Terms of service

WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER encourage you to read these Terms and Conditions carefully, as they constitute a contract agreement between WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER and YOU from the time the booking is made. The person who makes the booking accepts these conditions on behalf of all the people in the group and is responsible for all payments due.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • 30% down payment is required to confirm a booking
    Reserved accommodations will only be held for 5 days from the date of the invoice. If no down payment is received within the 15 days period, WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER may release the rooms to other guests. Extension of room reservation is dependent on availability.
  • Full payment is required to settle one (1) month before the arrival date; otherwise the booking may
    be cancelled.
  • A Confirmation Tour Voucher and the Travel Information Sheet will be issued upon receipt of full payment via e-mail. Guests should have to check that all information on the Confirmation Voucher is correct. The details on the Confirmation Voucher will be followed for all arrangements.
  • Please print out or save these documents as you will present them all for all services during your visit to preferred destination

PAYMENT DETAILS
Payment can be done through a bank wire/deposit, Paypal, Western Union Money transfer.

  • WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER does not cover for any transactional charges. Actual amount received will be taken as the actual payment received.
  • Guests may request for the bank reflecting the actual amount received.
  • For Bank deposit please send us a scanned copy of the slip for our review.
  • For Paypal payment you may add 5% of the total amount for the transactional charges.
  • For last minute booking within 7 days where guest will arrive, we prefer Credit card payment online through our website.
  • Checks payment may be accepted for local travelers only.

CHECK PAYMENT:
Payable to: WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER
Check payment often require lengthy processing times of up to 7-working days before release. Payments made by check are not considered “paid”, until fully cleared by our bank and released for payment

PAYPAL Payment: ruby.r.lita@gmail.com
By using PayPal, there will be an additional charge of 5% to your total amount due. Please add this additional charge when you pay using the PayPal system. Please also add PHP50.00 if deposit is Php6999.00 to defray for the Paypal charges.

For WESTERN UNION:
With 245,000 Western Union Agent locations worldwide, it is easy to send and receive money. Choose to send money in minutes, the next day or directly to a bank account. Use cash, a credit card, or a debit card.

BANK DEPOSIT
BANK Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI)
BRANCH 0084- Legazpi City Rotonda
Account Name: WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | Ruby Radana Lita
Account number: 
PESO ACCOUNT 0843-4338-71  
DOLLAR ACCOUNT 0844-0254-83

SWIFT CODE ROUTING NUMBER: BOPIPHMM 005873

CANCELLATION and REFUNDS:
If the cancellation is made:
30-80 days prior to arrival date - 30% non-refundable
15-29 days prior to arrival date  - 60% non-refundable
7-14 days prior to arrival date    - 80% non- refundable
Within 6 days to arrival date       - 100% non-refundable

NO SHOW - 100% non-refundable

• Cancellation and refunds of accommodations will be subject to the rules and policies of the hotel or resort.
• For full packages purchased, cancellation charges will be computed based on the
accommodations, activities and transfers availed of.
• Partial cancellation for a group: Deposits for groups are taken as a deposit for each group
member and the cancellation policy applies to each person. For example, if one group member cancels, their portion of the deposit will be non-refundable according to the refund policy above unless someone else can fill their space.
• Cancellations due to force majeure or fortuitous events – World weather is becoming more erratic and unpredictable and we cannot be held responsible for disruption to your holiday due to bad or unusual weather conditions,
Please take note that WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER is not responsible for changes which arise as a result of events outside of our control, such as technical or maintenance problems with transportation, changes imposed by re-scheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline, or main charter company, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial disputes, natural disasters, bad weather or terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, epidemics and pandemics.
• There will be No Refunds for activities on the itinerary that are not done. However, for activities cancelled by WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER operations team due to operational concerns, full refund will be provided. For activities cancelled due to force majeure or fortuitous events, 70% will be refunded provided WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER is unable to provide an alternate activity.
• Transaction charges for the refunds will not be covered by WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER

SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT (for Filipino citizenship ONLY)
• As required by the law of the Philippines, Senior Citizens will be offered a discount of 12% provided that no other discount/offer has been availed of.
• The discount only applies to the senior citizen and a senior citizen discount will only apply after a copy of the senior citizen card issued by the Republic of the Philippines is provided.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN
• If you are travelling with young children (from 2 years old to 11 years old), it is important to note that child seats are not provided for transfers and the legislation varies from one country to another.
• Free accommodation stays for children are generally based on sharing existing beds in the room. If you require a separate bed, you must advise us at the time of booking, for there is a corresponding charge added to your booking.

PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES
WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER makes every reasonable effort to accommodate all passengers’ needs; however, our vehicles are not equipped with disability access, wheelchairs and other disability aids. We assume no responsibility for injury or any inconvenience in
this regard. We cannot guarantee hotel rooms for our customers with disabilities either when booking and overnight trip with hotel accommodation included. However, we will do our very best to try to reserve the appropriate room, if available. Passengers with disabilities and/or any other health issues
must advise and inform WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER by email at the time of making the reservation. We reserve the right to decline a booking should it be determined that we are unable to properly accommodate or meet our obligations towards that
passenger(s) and or for safety considerations

REBOOKING:
• The package may be rebooked within 1 year from the expected date of arrival, but the rebooking will be subject to penalties/cancellation charges such as, but not limited to, flight rebooking penalties and hotel/resort cancellation charges.
• Rebooking does not apply for partial cancellations for a group. Rebooking only applies for entire group cancellations.

ITINERARY CHANGES
• A suggested itinerary is provided. Should there be changes in the itinerary at the option of the guest, he must inform the WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER at least 24 hours before booking confirmation. Re-arranging of the itinerary is subject to approval of WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER and may be subject to surcharges and penalties.
• WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER reserves the right to change the travel itinerary without notice if safety, weather or other conditions beyond the control WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER require that such changes be made.
• For hotel/resort accommodations, the standard check-in time is 2:00 PM and the standard check-out time is 12:00 PM. WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER will arrange for early check-in or late check-out depending on room availability.

GUARANTEES AND LIABILITIES
• WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER does NOT guarantee the presence of Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, or Fireflies during the guests visit at all times considering that these are wild animals and their presence or absence is beyond human control.
• WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER likewise shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages, losses caused to any traveler in connection with terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, schedule changes caused by weather or road conditions, force majeure such
as natural catastrophes, strikes, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other irregularities, actions, omissions or conditions outside the travel agent’s reasonable control.
• All information on WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER website is subject to change and we reserve the right to correct any mistakes that may appear on our website. These general booking conditions are subject to change and we reserve the right to update these conditions without notice.
• WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER reserves the right
to refuse service to anybody. Every passenger on board the vehicle must respect the tour guide and the time frame in which a tour is scheduled to occur when you stop for photos, breaks, hiking, walking or visiting a site of interest. WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER is not responsible for any delays caused by the customer or individual who does not comply with the time limit a tour guide recommends for each stop or site. Please note that overtime fees may apply if applicable. WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER reserves the right to remove any passenger who causes a disturbance to any individual in the vehicle, including the tour guide/driver, or poses as a threat to an
otherwise smooth and safe trip.
• Some tours may include physical activities like hiking, walking, kayaking, riding an ATV (all terrain vehicle), rafting, riding in vehicles, which involves risks. WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER does not assume any responsibility for any injuries, accidents or health issues that might be a result from any of these physical activities. All of our customers are responsible for evaluating the potential risks of participating in any of our tours that may
involve physical activity. Please immediately inform WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER if you have any health issues prior to making your reservation.
• Guests are advised to be responsible for the safe keeping of their personal belongings and valuables. WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER will NOT be liable for loss or damage of personal belongings and valuables. Nevertheless, WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER has safety measures and precautions in place to contribute to the safety of the guests’ personal belongings and valuables
• WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER is responsible for ensuring the smooth arrangement of the guests’ travel needs, activity requirements, and accommodations as stated on the Confirmation Notice.

CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE AND ACCOMMODATIONS
WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER is neither a carrier nor a provider of accommodations. Each journey (whether undertaken or not) that you book by land, sea or air is governed by the conditions of the carrier undertaking to provide that carriage. Some of these conditions limit or exclude liability and are often the subject of international agreements. Copies of the
applicable agreements are available for inspection at the offices of the carrier concerned. It is the client’s responsibility to re-confirm the onward or return sectors of any air journey with the carrier concerned and according to such carrier’s terms and conditions and respective regulations. When you book accommodations (whether provided or not) its availability or provision is subject to
the ‘house rules’ of the hotel or other accommodation providing or undertaking to provide such accommodations.

