Terms &conditions.

Last updated · October 2025

Please review our policy before booking your dives. If you have any questions about anything stated here, please contact us — we'll be happy to go over any of your questions or concerns. By confirming your reservation, you accept all of the terms & conditions below.

1. Booking & cancellation policy

At New Wave Divers we pride ourselves on keeping our groups small and providing personalised service. Our booking terms are designed to help us maintain this level of service, and we've outlined them below for your review.

Most of our customers book weeks or months in advance, and to ensure the best experience we limit the number of spaces available per trip. Once a reservation is made, that space on the boat is no longer available to other divers and snorkelers — meaning we often turn away other business to honour our commitment to you. Our policy is designed to be fair while helping us uphold the standard of service you expect and deserve.

2. Booking terms, pricing & payments

• Pricing. All prices are listed in PHP (Philippine Pesos) and are per person.
• Deposit. Booking confirmations require a deposit. The deposit is non-refundable and is deducted from the total cost of your booking.
• Full payment. Full payment is due at least 24 hours before the scheduled start of your activity. If payment is not received by the deadline, your reservation may be cancelled.
• Payment methods. We accept cash in Philippine Pesos (at the daily market rate), credit cards, and PayPal.

3. Customer-initiated cancellations & refunds

The "activity" refers to the earliest scheduled service (dive, non-dive activity, or room rental check-in) for your entire booking package.

• More than 24 hours before the activity. The deposit is non-refundable (forfeited). The remaining balance will not be charged.
• Less than 24 hours before, or a no-show. If cancellation occurs within 24 hours of the scheduled activity, or you fail to arrive at the scheduled time and place, the full cost of the activity (100%) will be charged.
• Partially used or missed activities. No refunds are issued for unused or partially completed activities, including those missed for personal reasons such as illness, ear problems or a change of plans. No substitutions or transfers can be made.
• Weather-related cancellations. If New Wave Divers is forced to cancel a trip due to unsafe weather or sea conditions, a full refund is issued, including the deposit. In such cases we'll do our best to offer an alternative date where possible.

4. Required documentation, certification & rules

• Waiver completion. All divers must complete the digital General Liability Release, Express Assumption of Risk, Medical Questionnaire and equipment rental form. We send these digital waivers by email upon booking.
• Failure to complete waivers. If these are not completed before your outing, you will not be permitted to take part in the excursion. The booking is then treated as a customer-initiated cancellation, and the full activity cost is charged.
• Diver certification. All certified divers must show proof of their scuba diving certification from a recognised training agency.
• Medical requirements. If you answer "yes" to any question on the Medical Questionnaire, a signed medical clearance from your physician is required. Without it, participation is denied — treated as a customer-initiated cancellation, and the full activity cost is charged.
• Fitness to dive. Instructors reserve the right to cancel any activity if they believe a participant is unfit to dive safely. This is treated as a customer-initiated cancellation and no refund is provided.
• Local rules (BBASS). While diving Boracay's dive sites, divers must adhere to the Boracay Business Association of Scuba Shops (BBASS) rules, which our guides will review with you. Divers who intentionally disregard them can have their diving privileges revoked.

5. Dive-center-initiated changes

• Schedule modifications. The dive center may need to adjust schedules or dive locations due to factors such as weather, boat availability or other logistics. For minor changes, no refund is issued. For significant changes, we'll offer an alternative option of comparable value.
• Cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. If your activity is cancelled by New Wave Divers due to unavoidable factors (e.g. severe weather or government restrictions), we'll offer a full refund, including your deposit.

Children's safety. All children under 40 lb (18 kg) must bring their own flotation device for their safety, and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times during the trip.

Changes to prices. Prices and conditions are subject to change without notice. We'll do our best to keep you informed of any updates.

Right to refuse service. New Wave Divers reserves the right to refuse service to anyone based on safety, conduct or other necessary grounds.

6. Cameras

It is at the discretion of our guides and instructors to assess a person's ability to use a camera, and to forbid its use for the diver's safety and the conservation of the dive site.

7. Reef shark observation & turtle encounters

Please keep in mind that, while there is a very high success rate of sightings during our excursions, we are entering animals' natural environment. We cannot control how many you'll encounter, and there's always a chance they may not be seen at all. A lack of wildlife sightings is not grounds for any refund, full or partial.

8. Students only

• Students are paying for a course, but certifications must be earned.
• We'll do our utmost to bring your skills and knowledge up to standard — and if that means extra dives or academic sessions, so be it (an extra rate may apply if necessary).
• We recommend planning at least 2 extra days for make-ups, weather conditions, sickness, mid-course breaks or other unforeseen events.

9. Equipment rentals & storage

• Rentals. Our equipment is well maintained and cared for, for our divers' comfort. When renting, the diver accepts responsibility for its care. If equipment is damaged or lost through negligence or misuse, the diver agrees to bear the cost of repair, or replacement at the current replacement value if necessary.
• Storage. We're happy to store your equipment during the duration of your dive trip with us. If you choose to do so, you accept that we do not bear responsibility for any loss, damage or theft that could occur to your equipment.