TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Your booking
Something lovely in the diary starts with a $500 deposit per person, which is credited towards your retreat price.
Your place is confirmed once we receive your completed booking form, your acceptance of our booking terms and your deposit.
The balance is due 60 days before the retreat arrival date, unless we agree to a separate payment plan in writing. For bookings made within 60 days of arrival, full payment is required when booking.
Sometimes your plan may change - we understand that life sometimes has other ideas. If your plans change, please see section 12 for cancellation terms and section 13 for transferring your place.
If you cancel 90 days or more before the retreat arrival date, we will refund 50% of your deposit ($250). Any amount retained will not exceed our reasonable cancellation costs and losses.
If you cancel within 89 days of arrival, your deposit is normally non-refundable because accommodation, supplier and retreat arrangements will be underway. However, we will reassess the amount retained to reflect our reasonable costs and losses, including any savings or amounts recovered by reselling your place.
If you have a friend who would like to attend in your place, please contact us. We can arrange a name transfer where the replacement guest meets the retreat participation requirements and our suppliers permit the change. Any reasonable additional transfer costs (if applicable) will be explained before you proceed.
Cancellation requests must be received in writing. The date we receive your request determines the applicable cancellation period.
These provisions apply when you choose to cancel and do not limit your rights under Australian Consumer Law.
2. Payment plans
Payment plans may be available on request.
If you are paying by payment plan, your instalment dates and amounts will be confirmed with you in writing.
If a payment is missed, we will contact you and give you the opportunity to bring your payment up to date. If payments remain overdue, your place may be treated as cancelled and the cancellation terms below will apply.
Please let us know early if you are having trouble making a payment. It is always easier to work through things before they become awkward.
3. What is included
Your retreat package includes the items listed on the retreat webpage, booking page, itinerary or guest information provided for your specific retreat.
Depending on the retreat, this may include things such as:
accommodation for the retreat dates
selected meals
specified gatherings
planned group activities
workshops or guided sessions
The exact inclusions may vary from retreat to retreat, so please check the details for your specific retreat before booking.
4. What is not included
Unless specifically stated in writing, your retreat package does not include:
international or domestic flights
airport to hotel or hotel to airport transfers
passport or visa costs
travel insurance
meals, snacks or drinks not listed as included
alcohol
optional spa treatments, massages or personal services
optional tours or activities outside the retreat itinerary
personal shopping or spending money
tips
medical expenses
additional transport outside scheduled retreat arrangements
costs caused by flight delays, ferry delays, missed connections or personal travel changes
If you are unsure whether something is included, please ask before booking.
5. Accommodation and room allocation
Women’s Water Wellness Retreats are designed around a retreat hub, shared experiences and water-based activities.
Room allocation is managed by Women’s Water Wellness Retreats and the relevant partner property and may vary depending on group numbers, room configuration, booking order, guest needs and availability.
Twin-share rooms may involve sharing with another guest unless you have booked with a nominated friend, partner or companion. We will do our best to match guests thoughtfully, but specific room requests cannot be guaranteed.
Your confirmation will state your booked room category and whether you have booked solo or shared accommodation.
Room allocation within that category may vary. We will not move you from solo to shared accommodation, charge an upgrade or downgrade your booked category without discussing it with you and agreeing on an appropriate arrangement.
If you book twin share without a nominated companion, we will explain the room matching arrangements before you pay. We will not automatically charge you a solo supplement if we cannot find someone to share with you.
6. Travel arrangements
You are responsible for arranging your own flights and any travel arrangements that are not specifically listed as included in your retreat package. We partner with a travel agent, if you need help with flights, travel insurance or pre/post retreat touring.
Please make sure your flights and connections allow enough time for transfers, ferry transfers, traffic, delays, customs, immigration and local conditions (primarily for international retreats).
For our Australian retreats at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa and Mantra on Salt Beach, free undercover parking is available if you drive. If you fly, the nearest airport is Gold Coast airport at Coolangatta.
Women’s Water Wellness Retreats is not responsible for costs or missed activities caused by delayed flights, missed ferries, missed transfers, travel disruptions or personal travel arrangements.
7. Passports, visas and entry requirements
For retreats attended by Australians outside of Australia, you are responsible for ensuring you have the following.
