22 Apr 2022
Words Christine Retschlag Informer 102

Suite Dreams

Australia’s first underwater accommodation has caused quite the splash. Reefsuites – 40 nautical miles off the Airlie Beach mainland and four metres beneath the ocean – brings new meaning to luxury down under.

They’re the operators behind 13 of Australia’s most iconic tourism experiences including The Ghan, Rottnest Express and Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, so it’s no surprise Journey Beyond’s Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefworld – home to Reefsuites – has been a success as roaring as the ocean upon which it is perched.

Recently bought by the Hornblower Group – a global leader in world-class experiences and transportation – Journey Beyond will continue to deliver and evolve this dynamic tourism portfolio.

And evolution is the name of the game when it comes to the Reefworld pontoon which was acquired by Cruise Whitsundays in 2012. The original pontoon, on Knuckle Reef, enabled tourists to swim, snorkel and dive and included an underwater viewing chamber for those who wished to view the reef without getting wet, as well as basic swags on the top deck as part of an overnight Reefsleep experience.

When Cyclone Debbie smashed the Whitsundays and Reefworld in 2017, it provided the opportunity to rebuild bigger and better. Enter: Reefsuites – the country’s first underwater accommodation.

The two premium suites, which sit four metres beneath the ocean surface, form part of a $10 million redevelopment of the pontoon which also includes an upgrade from the swags to more comfortable Reefbeds. The uber private suites, which measure three metres wide and 3.5 metres long, come replete with floor-to-ceiling glass - from which to view the reef and its inhabitants - USB ports and power points, and ensuites with toiletries, robes and a hairdryer.

“We reopened the new Reefworld pontoon with Reefsuites and the renewed Reefsleep experience in 2019,” Cruise Whitsundays General Manager Lee Newton says.

“Building underwater accommodation as part of a floating pontoon is no easy feat and we engaged the expertise of a naval architect and a marine design company.

 “We undertook a series of tests throughout the build to ensure the pontoon’s safety, including air flow and pressure tests. The pontoon balancing is a finely-calculated analysis which considers the pontoon’s weight and water ballast tank volumes and is all managed by a qualified naval architect.”

The result is a unique accommodation offering which includes an onboard chef who utilises local produce like Whitsunday wild barramundi and quintessential Queensland ingredients such as mango puree in the five-star meals which are served in between copious snorkelling adventures.

So successful is this venture, that Reefsuites are solidly booked six months in advance.

“Working on the Great Barrier Reef as we do is a real privilege and we want that sense of privilege and commitment to the environment to prevail with guests,” Mr Newton says.

“We want them to be in awe of the incredible show natures puts on and find it a seamless and unforgettable guest experience.

“Whether they’re local, from interstate or overseas, whether they’re seasoned visitors of first timers, we want each person’s experience to leave them with a sense of wonder and fulfilment.”