tours   intro accommodationattractions visitor info

north queensland & great barrier reef - reef encounter

vessel information

The owners of Reef Encounter appreciate the cultural and language differences arise and in an effort to close the language barriers they have French speaking skipper onboard. They also have Customer Service Attendants who are all very experienced in their position and come from multicultural back grounds.

All briefings conducted on safety, diving and snorkeling are fully portrayed through practical visual demonstrations. This allows all of the guests to easily follow the procedures onboard Reef Encounter.

Reef Encounter is specifically designed in assisting clients with physical disabilities. Deck Two provides both twin and double stateroom accommodation and has direct access to all facilities including dining room, bar and lounge facilities. There is direct access to the water via the hydraulic lifted dive and snorkel platform.

Guest travelling with children onboard are put at ease by high staff to guest ratio providing supervision for children whilst parents or guardians are participating in water activities. Reef Encounter also has available cots and highchairs for any infants travelling. Whilst children and families are welcomed aboard Reef Encounter, they do not provide children rates and the clientele are generally adults.

Accommodation

Staterooms: located on Deck Two, Reef Encounter staterooms are modern, spacious and bright with ample storage space and the convenience of private bathrooms. Reef Encounter also has its own onboard water desalination plant so guest have the luxury of unlimited showers. Double or 2 Single Beds. [Floorplan]

Top Deck: located on Deck Three, all rooms on this level are fully air-conditioned with private ensuite bathroom. Other inclusions on this package are; champagne on arrival, tropical breakfast served to your room daily, daily turn down service with chocolates on pillows, personalised guided snorkel and diving adventures, private wet gear storage facilities attended to by the crew who will return with your towel and will assist with your fins and dive gear, complimentary sunset cocktails with the Captain and dinner under the stars on the Top Deck, weather permitting. Double or 2 Single Beds.

Facilities

Located on Deck Two, is a spaciously designed lounge and dining area. This area has a licensed bar & lounge, complete with television and video and DVD player. Children have access to activity books and colouring pens, board games and movies.

On the bow is the freshwater heated spa, the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day with a glass of champagne or a cocktail in your hand while the sun sets over the horizon.

After a relaxing spa lie back on the sun lounges and enjoy the tropical warmth and catch some rays on the sundeck.

Vessel Floorplans [Main Deck] [Upper Deck]

Diving

Catering for certified divers is a specialty – no matter what your experience or level. You have come a long way to experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, and with Reef Encounter there is no better way to experience this underwater spectacle that with scuba diving. Onboard Reef Encounter cater for divers of all levels of experience with a variety of diving options to choose from, all catered to your specific needs.

Guided Dives: take the hassle out of your diving and your Reef Encounters professional crew show you the best.

Remote Dives: dive on the wild side, for a small charge, Reef Encounter crew will be happy to offer you even more dive locations and whisk you away in the dive tender vessel to spectacular reef locations not regularly frequented by visitors.

The Dive Deck at the stern of Reef Encounter has all you will need to achieve the best diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkeling

The is no better way to take you to the action and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you are exploring the Reef in between dives or snorkeling above and amidst the beautiful array of coral and marine life is an experience that will take your breath away. Reef Encounter’s professional crew can assist you with snorkeling briefs and instruction as well as fully guided tours.

The easy access platform allows snorkellers to enter the water with the utmost ease and confidence. Snorkellers can at any stage of their stay onboard speak to the staff about experiencing the underwater experience that is Scuba Diving.

Dive & Reef Destinations

Norman Reef: depth 0 – 27 metres. The very outer edge at 70 kilometres off Cairns on the continental shelf.

• Incredible visibility, underwater canyons and night diving
• Excellent swim throughs and caves
• Giant Trevally, Coral Trout, Barracuda and Moray Eels
• Giant clams, reef sharks and Bronze Whalers
• In mid to late winter Minke whales take over the area

Saxon Reef: depth 0 – 20 metres. Only to be described as an underwater paradise

• Large patches of staghorn coral thickets
• Swim through and gullies are scattered throughout the site
• Giant clams, manta rays, schools of Barracuda

Hastings Reef: depth 0- 18 meters. 10 square kilometers of spectacular corals and exotic fish

• Pinnacles, walls, caves and coral gardens
• Sweetlip, cod and trout are common
• Outstanding swim throughs up into the reef
• Famous location for tame Reef Sharks and Wally the friendly giant Maori Wrasse

Breaking Patches: depth 0- 16 metres.

• Forests of Staghorn Coral, Black Coral Trees and Sea Fans
• Angelfish, lionfish and parrotfish
• Sensational diving and a great location for spotting turtles

Michaelmas Cay: A sandy white cay famous for its sea bird sanctuary

• Clear, calm and cheltered snorkeling and diving in beautiful gardens of coral

Getting to Reef Encounter

Take a truly amazing flight across the Great Barrier Reef and land like a movie star “for the perfect touchdown”. Helicopter transfers (surcharges apply) are available everyday from Cairns directly to the helipad onboard Reef Encounter. This 20 minute flight with a superb viewpoint from above shows the landscape at its best. The coral and marine life is superb from this view, with breathtaking sightings of dolphins and turtles possible.

Compass Cruises transfers and returns to Reef Encounter are via the daily cruise vessel. Compass departs the Marlin Jetty at 7.45am to rendezvous at Hastings Reef.

Back to:

• 3 day personalised open water course
• No school scuba
• 1 night dive and snorkel adventure with reef encounter