Terms & Conditions

Version 2.0 • 24 August 2026

Clear agreements. Personal service. These terms apply to courses, guided dives, dive trips and other activities booked with The Dive Shack Curaçao. They keep expectations clear while protecting the personal, flexible and safety-first service at the heart of The Dive Shack Curaçao.

1. Deposits and payment

Courses

• A 20% deposit is required to confirm a course booking.
• Required eLearning or digital course materials are paid separately and directly when the course is booked.
• Once eLearning has been purchased or activated, it is subject to the training agency’s refund policy and cannot be refunded by The Dive Shack Curaçao.
• The remaining course balance must be paid before the first practical training session.

Guided dives and dive trips

• A 20% deposit is required to confirm the booking.
• The remaining balance must be paid before the activity begins.

A booking is only confirmed after the required deposit and, where applicable, eLearning payment have been received.

2. Customer cancellation

• 48 hours or more before the activity: The deposit will be refunded, or the booking can be rescheduled.
• Between 24 and 48 hours before the activity: The booking may be rescheduled once, subject to availability. The deposit will be transferred to the new date but is not refundable.
• Less than 24 hours before the activity: The deposit is not refundable. Rescheduling may be offered at the discretion of The Dive Shack Curaçao.
• No-show: Payments and deposits are not refundable.
• Purchased or activated eLearning and other course materials are excluded from refunds.

3. Weather and sea conditions

Safety always comes first. The Dive Shack Curaçao may change the dive site, postpone or cancel an activity when weather, sea conditions or another safety concern makes the planned activity unsuitable.

Rescheduling will always be offered first. If a suitable alternative cannot be arranged, payments for services not yet provided will be refunded.

Directly purchased eLearning and materials remain with the student and are excluded from this refund.

The final decision about whether conditions are safe rests with The Dive Shack Curaçao.

4. Late arrival and no-show

Customers must arrive at the confirmed meeting time.

A late arrival may shorten the activity. If the delay makes it impossible to complete the activity safely or causes the customer to miss the scheduled departure, the booking will be treated as a same-day cancellation or no-show. In that situation, payments are not refundable.

Customers should contact The Dive Shack Curaçao as soon as possible if they expect to be late.

5. Medical requirements

Before starting a course, every student must complete or review the required diver medical questionnaire.

If the questionnaire indicates that medical approval is necessary, written clearance from a physician must be provided before participating in any in-water training.

Customers are responsible for informing The Dive Shack Curaçao of relevant medical conditions and arranging any required medical clearance in time.

Not obtaining the required medical clearance does not automatically override the normal cancellation policy.

6. Equipment damage or loss

Normal wear and tear during proper use is not charged to the customer.

Customers may be charged the reasonable repair or replacement cost when equipment is:

• Lost while in their care
• Damaged through negligence or misuse
• Used contrary to the briefing or instructions provided
• Returned incomplete

Customers are not responsible for existing defects, normal wear or equipment failure that was not caused by their actions.

7. Minimum participation

There is no minimum number of participants. Activities can operate with one customer, subject to availability, safety requirements and suitable conditions.

8. Course interruption, refunds, and rescheduling

When a course cannot be completed as originally scheduled, rescheduling is always the first option.

If a student decides to discontinue a course after it has started, the student will be charged for:

• Training and sessions already completed
• Instructor time already provided
• Used or activated course materials and eLearning
• Certification or administration costs already incurred

Any refundable balance for services not yet provided will be calculated and explained in writing.

9. Certification and additional training support

Payment for a course does not guarantee certification.

The course fee covers training, materials, administration and instructor time. Certification is earned by meeting all required knowledge, skill and performance standards.

The Dive Shack Curaçao believes in the quality of its teaching and is committed to giving every student a fair opportunity to succeed.

If additional practice is needed during an active course, up to two additional training sessions will be provided free of charge.

These complimentary sessions:

• Are intended for skills, knowledge or confidence that require additional attention
• Are offered when the instructor determines that additional training would benefit the student
• Must be scheduled according to instructor, equipment and site availability
• Remain subject to suitable weather and sea conditions
• Cannot be exchanged for money or transferred to another person or course

Our Training Promise

While The Dive Shack Curaçao cannot guarantee certification, we guarantee that we will do everything reasonably within our power to support, coach and help each student meet the required standards.

If further training is still required after the two complimentary sessions, the available options and any additional costs will be discussed and agreed upon before continuing.

10. Photos, video and customer information

Photos or videos may be taken during an activity when it is safe and practical to do so. Customers will receive access to the suitable images and footage captured during their activity.

The Dive Shack Curaçao will request separate permission before using identifiable images or footage on its website, social-media channels or other promotional materials.

Declining permission does not affect the customer’s booking, course or service.

Customer information is used only where necessary for:

• Booking and communication
• Safety and emergency planning
• Training and certification
• Insurance and incident administration
• Payment and business administration
• Legal recordkeeping

Customer information will not be used for marketing messages without separate consent.

11. Cancellation by The Dive Shack Curaçao

If The Dive Shack Curaçao must cancel an activity, rescheduling will be offered first.

If no suitable alternative can be arranged, the customer will receive a refund for all services not yet provided.

Directly purchased eLearning or course materials that remain available to the student are excluded from this refund.

The Dive Shack Curaçao is not responsible for additional personal expenses, including accommodation, flights, transport or other travel arrangements.

12. Acceptance of these terms

By paying a deposit or confirming a booking, the customer confirms that they have read, understood and accepted these booking terms and conditions.

These terms do not replace the required medical questionnaire, liability release, assumption-of-risk agreement or other documents required for participation.

Questions about an activity can be discussed directly before it is arranged.

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