Terms and conditions | Sandy Beach Dive Academy

Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern all use of the Sandy Beach Diving Academy website, its content, services, training courses, diving trips, and all products available at or through the website (together, the "Website"). The Website is owned and operated by Sandy Beach Diving Academy under the laws of the United Arab Emirates. By accessing or using our Website or services, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Acceptance of Terms

Your access to and use of the Service is conditioned on Your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions apply to all visitors, students, divers, guests, and others who access or use the Service.

By accessing or using the Service, You agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If You disagree with any part of these Terms and Conditions, You may not access or use the Service.

User Account

If You register an account on the Website, You are solely responsible for safeguarding Your login details and ensuring the confidentiality of Your account. You accept full responsibility for all activities carried out under Your account, whether authorized by You or not.

You agree to notify Sandy Beach Diving Academy immediately of any unauthorized access, use of Your account, or any other security breach. Sandy Beach Diving Academy shall not be held liable for any loss or damage arising from Your failure to maintain the security of Your account or from any actions or omissions conducted under Your account.

Responsibilities For Minors

If You authorize a minor to use the services of Sandy Beach Diving Academy, You acknowledge and accept full responsibility for:

The online conduct and behaviour of that minor;
Monitoring and controlling the minor’s access to and use of the Website or Services; and
Any consequences arising from misuse of the Website or Services by the minor.

Placing Orders for Goods

1. Placing an Order

When You make a booking or purchase goods or services through our Website or directly with Sandy Beach Diving Academy (“the Academy”), You confirm that You are legally able to enter into binding agreements under UAE law.

2. Customer Information & Payment

To complete an order, We may require certain personal and payment details such as Your name, contact information, billing address, and card or payment method details.

By submitting these details, You confirm that:

You are authorized to use the chosen payment method; and
All information provided is accurate and complete.

You also authorize Us to share this information securely with trusted payment partners for transaction processing and fraud prevention.

3. Diving Trips – Cancellation & Rescheduling

Full Refund

Weekend & Public Holiday trips: cancel at least 72 hours before trip start.
Weekday trips: cancel at least 48 hours before trip start.

Partial Refund

Weekend & Public Holiday trips: cancel at least 48 hours before trip start.
Weekday trips: cancel at least 24 hours before trip start.

No Refund

International trips outside the UAE
Late arrivals or missed departures
No-shows

Rescheduling (Local Trips – Fujairah)

Requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
A maximum of two reschedules is permitted per booking.
Trips cancelled due to weather or sea conditions will be rescheduled to the next available date. Refunds are not issued in these cases, except in limited tourist situations at the Academy’s discretion.

4. Diving Courses – Validity & Refunds

All purchased courses remain valid for 12 months from the date of payment.
Courses not started within this time automatically expire.
If You start a course but pause training, You must resume within 3 months. After this, a refresher session may be required at Your own cost.

Refund Terms

The Academy does not issue cash or card refunds.
Any approved cancellation is compensated by a credit voucher usable against future Academy services or products.

Digital Materials

PADI eLearning and similar digital materials are generally valid for 12 months. For content support or extensions, please contact PADI directly.

Rescheduling

Rescheduling must be arranged at least 48 hours before the scheduled class.
A single no-show may be moved to another slot at Our discretion. Repeated no-shows (more than twice) may result in an administrative rescheduling fee.
The Academy reserves the right to adjust schedules without notice in the case of weather, safety concerns, or operational requirements.

5. Delivery of Goods (If Applicable)

Items purchased for delivery will be sent to the address provided at checkout.
Delivery costs and timelines are shared before order confirmation.
Ownership and responsibility for the goods transfer to You once delivery is completed. Please check all items upon receipt and notify Us promptly of any issues.

6. General Provisions

All timeframes are calculated in local UAE time.
“Public Holidays” refer to official UAE public holidays.
Refunds, where applicable, are always processed according to the earliest qualifying tier.
Sandy Beach Diving Academy may request supporting documentation (e.g., medical notes) for special consideration cases.

Diving Shop Policy

1. General Requirements

To request a return or exchange, You must present the original purchase invoice.
Products must be in unused, unopened, and original packaging to be eligible.
Exchanges or returns must be made within 7 days of the purchase date.

2. Exclusions

The following categories are not eligible for return or exchange:

Products purchased using vouchers or e-vouchers.
Personal care or hygiene-related items (for safety reasons).
Goods that have been customized, personalized, or made to order.
Items that by their nature cannot be resold due to health, safety, or hygiene concerns once unsealed.
Goods that are inseparably combined with other items after delivery.
Digital content not supplied on a physical medium, once performance has begun with Your prior consent.

3. Refunds

Cash or card refunds are not provided.
Any approved refund will be issued as a Sandy Beach Diving Academy store credit voucher, which can be used toward future purchases without expiry.

