Terms and conditions
Last updated: 1 October 2026
1. Who we are
These terms are a contract between Matías Rivero García Rojas, operating under the trade name DIP Expeditions ("DIP", "we"), located at Mantarraya, La Playita, San José del Cabo, C-301, 23403, Baja California Sur, Mexico, and anyone who books or joins one of our expeditions ("you"), whether through our website, WhatsApp, email, in person or a third party.
By booking or taking part you accept these terms and our Privacy notice.
2. Our expeditions
We run marine eco-tourism expeditions in the Sea of Cortez and the Mexican Pacific: snorkeling, freediving, swimming with marine wildlife and wildlife watching from the boat. We do not offer scuba diving.
The sightings mentioned on our website (species, seasons, calendar) are possible, not guaranteed: we work with wild animals in the open ocean.
3. Prices and payment
- Prices for Mexican residents are in Mexican pesos (MXN), VAT (IVA) included.
- Prices for international visitors are shown in US dollars (USD) for reference. All charges are made in Mexican pesos. USD amounts are converted using Banco de Mexico's (Banxico) exchange rate of the day; the amount on your card statement may vary due to your card provider's exchange rate.
- Minimum group: a departure on a date with no bookings needs at least 2 guests to open. Once at least 2 guests have booked that day, anyone can join from 1. Private boats have no minimum.
- Pending bookings: if you're travelling solo and the departure has no bookings yet, you can leave a pending booking at no charge. Your card is kept securely by our payment processor (Stripe) and is only charged, automatically and at the price shown when you made the request, if the departure is confirmed because someone else books. If your bank asks to approve the charge, we'll email you a link to complete the payment. If it hasn't been confirmed 3 days before departure, it's cancelled at no charge. Once confirmed and charged, the cancellation policy applies.
- The resident rate requires a Mexican ID or a valid residency document, which we may ask to see on the day. Without it, the difference with the international rate will be charged.
- Full payment is due when booking, unless agreed otherwise in writing.
- Prices may change without notice before a booking is confirmed; a confirmed booking keeps its price.
4. Cancellations and refunds
4.1 If you cancel
| Notice before departure | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hours | 100% |
| Between 48 and 24 hours | 50% |
| Less than 24 hours, or no-show | No refund |
Cancel in writing (email contact@dipexpeditions.com, WhatsApp or from your booking confirmation). Arriving after departure time counts as a no-show.
4.2 If we don't see wildlife
No operator controls wild animals. We don't guarantee the suggested sightings and there is no refund if we don't see them; the expedition runs and is charged in full.
4.3 Rough seas or natural events
If we cancel because of rough seas, bad weather or a major natural event (hurricane, tropical storm, port closure by the Harbour Master, etc.), we offer a 100% refund or, if you prefer, a free change of date subject to availability. The decision to go out is always made for safety and is the captain's.
4.4 Other cancellations by DIP
If we cancel because of a mechanical problem or any other cause on our side, you also get a 100% refund or a new date.
4.5 How refunds are paid
Refunds go back to the original payment method, in Mexican pesos, within 14 business days. DIP does not cover related expenses (flights, hotels, transport, meals).
5. Safety
- All our guides hold the NOM-09-TUR-2002 certification or PADI Divemaster or higher.
- Every passenger on board is covered by passenger insurance. We carry life vests, a first-aid kit, marine flares and all the safety equipment the regulations require.
- We still recommend travel insurance with medical, evacuation and cancellation cover that includes snorkeling and freediving (for example, DAN).
- The captain and guides may change the route, shorten or stop the activity, or keep anyone out of the water when safety requires it.
6. Risks
Ocean activities carry inherent risks that you accept knowing, including:
- Wildlife: unpredictable behaviour, accidental contact, stings (e.g. jellyfish).
- Water: currents, swell, fatigue, hypothermia, swallowing water, seasickness.
- Freediving: shallow-water blackout, loss of motor control ("samba"), ear and sinus barotrauma.
- Boat: sudden movements, falls when boarding or leaving, knocks.
- Environment and remoteness: sudden weather changes, sun exposure, medical help that may take time to reach remote areas.
7. Your health and fitness
- You must be in suitable physical and health condition and tell us before departure about any medical condition, medication, pregnancy, recent surgery, heart or breathing problem, or physical limitation.
- For freediving, you must not have conditions that rule it out (cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, epilepsy, asthma, recent surgery or pregnancy) and must truthfully report your experience and certifications.
- You must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs before or during the expedition.
- If we can't take you because of a condition you didn't tell us about, or because of alcohol or drugs, the booking is non-refundable.
8. Rules on board and in the water
- Always follow the captain's and guides' instructions and the safety briefing.
- Use the equipment we lend you properly (life vest, mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, weights) and report any fault. You'll pay for equipment lost or damaged through misuse.
- Respect wildlife: don't touch, chase or feed animals; no flash with sensitive species; use reef-safe sunscreen; no littering; respect protected areas. Fines imposed by authorities for breaking these rules are paid by whoever breaks them.
- Aggressive or dangerous behaviour towards people or wildlife may end your participation without a refund.
9. Minors
- Under-18s take part only when accompanied at all times by a parent or legal guardian, who accepts these terms on their behalf.
- Each expedition has a minimum age shown on its page (snorkeling: 7 years).
- In freediving, minors are assessed more strictly and the guide may limit them to surface snorkeling.
10. Photos and video
We may take photos and videos during the expeditions and use them, without payment, on our website, social media and promotional materials. If you'd rather not appear, tell us (ideally before departure) at contact@dipexpeditions.com and we'll stop using images in which you can be identified.
11. Liability
- You accept the inherent risks described in section 6.
- DIP is liable for damage caused by its fault or negligence, under Mexican law and within the passenger insurance cover. Beyond that, DIP is not liable for damage arising from the inherent risks of the activity, from not following safety instructions or from not disclosing your health condition.
- DIP is not liable for lost or damaged personal belongings, or for indirect expenses (flights, hotels, other tours).
12. Governing law and disputes
- These terms are governed by the laws of the United Mexican States.
- If you have a complaint, please write to contact@dipexpeditions.com first; we'll aim to resolve it within 15 business days.
- If we can't agree, disputes will be settled by the competent courts of San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, without affecting your right to go to Mexico's consumer protection agency (Profeco).
13. Other
- Acceptance: by ticking the box when booking, paying or boarding, you accept these terms. Whoever books for a group confirms the other participants know and accept them.
- Participation form: on the day, each participant signs a health and participation form.
- Changes: we may update these terms; your booking is governed by the version in force when you made it.
- Severability: if a clause is found invalid, the rest remain in force.
14. Contact
Matías Rivero García Rojas — DIP Expeditions
Mantarraya, La Playita, San José del Cabo, C-301, 23403, B.C.S., Mexico
contact@dipexpeditions.com