Shop Policies

Overview:

THE BAMBOO REEF ADVANTAGE:

Bamboo Reef understands that sometimes life can get in the way of having fun. We will always do our best to work with you and any extenuating circumstances that may arise before your class / tour / trip.

As the oldest Dive Center in the San Francisco, Bay Area and Monterey, CA and a pioneer in California's diving education since 1962, our training facilities offer unparalleled and unforgettable experiences. With our swimming pools, top-tier rental equipment, and first-rate facilities, we stand as the ideal choice to embark on your diving journey.

At Bamboo Reef, our unwavering commitment is to your success and confidence as a diver. Our primary objective is to ensure you have ample time to develop the comfort and confidence required for underwater exploration. With ample amounts of dedicated pool instruction and intentionally small class sizes, we prioritize personalized attention, ensuring your diving education is as unique as it is effective.

Please carefully review our policies below and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

San Francisco Store: 415 362 6694 - info@bambooreef.com

Monterey Store: 831 372 1685 - montereybay@bambooreef.com

Bookings: General Policies

PUT DOWN A DEPOSIT, PAY THE REMAINING BALANCE ON THE 1ST DAY OF CLASS:

Booking a certification course is not a guarantee of certification. Each course has it's own pre-requisites and requirements laid out by the training agencies that must be met for a certification to be issued. Additionally the instructors may choose not to issue a certification if they believe the student is a danger to themselves or others. Once a class, dive tour, or trip has started; there are no refunds.

*Deposits are not available to all classes*

DIGITAL TRAINING MATERIALS:

Digital Training Materials are non-refundable and non-transferable. All Digital Training Materials are issued to the original user and for that reason cannot be transferred to another or returned.

The digital training materials are a key part of learning for all of our courses and therefore all students are required to complete and pass the chapter review sections of their assigned materials. Failure to have the materials completed before the first classroom/zoom session can result in a forfeit of the training or the requirement for a makeup before continuing.

MAKEUPS/ADDTIONAL TRAINING:

If you miss a class or need additional time in the water Bamboo Reef and your instructor will work with you to setup a schedule.

Zoom/Classroom Sessions - $60.00 per hour

Pool Sessions - $80.00 per hour

MONTEREY: Pool Sessions do not include the lane reservations or entrance fees to the Monterey Sports Center

Ocean Dives - SCUBA

Rejoin a Group Session - $150.00 per day. A pool refresher is required if it has been more than 30 days since your last pool session.

Private 1-on-1 - $150.00 per dive

Ocean Dives - Freedive

Rejoin a Group Session - $75.00 per day. A pool refresher is required if it has been more than 30 days since your last pool session.

Private 1-on-1 - $150.00 per dive

MEDICAL WAIVERS:

Every student participating in a SCUBA/Freedive/Tech Diving class with Bamboo Reef is required to complete the RSTC Medical Waiver. RSTC Medical waivers are good for 1 calendar year.

If a physician's signature is required on the RSTC Medical Waiver and one cannot be obtained before the start date of your class please notify Bamboo Reef immediately. Bamboo Reef will make its best efforts to help you reschedule to the next available class date. All rescheduled classes will be subject to a re-booking fee of 50% of the course tuition.

*NOTE* Medical Waiver Requirements are still subject to the Rescheduling and Cancellation Policies below.

COVID-19/COLD/FLU/GENERAL ILLNESS:

If you're feeling unwell due to COVID-19, a cold, or any other general illness, it's crucial to prioritize your health. To ensure a safe training environment for everyone, we recommend discontinuing your diving or training until you've fully recovered. We understand the inconvenience, and Bamboo Reef will strive to reschedule your sessions with minimal fees. Regrettably, we can't offer credit for the time invested as our classes aim to maintain high standards and quality training, limiting the number of students. This approach ensures each student receives focused and personalized attention.

Rescheduling: Classes, TRAINING, & Tours

We understand life can get in the way of your awesome, awesome diving. With respect to that you may reschedule up to 2 times, within the allotted times listed below, without penalty. If you need to reschedule more than 2 times, then you will be subject a 50% rebooking fee regardless of the time frames listed below.

Open Water Course

More than 7 days before the start date of class = Forfeit Deposit
Less than 7 days before the start date of class = Forfeit Deposit & $50.00 Rebooking Fee
Less than 72 hours before the start date of class = Forfeit Deposit & $100.00 Rebooking Fee

SCUBA & Freediving -

More than 7 days before the start date = Ø Penalty
Less than 7 days before the start date = 50% Tuition Rescheduling Fee
CANNOT RESCHEDULE LESS THAN 72 HOURS BEFORE THE START DATE

Dive Tours -

More than 72 hours before the start date = Ø Penalty
CANNOT RESCHEDULE LESS THAN 72 HOURS BEFORE THE START DATE

Dive Professional Courses -

More than 14 days before the start date = Ø Penalty
Less than 14 days before the start date = 50% Tuition Rescheduling Fee

Cancellations: Classes & Tours

All classes and tours can be cancelled for a full refund within 24 hours of the ORIGINAL booking. Any cancellations made more than 24 hours after the booking are subject to the rules below.

