Loads of vegan options! Then there is the whole diving on The Great Barrier Reef. We saw so many amazing things: Sharks, turtles, jellyfish, crabs, lobsters, barracuda, puffer, clown (Nemo), blue tang (Dori), parrot, sea cucumber, nudie branches, morish idols (Gill), star, and schools and schools of different fish. Also a special thanks to our guide Bernat (Dino). He was a fantastic adult babysitter!! He did a great reintroduction to diving letting us get comfortable again. Then we didn’t have to worry about where to go once we got out, he found all the things then got us back to the boat, that’s the hard part! We would do it again?? Absolutely Do we recommend it?? Hands down, yes Is this something we will remember and talk about forever?? Yep! #reefencountercairns #lifeexperience #diving #greatbarrierreef #divingthegreatbarrierreef #turtle #featherstarfish #lifememories Bleepbloop (signing off Reef Ex. style) ❤️

Fantastic experience: I was a top deck customer for 3N/4D doing the Nitrox and Advanced Adventurer (SSI) on the boat with a private instructor. For me this experience was unforgettable, I have had with Epi the Dive Instructor quite an experienced diver who loves every aspect of diving, could not have wished for a better instructor to do the course. We visited 6 different sites in those 4 days and the Crew was phenomenal. Big thanks to all of you. I felt, however, that the ship could have used a refurbishment outside and inside. It did not disturb my experience in any way but I feel for such an established Tour Operator it is important to have the Main Vessel in a better state than it is now, especially from the outside. Def. would go again with the same operator if I am returning. Animals: Reef sharks at night (plenty), Giant Travellies, Sepias, Octopus, Turtles, all kinds of Wrasses (Napoleon Wrasse as well), Sting Rays, etc. Dive Sites: Norman Reef (Fingers, Caves, Troppos), Hastings Coral Garden, Saxon Reef (Twin Peaks, Tree Peaks) Remark: I booked 3 days in advance and checked several times the forecast to make sure conditions are perfect. Especially during rainy season you can end up in bad weather with some winds/storms. My way of course you risk that all beds are sold out, but the other way you risk that you have 3-4 shaky/windy dives.

Fantastic experience: I never leave reviews, but wanted to for the Reef Encounter because it was one of the best experiences of my life. My wife and I did the 3 day 2 night liveaboard trip as part of our honeymoon, and loved every minute of it. The entire staff was extremely friendly & helpful (I want to call out individual names but it was honestly everyone), the food was amazing and Chef Max was extremely accommodating to food allergies, our instructor Nico was awesome and helped us get certified on the trip. Probably goes without saying but the Great Barrier Reef was the most incredible coral system we’ve ever seen and we got to dive with sharks, turtles, squids, octopi, and so much more. We’re contemplating quitting our jobs, moving out to Australia, and trying to work on the Reef Encounter because it was that incredible. 10/10 would recommend.

Fantastic experience: We did a one night, 2-day live aboard and loved it! They pack in a ton of time in the water, up to 6 dives and 2 snorkel sessions. The dive guides were great, a special shout out to Ella and Louis! Also, the food far surpassed my expectations. Fabulous intro to the GBR!

Fantastic experience: We (wife, friend and 9 year old) recently had the pleasure of going on a diving trip with Reef Encounter, and it was nothing short of spectacular! From the moment we boarded, the service was top-notch. Our personal valet, Will (a dive master, marine biologist and enabler of pranks), was the epitome of professionalism and attentiveness. He consistently went above and beyond to ensure our comfort, serving up freshly brewed flat whites with different milks after each dive and making valiant attempts at crafting cocktails at night. The diving experience with Will itself was safe and well-organized, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the underwater wonders without any concerns. The marine life was vibrant and abundant, providing a spectacular show that captivated us all. Even when the adults went diving, someone always looked after our daughter (snorkelling, or something else). The whole crew (Yip, Santiago,..) were a great bunch that made this whole operation run flawlessly. While the absence of ice cream for dessert was a minor disappointment, it was easily overshadowed by the overall quality of the food served. Impressive to get served a royal breakfast with freshly baked croissants, fresh fruit and bacon and eggs in the middle of the ocean. Lunch was multiple healthy salads, with chicken, taco's with mince. The accommodation was another highlight of the trip. The beds were cosy and comfortable, ensuring a good night's sleep after a day filled with snorting up compressed air. Oh, and there is a Jacuzzi on board the ship as well. In summary, Reef Encounter (and their fish friends) provided an exceptional diving trip that I would highly recommend for diving/snorkelling families. The combination of Will's outstanding service, delicious food, comfortable accommodations, and the magnificent underwater spectacle made this an unforgettable experience. Looking forward to my next adventure with them!

