Top Deck Club Liveaboard – Great Barrier Reef floating hotel
This Top Deck Club liveaboard provides outstanding hotel accommodation on the Great Barrier Reef.
This tour is the ultimate way to celebrate a special occasion.
Top Deck Club
First, guests are greeted by the friendly crew and invited to share delicious local fruit platters and breakfast.
Then sit back and relax on our 90-minute boat transfer to the Outer Barrier Reef.
Then our crew will welcome you onboard Reef Encounter for your stay on the Great Barrier Reef.
The staterooms with ensuite are spacious, air-conditioned, with ample space for clothes and luggage.
Top Deck Club Accommodation
The staterooms also offer luxurious touches such as crisp bed linen and down pillows: soft fluffy robes, bath sheets and Australian beauty products.
The magic begins each day when the reef awakens. Start your day with an early morning dive or a revitalising swim.
Then relax on a deck chair or in the airconditioned saloon.
Enjoy majestic sunsets that fill the sky with a stunning golden glaze.
Next, a romantic evening under the stars in paradise awaits, and for scuba divers, the thrill of the night diving.
Delicious meals
Onboard our chef prepares delicious meals. Allowing our chef to provide culinary delights with local Australian ingredients.
A licensed bar onboard includes a fine selection of Australian wines and beers.
Reef Encounter offers all the luxury facilities of a reef resort.
This vessel is a 35-metre luxury catamaran designed for the utmost stability and comfort at sea. Reef Encounter features spacious decks and roomy dining and recreation areas.
Transfers to Reef Encounter are available by a 90-minute boat ride on Reef Experience from Cairns or a stunning helicopter trip over the Great Barrier Reef.
All Top Deck Club guests enjoy a late checkout before returning to Cairns.
Free luggage storage is available at our office in Cairns City.
Under the Water
Under the water where the real magic is, the Great Barrier Reef will take your breath away with more colours than you knew existed. Brightly coloured fish dart amongst the coral gardens, and green sea turtles cruise along the reef. Your Top Deck Club guide knows our reef locations well and will be able to point out amazing things.
Further down the coral reef walls, keep your eye out for reef sharks and rays.
Every water session is different and spectacular. There is so much to see and explore.
Please click here to read our reviews
Facilities Onboard
- 35-metre catamaran hotel, designed for the utmost stability and comfort at sea
- Large dining saloon
- TV and lounge area
- Hot tub at the bow of the vessel.
- Spacious sundeck with sun loungers
- Fully licenced bar and barista coffee
- Large, easy access dive and snorkel platforms
- Helicopter pad on the roof for low-flying scenic helicopter tours over the coral reef.
- Spacious staterooms with spectacular ocean views
- Towels and toiletries provided (soap, shampoo and conditioner)
- Staterooms have Australian power outlets.
- Double and twin-single staterooms.
Great Barrier Reef Itinerary
Please note, this itinerary is based on a 3-day /2-night stay with Reef Encounter
First Day
Arrive
Unlimited in water sessions
7:30am
Board the transfer vessel 'Reef Experience' at Cairns Marlin Marina for breakfast, check-in and your journey to Reef Encounter
9:30am
Arrive onboard Reef Encounter for your 'Welcome & Safety Talk' before being shown to your room to settle in and relax
10:30am
Water Session: Time to snorkel for all guests before lunch
12:00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon
13.00
Water Briefings: Certified Diver Briefings / Try Scuba Diving Briefings / Snorkel Adventure Briefings
13.30
Water Session: Scuba dive or snorkel time
15:00
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
15:30
Water Session: Scuba dive or snorkel time. Glass bottom boat tour available upon request
Summer
18:00
Dinner is served in the dining saloon
18:45
Night Dive Briefings
19:00
Night dive commences for all those scuba diving
Winter
17:30
Night Dive Briefings
18:00
Night dive commences for all those scuba diving
19:15
Dinner is served in the dining saloon
20:00
Dessert is served in the dining saloon
Full Day
On the Reef
Unlimited in water sessions
6:00am
Wake-up call for the early morning dive and snorkel session
6:30am
Water Session: Sunrise scuba dive or snorkel time. Glass bottom boat tour available upon request
7:30am
Breakfast is served in the dining saloon
8:00am
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
8:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
10:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
12:00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon
13:30
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
15:00
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
15:30
Water Session: Scuba dive or snorkel time. Glass bottom boat tour available upon request
Summer
18:00
Dinner is served in the dining saloon
18:45
Night Dive Briefings
19:00
Night dive commences for all those scuba diving
Winter
17:30
Night Dive Briefings
18:00
Night dive commences for all those scuba diving
19:15
Dinner is served in the dining saloon
20:00
Dessert is served in the dining saloon
Last Day
Return
Unlimited in water sessions
6:00am
Wake-up call for the early morning dive and snorkel session
6:30am
Water Session: Sunrise scuba dive or snorkel time. Glass bottom boat tour available upon request
7:30am
Breakfast is served in the dining saloon
8:00am
Room Checkout
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
8:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
10:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time
12:00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon
13:30
Water Session: Snorkel only session available to passengers before departure
14:45
Departing passengers board the transfer vessel 'Reef Experience' for the journey back to Cairns. Complimentary wine, cheese and biscuits served on the return journey
15:00
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
16:30
Approximate arrival time to the Cairns Marlin Marina
*Please note, this itinerary does not apply to 'Great Barrier Reef Deal' bookings.
