AITUTAKI, COOK ISLANDS | 2027

TERMS & CONDITIONS

These Terms & Conditions apply to all bookings made with Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 26 661 237 734), trading as OceanLife Scuba Expeditions (“OceanLife Scuba Expeditions”, “we”, “us” or “our”).

1. Insurance

• OceanLife Scuba Expeditions highly recommends that all guests purchase comprehensive personal travel and dive insurance as soon as possible after confirming their travel plans. Your insurance policy should provide adequate cover for, at a minimum, trip cancellation, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, scuba diving activities, missed or delayed flights, baggage loss or delay, travel interruptions and personal liability. We recommend Dive Assure or DAN for dive insurance. Dive Assure offers both annual and single-trip dive and travel insurance policies that can be purchased directly through its website.
• Evidence of adequate travel and dive insurance must be provided prior to departure.
• All diving, snorkelling and in-water activities are conducted by our appointed in-country operator(s), including liveaboard vessel operators and local dive centres, who maintain responsibility for their own operational procedures, safety standards and applicable insurance requirements. While participating in diving, snorkelling or swimming activities, you are required to comply with all instructions given by the Captain, Dive Instructor, Divemaster or other authorised crew members.

2. Bookings and Payments

• Bookings made more than 100 days before the commencement of the trip require a non-refundable deposit of USD $1000 per passenger.
• All deposits are non-refundable.
• Bookings made within 100 days of the commencement of the trip require payment in full to secure the booking.
• Final payment is due no later than 100 days before the commencement of the trip. A final payment reminder will be sent prior to the due date.
• Each guest is required to complete a Dive Trip Questionnaire (which may include a Dive Medical Assessment where applicable) before receiving final trip confirmation. The completed questionnaire must be returned to OceanLife Scuba Expeditions before final payment is made.
• Guests are required to disclose all relevant medical conditions honestly and completely. Failure to disclose relevant medical information, or providing false or misleading information, may result in OceanLife Scuba Expeditions refusing participation where the condition may affect the safety of the guest, other participants or the safe operation of the expedition.
• Guests are responsible for ensuring they hold valid passports, visas, permits, vaccinations and any other documentation required for entry into the destination country or countries. OceanLife Scuba Expeditions accepts no responsibility for denied boarding, refused entry or additional costs resulting from incomplete, expired or invalid travel documentation.

3. Amendment and Cancellation Policy

• All deposits are non-refundable.
• The total trip cost becomes 100% non-refundable within 100 days of the scheduled departure date. This applies to deposits and all subsequent payments, except where otherwise required by law.
• If you cancel your booking 100 days or more before departure, and your place can be resold, a trip credit equal to your remaining balance (less a USD $300 administration fee) will be issued. The credit must be used on another OceanLife Scuba Expeditions trip departing within two (2) years of the cancellation date.
• If you cancel your booking within 99 days of departure, no refund or trip credit will be issued.
• If a guest misses the commencement of the expedition or any part of the itinerary due to delayed or cancelled flights, missed connections, immigration delays, baggage delays, weather events or other travel disruptions, no refund, credit or alternative arrangements will be provided by OceanLife Scuba Expeditions. Any eligible costs should be claimed through the guest’s travel insurance policy, where covered.
• OceanLife Scuba Expeditions reserves the right to amend itineraries, accommodation, vessels, dive sites, schedules, guides or expedition leaders where reasonably necessary due to weather, sea conditions, safety considerations, wildlife activity, mechanical issues, operational requirements, government directives or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Such changes do not constitute grounds for compensation or refund.

4. Force Majeure

• OceanLife Scuba Expeditions shall not be liable for any delay, alteration, cancellation or failure to deliver a trip where such circumstances are caused by events beyond our reasonable control.
• A Force Majeure Event includes, but is not limited to, acts of God, war, terrorism, fire, flood, severe weather, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, industrial disputes, strikes, civil unrest, acts of government or regulatory authorities, the inability to obtain licences or permits, delays caused by subcontractors or suppliers, telecommunications failures, material shortages or any other event beyond our reasonable control.

