Reef Encounter and Daintree Rainforest
Reef Encounter and Daintree Rainforest tour package starts with an overnight stay onboard Reef Encounter. Next, a day tour to the oldest rainforest in the World, the Daintree Rainforest.
Our first option allows you to stay for one or several nights at the GBR.
Start by selecting the book button, and you can quickly fill out the details to suit you best.
Reef Encounter
Reef Encounter is a fantastic way to experience the Great Barrier Reef.
Accommodation is in a Stateroom, all with a reef view and private bathrooms. While you are on board, our Chef will prepare delicious and nutritious meals.
Once you have checked into your room, it’s time to explore the Great Barrier Reef and choose the activities that suit you best.
Activities onboard include snorkelling, introductory and certified scuba diving, and dive lessons.
For anyone who is not comfortable in the water, the crew will get in the water to assist you, and you can also do a glass-bottom boat tour.
After several water sessions, relax and enjoy the sunset over one of the seven natural wonders of the World.
Reef Encounter offers all the luxury facilities of a reef resort while floating on the pristine waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
How to Get to Reef Encounter
Your transfer vessel, Reef Experience, departs from
Cairns Marina: ‘A-Finger’ View map to Cairns Marlin Marina
Boarding commences at 7:30 am for check-in directly on the vessel ‘Reef Experience.’
Arrive back at Cairns Marina at approximately 4:30 pm
Where Can I Park?
Several parking stations throughout Cairns are within walking distance of the Marina. Click here to see where.
Reef Encounter Facilities
- A fully air-conditioned 35-metre catamaran hotel designed for the utmost stability and comfort at Sea
- Large dining saloon
- TV and lounge area
- Outdoor, freshwater hot-tub
- Spacious sundeck with sun loungers
- Fully licensed bar
- Large, easy-access dive and snorkel platforms
- Helicopter pad on the roof for low-flying scenic helicopter tours over the coral reef as your transfer to/from Reef Encounter (optional extra)
Reef Encounter Accommodation
- Check-in time: 10.00am Check-Out time: 8.00am
- Spacious, air-conditioned stateroom – with reef views
- All staterooms have ensuite with toilet and shower
- Towels and toiletries provided (soap, shampoo and conditioner)
- All staterooms have Australian power outlets
What’s Included
- Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Encounter
- All meals are prepared fresh daily by our onboard Chef. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and dessert. Fruit is available throughout the day, along with tea and coffee.
- If you have any dietary requirements, please advise when booking.
- The best crew on the reef! The Reef Encounter team is the best in the business.
- The latest snorkelling and scuba diving equipment (wetsuits are a small additional charge)
- Glass bottom boat tour upon request
- Informative Marine Biology presentation about the coral reef and marine animals
- Free luggage storage facility available at our offices in the Cairns City
Reef Encounter Overnight Itinerary Sample
Day One
- 7:30 am Breakfast onboard Reef Experience, Marlin Jetty “A” Finger, Cairns.
- Then meet your Top Deck Attendant.
- 8:00 am Depart Marlin Jetty Marine Biologist Presentation Scuba Dive and Snorkel briefing
- 9:30 am Arrive at Outer Great Barrier Reef and transfer to Reef Encounter
- 10:30 am Snorkel Session, then Sun bake and relax
- Noon Lunch
- 1:30 pm Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session – Relaxation time
- 3:00 pm Then Cruise to our next Outer Great Barrier Reef Location
- 3:30 pm Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session – Relaxation Time
- 5:30 pm Sunset Cocktails
- 6:30 pm Dinner under the stars (weather permitting)
- 7:30 pm Night, scuba dive, then relax, then head to the sundeck for, Stargazing or join in a board game or movie
Day Two
- 6:30 am Early Morning Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session
- 7:30 am Breakfast
- 8:00 am Cruise to next Outer Great Barrier Reef Site
- 8:30 am Scuba Dive and Snorkel session
- 10:30 am Scuba Dive and Snorkel session
- Noon Lunch
- 1:30 pm Snorkel Session, Glass Bottom Boat tour, Sunbake -and relax
- 3:00 pm Transfer from Reef Encounter to Reef Experience Wine, Cheese and Tropical Fruit Platters on Return Journey
- 4:30 pm Arrive at Marlin Marina Cairns Itineraries can change slightly due to different Season
What to Bring
- Overnight bag – If you wish to store any excess luggage, we are happy to do so in our office at 100 Abbott Street Cairns.
- For safety reasons, Reef Encounter has a “No Shoe” policy. (There is no need to bring extra pairs of shoes)
- Cash or credit card for snacks from the bar/souvenirs for sale on board or underwater camera hire.