Exemptions:

Class Bundles and Packages are not available for a refund

Once Digital Training Materials are issued they cannot be refunded

Open Water Course

More than 7 days before the start date of class = Forfeit Deposit & E-Learning
Less than 7 days before the start date of class = Forfeit Deposit & $250.00 Cancellation Fee
Less than 72 hours before the start date of class = Forfeit Deposit & $350.00 Cancellation Fee

SCUBA & Freediving -

More than 7 days before the start date = Refund Tuition Only
Less than 7 days before the start date = 50% Tuition Cancellation Fee
LESS THAN 72 HOURS BEFORE THE START DATE = FORFEIT PAYMENT

Dive Tours -

More than 72 hours before the start date = Ø Penalty
Less than 72 hours before the start date = 50% Cancellation Fee
LESS THAN 24 HOURS = FORFEIT BOOKING

Dive Professional Courses -

More than 14 days before the start date = Refund Tuition Only
Less than 14 days before the start date = 50% Tuition Cancellation Fee
LESS THAN 7 DAYS BEFORE THE START DATE = FORFEIT PAYMENT

Weather -

All Classes and Tours are subject to weather and any unforeseen circumstances and may be cancelled or rescheduled.

In the event a class or tour is cancelled due to weather then Bamboo Reef will make it's best effort to reschedule you within a timely manner. In the event Bamboo Reef cannot reschedule you, you will be issued a gift card for the value of the cancelled event.

Dive Bundles & Packages:

At Bamboo Reef, we aim to offer the best possible value and experiences through our Dive Bundles and Packages. Please note that these offers are subject to change without prior notice, potentially affecting the applicable costs associated with your package.

For added assurance, if you've purchased a Dive Bundle or Package within the last 90 days, rest assured that Bamboo Reef will honor the original price, even if there are subsequent changes in costs. However, should it go beyond 90 days, any new fees or costs arising are your responsibility.

If, for any reason, you can't use your Dive Bundle or Package, we're happy to provide an in-store credit for tuition fees only, or you may generously gift the training to another individual (excluding digital materials). The option for a store credit is available within 12 months of your original purchase date.

Your satisfaction and understanding are paramount to us. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or require further assistance.

Trips: Rescheduling and Cancellations

Monterey Boat Dives -

Rescheduling:

More than 72 hours before the start date = Ø Penalty

Cancellations:

More than 72 hours before the start date = Ø Penalty
LESS THAN 72 HOURS BEFORE THE START DATE = 50% Cancellation Fee

Bamboo Reef Dive Trips - Channel Islands and International

Regional Trips - Channel Islands

Bamboo Reef requires 60 days notice from the date of departure for all rescheduling and cancellations. A refund will be provided to the original form of payment or by check minus the trip deposit. Any rescheduling or cancellations requests made with less than 60 days notice from the date of departure will forfeit payment in full.

International Trips -

Bamboo Reef requires 90 days notice from the date of departure for all rescheduling and cancellations. A refund will be provided to the original form of payment or by check minus the trip deposit. Any rescheduling or cancellations requests made with less than 90 days notice from the date of departure will forfeit payment in full.

Rescheduling & Cancellation: Best Effort

At Bamboo Reef, we'll make every effort to replace your canceled or rescheduled class, deducting the re-booking and cancellation fees.

For Classes: If you reschedule your class and we find a replacement, we'll transfer your booking minus the re-booking fees. If you cancel and we find a replacement, you'll receive a refund minus the cancellation fees.

For Trips: If you reschedule your trip and we find a replacement, we'll transfer your booking minus the re-booking fees. If you cancel your trip and we find a replacement, you'll receive a refund minus the cancellation fees.

Force Majeure:

“Force Majeure” means, in relation to Bamboo Reef Dive Trips, any circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Bamboo Reef (including, but without limitation, acts of God, explosion, flood, tempest, forceful wind, fire or accident, war or threat of war declared or undeclared, acts of terrorism, sabotage, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil disturbance, requisition, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions, defects in machinery and vehicles, delay, wildlife, or other untoward occurrences).

Bamboo Reef shall not be deemed to be in breach of these terms and conditions or otherwise be liable to you, by reason of delay in performance, or by non-performance, of any of its obligations hereunder to the extent that any such delay or non-performance is due to any Force Majeure. THE PURCHASE OF TRAVEL INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ON ALL TRIPS.

If Bamboo Reef, and/or any of its travel suppliers, are affected by Force Majeure, they shall be entitled to, and may in their sole and absolute discretion, vary or cancel any itinerary or arrangement in relation to the trip. Payment of any refund by Bamboo Reef to you as a result of the non-performance of any obligations hereunder shall remain in its sole and absolute discretion, although Bamboo Reef shall use its reasonable efforts to reimburse you where possible. However, Bamboo Reef shall be entitled to deduct from any refund recoverable the reasonable actual and potential costs to Bamboo Reef of the Force Majeure and applicable cancellation fees.

Regarding civil unrest, once Bamboo Reef has investigated the prevailing situation, as it deems fit, it shall remain in Bamboo Reef's sole and absolute discretion whether to proceed with the trip. You may in such circumstances cancel the trip subject to Bamboo Reef's and each supplier’s terms and conditions.