Calypso Star Charters Shark Cage Diving Experience

• Bathers and a towel.
• Your Camera, if you have one. If you do not we do have GoPros available to hire on board and a highlights package is available to purchase.
• Charging cables. USB points are available on our vessels.
• Comfortable clothing: Remember to pack some warm clothes as it can get cool on the water (even in summer). A warm jacket is a must in winter. Our Vessels have reverse cycle air-conditioning for your comfort.
• Sunglasses: Polarized sunglasses make it easier to see into the water and spot the sharks from on board. If you do not have any we do have them available for purchase.
• Sunscreen – we encourage you to be sunsmart.
• Boat appropriate soft-soled shoes – preferably not thongs.
• Space is limited, small bags are appreciated.
• A reusable drink bottle as chilled filtered water is available on board.
• PLEASE NOTE: Our vessels are cashless and card only transactions are accepted.

• Bookings made via our website using a credit card require payment in full at time of booking.
• Bank Transfers must be completed immediately as bookings are only held for 48 hours while the payment is cleared.
• Bank Transfer payments are not accepted within 48 hours of the charter as full payment is required to be cleared before boarding.
• PLEASE NOTE: All bank transfers need to reply by email a proof of payment from your banking institution – Thank you for your cooperation.
• Credit card payments incur a 1.2% bank fee. This is also applicable to Visa debit cards.
• We gladly accept Master Card and Visa (phone transactions accepted), Money Order, Cash or Electronic Funds Transfers (from Australian bank accounts).
• We reserve the right to substitute our charter vessels should there be a requirement for this due to routine maintenance, mechanical issues or in any other circumstances we deem necessary.
• Only one promotional discount will apply for each product.

CANCELLATION & CHANGES POLICY

CHANGES

• Customers are welcome to change their charter date up to 7 days prior without incurring any additional charges.
• Changes between from 7 days up to 48 hours prior incur a 20% administration fee.
• Changes within 48 hours of the charter are not permitted.

CANCELLATIONS

• If a customer wishes to cancel their booking the following conditions are applicable:
• ​No shows and cancellations inside 48 hours prior – no refund.
• Cancellations from time of booking up to 48 hours prior to departure – 20% cancellation fee.
• Booking received through a third party/travel agents/online travel agents may be subject to varying cancellation and refund policies. Calypso Star Charters is not liable for losses incurred through booking via a third party agent.
• Cancellations due to COVID-19 are subject to our normal terms and conditions.

FLIGHTS

• Time and date changes can be made up to 3 hours before the scheduled departure, subject to availability at no charge.
• Name changes incur a $60 fee per person, per sector.
• Cancellations incur a $40 fee per person, per sector.

REFUND POLICY

• In the rare event of a cancellation on our part, we will advise customers as soon as possible. Please ensure you provide us with a mobile telephone contact number at the time of booking to ensure we are able to contact you should we need to.
• Calypso Star Charter Pty Ltd reserves the right to cancel any charter due to mechanical breakdown or extreme weather conditions. Guests who have charters cancelled due to mechanical breakdown or extreme weather conditions are offered a FULL refund of their charter cost. Alternatively you have the option to reschedule your charter date. Please be aware that there is not always a departure date the next day and if there is there are not always available seats.
• In the case of when a substitute vessel (that carries a reduced capacity of guests) is required on an existing charter (due to a mechanical breakdown), Calypso Star Charters Pty Ltd reserves the right to cancel a confirmed booking and provide a full refund to the guest.  The decision of which booking will to be cancelled is done so in order of who was booked on last.
• Refunds will be processed via the same method as the payment was received.
• Guests who have booked their charter through a 3rd party/travel agent will need to be aware that their terms and conditions may differ. Third Party bookings will be refunded to the Third Party rather than directly to the guest.
• Bank fees and charges incurred through the refund process are at the cost of the guest.
• From time to time in the lead up to your charter we may contact you with important information and information regarding shark sightings. Please ensure we are provided with your current email address, we will not be responsible if a third party travel arranger doesn’t pass on this information.

OUR REFUND POLICY DOES NOT COVER TRAVEL OR ACCOMMODATION BOOKED BY THE PASSENGER. WE RECOMMEND YOU TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE TO COVER FOR UNFORESEEN CANCELLATIONS.

