Our Tour - Terms & Conditions
By purchasing a ticket you confirm that you have read, understood and accept the following terms and conditions:
WEATHER/CANCELLATION
We do not guarantee that your tour will take place at the scheduled time. Schedules may change without notice for a variety of reasons including, but not limited, to bad weather, technical disruptions, the availability of marine mammals or the minimum passenger numbers being achieved. Scheduled times do not form part of your contract with us.
We reserve the right to cancel, or change a tour, or to replace any boats at any time in the interests of passenger safety. Weather and sea conditions can change quickly and this may alter the status of your tour at any time. In rough sea conditions, the boat captain may increase child age limits, or place restrictions on, or refuse to carry passengers with medical conditions and/or limited mobility and on passengers who are pregnant.
HEALTH/SAFETY
We may refuse to carry you if we, acting reasonably, are not completely satisfied that it is practicable and safe for you to participate in the tour. Before you make any booking you must tell us if you (including all participants in your booking) suffer from any illness, disease or other mobility or medical condition which may make it impracticable, or unsafe for you, or other passengers, to participate in the tour, or if you think you could be affected by adverse sea and weather conditions.
All tours carry a degree of risk and by participating in the tour provided by us you are expressly assuming those risks personally and are, to the maximum extent permitted by law, releasing us and our officers and employees from any liability, claims, losses, damages or expenses caused by any event, including, but not limited to: personal injury or death, property loss or damage, acts which may be construed as negligent or accidental, any other loss, damage, suffering, emotional or nervous disorder.
To ensure maximum safety and enjoyment of the tour by yourself and other passengers you must follow all reasonable instructions given by our staff before, during and after the tour and you agree that you will ensure that any children in your care do the same. You are responsible for the safety and protection of your own personal possessions at all times.
Even if you have a booking, we may refuse to carry you if we reasonably believe that carrying you may put the safety of the boat, or the safety or health of any person in the boat, in danger or at risk, or if you have not obeyed the instructions of our staff or a member of the crew of the boat relating to safety or security, or if you require special assistance and you have not previously made arrangements for such assistance, or if you are drunk or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or we reasonably believe you are in unlawful possession of drugs.
PUBLIC HEALTH
We reserve the right to only provide our services to you in accordance with any applicable legislation and/or the New Zealand Government’s most current public health advice in respect of any pandemic infectious diseases. We may request further evidence from you, such as proof of vaccination to assist with our decision to provide our services to you.
Should you make a booking with us after we have announced any requirements relating to any pandemic (such as the need to be vaccinated), we can provide you with a full refund if you cannot satisfy these requirements.
CHECK IN DEADLINE
Check-in deadlines apply and may be strictly enforced. To help us get your tour away on time, ensure you are at the departure point by the time specified. You will not be able to check-in after the check-in deadline. Arrival after the check-in deadline may result in you losing your tour and the entire fare paid. The boat will not be held for you if you arrive late at the departure point. We are not liable to you for any direct, or indirect, loss, or damage you may suffer as a result of your late arrival at either check in, or the departure point.
GUARANTEE
There is no guarantee that whales will be seen on your tour. In the event your tour does not sight a whale we guarantee to refund 80% of your tour cost. This refund guarantee does not apply to Nature Cruises (i.e. tours not focused on Whale Watching).
For the avoidance of doubt, a whale, as defined by the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, means all species commonly known as whales; and includes baleen whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, killer whales and pilot whales.
SUMMARY OF FARE CONDITIONS
Online Bookings
The name Whale Watch Kaikoura will appear on cardholder statements for bookings made through this website.
Tour Cancellation
In the event that your tour is cancelled by us a full refund will be given. Please note when booking through a third party seller and not directly with us (Whale Watch Kaikoura) your refund will be processed back to them. You will then need to contact them directly for your refund.
Booking Cancellation or Changes
To cancel or change your booking please contact us by:
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Contact Information |
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Freephone |
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International |
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Fax |
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Email |
Please Note:
- No charge applies to any booking changes made
- No booking fee is charged
- No credit card transaction fee is charged
- No refunds will be given in the event of your failure to notify us of your cancellation 48 hours before the check-in time
- We accept VISA, MASTERCARD and UNION PAY credit cards. WeChat Pay and Alipay payment available both online and at point of sale.
AGREEMENT
By purchasing a tour ticket you are saying that you understand and accept the above terms and conditions and also that you:
- agree that your successors, executors, administrators and next of kin are bound by the terms and conditions;
- agree, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not to commence any litigation or proceedings in any country in relation to the risks and perils of the tour and to indemnify us against any such claims;
- consent to receive medical treatment in the case of injury, accident or illness during the tour and to indemnify us against any claims in respect of this treatment;
- agree that any photographs, films, sound, video or other recordings taken of events or people by anyone during the tour will not be used in any promotion or advertising without our consent, however, we may use such images or recordings at our complete discretion without any prior approval;
- confirm that the email address you have provided belongs to you or is authorised for your use and that you consent to us sending to you, from time to time and until such time as you unsubscribe, marketing information (including surveys) in relation to our business and your experience with us;
- acknowledge that if you are purchasing a tour ticket for business purposes, the provisions of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 shall not apply;
- agree that this Agreement is governed by New Zealand law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
Privacy Policy
Please see our Privacy Policy here.