expedia

Important: This destination may have COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, including specific restrictions for lodging. Check any national, local, and health advisories for this destination before you book.

See all properties

Overview of Reef Encounter

Photo gallery

Featured Image
Outdoor Spa Tub
Cribs/infant beds
Cribs/infant beds
View from Room

Reef Encounter

4 out of 5

4.5/5 Wonderful

Guests rated this property 4.4/5 for cleanliness.

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Air Conditioning
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Hot Tub

Cleaning and safety practices

  • Cleaned with disinfectant
  • 24-hour vacancy between guest room stays
  • Hand sanitizer provided

Explore the area

    Popular LocationCairns Marlin Marina3 min walk
    Popular LocationEsplanade Lagoon5 min walk
    Popular LocationReef Fleet Terminal6 min walk
    AirportCairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.)9 min drive

Choose dates to view prices

  • Superior Twin Room

    Photos of Superior Twin Room

    Room amenities

    • Ocean view
    • Sleeps 2
    • 2 Twin Beds
    More details

  • Superior Double Room

    Photos of Superior Double Room

    Room amenities

    • Ocean view
    • Sleeps 2
    • 1 Double Bed
    More details

  • Standard Twin Room

    Photos of Standard Twin Room

    Room amenities

    • Ocean view
    • Sleeps 2
    • 2 Twin Beds
    More details

  • Standard Double Room

    Photos of Standard Double Room

    Room amenities

    • Ocean view
    • Sleeps 2
    • 1 Double Bed
    More details

About this area

Cairns

Reef Encounter is located in Cairns's Cairns Central Business District neighborhood. Cairns Marlin Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Sugarworld Waterpark and ZOO To You HQ Wildlife Discovery Centre are also worth visiting.
Visit our Cairns travel guide
View more Cruise Ships in Cairns
View in a map
Map
Popular Location

What's nearby

  • Cairns Marlin Marina - 3 min walk
  • Esplanade Lagoon - 5 min walk
  • Reef Hotel Casino - 5 min walk
  • Reef Fleet Terminal - 6 min walk
  • Cairns Regional Gallery - 7 min walk

Getting around

  • Cairns Station - 17 min walk
  • AirportCairns Intl. Airport (CNS) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • Prawn Star — 4 min walk
  • Salt House — 4 min walk
  • Tha Fish — 4 min walk
  • Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse — 5 min walk
  • Vivaldis Restaurant — 5 min walk
View in a map

About this property

Reef Encounter

4-star Cairns cruise ship in Cairns Central Business District, walk to Cairns Esplanade
This smoke-free cruise ship features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a spa tub. Buffet breakfast is free. Other amenities include coffee/tea in a common area, tour/ticket assistance, and a TV in a common area. Rooms offer showers and free toiletries.
Reef Encounter offers 21 accommodations with air conditioning. Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries. Cribs/infant beds (surcharge) are also available.
Recreational amenities at the cruise ship include a spa tub.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Cleaning and safety practices

Enhanced cleanliness measures

Disinfectant is used to clean the property

Social distancing

Guest rooms kept vacant for 24 hours between stays
Social distancing measures in place

Safety measures

Personal protective equipment worn by staff
Masks available
Hand sanitizer provided
Individually-wrapped food options available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
This information is provided by our partners.

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 7 AM–8 AM
  • 1 restaurant
  • 1 bar
  • Coffee/tea in common area(s)

Things to do

  • Snorkeling
  • Spa tub

Family friendly

  • Cribs/infant beds (surcharge)

Guest services

  • Luggage storage
  • Tour/ticket assistance

Languages spoken

  • English

Outdoors

  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • Smoke-free property
  • TV in lobby

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Cribs/infant beds (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Shower

See similar properties

Cairns
Cairns
Cairns Central Business District
Cairns Central Business District
Cruise
Cruise
Air conditioned
Air conditioned
Guest rating 4+
Guest rating 4+
Family friendly
Family friendly
4 star
4 star
Hot tub
Hot tub

