Get ready to be wowed at the only underwater sleep option in the Great Barrier Reef and all of Australia. Reef Sleep is an overnight experience offered by Cruise Whitsundays, which offers everything from sightseeing tours via boat and helicopter to all-day excursions to the Reef.
This all-inclusive overnight option is the ultimate experience that will wow your friends back home. For many travelers who want to see something unique to Australia, this is the way to do it. Let’s explore five of the top reasons for why this bucket-list travel destination should be seen through Reed World.
The Reefsuites
This is the only place in all of Australia that you can sleep underwater in the Pacific Ocean (the Coral Sea to be more exact). With only two suites, these private, two-people oases are decorated in impressive fashion with modern comforts, spa-like bathrooms and with a trio of massive windows (including in the bathroom) that bring the underwater world to life in front of your eyes (even when they are closed).
While most guests on this floating (yet permanently anchored) pontoon within the Great Barrier Reef are here just for the day, several dozen passengers can choose to overnight for an unforgettable experience like no other.
But, only four people can actually sleep underwater because of the limited number of these suites. The team welcomes you off the boat from Airlie Beach on the mainland (or helicopter platform if you prefer a more bougie arrival) and assists with bags down the stairs to two private bedrooms. They share a connecting door should you wish to open it and become the only quartet of people in the country to sleep beneath the ocean.
Four pillows and excellent duvets rival bedding you’ll find in any Australian luxury hotel, and power ports are on either side (although there is no Wi-Fi here). It’s hard to even notice with the constant barrage of sea life passing in front of your window as distraction.
Bathrooms have rainfall-drenching showers behind panels of glass so that the sea life gets a voyeuristic privilege. Locally crafted and reef-friendly toiletries are complimentary as are welcome gifts and stacks of fluffy towels. The only things that the staff ask: limit your hot shower to three minutes (pretty simple) and leave the excellent air conditioning on to prevent fogging the windows (even easier).
The Reefsleep Above-Deck Beds
All of the other overnight guests are sleeping in these day beds with tarps for cover from the rain, but often left open to enjoy the endless stargazing and sea breeze. Lest you think these are like glorified sleeping bags, they come with charging ports, storage cupboards and fans for fresh air.
They are arranged in a U-shape pattern, quite close together, so privacy is minimal unless you close the cover. But, almost everyone seems to take in the convivial nature of this shared experience to sleep out amid the Great Barrier Reef. The next morning, the regularly shared commentary is that people slept well with the sole issue of waking up every now and then so as not to miss the sunrise.
Bathrooms are shared, with shower facilities and toiletries, and all of these are reserved specifically for guests that are overnighting.
The experience
This is not just a traditional day trip to the reef (although it could be). Instead, Reef World leans heavily into an overnight experience, making it special at every turn. This starts with the exclusivity you feel on the transfer from the mainland (VIP seating and dining areas) and continues onboard with certain parts of the pontoon reserved for overnight guests.
It’s almost the same vibe you might get should you book a private yacht with staff, but at a much more affordable price. The stay includes house beer, wine and soft drinks on the three-hour journey from the mainland or two-hour sailing from Hamilton Island (and back). Also part of the deal are gourmet meals with a focus on dietary preferences and an open bar for house wine, beer, soft drinks and bottled water throughout the sailing.
Even better, the staff truly becomes family because of the experienced you share with them (and other guests). In just a two-day visit, many people are diving or snorkeling for the first time without qualms or perfecting their underwater experiences in the world’s most famous underwater reef. The team, who spends eight days on the pontoon and then goes to shore for a week of respite, becomes your lifeline to normalcy. They are the true heroes that make the entire experience work, and it becomes sad to leave.
The cost equation
While the pricing is not exactly budget-focused, it taps into the experiential travel trend of those looking to spend money where it matters most. There is no question that snorkeling or diving in the Great Barrier Reef is unbeatable, and doing it in such a special way makes sense.
A new dynamic pricing model means that there is no fixed amount although Reef World has been sensitive to keep it within a range so that people know how much to expect should they visit during the high season.
According to Reef World staff, the low season (during the Southern Hemisphere winter) is a great time to visit. That’s because it is out of the rainy months, the temperatures are not as high and there is even the opportunity to spot the whale migration. The higher season caters to the traditional demand flow to this part of the world, especially when people are trying to escape cooler temperatures up north.
No matter what time you visit, the price is not for backpackers. And that is intentional. This is a Reef visit designed for those looking to treat themselves. When you factor in that an overnight on Hamilton Island or any beachfront hotel could cost just as much as a stay here, the cost differential starts to appear as a bargain.
Other activities that are part of the rate are the semi-submersible sightseeing rides, a visit to the underwater observation gallery and use of most water sport equipment.
The future
Coming soon is a series of exciting developments, some of which are yet to be officially announced. But, they include a major shift upmarket with exciting renovations focused on creating a more luxury experience, especially for overinight guests. Currently, day trippers share the pontoon with day trippers who arrive late in the morning and leave before dinner.
The company focuses heavily on sustainable operations. An experience like this actually supports the restoration and protection of the Great Barrier Reef. On board education is just one of the many examples of what makes this a fun, learning experience.
Reefworld offers something for everyone wanting to be out on the Great Barrier Reef morning, afternoon and even all through the night.
