Cruise Whitsundays Hero Reefsleep - Double (departing Port of Airlie)

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Reefsleep is a two-day, one-night stay out on the Great Barrier Reef, with the chance to sleep under the stars on the pontoon. This is the double package, departing Port of Airlie in Airlie Beach.

Days

2 days, 1 night

Group size

Shared reef cruise, overnight on the pontoon

Start / finish

Port of Airlie / Port of Airlie
Port of Airlie, 6pm

Return

Port of Airlie, 6pm

Accommodation

One night sleeping under the stars on the reef pontoon (double)

Transport

Return cruise from Port of Airlie; coach transfers to the port extra

Meals

Lunch, morning and afternoon tea, three-course dinner on the pontoon

Route

Map of Cruise Whitsundays Hero Reefsleep - Double (departing Port of Airlie)

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Included experiences

Great Barrier Reef — snorkelling from the pontoon
Underwater observatory — reef viewing
Semi-submersible — reef rides
Pontoon — dinner and a night under the stars

Cruise Whitsundays Hero Reefsleep - Double (departing Port of Airlie)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1 MORNING: PORT OF AIRLIE TO HARDY REEF

Your two days start with a morning departure from Port of Airlie in Airlie Beach, the jumping-off point for the 74 Whitsunday Islands. The catamaran runs out through the islands and across open water to Hardy Reef, on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches more than 2,300 km down the Queensland coast and has been World Heritage-listed since 1981. Your base is Reefworld, a pontoon moored at the reef. By day you share it with the day-trippers. Once they head home, it belongs to the handful of people staying the night.

DAY 1 AFTERNOON: SNORKELLING AND THE REEF BELOW

Pull on a stinger suit and mask and slip off the pontoon into the coral gardens, with a guided snorkel safari to show you where to look. Watch for giant clams, parrotfish grinding coral into fine white sand, and the humphead Maori wrasse, which can grow past two metres. Prefer to stay dry? The underwater observatory puts you below the waterline behind glass, and the semi-submersible leaves the pontoon every half hour for a slow ride over the reef. Lunch is a buffet, with morning and afternoon tea between swims. Diving and a scenic flight over Heart Reef, a coral outcrop shaped like a heart and best seen from the air, cost extra.

DAY 1 EVENING: THE REEF TO YOURSELF

Late in the afternoon the day boat pulls away and the pontoon goes quiet. With a drink in hand you watch the sun go down over open ocean, then sit down to a three-course dinner on the pontoon. Out here there are no city lights, so the Milky Way is bright and the Southern Cross is easy to find. Then it's bed. On a Reefsleep you sleep in a Reefbed on the open deck under the stars. Booked a Reefsuite? You have one of only two rooms below the waterline, with floor-to-ceiling windows onto the reef and fish drifting past as you fall asleep.

Overnight: Hardy Reef (Reefworld pontoon: a Reefbed under the stars, or an underwater Reefsuite)

DAY 2: A MORNING ON THE REEF AND THE CRUISE HOME

Wake to first light over the reef, with the water at its calmest and no other boats in sight. After breakfast the reef is yours again: an early snorkel before anyone else arrives, another look from the observatory, or a seat in the sun with a coffee. Mid-morning the day guests arrive and the pontoon comes back to life for a second round of swimming, lunch and semi-submersible rides. In the afternoon you board the catamaran for the cruise back through the Whitsundays, reaching Port of Airlie in the early evening.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Port of Airlie, Airlie Beach.
Departure time: 8am daily.
Finishes: Back at Port of Airlie at 6pm.

What to bring

Change of clothes
Toiletries
Swimwear and towel
Sunscreen
Hat and protective clothing
Light jacket or sweater for a cool or windy day
Camera
Money or a credit card for optional purchases

What is included

Two days out at the Great Barrier Reef
Sole use of the pontoon after the day guests have departed
All snorkelling equipment and stinger suits
Use of the underwater observatory
Rides on the semi-submersible (departs the pontoon every half hour)
Morning and afternoon tea (fresh fruit platters, biscuits, cakes and rocky road)
Buffet lunch
Three-course dinner on the pontoon
Tea, coffee and water throughout the day
Friendly and informative staff

Not included

Return coach transfers to Port of Airlie ($12.50 adult, $6.50 child)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Three of us slept under the stars on the reef and loved it. Kenzie and Jonty looked after every detail, the meals were delicious, we saw a turtle snorkelling and the underwater viewing room is open all night. Wind and birds were noisy, but earplugs are provided, and Shezz got me through my nervous first dive.

Camila Franchi Verified· Travelled 13th September 2026

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(5/5)

Amazing service and food, and Regan and the team were great hosts on Reef Sleep. An experience we won't forget.

Leon Thomason Verified· Travelled 29th August 2026

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