Fantastic experience: We were fortunate to spend three incredible days on the Reef Encounter boat, where I had my first-ever encounter with the Great Barrier Reef and enjoyed my very first dives with a team of incredibly passionate individuals. Huge thanks to Santiago, Francisco, Joe, Lou, and literally every single person on board for making this an unforgettable experience. The true highlight of the trip was the warm and intimate atmosphere created by these amazing people, allowing everyone to fully savor the experience. And in a like manner, undeniably remarkable stare into the eyes of sharks in the flesh! I'm uncertain when we’ll have the chance to revisit Australia in the future, but when we do, reuniting with this fantastic team is undoubtedly a major reason for it!

Fantastic experience: My wife and I had an amazing time diving on the Reef Encounter. We did 2 days/1 night, and spent the whole time diving and eating. It was my wife’s first diving experience and the crew provided great instruction and patience. Much appreciated! She wants to dive again :). The reef put on a show as well with plenty of sharks, turtles, and even a dolphin cameo. Thanks for a great time!

Positive experience: Boat is surprisingly big with big rooms. Food offers is beyond expectations and very, very tasty. Organisation and dive expenitence is super.

Positive experience: First time doing a Live a board experience staying only for 1 night enough snorkeling for 2 days. My ultimate highlight was the food. The chef, I am hoping gets paid a lot as all of our cooked meals were exceptional! I also really enjoyed the Marine Scientist and her talk. She was really lovely and patient and I found her to be full of great knowledge which allowed me to understand the marine life a lot more. (Apologies for forgetting her name). The only downside for me though was the communication and hospitality from some of the crew members. I felt like a burden asking simple questions or clarifications around particular times on the boat. I understand we are not here to make friends but it seemed like more of a hassle trying to ask for help which put a damper on the overall experience.

Fantastic experience: My favourite reef experience out of Cairns (and I have done various boat trips over the years)! The snorkelling is amazing at the various outer reefs - so much to see and enormous variety of critters. Staff are friendly, attentive, experienced and helpful. Food is excellent and caters for all dietary requests. The boat is comfortable. Big rooms, private ensuites, comfortable beds. Amazing value for money that provides such special opportunity to to experience staying on the great barrier outer reef.

Fantastic experience: Reef Encounter runs a really tight ship (no pun intended). We spent 2 nights on the reef with them during our honeymoon and were really impressed with 1) the FOOD wow 2) the fun atmosphere they create 3) they have their operations down to a T. My only piece of feedback is they could put a little more love into the ship itself. Some sanding, staining, new linens would go a long way. Highly recommend for anyone looking to have a great time on the GBR.

Fantastic experience: I absolutely had the best time on Reef Encounter! The diving was world-class, crew was amazing (go Santi!) and very social, dive equipment was well taken care of, the food was very tasty and the rooms were comfortable and very spacious. I even got a room for myself! During the 2 days on the boat, I did 6 dives. Everything was very well organized and scheduled, and we visited a few different really good dive sites. The highlight of the trip for me was the night dive. During the dive we were surrounded by hunting Giant Trevallies, White tip reef sharks and Grey reef sharks; an unreal experience! Being a solo traveler, I found that it was very easy to meet new people on board. On the way back, the Reef Encounter guests got a private seating area on the transfer boat, and there were fruits, cheese, biscuits and wine ready for us. Perfect end of a perfect trip, I’ll be back for sure!

Positive experience: The crew and organization is amazing, The experience is well tailored to maximise dive time. With a lick of paint the boat would be a five star experience!

Fantastic experience: Very good experience with Reef Encounter ! The dives spots were beautiful and the crew is awesome, very friendly and always ready to help or give advices even for new divers like me. Quality food is served thanks to the chef. A special thanks to Bernat, my dive instructor, who was amazing ! He has a very good mood and put you in the best conditions to learn diving. Cheers mate !

Fantastic experience: Reef encounter was an amazing experience. The staff were very friendly and extremely helpful. It was my first time diving and my instructors Bernard , and Santi explained everything in an easily understandable manner. The food and living situation were great and I had no complaints. Overall I would say that reef encounter was the highlight of my trip and I would 100% recommend this to anyone who’s thinking about choosing them for their reef experience.