Policies

Check-in

Check-in from 7:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 8 AM

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
The property is a ship at sea. Guests must take the Reef Experience catamaran from Cairns Marlin Marina, A Finger, to reach it. The catamaran begins boarding at 7:30 AM, with check-in and breakfast on board. It departs for the ship at 8 AM. You will check-out of your room at 9 AM, and arrive in Cairns is at 4:30 PM upon departure.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are available for AUD 50.00 per night

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Crib (infant bed) fee: AUD 50.00 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

Reef Encounter Boat
Reef Encounter Boat Cairns
Reef Encounter Cairns
Reef Encounter Hotel Great Barrier Reef
Reef Encounter Cruise
Reef Encounter Cairns
Reef Encounter Cruise Cairns

Frequently asked questions

Can I cancel my reservation for free at Reef Encounter and receive a full refund?
Yes, Reef Encounter offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to Reef Encounter cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
How much does it cost to stay at Reef Encounter?
As of Feb 27, 2021, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Reef Encounter on Feb 28, 2021 start from $686, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Reef Encounter pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Reef Encounter?
Check-in is from 7:30 AM - 7:30 AM. After-hours check-in is not available.
What time is check-out at Reef Encounter?
Check-out is at 8 AM.
Where is Reef Encounter located?
This vessel pulls anchor and sets sail from Cairns for at least part of your stay.
4.5
Wonderful
Rating 5 - Excellent. 30 out of 43 reviews
5 - Excellent 70%
Rating 4 - Good. 8 out of 43 reviews
4 - Good 19%
Rating 3 - Okay. 3 out of 43 reviews
3 - Okay 7%
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 43 reviews
2 - Poor 0%
Rating 1 - Terrible. 2 out of 43 reviews
1 - Terrible 5%

4.4/5

Cleanliness

4.6/5

Staff & service

5.0/5

Amenities

4.3/5

Property conditions & facilities
Write a review

5/5 Excellent

Traveled with partner
Happy face iconLiked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome trip to the famous Barrier Reef.All was well organised, comfy, bed, lovely people around, amazing diving. Waiting for my next trip!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

4/5 Good

Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

5/5 Excellent

Traveled with partner
Happy face iconLiked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great luxury live aboard adventure. Stayed one-night as it was our first time on a boat and found the 6 dives over 2 days was great and tiring. The "premium room" is their Top Deck package and the upgrade was well worth it to us though only 3 rooms were booked as this upgrade during our time there and everyone else had fun too.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

5/5 Excellent

Happy face iconLiked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

5/5 Excellent

Happy face iconLiked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome stay and a great staff :) Memorable for years to come!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

Stay in the know with the Expedia app

Get real-time notifications, view your trip details, and access mobile-only deals.

Text yourself a download link

By providing your number, you agree to receive a one-time automated text message with a link to get the app. Standard text message rates may apply.
Scan the QR code

Scan the QR code

Plan your next trip

Warrawong Lodge

Crystal Garden Resort & Restaurant

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

Tropical Queenslander

Cairns Queenslander Hotel & Apartments

Stoney Creek Cottage is a Family Friendly, Romantic or Couples Getaway

Contemporary Convenient Central Retreat

Aspect Central

Coral Reef Apartments

Accommodation On Sheridan

181 The Esplanade

JJ's Backpackers Hostel

The Lakes Resort Cairns

Agincourt Beachfront Apartments

Clifton Sands Holiday Apartments

Cairns Sheridan Hotel

Two Bedroom Luxury Suite with spectacular beachfront views from your own terrace

Beachcomber Holiday House

Bohemia Resort Cairns

Bay Village Tropical Retreat & Apartments

Pure paradise (i690)

Cairns Queens Court

Central Plaza Apartments

Villa Beach Palm Cove

Cairns Treetop Retreat Private Luxury Resort Home

MiHaven Student Living - Student Accommodation

Big4 Cairns Crystal Cascades Holiday Park

Royal Palm Villas Cairns

Summer House Backpackers Cairns

Torun Holiday House