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Reef Encounter

4.0 star property
Cairns cruise with restaurant and bar/lounge

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Reef Encounter

Photo gallery for Reef Encounter

Cots/infant beds, bed sheets
Superior Double Room
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; sea views
Shower, free toiletries, towels
Bar (on property)

Overview of Reef Encounter

9.0

Superb

Property highlights

  • Free breakfast
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Air conditioning
  • Non-smoking
Map
Cairns Marlin Marina - Marlin Jetty A, Boat: Reef Experience, Cairns, QLD, 4870
Main amenities
  • Restaurants and bar/lounge
  • Spa tub
  • Terrace
  • Coffee/tea in a common area
  • Air conditioning
  • Luggage storage
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • TV in a common area
  • Snorkelling
Feel at home
  • Cots/infant beds (surcharge)
  • Private bathroom
  • Terrace
  • Free toiletries

Room options

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Superior Twin Room

Cots/infant beds, bed sheets

Superior Twin Room

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Superior Double Room

Cots/infant beds, bed sheets

Superior Double Room

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Cots/infant beds, bed sheets

Standard Twin Room

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

About this area

What's nearby

  • Cruise from Cairns
  • Cairns Esplanade - 5 min walk
  • Cairns Marlin Marina - 1 min drive
  • Reef Fleet Terminal - 2 min drive
  • Cairns Central Shopping Centre - 2 min drive
  • Palm Cove Beach - 28 min drive

Getting around

  • Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.) - 9 min drive
  • Freshwater Station - 12 min drive
  • Redlynch Station - 14 min drive
  • Cairns Station - 17 min walk

Restaurants

  • Ganbaranba Noodle Colosseum - 6 min walk
  • Prawn Star - 4 min walk
  • Salt House - 4 min walk
  • Imm Thai Cafe - 9 min walk
  • C'est Bon - 8 min walk
Map

About this property

Reef Encounter

Reef Encounter puts you only 4.9 mi (7.9 km) from the airport, and a five-minute drive from Cairns Esplanade. The restaurant is a perfect spot to grab a bite to eat, and you can unwind with a drink at the bar/lounge or visit the hot tub for a relaxing end to the day.

Languages

English

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 sanitiser provided
Individually wrapped food options available for breakfast, lunch and dinner
This information is provided by our partners.

At a glance

Hotel size

  • 21 cabins
  • Arranged over 3 floors

Arriving/Leaving

  • Check-in time from 7:30 AM until 8:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age – 18
  • Check-out time is 8 AM

Restrictions related to your trip

  • Check COVID-19 restrictions

Special check-in instructions

  • There is no front desk at this property
  • Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; your host will greet you
  • This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
  • To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
  • 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. To return, guests will check-out at 9 AM and arrive in Cairns at 4:30 PM.

Required at check-in

  • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
  • Government-issued photo ID may be required
  • Minimum check-in age is 18

Pets

  • Pets not allowed

Parking

  • No on-site parking

Other information

  • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast each morning 7 AM–8 AM
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/lounge
  • Coffee/tea in a common area

What to do

  • Snorkelling

Services

  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Luggage storage

Facilities

  • Terrace
  • Television in common areas
  • Hot tub

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning

Sleep well

  • Cot/infant bed (surcharge)
  • Bed sheets provided

Freshen up

  • Private bathroom
  • Shower only
  • Free toiletries
  • Towels

Special features

Dining

On-site venue – Overlooking the ocean, this restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fees & policies

Children & extra beds

  • Cots/infant beds are available for AUD 50.00 per night

Hygiene & cleanliness

This property advises that enhanced cleaning and guest safety measures are currently in place.

Disinfectant is used to clean the property.

Personal protective equipment, including masks, will be available to guests.

Social distancing measures are in place; staff at the property wear personal protective equipment; guests are provided with hand sanitiser.

Individually wrapped food options are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Each guestroom is kept vacant for a minimum of 24 hours between bookings.

Policies

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have lifts.
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property. The policies listed are provided by the property.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.

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

What are the cleanliness and hygiene measures currently in place at Reef Encounter?
This property confirms that disinfectant is used to clean the property. Furthermore, guests are provided with hand sanitiser, social distancing measures are in place and staff are given personal protective equipment. Please note that this information has been provided by our partners.
Are pets allowed at Reef Encounter?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Reef Encounter?
Sorry, there's no on-site parking at Reef Encounter.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Reef Encounter?
You can check in from 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM. Check-out time is 8 AM.
Is there an on-site casino at Reef Encounter?
No, this cruise ship doesn't have a casino, but Reef Hotel Casino (5-min walk) and Cazalys Cairns (6-min drive) are both nearby.
What is there to do at Reef Encounter and nearby?
Have fun during the warmer months with activities such as snorkelling. Reef Encounter also has a hot tub.
Are there restaurants at or near Reef Encounter?
Yes, there's an on-site restaurant that offers ocean views.
What's the area around Reef Encounter like?
Reef Encounter is a short 5-minute walk from Cairns Esplanade and 3 minutes' walk from Cairns Marlin Marina.

Reviews

9.0

Superb

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

10.0/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Exceptional

Deborah, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Awesome trip to the famous Barrier Reef.All was well organised, comfy, bed, lovely people around, amazing diving. Waiting for my next trip!
2-night romance trip
Verified Wotif guest review

8/10 Very good

2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
BrosonTravel, 1-night romance trip
Verified Orbitz guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Tang, 1-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Awesome stay and a great staff :) Memorable for years to come!
Amy, 1-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

Very overpriced trip. The yacht is very old. No cabin has lockers on the door - according to the stuff, that’s the policy on the boat. This mean that theoretically anyone can enter your room at any time. You can’t controll the conditioner in your room and in the dining area, it is freezing there. It’s a problem to get the fresh towel - you will be sent to use the only public dryer where everyone washed their stuff. The yacht has no shoe policy but the floor is pretty dirty. The wetsuits are literally tearing apart! I would say this is like a good friendly motel but they advertise and charge as 5 star hotel.
Diver, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Super stay
Fabulous trip out to the reef. The crew were extremely friendly and helpful, the food was great and the cabin was very comfortable. We saw loads of fish, dolphins, turtles and baby reef sharks. Excellent way to get closer to the reef.
Jacqueline, 2-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

The hot tub is great and was very often in use. Great stay!
Stefanie, 4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

This was an amazing experience! I recommend staying two nights. The staff was so accommodating and it almost felt like you were traveling with good friends! Food was delicious and beds were comfortable. Good sleep is very important to me,
Debra, 2-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review