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PELAGIC DIVE TRAVEL

THE CORONA VIRUS SUPPORT

We hope all divers are safe and well.

This is a trying time for everyone. As restrictions are changing constantly. We encourage checking here for new updates.

Look to dive at your local areas & support your local dive shops & operators. Borders are opening which is great but are very staggered & with restrictions both for departing & destination countries. Please check each country's governments home page before considering travel.

The marine organisations & initiatives that we support are still operating so please check them out & dream to travel soon.

Please keep thinking of those amazing dive trips and if you have any questions or if you have an area you wish to explore please contact us at info@pelagicdivetravel.com 

We hope to see you out later in the year diving!


AUSTRALIAN COVID-19 UPDATES HERE

PELAGIC DIVE TRAVEL

Who is Pelagic Dive Travel?

Pelagic Dive Travel (PDT) was created by Terry Smith. Terry has been a Dive Instructor for over 18 years and worked in the Travel industry for over 25 years. With a dedicated team, whom all are divers, PDT, has brought together Marine Conservation Organisations & Initiatives. Each has a clear relationship with the local communties & offers great and safe diving experiences. 

Who is Pelagic Dive Travel, the company?

Pelagic Dive Travel (PDT) is a private Australian company, listed with ASIC and is trading as a Public Limited company (Pty Ltd). PTD is situated in Melbourne, Australia and meets all required Australian government laws for a Travel Agency.

Pelagic Dive Travel has Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance, BUT it is the responsibility of the Traveller to organize their own travel and diving insurance. The Directors are made up of experienced Divers, Travel operators and financial services, with a combined experience of over 45 years in various positions, in the tourism industry.

Is Pelagic Dive Travel Internationally recognised as a Travel Agency?

Yes. PDT belongs to IATA under the TIDS (Travel Industry Designator Service) system.

IATA Agency (TIDS) Number: 96862603

Why was Pelagic Dive Travel created?

PDT was created out of frustration around the lack of clear and easy to find information about what marine species you could see on a Liveaboard, Dive Resort or close to a Resort. Although you can NOT guarantee that you will see a certain marine species you can provide information about the season they will visit and a dive site that is regularly visited by certain marine animals. For example Manta Rays at a cleaning station between May to October in one specific destination.

We focus on how to support, promote, & help with the creation of exposure to Marine Conservation Organisation & Initiatives. For example Galapagos Shark Diving

How is Pelagic Dive Travel different?

PDT has a focus  - we support, promote & help create exposure for Marine Conservation Organisations & Initiatives!

We bring these organisations & initiatives together on to our platform so it's easy for you the scuba diver to search by marine species or activity, match against your dates of travel, add any extras then book & pay. The funds go directly to the suppliers we do not hold any funds & we ensure that each has direct engagement with the local communities. 

We build awareness, education and the preservation of the marine environment.

THE SEARCH

How does the PDT search bar work?

PDT uses the search by Marine Species or what we call - Discovery. The default search is Pelagic Fish. Enter your dates of travel and it brings up your requested Discovery in a world map which showing Liveaboards, Dive Resorts & Resorts. There is no guarantee for any marine species sightings but it allows you a much better chance to see one as there are seasons for marine species. 


What is Discovery?



A Discovery can be a marine species or a type of experience - Pelagic Fish, Conservation, Turtles, Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Whales, Sharks, Photography, Muck/Macro, Off the Beaten Path, Charters, Wrecks, Expeditions , Volunteer, Species, Coral. 

Can PDT guarantee to see a Discovery?

PDT can NOT guarantee that you will see a specific marine species or Discovery. As every SCUBA Diver is aware of, the ocean is vast and although the marine species could be in that area in season, it may be that you miss out on seeing it. The information on each Discovery is provided by the Trip service provider each has experience in their own dive areas and have the best idea of when it will be possible to see and try to take the diver to see them.

What is Accommodation?

Accommodation refers to Liveaboard, Dive Resort or a Resort. 

What is Destination?

Destination refers to the country, which is then broken down into an area of diving.

What does Diver & Non-Diver mean?

Diver is one person namely yourself. Two Divers is for you and your diving partner. Diver & Non-Diver is for you the Diver and you non-diving partner. This category will show mainly Dive Resort and resort based accommodation and some Liveaboards that cater for non-divers.

How do I enter the dates?

You can enter the first date by pushing the arrow at the top to the month you require, find the date you want to stay or arrive in an area and then you can enter up to 14 days. This allows a broad search for vessel departure and resorts available dates. 



BOOKING

How do I make a booking?

Once you have decided on your accommodation you click on Book Now. This takes you to the booking area. Choose Diver, 2 Divers or Diver Non-Diver and then you cabin or room. The Liveaboard is per person cost and the Dive Resort & Resort cost is listed per room. You can add any extras - like dive equipment, or even pre- or post accommodation. Enter your details and accept the terms and conditions. You're then taken to a payment page and from there a confirmation page

Do I need to become a Member to make a booking?

Yes. Once you have decided on your trip you will be directed to enter your details. Your details are stored securely and this is used to fill out your booking details. Only you can see your details. You can also upload your certification card, your travel insurance, and your dive insurance. 14 Days from the departure date we send out final confirmation for you with the certification and your dive insurance attached, so the Trip Service Provider has that information for you. You can access your details anytime. This means that if you forget or perhaps the details are lost they are here for you.

How do I pay for my Booking?

Once the Terms & Conditions have been accepted and your details are entered you can choose to pay via credit card or Paypal. If using Credit Card the Trip Service Provider sometimes charges a fee for using the card.

Does the payment go directly to the trip operator?

