Booking Conditions

BOOKING CONDITIONS

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It is important that all guests carefully read these Terms and Conditions in full prior to booking and participation. These terms outline safety requirements, Marine Park regulations and behavioural expectations that apply to all tours.

1. Participation and Documentation

Prior to departure, all guests must sign the Non-Agency Disclosure and Liability Release and complete the Guest Information and Consent Form, including medical disclosures and swimming ability.

By booking an in-water experience ticket (swimming), guests confirm they possess basic swimming ability and can remain afloat unassisted in the ocean.

Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience reserves the right to refuse boarding or water entre where a guest is deemed medically unfit, physically incapable, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or where participation may compromise safety, other guests, crew or wildlife. Failure to complete required documentation or meet participation requirements will result in refusal without refund, credit or compensation.

Participation is strictly conditional upon compliance with all crew instructions and safety briefings.

2. Medical Disclosure

Guests must disclose all relevant medical conditions at booking and within required medical documentation.

Those concerned about motion sickness should seek medical advice prior to travel.

3. Departure, Timing and Itinerary

Guests must arrive 15 minutes prior to departure. Late arrivals may be treated as no-shows and fares are forfeited in full. Call our office immediately with any delays.

Departure times may be amended by up to 1.5 hours due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. If unsuitable, guests may request rescheduling but not refund.

Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience reserves the right to modify tour locations, duration or itinerary due to weather, sea conditions, wildlife behaviour, safety or operational requirements.

4. Marine Park Compliance, Sanctuary Zone and Conduct

Guests must comply at all times with Marine Park regulations and crew directions. Safety briefings and regulatory requirements will be communicated prior to water entry.

Guests are responsible for understanding instructions and seeking clarification where required.

Breaches - including exceeding wildlife approach distances, touching or attempting to touch marine life, disregarding positioning directions, or separating from the group intentionally - may result in immediate exit from the water and termination of participation without refund, credit or compensation. Regulatory fines may apply directly to the individual.

Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience operates within a designated Marine Park and sanctuary zones, Removal, collection or disturbance of any natural material, including shells, coral, rocks, sand or marine life is strictly prohibited and may result in termination and regulatory Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attraction fines.

Conduct deemed unsafe or detrimental to wildlife welfare, including chasing, harassing or attempting to attract marine life, may result in immediate participation termination.

Only operator-provided life jackets may be used in the sea lion interaction zone. Personal floatation devices, including pool noodles or arm bands, are prohibited under Marine Park legislation.

5. Sea Lion Policy

Australian sea lion sightings are guaranteed. As wild animals, sea lion behaviour varies daily, and interactions are not guaranteed, controlled, forced or encouraged. All experiences are conducted in accordance with wildlife welfare regulations and animal behaviour.

Interaction levels may range from highly active and playful to brief or minimal and may differ from previous tours or guest expectations. Variability in wildlife behaviour does not constitute grounds for refund or compensation.

If sea lions do not enter the water on your tour, guests will be invited to return free of charge.

6. Photography and Media

Photography is permitted for personal use only. Extension poles, flash and strobe lighting are prohibited.

Commercial, promotional or media photography requires prior written approval from Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience and may require approval and a filming permit from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Failure to obtain required approvals may result in regulatory penalties.

By accepting these Terms and Conditions, guests consent to image and video capture for promotional purposes.

7. Children

Children aged 12 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.

8. Scuba Diving and Courses - Additional Terms

Scuba Dive participants must complete the required medical declaration. A "yes" response requires medical clearance confirming fitness to dive prior to practical training. Refunds will not be issues where clearance cannot be provided.

A fee may apply when rescheduling a dive course within 14 days of booking. Guests should not fly within 24 hours of diving.

9. Guest Cancellations

No-shows incur a 100 percent cancellation fee.

Cancellations made more than seven days prior to departure are eligible for a refund minus booking fees, credit card fees and any applicable e-learning fees.

Cancellations within seven days of departure will be rescheduled. Cancellations within 24 hours result in a forfeited fare.

Rescheduled bookings are valid for 12 months from the original tour date. Gift vouchers are non-refundable.

Refunds, where applicable, will only be processed to the original payment method. Where a booking has been made through a third-party agent, refund requests must be directed to that third-party and processing times may vary.

Refunds processed via our booking system may take up to 10 business days to appear in the guest’s account.

10. Operator Cancellations and Weather

Marine weather is dynamic and forecasts are not guarantees. Conditions may change without notice and may differ from predications or advice.

Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience reserves the right to cancel, delay, modify or terminate a tour at any time due to inclement weather, defined as precipitation greater than a light drizzle, wind or swell conditions, insufficient numbers, or other unforeseen circumstances, including while a tour is underway where conditions are deemed unsafe or unsuitable.

We will endeavour to provide at least 24-48 hours' notice where possible, however cancellations may occur on the day of departure. Cancellation notices may be issued in writing to the email provided at booking. Guests are responsible for ensuring receipt of confirmation and monitoring spam or junk folders for any company correspondence.

Where a tour is cancelled by the operator prior to completion, guests will be offered rescheduling or a refund of the ticket price, excluding credit card fees. Scuba dives and courses are excluded.

Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience is not liable for consequential losses, including but not limited to accommodation or transport costs. Travel insurance and flexibility in schedules are recommended.

11. Personal Property and Equipment

Guests are responsible for personal belongings. Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience accepts no liability for loss, theft or damage.

Guests may be liable for damage to company equipment caused by negligence, wilful misconduct or failure to follow instructions.

12. Assumption of Risk

Marine activities involve inherent risks including weather variability, sea conditions, wildlife behaviour and physical exertion. By participating, guests acknowledge and accept these risks.

13. Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts or modifies rights under the Australian Consumer Law.