Booking Policy

Last updated February 5, 2024

🌊 Changes & Cancelations

Public Charters

  • Full upfront payment is required.
  • More than 7 days before departure: Free rescheduling, full store credit, or refund.
  • 3 to 7 days before departure: Full store credit, no refunds.
  • Within 3 days of departure: No credit or refunds.

From Our End

  • Cancelations from our end grant in-store credit or full refund, no questions asked.
  • We reserve the right to change or cancel bookings due to safety concerns, minimum participation not met, or staffing issues.
  • Changes/cancellations can occur before or after departure.
  • If we change/cancel before departure, we'll contact you for alternatives.

Private charters

  • A non-refundable $189 security deposit is required.
  • $500 damage protection credit card hold at check-in.
  • More than 30 days before departure: Free rescheduling or cancellation.
  • 7 to 30 days before departure: $189 fee for rescheduling/cancellation.
  • 3 to 7 days before departure: $289 fee for rescheduling/cancellation.
  • Within 3 days of departure: Full charter cost due.

Refunds

  • Granted for cancellations due to safety issues, minimums not met, crew, or mechanical issues.
  • Not granted for personal gear failure, seasickness, poor visibility, or suboptimal weather.
  • Issued within 2-3 business days; processed back to the payment method within 10 business days.
  • Partial refunds are possible if an activity is canceled mid-way.

Historically, our cancellation rate is 10% of total trips due to weather and 5% of trips duet to minimums not met. The majority of these cancellations happen between January and March.

🛟 Safety

  • Guests are required to adhere to crew instructions and prioritize safety for all onboard.
  • Guests won’t have a tour guide with them unless a VIP Guided Experience is purchased.
  • Guests affirm they are in sound health, free from heart conditions.
  • Proficiency in understanding English is required for safety comprehension.

💳 Credit card

  • Charged upon reservation completion.
  • For changes/cancellations, you'll be contacted before any charges or refunds.
  • We use SSL technology for secure transmission of your credit card information.

📲 Email & SMS

  • By providing contact details, you consent to receive promotional messages.
  • You can opt out of future communications at any time - it's easy and clear.

🔐 Private Charter Terms

Payment Terms

  • Balance after security deposit is due upon check-in.
  • Bookings through third-party platforms are subject to their payment and refund policies.
  • A credit card must be on file for potential charges related to cancellations, no-shows, damages, or payment deficits.

Guest Requirements

  • Completion of a Guest Waiver is mandatory for all guests before departure.
  • Charter time might be reduced to compensate for delays caused by incomplete waiver forms.
  • Divers must present proof of certification appropriate for the dive site.
  • Guests heading to the Coronado Islands must provide a valid passport and pay the Mexico tourist pass fee. 🇲🇽

Damages

  • At check-in, a $500 hold will be placed on your credit card for damage protection.
  • Any damages incurred during the charter will be charged to the credit card on file.
  • Repairs are exclusively conducted by authorized personnel.

Vessel Operation

  • The group organizer is fully responsible for all in-water activities of their group.
  • Waterhorse Charters is not liable for accidents or injuries resulting from insufficient skills, certification, or judgment.
  • The organizer must ensure all participants possess the requisite skill and certification for the dive.
  • Safety is the utmost priority and must be strictly maintained during the dive activities.

In-Water Activity Responsibility

  • The group organizer is fully responsible for all in-water activities of their group.
  • Waterhorse Charters is not liable for accidents or injuries resulting from insufficient skills, certification, or judgment.
  • The organizer must ensure all participants possess the requisite skill and certification for the dive.
  • Safety is the utmost priority and must be strictly maintained during the dive activities.

"We reserve the right to look at customers’ issues individually to accommodate them as best as we can, even when we need to contradict any other clauses in this policy to do so."

- Our 'People Over Profit' clause

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