Fantastic experience: We had such an amazing time on Reef Encounter and would definitely recommend this trip if you are in Cairns. We did a 3 day, 2 night trip dive trip and had a spectacular experience. The crew were incredible and really went out of their way to make the trip extra memorable. Marina the purser and Andreas the dive supervisor are worth special mentions and Shiv the photographer was excellent too. The rooms were comfortable, the meals delicious and the common areas were a great space to make new friends. Highly recommended, we can’t wait to return! xx

Fantastic experience: I stayed on Reef Encounter for 3 Day/2 Nights with my dad and did my Advanced Course as well! My dad and I agree that every product on this trip is tip top! The food is delicious and filling, the bedrooms are spacious and clean, the staff are all very friendly as well as professional, all the equipment is set up so organised and the reef sites are absolutely phenomenal! We enjoyed every single dive and highly recommend this liveaboard to anyone wanting to make the most of visiting the Great Barrier Reef! There is no other place like this! Also special thanks to Nicholas, Andreas and Lincoln! They were all so patient, friendly and very informative. Overall we both had such a good experience we wanted to extend our trip to a week! Highly recommend to everyone. Thank you Reef Encounter for the unforgettable memories!

Fantastic experience: I did my advanced open water diver with the diving instructor Bernat and it was great! I really enjoyed the diving sessions and I hat a ton of fun under water. Also the food was great and the crew was super nice. I personally think the hostie program was a bit too much work for the two guaranteed diving sessions a day. The last days of being a hostie I couldn't even attend to the diving sessions because I was just too exhausted from working and diving was more a burden than fun. But I guess you can try out the hostie program if you want. You can always leave the next day if you feel that's too much for you. All in all it was still an amazing experience

Fantastic experience: Amazing experience! Friendly staff. Dylan was very helpful.

Fantastic experience: A dream has come true. We travel around the world to popular dive spots, and the Great Barrier Reef was still on our list. We spent three days on board Reef Encounter and enjoyed every second. The crew was very friendly and professional. The food on board totally surprised me; it was very diverse and healthy cuisine. We did a total of seven dives, including a night dive. I've never dived with so many reef sharks as at the Great Barrier Reef. The trip was definitely the highlight of our entire Australia trip. Thanks to the team and the crew! We would recommend the tour to all of our friends.

Negative experience: Everything was great, but I wouldn't recommend it to Chinese people, because the cabin with the loudest noise on board will definitely be yours, regardless of your age. The scenery is beautiful, and the staff is nice (except for the one responsible for arranging the rooms). I participated in a 3-day, 2-night activity.

Fantastic experience: Had an awesome time! Crew were amazing (Lauren is the Best!), food was great and the diving was top notch. Highly recommend doing the Top Deck option if you can

Fantastic experience: Scuba diving with Reef Encounters is the best thing that happened to me in years. Santi - the dive master is the best. The entire team is warm friendly and well organised

Fantastic experience: Super tour operator, we had an amazing holiday with them, the crew is super friendly and helpful as well as well trained, beautiful dives and lovely dishes! Thank you so much for these days! Definitely would go with them again.

Fantastic experience: I had an amazing time doing my open water diver there and came back twice cause the crew is so sweet and made each and every stay pretty special! Harrison, my instructor, and Bernat, my brothers instructor, did an amazing job and we both really enjoyed doing our courses with these guys!

Fantastic experience: Did 2 nights/3 days on the Reef Encounter and loved it. The vessel is spacious and clean, the crew is professional and friendly, and the dive/snorkel sites are great fun. I took a Top Deck room - the main perks of which are a private guide on every dive and a nice ocean view room with an ensuite. You also get a special entree at every dinner and a bottle of champagne at the end. Although all of this is nice and my guide (Richard) was great, they charge a premium price and if I were to do it again, I would probably just go for a standard room and pay for a dive guide on a per dive basis. Another thing to be aware of is the maximum dive time of 40 mins on every dive. I’m used to doing longer dives so each dive felt a little short to me - a testament to the quality of the diving! The fact that you get to do 3-4 dives per day partially makes up for this though.

Positive experience: The good: The captain, Jules, Santiago, Timmy, and Kate were truly outstanding. Jules went way out of her way for us, as did Santiago; Kate and Timmy were always friendly and upbeat. Timmy's dive briefings were great. I thought the food was excellent: the 3 p.m. snack and dessert after the night dive were added bonuses. Norman-Fingers is the second-best dive site I've been to outside of Kicker Rock in the Galapagos. The coral was unlike anything I've ever witnessed at the Fingers, and we had one morning of perfect clarity. The bad: We went to Twin Peaks too many times. It just wasn't impressive. Some of the staff were obviously there for the diving rather than customer service--they were much better at filling tanks than talking to humans. They really need someone who just manages and assesses the staff. The lady who replaced Jules in the rotation was quite prickly. I called her Nurse Ratched. As for the boat, it was pretty well maintained, but it has seen better days. It probably peaked a solid fifteen years ago. What's with the VIP status of some guests? They had reserved tables to eat the same food, or they dined al fresco on the roof, once again with the same food. It was obnoxious and pointless.

