Our Policies

Please ensure you read all of the following policies thoroughly before making a purchase or booking a Charter / Course, as they form a binding agreement between you and Dive Zone Bay of Islands.

To ensure a safe, transparent, and great experience for all our divers and customers, we have outlined our business policies below. Here is a quick guide to what each document covers:

  • General Terms & Conditions: Outlines the rules for using our website and purchasing retail diving equipment. It covers our pricing, shipping procedures, returns process, and our 1-year warranty on manufactured goods.
  • Privacy Policy: Explains how we securely handle and protect your personal information. It details the data we collect when you create an account or book with us, our communication practices, and our strict policy of only sharing necessary information with PADI for your official dive certifications.
  • Course & Charter Policies: Details the specific, safety-first rules for booking boat charters and dive training. It covers our weather cancellation procedures, standard rebooking fees, and our strict requirement that all medical clearances and eLearning modules must be 100% completed prior to your scheduled dive.
  • Risk Disclosure Policy: Outlines the inherent physical and environmental risks associated with scuba diving and boat travel. It explains that all participants must review, acknowledge, and sign a formal risk and liability release form accepting these risks prior to taking part in any in-water activities or boat trips.

Last Updated: 04/06/2026

1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Dive Zone Bay of Islands. These Terms and Conditions apply to all users of our website and customers of our goods and services.

Throughout this document, "we," "us," and "our" refer to Dive Bay of Islands Limited trading as Dive Zone Bay of Islands. By accessing our website, purchasing products, or booking services and trips, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

2. Pricing and Payment

All prices are listed in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and include Goods and Services Tax (GST) unless otherwise stated.

  • Goods and Products: Full payment must be received and cleared before any physical goods or eLearning are dispatched or handed over to the customer.
  • Charters, Courses and Services: Full payment is required prior to the commencement of any dive trip, course, or related service. We reserve the right to deny participation if payment has not been completed.

3. Shipping Policy

We offer shipping within New Zealand.

  • The standard cost of shipping is the responsibility of the customer and will be calculated and added to your total at checkout.
  • Risk of loss and title for items purchased from us pass to you upon delivery of the items to the carrier.

4. Returns, Cancellations, and Refunds

4.1 Physical Goods (Returns and Exchanges)

We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. If you change your mind or require a different size/item, the following rules apply:

  • Condition of Items: Items must be returned in brand-new, completely unused condition, with all original packaging, tags, and manuals intact.
  • Shipping Costs: The customer is strictly responsible for all shipping costs associated with returns and exchanges. This includes the cost to ship the original item back to us, and the cost to ship the exchanged or replacement item back to you.

4.2 Trips and Courses (Cancellations)

  • Cancellations by Us (Including Weather): Safety is our priority. If we must cancel a trip or course due to adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, we will provide you with alternative dates. If the newly provided dates do not work for you, a refund will be issued.
  • Partial Course Deliveries: If a course has already commenced and must be canceled by us before completion, a partial refund will be provided to cover only the undelivered portions of the course.
  • Cancellations by the Customer: If you choose to cancel your booking for a trip or course, strictly no refunds will be provided. We may, at our sole discretion, choose to review customer cancellations on a case-by-case basis to offer alternative resolutions, but we are under no obligation to do so.

4.3 General Refund Terms and Merchant Fees

  • Merchant Fee Deduction: For any transaction originally paid online, approved refunds will be issued back to the original payment method minus the non-refundable online merchant processing fee. This fee is typically 4% to 5% of the total purchase price.
  • Original Shipping Deduction: For returned physical goods, the original shipping cost is non-refundable and will be deducted from your final refund amount.

5. Warranties and Faulty Goods

We stand by the quality of the diving equipment we sell.

  • Manufacturer Warranty: All products come with a standard 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
  • Exclusions: This warranty is strictly void if the item has been subjected to improper use, accidental damage, neglect, or if it has not been cared for, serviced, or maintained according to the manufacturer's specific instructions.
  • Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA): If you are purchasing goods for personal use, this warranty exists alongside, and does not limit, your rights under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

6. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services (such as weather forecasts, tide charts, or manufacturer sites) that are not owned or controlled by Dive Bay of Islands Limited.

We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites. You acknowledge and agree that we shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused by or in connection with the use of any such third-party content, goods, or services.

7. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, Dive Bay of Islands Limited shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages resulting from your use of our website or the purchase of our products and services.  

8. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of the website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.

9. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to update, change, or replace any part of these Terms and Conditions by posting updates to our website. It is your responsibility to check this page periodically for changes.

Last Updated:05/06/2026

These specific terms apply to all dive courses, boat charters, and guided dive trips booked with Dive Bay of Islands Limited trading as Dive Zone Bay of Islands. By booking a course or charter, you agree to the following policies.

1. Customer Date Changes and Rebooking

If you have booked a course or charter and need to change your dates, the following applies:

  • Rebooking Fee: Any request by the customer to change the dates of a confirmed booking will incur a flat $150 NZD rebooking fee. This fee must be paid before the new dates are confirmed.

2. Cancellations by Dive Zone Bay of Islands (Weather or Operational)

Safety is our absolute priority. We reserve the right to cancel any charter or course due to adverse weather conditions, sea states, or other unforeseen operational reasons.

  • Alternative Dates: In the event we must cancel, we will supply you with alternative dates to complete your trip or course.
  • Refunds if Dates Do Not Suit: If the new dates provided do not suit your schedule, we will issue a refund based on the following:
     
    • Charters: A full refund, strictly minus the non-refundable online merchant fee (typically 4% to 5% of the purchase price) if the booking was paid for online.
    • Courses: A refund minus the online merchant fee (4% to 5%), AND minus the value of any used or delivered portion of the course (for example, registered PADI eLearning materials, pool sessions, or completed dives).

