Reef Poker Voyage
The slow format: three nights north along the Great Barrier Reef with morning snorkel stops, long lunches and a gentle tournament series that plays every evening.
Reef by day, felt by night
The Reef Poker Voyage is the format guests bring partners on. Days belong to the reef: tender transfers to coral cays, snorkelling over the outer ribbon reefs, lunch on deck while the liner drifts. Evenings belong to the tables: a relaxed tournament series with a A$15,000 total prize pool and no clock pressure.
The itinerary sails north from Cairns to Lizard Island country with stops at low-density reef sites our tender crews know personally. The poker runs as a rolling series across three evenings, so a snorkel-heavy day never costs you the title.
A holiday that contains a tournament
Rolling series
Three evening sessions accumulate points toward the title. Miss a session for a sunset dive and the leaderboard still loves you.
Outer reef stops
Tender transfers to reef sites beyond the day-trip fleet. Snorkel gear, guides and safety crews included.
Partner program
Non-players get a full itinerary: reef trips, spa slots, cooking demonstrations and wine tastings while cards are up.
Slow evenings
Tables open at 19:30 after dinner and close by midnight. The horizon gets the hours it deserves.
All-inclusive fare
Cabins, all meals, reef excursions, tournament entry and standard beverages in one fare.
Photographer aboard
The voyage photographer covers reef and tables alike. The shared gallery becomes most guests' best holiday album.
Everything arranged before you step aboard
- Three nights in an oceanview cabin for two
- All meals from welcome lunch to farewell breakfast
- Three guided reef excursions with gear and safety crew
- Full tournament series entry and leaderboard tracking
- Partner program activities throughout the voyage
- Voyage photo gallery and series trophy presentation
From first call to final hand
Choose a cabin
Oceanview, balcony or suite. Solo travellers share the manifest with a matched roommate option to keep the fare.
Board at Cairns
Embark mid-morning for a lunch departure. The player briefing and welcome reception happen over the water.
Alternate days
Each day: reef stop in the morning, lunch aboard, rest or shore time, then the tournament session after dinner.
Series finale
The last evening crowns the series champion on the aft deck. Farewell breakfast follows before docking in Cairns.
We came for the poker and rebooked for the reef. My wife snorkelled three sites a day and still beat me in the series. We are doing it again in June.
How the night unfolds on board
Every sailing is choreographed around the tables. Times shift slightly with the season and the vessel, but the rhythm below is the one our guests know well.
Day one: departure north
Board late morning, lunch on the water, welcome briefing at 16:00 and the first tournament session that evening.
Day two: reef morning, felt evening
Tender to the outer reef for a guided snorkel. Evening session two on the points leaderboard after dinner.
Day three: Lizard country
The furthest anchorage: beach time, optional hike and the penultimate session under the stars.
Final day: series finale
Morning sail south, the championship session at dusk, presentation at the rail and docking by 22:00.
Three ways to play the reef voyage
Oceanview cabin
The full voyage for one guest in an oceanview cabin, all inclusions and series entry.
Balcony cabin
Per person in a balcony cabin: private outdoor space for the hours between reef and felt.
Suite voyage
Suite accommodation with priority tender slots, spa credit and a dinner at the captain's table.
About the reef voyage
Related experiences
Choose a cabin before the season books out
Voyages cap at 96 guests and the June to August departures sell first. Tell us your dates and cabin preference and we will hold a place while you decide.