- Sun hats, swimming clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and light casual clothing.
- The air-conditioning is set for heat during the day to become quite cool in the evenings. Therefore a light pullover or cardigan will be useful.
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Important Information for Scuba Diving
Safety Comes First!
We are passionate about showing you Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, so please ensure you understand the scuba diving laws.
Queensland, Australia, has some of the strictest scuba diving rules in the World and the safest scuba diving record. We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all regulations, including medical law.
To avoid disappointment on your day of travel, we strongly recommend that all of our passengers complete our dive medical questionnaire before booking, as some medical conditions, age, and medications may prevent you from scuba diving. Our mission is always to provide our passengers with the best Great Barrier Reef experience.
Reef Encounter Medical Questionnaire
We are delighted to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact our office at 07 4037 2700 or email us at [email protected].
Alternatively, you may like to consult your Doctor for a Dive Medical using the Australian Standard Forms’ AS.4005.1
Flying after Scuba Diving
For a single,e no decompression scuba dive, you should not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive. You should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive for multiple dives. If you are Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning, you must wait 24 hours after diving. We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours whenever possiblePlease Note: Please make your accommodation arrangements between the tours.
Daintree Rainforest tour Description
You will be heading to the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest on this day. Discover magnificent coastal rainforest and pristine tropical beaches stretching from the sugar town of Mossman to the Bloomfield River, all within 3 hours from Cairns.
Your journey to the rainforest begins.
This tour starts in Cairns and travels to Cape Tribulation (the headlands of the Daintree Rainforest) along with one of Australia’s most scenic coastal roads. Along the way, pass through beautiful Palm Cove and continue north to the seaside village of Port Douglas, where you will enjoy a stop at flagstaff hill lookout, overlooking Four Mile Beach and the historic St Mary’s by the Sea.
Mossman Gorge
Next, we travel to the southern edge of the Daintree National Park, Daintree National Park, the spectacular “Mossman Gorge” surrounded by lush rainforest.
The clear mountain river cuts through thick rainforest and tumbles over boulders on its journey to the Sea.
Enjoy a morning tea of bush scones, then a guided walk through the tropical rainforest.
Then we travel further north towards the Daintree. We will stop at a Tea House for a delicious lunch along the way.
After lunch, we cruise along the Daintree River, spotting crocodiles, tree snakes, butterflies and an abundance of birdlife.
Spot Crocodiles in their natural habitat!
After your wildlife spotting cruise, you will cross the mighty Daintree River on a cable ferry. We then enter the Cape Tribulation section of the Daintree National Park. Along the way, we will stop at Alexandra Lookout. Then enjoy a guided walk along boardwalks and visit a tower to enjoy the spectacular views.
Arrive at Cape Tribulation
The next stop is Cape Tribulation. Your experienced local naturalist will take you on guided walks through the Daintree rainforest while discovering the spectacular Biodiversity of the oldest living rainforest in the World. After that, we will stop at Kulki lookoutKulki lookout and Cape Tribulation Beach – where the rainforest meets the Reef.
Daintree Rainforest Tour Highlights
- Tour of Palm Cove
- Rex lookout: on one of the most scenic coastal drives in Australia
- Driving town tour of Port Douglas, including Flagstaff hill lookout overlooking Four Mile beach
- Spectacular Mossman Gorge: guided walk and swim option (if time or weather permits)
- A delicious lunch, tropical fruit tasting
- Morning Tea
- Daintree River Cruise along the way, and keep an eye out for crocodiles and birdlife.
- World Heritage Rainforest/Areas
- Fully guided walks- Rainforest Boardwalks in a unique environment of Rainforest Alexandra lookout–coastal views over Daintree River mouth, Low Isles, Snapper Island and beyond to the Great Barrier Reef
- Cape Tribulation beach: “where the rainforest meets the reef.”
- The next stop is the Daintree Icecream company, an optional and popular local stop (own expense)
- Daintree River cable ferry crossing
Daintree Rainforest Inclusions
This day includes
- Small group, offering unrivalled, friendly and personalised service
- Air Conditioned comfortable late models vehicles
- Mossman Gorge
- Daintree River Cruise
- Daintree Ferry
- Morning Tea and Lunch
- National Park Fees and Permits
- Experienced Local Guides
- Interpretation: friendly, knowledgeable, accredited guides
What to Bring
Bring along
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat,
- sunscreen,
- sunglasses
- Camera
- Cash for optional purchases
- Water and Water Bottle
- Insect Repellent
- Raincoat and Umbrella if it looks like rain
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