BOOKING & PAYMENT

All reservations with Galápagos SharkSky Travel & Conservation are confirmed only after receipt of 100% of the total booking amount.

Availability is subject to confirmation at the time payment is received. A quotation, itinerary, conversation, or payment link does not guarantee space until the reservation has been fully paid and formally confirmed.

CANCELLATION POLICY

We understand that travel plans can change. However, tours in the Galápagos Islands require advance coordination of boats, guides, permits, equipment, transportation, meals, and other operational services.

The following cancellation conditions apply:

• Grace period: Guests may cancel their reservation without penalty within 7 calendar days from the date of booking, provided the tour date is more than 20 days away.
• More than 20 days before the tour: After the 7-day grace period, cancellations are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. The remaining 50% may be refunded.
• 20 days or less before the tour: Cancellations are subject to a 100% cancellation fee. No refund is guaranteed.
• No-show or failure to arrive on time: The reservation will be considered used and is 100% non-refundable.

For bookings made within 20 days of the tour date, the reservation is considered within the non-refundable period once confirmed.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Galápagos is a natural destination, and weather and sea conditions may change throughout the day.

Rain, cloudy weather, wind, waves, or normal variations in sea conditions are not considered valid reasons for cancellation or refund.

Tours may operate in rainy conditions whenever the captain, guide, local operator, and relevant authorities consider that the activity can be carried out safely.

The fact that it is raining, the sea feels rough, or weather conditions are different from those expected does not automatically mean that the tour will be cancelled.

OFFICIAL MARITIME RESTRICTIONS

Passenger safety is always our priority.

If INOCAR or another competent maritime authority issues an official restriction that prevents vessels from operating due to unsafe conditions, and the tour cannot legally or safely depart, the affected service will be cancelled.

In this specific circumstance, passengers will be entitled to a full refund of the affected tour, or, when possible and accepted by the passenger, rescheduling to another available date.

This applies only when there is an official restriction preventing navigation, not simply because weather conditions are uncomfortable or unfavorable.

SEASICKNESS

Seasickness is not considered an illness for cancellation or refund purposes.

Boat navigation is an inherent part of many Galápagos experiences, and passengers are responsible for considering their personal susceptibility to motion sickness before booking.

If a passenger becomes seasick during the tour or decides not to continue an activity because of seasickness, this does not create an automatic right to a refund.

ILLNESS

We understand that serious illness can occur unexpectedly.

A medical condition may be considered for special review only when the passenger is genuinely unable to participate and provides a valid medical certificate issued and signed/stamped by a licensed physician.

Providing a medical certificate does not automatically guarantee a refund .

Each case will be reviewed individually according to:

• The date of cancellation
• The nature and severity of the medical condition
• Costs already incurred
• Payments already made to boats, guides, transportation providers, or other local suppliers
• Whether the reserved space can be resold

Whenever reasonably possible, SharkSky will make a genuine effort to assist the passenger and attempt to resell the space.

If the space can be resold or part of the operational costs can be recovered, a partial refund may be considered.

Unless otherwise specifically agreed, SharkSky will retain a minimum of 50% of the original booking value, and any additional refund will depend on the amount actually recovered.

ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES BEFORE THE TOUR

If a passenger suffers an accident, fall, or injury before the scheduled tour, the situation will be evaluated individually.

We may request supporting documentation, photographs, or a medical certificate depending on the circumstances.

SharkSky will make a reasonable effort to assist and, when possible, try to resell the passenger's space.

However, an accident or injury does not automatically guarantee a refund .

If we are able to recover part of the booking value through resale or supplier reimbursement, a partial refund may be offered, but SharkSky will retain at least 50% of the original booking amount .

GENERAL DISCOMFORT OR MINOR HEALTH ISSUES

General discomfort, headache, fatigue, stomach discomfort, mild cold symptoms, anxiety, lack of sleep, seasickness, or simply feeling unwell before the tour do not automatically qualify as a medical cancellation.

We understand that unexpected discomfort can happen, and our team will always try to help when reasonably possible.

If the passenger chooses not to participate, we may attempt to resell the space as a courtesy. However:

• Resale is not guaranteed, and neither is a refund.
• If part of the reservation value can be recovered, SharkSky may offer a partial refund, while retaining a minimum of 50% of the original booking amount.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ASSIST

Our cancellation policy exists because many Galápagos services involve costs and commitments that become non-refundable well before the actual tour date.

At the same time, we understand that genuine emergencies occur.

Whenever there is a legitimate situation and there is a reasonable possibility to help, SharkSky Travel & Conservation will make every reasonable effort to find a solution, including rescheduling, attempting to resell the space, or recovering part of the booking value from the corresponding service provider.

However, these efforts should not be interpreted as a guarantee of reimbursement .

Any refund granted outside the standard cancellation policy is considered an exceptional goodwill solution and will depend on the circumstances and actual recoverable costs.

WILDLIFE & NATURAL CONDITIONS

Galápagos wildlife is completely wild .

The presence, proximity, number, or behavior of any species cannot be guaranteed.

Not seeing a particular animal—including sharks, hammerhead sharks, turtles, penguins, rays, sea lions, birds, or any other species—is not considered a failure to provide the service and does not qualify for a refund.

Routes, snorkeling locations, landing sites, and the order of activities may also be modified when required by:

• Galápagos National Park regulations
• Maritime authorities
• Sea or weather conditions
• Wildlife conditions
• Safety considerations
• Operational circumstances beyond our reasonable control

Whenever possible, the closest authorized alternative will be provided.

By completing payment and confirming a reservation with Galápagos SharkSky Travel & Conservation, the passenger acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions, including the cancellation, weather, health, wildlife, and refund policies described above.