Termination
We reserve the right in our absolute discretion to terminate the client’s travel arrangements without notice should the said client’s behavior be such that it is likely in our opinion, in violation of any applicable governing laws, cause distress, damage, annoyance, or danger to WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER, or any of its staff or any other person. In such
circumstances, no refund or compensation will be due to the client
Clients should be guided by the Hotel’s Check-in and Check-out policies. The standard hotel check-in is at 2:00PM while check-out is at 12:00 Noon. Early Check-in is SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY and sometimes Hotels charge EXTRA for Early Check-in. Damage and Loss of Hotel Key Cards, Bed sheets and Towels, and Consumption of Food and Drinks in the Mini-fridge-Bar and other Incidental Expenses are NOT included in the Tour/Travel Package and these are charged to the client.

TOUR GUIDES
Clients should take note that Tour Guides and Tour Facilitators are NOT the personal maids of the guests/clients. Clients should not expect that the tour guides would personally assist to their every need. Carrying of
Luggage’s is the responsibility of the clients. A tour guide is also a human person who deserves some respect. Thus, we advise our clients to treat our tour guides with proper respect and decency. If clients need to reprimand the tour guide, please do so in a decent manner, otherwise, we would be constrained to cancel your tour without any refund.
• We reserve the right to refuse service to any person or business who may refuse to comply with our safety instructions, our tour itinerary, or to anyone who may pose a threat to our customers and/or our tour guide-drivers. Screaming at or insulting tour guide-drivers or fellow passengers or third party businesses and subcontractors is NOT ACCEPTABLE under any circumstances and will terminate and cancel your tour without any refund. Discrimination
against a customer or a tour guide/driver for any reason is not acceptable either under any circumstance.

INSURANCE and SAFETY CLAUSES:
Please note that individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price and all medical costs and other costs involved must be paid for by the client.
• To ensure peace of mind while on vacation, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER will not be responsible for any injuries, accidents, or death.
• WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER will not be responsible for expenses incurred due to airline, ferry, or bus delays or cancellation, lost luggage, health issues, or other unwanted and unforeseen scenarios.
• Claiming against the insurance company is the responsibility of the guest, WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER will assist in providing all the necessary paperwork/documentation.
• Please be reminded of the NO FLYING AFTER DIVING We recommend a MINIMUM of 18 HOURS surface interval after the final dive before flying.

OTHER INFORMATION
• All divers must present proof of certification prior to all in water activities. Divers will only be allowed to dive within the limits of their certification and/or proven experience.
• To assist us with better service, we highly suggest providing us with an accomplished customer information sheet, at least 15 days prior to arrival.
• For group bookings, it would be highly appreciated if a rooming list can be provided 15 days prior to arrival.
• All photos or videos taken by our staff of our customers or passengers, during the capacity of the tour, trip or transfer, may be included on our website. Customers hereby agree to the use of these photos and videos and under no circumstances can customers dispute.
• No substitution or refunds for any unused part of the tour(s) will be issued. All sales are final.
• No refunds will be issued for a no-show or unused portion of the tour.
• Tour guide/driver gratuities are not included in our tour price unless indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.
• Tour prices do not include additional incidental fees, unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.
• All vehicles operated by WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER are non-smoking according to Municipal and City Ordinances.

COMPLAINTS
Our main goal is to provide you with an excellent service. If you, for any reason, are not satisfied with your holiday package, we would like to hear about it. We recommend you contact us as soon as any incident occurs. All complaints must reach WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS within 10 days after your departure. Otherwise, any possible compensation entitlement will not be valid.
Please call WHALESHARK ADVENTURE & TOURS | BICOL DIVE CENTER at +63-917-503 –6403, from wherever you may be or email us at legal@bicoldivecenter.com . If a problem arises during your trip, please contact us immediately, so that we can assist you. All notices and communications shall be in writing, in English and shall deemed given if delivered personally or by commercial messenger or courier service, or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or sent via email/ facsimile, with due acknowledgment of complete transmission to the following address.


  BICOL DIVE CENTER                                          CONFORME:                                 Brgy. Dancalan, Donsol, Sorsogon
 4715, Philippines
 www.donsolwhaleshark.net