Reefsleep review: A night on the Great Barrier Reef

Not many people can say they’ve slept out on the Great Barrier Reef, but our Australia Product Manager, Tom Waite, did just that with Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefsleep experience. We caught up with him to find out what makes this overnight escape one of Australia’s ultimate must-dos.

“I’ve been lucky enough to visit Australia a few times now, but the Reefsleep is genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever done in the land down under. Most Great Barrier Reef trips are done in a day – you cruise out, snorkel, then head back in the afternoon. Reefsleep flips that idea on its head, letting you spend the night out on the reef itself, with the ocean all around and a sky full of stars above.

It’s a bona fide once-in-a-lifetime experience – a little bit intrepid, but with enough comfort and quality to impress even the most well-travelled guest. So, if a sleepover on one of the world’s great natural wonders sounds like your kind of adventure, here’s the lowdown and how to slot it into your great Aussie itinerary.”

The vibe

Exclusive African bush safari camp, but waaaay out in the ocean.

The concept: sleeping on the Great Barrier Reef

Reefsleep takes place on a floating pontoon called Reefworld, moored far out on the Great Barrier Reef, around two hours by fast catamaran from Hamilton Island. When the day-trippers head back to the mainland at 3pm, you stay behind with just a handful of other guests. For the next 20 glorious hours, it feels like you have the reef all to yourself.

The experience

Reefworld is smaller than some other Great Barrier Reef platforms but expect up to about 150-200 fellow travellers during the day. Once the overnight experience begins, you’ll be down to 25 passengers plus crew at most. At this point a serene hush descends on the reef, the mood transforms and an exclusive wilderness experience begins.

Enjoy an afternoon snorkel safari or just explore the reef in your own solitude. Spend time undisturbed in the underwater observatory or just relax as the day draws to a close. Later, freshen up with a shower, before settling in for the evening with a sundowner and canapes ahead of dinner.

Sunset was utterly spectacular, some tropical clouds bubbled on the horizon, and the ocean was like a millpond meaning the light from golden hour shimmered to perfection. Some migrating humpback whales even dropped by to say hello.

It was mesmerising to watch the endlessly circling shoals of fish from the underwater observatory with a nightcap in hand. The illumination revealed a dense swarm of near microscopic planktonic life, which in turn attracts the bigger fish.

Into the blue

Reefworld is moored in a pre-historic river channel that cuts through Hardy Reef. Just metres from the platform, a vertical living wall of one of Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems awaits, packed with healthy corals and dozens of different types of fish, turtles and iridescent giant clams. Around 200 metres of reef is open to explore, which even at busy times gives you plenty of space to spread out from fellow swimmers. As the tide moves, colours and creatures shift – the reef never stops surprising you.

Your bed on the Barrier Reef

Once the day guests are waved off, you’ll gain access to your Reefsleep pod. They’re essentially a revved-up version of a traditional Aussie swag and are super cosy, with a queen-size bed, power points, lights, fans, towels and water bottles. The pods are open-sided when you arrive but have zip-up mesh screens and canvas covers for privacy. If the weather’s nice, you can sleep almost fully open-air under the stars, and this far from the mainland, the night sky is breathtaking.

What’s on the menu

The hospitality was faultless, and the atmosphere relaxed, convivial and social with the other guests. Day one starts with a buffet lunch shared with day-trippers, followed by afternoon tea once they’ve departed. As the sun sets, it’s time for canapés and a gourmet three-course dinner. Breakfast is a mix of hot and continental options with barista coffee, then post-snorkel morning tea and a final three-course lunch before heading back. Beers, wines, soft drinks, water, tea and coffee are included throughout.

Rise and shine

Next morning, rise with the sun, grab a coffee and watch the new day dawn. Tuck into a hearty breakfast before exploring the reef as it comes alive with the first light of day. Spend the rest of the morning in a state of daybed chill in your pod or soak up some rays ahead of lunch.

Before it’s time to leave, take another trip in the Semi-sub then cruise back to Hamilton Island. If it’s whale season, keep your eyes peeled for breaching humpbacks – I lost count of the number that we saw.

The team at Hamilton Island store your luggage while you’re away, so you can re-check into your chosen hotel and spend an evening reflecting on your experience, a vivid reminder of the remarkable blue planet we call home.

Fast facts

Getting there: A scenic 2-hour cruise from Hamilton Island, or 3-hours from Airlie Beach, Queensland (this is oceanic though, it can get choppy)

Duration: Two full days with an overnight stay floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

Board basis: Full board with all-inclusive local beers, wines, soft drinks, tea and barista coffee

Inclusions: Wetsuits and snorkelling equipment, ‘semi-sub’ tours of the reef, underwater observatory, souvenir water bottles.

Optional extras: Certified and intro diving, snorkel safaris

Good to know: The bathroom facilities are shared, but they were spotlessly clean and well maintained. Take a beach towel to dry yourself after snorkelling.

How to add Reefsleep to your Australia holiday

Reefsleep can be booked as an overnight experience from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach and makes a memorable addition to any tailor-made Australia holiday. Many travellers pair it with a few days in the Whitsundays, or follow it with time in Cairns, Port Douglas or Sydney. It also works brilliantly within our Australia's Eastern Highlights itinerary – but as with all our Australia holidays, anything’s possible. Speak to one of our Australia experts to find out how we can include Reefsleep in your trip.

This feature was created on 1st December 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.