4. Products with Defects

If a manufacturing defect is discovered after opening or using the product, the item will be covered under the manufacturer’s repair or replacement warranty.
The Academy will assist You with warranty claims as per supplier/manufacturer policies.

5. Restocking Fee

If a product is returned in unpacked condition (opened but unused, with full packaging intact and no damage), the Academy may accept the return at its discretion.
In such cases, a 15% restocking fee will be deducted to cover handling and repackaging costs.
The final decision to accept or reject such returns rests solely with Sandy Beach Diving Academy.

6. Care of Goods

Until a product is returned, You are responsible for taking reasonable care of the item(s).
Damaged, scratched, or incomplete goods will not qualify for return or exchange.

Diving Course Policy

1) Course Validity

Validity period: Every course is valid for 12 months from the purchase date.
Unused purchases: If you purchase a course but do not start it within 12 months, it expires.
Pause & resume: If you have started a course and stop attending, you have a 3-month grace period to resume. After this period, a refresher dive/session may be required and fees will apply at the Academy’s current rates.

2) Refunds & Credit

No cash or card refunds.
Approved refunds/credits (where applicable) are issued as a Sandy Beach Diving Academy credit voucher, redeemable against Academy products/services. (Validity and terms are stated on the voucher.)

3) PADI eLearning

PADI eLearning access is generally valid for 12 months from purchase.
For validity checks or eLearning support, please contact PADI directly at customerservices.emea@padi.com.

4) Course Rescheduling Procedure

Advance notice: Rescheduling must be requested at least 48 hours before the scheduled session, unless otherwise advised by Academy Instructors for safety/operational reasons.
No-shows: A no-show may be moved to the next available slot at the Instructor’s discretion.
Repeated no-shows: More than two no-shows may incur a rescheduling/administrative fee of AED 375.
Operational changes: The Academy may reschedule students without prior notice for operational or safety reasons (e.g., poor weather conditions, facility maintenance, instructor/boat availability).
How to reschedule: Please use the official contact channels published on our website (phone/WhatsApp/email). Include your full name, booking reference, and preferred dates.

Pricing and Content Accuracy

1. Availability, Errors & Inaccuracies

We regularly update the range of goods and services available through Sandy Beach Diving Academy. Despite our best efforts, some products or services may occasionally be mispriced, described incorrectly, shown with outdated images, or temporarily unavailable. Delays in updating product details or availability on our Website, or in promotional materials, may occur.

We do not guarantee that all information provided—such as prices, specifications, images, or availability—will always be complete or free of error. The Academy reserves the right to correct inaccuracies, update descriptions, or adjust prices at any time without prior notice.

2. Pricing Policy

Before Order Confirmation: All prices are subject to change until your Order has been accepted and confirmed by the Academy.
After Order Confirmation: If circumstances outside of our control affect pricing (e.g., government action, customs duty changes, shipping costs, or exchange rate fluctuations), we reserve the right to revise the quoted price even after an Order is accepted.
If a price adjustment is required after confirmation, you will be notified and given the option to accept the revised price or cancel your Order without penalty.

3. Payments

All goods and services must be paid for in full at the time of purchase or booking, unless otherwise stated.
Payment methods accepted include: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and other recognized online payment gateways.
All cards are subject to verification and authorization by the issuing bank. If authorization is refused, the Academy will not be held responsible for delays or failure to deliver.

4. Vouchers & Invoices

Any voucher, e-voucher, or invoice issued by Sandy Beach Diving Academy is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
Expired vouchers cannot be redeemed, extended, or exchanged for cash.

Promotions, Content & Media Policy

1. Promotions

From time to time, Sandy Beach Diving Academy may offer special promotions, discounts, or limited offers through the Website or other channels. These promotions may be subject to additional terms and conditions separate from these Terms.

If You participate in a promotion, please review the specific rules that apply.
In the event of a conflict between promotion rules and these Terms, the promotion rules will take precedence for that specific offer.

2. Media and Content on Premises

While attending activities at Sandy Beach Diving Academy locations (including Dubai, Fujairah, or any diving trips organized by the Academy), photos and videos may be taken by our staff for marketing and promotional purposes.

If You prefer not to be included in any photographs or recordings, You must notify a member of our team in advance.
By not opting out, You grant the Academy permission to use such media across digital, print, or social channels.

3. Your Right to Post Content

Our Website and social platforms may allow You to post or share content such as reviews, comments, photos, or videos (“User Content”). You remain fully responsible for any content You create, upload, or distribute, including its legality and appropriateness.

By posting or submitting content, You grant Sandy Beach Diving Academy a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, modify, display, reproduce, and distribute such content for promotional or operational purposes.

You represent and warrant that:

The content is Your original work or You have the legal right to share it.
Posting such content does not violate the rights of others, including privacy, publicity, copyright, trademark, or contract rights.

