What is Dive Central's cancellation and refund policy?

Updated

Dive Central's cancellation policy has two sides. If you need to cancel, you can reschedule your trip as long as you give at least 72 hours' notice before the scheduled departure. If Dive Central cancels a confirmed trip because of weather or mechanical failure, the trip will be rescheduled or refunded.

If you need to cancel

  • Notice required: at least 72 hours before your scheduled trip.
  • What you get: your trip may be rescheduled. The policy as published covers rescheduling, not a refund, for customer-initiated cancellations.
  • What this means in practice: a cancellation inside the 72-hour window is not covered by the published policy, so plan your notice accordingly.

If Dive Central cancels

  • Reasons covered: weather or mechanical failure.
  • What you get: the confirmed trip will be rescheduled or refunded — the choice is handled by Dive Central.
  • Why this matters: dive sites in Monterey and Carmel Bay are chosen based on weather and ocean conditions, so a weather cancellation is a real possibility rather than an edge case.

Comparison at a glance

Who cancels Notice / reason Outcome
Customer At least 72 hours before departure Trip may be rescheduled
Dive Central Weather or mechanical failure Rescheduled or refunded

Practical notes

  • Full payment is required to confirm a booking, so money is already committed by the time cancellation questions come up.
  • Scheduled trips are $135 per person for a 2-tank dive in Monterey or Carmel. Specialty trips — underwater guides, instruction, private groups, extended trips — are priced on request.
  • Departures are from the "K" Dock at the Monterey Marina. Arrive 30 minutes before departure to assemble gear and suit up.
  • Gear and tanks are not provided. Bring all equipment, your C Card, and personal items; equipment comes aboard in soft bags only.
  • Weekend trips run year round. Midweek trips, night dives, and tour-guided trips are available by prior arrangement, which is also when you'd confirm terms for those specialty trips.

What to do before you book

  1. Check the departure schedule for your date and confirm the trip time.
  2. If your plans are uncertain, treat the 72-hour mark as your decision deadline.
  3. For specialty trips, ask about pricing and cancellation terms directly, since the published policy addresses scheduled trips.
  4. Contact Dive Central at (831) 247-9177 or [email protected] with any policy question specific to your booking.