1. Acceptance of these Terms

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By making a booking with Deep Blue Conservation, whether through our website, email or any other booking method, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these Booking Terms & Conditions.

 

All participants must be at least 18 years of age or have written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

 

Your booking is confirmed only once your deposit has been received and you have received written confirmation from Deep Blue Conservation.

 

2. Booking Accuracy

 

It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that all information provided during the booking process is accurate, including personal details, travel dates, dive qualifications, certification numbers, emergency contact information and medical declarations.

 

Deep Blue Conservation cannot be held responsible for delays, additional costs or changes arising from incorrect or incomplete information supplied during the booking process.

 

3. Prices

 

All prices are quoted in the currency stated on your invoice.

 

Prices shown on our website are subject to change without notice until your booking has been confirmed.

 

The final price is the amount shown on your official quotation or invoice.

 

Additional costs may apply where participants require prerequisite dives, additional training or optional extras.

 

4. Deposits & Payments

 

A 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.

 

The remaining balance must be paid by the due date stated on your invoice or at least 28 days before your arrival, whichever comes first.

 

Failure to pay by the due date may result in your booking being cancelled.

 

Any bank charges or international transfer fees remain the responsibility of the participant.

 

5. Cancellation Policy

 

A non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.

 

If you need to cancel your booking, please notify Deep Blue Conservation as soon as possible in writing by email.

 

Deposits are non-refundable. However, if you notify us before your program start date, we will make every reasonable effort to transfer your booking to alternative dates within 12 months of your original arrival date, subject to availability.

 

If you cancel within 28 days of your scheduled arrival, or fail to arrive without prior notice, the full program fee is non-refundable.

 

Once your program has commenced, no refunds or credits will be issued for unused accommodation, dives, activities, meals, transportation, early departure or any other unused services.

 

Refunds or credits outside of this policy are entirely at the discretion of Deep Blue Conservation.

 

6. Booking Changes

 

If you need to change your travel dates before arrival, we will do our best to accommodate your request, subject to availability.

 

Changes are not guaranteed and additional costs may apply.

 

If Deep Blue Conservation needs to make significant changes to your booking before your arrival, we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and discuss suitable alternatives.

 

7. Participant Code of Conduct

 

7.1 Respectful Behaviour

 

Participants agree to treat staff, fellow participants, members of the local community and the environment with respect at all times. Harassment, discrimination, violence or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

 

7.2 Following Instructions

 

Participants must follow all safety instructions and reasonable directions given by Deep Blue Conservation staff, instructors and partner operators. Failure to do so may result in removal from activities or the program without refund.

 

7.3 Accommodation & Shared Living

 

Participants are expected to respect accommodation rules, keep shared areas clean, be considerate of other guests and observe reasonable quiet hours.

 

7.4 Alcohol & Drugs

 

The safety of all participants is our highest priority.

 

Any participant who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs will not be permitted to participate in diving or other activities where safety may be compromised.

 

Deep Blue Conservation reserves the right to remove any participant whose behaviour places themselves or others at risk.

 

7.5. Damage to Property

 

Participants are responsible for any loss or damage caused to accommodation, vehicles, dive equipment or other property through negligence or intentional misconduct.

 

Repair or replacement costs may be charged to the participant.

 

8. Medical Requirements

 

Participants must disclose any medical, physical or mental health condition that may affect their participation before booking.

 

Failure to disclose relevant medical information may result in suspension or removal from diving activities until medical clearance has been provided.

 

Participants are responsible for obtaining any required medical certificates before arrival.

 

No refunds will be given if a participant is unable to dive due to an undisclosed or pre-existing medical condition.

 

9. Swimming Ability & Diving

 

Participants taking part in diving activities must be competent swimmers and comfortable in the water.

 

If Deep Blue Conservation determines that a participant is unable to safely participate in diving activities, participation may be suspended or terminated for safety reasons.

 

Participants enrolled in professional scuba courses are responsible for meeting all prerequisite certification and logged dive requirements.

 

Where additional prerequisite dives are required, these will be charged separately.

 

Incomplete courses may be completed at a later date by prior arrangement and may incur additional costs.

 

10. Equipment

 

Where diving equipment is included as part of your program, it is supplied either by Deep Blue Conservation or by our partner dive charter.

 

Participants are responsible for taking reasonable care of all equipment issued to them throughout their stay.

