This policy describes our terms and conditions and how we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information that you provide, is provided on your behalf or is collected by us. We are subject to the privacy and data protection laws that may be applicable in Curaçao. This policy should not be viewed as a supplement to such local privacy laws and will not vary or diminish our obligations under the applicable local privacy laws. To the extent this policy conflicts with any provisions of local privacy laws, such local privacy laws will take precedence over this policy.
This policy may be amended or updated at our discretion from time to time to reflect changes in our practices incl. with respect to the processing of personal data, or any changes in applicable law.
Please be aware that the original English version may have been translated into other languages. The only accepted legal version remains the original English version; and not the web-translated version(s).
1. Your consent
By using our site and products & services, as well as employment opportunities, you fully consent to our terms and conditions and data privacy policy
2. Reservations
Reservations will be confirmed upon paying in full. 5% surcharge on the amount due if pre-bookings are paid by credit card. Bank transfer costs for payments are for the sender.
We advise you to sign up ahead of time as spots cannot be guaranteed.
Packages do not include special trips, add-ons, dive equipment (with the exception of tank and weights for boat diving packages), nitrox fills, dive insurance.
Boat diving packages include tank and weights and unlimited air from shore.
Courses include dive equipment, certification and all course materials.
3. Cancellations
We offer free rescheduling up to 12 months from the date of your current reservation.
Cancellations can be made up to 24 hours in advance without any charge, with the exclusion of third party costs as i.e. 1) e-learning & 2) (international) banking and administration fees in case of prepayment. For the latter a 10% fee will be deducted. For cancellations within 24 hours, a fee of 25% will be applied with the exclusion of Dolphin Dives. No Shows and Dolphin Dives within 24 hours will be charged the full amount.
FIT bookings via third party intermediary/tour operator will not be refunded if changes occur on day of arrival or after. For group bookings and sleep & dive bookings, terms may vary depending on i.e. the intermediary, tour operator, trip leader, hotel, resort etc. and can be provided upon request if not received immediately with the booking.
4. Check-in
Electronic waiver
Completing an electronic waiver is part of the check-in process. Should you and/or your group not have received a (custom) link, kindly contact accounting@oceanencounters.com to send the link. Limited devices are available in the shop to complete the waiver. In exceptional cases, there are also hardcopy waivers.
What to bring
Check-in required with your certification card, ID and Credit Card (authorization/deposit required; see deposit policy in shop).
Check-in times
Please check departure times for our trips with the facility you are engaging in your activity/activities from. Our dive center is open from 8AM till 5PM. The morning activities start at 8.30AM; the afternoon activities at 2PM. Check-in at your earliest convenience with your certification card, ID and Credit Card; preferably the day of your arrival or at least at 8AM on your first diving day. If you are not present at least 20 minutes prior to departure you may lose your spot.
5. Last dive more than 18 months ago
If you have not been diving in the last 18 months before your dive trip, either a refresher or PADI ReActivate course is required prior to diving. If more than 10 years, a resort certification or open water course is required.
6. Equipment rental
A deposit will be kept until any rental equipment is returned, rinsed and in the same condition as you originally rented it from us. The equipment will be charged to your account for every day it is in your possession. Rinsing regulators without dust-caps will result in a $10 cleaning fee. Lost or missing weights will be charged at $5.50 per pound. Lost or missing equipment will be charged at (new) replacement cost.
7. External instructor’s responsibilities and liabilities
When teaching any courses during your trip at Ocean Encounters Curaçao premises and/or on Ocean Encounters Curaçao boats and/or using Ocean Encounters Curaçao equipment, you are required to inform Ocean Encounter beforehand and complete the Ocean Encounters Curaçao Waiver (Instructor). It is mandatory to provide proof of 1) being a dive instructor, 2) having a valid instructor teaching status, and 3) having an instructor liability insurance – with Ocean Encounters Curaçao included on the policy if the insurance company allows this – for the duration of your stay. Ocean Encounters Curaçao will take no responsibility and/or liability in any way for any matters related to dive education & certifications; personal injury, property damage or loss, wrongful death or other damages resulting from courses taught by external (non-Ocean Encounters Curaçao) instructors from groups that the participants joined on their own account.
8. Payment options
We accept American Dollars, Netherlands Antillean Guilders, Debit and Credit Cards.
9. Personal data
The categories of personal data about you that we may process, subject to applicable law, are as follows:
10. Collection of personal data
We collect or obtain personal data about you from a variety of sources as follows:
11. The legal basis for processing your personal data
We seek to collect or otherwise process your personal data, for the following legal basis:
12. Purposes for which we may process your personal data
The purposes for which we may process personal data are:
13. Disclosure of personal data to third parties
We will not intentionally disclose or transfer (and will take reasonable steps to prevent the unauthorized or accidental disclosure of) your personal data to third parties without your consent. As long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential, we may disclose your personal data, to:
We may also disclose your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.
14. Data security
We have implemented appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect your personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized access, and other unlawful or unauthorized forms of processing, in accordance with applicable law.
15. Retention of your personal data
We will retain your personal data in accordance with our data retention policy.
16. Rights to access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing
Subject to applicable law, you may have the right on legitimate grounds to request access, rectification, erasure, and/or restriction of processing to your personal data.
17. Disclaimer website
The data contained in this website www.oceanencounters.com is intended to provide general information to the public incl. you. Reasonable skill and care has been used in producing the website and keeping the data updated. However, we do not guarantee that all data on the website is accurate, complete or up-to-date. We accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies, in the information provided, nor for any loss, damage, injury or expense, suffered or incurred as a result of reliance on the information on this website. The data on the website does not constitute legal advice nor is intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular legal or natural person.
This website may be amended or updated at our discretion from time to time without notice in order to provide accurate content. If you find a mistake or something that should not be there, please contact accounting@oceanencounters.com.
This website www.oceanencounters.com and any content contained herein may not be copied, modified, transmitted, distributed, sold, displayed, licensed, or reproduced in any way by you without our express written permission.
18. Jurisdiction
All agreements and legal relationship with you, is under the Curaçao law. Venue for any and all disputes that may arise between you and Ocean Encounters Curaçao will be submitted to a court of competent jurisdiction in Willemstad, Curaçao.
19. Contact details
If you have any comments, questions or concerns including about our processing of personal data, please contact accounting@oceanencounters.com. Gifts Encounters N.V. with trade name Ocean Encounters Curaçao have as address Bapor Kibra z/n & can be reached on +5999 6940038.