Cairns Reef Snorkel and Diving Tours
Always dreamed of visiting Australia's Great Barrier Reef? - Lets go there! We have been delighting visitors from around the world for over 20 years with our excellent trips to the Outer Great Barrier Reef.
Discover how our superb day trip and overnight excursions beat the rest and learn some fun facts about the World Heritage listed Marine Park and the creatures that call it their home. We have helped thousands of people realise their dreams, and for many even try scuba diving for the first time!
Join experienced and friendly crew who love to share their passion for the water and snorkel gently across a pristine reef, experience a new mesmerising world on an introductory scuba dive, blow yourself away with the beauty of a certified dive adventure or perhaps see the reef's dark side up close and personal on a night dive...
Whether you've got a week or a day to make the most of your Great Barrier Reef adventure, we have the trip for you. If you're after a fun filled 'all inclusive' trip or you would prefer to take in natures own wonder at a more leisurely pace, read on to discover the package that will make your holiday happen…
Our trips go that extra mile on quality and customer care to make sure we deliver an unbeatable Great Barrier Reef experience. At reeftrip.com all of our tours are DISABILITY FRIENDLY. Meals are freshly prepared daily onboard and added touches such as a complimentary barbeque breakfast upon arrival and cheese and fruit platters as you cruise back to Cairns ensure that we are not beaten on attention to detail.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling allows people of all ages and swimming abilities easy access to view the Great Barrier Reef at its best. Buoyancy aids such as snorkelling vests, wetsuits and noodles maintain all the freedom of movement while comfortably allowing you to stay at the surface and observe the marine life beneath.
Be inspired! Imagine floating gently over the reef and marvelling at the wonders you see... As you drift serenely over the colourful shimmering corals and appreciate the schools of tropical fish that glide throughout the reef, watch how the light rays dance off every surface and bring an underwater paradise to life.
Fun Fact: Light is the life source of the reef. The battle for sunlight is intense beneath the surface as coral needs sunlight to photosynthesise and feed. When you snorkel, take time to appreciate how each beautiful organism is reaching up to get their share.
Our various reef locations provide a variety of encounters with different coral types, fish and animal species. Go along on a guided Marine Biology Tour and our friendly crew will identify and explain what you see adding a rich and interesting dimension to your day.
>> read more about Snorkelling
Introductory Diving
If you are a more adventurous type, "no-school" Introductory Scuba Diving offers the optimal opportunity to get up close and personal with the reef and its inhabitants. Swim alongside sea turtles, find octopus crawling the crevices of coral and meet big Barney, the friendly Napoleon Maori Wrasse on you underwater journeys. Try just one dive and we guarantee you'll be hooked! Every scuba dive is different and you'll find that the reef never fails to amaze.
No experience necessary, our professional and experienced dive staff will take you down to a safe depth to experience scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef without having to take a scuba qualification. Your Instructor will take you on underwater guided tours of the reefs, where you will be escorted at your own pace around a new world of unimaginable beauty and serenity while being shown all the wonders the reef has to offer.
>> read more about 'No-School' Introductory Scuba Diving
Introductory Night Diving
If you have completed an Introductory Scuba Dive, you may want to try a night dive...if you dare!
Whether you've got a few dives under your belt or you have never tried to scuba before, Reef Encounter is one of the only operators that offer Snorkelers and Introductory Divers the option to complete a Night Introductory Dive!
>> read more about Night Scuba Diving
Certified Diving
The Great Barrier Reef is every diver's paradise. With more fish species, coral types and marine life than anywhere else on the face of our amazing planet, this world listed National Heritage Marine Park is unrivalled for offering the certified diver the scuba trip of a lifetime.
At the heart of our operations is scuba diving. Our dive sites are among the best in the world and our helpful crew will make every dive experience unforgettable. Our boats are purpose built to take care of all your scuba requirements and whether you've got a day or a week, our luxurious catamarans will take you to the heart of where the magic happens...
Dive on the wild side! On our floating hotel Reef Encounter, boat drops are also available to offer you even more dive spots. We'll whisk you away in our dive tender vessel to spectacular reef locations not frequented by visitors. * All boat drops are subject to weather conditions and reef sites.
If you are certified but haven't dived for a while, we offer refresher courses and lots of helpful practical advice. Want to go further with your diving education? Read about the courses on offer and learn how you can see the reef and gain a qualification during your trip.
>> read more about Certified Scuba Diving
Scuba Courses
We offer a wide range of SSI Scuba Diving Courses and Specialities. We also offer some PADI courses.
The primary goal of any Reef Encounter Course is to teach you important skills and further your qualifications in a fun environment. You will be working with highly experienced dive professionals, ensuring that you get the most out of your training and your diving holiday. All courses combine training dives and fun dives to maximise learning and guarantee you a rewarding and unforgettable Great Barrier Reef experience.
>> read more about our Courses
Live aboard in Cairns in Style - The Top Deck Club
The Top Deck Club is designed to meet the expectations of the most discerning of guests, offering an unhurried, relaxed ambience.
Our modern staterooms have a private en-suite and are spacious and air-conditioned with ample space for clothes and luggage with spectacular ocean views.
Luxurious touches such as crisp Australian bed linen, silk doona (duvet), cotton sheets and feather down pillows adorn our oversized double beds. Soft fluffy robes, plush bath sheets and Australian beauty products are replenished daily.
The magic begins each day when the reef awakens. Perhaps an early morning dive, a revitalising swim or relaxing spa. Breakfast is served to your suite.
- Personal Valet Service for the duration of your stay
- A personal dive / snorkel guide
- Champagne and fruit platter on arrival
- Sunset Cocktails
- Chef prepared breakfast, lunch & afternoon tea
- Three course evening meal served under the stars
- Australian sparkling wine on the return journey
- French press coffee or tea
- Evening Turn-down Service
The Reef has a personality of its own and our resident experts, our crew, are on hand to provide whatever assistance is required in and out of the water. Personal dive/snorkel guides will assist with fitting of fins and dive/snorkel gear, providing our guests with an aquatic adventure remembered for a lifetime.
Book or Quote
Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef
6 hour tour Including lunch and transfer
There is no other Outer Reef day trip of its kind. Reef Experience is an all-inclusive full day trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Spending time at two Outer Reef locations, this day trip gives guests a full five hours to explore the Reef.
>> read more about Reef Experience
Spend a night or more on the Great Barrier Reef!
Floating Hotel - Reef Encounter
Reef Encounter is a 35-metre live-aboard catamaran, known by many as the floating hotel. This luxurious vessel is comprised of 21 staterooms, a large sundeck, lounge, saloon, spa and fully licensed bar. There are three levels of accommodation with options of king, double and twin rooms.