Fantastic experience: Stayed on the Liveaboard for 2 days and 1 night, had 6 dive sessions and opportunity to do a night dive while being an introductory diver. The two dive instructors Santi and Bernart were super approachable, educating, and overall great people to introduce diving to me. Marina was also another person who made the experience, being super conversational and being a kind and receptive crew member. Overall would recommend this experience to everyone. The photographer Harley broke down prices for renting a GoPro, and getting pictures taken. Always was available to chat to, and answer any questions. Super helpful. The living conditions were good, the meals were good. A once in a lifetime experience that I wont forget.

Fantastic experience: Had a fantastic time achieving my open water certification with Bernat at Reef Encounter. As a brand new diver, Bernat prioritized my safety and ensured I became a confident diver. The entire crew were so accommodating and helpful. Highly recommend for all experience levels. Thank you Reed Encounter for opening my world up to diving!

Fantastic experience: great trip, see a lots off fishes. lovely to join the livaboard trip and i learn the SSI Certificates❤️❤️❤️

Fantastic experience: I stayed on reefencounter for 3 days for my open water diving course. My instructor was Bernat who was an incredibly talented, calming instructor who made the whole experience better than I could have imagined possible. I feel extremely lucky to have been assigned to him. The rest of the crew were also very warm and kindhearted and Reefencounter was a great experience.

Fantastic experience: Had a great time on the boat and diving. Had a wonderful dive guide, Hannah. She showed us some great sites and was great with us. Food was good, and the rest of the staff was great. Always felt safe diving with them.

Fantastic experience: We spent 2 nights on the boat and had a great time! The whole crew was nice and fun. The food was delicious, a lot more variety than I expected. We came to do dive specialties and could not be happier with our dive instructors Santi and Bernat. They did a great job! #bingbong

Positive experience: The staff are truly incredible. The food was delectable. The location is once in a life time. The boat, however, needs some repairs. There are broken bannisters, rusted metal facades and it seems like everything needs a coat of paint or two. Some investment in the upkeep of the boat would go a long way to ensuring a better and safer experience for all. Other than that, we had a fantastic time.

Fantastic experience: We loved our 2 night 3 day reef encounter trip and doing the top deck was an amazing experience! Can’t recommend Nicholas enough who was our personal valet/guide/instructor/waiter pretty much everything lol. He was absolutely incredible from start to finish and really put us at ease and ensured we had a great trip. We’ll definitely be back soon and will request Nicholas again for sure!

Fantastic experience: This was an absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. Transport to the Reef Encounter liveaboard was spacious, the staff informative and entertaining. While on board, it was clear the main event was diving--all meals and basically the entirety of life on board were secondary to diving, just as it should be. Meals were excellent. Staff were knowledgeable and clearly had a passion and love for the sport. Accommodations, though not luxurious, were supremely comfortable and I slept like the DEAD. Photo equipment and images were handled by Scub'ado, who did an FANTASTIC job of keeping us in brilliant memories of our time aboard. For the price point and the quality of instruction, accommodation, and dive location? Hard to beat Reef Encounter. Highest possible recommendation. A+.

Positive experience: The staff is 5 stars (especially our instructor Bernat Bore) the boat is 3 stars (if that) , giving an average of 4 stars. Bernat was the highlight of our trip. Opting for the Top Deck package Bernat was our personal instructor. We did our Advanced Open Water and Nitrox certifications. Bernat was patient, positive & highly knowledgeable - everything you want for this experience. Thank you. The boat is in real need of a BIG refit if not a complete replacement. We did a Top Deck experience which is advertised having like a 1st Class experience on an airline. Ummm no not even close. Our room whilst a reasonable size but had furniture and fittings that were damaged, coming apart or wouldn't close and in dire need of replacement. The bathroom whilst heavily dated was functional. The food was adequate. Top Deck means you can eat always in the first sitting and get a reserved table. In the evening you get a small entree in addition to the 2 courses. The storage of dive gear is over 2 decks and you share a crate with your dive buddy. On other boats its on 1 deck and you get your own crate making the process of getting in and out hassle free. While we got what we wanted in terms of certifications given the current state of the boat we won't be back unless radical changes in terms of fitout. Once again, many thanks to the onboard staff, Reef Encounter is trading off their service.