These requirements also apply to international guests travelling to Australia.
a valid passport
any required visa or entry approval
any required travel documentation
enough passport validity for your destination
compliance with the entry requirements of the country you are visiting
Entry requirements can change. Please check official travel advice and airline requirements before departure.
8. Travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of attending a Women’s Water Wellness Retreat.
Your travel insurance should cover cancellation, medical care, emergency assistance, travel disruption, lost or delayed luggage, missed connections and the activities you intend to participate in.
You are responsible for choosing insurance that suits your personal circumstances and travel plans.
We may ask you to confirm that you have arranged travel insurance before the retreat begins.
9. Health, fitness and personal wellbeing
You are responsible for making sure the retreat is suitable for your health, fitness, mobility, swimming ability and personal circumstances.
Please tell us before the retreat if you have any medical, mobility, dietary, allergy, mental wellbeing or other personal considerations that may affect your participation or require support.
We will do our best to accommodate reasonable needs, but we may not be able to support every circumstance, particularly in overseas or island locations where services, facilities and medical support may be limited.
Women’s Water Wellness Retreats does not provide medical treatment, psychological therapy, clinical care or emergency medical services.
If you are unsure whether the retreat is suitable for you, please seek advice from an appropriate health professional before booking.
10. Water-based activities
Women’s Water Wellness Retreats may include activities in, on or near water. This may include swimming, snorkelling, floating, kayaking, surfing, boating, pool-based sessions, beach activities or other ocean-based experiences.
You are responsible for choosing activities that suit your comfort, health, swimming ability and confidence in the water.
You are always welcome to sit out, modify or pause an activity. There is no pressure to do anything that does not feel right for you.
For safety reasons, you must follow the instructions of retreat hosts, guides, instructors, boat operators, lifeguards and local suppliers.
Some activities may be run by independent local suppliers. Their own safety requirements, waivers or participation rules may also apply.
11. Itinerary changes
Weather, tides, safety concerns or supplier availability may affect the program. We may change activity times or the order of sessions and will let you know about changes as soon as practical.
If an included activity cannot go ahead, we will try to arrange a suitable alternative of comparable value.
If a significant part of the retreat changes or cannot be provided, we will explain your options. These may include accepting an alternative, receiving an appropriate refund or cancelling, depending on the circumstances and your legal rights.
We will not ask you to accept a significant change without explaining how it affects your booking.
A flexible spirit, to go with the flow, is part of retreat life, especially when the ocean is involved.
12. Guest cancellation
Please email us at retreats@womenswaterwellness.com as soon as you know you cannot attend. We calculate the notice period from the date we receive your email to the retreat arrival date.
90 days or more before arrival: We will refund payments made, less a cancellation charge of up to $250 per person.
Fewer than 90 days before arrival: We may retain some or all of your payments to cover reasonable cancellation costs and losses.
In either case, the amount we retain will not exceed our reasonable costs and losses. We will take reasonable steps to refill your place and account for any costs saved or payments recovered. We will not charge you twice for the same loss.
We will explain any deductions and provide a breakdown on request.
These rules apply when you choose to cancel. They do not replace any refund or other rights you have under Australian Consumer Law.
13. Transferring your place to someone else
If you can no longer attend, you may ask to transfer your place to another suitable person.
Transfers are not automatic and must be approved by Women’s Water Wellness Retreats. The replacement guest must complete the booking form, agree to these terms, meet any participation requirements and pay any outstanding balance.
Any financial arrangement between you and the replacement guest is your responsibility.
Transfers may not be possible close to the retreat date, particularly if accommodation names, supplier bookings, dietary requirements, travel arrangements or other details have already been finalised.
14. Cancellation by Women’s Water Wellness Retreats
If a retreat needs a minimum number of guests, we will let you know within 30 days of the retreat date.
If we cancel before the retreat begins because minimum numbers are not reached, a key supplier cannot be replaced, or we cannot safely deliver the retreat, you can choose:
A full refund of all payments made to us for the retreat; or
A transfer to another retreat, if available and suitable for you.
You do not have to accept a credit or transfer instead of a refund.
Please wait until we confirm that the retreat is proceeding before booking non-refundable travel.
Separate travel arrangements are generally your responsibility and you should check the terms of your travel insurance inclusions. This does not exclude compensation or other remedies available under Australian Consumer Law.
