Triangle Dive Shop requires a signed trip agreement for each customer on every trip.

This agreement will provide details and the necessary preparations for your trip. As part of this agreement, we will collect personal data from you to help facilitate smooth travels.  This information will include:

• Mobile phone # (ideally with a plan which covers the area of travel)
• Emergency contact # (of someone not on the trip)
• Passport or Drivers License #
• Primary Care Provider and/or Medical Insurance Information
• Liability Waiver
• Medical Questionnaire
• Trip Payment Schedule & Terms
• Your diving history, certification level & last dive(s) made

Our trips can be paid for in multiple ways (checks, cash, credit cards) all at once or via our posted payment schedule. Our general payment terms are below. Please note, due to how the booking process works, the trip retainer is non-refundable once we have a signed contract.

• The initial retainer & a signed contract is required to book your trip with us.
• Each trip will have it's own payment schedule(s) which the customer is required to keep track of. Upon request, we can keep your payment information on file and charge it (only with your explicit authorization).
• There will be a "closing date" listed for every trip. Once this closing date has passed, all payments become non-refundable and you may be responsible for any balances owed (if full payment was not made and no cancellation was received by TDS).

• Each trip will have arrival & departure times  (communicated in advance by the trip leader). This will include the final travel meeting location (i.e. Airport, train station, etc) or other pickup location as specified by the trip leader. As part of our service, TDS may arrange for transfers to and from the final meeting location to the final destination (hotel, resort, boat, etc).
• Customers are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the trip's meeting location, and for notifying the trip leaders of any changes or delays to your travel schedule. Additionally, you are accountable for understanding and adhering to the transportation service provider (Airline, train, etc) policies.
• Triangle Dive Shop is not liable for missed or canceled travel, transportation companies refusal to issue refunds or changes in a customers travel logistics.
• Customer acknowledges all logistics for travel to the meeting location is solely their responsibility.

Customer understands and agrees Triangle Dive Shop is acting as an intermediary between the customer and the agreed to services within the contract. As such, it is the customers responsibility to read and adhere to any Hotel, Resort, Dive Operator or other service provider policy. Triangle Dive Shop cannot be held liable for a customers violation of these policies.

• It is the customers responsibility to verify their diving credentials meet the minimum requirement for dive sites included in the trip.
• If you are getting, or would like to get a specific certification during the trip (hence allowing you to go on dives which require specific certification levels), please communicate this in advance so we can schedule time with an instructor.

• For domestic or international trips, each customer is required to carry a valid passport or ID valid for travel in for the trip location throughout the duration of the trip.
• If using a passport and traveling internationally, it must be valid for at least six months beyond the trip's return date.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, certain destinations may also require a visa. It is the sole  responsibility of the customer to confirm and secure all necessary travel documents before departure.
• If you are not a natural U.S. citizen, we strongly recommend you review the current travel policies of the U.S. before departing on any international travel.

While Triangle Dive Shop makes every effort to ensure an uneventful trip, we are subject to the policies of each service provider we use. These providers are hotels, resorts, local transportation companies, liveaboards, charters, dive operators and other miscellaneous services specific to each trip. Every service provider has individual policies concerning refunds and cancellations. Triangle Dive Shop cannot be held liable for decisions made by these providers which impact your travel.

• We highly recommend purchasing a travel/trip protection plan to help protect you against any unforeseen events. There are many companies that provide this insurance including DAN & Dive Assure.
• You will be required to acknowledge whether you have opted to get this insurance on our travel contract. 

Triangle Dive Shop strongly recommends every diver maintain an active dive insurance policy and be fit for diving. These policies are generally inexpensive and can greatly aid you should any unfortunate accident occur.

• Dive insurance specifically covers divers in most scenarios. Dive insurance is considered "secondary" insurance and is specific to diving or dive related injuries and treatments.
• These policies can cover international trips, recompression chambers, evacuation and logistical support. Again, there are many dive insurance companies you can use but the most well known is DAN. Learn more about the coverage and obtaining a dive insurance policy here.

Our overall goal is to ensure each customer is well-prepared for their trip, travel plans & diving. Being prepared in advance helps to avoid any issues and allows to enjoy your trip and not worry about the little things! This applies to all aspects of the trip including your equipment, your diving skills, your certification level and even what you pack.

We've got a list below of common areas you should thoroughly check during your pre-trip planning.

• Dive Gear: If you have your own gear, please make sure it's in proper working order, is within its service date and appropriate for the type of anticipated diving you will do.
• Dive Skills: If it's been a year or longer since your last dive, we always recommend taking a refresher course either before your trip or as one of the first dives with our instructor. We want you to have a great time and a refresher dive will shake out most potential problems. If you would like a refresher course on your trip, please let us know in advance!
• Clothing & exposure protection: While we try to plan ahead and provide information on the "historical" weather for any given location, we strongly advise to check the expected weather.
• Sunscreen: We strongly recommend buying a reef safe sunscreen, such as Stream2Sea sunscreen (available at our shop), in preparation for your trip (if the location calls for it). Typical sunscreen can damage our planet's delicate coral reef systems and some locations strictly prohibit the use of anything that could damage the reefs.'
• Additional expenses: While we do our best to communicate all expenses with you beforehand, below is a list of some items that may not be included with your trip fee:
  • Park Fees - Some locations involve "parks" which may be an additional fee. We usually try to cover this in the trip fee but some locations require a completely separate payment at the time of arrival.
  • Tipping - Most dive resorts and boats encourage tipping the staff you interact with on a daily basis. Below are a few examples of where tipping is encouraged:
    • Dining: Varied but 10% - 20% is considered normal. If at an all-inclusive resort, generally $4-$8 USD per meal, per person
    • Housekeeping: Generally $2-$5 USD a day
    • Bartender: Varied but at all inclusive resorts, giving a larger tip up front generally helps with service
    • Boat Crew: Truly depends on location but $5-$10 USD per diver, per tank, is normal.

Trip Communications

We communicate details about the trip in several ways both before & during.

• Emails: We provide all the logistics you'll need to plan and prepare for your trip through e-mail. We try to cover the most commonly asked questions and provide all the relevant information we have.
• Zoom meeting: Our trip leader will coordinate a call with everyone to go over the trip, step by step, and insure all the logistics and trip requirements are covered and we answer any questions you have,
• Text group: Each trip has their own chat group to allow for on-location coordination. Most often we use WhatsApp as it allows for flexibility in how we all communicate. If you do NOT want to be part of this messaging group, please let the trip leader know in advance.