3. Prerequisites: Medicals and eLearning (Strict Policy)

Diving has inherent risks, and adherence to safety and training standards is mandatory.

  • Customer Responsibility: It is your strict responsibility to ensure all required paperwork, medical questionnaires, and assigned eLearning modules are 100% completed prior to the commencement of your course or charter.
  • Medical Clearances: If your standard medical questionnaire flags a condition that requires a doctor's sign-off, you must obtain and present this signed medical clearance before your course or charter begins. Complete Course Medical & liability Forms here or Complete Charter Medical & liability Forms here
  • Failure to Complete Prerequisites: If you arrive for your scheduled course or charter and have not completed your eLearning, have not completed your medical forms, or lack a required doctor’s sign-off:
     
    • You will not be allowed to enter the water.
    • There will be NO refund.
    • There will be NO free transfer to new dates. You will forfeit your booking.

4. Discretionary Review

We understand that emergencies occasionally happen. Dive Zone Bay of Islands management may, at their sole discretion, review individual circumstances regarding cancellations or prerequisite failures on a case-by-case basis. However, we are under no obligation to waive the policies outlined above.

Last Updated:05/06/2026

Scuba diving and freediving are adventurous activities that involve inherent risks. By participating in these activities with Dive Zone Bay of Islands, you acknowledge and accept the potential hazards, including but not limited to:

Natural Hazards and Disasters:

  • Marine Life: Encounters with potentially dangerous marine life such as sharks, jellyfish, and other marine creatures.
  • Currents and Tides: Strong underwater currents and tidal changes that can affect diving conditions.
  • Underwater Visibility: Poor visibility due to murky waters, weather conditions, or suspended particles.
  • Weather Conditions: Sudden changes in weather, including storms, high winds, and rough seas.
  • Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, tsunamis, and other unforeseen natural events.

Health and Safety Risks:

  • Decompression Sickness (DCS): Also known as "the bends," resulting from rapid ascents.
  • Barotrauma: Injuries caused by pressure changes, including ear and sinus damage.
  • Drowning: Risk of drowning due to equipment failure, panic, or loss of buoyancy.
  • Hypothermia: Exposure to cold water temperatures.
  • Exhaustion: Physical exertion leading to fatigue.
  • Shallow Water Blackout: Losing consciousness while freediving due to inadequate oxygen levels.

These risks can lead to serious injury or death. It is crucial to be aware of and prepared for these potential outcomes.

Health Declaration:

You must advise us of any pre-existing health conditions or previous dive injuries before participating in any activities. This information is vital for your safety and the safety of others.

Zero Tolerance for Drugs and Alcohol:

Dive Zone Bay of Islands enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. Participants must not consume or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol before or during any diving activities. Violation of this policy will result in immediate removal from the activity and possible cancellation of your participation without a refund.

Safety Record and Management:

Dive Zone Bay of Islands is highly experienced with an excellent safety record. We have a detailed safety management plan that mitigates these risks as much as practically possible. Despite these precautions, residual risks remain.

Cancellation Policy:

We reserve the right to cancel any trips or courses if we determine that we cannot adequately mitigate these risks. Your safety is our top priority.

Participant Responsibilities:

  • You must follow all crew instructions when in the water and on the boat. If you believe that any instructions may endanger you, you should voice your concerns immediately.
  • You agree to notify management of any behaviour or actions you witness that you deem unsafe or putting individuals at risk as soon as practicably possible. Speak up to the staff present if you observe any such issues.

By booking any course or dive trip with Dive Zone Bay of Islands, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the risks involved in scuba diving and freediving, and you agree to adhere to all safety protocols and instructions provided by Dive Zone Bay of Islands.

Last Updated: 05/06/2026

1. Introduction

Dive Bay of Islands Limited trading as Dive Zone Bay of Islands ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, create an account, or book a trip or course with us.

We comply with our obligations under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. By using our website and services, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. What Information We Collect

To provide you with our diving courses, trips, and retail services, we collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. This may include:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and physical address.
  • Account Information: Usernames and passwords created for our website.
  • Diving & Medical Information: Dive certification levels, logged dives, and standard medical questionnaires required for safety and certification purposes.
  • Transaction Information: Payment and billing details (processed securely via our third-party payment gateways).

3. How We Use Your Information

We collect your personal information for the following primary purposes:

  • To create and manage your customer account.
  • To process your bookings, arrange trips, and facilitate dive courses.
  • To send you necessary service reminders (e.g., upcoming trip details, course schedules, or equipment servicing reminders).
  • To send you newsletters, promotional offers, and updates about Dive Zone Bay of Islands (you can opt out of these marketing communications at any time).

4. Who We Share Your Information With

We value your privacy and do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to outside parties for marketing purposes.

We only share your information in the following specific circumstances:

  • PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): If you are completing a dive course, we must share your name, contact details, and relevant medical/certification information with PADI to process your certification and register you as a qualified diver.
  • Essential Service Providers: We share necessary data with trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website and conducting our business, such as secure payment processors. These parties are obligated to keep your information confidential.
  • Legal Compliance: We may disclose your information if required by New Zealand law, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.

5. Marketing and Communications

If you have provided your email address, we may send you newsletters, service updates, or promotional materials. In accordance with the New Zealand Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007, you can opt out of receiving these marketing emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the email, or by contacting us directly.

6. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable technical and administrative precautions to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:

  • Ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you.
  • Ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong.

If you would like to request a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us using the details below.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us at:

Dive Zone Bay of Islands

  • Email: info@divezoneboi.co.nz
  • Phone: 09 407 9986
  • Address:5 Klinac Lane, Waipapa, Northland, New Zealand
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