WHITSUNDAY DIVE ADVENTURES – TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. General Conditions

All fares are inclusive of Marine Park fees and GST.
Dive and snorkel sites are subject to weather and tide conditions. Whitsunday Dive Adventures reserves the right to amend itineraries where necessary.

Departure times may vary depending on conditions. Please reconfirm your booking at least 48 hours prior.

Whitsunday Dive Adventures may use photographs of guests for promotional purposes. Please advise prior to your trip if you do not consent.

2. Image Use & Privacy

By participating in our activities, you consent to Whitsunday Dive Adventures taking photographs and video recordings during the course of the trip.

These images may be used for marketing and promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, website content, and advertising materials.

If you do not wish to be included in any imagery, please advise our team prior to your trip.

3. Liability

Adventure activities involve inherent risks. Whilst we take all reasonable precautions, Whitsunday Dive Adventures cannot be held responsible for personal injury or loss arising from circumstances beyond our control.

Tours are not suitable for guests with pre-existing back, neck or hip injuries, or those who are pregnant.

Minimum age is 6 years. All participants must sign a liability waiver prior to departure.

We strongly recommend all guests obtain travel insurance.

4. Booking & Payment

Deposits

A 25% deposit is required at the time of booking and must be paid by credit card to secure and confirm your reservation.

This ensures the booking is immediately confirmed and allows us to safely hold your space.

Balance Payments

  • Private Charters & Courses: Full balance due 14 days prior to departure
  • Day Tours: Full balance due 48 hours prior to departure

If booked within these timeframes, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Payment Methods

The remaining balance may be paid via:

  • Credit card (surcharges apply), or
  • Bank transfer (preferred to avoid surcharges)

Bank transfer is available for balance payments only and must be completed in sufficient time for funds to be received before the due date.

Card Authorisation

By confirming a booking, guests authorise Whitsunday Dive Adventures to:

  • Charge any outstanding balance to the card provided if payment has not been received by the due date
  • Charge for any applicable administration, processing fees, or lost/damaged equipment as outlined in these terms
  • Apply any applicable credit card surcharges

Failed Payments

If payment cannot be processed (e.g. insufficient funds, cancelled or blocked card):

  • The booking may be cancelled, and
  • The deposit will be forfeited

5. Cancellation & Refund Policy

Private Charters & Dive Courses

  • More than 14 days prior: Full refund (excluding administration and processing fees, including any applicable payment surcharges)
  • 7–14 days prior: 50% cancellation fee applies
  • Within 7 days: Non-refundable

Rescheduling within these periods is treated as a cancellation. Where possible, we will always aim to assist with alternative dates.

Day Tours (2-Tank / Discover Scuba / Snorkelling)

  • More than 48 hours prior: Full refund (excluding administration and processing fees, including any applicable payment surcharges)
  • Within 48 hours: Non-refundable

Rescheduling within 48 hours is treated as a cancellation.

Weather & Operational Conditions

If Whitsunday Dive Adventures cancels a trip due to unsafe weather or operational reasons, guests will be offered:

  • An alternative date, or
  • A full refund

6. Course Changes & Transfers

Changes made more than 14 days prior to the course start date are free of charge, subject to availability.

Changes made between 7 and 14 days prior to the course start date will incur a $150 fee.

Changes made within 7 days of the course start date are not permitted and will be treated as a cancellation, with standard cancellation terms applying.

Once the course has commenced, no changes or transfers are permitted.

Course dives postponed due to weather or operational reasons will be rescheduled where possible. If rescheduling is not possible, a pro-rata refund may be offered for any unused course components.

7. Medical Requirements & Fitness to Dive

All participants must complete a diver medical questionnaire prior to engaging in any in-water activities, in accordance with Queensland Work Health & Safety regulations and the Recreational Diving Code of Practice.

These requirements are set under Queensland safety regulations and apply to all licensed dive operators.

We understand these requirements may differ from other parts of the world, however they are part of operating safely within Queensland and apply consistently across the industry.

Participant Responsibility

By participating, you confirm that:

  • You are medically fit to dive
  • You have disclosed all relevant medical conditions honestly and accurately

If any information provided is incomplete or incorrect, we reserve the right to refuse participation without refund.

