• All meals included, with dinner and drinks enjoyed on the reef
• Unique reef bed swags set up on the pontoon deck under the stars
• Sleep overnight on a floating pontoon at Hardy Reef in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef
• Snorkelling, semi-submersible reef tour and optional scuba diving included
• Optional scenic helicopter flights over the reef and iconic coral formations
• Limited overnight guest numbers for an uncrowded reef experience

Spend a night under the stars on the Great Barrier Reef with this 2 day, 1 night Reefsleep experience at Hardy Reef, including snorkelling, reef activities, all meals and optional diving or scenic flights.

What to expect

This 2 day, 1 night Reefsleep experience offers a rare opportunity to stay overnight on the Great Barrier Reef at Hardy Reef, sleeping under the stars on a purpose-built floating pontoon once the daytime visitors depart for the mainland.

You’ll travel by fast catamaran from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island or Daydream Island through the Whitsunday Passage before arriving at Reefworld, an interactive reef platform positioned on Hardy Reef.

During the day, the pontoon operates as a full reef activity hub with snorkelling, semi-submersible tours, optional scuba diving and scenic helicopter flights. After approximately 3:00pm, the atmosphere changes completely. Day guests depart, the reef quietens, and overnight guests are left with the pontoon, the surrounding reef and the open ocean. Reef beds are set up on the deck, dinner is served, and the evening becomes about stargazing, reef sounds and watching the sunset fade into darkness.

As evening settles in, reef beds are set up on the deck, dinner is served under the open sky, and guests can relax with a drink from the licensed bar while watching the sun set over the reef before falling asleep to the sound of the ocean.

Features and highlights

Hardy Reef and Reefworld pontoon

The floating pontoon is permanently moored at Hardy Reef, around 39 nautical miles offshore and is known for clear water, diverse coral formations and abundant marine life. It features safe snorkelling zones, shaded sun decks, freshwater showers, an underwater observatory, a semi-submersible tour vessel and lifeguard supervision.

Snorkelling and reef activities

Snorkelling takes place directly from the pontoon over coral walls and gardens teeming with life. Expect to see reef fish, sea turtles, rays, giant clams and the resident giant groper affectionately known as George, who is famous for following snorkellers like a curious puppy.

All snorkelling equipment and buoyancy aids are included, with instructors available to assist first-time or less confident swimmers.

Semi-submersible submarine tour

For guests who prefer to stay dry or want an alternative perspective, the semi-submersible tour offers close-up views of coral formations and marine life through large viewing windows, accompanied by informative reef commentary.

Optional scuba diving

Introductory scuba dives are available for first-time divers, with experienced instructors guiding you through every step. Certified divers can explore reef walls, bommies and swim-throughs, often spotting turtles, wrasse, parrotfish and, in cooler months, whales or dolphins passing through the area.

Optional scenic helicopter flights

Low-level scenic helicopter flights offer a dramatic aerial perspective of the reef’s colour and scale. Flights can be taken from the pontoon or combined with a fly-back to the mainland the following day. All flights must be pre-booked.

Sleeping on the reef

As night falls, guests settle into single or double reef bed swags on the deck. With the reef gently moving below and the stars above, the experience is peaceful, immersive and completely unlike staying on land. Some guests choose dusk snorkelling, others visit the underwater observatory to watch nocturnal marine life emerge. 

Itinerary at a glance

• Morning departure from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island or Daydream Island
• Full day of reef activities at Hardy Reef
• Overnight stay on the pontoon after day visitors depart
• Dinner, drinks and reef bed setup at sunset
• Second morning on the reef before return to shore

Note: This is a summary only. A full, step-by-step itinerary is provided on the dedicated itinerary sub-page.

Frequently asked questions

Is this suitable for non-swimmers?

• Yes. The pontoon includes an underwater observatory and a semi-submersible tour, allowing non-swimmers to experience the reef without entering the water.

Is this tour suitable for children?

• Yes, however scuba diving has a minimum age of 12. Children must be supervised at all times.

Is this tour suitable if I am pregnant or have back or mobility issues?

• Due to stairs between the vessel and pontoon, this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility impairments. Guests who are pregnant or have back, neck or medical conditions must advise at the time of booking.

Do I need diving experience?

• No. Introductory scuba dives are available for first-time divers, subject to medical clearance.

Can I fly after diving?

• A minimum surface interval is required before flying after scuba diving. Specific timeframes will be explained by the crew onboard.

