These terms apply to bookings made directly with La Tortue through this website, email, telephone, WhatsApp, or in person. If you book through Booking.com, Airbnb, or another platform, the booking and cancellation terms displayed by that platform also apply and prevail where they differ for that reservation.
1. Business and scope
La Tortue's services are provided by LA TORTUE DIVE CENTER, a sole proprietorship registered with the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue under BIR registration number 079RC20240000007563.
The business provides accommodation, restaurant, resort, diving, training, and related services from Bonifacio Street, Masaplod Norte, 6217 Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Sales invoices are issued under the name LA TORTUE DIVE CENTER.
By confirming a booking, you agree to these terms, the details in your booking confirmation, and any applicable house, safety, course, or activity rules provided to you. Mandatory rights under Philippine law remain unaffected.
2. Booking confirmation, prices, and payment
- An enquiry or submitted form is not a confirmed booking. A direct room or diving booking is confirmed when we receive the required 50% deposit and send or communicate confirmation.
- The remaining balance is payable on arrival unless your booking confirmation states otherwise.
- Payments are accepted in Philippine pesos (PHP) through local bank transfer, GCash, Wise, Remitly, PayPal, or another method expressly agreed with us.
- Advertised room, menu, and diving prices include applicable taxes and stated charges. Published diving rates include standard equipment rental and marine fees. Any optional service or extra charge will be identified and agreed before it is added to a booking.
- You are responsible for checking the names, dates, services, participant details, and price in your confirmation and promptly reporting an error.
3. Changes, cancellations, no-shows, and operator cancellations
Direct bookings
The 50% deposit for a direct room or diving booking is non-refundable. Requests to change dates or services are subject to availability and our written agreement. Any additional conditions stated in your booking confirmation apply to the remaining balance, no-shows, early departure, unused services, packages, or course changes.
Platform bookings
For reservations made through Booking.com, Airbnb, or another booking platform, the rate and cancellation policy shown and accepted on that platform govern the reservation. Where the selected policy provides for it, cancellation may incur a charge of 50% of the total price and a no-show may incur the total reservation price.
Weather and safety
If we cancel an excursion because of weather conditions, you may choose a full refund for the cancelled excursion or reschedule it where the same activity can still be offered. Activities may be changed, delayed, or cancelled when conditions make the planned service unsafe. Refunds required for a guest who is on site are normally settled directly by check-out; other legally due refunds will be arranged with the guest using a practical available method.
4. Accommodation, restaurant, and resort services
Guests must comply with our House Rules, which are available for review before booking and may also be provided at booking or on arrival. The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that all members of the group understand the applicable rules.
A claim for loss or damage caused by a guest or a member of their party to a room, facility, or equipment must be supported by reasonable evidence and reflect the reasonable repair or replacement cost, subject to applicable law. Restaurant reservations, day passes, and direct transfers do not currently have a separate cancellation policy unless conditions are communicated when the service is arranged.
5. Diving participation and safety
Diving is an adventure activity with inherent risks. Every participant must follow staff instructions, dive within their certification, training, experience, comfort, and ability, and comply with the SSI Responsible Diver Code and the forms applicable to the activity.
The applicable SSI medical questionnaire, liability release, Responsible Diver Code, and Youth Addendum are separate participation documents and must be completed when required. Blank copies are available on our Guest Documents and Forms page. These terms do not replace those documents.
- The minimum age is 8 for Try Scuba and 10 for the Open Water course.
- Participants under 18 require a parent or guardian's signature and the applicable youth addendum.
- Open Water students must be able to swim. Swimming ability is not mandatory for Try Scuba.
- Apo Island dive participants must hold at least an Open Water Diver certification and complete a mandatory check dive no later than the day before the trip.
- Certified divers must present proof of certification before diving.
- Participants must complete the required medical questionnaire. Where the questionnaire requires physician approval, a signed medical clearance must be provided before coastal diving and no later than 12 noon on the day before an Apo Island boat trip.
- A liability release must be signed before any in-water activity.
Management may refuse, suspend, or end participation where a guest presents a danger to themselves or others, fails to respect marine life, or fails to respect equipment, facilities, staff, or crew. In those circumstances, the activity remains payable in full and no refund is provided, to the extent permitted by law.
Certification is based on completing the required performance standards. A student who does not complete a course or meet certification requirements will not be certified, and this does not entitle the student to a discount or refund. Lost or damaged rental equipment must be reimbursed at the reasonable repair cost or fair market value, as appropriate.
6. Third-party services and platforms
Motorbike rentals, transfers, and tours may be provided by independent local third parties. When we introduce or contact a provider for you, that provider is responsible for performing its service and may apply its own terms, prices, insurance, and cancellation rules. Nothing in this clause excludes responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Links, maps, booking widgets, payment services, social media, and other third-party services are operated by their respective providers. Their availability and terms are outside our control.
7. Guest responsibility and limits
You are responsible for providing accurate booking, identity, certification, medical, and emergency information; arriving at the agreed time; following reasonable safety instructions; and obtaining any travel, medical, diving, or cancellation insurance appropriate to your trip.
We provide services with reasonable care and in accordance with the confirmed description. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for losses caused by inaccurate or withheld information, a guest's failure to follow instructions, events outside reasonable control, or the independent acts of third-party providers. Nothing in these terms excludes liability or a consumer remedy that cannot be excluded under Philippine law.
8. Complaints, privacy, and applicable law
Please raise an issue with reception during your stay whenever possible so that we can try to resolve it promptly. You may also contact us at latortue.info@gmail.com or +63 969 529 1297. For a complaint concerning an online transaction, the internal redress process is considered exhausted if the complaint remains unresolved seven calendar days after it was filed. This does not limit any remedy available under Philippine law.
Our collection and use of personal information is explained in our Privacy Notice.
These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to apply. We may update these terms for future bookings; the version supplied or available when a booking is confirmed applies to that booking unless a change is required by law or agreed with you.