Liveaboard Stateroom Package

What should I expect when I book a Reef Encounter Stateroom holiday?

Beautifully appointed stateroom cabins? Hotel-style amenities? Excellent cuisine? Best of all – the Great Barrier Reef on my doorstep?! The answers are yes, yes and yes!

Upon Arrival

Be welcomed at the start of your journey by the best crew on the Great Barrier Reef. Join our transfer vessel ‘Reef Experience’ on the first morning, for your water-taxi to the excellent mother-ship Reef Encounter – our floating hotel.

Enjoy a barbecue egg and bacon roll and fruit platter for breakfast – all dietary requirements should be advised upon booking and will be catered to accordingly.

Liveaboard Stateroom Accommodation and Amenities

Cairns Liveaboard Stateroom
Stateroom Twin Share

Upon arrival to Reef Encounter, you’ll be escorted to your ocean view, Stateroom cabin. (Your preference of double bed, twin beds or sole-occupancy accommodation may be selected when booking).

All liveaboard staterooms have en-suite shower and toilet room, plush towels and eco-friendly soap, shampoo and conditioner, and have Australian power outlets. Our friendly housekeeping team shall provide additional dry towels or soaps as requested to Stateroom guests.

Cairns Liveaboard Stateroom
Stateroom Ensuite

Help yourself to shared tea and coffee facilities, located in the main dining saloon 24 hours per day – along with fruit baskets for your enjoyment. Alternatively, barista coffee is available for purchase from the saloon bar during opening hours.

Our guest communal area has TV, board games and a small library of books.

A fully licenced bar serves local and imported wines, spirits, beers and cocktails. Alcohol is available after you have completed your in-water activities each day.

Exquisite Chef-prepared breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert are sit-down meals in our dining saloon. The dress is casual.

Outdoors, a vast sundeck provides luxury lounges for optimal relaxation with unobscured views of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. Our outdoor, fresh-water hot-tub is the perfect way to unwind between ocean activities or for a dip in the evening under the star-studded Australian sky.

Our ‘Head Purser’ – aka a ships Hotel Manager – can act as your concierge and assist with your needs during your stay on board.

Ocean Activities

Upon settling into your cabin, our friendly deck staff will invite you to come outside and fit you with all necessary snorkelling and scuba diving equipment.

All guests have the option to jump in for a swim or snorkel before lunch. Scuba diving activities commence after lunch for those travelling on a scuba diving package – or considering enlisting for scuba diving onboard. Snorkelling and scuba diving activities run throughout the day.

In-water guided tours: With knowledge of each location and where to spot some of the extraordinary marine life, our snorkelling and scuba crew are the go-to experts! Chat to our Senior Deck Supervisor to organise any in-water tours, available upon request from our friendly and knowledgeable outdoor team.

For snorkellers, in-water tours are available upon request for all persons who cannot swim or who require a bit of extra in-water assistance to get around the coral reef.

For qualified Certified Scuba Divers, you may select the Guided Tour Package when booking your stay, or choose to book one or more guided dives once onboard.

All beginner scuba diving, resort scuba dives and scuba courses are guided activities automatically.

Glass bottom boat tours are also an excellent way to experience the Great Barrier Reef and included in your tour package. Chat to any of the team if you are interested in participating in a glass-bottom boat tour. Glass boat tours are organised around optimal weather and tidal conditions upon request.

Day of Departure

On the day you are due to leave, you’ll continue your vacation onboard Reef Encounter until around 2.30pm in the afternoon. When it’s time to go, you’ll transfer back to our sister vessel Reef Experience for your journey to Cairns Marina, disembarking around 4.30pm.

On the morning of your departure, you will be asked to check-out of your cabin and into a shared facility cabin. The housekeeping team will inform all guests the evening before of the time that they would like you to vacate your cabin and store your luggage in the transfer cabins.

All transfer cabins have en-suite shower and toilet rooms, and unlimited towels, soaps, shampoos and conditioners – for your use for the remainder of your day onboard Reef Encounter.

Snorkelling and scuba diving activities are available throughout the morning.

After lunch, there’s time for a quick snorkel or swim before your journey back to Cairns. Alternatively, you may relax on board, soaking up the Great Barrier Reef.

On your cruise back to Cairns, head to the bar and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, cheese and crackers to toast your trip – and maybe even plan your next visit!