5. Guest Responsibilities

• Guests participating in scuba diving must hold the minimum certification required for the expedition and provide proof of certification if requested.
• Guests agree to dive within the limits of their certification, experience and current medical fitness, and to follow all instructions provided by dive professionals, vessel crew and expedition staff.
• Guests are responsible for arriving at the designated departure location at the required time. OceanLife Scuba Expeditions is not responsible for missed departures resulting from delayed or cancelled flights, missed connections, immigration delays, baggage delays, weather events or other travel disruptions beyond our reasonable control. Any costs, losses or expenses incurred as a result of these disruptions are the responsibility of the guest and should be claimed through the guest’s travel insurance policy, where covered.
• Guests are responsible for the care and security of their own dive equipment, camera equipment, luggage and personal belongings throughout the expedition.
• Wildlife sightings are natural events and cannot be guaranteed. OceanLife Scuba Expeditions makes no representation or warranty that any particular marine species, wildlife encounter or photographic opportunity will occur during an expedition.
• OceanLife Scuba Expeditions reserves the right to refuse participation or remove any guest from an expedition, without refund, where their behaviour is considered unsafe, abusive, disruptive, illegal, intoxicated, or likely to place themselves, other guests, crew members or the expedition at risk.

6. Liability and Obligations

• OceanLife Scuba Expeditions acts as an expedition organiser and booking agent for accommodation providers, liveaboards, dive operators, transport providers and other third-party suppliers.
• We choose our in-country dive operators carefully. We check that they hold the correct permits, licences, vessel registrations and insurance before we work with them. Once you’re on the water, they’re responsible for running the trip safely under their own procedures, not ours.
• To the maximum extent permitted by law, OceanLife Scuba Expeditions accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, delay or expense arising from the acts, omissions or default of any third-party supplier involved in delivering any component of the expedition.
• Participation in scuba diving, snorkelling and other adventure activities involves inherent risks which may result in serious injury, permanent disability or death. These risks include, but are not limited to, decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, hyperbaric injuries requiring recompression treatment, equipment failure, adverse weather, strong currents, remote locations where emergency medical assistance may be delayed, and encounters with wild marine life that may result in stings, bites or other injuries.
• Guests acknowledge these inherent risks and voluntarily participate in these activities at their own risk. Participants are responsible for ensuring they are medically fit to participate, exercising reasonable care, following all safety instructions and complying with directions provided by the vessel crew, dive professionals and expedition leaders.
• To the maximum extent permitted by law, OceanLife Scuba Expeditions shall not be liable for any personal injury, illness or death suffered directly or indirectly as a result of participation in the expedition or associated activities. We are also not liable for any consequential loss, including loss of income, profits, enjoyment or opportunity, nor for the loss, theft or damage of personal belongings before, during or after the expedition.
• Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable legislation.

7. Privacy & Data Collection Notice

OceanLife Scuba Expeditions collects personal information, including contact details, payment information and, where relevant to trip participation, health and medical information, in order to process bookings, arrange travel and diving activities, and communicate with guests. Health information collected through our Dive Trip Questionnaire is used solely to assess fitness to dive and may be shared with our appointed in-country dive operators for safety purposes. We do not sell personal information to third parties. By using this website or booking a trip, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described here.

8. Photography

During the expedition, OceanLife Scuba Expeditions and its representatives may capture photographs and video footage for promotional, educational and marketing purposes. Unless you notify us in writing before departure, you consent to the use of images or video in which you may appear on our website, social media channels, printed publications and other promotional material without compensation.

9. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms & Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland, Australia.

By placing a booking with Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 26 661 237 734), trading as OceanLife Scuba Expeditions, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms & Conditions and the Cancellation Policy.

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond their departure date from the Cook Islands.
• A confirmed return or onward flight ticket.
• Confirmation of accommodation.
• Sufficient funds for their stay.

• Australian passport holders: No visa is required to enter or transit Australia.
• US passport holders: If travelling through Australia, an Australian visa or travel authority may be required. Eligible travellers can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA – subclass 601). Some short airside transits are visa-exempt, subject to strict conditions.

• Australian passport holders: No New Zealand visa or NZeTA is required.
• US passport holders: A New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) is generally required before travelling through Auckland, including for transit. The appropriate authorisation depends on whether you remain in transit or enter New Zealand.

• Cook Islands official entry requirements
• Cook Islands – Australian Government Smartraveller