Fantastic experience: I couldn’t have dreamt of a better introduction to diving! The staff were so patient, fun and confident which made us all super relaxed and confident to dive. Despite choppy waters, the reef was glorious and the vibes were fantastic under the water and on board too! We really enjoyed spending time with the crew who couldn’t have made our stay any better. Thanks especially to Santi who was the most professional, kind and confident instructor. Hope to be back and would definitely urge anyone to come check it out for themselves!

Fantastic experience: Our family of four signed up for the 3-day open water dive certification on Reef Encounter and three of us completed the course. Unfortunately, the fourth did not which was no fault of the instructor but rather reflected the challenge of a person who is not a strong or confident swimmer trying the perform the necessary skills in the ocean where the waters can be choppy . I bring this up simply because if you have a person who is not a good swimmer, dive certification on the reef may not be the best option. For the remaining 3 of us, it was not an issue, and we had a blast. We were on the top deck so we had 1 instructor to 2 people. If you're not on top deck, it's a 1:4 instructor to student ratio. Why does that matter? You lose some dive time when an instructor has to test four vs two students, so I highly recommend the top deck if you are going to do the minimum 3-day course. If you have a longer time to spend, then a regular stateroom might be fine. The food was surprisingly very good with huge portions and balanced. The staff was friendly and got along well with each and made for a wonderful experience. I highly recommend a live aboard on Reef Encounter.

Positive experience: Went with the family for a three day/two night stay. Overall fabulous experience but perhaps not the right fit for our family. We had amazing snorkelling but we were out in the water pretty quickly after arriving on board and the crew didn't ask anything about our swimming ability, experience or comfort being out in the water with the kids. However, once we raised that we'd like some help, they were great and offered to accompany us on a snorkel if we requested. Food on the boat was very average and the chef didn't seem to cater for dietary requirements. Finally, after much asking, gluten free bread provided at breakfast on day three.... other times we were forced to eat vegan bolognese on rice and bland vegetables as only GF option, while others ate lasagna. Some of the crew were great, but many just seemed to be there to get free dives and had no idea what hospitality is about (ie let the paying guests serve their own food first, for example).

Fantastic experience: What an amazing experience!!! The crew was amazing, the food was great and the bed was so nice, I really wish I had booked more than one night and I highly recommend booking two nights. What really amazed me was that almost all of the crew knew my name in the end. It seems like a small thing, but it made me feel just that bit more special. They do everything to make your stay as nice as possible. This was my first time scuba diving after the course, and I don't think it could have been any better. The option to go with a guide was great for me. I can be a bit critical, but I really can't see anything negative about this experience. Before I booked I thought it was experience, but it was absolutely more than worth it, I would definitely come back if I'm ever back in Cairns, but probably for more than one night this time!

Fantastic experience: My experience with Reef Encounter was truly incredible! I spent 3 days and 2 nights there and enjoyed every minute. As I wasn't SCUBA certified, I spent most of my time snorkelling. I signed up for the introductory scuba dive session (I highly recommend it if you are not certified) it allowed me to see the reef from a completely different perspective. Throughout my stay, I was able to explore 7 different locations with 11 snorkels and 2 introductory dives. I was also pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the meals. The staff clearly put a lot of effort into preparing fresh and delicious dishes, which was much appreciated. Overall, I had an unforgettable time at Reef Encounter and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an incredible reef experience.

Positive experience: Did the two night, three day trip with Reef Encounter. Crew was very good - always patient and watching for clients' safety and comfort, especially in the water. Rooms are spacious. Food was mixed - plentiful but quality wasn't always great. One night we were served raw cheeseburgers. The boat itself is very dated - carpets are filthy, rooms on main level are smelly. It's not a 'luxury' experience but is good value. I should also have done more research to know how choppy the water would be in August. Probably a 3.5 star experience, remembering this is a review of Reef Encounter and not the GBR (which is 10+ stars).

Positive experience: I did a 2 day 1 night trip with reef encounters and overall i loved my experience, staff where friendly, food was decent and equipment was in good shape. The only thing that disturbed me was that all dives are done without an instructor and if you wish to have an instructor you need to pay extra. Since we where not familiar with the reef we as well as most of the other divers took instructors. this was new to me, have been on many dives and it always included an instructor, i understand this is there policy just really wish this was made clearer when booking since it makes the trip a lot more expensive. Other then this i think they do a very good job and defiantly recommend.

