Experience the Great Barrier Reef for two days and one night. By day, enjoy all the activities on offer at Reefworld, a pontoon moored on one of the most spectacular areas of the Great Barrier Reef, including snorkeling, semi-sub rides and viewing parts of the world’s largest coral-reef system in an underwater chamber. Later, spend the night at Reefsleep—on the upper deck of the pontoon—to sleep under the stars, 40 nautical miles (74 km) from shore. Fall asleep under twinkling stars in a custom designed queen-size 'Reefbed'. Round-trip transport and most meals are included.
Posted By : carolynlI4793UA
As others have noted, we traveled out to the pontoon with the day-trippers, so the initial snorkeling was somewhat crowded. But once the crowds left, there were just the 16 of us who had the reef to ourselves. And we had plenty of time to snorkel again in the morning.
The 'reefbed' was very comfortable, and we slept great.
I am gluten-intolerant and the food was excellent with an effort to include things like baked treats and desserts.
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Posted On : 2024-05-02 13:28:37 
Posted By : marionpJ9849QL
Can’t rate this trip highly enough. Fabulous attentive staff, special mention to Ken (manager), Shaun (chef) and hosts Abbi and Alison. Yes, you travel out with day guests, but you have reserved seats in an air conditioned part of the boat, with crew to het you drinks and give you specific info about the reef stay. Once the day guest leave you are in this blissful place of calm and luxury. Fab food, great company, there were only 18 guests overnight with 4 staff waiting on you hand and foot. Morning snorkel before day trippers arrive and use of the swag beds till 2pm on day of return.
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Posted On : 2024-02-21 03:33:49
Posted By : Jeff_D
The people were great, good food and worth the money!!! Paige, Brooke and Hannah went above board to make it FUN!!!!!
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Posted On : 2024-02-08 17:00:34 
Posted By : Paulinchen273
Unfortunately, any exclusivity which the documents and the pictures promised is missing. The reality is an overcrowded boat with an overcrowded reef in a very confined space including a promotional event (buy this and that on top...). I really expected to be separate from the 300 daytour guests and drive to another place to explore the reef there. This issue should be mentioned before booking - it's a pity to explore this wonder of the nature like this
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Posted On : 2024-01-11 04:47:13
Posted By : HannahSH194
What an incredible and once in a lifetime experience!! We caught the ferry from Airlie beach, which was around 3 hours to the pontoon, but we had reserved seating and free food and drink for the journey. We arrived with all the day guests and the pontoon is veeeery busy. We booked an introductory scuba dive which occurred as soon as we got onto the pontoon. We were taken to an area to leave our bags and then rushed to the scuba area. It was quite busy and chaotic getting ready. I was very nervous and attempted learning in the pool first, but then didn't go ahead with it. The instructors were really calm and reassuring throughout. They refunded my dive which was really nice of them. We then had lunch with the day guests and then they left at 3pm. You then have the whole pontoon to yourself with around 20 others. It's so peaceful and calm. You can snorkel and drive until around 5pm. All the marine life comes out once it's quieter!! We were fed so much amazing food and drink. The evening was incredible, with so many stars. We stayed on the beds outside. You can snorkel again on the morning before the day guests and we got to swim with two turtles!! Honestly such an incredible experience and the staff are amazing and on hand all the time. Paige and Hannah did a wonderful job taking care of us throughout our stay. We will never forget the experience thank you!
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Posted On : 2024-01-11 01:11:46
Posted By : Julia_L
I had an unforgettable trip to the Great Barrier Reef with an overnight stay! Snorkeling among the vibrant marine life was a dream come true. The accommodations were comfy, and waking up to the ocean view was magical. The food throughout the trip was also incredibly delicious. Highly recommend this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
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Posted On : 2023-12-31 06:17:35
Posted By : mmayhemm
The catering and the crew on the pontoon, once the day guests and last nights guests departed are amazing. This includes of course the morge experienced people like Ken and Nat, but also Brooke and Shaun (the chef) do an amazing job. Always a smile on their face, great hospitality.
