General Terms and Conditions

Where these general terms and conditions do not conform with the general terms and conditions for specific tours or services, these general terms and conditions apply.

1. Introduction

1.1 The following general terms and conditions explain the rules of usage and the content of the contract that the customer enters with Piranha Divers.
1.2 While we strive to provide the service we advertise and want to give you the best possible experience, we do so by reacting and responding to the conditions presented with each tour. As we treat every customer as our best client and endeavour to provide the best service we possibly can, we have created these Terms and Conditions to protect both you, the client, and us, Piranha Divers, and ensure we are able to offer you the experience we promise.

2. Announcements

2.1 Piranha Divers' primary method of communication is email. All requests, confirmations, changes or cancellations must be communicated to the ‘mail-me@piranha-divers.jp’ email address to be considered; exceptions are indicated in 3.2. Communications made outside of this channel may not be considered and may affect your eligibility in other parts of these Terms and Conditions.
2.2 Any bookings and alterations to bookings made over the phone or in person must be followed up with a response email on behalf of the client. If this is not possible before the tour start date the client must state this during the call.

3. Corrections

3.1 The customer is obliged to be conscious about his transaction account and all the corrections that are performed. Piranha Divers is allowed to make correction to all mistakes or errors regarding collection of payments, issuance of invoices, calculation of commissions and discounts, and other transactions, including refunds and chargebacks.
3.2 The customer is obliged to announce immediately to Piranha Divers if (s)he knows about mistakes or errors that have been made. Depending on what applies, both parties are responsible for correcting the balance of the transaction account in accordance with the correction that has been made.

4. Limitations and Restrictions

4.1 Participation in tours offered by Piranha Divers are contingent on meeting certification and experience requirements. It is the responsibility of the client to produce sufficient proof of certification and experience when requested by Piranha Divers and it is understood that failure to produce proof will result in at least one check dive and may result in a cancellation of their tours without refund.
4.2 Clients participating in tours that involve exceeding the limits of basic qualifications must show us proof of experience and certification to do so.

5. Payments

5.1 Piranha Divers offers multiple payment methods, including cash, credit card and online checkout.
5.2 A non refundable deposit of 25.000Yen must be made within 2 days of a course booking to cover the cost of e-learning and confirm the course, failure to do so may result in the booking becoming invalid. The balance is due one week before the course.

6. Responsibility

6.1 Piranha Divers takes your safety seriously and follows the Standards and Procedures of SDI/TDI and the Recreational Scuba Training Council. This includes measures to identify responsibility and liability as well as professional insurance covering all aspects of Piranha Divers. In some cases this does not cover the client for certain responsibilities and liabilities.
6.2 Piranha Divers strongly recommends that all clients purchase their own travel and diving insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances arising from vacation activities.
6.3 Subject to our Booking Conditions Piranha Divers is not responsible for any injuries or losses sustained whilst clients are on tours booked with Piranha Divers, whether conducted by Piranha Divers or a third party.
6.4 The client assumes responsibility for their own property, proof of experience and actions while on tour.
6.5 The invalidity of individual clauses of this agreement does not affect the validity of the document as a whole.

7. Loss/Damage of Scuba Equipment

7.1 You are responsible for making sure that all the gear you have been issued during a course or trip is treated well and all items make it back to our rental depot at the end of your dive trip. Possible repair or replacement cost will fall onto the customer.

7.2 This same policy is valid for training materials belonging to Piranha Divers, books, DVDs, and Final Exam booklets.

8. Cancellation Policy:

8.1 Piranha Divers reserves the right to cancel, modify, or substitute any scheduled activity, including dive sites and tour content, due to availability, demand, weather conditions, logistical constraints, or safety considerations. Such changes may occur with little or no prior notice. Piranha Divers will make reasonable efforts to inform clients as early as possible and will endeavor to offer suitable alternatives where feasible.

8.2 All prices are listed in Japanese Yen (JPY) as published on our website and are subject to change until full payment has been received. Prices are guaranteed once full payment has been made.

8.3 All bookings are considered final once payment has been received. Payments are non-refundable, except where activities cannot be conducted due to extreme weather conditions, such as typhoons. At its sole discretion, Piranha Divers may offer rescheduling or alternative arrangements, particularly during periods of lower demand. During peak periods, stricter adherence to these cancellation terms applies due to limited availability.