Negative experience: BUYERS AWARE!!! I did my homework and chose Reef Encounter for 1) ensuite bathrooms 2) Food is suppose to be good 3) 10 dives in 3 days and boat moves twice a day. Well, most of it is true. Rooms are tired but clean. Aircon is good. Chef is very nice and although not gourmet food it's not bad. Boat did move twice a day to different site. I really don't have a high expectation for a dive boat. So overall I should be happy with this trip if not for the way the crew treat us. I can’t say that they are not nice. Most of them are nice enough but they are not approachable nor personable. They mostly keep to themselves, gathering and talking in their own little groups. There is minimal interaction and when you do need something you almost feel guilty to disturb them. We are suppose to board the day boat Reef Experience at 7:30 but they were not ready so we arrive Reef Encounter late. Then there was a long briefing before you get assigned to your room. I appreciate the safety part but the photographer’s briefing is really unnecessary. After we get our rooms it is already too late for the first dive. Meals are buffet style. Nobody ever mention rules and it was my first meal onboard. I never like to waste food so I took a small spoonful of each dish to taste thinking that I will choose the dish I like. When I return to the table just to get some fries I was stopped. ‘No second helpings!’ The crew admonished me. Luckily I wasn’t too hungry and have my own snacks but he embarrassed me in front of other guest. Our trip is in the Easter week and the boat is full to the rim. Guest have to dine in two groups. There is hardly any seat to eat comfortably since a few tables are always held for some guest or crew. The queue to get food is very long and when we finally get to the table one of the main dish is out and the crew said they have no more. My bf doesn’t eat lamb nor fish but it is not consider a dietary limitation so sometimes he does goes hungry. There is suppose to be a hot tub on the boat but I’ve never seen it. I overheard some guest requested to use it but Captain said it takes 12 hours to heat up. The crew said they can fill it with hot water. Captain said then guest who comes back from night dive will have cold showers. I was wondering, why wasn't it turned on in the first place??? Now the main reason for the one star. We booked online for a 3D/2N trip. There was no mentioning of checking in/out time. On our second night during dinner the crew announced that SOME guest MIGHT have to move to ‘transfer rooms’. We had dinner as usual, stayed in the lounge until after dessert and went to bed. The last morning we planned to do the 8:30 and 10:30 dive since we are not allowed the 1:30 dive. Some other guest that we know moved to the transfer room but we were not called so we thought we were lucky. After the boat moved to the new dive site and we are about to suit up the crew told us that we have to vacate our room and move to the transfer room. Btw we have to share that room with 8 other people. We were totally shocked. We asked when? ‘NOW!’, she said, very rudely. Ok, I’m not even arguing if it is right to kick us out of our room without mentioning it anywhere in the booking terms. From the time they announce that SOME guest have to move till this very moment they have over 12 hours and numerous chances to inform us. We at least talked to the crew three times for headcount, paying bar tabs etc. They just did a check in person before the boat move but nobody said anything. To much of our protest the Captain said there's nothing he can do. We scrambled to pack, move and suit up only to be denied our dive by the dive master. 'You are late!', she said. 'But we were told to vacate our room without warning just now!' 'I don't work inside. It's not my concern.' So because of the crew's negligence we lost a dive and because the boat was late we lost a second dive. To add insult to injury nobody cares or even attempt to apologize. So yes, I don't have a high expectation from a dive boat but this is probably the worst experience I had.

