Magdalena Bay Expedition Booking Terms & Conditions
Which Trips These Terms Apply To
These Booking Terms & Conditions apply only to Magdalena Bay expeditions booked through TannerUnderwater. They do not apply to local shark charters, On the Tigers, Fiji, or other expeditions, which have their own booking terms.
Please review these terms before making a payment. Your written booking confirmation identifies your expedition dates, price, inclusions, and payment deadlines.
Reservations & Payment Schedule
A non-refundable $500 USD holding deposit per guest secures your spot when booking more than six months before departure. Your reservation is confirmed once we receive payment and issue written booking confirmation.
The $500 holding deposit counts toward your total expedition price; it is not an additional fee.
Six months before departure: Your total payments must equal 50% of the expedition price. The $500 already paid is credited toward this amount.
Three months before departure: The remaining balance is due.
For bookings made within six months of departure, the 50% deposit is due at booking. For bookings made within three months of departure, full payment is due at booking.
Your booking confirmation will state your exact payment amounts and deadlines.
For a $3,500 USD expedition, the schedule is:
At booking, more than six months ahead: $500.
Six months before departure: An additional $1,250, bringing your total paid to $1,750.
Three months before departure: The remaining $1,750.
If a required payment is not received by its deadline, you forfeit your right to the reserved spot. We may cancel your reservation and offer it to another guest. Payments already made remain non-refundable under the guest cancellation policy, subject to applicable law.
Refunds for cancellation of the entire expedition by our team are governed separately by the “If We Must Cancel Your Expedition” section.
Guest Cancellations & Unused Services
All payments, including holding deposits, additional deposits, and final balances, are non-refundable if you cancel or cannot attend, subject to applicable law.
This includes being unable to attend because of illness, flight delays or cancellations, personal circumstances, or other disruptions to your travel plans.
No refunds are provided for late arrivals, voluntary early departures, or services you choose not to use.
These provisions do not override the separate policy below for cancellation of the entire expedition by our team or any refund required by applicable law.
Date Changes
Date changes are generally unavailable. We may consider requests on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability and our written approval.
A change is not guaranteed, and requesting one does not make your payments refundable. Your original reservation and payment deadlines remain in effect unless we confirm a change in writing.
Replacement Guests & Name Changes
If you cannot attend, you may request to transfer your reservation to another person. Any transfer requires our written approval, and the replacement guest must meet the expedition’s participation requirements and accept its booking terms.
You are responsible for finding a replacement and arranging any reimbursement between you and that person. We will assist with updating the booking once the transfer is approved.
A transfer request does not cancel your original booking, extend its payment deadlines, or entitle you to a refund.
Weather & Time on the Water
Our expeditions are scheduled during the season we consider most favorable for the experience. Each expedition includes four planned days on the water to maximize opportunities, but favorable weather and ocean conditions cannot be guaranteed.
Occasional bad-weather days are part of operating in this environment. Weather may require changes to departure times, locations, activities, or the daily itinerary, and may prevent us from going out on one or more days.
The captain and operating crew make the final decisions about whether and how activities can proceed safely. Guests must respect these decisions and follow crew instructions.
Weather-related changes, shortened days, or canceled days on the water during an expedition do not entitle guests to a refund, except where required by applicable law. Four planned days do not guarantee four completed days on the water.
If our team must cancel the entire expedition, the policy below applies.
Operational Delays & Itinerary Changes
Wildlife activity, port authority decisions, ocean conditions, mechanical issues, and safety concerns may affect the planned schedule.
The captain and operating crew may delay departures, adjust locations or activities, modify the itinerary, or return earlier or later than planned when reasonably necessary.
Scheduled times and activities are plans rather than guarantees. We will communicate material changes as promptly as reasonably possible.
This section does not expand the weather-related no-refund policy to every operational problem or override the expedition-cancellation policy or applicable law.
Wildlife Encounters
Wildlife is free-ranging and unpredictable. We cannot guarantee particular species, sightings, proximity, behavior, or opportunities to enter the water.
A lack of sightings or a particular wildlife encounter does not entitle guests to a refund for an expedition that operates.
The crew will determine whether an encounter or water activity is appropriate based on conditions, wildlife behavior, and guest safety.
Guest Safety & Participation
Ocean conditions can be physically demanding. Guests must accurately describe their relevant swimming and water experience and discuss any concerns about participating with us before booking.
Guests must attend safety briefings, follow crew instructions, and treat fellow guests, crew, wildlife, and equipment respectfully.
The crew may restrict or stop a guest’s participation in an activity when reasonably necessary for safety, including when instructions are not followed.
These booking terms do not replace any separate participation documents or liability waiver required for the expedition.
If We Must Cancel Your Expedition
If an event beyond our reasonable control, such as severe weather, a port closure, or a government restriction, prevents us from operating your expedition, we will notify you as soon as possible.
We will refund the portion of your payment that has not been spent or committed to non-refundable expenses specifically associated with your booking. These expenses may include accommodations, boats, captains, transportation, and food arrangements secured in advance.
We will make reasonable efforts to recover payments from our suppliers and reduce cancellation costs. We will provide a breakdown of any amounts withheld and return your share of any additional supplier refunds we subsequently receive.
Because some advance payments may be unrecoverable, your refund could be partial, and in some circumstances no funds may be recoverable. A full refund cannot be guaranteed. Any refund required by applicable law will still be provided.
This provision applies when we cancel the entire expedition because of circumstances beyond our reasonable control. It does not apply to guest cancellations or individual weather-affected days during an expedition.
It does not establish a right to retain payments when we cancel for reasons within our reasonable control.
Travel Arrangements & Additional Expenses
Guests are responsible for arranging travel to and from the expedition unless a particular service is expressly included in their booking confirmation.
Please allow adequate travel time and follow the arrival and departure guidance provided for your trip.
Unless included in your booking or otherwise required by applicable law, additional expenses arising from travel disruptions or circumstances beyond our reasonable control are the guest’s responsibility. These may include extra hotel nights, meals, transportation, and flight rebooking or change fees.
The expedition price does not include reimbursement of these additional expenses. Please review appropriate insurance coverage before traveling.
Personal Belongings & Equipment
Guests are responsible for safeguarding their luggage, cameras, electronics, and other personal belongings. Ocean travel exposes equipment to water, salt, movement, and other risks.
Bring suitable protection for your belongings and consider insurance for valuable equipment. Customs duties, taxes, and charges associated with your personal equipment are your responsibility.
Nothing in this section excludes responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Travel & Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage, along with appropriate medical, emergency evacuation, and repatriation coverage.
Confirm directly with your insurer that the policy covers your destination and the activities you intend to participate in, including applicable boating, snorkeling, freediving, or other in-water wildlife activities.
Review the policy’s covered reasons, exclusions, benefit limits, purchase deadlines, and requirements for insuring your trip costs. Ask specifically about weather disruptions, port closures, missed connections, and cancellation by the expedition operator.
Not every disruption or operator cancellation is covered. Purchasing insurance does not guarantee reimbursement or change our booking and cancellation policies.
Questions Before Booking
We want you to understand the payment schedule, weather considerations, and cancellation terms before committing to the expedition.
Please contact info@tannerunderwater.com with any questions before sending your deposit.