4. Content Restrictions

You agree not to upload, transmit, or distribute content that is:

Unlawful, offensive, or discriminatory.
Defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.
Spam or unauthorized advertising.
Containing malicious code such as viruses, worms, or trojan horses.
Infringing upon intellectual property rights.
Misrepresenting Your identity or impersonating others.
Violating the privacy of others or disclosing personal data without consent.

Sandy Beach Diving Academy reserves the right—but not the obligation—to review, edit, or remove any user content at its sole discretion. We may also limit or suspend Service access if these rules are violated.

5. Content Backups

Although we take reasonable steps to protect data, Sandy Beach Diving Academy does not guarantee that all User Content will be securely backed up or free from corruption.

Backup failures may occur due to corrupted files, incomplete uploads, or system issues.
The Academy accepts no liability for lost or corrupted content.
You agree to maintain Your own complete and accurate copies of any content in a separate and secure location.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Sandy Beach Diving Academy, its affiliates, instructors, suppliers, or licensors shall not be liable for any damages or losses arising out of or in connection with the use of Our Website, Services, or Products. This includes, but is not limited to:

Any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages;
The cost of replacement goods or services;
Loss of data, interruption of service, or corruption of information;
Any amounts exceeding the total fees paid by You to the Academy within the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

You further agree not to upload, transmit, or distribute any content or material that contains malicious code, viruses, worms, trojan horses, or other harmful components intended to disrupt the Website or Services.

The Academy shall not be held responsible for delays or failures caused by circumstances outside its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, government restrictions, technical failures, or unforeseen operational disruptions.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Sandy Beach Diving Academy, its owners, employees, instructors, contractors, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, expenses, and legal costs (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from:

Your use of the Website or Services;
Your violation of these Terms and Conditions
Any infringement of third-party rights caused by You.

Termination

You acknowledge and agree that Sandy Beach Diving Academy may, at its sole discretion and with or without prior notice, suspend or terminate Your account, restrict Your access to the Website, or remove any related content for any reason, including (but not limited to) violations of these Terms and Conditions.
You further agree that the Academy shall not be held liable to You or to any third party for any suspension, restriction, or termination of access. If You are dissatisfied with the Website, Services, or any policies of the Academy, Your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue use of the Website and Services.
The Academy also reserves the right to permanently discontinue or shut down the Website and Services at any time.
Any provisions of these Terms which, by their nature, should survive termination (including, without limitation, ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnities, and limitations of liability) shall remain in full force and effect following termination.

Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy

Respect for Intellectual Property
Sandy Beach Diving Academy respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects its users to do the same. It is our policy to respond promptly to any valid notice of alleged copyright or intellectual property infringement arising from content posted on or through our Website or Services.
If you are a copyright owner (or authorized to act on behalf of one) and believe that your copyrighted work has been used in a manner that constitutes infringement, please notify us in writing at:
📧 info@divesandy.com
Your notice must include a clear description of the copyrighted material and the specific location (URL or reference) of the allegedly infringing content.
Please note that you may be held responsible for any damages (including costs and legal fees) if you knowingly misrepresent that content is infringing your rights.
Notice Procedure for Copyright Infringement
When submitting a claim, please provide the following details:
An electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
- A description of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed.
- Identification of the material alleged to be infringing, including its location on our Website or Service.
- Your contact information (address, telephone number, and email address).
- A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
- A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information provided in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or are authorized to act on their behalf.
Academy Response
Upon receipt of a complete and valid infringement notice, Sandy Beach Diving Academy will review the claim and may, at its sole discretion, remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material. We may also take further action where appropriate.

Dispute Resolution

If You have any questions, concerns, or disputes relating to the Website, our Services, or these Terms and Conditions, You agree to first attempt to resolve the matter informally by contacting Sandy Beach Diving Academy directly through our official communication channels.

We will make reasonable efforts to address and resolve Your concern promptly and in good faith before any further legal action is pursued.

Governing Law

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, these Terms and Conditions and any dispute, claim, or matter arising from the use of this Website or our Services shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Fujairah and the United Arab Emirates.
The Website is owned and operated by Sandy Beach Diving Academy, and these Terms apply to all of its divisions, subsidiaries, and affiliated entities operating under UAE law.

Changes to These Terms and Conditions

Sandy Beach Diving Academy reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to update, amend, or replace these Terms and Conditions at any time.

If a revision is considered material, we will make reasonable efforts to provide notice at least 30 days prior to the updated Terms taking effect. What qualifies as a material change will be determined exclusively by the Academy.
By continuing to access or use our Website or Services after the revised Terms come into effect, You agree to be bound by the updated version.
If You do not agree with the revised Terms, whether in whole or in part, You must discontinue using the Website and Services.