Terms and Conditions

When you come to Narooma for your Underwater Safari, we want you to have the funnest day ever, so below you’ll find the house rules, regulations and do’s and don’ts that ensure both parties are looked after.

📢 Critical Notice: Stay Reachable and Verify Contact Info

Monitor Your Inbox and Phone: We send important schedule changes, time adjustments, and cancellation alerts via email and SMS text message. Please check both regularly leading up to your trip.

Provide Accurate Details: Double-check that your booking includes your correct email address and active mobile number.
International Phone Numbers: Please ensure international numbers are entered with the full country code. Note that we sometimes have difficulty reaching international numbers via SMS/calls while traveling, so checking your email regularly is extra important.
Assume Your Tour Is On: Unless you receive a clear cancellation or time-change notice from our booking system or crew, expect your tour or course to run exactly as planned.

🛥️ Tour Cancellations and Rescheduling

Weather and Sea Conditions: Ocean conditions change quickly. While short-notice cancellations are rare, the Skipper reserves the right to adjust departure times or terminate/cancel any voyage at any time for safety.
Minimum Numbers: All trips require a minimum number of passengers to run.
Refunds for Operator Cancellations: If Underwater Safaris cancels your trip, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule. Refunds can take up to 10 business days to process back to your bank account.
No Extra Expense Coverage: Underwater Safaris is not responsible for external costs, reimbursements, or travel expenses you incur due to schedule changes or cancellations.

Customer Cancellation Policy

Must Be Submitted in Writing: All cancellations and rebooking requests must be made in writing via email. Unfortunately, voicemails, text messages, or social media messages cannot be accepted as formal cancellations—sorry!
More than 7 days notice: Full refund less a $50 administration fee.
Between 7 days and 72 hours prior to tour: 50% cancellation fee.
Within 72 hours or No-Show: 100% cancellation fee (no refund).
Customer Date Changes: Any change-of-mind request to reschedule outside the above windows incurs a $50 admin fee.

🌊 Seasickness and Prevention

Don't Let Seasickness Ruin Your Adventure: Nothing spoils an incredible day on the water faster than feeling ocean-sick! Even if you don't usually get motion sickness or the water looks calm, ocean swells can surprise anyone. We strongly recommend taking preventive measures beforehand so you can enjoy every minute of your trip.
Plan Ahead for the Chemist: Narooma is a small coastal town, and local pharmacy hours can be limited (especially on weekends and public holidays). Please purchase any seasickness remedies or medications well in advance before your tour day.
No Refunds for Motion Sickness: Refunds or credits cannot be issued if you become unwell or choose not to enter the water due to seasickness during the charter.

🤿 Diving Safety and Medical Fitness

Proof of Certification Required: You must present valid certification on the day. NO CERT = NO DIVING.
Safe Diving Rules: All divers must follow standard safe diving practices (e.g., stay within NDLs, surface with at least 50 bar, and observe a 24-hour no-fly rule).

Heading to Canberra? Remember to account for the altitude change in your surface interval planning. Review the PADI Standard Safe Diving Practices.

Medical Fitness: By booking, you confirm you are physically and medically fit to participate. You must notify us prior to your tour date if you have pre-existing health conditions or injuries (e.g., heart, back, neck, shoulder issues, or pregnancy). Unfortunatetly we cannot permit guests with high-risk conditions on the vessel, and unreported conditions mean you ride strictly at your own risk..
Rental Equipment: You are financially accountable for any loss or damage to borrowed/hired gear caused by misuse or negligence and will be charged the replacement cost (e.g., dropping a mask, weight belt or fins overboard).
Vessel Guidelines: Smoking is strictly prohibited on all vessels. Passengers must comply with all skipper instructions and applicable Australian maritime safety laws.

🚫 Alcohol and Drug Policy

Zero Tolerance Safety Rule: For the safety of all guests and crew, alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on board.
Pre-Trip Intoxication: Any passenger who arrives under the influence or appears impaired by alcohol or drugs will be refused boarding immediately without a refund or reschedule options.

🐙 Marine Life Encounters and Environmental Etiquette

Wild Interactions: Sighting or swimming with seals and Grey Nurse sharks is an incredible privilege, but wild animal interactions are never guaranteed.
Respectful Interaction Rules: Guests are required to follow all wildlife interaction guidelines as briefed by our crew:

Do not touch, chase, corner, feed, or harass any marine life.
Maintain proper buoyancy control to avoid making contact with fragile reef environments.
Allow seals and sharks to approach you naturally—never chase them or restrict their path of movement.

🎓 Dive Course Terms and Conditions

Change of Mind: In accordance with Australian Consumer Law, refunds are not provided for mind changes.
Rescheduling: Course date transfers outside 7 days incur a $50 transfer fee (subject to availability). No changes are permitted within 7 days of start.
Prerequisites and Punctuality: No refunds or participation if you lack required medical clearances, fail to complete eLearning prior to arrival, or arrive more than 20 minutes late.
Failed Dive Medicals: If you fail a dive medical, your course fee is refunded minus a $25 admin fee. Once activated, eLearning fees ($250) are strictly non-refundable.

📷 Camera Hire

Housing Rules: Please do not open the camera housing. Our crew will do this for you to protect the equipment and preserve your media.
Liability and Fees: Hirers are liable for any loss or damage to the camera or housing and will be charged a replacement fee.
Setup and SD Cards: Please download the DJI Mimo App prior to your tour so you can transfer your photos/videos. SD cards are not included in the rental price ($25 to purchase).

🐋 Additional Policies

Gift Vouchers: Valid for 3 years, non-refundable, but fully transferable.
Photos and Media: We take photos/videos during trips for promotional use. Please advise our team prior to departure if you prefer not to be filmed.

Thanks for choosing us! We want you to have the time of your life, so abiding by these few simple asks can ensure everyone involved can do just that! If you have any questions or concerns about the charter, please feel free to contact us.