Certified Divers

Certified divers are responsible for ensuring they are fit to dive, including:

  • No recent illness or injury affecting safety
  • No changes in medical condition since their last dives

We assess fitness to dive based on the information provided.

If, in our reasonable judgment, a diver may not be fit to dive safely, we reserve the right to restrict or refuse participation unless appropriate medical clearance is provided.

Introductory (Non-Certified) Divers

Introductory divers are subject to stricter medical requirements due to the nature of training and supervision.

If any medical conditions, risk factors, or concerns are identified, medical clearance may be required prior to diving.

If required medical clearance is not provided, participation in diving activities will not be permitted.

On-the-Day Assessment

All participants are assessed on the day of the activity.

If, in our reasonable judgment, a participant is not fit to dive due to:

  • Medical concerns
  • Illness or injury
  • Medication effects
  • Fitness level or in-water ability

we reserve the right to refuse diving activities in the interest of safety.

This decision is final and made in accordance with our duty of care under Queensland safety regulations.

8. Diving Participation

Participation in all dives is subject to safety, conditions, and individual ability.

No compensation or refund will be provided if a guest is unable to complete all dives due to:

  • Environmental conditions
  • Personal ability
  • Medical or safety concerns

Certified divers are expected to be confident in their equipment setup, in-water skills, and general diving competency.

If you have not dived recently, we strongly recommend completing a refresher prior to your trip to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

All dives are conducted as guided group dives. Divers must be able to follow instructions, enter the water in a timely manner, and descend in a controlled and efficient manner.

If, in our reasonable judgment, a diver is unable to safely:

  • Manage their equipment independently (with guidance),
  • Maintain neutral buoyancy,
  • Control their position in the water, or
  • Participate without causing disruption to the group or delays to the operation

we reserve the right to:

  • Delay or restrict their participation,
  • Require a surface interval or additional assistance, and/or
  • Exclude the diver from continuing the dive or participating in subsequent dives

This decision is made in the interest of safety for the diver, other guests, and our crew.

9. Language & Communication

All briefings, instructions, and safety information are provided in English.

Guests must have sufficient understanding of English to follow safety instructions and participate safely in activities.

While some staff may be able to assist in other languages where possible, this is not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.

If a guest is unable to understand safety instructions, we reserve the right to restrict or refuse participation in activities in the interest of safety. No refund will be provided in such cases.

10. Conduct

Guests are expected to behave in a respectful and safe manner at all times.

We reserve the right to refuse participation or remove any person from the vessel if their behaviour:

  • Puts themselves or others at risk
  • Is abusive, inappropriate, or disruptive

The decision of the vessel Master or Dive Supervisor is final. No refund will be provided in such cases.

11. Alcohol & Drugs

Guests must not participate in diving or snorkelling activities under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

We reserve the right to refuse participation if we believe a guest’s ability to safely participate may be affected.

No refund will be provided in such cases.

12. Certification Requirements

Certified divers must present a valid certification card.

Failure to provide valid certification may result in the guest being unable to dive, and no refund will be provided.

13. Equipment Responsibility

All equipment provided by Whitsunday Dive Adventures remains the property of the company and must be:

  • Used correctly
  • Cared for responsibly
  • Returned in full and in good condition

Guests are responsible for any loss or damage to equipment during the trip.

In the event of lost, missing, or damaged equipment (including but not limited to masks, snorkels, fins, regulators, or accessories), we reserve the right to:

  • Charge the replacement or repair cost to the card on file, or
  • Request payment directly from the guest

Replacement costs will be based on reasonable market value.

14. Seasickness & Equalisation

Seasickness or inability to equalise is not grounds for refund or rescheduling.

Our crew will assist where possible; however, incomplete dives due to these factors are non-refundable.

15. Credit Card Surcharge

All credit card payments incur a non-refundable surcharge.

16. Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend all guests hold appropriate travel insurance, including coverage for:

  • Diving activities
  • Trip cancellations
  • Medical expenses

17. Acknowledgement

By booking and participating in our activities, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms & Conditions.