Can I upgrade to Underwater Hotel Suites:

• Yes. Book a luxury stay in our underwater hotel suites (reefsuites), an experience you will never forget  

Barrier Reef Australia local knowledge and support

Barrier Reef Australia specialises in matching travellers with the right reef experiences based on comfort level, activity preference and travel logistics across the Whitsundays.

We are available seven days a week, excluding Christmas Day. If you’d like help comparing Reefsleep with other overnight reef tours, understanding diving requirements, or planning transfers from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island or Daydream Island, request a Discovery Call.

Whitsundays Reefsleep Tour

Your Great Barrier Reef tour will have you cruising on board a fast catamaran to a floating pontoon in the middle of the sea.

This interactive floating pontoon in the Whitsundays on the Great Barrier Reef is your gateway to an exhilarating marine adventure and your home for the next two days with our new sleep on the reef tour.

You’ll find friendly crew to help organize the endless activities on offer, as well as a lifeguard and even an on board massage therapist!

For those who are non-swimmers there’s an underwater observatory and a semi-submersible submarine tour so you may also see all the coral and marine life on the reef, or you may choose to simply laze in the sun on the spacious deck!

After 3pm the fun begins, when the crowds leave and you have the pontoon to yourself and a few other adventurous people.

The crew begin to set up your luxury reefbeds and settle you in before the sun begins to set over the Great Barrier Reef.

And with a licensed bar and a nice barbeque dinner you’ll find the perfect opportunity to relax with an icy beverage under the amazing sky full of stars, before the waves lull you to sleep.

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

The floating pontoon is located on Hardy Reef just 39 nautical miles from shore on the Great Barrier Reef. 

Your helpful staff will assist you with a comfy snorkel, mask and fins for gliding the surface, and they’ll likewise share a few snorkelling tips to enhance your experience.

Then with great exhilaration, you’ll discover the coral wall that runs adjacent to the Reefworld pontoon absolutely teeming with weird and wondrous life.

Within the vivid thickets, gardens and anemone, you could spot the magnificent turquoise of Parrot fish and blazing orange Clowns (Nemo), along with giant clams, starfish, sea-feathers, and even a resident massive groper by the name of George!

Once you give George a pat he will not leave you alone, he is like a lost puppy! 

If you’re not the most confident swimmer, you’ll find instructors on hand to help, as well as buoyancy devices and even a lifeguard!

Optional Snorkelling Safari

After experiencing the colour and beauty of the coral fantasyland beneath, you may thirst for a little more undersea knowledge about the greatest living organism on the planet!

With a guided snorkelling safari on the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll not only see some phenomenal marine life, but hear a few riveting stories about them too!

You’ll be shown various coral formations, where your expert guide will know how to locate and interact with many weird and wonderful creatures that live amongst these coral gardens.

This is a sensory delight for both the eyes and mind, especially when you see a towering Clown fish colony (Nemo) and learn how they can change from female to male!

You may also spot a sea-turtle and hear how these regal creatures can live to over a hundred years old; very much the same as the mesmerizing giant clams on your venture!

The safari is likewise a perfect option for those who are a little less confident in the water.

Semi-Submersible Submarine Tour

Every diver and snorkeller who visits us on this Great Barrier Reef tour falls in love with its varieties of coral and abundant marine life.

Yet not everyone can swim nor is everyone a huge fan of the water. So if you are a non-swimmer take a ride on our semi-submersible submarine tour, where you’ll not only stay dry, but still the things the scuba divers and snorkellers see.

Through glass windows, this custom made semi submersible submarine trails the coral gardens to bring you a visionary show.

You may see a huge shoal of Maori Wrasse, or even a ‘fever’ of Parrot fish!

The day could bring anything from sea-turtles to baby black tip reef sharks among the huge colourful clams and vivid starfish.

And best of all, your submarine tour includes a fascinating reef talk about the reef, so everything you see thrur the glass windows will be explained in full detail!

For example? That crunching sound you hear is none other than a turquoise Parrot fish snacking on coral! 

Optional Introductory Dive

Sign up to give scuba diving a go for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef, you simply couldn’t choose a better time or location to try an introductory dive!

The coral kingdom at your feet is a legendary mecca for divers, who travel to see this marvel from all four corners.

And no diving experience is necessary!

