Great Barrier Reef Itinerary with daily departures ReefEncounter suits everyone’s itinerary. Here is how it works. Reef Encounter is permanently on the Great Barrier Reef moving twice a day. Reef Encounter’s sister boat Reef Experience departs daily from Cairns, acting as a shuttle to Reef Encounter.
First Day
Arrive
Unlimited
7.30 am
Board the transfer vessel ‘Reef Experience’ at Cairns Marlin Marina for breakfast, check-in and your journey to Reef Encounter
9.30 am
Arrive onboard Reef Encounter for your ‘Welcome & Safety Talk’ before being shown to your room to settle in and relax
10.30 am
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.
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
6.00 am
A wake-up call for the early morning dive and snorkel session
6:30 am
Water Session: Sunrise scuba dive or snorkel time.
7:30 am
Breakfast is served in the dining saloon
8:00 am
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.
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
6.00 am
A wake-up call for the early morning dive and snorkel session
6:30 am
Water Session: Sunrise scuba dive or snorkel time.
7:30 am
Breakfast is served in the dining saloon
8:00 am
Reef Encounter moves to another spectacular outer barrier reef location
8:30 am
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
16:30
Approximate arrival time to the Cairns Marlin Marina
Note: This Great Barrier Reef itinerary may change based on weather conditions and other circumstances
Getting To Reef Encounter
- Liveaboard trips depart from Cairns Marina every day. Check-In and Boarding is at 7.30 am (for an 8 am departure)
- Alternatively, you may choose to transfer to and/or from your liveaboard tour by helicopter. The helicopter transfer is an optional extra that you may select during your booking process online.
- Bus transfers to and from your Cairns accommodation are available to the Marina at an additional cost and may be booked during your online reservation or added at a later date by contacting our friendly reservations team.
- The approximate arrival time back into Cairns Marina on the final day of your tour is 4.30 pm.