Terms & Conditions

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Where we depart from

Departure is from the beach at Paihia Beach, Marsden Rd.

Please be ready to board the boat 15 minutes before departure.

Boarding

Boarding is from the beach, which requires you to be steady on your feet and able to manage using a boarding ladder without assistance. You will step from the sand into shallow water, then onto a boarding ladder to get onto the catamaran. In some conditions a dinghy may be used to get from shore to the boat.

If you are unsure whether the boarding suits you, please contact us before booking.

Serious medical conditions

If you have a serious medical condition that may require assistance during the cruise, we encourage you to contact us prior to booking to discuss your needs. Please also advise the skipper or crew of any relevant medical conditions when boarding the vessel.

Special dietary requirements

We have Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free options for the lunch available by request, and during the online booking process.

PLEASE NOTE: these are not suitable for food allergies as we can’t guarantee there is no cross contamination of food. If you have a serious food allergy, please bring what you need for your personal safety and satisfaction.

Children

Children and Teenagers are the Parent/Guardian’s responsibility: Children and Teenagers must be under continuous adult supervision for the duration of the charter, and all activities. Maximum of two children (under 12 years) per adult in the group. Teenagers 17 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult during the cruise. There are safety regulations which we must abide by for children’s safety, please respect that and follow them.

Cruise ship customers

We recommend allowing 1.5-2 hours between your cruise ship’s scheduled arrival and departure times, and that of our sailing cruise. This allows reasonable time for transfers to and from our departure point. We are unable to accommodate changes to cruise ship schedules or late arrivals. Our standard terms and conditions and cancellation policy apply.

Agreement of Terms

By boarding with Barefoot Sailing Adventures, you have agreed to the Terms and Conditions and Risk Disclosure Statement outlined here. If you have booked for a group, it is your responsibility to ensure that other people in the group are aware of the terms and conditions before they board.

BOOKING AND PAYMENT

• Prices are in NZD and include GST (Goods and Services Tax).
• Prices are subject to change without notice.
• “Barefoot Sailing Adventures” will appear on your card statement.
• Online bookings are charged the full rate upfront via Rezdy Pay.
• A booking confirmation email is sent once the booking is completed.
• Phone bookings must be paid immediately to confirm the booking.
• All departures are subject to demand, sea and weather conditions.
• Minimum numbers. Our cruises require a minimum number of guests for the trip to go ahead, and to ensure an enjoyable group experience. If minimum numbers are not met, we may need to cancel the cruise and will offer an alternative date or a full refund.

CANCELLATION BY GUEST, LATE ARRIVAL AND NO-SHOWS

• For scheduled departures – Island Hopper Cruise, Sundowner Evening Cruise
• A 10% fee applies to cancellations, covering unrecoverable booking and credit card fees.
• Less than 48 hours notice of cancellation incurs a full charge.
• Cancel a booking by phone and follow up by email.
• No show or late arrival incurs a full charge.
• We leave on time without exception.
• Tickets are not transferable to another day in the case of cancellation within 48 hours, late arrival or no show.

IF YOU ARE LATE FOR YOUR BOOKING AND MISS THE DEPARTURE TIME YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A REFUND. This is strictly enforced.

We recommend our guests should hold a comprehensive travel insurance policy in case of any unexpected changes or disruptions in their travel plans that may incur a cancellation fee.

WEATHER AND CANCELLATIONS

If we cancel the trip for any reason prior to departure you will receive a full refund.
We reserve the right to cancel or amend a cruise due to sea or weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control. If we need to cancel your cruise, we will first offer an alternative date. If a suitable date cannot be arranged, you will receive a full refund.

Weather check:

Please check your emails 1.5 hours before departure time for any updates from Barefoot Sailing Adventures, adverse weather or unplanned cancellations. If you are unsure, call us to check. Please do not text. 0274784234.

Your booking will be rescheduled, if a suitable date can’t be arranged you will be issued a full refund.

ON BOARD INFORMATION

1. Barefoot. The Barefoot crew would like to show you A DAY IN THE BAY – THE KIWI WAY! So in true kiwi spirit the Barefoot crew undertake the Sailing Adventures… barefoot, and would like to ask you to kick off your shoes as you board the boat. If you’re not barefoot, you’re overdressed!
2. Safety briefing. Listen carefully to the pre-departure safety briefing. Your Captain will give you a safety briefing on board. Pay close attention. These rules are in place for your ultimate safety and comfort, so please abide by them
3. Right to withdraw a person or cancel. We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger themselves or others. We also reserve the right to cancel the cruise if we become concerned for any reason for your safety or that of any other person.
4. Stow your gear. Stow your gear: We advise you to stow bags and personal belongings below decks, this keeps decks clear of trip hazards and tangles. Please note, Barefoot Sailing Adventures or Barefoot Captain/Crew cannot be held liable for loss or damage to your belongings.
5. No smoking. No Smoking: For health and safety, smoking is not permitte d on any cruises, including e-cigarettes/vape.
6. Sailing conditions. Sailing can be adventurous when the wind is up: Your Captain/Crew know the conditions and know how the boat will respond. If asked to do something, please do as requested. At any time if you are not comfortable or feel unsafe please advise your Captain. The cruise can be adjusted so that all passengers have a good time.
7. Toilets. A marine toilet (called “head” on boats) is located below deck. Please Do Not flush sanitary items, wet wipes or rubbish as it will block the system. Use bins provided. If you’re in doubt, ask before use.
8. Dress for conditions. Layered clothing works best. There is potential for getting wet, so bring a jacket. Hat, sunglasses and sunblock are recommended. (please NO SPRAY sunblock as it eats paint) Reapply sunblock every 2 hours.

