TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Definitions & Scope
1.1 “Center,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refers to Elite Diving Curaçao, operating from Willemstad, Curaçao, providing services including recreational and technical diving, dive training, snorkeling, equipment rental, and related activities.
1.2 These Terms & Conditions apply to all services rendered by the Center. By booking or participating in any activity, you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and relevant safety and procedural guidelines.
1.3 All scuba diving experiences and courses are conducted in accordance with SDI® (Scuba Diving International), SSI® (Scuba Schools International) or PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) standards, depending on the specific program booked by the customer.
1.4 Our instructors and dive professionals are insured through DAN® Europe, covering both professional liability and personal health insurance. We strongly recommend that all participants—especially those engaging in independent or technical dives—obtain personal dive accident insurance that includes coverage for medical treatment, evacuation, and trip interruption. Elite Diving Curaçao can assist in arranging suitable coverage options upon request.
1.5 All prices are quoted in US dollars per diver/participant and include 9% sales tax (O.B.) unless otherwise stated.
1.6 We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time. Updates will be posted on our website and apply immediately unless stated otherwise.
2. Bookings & Payments
2.1 A contract is formed once your booking is confirmed in writing and we receive the required deposit or full payment.
2.2 A non-refundable deposit of 25% is required to secure your reservation. The balance must be paid no later than 14 days prior to your first scheduled activity. For late bookings (<14 days), full payment is due immediately.
2.3 Upon receipt of full payment, we will send a confirmation email. This must be presented at check-in.
2.4 All participants are responsible for ensuring they meet the prerequisites for their chosen activity, including certification level, age, health, and dive experience.
3. Participation Requirements
3.1 Prior to any in-water activity, all participants must:
• Complete a medical questionnaire and liability release
• Declare their fitness to dive, or provide medical clearance (if required)
3.2 Medical conditions may require prior physician approval. If a participant answers “yes” to any condition on the medical questionnaire and does not present a valid medical certificate, a local medical examination may be required at the participant’s expense. For more details and to access the necessary forms, please refer to the “Important Information” section provided during booking or available on our website.
3.3 Certified divers must provide proof of certification from a recognized agency (e.g., SDI, PADI, SSI, NAUI, BSAC, CMAS, GUE, RAID) upon check-in.
3.4 The minimum age is 10 years for recreational scuba diving and 18 years for technical diving.
3.5 We strongly recommend participants—especially those planning independent diving—carry personal diver accident insurance. Ask us for recommended options.
4. Safety & Operational Standards
4.1 All divers must follow the dive plans, depth limits, gas rules, buddy protocols, and safety briefings provided by Elite Diving Curaçao staff. These procedures are based on internationally recognized diving standards as defined by SDI®, SSI®, or PADI®, depending on the program.
4.2 Participation may be denied or terminated at any time without refund if a participant is:
• Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Medically or mentally unfit to dive
• Exhibiting unsafe, negligent, or disruptive behavior
4.3 Personal diving equipment brought by participants is subject to inspection by our staff and must comply with safety standards established by the relevant training agency. Equipment that does not meet these standards may not be used during any activity
5. Changes, Cancellations & No-Shows
5.1 Participant Cancellations
More than 15 days before scheduled activity: Full refund minus any processing fees.
Between 14 days and 7 days before the scheduled activity: Partial refund of 50%.
Less than 7 days before the scheduled activity: no refund
Course materials, certification and processing fees, and special orders are non-refundable once issued.
5.2 Changes to bookings must be requested in writing. A participant name change is possible up to 48 hours before the activity, subject to all requirements being met.
5.3 Flight changes or other scheduling conflicts must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance.
6. Center-Initiated Cancellations
6.1 We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule activities due to weather, sea conditions, instructor availability, equipment failure, force majeure, or safety concerns.
6.2 In such cases, you will receive either a full refund or the opportunity to reschedule. Refunds are limited to the cost of the unused services; we are not liable for associated expenses (e.g., flights, accommodation).
7. Rental Equipment
7.1 All rental equipment is provided clean, fully functional, and serviced in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. You are responsible for inspecting all items upon receipt and notifying our staff of any issues before use.
7.2 If you have not been diving for one (1) year or more, a refresher dive is mandatory before renting any scuba gear. For more information on this requirement, including prerequisites and scheduling, please refer to the “Important Information” section provided during booking or available on our website.
7.3 All participants must adhere to the following rental gear handling rules:
Always replace the dust cap on the first stage of the regulator immediately after use. If a regulator is returned without the dust cap properly in place, a USD 65.00 service fee will apply without exception.
Weights: Must be transported separately, never placed inside the plastic gear bin.
Placement: Avoid placing gear on the ground or in sand unnecessarily. After use, return all equipment neatly arranged inside the designated plastic carrying bin, as instructed by our staff.
Regulator Protection: Always place the regulator away from wet suits, boots, or other sandy equipment while transporting it to protect it from contamination and damage.
7.4 Equipment returned before 5:00 PM will be rinsed by our staff. If returning gear the following day, it must be returned no later than 8:30 AM and must be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water prior to drop-off.
7.5 Any equipment issue—no matter how minor or unlikely—must be reported to our staff immediately to ensure safety and to avoid potential charges for undetected damage.
7.6 Participants are liable for loss, damage, or negligence involving rented equipment. Charges for repair or replacement will be assessed at current retail value.
8. Liability & Insurance
8.1 You acknowledge that scuba diving, technical diving, and water activities carry inherent risks. Elite Diving Curaçao and its staff are not liable for injuries, accidents, or lost property unless due to proven gross negligence.
8.2 We recommend all participants obtain personal travel and diving accident insurance, such as from DAN® or DiveAssure, that covers medical evacuation, hyperbaric treatment, and trip cancellation. Ask us for recommended options.
9. Code of Conduct & Marine Protection
9.1 We are committed to marine conservation. Participants must:
• Avoid touching or disturbing wildlife
• Maintain neutral buoyancy
• Use reef-safe sunscreen
• Refrain from littering or using single-use plastics
9.2 Disruptive or unsafe behavior may result in immediate dismissal from activities without refund.
10. Training & Refresher Policy
10.1 We recommend an orientation or check dive at the beginning of your trip, especially if you haven’t dived in a while or are new to local conditions.
10.2 If you have not dived in the past 12 months, a refresher program is mandatory.
10.3 Training and certification are performance-based and cannot be guaranteed. No refunds are issued for incomplete or failed courses due to participant performance.
10.4 E-Learning (theory) material must be completed by 100% before any in-water activities.
10.5 Specialty names and program content may vary based on scuba training agency, whether SDI®, SSI® OR PADI®.
11. Complaints
11.1 Please report any issues directly to the Dive Center manager during your stay, so we can resolve them promptly.
11.2 If unresolved, you may submit a written complaint to elitedivingcuracao@gmail.com within 15 days of your final activity. We will respond within 48 hours.
12. Copyright & Intellectual Property
12.1 All media, course content, and branding created or provided by Elite Diving Curaçao is our intellectual property and may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed without prior written consent.
13. Data Protection
13.1 We process personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available on our website.
14. Governing Law
14.1 These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Curaçao. Any dispute shall fall under the jurisdiction of the courts of Curaçao.
15. Final Acceptance
By booking or participating in any activity with Elite Diving Curaçao, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
