Terms And Conditions

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS - OVERNIGHT HOLIDAY PRIVATE CHARTERS

DIRECT BOOKINGS

Please note these are Wings Sailing private charter product specific t's and c's below

Wings Sailing Charters is committed to flexibility where possible. Private charters require a 20% deposit to secure a selected date and full payment is 6 weeks prior to travel. Current prices are valid up until March 2026.

• If a "Wings skippered private charter" is cancelled by "Wings" which may include severe & unsafe weather conditions, cyclones or vessel mechanical failure or unforeseen circumstances related to crew or vessels, we will give you a 100% charter refund. ( We do not cover the costs of land based accommodation- you will need to pay for this yourself even if the boat is cancelled due to weather) However if Wings cancels a charter due to extreme weather and there is absolutely no accommodation in Airlie Beach for tourists- as a very last resort you may be able to stay onboard the vessel in the marina. (Subject to conditions, availability and costs)
• This is classed as "vessel accommodation" and incurs a cost to the charterer- Wings will not cover the cost for this. Staying onboard the boat does not include food or use of the kitchen/ galley in any way ( Food safety & regulation laws) it is sleeping onboard only. Discretion and discussions for this are case by case basis and this is why you should always have travel insurance as part of your travels.
• We reserve the right to substitute vessels- if we happen to have an unforseen vessel problem that cannot be rectified for you to be able to charter we will do our best to help find an alternative but this can and may be unlikely. A full refund for the charter would be given but this does not cover cost for you to then find accommodation or change flights and unfortunately would be then out of our control, We will supply a letter for your insurance company.
• Cancellations between 6 weeks prior to departure date will result in loss of 50% of full price of charter.
• If you decide to cancel within 4 weeks prior to departure you lose the full charter payment then need to claim the loss on your travel insurance
• Once a date is secured with a 20% deposit an admin fee of $250 will apply on a charter cancellation prior to the departure date & specialised charter cancellations
• Once a deposit has been made a date change is possible 4 weeks prior only if the vessel has availability
• We highly recommend all charterers have travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellations.
• If you simply do not turn up for your booked tour or charter then you forfeit all monies paid

TRAVEL AGENT BOOKINGS- Refunds & cancellations

Whitsunday Islands Day Sail Tour  & Half day & full day private charters

Whitsunday Islands Sail SUP & Snorkel Day Tour 

Day Sail Tour any cancellations within 24 hours will result in full forfeit of tour.

• If you booked via a travel agent and the boat is cancelled for any reason which could be related to weather, low numbers or vessel maintenance you need to go back to your travel agent for your refund as you paid the agent- you adhere to their terms & conditions for all refunded monies this may incur a small admin fee- every agent is different
• If you decide to cancel & you booked by a travel agent you need to go back to your agent- you adhere to their terms & conditions for return of monies paid and this may incur a fee
• We highly recommend all charterers have travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellations or road closures and unforeseen circumstances that can and may occur sometimes.
• Unfortunately if the tour does not meet minimum booking numbers the operator may cancel- decision is made by 2pm the day prior or earlier. Guest to go back to agent for alternative trip a refund or if booked directly refunded.
• If you simply do not turn up for your booked tour or charter then you forfeit all monies paid
• Cruise Ships: Please note if you are travelling to the Whitsundays on a cruise ship, the timings of this charter do not always align with visiting cruise ship schedules- if your cruise ship tender leaves Port of Airlie Marina before 4:30pm. Please check this with your cruise ship before booking. See helpful article here about where the cruise ships dock at Port of Airlie Marina and how to get to Coral Sea Marina for our daily tour.
• Cruise Ship guests- please note if your cruise ship tenders are late or do not make it to shore for any reason you forfeit your tour and will need to claim the loss on travel insurance.
• To avoid disappointment, please check the details of your embark and disembark times with your cruise ship thoroughly.

 Private Charter HALF & FULL Day

• A 20% deposit is required to secure a selected date
• If Wings cancels ( usually due to weather being a safety issue) you receive a full refund if booked directly or if via an agent you go back to your agent.
• If your group cancels within 4 weeks of departure it is 100% cancellation fee.
• If your group decides to cancel outside of 4 weeks prior to departure you will receive a refund less $250 administration fee.

Wet weather policies/ charters & tours

The Whitsundays and the north Queensland region has a wet season anywhere from November through to early April. These months can produce higher than normal tropical rainfall- charters can and do still operate in tropical wet weather. Predicted cyclones and severe weather warnings can and will cause cancellations for tours at charters at various times. Check the weather here

• Booking date is secured on payment of 20% deposit.
• Balance payments to be made in full 6 weeks prior to charter date.
• Any cancellations 6 weeks prior to departure dates you will receive a full refund
• If a "Wings charter" is canceled by "Wings" which may include severe & unsafe weather conditions, cyclones or vessel mechanical problems, we will give you a 100% full refund.
• Predicted cyclones may cause for cancellation in days prior to an event. This allows ample time for weather preparations
• Cyclones can and are unpredictable so circumstances can change quickly
• If Wings cancels due to predicted weather forecast and you booked via an online agent you need to contact the agent for your full refund
• If a charterer chooses to cancel due to an unpredictable weather forecast that is too far away to be forecasted and the departure date is within 4 weeks window period you will forfeit full payment of charter. Change of date or a credit is ok.
• We highly recommend all charterers have travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellations.

PRICING/ Private charters- current until 31st March 2024.