The Captain’s Word is Law

Nature and Being Realistic.

If weather conditions or other safety or time constraints prevent sailing to a given area in the Bay of Islands, please be understanding. The Skipper wants to provide you the best experience possible and, within reason, cater to your wishes – but they are also ultimately responsible for your safety and the safety of the yacht. And for the experienced sailors who join a Barefoot Cruise, sometimes we don’t sail the boat to its full potential as there are certain conditions that are not comfortable for all passengers, especially those new to boats and sailing so we like to make it comfortable for everyone 🙂

On the ocean, Mother Nature ensures that every trip is different. Each season of the year brings different conditions. Sometimes the sailing is easy, other times it can be challenging, sometimes it rains, sometimes there’s not enough wind for us to sail and we use the engine. But whichever way it happens it always works out great. After all, any day Barefoot is a great day!

SWIMMING, SNORKELLING AND ISLAND WALKS

Swimming

To participate in swimming you must be able to swim competently in open water: No lifejackets will be provided for swimmers. Keep in mind that swimming activities are not supervised or guided by Captain/crew therefore it is your own responsibility to ensure personal safety . Children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Island walks

Island walks are a great way to really appreciate the beauty of the Bay of Islands. Please stick to the tracks, be sure to keep an eye on the time and take your phone in case of emergency. Your Skipper will advise you of time to return, do not be late back or we will send a search party – at your cost! Again, this is not a guided activity, it is your responsibility to ensure personal safety.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is available to those who are competent swimmers, who can swim over 200m in open water. Life jackets are not provided for snorkelling. You will be asked to declare your ability, and agree to the terms stated. Snorkelling is not guided, it is your responsibility to ensure personal safety. Children must be accompanied by a competent parent at all times.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

We often take photographs and videos for use in Social Media and Advertising. Acceptance of these terms and conditions and allowing your photo/video to be taken during the cruise will mean that you agree to the use of those images of yourself being used by Barefoot Sailing Adventures for the above purposes. Should you not wish to be included please feel free to let us know on board. Otherwise give us your cheesiest grin!

LIABILITY

Barefoot Sailing Adventures will not be held liable for any personal injuries, equipment loss or damage sustained while traveling on any of our cruises. Nor liable for any costs incurred as a result of disruption to travel plans which may occur.

RISK DISCOSURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Risk Disclosure Statement: Please read the full Risk Disclosure Statement on our website T&Cs page. A copy is also in your booking confirmation email.

Marine Mammal Sanctuary

Established on December 15, 2021, to protect marine mammals. Vessels must stop within 300m of a mammal, and no swimming from vessels or beaches is allowed. If we encounter a marine mammal, we will follow these rules, which may cause minor disruptions to our cruise. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation to help protect these animals, hope that we see a great outcome for the marine mammals with the sanctuary in place.

Wildlife Sanctuary (biosecurity)

The islands that we visit are a wildlife sanctuary, it is important that we take care to ensure correct bio-security measures are in place before we visit the islands. Please check that you gear is free of any weed seeds, dirt, or pests like ants, sometimes a rat or lizard can get into your bags, shoes can carry dirt, all of which can disturb the delicate eco system on the islands of Ipipiri. Please help us and just take a minute to look over your gear and clean it if needed before you board the boat

Our vessels

Barefoot’s vessels ‘Kopiko’ ‘Moonwalker’ are Maritime New Zealand surveyed commercial charter vessels: Barefoot Sailing Adventures is externally audited to ensure systems and operating procedures are of highest standards. There is a documented maintenance program, vessel and all gear is maintained regularly. Crew undertake regular safety drills and training.

RISK DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Please read carefully…

We are committed to delivering a safe and enjoyable experience. We take all care to ensure your safety, however there are inherent risks in the nature of our activity. To ensure your safety, you must follow the instructions of our crew, act in a safe manner, be physically capable of undertaking any activity you partake in, and not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The following risks may result in serious injury or death:

• Boarding and disembarking – slips, trips, falls, crushing.
• Sailing equipment – impact injury from moving parts, trip hazards, entanglement.
• Changing weather conditions – sea state, moving vessel, exposure to the elements wind cold rain sun heat, unforeseen events.
• Water activities – swimming snorkeling paddle boarding, encounters with marine creatures, cuts, grazes, missing person, person adrift, heightened risk of cardiac arrest, drowning.
• Island walks – uneven terrain, slips, trips, close proximity to cliffs, steep drop offs, getting lost.
• Food Allergies – exposure to food allergens, cross-contamination, allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
• Remote location – medical facilities and immediate access to medical care are limited and may be significantly distant.
• Vessel Emergencies – Person overboard, vessel grounding, steering, loss of engine power, fire, abandon ship, encounters with marine mammals.
• Personal Property – risk to personal property being damaged.
• Natural Hazards – Tsunami, waterspout, wildfire, storm.
• Chemicals & Burns- poisoning, burns.

By participating, you signify your acknowledgment and acceptance of these inherent risks, are confident that you are physically fit and capable of safely participating in the activity, and agree to conduct yourself in a safe manner.

Your safety and enjoyment are our priority, and we appreciate your cooperation ensuring a safe experience. You agree to inform all others in your party of the above risks.