8.4 Course fees are non-refundable once training has commenced. This includes, but is not limited to, cases of illness, scheduling conflicts, or inability to complete the program within the planned timeframe. Courses are scheduled based on the dates requested by the client. At the sole discretion of Piranha Divers, additional training time or rescheduling may be offered where feasible, particularly during periods of lower demand. Additional fees may apply. Any course that has been started but not completed within one year of the original start date, in accordance with training agency standards, will expire, all payments made will be forfeited.

8.5 Cancellations made by the participant at short notice are non-refundable, regardless of the reason. This applies particularly where reserved spaces cannot be reassigned to other clients. At its sole discretion, Piranha Divers may offer limited flexibility in rescheduling during periods of lower demand; however, during peak periods, all bookings are subject to strict enforcement of this policy.

8.6 All dive boat operations in Okinawa are conducted by third-party providers. As capacity is limited, spaces must be reserved in advance. Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure are non-refundable, and any outstanding balance will remain payable in full.

8.7 Cancellations due to illness or medical discomfort (including, but not limited to, ear pain, stomach issues, or general unwellness) are subject to the above cancellation terms and do not constitute grounds for exception. Participants are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel and dive insurance to cover such circumstances.

9. Product Warranty Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability

9.1 Piranha LLC offers a one-year limited warranty on new products in accordance with Japanese law, unless the product’s manufacturer specifies a longer or shorter warranty period. The warranty period begins on the date of purchase and must be verified by a valid proof of purchase (tax or sales receipt).

9.2 Warranty claims are accepted only when the following conditions are met:

1. The complete defective product is returned to Piranha LLC.
2. A valid proof of purchase clearly showing the date of purchase is provided.

9.3 Piranha LLC reserves the right to refuse free warranty service if the necessary documentation is missing, incomplete, illegible, or incorrect.

9.4 Piranha LLC is not a manufacturer of any dive gear sold. In the event of a warranty issue, and at the customer’s expense, we will make reasonable efforts to return the product to the original manufacturer for evaluation and repair.

9.5 Piranha LLC may offer second-hand scuba diving products, offered online on FB Marketplace or on similar platforms or offline for pick up at our facility, These items are always sold “as is”, with no warranty, and are non-returnable. By purchasing from Piranha LLC, customers agree to these terms as part of our standard sales policy.

9.6 Costs associated with handling, shipping and repairing any Equipment will be born by the customer.

10. Shipping, Tax and Duties Disclaimer:

10.1 Piranha, LLC is not liable or responsible for lost, held, or damaged packages. We are not responsible for mis-delivery errors via carrier, or incorrect shipping info. Shipping is a service you purchase from the Japan Post Office/EMS/Yamato Transport/Sagawa Express or another carrier along with your order from us, so any shipping issues must be handled by the chosen carrier. Insurance is available to add to any order and is recommended for any order you can't afford to lose.

10.2 We are responsible for your purchase until it reaches the Japan Post Office/EMS/Yamato Transport/Sagawa Express or another carrier. After that, it is out of our control. Insurance is to protect against loss or damage during shipping. If you choose not to buy insurance and your purchase is lost or damaged by Japan Post Office/EMS/Yamato Transport/Sagawa Express or another carrier, we cannot provide a refund. All purchases are shipped by Japan Post Office/EMS/Yamato Transport/Sagawa Express and insured through those providers.

10.3 In the case that your shipment is lost or damaged in transit; you are responsible to file the claim with Japan Post Office/EMS/Yamato Transport/Sagawa Express or another carrier. We are not responsible for lost packages during transit. We are not responsible for shipment sent to forwarding services or companies regardless of shipping service selected, if you place an order and your shipping address is a forwarding address you are responsible for contacting your forwarding company or service to locate your shipment. We are also not responsible to weather related damage or delays.

10.4 International orders: We are not responsible for any customs/broker fees and taxes or shipper’s fees you will incur or for delays because of customs. We have no way of knowing if you will incur a customs fee or not. If you do, we are not responsible, and you will not be reimbursed. You must read the policies before ordering. We will not track packages shipped internationally once they leave our office in Okinawa, Japan. We list and declare all items with their true value and we always state their true country of origin.

11. Customer Declaration

11.1 By agreeing to this application and these general terms and conditions, the client confirms that he has studied the general terms and conditions for partnership with Piranha Divers in detail and accepts all the content of it without limitations and obliges to adhere to it in all aspects.

The client confirms specifically:

1. That he has studied in detail and agrees to the general terms and conditions, specifically about the responsibility of Piranha Divers.
2. That the agreement for services with Piranha Divers is entered into in its own benefit only.