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Registration
To schedule a program for your group e-mail explorers@REEF.org or call us at 305-852-0030. A deposit will be required to confirm your program reservation. Deposit details and policies are outlined in the pages linked below. Please note that if reserving multiple program spaces, you agree to be financially responsible for all spaces booked, and each individual program space is considered a separate reservation and is subject to the cancellation and refund policy detailed below.
Liability Form
Each group participant must sign a REEF liability form if they are partaking in a field excursion (SCUBA, snorkel, kayak, etc.). Participants under 18 years of age must have a Parent/Guardian review and sign the REEF liability form.
Additionally, groups participating in Invasive Lionfish collecting and handling must sign a Lionfish Biology and Venomology Understanding of Risk form.
Travel & Dive Insurance
REEF strongly recommends that each Ocean Explorers Program group or participant carry adequate travel and/or dive insurance to protect themselves in advance against any unforeseen circumstances that may occur with travel. Any liabilities for program interruptions, cancellations, or general travel disputes will be the responsibility of the group/participant. Please read the information on your travel and/or dive insurance policy for a full understanding of coverage
Program Terms
Student groups with participants under the age of 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. The teachers/adult chaperones accompanying the group are directly responsible for students at all times, including during free time and meals, as well as in the lodging overnight.
If a program includes scuba diving, all participants must be at least Open Water Scuba Certified prior to arrival.
Scuba tanks and weights will be provided for each participant. All other scuba equipment is the responsibility of the participant unless stated otherwise. Rental gear can be arranged by REEF through the dive operator.
REEF staff will work with the field activity and excursion operators to plan a schedule that best meets the needs and objectives of the group. However, all decisions regarding dive sites and dive schedules are ultimately made by the dive operator crew and boat captain(s). A trip may have to be diverted in cases of weather conditions if the dive operation feels that there is a safety risk.
No refunds are able to be issued for unused portions of any Explorers package, including but not limited to ground transportation, dives, nitrox, and meals, regardless of the reason(s) it was not used.
Ocean Explorers Programs require a minimum number of participants. Program prices are subject to change or possible cancellation if the number of participants changes from the original agreement. In the event of a program cancellation, REEF and/or any of our program booking partners are not responsible for airline tickets purchased for travel or other expenses occurred prior to the program.
COVID-19 Considerations
Throughout these uncertain and challenging times, we have worked hard with our vendors to secure maximum flexibility on our booking terms, and any flexibility we have has been passed along to our participants. We are grateful that most vendors have been generous with their flexibility. Because every vendor has different policies and time frames, we aren’t able to uniformly change any of our existing policies, and therefore the policies stated above stand unless otherwise noted on a given program. Each program is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. As we move forward on booking new programs, we are making efforts to work with vendors who can offer flexibility. Thank you for your support and understanding.
As of September 1, 2021, all REEF Ocean Explorers Expedition participants who are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19 either need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to participation or comply with additional safety measures (outlined below) in order to participate. Full vaccination is 14 days past the final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, such as a two-dose vaccine (e.g., Pfizer, Moderna) or a one-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson).
Participants will be asked to disclose their vaccine status via the COVID-19 Vaccination Webform as part of the booking process, and then may be asked to provide updated information prior to the start of the trip.
If a REEF Expedition participant who is eligible for vaccination is not fully vaccinated prior to the start of the REEF program, they will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to the first day of the Expedition order to attend and participate.
Expedition participation at a given destination is contingent on complying with all conditions above.
All COVID-19 health and safety measurements required by any given Expedition's host country and vendor will also need to be followed by all REEF Expedition participants, regardless of vaccination status. This could include providing proof of vaccination, or varying quarantine, or other requirements for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated participants. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure they understand and are able to comply with all local requirements. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
This policy has been implemented to ensure the health and safety of REEF members and staff, as well as our dive and travel partners and the residents of the communities we visit on REEF Ocean Explorers Expeditions.