Hervey Bay Dive Centre: Swim with the Whales

What To Bring

Wear comfy shoes and bring a small bag, including:

• Swimmers
• Towel
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Jacket
• Polaroid sunglasses
• Money for drinks and souvenirs

 Check out our tips on packing for your whale watching tour here.

What's Included

• Swim with whales (when conditions permit, July - October)
• Up-close 3/4 day whale encounter
• Guaranteed whale sightings
• Morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea
• Snorkelling gear, wet suits and instruction

Terms and Conditions

Important Information:

Whale watching is seasonal: late July to late October - please call to check exact dates.

Hervey Bay Dive Centre T&Cs:

Swimming with the whales cannot be guaranteed. Swimming with the whales will always be on the whales' terms and at the digression of the ship’s master. Whale sightings are guaranteed between 20 July and 30 October. In the unlikely event that the ship’s master is unable to locate a whale during this period, a complimentary return ticket will be offered.

In the unlikely event that the tour has to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, sea state or the like; Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to cancel a tour on short notice. In this situation, an alternate trip may be booked or a full refund offered. 

Each whale swim participant must be a competent swimmer.

Children under the age of 8 years will not be permitted to swim with the whales. Children under the age of 8 years must be supervised by a parental guardian on the vessel. Children over 8 years of age must be competent swimmers and have written parental permission to participate in the whale swim immersive experience.

Each whale swim participant must attend the briefing prior to the immersive experience. All whale swim participants are required to read, acknowledge and sign the swim with whales terms and conditions prior to the immersive experience:

1. All online bookings cancelled will incur a 20% administration fee.

2. If the vessel leaves without you at the advertised departure time, an alternative cruise of the same value will be offered. No refunds will be issued.

3. Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to substitute another vessel in the event of unavailability of the advertised vessel.

4. Hervey Bay Dive Centre reserves the right to cancel any trip without notice due to adverse weather conditions.

5. Swimming with the whales will always be on the whales' terms and as such, the immersive experience is at the digression of the ship’s master

6. If the cruise is cancelled by the Hervey Bay Dive Centre due to circumstances beyond our control, an alternative cruise of the same value or refund will be offered.

7. Whale sightings are guaranteed between 20 July and 31 October. In the unlikely event that the ship’s master is unable to locate a whale during a Whale Watching swim/cruise between these dates, a complimentary return ticket will be offered. No refunds will be issued.

8. Each whale swim participant must be a competent swimmer.

9. Children under the age of 8 years will not be permitted to swim with the whales

10. Children over 8 years of age must be competent swimmers and have written parental permission to participate in the whale swim immersive experience

11. Each whale swim participant must attend the briefing prior to the immersive experience

12. Hervey Bay Dive Centre stocks a full range of the latest life jackets, wetsuits, masks, snorkels and fins and are all included within the price

13. All whale swim safety and buoyancy equipment is included in the price

14. All whale swim participants are required to read, acknowledge and sign the swim with whales terms and conditions prior to the immersive experience.

15. Remember this is an on-water experience and your safety is most important to us and as such sun protection is paramount, sunscreen, hats, sun shirts, sunglasses are highly recommended

Your Responsibilities:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip. 

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Fraser Tours/Mr Travel, and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and vessel check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. 

Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. Surcharges over peak holiday seasons may apply. 

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Luggage Storage, Insurance, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.

Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 

Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.

Other:

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.

Cancellations

Client Cancellations:

All cancellations forfeit 25% of the recommended retail price (RRP) - not the discounted/sale price.  No shows or client cancellations made within 7 days of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price.

Transfers between tours can be made at the supplier's discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee. 

It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to admin@mr-travel.com. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.

Supplier Cancellations:

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.

All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.

In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email. 

Refunds:

All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.

Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.

You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.

Accountability/Misconduct:

All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators. 

Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.

Fraser Tours/Mr Travel Adventure Group will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.

Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Fraser Tours/Mr Travel Adventure Group. If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please get in touch.