Terms & Conditions
General Policy
Whitsunday Expeditions accepts no liability for travel arrangements or expenses outside of our tours. While every effort is made to ensure the safety of our guests, we cannot be held responsible for personal injury, loss, or damage resulting from circumstances beyond our control.
Whitsunday Expeditions reserves the right to amend or cancel tours at any time, with or without notice, if management or relevant authorities determine that safety may be compromised. The wellbeing of our guests and crew is our highest priority.
All check-ins must be completed online prior to departure. If you experience any issues completing your check-in or have questions about the process, please contact our friendly reservations team for assistance.
For full details, please review the terms below or contact Whitsunday Expeditions directly for help with your booking or to request changes.
We strive to safeguard all guests; however, Whitsunday Expeditions cannot be held liable for any loss, damage, or injury beyond our control.
Cancellations made within the applicable cancellation period will result in forfeiture of the full ticket price. Cancellations made outside these periods will receive a full refund, less any credit card or administration fees.
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Overnight Tours: 14 days
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Day Trips: 24 hours
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Private Charters: 30 days
These policies apply to direct bookings with Whitsunday Expeditions. If your booking was made through a travel agent, that agent’s cancellation terms may differ and may include longer notice periods.
Approved date changes requested within the cancellation period may incur a $50 per person transfer fee, and any applicable fare differences will apply if the new travel date falls within a higher rate period (e.g., high season).
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Booking is confirmed upon payment of deposit.
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Balance payments must be made in full 30 days before charter commencement.
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Cancellations 60 days or more before departure: loss of 50% of deposit.
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Cancellations 30–60 days before departure: loss of full deposit.
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Cancellations within 30 days of departure: forfeit of full charter price.
We highly recommend that all charter guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellations.
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Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of 15% of the total cruise cost is required at booking.
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Payment Options:
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Payment Plan – Five equal instalments, with schedule agreed with Whitsunday Expeditions.
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Full Payment – Due 90 days before departure date.
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Airlie Beach is located in a tropical climate and can experience unpredictable weather, particularly during the wet season (December to May). We strongly recommend all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover possible disruptions such as road closures, flight or tour cancellations, or delays.
Our tours operate in partially smooth waters and are not cancelled for rain, cloud cover, or strong winds. Tours will only be cancelled if:
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The Regional Harbour Master closes the area, or
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The Operator or Vessel Skipper determines that conditions are unsafe.
Whitsunday Expeditions reserves the right to modify itineraries, substitute vessels, or cancel tours with little or no notice for safety or operational reasons.
Adventure sailing involves inherent risks. Guests participate at their own risk, including swimming and snorkelling activities. Dangerous marine life, including jellyfish, may be present at certain times of year. To minimise risk, protective ‘Stinger Suits’ are provided and must be worn in the water. Whitsunday Expeditions accepts no liability for injury, illness, or death resulting from jellyfish stings or other natural hazards.
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The Operator reserves the right to refuse boarding to any guest who arrives intoxicated or under the influence of illegal substances.
While on tour, guests must follow all crew instructions and comply with applicable laws. Public nuisance, harassment, abuse of staff, or antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated. Guests who fail to comply with instructions or endanger the safety of others may be restrained and removed from the tour.
All costs associated with removal will be borne by the guest, and no refund will be issued.
Each vessel requires a minimum number of guests to operate. Whitsunday Expeditions reserves the right to cancel a scheduled trip if this minimum is not met. Where possible, an alternative date will be offered.
Whitsunday Expeditions reserves the right to alter routes, activities, or vessels at any time without prior notice. All tours and departures are subject to weather conditions and operational requirements.
While every effort is made to deliver advertised experiences, all itineraries are flexible and may change for passenger comfort and safety.
All standard inclusions (meals, snorkel equipment, stinger suits, and fresh linen) are covered in your tour price. Optional activities such as SCUBA Diving and Stand Up Paddleboarding are subject to availability and are payable onboard.
If your tour expectations were not met, please contact us at info@whitsundayexpeditions.com.au within five (5) business days of your return to Airlie Beach. We will conduct an internal review to understand the circumstances and assist with resolution.
In accordance with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland legislation, abuse directed toward our team will not be tolerated.
Guests on overnight vessels who require alternative dietary options (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy/lactose-free) will incur a dietary surcharge, payable at check-in.
Please contact our Reservations Team for specific surcharge amounts, as they vary by vessel.
Please note: We are unable to accommodate Halal or Kosher dietary requirements.
We believe food is an essential part of the guest experience and provide meals designed to fuel an active day on the water.
Overnight Tours:
Guests must check in before boarding.
Online waiver forms must be completed no later than 72 hours before travel. A confirmation email will be sent to the confirmed traveller.Day Tours:
Guests must check in before boarding.
Online waiver forms must be completed by 6:00 pm the day before travel. A confirmation email will be sent to the confirmed traveller.Due to limited space onboard, guests are asked to pack light using soft-sided bags only — no hard-case or trolley bags, please.
Please note that there is no luggage storage available at the marina. Storage options are available on Airlie Beach’s Main Street.
While we do our best to accommodate guest cabin requests, these cannot be guaranteed. Alternative arrangements will be offered where possible, and bookings will be confirmed upon acceptance.
Guests are required to vacate their accommodation and pack luggage on the final day of the tour to allow our crew to prepare cabins for the next departure.
We cannot refund costs if you miss your tour due to weather-related road closures, flight cancellations, or other disruptions.
We strongly recommend all guests obtain travel insurance covering illness, injury, cancellation, and loss or damage to belongings — particularly during the wet season.
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More than 14 days prior to departure: $50 transfer fee.
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Within 14 days of departure: Subject to operator discretion and $50 transfer fee if approved.
To request a date change, please contact:
info@whitsundayexpeditions.com.au-
If Whitsunday Expeditions cancels a tour for safety or operational reasons:
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Direct Bookings: Receive a 100% refund (excluding booking/transaction fees).
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Third-Party Bookings: Please contact your agent directly; their terms apply.
Guests may alternatively choose to reschedule or receive an open-dated ticket.
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Guests may be refused boarding if they:
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Show flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath), or
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Have had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
If you experience symptoms before your tour, contact us immediately.
Cancellations within the standard cancellation period are non-refundable; however, Whitsunday Expeditions can provide a support letter for travel insurance claims.
We strongly recommend that all guests maintain travel insurance covering COVID-19-related cancellations.
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