*Stateroom Check-In time is 10.00am with Check-Out time 8.00am on the morning of departure (access to a shared transfer/baggage room with bathroom is available along with all other boat facilities)
*Top Deck Club Check-in time is 10.00am with Check-Out time 2.00pm on the day of departure>
*This itinerary may vary due to weather conditions or other circumstances.
Highlights
- Discover the World’s largest living thing.
- Great Barrier Reef Stay
- Interact with thousands of brightly coloured fish and coral
- Delicious meals
- Scuba dive at night
Included
Top Deck Club Liveaboard Packages Include
- Top Deck Club accommodation including ensuite
- Delicious chef-prepared meals
- Personal valet
- Dinner under the stars
- Breakfast in bed
- Sunset cocktails
- Late checkout
- Evening turndown service
- Snorkel and scuba diving equipment
- Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Encounter
- A valet reef guide
- Late checkout times.
- Private guided in-water tours
- Top Deck Club Great Barrier Reef Accommodation
- Dinner under the stars
- A variety of spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef locations during your stay
- Glass bottom boat tour
- Marine Biology presentation
- A free luggage storage facility in Cairns City
- Daily transfers via Reef Experience to Reef Encounter
Optional Extras
- Introductory dive
- Professional photographs
- Scuba lessons
- Barista coffee
- Drinks and snacks
- Merchandise
- Helicopter transfers
What to bring
- Reef Encounter is a barefoot product.
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Light jacket
- Camera
- Socks
- Casual resort wear
- Scuba divers need to bring their certification card and logbook
How to get there
How to get to Reef Encounter?
Two Choices to get to Reef Encounter
The first option is via our transfer vessel Reef Experience that departs Cairns daily at 8 am.
The second option is via a spectacular scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier and landing directly onboard Reef Encounter’s exclusive helipad.
Important Information
Important information for scuba divers
This information is for all guests participating in scuba diving.
Australia has the strictest scuba diving rules globally and the safest diving record. Please make sure you understand the scuba diving laws in Queensland, Australia.
We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules, including the requirements for a dive medical, where applicable, as required by law.
We recommend that all passengers complete our dive medical questionnaire. Some medical conditions, age, and medications may prevent you from scuba diving.
Our mission is always to provide our passengers with the very best Great Barrier Reef tour.
We are delighted to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact our office on +61 7 4037 2700 or email our helpful team today.
Alternatively, you may like to consult your Doctor for a Queensland Dive Medical using the Australian QLD Standard Form AS.4005.1
Flying after Scuba Diving
You should not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive for a single no decompression scuba dive.
You should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive for multiple dives.
If Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning, you must wait 24 hours after your dive. We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours whenever possible.
JenJF5678
5***I researched many Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards before deciding on Reef Encounter. If you want a liveaboard that is roomy, serves delicious food, and moves the ship each day so you can see more of the reef, THIS is the one for you. I urge you not to wait to book your trip as the reef is dying due to coral bleaching. If this is a dream, make it happen now!*** We spent the first part of our honeymoon diving with Reef Encounters. We went all out and paid extra for the Top Deck VIP Package. It was so well-worth it! The package included several perks such as incredibly roomy accommodations and a guide on all dives. Kiri was a great guide, who took us to the best parts of the reef while pointing out multiple camouflaged creatures. The ship moved twice a day so we were able to dive different parts of the reef. There was a professional photographer on board who took some wonderful shots of us diving with sea turtles! The food was incredible! I cannot say enough about it! It was like dining in a 5-star restaurant with beautifully presented deliciousness! This is not just for those who pay for the VIP package...everyone, including the crew, eats steak and lamb chops for dinner! This was our first liveaboard experience and, from what I've heard from friends and researched online, nothing will ever top it! For those thinking about going solo, DO IT! There were several solo divers on board who decided to dive together. You also have the option of hiring a guide. Happy diving! Room Tip: Top Deck VIP rooms are the best!
Joe F
5As good as it gets!! Everyone was so friendly and helpful as you ever hope. Our personal divemaster mike was off the charts 10 . He made the trip and especially the dives fantastic. The room was way nicer than expected. It was lovely. Food was a big surprise -- fabulous. Like 5 star dining. One of the best adventures we have ever experienced. Will always be remembered. Fantastic!
Erin
5We heard about Reef Encounter through Lonely Planet and booked because they have a Top Deck offering, and one night option vs a minimum of more than 1 night. Amazing! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Shiniee, our valet guide, was incredible and took such great care of us. She even got us to do a night dive despite our nerves - and it was so great! Wonderful room - loved the comfy bed and bathrobes. Good meals - thanks for the vegetarian options! I was so impressed by how well organized everything was. This was my first liveaboard trip and I really loved it. Thank you :) The hot tub was also a good touch!
Jennifer
5Our top deck valet, Stephanie was exceptional! Endlessly enthusiastic and passionate about the reef and its critters, she was constantly attentive on the boat. We plan to adopt her because we have been so spoilt. The meals were excellent and clearly superior to a different liveaboard we had been on previously. Crew were brilliant. It was an amazing experience.
Alannah Fleming
5I booked because I loved the option to scuba-dive and had great reviews online! Crew are amazing! Fun and so good at what they do, made it the best experience! They're really supportive, helpful and fun. They made me feel so comfortable and cared for. Thank you for such an epic experience I had a blast. P.S. Compliments to the chef, food was amazing!!!