Once your booking has been confirmed and payment received, any new specials released cannot be applied to existing bookings. Once your guests numbers have been secured if this is heavily reduced by the charterer for any reason this does not change the rate of the secured charter cost. We do not change prices if you lose guests numbers for unforeseen circumstances and you are within the 6 week departure window.

If you wish to change your booking from a lower guest rate to the higher guest rate we need to know as soon as possible and as far in advance as possible- the cost would then change to the correct tiered rate structure and guests would pay the correct rate quoted for those numbers onboard. Prior to full and final payment being received, we reserve the right to vary prices and rates due to vessel availability and demand within the market.

Prices can vary at the discretion of your travel agent or tour operator online. Prices can be subject to change. All prices are in AUD and include GST.

Prices do not include transfers to and from the marina for vessel departures, air fares, accommodation or extras.

Discounted specials & referral discounts do not apply within any Australian school holidays or overnight charters over 10 guests.

** Please note Australian school holidays, public holidays & long weekends will incurs a 15% surcharge on the above prices.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is extremely important that you take out Travel Insurance. It is ESSENTIAL that this insurance covers you for involuntary cancellation of your holiday including airfare(s). At the time of entering your credit card details on the booking form you are agreeing that you have read the Terms & Conditions.

The Operator strongly recommends that guests have travel insurance to:

• Cover valuable items (eg. Cameras, Luggage)
• Protect against unforeseen flight or coach cancellations, road closures or late arrivals into Airlie Beach for any reason which subsequently leads to missing the scheduled departure time.
• Cover medical conditions that may occur during carriage, and the associated extra costs of accessing medical care around the islands, including returning to port or emergency air evacuation.
• Cover against an emergency where you need to return to port urgently, eg. a family member becomes very ill,
• Please ensure you understand the details of your cover for Travel Insurance to ensure that it covers the above.

Guests special conditions

Guests with special conditions / language difficulties / special needs should email info@wings.com.au to discuss travel options prior to booking; or vessel boarding may be refused and no liability will be taken for any losses.

Due to WPHS regulations passengers who are NON SWIMMERS will not be able to participate in snorkelling and in water activities while on a Wings charter

ALL PASSENGERS THAT WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN SNORKELLING AND IN WATER ACTIVITIES, MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO SWIM. POOR SWIMMERS WILL BE GIVEN A FLOTATION AID. NON SWIMMERS CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN WATER ACTIVITIES.

HAZARDS AND RISK

Dangerous jellyfish / marine creatures (including sharks and crocodiles) can inhabit the waters of the Whitsundays. We recommend you take out travel insurance. Clients should note that adventure travel involves risk, whilst we make every effort to safeguard our guests, we cannot be responsible for any damage, personal injury or loss due to the actions of passengers out of our control. Passengers entering the water do so at their own risk.

LIABILITY

Owners of the vessels or operators will not be liable for any personal injury, illness, death or any other consequence whatsoever of passengers being stung by poisonous marine creatures. To minimise this risk we recommend that you wear a full length protective suit 'wet suit' whilst swimming & snorkelling during the charter. Sharkbanz are also provided on a Wings vessel and we recommend the use of these.

Accordingly, Wings shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for any injury to person or property which is suffered or sustained by any passenger as a result of participating in any Wings charter, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.

RESPONSIBILITY OF PASSENGERS ON AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL VESSELS/ PRIVATE CHARTER

A passenger on board a domestic commercial vessel must take reasonable care for his or her own safety; and comply with any reasonable and lawful directions of the master or a member of the crew of the vessel, non compliance constitutes an offence under Australian law.

A passenger must not interfere with or misuse anything provided on the vessel in the interests of the safety of the vessel. Unauthorised use of vessel equipment including tenders, stand up paddle boards & kayaks is deemed as unacceptable behaviour and will result in the end of charter then returning to port- no refunds

A passenger must not unreasonably place at risk the safety of another person or crew.

A passenger must not prevent or restrict the master of the vessel from making or implementing a decision that, in the professional opinion of the master, is necessary for the safety of a person or the vessel.

Passengers who threaten or assault other passengers or crew will be removed from the vessel and can be passed on to police at the return to port

Extreme drunk and disorderly behaviour may also result in the vessel having to return to port and is strictly unacceptable.

Any damages to property to be paid by the charterer in full

PRIVATE CHARTER BOOKINGS - DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS

We require a 20 % deposit of the full charter cost to secure your selected date. Full payment is then required 6 weeks prior to departure via the credit card payment link or by direct bank transfer.

ZERO CREDIT CARD FEES
We dislike companies that add sneaky fees during the booking process as much as you do! So we refuse to do it! ZERO credit card fees and ZERO booking fees. Full stop.

DIRECT DEPOSIT
There are no card fees associated with this form of payment. Direct Deposits must be made 30 days prior to the due date to ensure funds are received in time.

VALIDITY OF RATES
Prices are current and can be subject to change.

CURRENCY
All rates are quoted in Australian Dollars.

SITE COPYRIGHT

The copyright on all original/custom artwork, maps, navigation elements, presentation methods and design elements included in our web sites is held exclusively by Wings Sailing Charters Whitsundays. Copyright on all descriptive text is held by Wings . Copyright on selected photographic images is also held by Wings Sailing Charters Whitsundays.

All custom graphics used are declared to be works of art created for use by Wings only, and as such are subject to international intellectual property conventions. Image files, HTML documents, and text files are not to be relocated to another server, or duplicated for commercial purposes without the express written permission of Wings.

Please contact us if you have any further queries about our security, privacy or data handling procedures.

WINGS SAILING CHARTERS WHITSUNDAYS - 42 123 977382