Positive experience: Just did a 2 night 3day? Liveaboard, boarding 28 Oct. My husband and I are not new to these having done 4 already with different companies so we have a comparison and expectations. The good aspects. The cabin was a nice size with ensuite. Comfortable bed. Nice views but we kept the curtains closed as people can walk around this area of the boat. The food was mostly good. I was a little hungry on the first day when after lunch. Would nice to have biscuits available. I only saw these out on the 3rd day. Yes there's fruit and you can buy chips and chocolates. The saloon area is large and plenty of lounges. The crew work very hard. They are friendly and helpful. We had an incident on the day boat with a passenger falling ill and having to be helivaxed back to Cairns. This would've thrown the usual schedule out. While I knew this trip involved being transferred across to the 'mother ship', what I didn't expect was the mad rush on the 3rd day to get out of your cabin BEFORE breakfast especially after doing the 0630 dive. I feel the focus in on turnover with this company. There was only one day of complete relaxing diving due to this transfer system. It is also hard on the crew. They are all young and they do it, but it's overworking them. I personally felt panicked about packing which I don't particularly like as the customer. The briefing for all divers before the first dive and I don't mean the site briefing. OMG what a waste of time for everyone above a new OW. I'm not there to help train a DM in training. As a MSD with 300 dives I don't need to know how to put a weight belt on, hand signals, anything about a BCD or regs etc. Could have been getting ready for a dive. The training DM did a good job but 90% of us didnt need to be there. The dive deck. Well, its 2 decks. Up one level to jockey with everyone to get your stuff out of your crate which was shared with my husband, then down to your tank. The tank rack is over crowded. Emily did a good job at signing divers in and out. There is no where to keep camera equipment on either level unless you have a gopro or small camera. Have always had my own dive bin. I feel the transfer of luggage by the staff is an OH&S issue for them. There needs to be a better system. Watching young 20 year olds receive large suitcases across boats moving in chop and swell is concerning. There should be a better system for their safety. My review is not on the day to day staff but on the company and how they run their schedule. I feel it could be better run with the transfer situation. I have done 11 dives on a Liveaboard over the same time period. I did 7 on this one. I did not do the night dives. Saxon and Norman reefs were good dive sites. Will not go with this company again.

Fantastic experience: Me and my partner spent 4 days and 3 nights aboard getting Scuba certified. We had a great experience with them, the instructors were knowledgeable, patient and very helpful. The gear was well taken care of and not lacking in any way. The food was very good and plentiful. The rooms were spacious and clean. The staff were joyful and everything on board was tip top. Loved our time on the GBR with Reef Encounter. The only gripe was that the underwater photos were 3 times more expensive on the live abroad than on the day boat. That’s a serious markup between the 2 boats.

Fantastic experience: My partner and I did the beginner dive package, two days one night and it was incredible!!! As soon as we arrived on the boat we were taken care of by Marina and her fantastic crew. The food was delicious and the accommodation very comfortable. Our dive instructor Bernat was brilliant. I had only previously dived once before, and so was still a little nervous, but he made the whole experience comfortable with his professional manner. He also gave me the opportunity to do a beginners night dive, which exceeded all expectations as we saw sharks and a myriad of different marine life. Going on this trip has inspired my partner and I to go for our open water and we would definitely go back Reef Encounter. If you’re thinking of booking your GBR trip, look no further!

Fantastic experience: By far, the best way to see the reef. I did my SSI Open Water course two years ago on Reef Encounter and have just returned with 4 friends to do even more diving. Every single dive is truly amazing, rooms are comfortable, meals are excellent, and the crew are just awesome.

Fantastic experience: Did a 2 day 1 night referral dive and I couldn’t recommend anything more. The crew was fantastic, they had a great system set up, and I had so much fun diving because the reef was beautiful in the spots they brought us. Big shoutout to Kevin for being a wonderful instructor.

Fantastic experience: “The best crew on the reef” Just as the crews shirts already state, this is by far the best GBR liveaboard. I’ve been out on reefy now 3 times. Did my OWD out on the reef in May 2022. It can be fairly hard to do all your training in the sometimes choppy water, but you will be rewarded with incomparable views from the first moment on. The office crew is so nice and helpful. I had to amend my booking several times, but they have always helped me out :) You will never get hungry on board, they have a great selection of food all day long Thank you guys so much, I’ll certainly be back soon!

Fantastic experience: Awesome Great Barrier Reef live-aboard experience. My wife and I stayed for 3 days/2 nights, and did 10 dives in the 3 days. Expectations for diving on the reef were super high - and very much lived up to the hype! Turtles, sharks, rays, tons of tropical fish, and beautiful coral. Accommodations on board were very nice - big rooms, comfy beds, nice hot showers. Food was excellent - 3 big meals a day plus snacks and dessert and 24 hour coffee and tea. Staff was also great - friendly, attentive, made us feel very safe and comfortable while diving. A great way to experience the unique and beautiful Great Barrier Reef - highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: We stayed for the 1-night liveaboard dive trip and had an amazing experience. It was organized and allowed us to make the most out of our time in the water. We managed to fit in 6 dives (including 1 night dive) and 2 snorkel sessions over the course of 2 days. The menu was also great with more than enough food for seconds or thirds.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly team. The food was great. The boat moves between locations about twice a day, so you will see a lot. This multi-day experience is geared towards people who can swim well and are either happy to spend many hours snorkeling, and even more for divers - from first timers that want to try it out to open water licensed that want many dives a day. It’s intense, you can spend hours and hours in the water. However, if you don’t feel like doing that, you might find it boring and a waste of money. In that case, look at other options (perhaps Reef Experience from the same company).