Now. Don't go scuba diving with however.
Organization around it is an absolute mess, even though it would not be too difficult to organize it properly.
We asked to take our prebooked dive in the morning on the second day.
The guy from the dive crew said that this should not be a problem, but 10' later somebody else approached and told us that we would be in the first group when arriving at the pontoon, 11.00am.
This was an absolute mess. We got a short briefing, but no information about where to put our luggage, when to take everything off the transport vessel, when to check in to the reefsleep area, no information..
We were just told to run off the vessel as soon as it arrives, grab a stinger suit and run to the dive center. There, the chaos continued. The gear is not in good shape, the clips of the BCDs do not close properly and are worne out. The Wetsuits are falling apart.
We were "waiting" roughly half an hour with full gear and weights, being pushed around from corner to corner, been given conflicting instructions every 2 minutes.
Absolutely disorganized, never experienced anything so bad around diving in my life.
Snorkeling is pretty nice, but you cannot go further than 150m away from the pontoon. Nobody told us.
A guided snorkeling tour was on its way, a bit outside of the official snorkeling area.
As I didn't know better, I snorkeled towards them.
Being in proximity, I was stopped by a guide who told me "You cannot be here without an emergency swimming aid".
I said "okay" and went back.
Next morning I wanted to go snorkeling again, and asked the same guide: If I take one of those I can go a bit further, right?
He responded: No, you cannot take one of those, they're only for guided/paid snorkeling tours.
What?
I understand, safety.
But don't throw around conflicting information.
Next day, with the arrival of the day guests, the groove changed completely, very aggressive lifeguards.
Again, pontoon-live as such and reefsleep are great, water activity is an unorganized mess, don't do it.
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Posted On : 2023-12-26 18:06:11
Posted By : Paul_M
This was a memorable experience. It is extremely well organised and thought through. From picking up the ferry to sleeping under the stars there is plenty to enjoy.
We picked up the ferry from Airlie Beach and stopped at Hamilton Island on our way to the pontoon. Overnight passengers have their own reserved space. On arrival, after the necessary instructions are given you are free to explore the area snorkeling or take a helicopter ride or sign up to scuba dive. We signed up for a guided snorkel along part of the reef.
The staff are extremely helpful and the food provided excellent. Dietary requirements are well catered for.
Once the day passengers leave at 3 the hub bub on the pontoon subsides and from then until the next trip arrives at 11 the following day is very special.
We would highly recommend this experience if you are interested in sea life and enjoy swimming. Less confident swimmers are well catered for.
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Posted On : 2023-12-02 17:58:50
Posted By : Kestutis_J
The experience itself was amazing, though Viator support was weak as the consultant did not know the details about the trip. Also, Viator related struggles with later selection of departure/arrival location.
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Posted On : 2023-11-30 20:24:42
Posted By : de2014967
Great experience overall.
When you arrive on your first day be prepared to be on an anthill with hundred + other day trippers that arrive with you on the ferry. You will not be admitted to the private area where the reefsleep tents are until 3 pm when the ferry departs with the day trippers.
This time between 3 pm and when the ferry arrives again around 11 am the next day is very enjoyable. You and the other guests have the pontoon to yourself to enjoy snorkeling and the underwater observatory.
The food and drinks were also good, they are generous with the included beverages and we enjoyed all of the provided meals (keep in mind you are on a pontoon in the middle of the ocean).
There has recently been a strike, and we noticed that in the demeanour of the hospitality staff on the pontoon taking care of our group. They were not shy in expressing how tired they are due to being short staffed. It came across as a bit crass but they still did their best.
The diving staff and staff on the ferry were amazing. Very kind and plentiful, there was always someone in blue to help or answer any questions. There was a bar with complimentary beverages for reefsleepers, vip seating and plenty of snacks, coffee and tea.
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Posted On : 2023-11-21 23:11:32