Yes. Pelagic Dive Travel does not hold any payment we pass it directly to the Trip Service Provider.

When is my booking confirmed?

You will receive an e-mail confirming your booking. PDT has live connections to some service operators so this will be instant, for those without live connections it will be within 24 hours. PDT will strive to confirm as quickly as possible.

Is there a booking fee?

No, there is no booking fee.

What currency will I be charged in?

Each trip Service Provider has they local currency. The Liveaboard, Dive Resort or Resort will be used as the main currency, then if there is a second currency it will be converted to the main currency at the local market rate from that day. You will see the final charge in the "Booking Summary" in the currency. This will be charged to your Credit Card or Paypal, and your Credit Card will convert to your local currency.

Payments

Why do I have to pay a deposit?

A deposit is taken to confirm the booking. If the trip is in the future this allows the Trip Service Provider to reserve the booking. As you can imagine space can be booked quickly. The deposit is passed directly to the Trip Service Provider.

When do I have to pay for the whole trip?

Each Trip Service Provider has their own payment requirements. This is noted as a pop-up window through the payment window. You will also receive the details located on your booking confirmation. Please make a note of this on your calendar as non-payment will result in a cancellation.

Can I pay by credit card?

Yes. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express - but NO Dinners Club.

Is there a credit card fee?

Yes, a 2.9% fee for Visa, Mastercard, and for American Express - but NO Dinners Club. We are a small operator and this is from our payment provider. We at PDT understand the problem with fees and we are trying to work on a solution for this.

Can I pay by Paypal?

Yes.

Can I pay by bank transfer?

Please contact us first once you know what you wish to book, some providers have strict payment and cancellation policies. If it falls into these we have to pay them on booking. We at PDT understand the problem with fees and we are trying to work on a solution for this.


CANCELLATION

How can I cancel a booking?

You can cancel a booking at any time by sending an e-mail. The cancellation will apply from the day that PDT receives that e-mail. 

What happens if COVID causes the booking to be cancelled?

If your trip is restricted by COVID at the destination country or your country of departure, Trip Service Operators are willing to offer credits & in most cases a refund. Each operator is different & these terms are listed separately in each Trip Service Operator's Terms & Conditions. If you are unsure please contact us before booking to clarify.

Will there be a charge for cancelling?

PLEASE CHECK YOUR CONFIRMATION FOR THE CANCELLATION POLICY. This is provided by the Trip Service Provider and PDT does not have any control over this. If the trip is cancelled and the policy states that there is a charge you have to pay this.

Does PDT charge an administration fee for cancelling?

No, but if you have paid by credit card the credit card fee will not be refunded as this charge is not held by PDT but by the credit card company.

What if a Trip Service Provider cancels the trip?

Each Trip Service Provider  - the operator who provides a service - has their own terms and conditions but if this was to happen we would provide full support and either reschedule or work out a solution to benefit all parties involved. Dive insurance can cover this please check your insurance.

What if there's bad weather and I miss dives?

Unfortunately, this is a possibility, certain dive travel insurance policy's cover such a scenario but the Trip Service Provider has no control over the weather and can't be held liable. In such scenarios, the decision is not taken lightly and is taken as a concern for divers safety and well being.


INSURANCE

Do I need Travel Insurance?

Travel Insurance is heavily recommended. There are many insurance providers each offering different policies. PDT recommends you source one in your home country which covers your entire trip. Please check before booking as some Trip Service Operators require travel insurance as MANDATORY. 

Please check with travel insurance providers to see if they cover COVID border closures & isolation payments, as most do not, before committing.

Do I need Dive Injury and Evacuation insurance?

Yes. This is mandatory for many Trip Service Providers. We recommend DiveAssure. However, this may not suit everyone and PDT staff are not medical professionals, any concerns please refer to your own medical specialist or a dive doctor.

Will I need to do a medical for Travel Insurance?

PDT can not answer that question. Each Insurance provider has different requirements. PDT staff are not medical professionals, any concerns please refer to your own medical specialist or a dive doctor.

Will I need to fill out a waiver?

Each Trip Service Provider asks that you fill out a waiver form. Scuba diving, snorkeling, in water activities and land-based, shore excursions are strenuous. If you are unsure about your level of fitness please see your local medical professional. PADI has a standard waiver form.

Will I need to do a Dive Medical?

Scuba diving, snorkeling, in water activities and land-based, shore excursions are strenuous. If you are unsure about your level of fitness please see your local medical professional. if you have any concerns please refer to a dive doctor. PADI has a standard waiver form. If you answer yes to any of these questions you will have to be cleared by a dive doctor. Trip service providers, do use this form or have a similar one. If you are in a remote area doctors can be very hard to find and may mean you miss the departure or cannot dive. If you are unsure a Dive Medical from your home country would be recommended.


MEMBERS AREA

Do I need to become a member?

You don't have to but when you make a booking you will do.

Why do I have to become a member on booking?

It allows you to store your details. The information provided goes onto your booking form and is sent to the Trip Service Provider  You can access this anytime and it allows you to keep track of your booking as all confirmations are stored there. You will be asked to upload your Dive Insurance into this area as well as your dive certificate details. We send this on final confirmation to the Trip Service Provider so they have all the paperwork. We try to make it easy for you.

What are the benefits of being a member?

You have access to a community of like-minded divers. You can share ad search for dive travel tips, connect with dive buddy's and upload and share photos. You receive offers of savings, promotions, and giveaways of equipment. PDT prides itself on searching for remote and new destinations. We ask what and where members would like to go and organize trips

Are my details safe?

We do not disclose or give out any details to a third party other than the trip Service Provider, we do not sell any details onto a third party and we do not store and credit card details.