Your Reefsleep adventure comes equipped with expert diving instructors ready to teach all the skills you’ll need, and be alongside you every breath of the way! 

For 30 minutes, you’ll delve the depths while breathing easily through some of the most mesmerizing coral formations on the planet!

And among this labyrinth, you’ll hover just inches away from Clown fish colonies, giant purple calms, and perhaps a stunning yellow Angel!

And keep your eyes peeled for the huge, but extremely friendly and intricately marked Maori Wrasse fish, known to follow divers around!

You never know you may just get hooked on scuba diving after this Great Barrier Reef tour. 

Optional Certified Scuba Dive

When you’re already a worshipper of the underwater realms, as most certified scuba divers seem to be, you’re apt to know the legend of the Great Barrier Reef.

And at Hardy Reef, you’ll find the the stunning plethora of marine life and sheer magnificence of coral a new wonder to adore!

Along a great wall brimming with the most amazing species you’re likely to see, you’ll likewise explore pinnacles, swim throughs and bommies, (coral mountains) of epic magnificence.

For 30 minutes, you’ll hover over these incredible formations, as well as an ocean floor of giant clams, starfish and vibrant sea-feathers.

They’ll likewise be a multitude of rainbow reef fish to discover, with the usual suspects in the form of Angels, Parrots, Clowns, Wrasse and even a giant resident groper.

And during the cooler months, many certified divers are astounded to see a whale or dolphin swimming alongside their venture!

Optional Scenic Helicopter Flight

Some of the attractions of this Great Barrier Reef tour is the number of ways you are able to explore the coral reef.

Snorkelling and scuba diving will give you an underwater view of the marine life, yet a low level scenic helicopter flight will give you a broader rich panorama spanning across the coral reefs below.

Choose from a scenic flight on the pontoon or opt to cruise to the pontoon by boat and fly back to Airlie Beach the following day!

Peering down, you’ll witness a mosaic in swirls of azure and sapphire, with the stunning jewels of coral within.

During the cooler months, Hardy Reef acts as a passage for migrating species from Antarctica such as the mighty humback whales.

So if you’re holidaying at this time of the year, you flight could very well turn into a whale spotting venture!

Please note:- All helicopter scenic flights are to be pre-booked via phone or email and all passengers need to provide names and body weights.  

Sleep On The Reef

Your floating pontoon is an adventure centre with endless marine possibilities all day long.

Yet when you’ve opted to spend the night on a Reefsleep experience, a whole new world opens for guests.

As the clock strikes 3pm, the bulk of snorkellers and scuba divers return home to the mainland, leaving the entire Great Barrier Reef platform to you and just 8 other guests.

Once you are settled in and your reefbed on the deck is all set up you could choose a spot of snorkelling at dusk away from the crowds, shoot some selfies of the sunset over the reef, or watch the nocturnal marine life awaken in the underwater observatory.

Throughout the days reef trip sumptuous snacks and lunch is served, and likewise there will be a delicious dinner cooked for you as the night settles in.

Our floating pontoon boasts a licensed bar, and what could be more sublime than sipping a beverage as the sun sets over the Great Barrier Reef?

You’ll also have a comfy reefbed on deck to stargaze, right before the ocean waves lull you to sleep!

Our sleep on the reef tour really is unique

Take a look at more overnight Great Barrier Reef dive trips 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Airlie Beach

Departure Time

• 8.00am from Airlie Beach
• 9.00am from Hamilton Island
• 7.35am from Daydream Island

Departure Instructions

• If making own way to Port of Airlie marina, please check in half an hour before tour time.
• Coach transfers specific pick up time will be advised at the time of booking.

Destinations

• Daydream Island
• Hamilton Island
• Hardy Reef
• Great Barrier Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

2 days 1 night

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Transfers from Airlie Beach and surrounds transfers from accommodation available for a small fee
• Licensed bar with alcohol and non-alcohol beverages for purchase
• Introductory scuba dive
• Certified scuba dive
• Scenic helicopter flight
• Guided snorkelling safari
• Massage therapist
• Souvenir photos
• Helicopter Cruise/fly return trip.

Fitness Level Required

Low

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information

Due to the number of stairs through pontoon and vessel, this tour is not recommended for disabled passengers.

Eco Certifications

• Swimmers
• Towel
• Toiletries and bath towel
• Change of clothing and sleepwear
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Light jacket
• Cash or credit card

Minimum age for children at Reefsleep is 6 years and over.