Fantastic experience: Fantastic experience with reef encounter. My wife and I did a 2 night stay with no prior scuba experience during our honeymoon. With the resort scuba option they had us in the water enjoying the incredible fish and coral in no time. Ship was nice, food was very good, staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Truly a magical part of our special trip. Would recommend to beginners and experienced divers alike. Snorkeling was great too

Fantastic experience: If I could give 10 stars I would! I would highly recommend Reef Encounter to anybody. This was our first liveaboard experience and we stayed for 3 days/2 nights with the 'top deck' package. From the minute we stepped on the transfer boat, the crew were attentive and friendly. The transfer to the Encounter was easy, and the Encounter was so comfortable. There were plenty of areas to relax, and the rooms were really comfortable. The food was delicious, and there was plenty of it! The dive deck was set up really well - it wasn't too crowded and we had space to get geared up without feeling cramped. The diving was incredible. We saw sharks, turtles, rays, lion fish, and so much more. The night dives were the best!! Our guide, Jaime, was fantastic - from completing our Nitrox course, the set up of our gear, guiding us to the best spots at each dive site, recommending the best dive sessions each day, and the level of service he provided us on the boat - he made the entire trip so effortless for us. We will definitely come back to Reef Encounter again, maybe for a longer trip next time!!!! Thank you Jaime and the rest of the crew Edit to update: we came back this time for 4 days/3 nights on top deck and it was just as phenomenal. We had Rich guiding us and he was fantastic. Once again, a truly wonderful experience. We will be making this an annual trip!

Negative experience: Took our money and didn't book anything so we had our holiday ruined. Now its been 2 weeks and are still trying to get our money refunded. Stay away

Fantastic experience: I spent 5 days/4 nights on the Reef Encounter, of course reserved through the agency of the same name. Excellent... Fantastic... are the words that come to my mind first. From the comfort of the boat to the crew, through the catering service and the atmosphere, it was simply exceptional. I did 18 wonderful dives all in a flawless safety context. The value for money of this liveaboard is simply unbeatable. I recommend it without hesitation.

Fantastic experience: On behalf of Adreno! I would like to thank everyone on board Reef Encounter who made our trip so much fun and enjoyable. Our time on the reef was a lot of fun and we cant thank you guys enough. We were looked after really well, with outstanding service from all of the crew, Great food and fantastic diving. We cant wait to organise our next trip!

Fantastic experience: Had a great time with Reef Encounter. It is a pretty busy schedule and there is always something happening. I think that it would be great to have an option that allows divers to dry or hang up their wetsuits between dives. Jumping back into wet and cold wetsuits was hard to do. The food was fantastic!

Negative experience: The way the Captain spoke to both passengers and crew was wholly inappropriate and actually quite upsetting. This was not an isolated incident but occurred multiple times throughout our stay (23/24th July). I would strongly advise against joining this vessel with the current captain, and hope that the operator will address these concerns with the individual concerned ASAP. We have left details on the feedback forms which were provided at the end of our stay. We had no other issues with our trip.

Fantastic experience: Amazing! Such a great experience with such amazing crew! We loved every part of Reef Encounter. The crew were really friendly, chatty and professional. The food was amazing! Fresh cooked meals from a chef, barista made coffee, and refreshments. The rooms were bigger than expected, proper bathrooms, with showers and proper toilets. And of the course the best part… the diving! We went to 4 different reefs I think?, and saw some amazing sites. The crew told us they go to about 20 different sites depending on the wind and weather. For certified divers you can choose to have an experienced guide with you for a small coat. The guides are usually dive master trainees and really know their stuff. They know the sites well, and are very good at keeping track of depth and time, so you don’t have to worry about it and can just enjoy your dive :) this way, you also know you’ll always be ascending at a safe rate. We also did the Marine Biology tour, where you snorkel with a marine biologist who shows you really cool things and teaches you amazing facts. We did not have one complaint throughout this experience. It was fanastic; we will recommend it to all our friends and family and we’ll be back :)

Positive experience: The boat and rooms are fairly comfortable. The staff was quite friendly can say that for most of them…. However the chef is amazing ! Julian makes delicious meals. The activities were fun, I would book a few days before to check the weather. I booked a week in advance and the weather wasn’t the best which made the snorkelling not as fun. The water was choppy, so make sure you check few days before to get a beat experience. I do recommend this experience, it’s lovely to stay the night and experience the reef. I saw turtles and sharks