Reefworld is Cruise Whitsundays' permanent pontoon at Hardy Reef, and for most visitors to the Whitsundays it is their Great Barrier Reef day. The large platform offers snorkelling, guided scuba and introductory dives, a semi-submersible, an underwater observatory, a shaded deck, bar, freshwater showers and lockers, and since 2019 the Reefsleep and ReefSuites overnight experiences have let guests stay on the reef. Underwater, 100 Magic Miles describes the pontoon site as a wall with ledges, caves and curves at 5–18 m, with 8–18 m visibility.

The fish population has become famously tame over decades of pontoon operation: a resident Queensland groper around 2 m long and 200 kg, Maori wrasse, trevally, coral trout and cod gather around divers. Coral bommies, staghorn and plate corals, brain corals and sea fans line the wall, and turtles and reef sharks are regular. The lagoon side of the reef offers calm water from 0 to 20 m for beginners.

Current is the one caution: it runs consistently away from the wall, and a channel about 60 m deep lies nearby, draining Hardy Lagoon. Guided dives stay close to the wall, and snorkellers are confined to a roped area. Reefworld was damaged by Cyclone Debbie in March 2017 and returned to service after repairs.

The surrounding reef, like others in the Whitsundays, has experienced cyclone damage and bleaching and has been recovering. Heart Reef, the famous heart-shaped coral formation seen on scenic flights, is nearby but cannot be dived or snorkelled. For snorkellers, families and first-time divers, Reefworld is the simplest, most comfortable outer-reef option from Airlie Beach.

Boat only. Hardy Reef lies on the outer Great Barrier Reef roughly 80 km offshore from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island. Cruise Whitsundays' high-speed catamarans depart Port of Airlie (Airlie Beach) daily, with connections from Hamilton Island and Daydream Island, and reach the Reefworld pontoon in about 2 hours; scenic flights (about 30 minutes) also land at the reef by seaplane or helicopter.

Paid parking is available at Port of Airlie. Divers book certified or introductory dives on board. Other Hardy sites and the neighbouring Line, Sinker and Fairey reefs are reached by liveaboards and private charters; private vessels must use public moorings and observe no-anchoring areas.

Hardy and its neighbours are outer-shelf reefs fully exposed to the south-east trades (15–25 knots April–September). The large Reefworld catamarans run in most weather, but the crossing is rough in strong winds and diving can be restricted; smaller charter boats need a settled forecast. Hardy Reef's lagoon drains through a deep channel (about 60 m) beside the pontoon, and strong tidal currents run along the reef edges and through the gaps between Hardy, Line, Sinker and Fairey reefs, especially on spring tides and at the bottom of the tide – plan edge and wall dives for slack water.

Visibility is typically 8–20 m, up to 30 m on the outer faces. Marine stinger season (box jellyfish and Irukandji) runs roughly November to May – wear a full-length stinger suit or wetsuit with hood and gloves, carry vinegar. Cyclone season November–April; tropical lows and cyclones can close sites and damage coral (TC Yasi 2011, TC Debbie 2017).

Guided dive: descend from the pontoon platform to the wall, follow its ledges, caves and curves at 8–15 m, meet the resident groper and Maori wrasse near the pontoon, and return along the wall top. Keep away from the deep channel where current runs.

Cruise Whitsundays – Reefworld pontoon day trips daily from Airlie Beach, Hamilton and Daydream islands (certified and introductory dives, snorkelling, semi-submersible, underwater observatory) and Reefsleep overnight stays; liveaboards and private charters for other Hardy sites.