NO SHARK POLICY

Everyone knows that when dealing with nature there are definitely NO GUARANTEES. We want to make sure that you are well informed about our Shark Policy and that your expectations are reasonable. We make every effort to ‘lure’ the Great White to us our boat within government specified guidelines however being the wonderful, impulsive & unpredictable creatures that they are we simply cannot guarantee sightings.

Shark activity varies year to year. To assist you with making your decision on the best time to travel please visit our shark sightings calendar. See our shark sightings

The price you pay is purchasing a ticket to join our charter and not a promise of a shark interaction.

In the event that we don’t see any Great White Sharks you will receive a $300 voucher to use towards another trip that is valid for 24 months from the date of the unsuccessful tour.

THESE VOUCHERS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANYONE ELSE AND PROOF OF ID WILL BE REQUIRED WHEN YOU NEXT CHOOSE TO BOOK.

Please note: The return voucher is a gift to those guests who wish to try again so the next trip is at a reduced price. The vouchers are not a compensation for the first trip to be cheaper and this is why they are not redeemable for cash or transferable.

If no sharks are sighted on the second trip, a voucher will be issued for $420 per person plus the current Visitor Use Fee.  If you are really unlucky after a third trip you are eligible to come on board for $100 per person plus the current Visitor Use Fee until you successfully see a shark.

UNEXPECTED OCCURANCE POLICY – NO SHARK CAGE POLICY

On occasion, there are events that occur at sea that are beyond our immediate control that may have an impact on the tour, without the tour being cancelled.

At all times, safety is our top priority and an unforeseen equipment breakdown or the weather conditions may prevent us from diving, or altering the way we operate.  For example , the weather forecast might be quite different to the conditions we encounter which may significantly delay or prevent us from diving, we will still remain on location the normal length of the tour whole time attracting a shark or be able to view them from the vessel.

In the event of this type of occurrence, guests will be refunded the difference between the price paid and $200 on a shark diving or Combo Tour.

This policy does not apply to guests who are unable to dive due to illness or seasickness.

PLEASE NOTE – In the event that the weather conditions are not favourable to Swim with the Sealions on our Combo tour, the tour will operate as a Twilight Shark Cage Diving charter.  Guests will then have the option to either receive a refund of $165 or choose to join a Swim with the Sealions charter at no charge on another day.

TRAVELLERS INSURANCE

No liability will be accepted for injury, sickness, loss or damage however caused. This includes costs associated with changes or cancellation of travel arrangements. Calypso Star Charters highly recommends that travellers take out Travellers Insurance for the flights and will not be responsible for any delays that may cause loss of travel arrangements.

MEALS ON TOURS

Dietary Requirements: Please inform us of any dietary requirements when you book. e.g. vegetarian or allergies to food to ensure we cater to your specific requirements.

GIFT VOUCHER & NO SHARK VOUCHER POLICY

Gift Vouchers may be transferred into another person’s name. This is not permitted for the No Shark Policy vouchers. For the transfer to be completed written permission must be received by Calypso Star Charters from the voucher recipient.

• Vouchers are not redeemable for cash.
• The expiry date will be listed on the voucher.
• The value of Package Gift Vouchers are for a dollar amount of what they have been purchased for at the time. Any price increases are applicable.
• Extensions may be granted by contacting our office prior to the voucher expiry. This will incur a $25.00 fee and the payment of any applicable price rises.
• Gift Vouchers can be cancelled inline with our booking cancellation policy within one month of the purchase date. A 20% cancellation fee applies.
• Gift Vouchers cannot be cancelled and refunded one month after the purchase date.
• The refund of the Gift Voucher minus the fee forfeited will be provided to the recipient of the voucher, not the person who has purchased the voucher.
• If the purchaser wishes to cancel a voucher, the recipient of the voucher is required to email us to confirm the cancellation.
• Vouchers that have been redeemed and then wish to be cancelled are not refunded for cash and will be reissued with a 12 month expiry date.
• No shark policy voucher – Payment of the balance of the ticket is due at the time of booking. Bookings must be made direct with our office or online. ID required at check in.
• Vouchers can be used towards an upgraded product type, payment of the balance must be paid at time of booking