 

Any equipment that is lost, damaged through negligence, or not returned may be charged at the current repair or replacement cost.

 

Participants must immediately report any equipment malfunction or damage to a member of staff.

 

Deep Blue Conservation is not responsible for equipment supplied by third-party providers outside the scope of the agreed program.

 

11. Marine Conservation & Environmental Responsibility

 

As a marine conservation organisation, Deep Blue Conservation is committed to protecting the marine environment.

 

Participants agree to follow responsible diving and snorkelling practices, including:

• Not touching, chasing or harassing marine life.

• Not collecting shells, coral or marine organisms.

• Maintaining appropriate buoyancy control while diving.

• Following all conservation guidelines provided by staff.

• Respecting protected areas and local environmental regulations.

 

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in removal from diving activities.

 

12. Insurance

 

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory.

 

Insurance should include, at minimum:

• Medical expenses

• Emergency evacuation

• Diving activities

• Cancellation cover

• Personal belongings

 

Proof of insurance may be requested upon arrival.

 

13. Passports, Visas & Travel

 

Participants are solely responsible for:

• Obtaining valid passports

• Obtaining visas where required

• Meeting South African immigration requirements

• Booking flights

• Paying any visa extension costs

 

Deep Blue Conservation accepts no responsibility for travel disruptions arising from immigration or documentation issues.

 

Participants are responsible for ensuring they arrive on the agreed start date.

 

If travel delays result in missed accommodation, dives, transport or activities, Deep Blue Conservation cannot guarantee that missed services can be rescheduled and no refunds will be provided for services not used due to delayed arrival.

 

Participants should ensure their travel insurance provides appropriate cover for travel disruption.

 

14. Accommodation

 

Participants are expected to:

• Respect quiet hours.

• Keep shared areas clean.

• Respect fellow participants.

• Follow all accommodation rules.

 

Deep Blue Conservation reserves the right to remove participants from accommodation for serious misconduct.

 

15. Program Operations

 

15.1 Ocean Conditions & Activity Changes

 

Scuba diving and marine activities are dependent on weather, sea state and operational conditions.

 

Deep Blue Conservation reserves the right to modify, postpone, replace or cancel dives, excursions or other activities where conditions are considered unsafe or unsuitable.

 

Where possible, suitable alternative activities will be offered. Such changes do not constitute cancellation of the program and do not entitle participants to refunds.

 

15.2 Minimum Numbers & Operational Changes

 

Certain excursions, educational activities or optional experiences may require a minimum number of participants.

 

Deep Blue Conservation reserves the right to amend schedules, substitute activities or modify the program where operational requirements make this necessary.

 

Any changes will be made with the aim of providing an equivalent experience wherever reasonably possible.

 

16. Risk & Liability

 

Participation in scuba diving, marine conservation activities and outdoor programs involves inherent risks.

 

Participants acknowledge these risks and participate voluntarily.

 

Deep Blue Conservation, its owners, employees and representatives shall not be liable for:

• Personal injury

• Illness

• Loss or theft of personal belongings

• Delays

• Travel disruptions

• Missed flights

• Additional expenses

• Damage arising from events beyond our reasonable control

 

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability where exclusion is prohibited under applicable law.

 

17. Force Majeure

 

Deep Blue Conservation shall not be liable for cancellations, delays or changes caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Severe weather

• Floods

• Storms

• Disease outbreaks

• Government restrictions

• Civil unrest

• Transport disruptions

• Power failures

• Natural disasters

• Marine conditions

• Other force majeure events

 

Where possible, reasonable alternatives or rescheduling options will be offered.

 

18. Photography & Media

 

During your stay, photographs and videos may be taken for educational and promotional purposes.

 

By participating, you consent to Deep Blue Conservation using images or videos in which you may appear on our website and social media channels.

 

If you do not wish to appear in photographs or videos, please notify us in writing before your arrival.

 

19. Privacy

 

Deep Blue Conservation respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

 

Any personal information collected during the booking process will be processed in accordance with South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

 

Your personal information will only be used for purposes directly related to your booking, participation in our programs, legal obligations, safety requirements and communication with you.

 

We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties except where required by law or where necessary to provide services associated with your booking (such as accommodation, transport, diving operations or certification agencies).

 

By making a booking, you consent to the collection, storage and processing of your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and POPIA.

 

20. Governing Law

 

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

 

Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.