15. Events outside our control
Sometimes things happen that are outside anyone’s control. This may include extreme weather, natural disasters, pandemics, illness, government restrictions, border changes, transport disruption, supplier issues, ferry cancellations, airline changes, community events, safety concerns or other unexpected circumstances.
If this happens, we will do our best to make fair and practical decisions. This may include adjusting the itinerary, changing suppliers, moving activities, postponing part of the retreat or, if necessary, cancelling the retreat.
If an event outside our control affects the retreat, we will explain what has changed and the options available.
We will not automatically treat this as a cancellation. Any refund, credit or other arrangement will depend on the circumstances, these terms and applicable law.
We will not require you to accept a credit where you are legally entitled to a refund.
16. Behaviour and group wellbeing
Retreats work best when everyone feels safe, respected and included.
Guests are expected to behave respectfully towards other guests, retreat hosts, suppliers, local staff, community members and the natural environment.
We may stop your participation if your behaviour creates a safety risk, seriously disrupts the retreat or involves harassment, aggression or discrimination.
Where practical, we will explain the concern and give you a chance to address it. We may act immediately where safety requires it.
If your participation ends, we will explain any refund for unused services and any reasonable costs or losses deducted.
17. Alcohol and personal conduct
If alcohol is available during the retreat or at local venues, guests are responsible for drinking responsibly and making safe choices.
Women’s Water Wellness Retreats may refuse participation in water-based activities or other retreat sessions if we believe a guest is affected by alcohol, medication or any substance that may affect safety, judgement or participation.
18. Photos and marketing
We may take photos or short videos during the retreat to capture the experience.
We will ask for your consent before using identifiable photos or videos of you for marketing, social media, website or promotional purposes.
If you prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please let us know before or during the retreat. We will respect this.
Guests are also asked to be respectful when taking and sharing photos of other guests.
19. Local culture, community and environment
Guests are expected to respect local customs, sacred places, community expectations, staff, suppliers and the natural environment.
Please follow local guidance around clothing, behaviour, religious or cultural sites, marine life, rubbish, reef protection and environmental care.
As a water-based retreat business, we care deeply about the ocean and the places we visit. Guests are asked to avoid littering, respect marine life, use reef-safe products where possible and leave places better than we found them.
20. Personal belongings
You are responsible for your own belongings during the retreat.
Please take reasonable care of your belongings, especially around water, boats and shared spaces.
We are not responsible for loss or damage unless we caused or contributed to it, or are otherwise responsible under applicable law.
21. Dietary requirements
Please tell us about dietary requirements, allergies or food intolerances on your booking form.
We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs where possible, but we cannot guarantee that all suppliers, kitchens or local venues can meet every requirement.
If you have severe allergies or complex dietary needs, please contact us before booking so we can discuss what may be possible.
22. Liability and personal responsibility
You participate in the retreat and its activities voluntarily.
Some activities may involve physical movement, water, boats, uneven surfaces, stairs, weather exposure, wildlife, marine conditions, unfamiliar environments or other risks.
You agree to take reasonable care for your own safety and to follow instructions from retreat hosts, guides, instructors and suppliers.
Women’s Water Wellness Retreats is not responsible for injury, loss, damage, delay or additional costs except where caused by our negligence or where we are legally responsible under applicable law.
Nothing in these terms is intended to limit your rights under Australian Consumer Law.
23. Independent suppliers
Some retreat activities, transport, meals, treatments, tours or services may be provided by independent local suppliers.
While we choose suppliers carefully, they are separate businesses and are responsible for delivering their own services safely and professionally.
You may be asked to agree to a supplier’s own terms, safety requirements or waiver before participating in their activity or service.
Using independent suppliers does not remove any responsibility we have under Australian Consumer Law.
24. Communication before and during the retreat
You must provide accurate contact details and an emergency contact before the retreat begins.
Retreat communications may be sent by email, phone, SMS or WhatsApp.
Please check your messages regularly in the lead-up to the retreat, as important details may be shared about transfers, packing, itinerary updates and local arrangements.
25. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms from time to time.
The terms that apply to your booking are the terms provided to you at the time you book, unless a change is required by law or is agreed with you in writing.
26. Agreement
By paying your deposit or making a retreat payment, you confirm that you:
have read and understood these terms
agree to the payment and cancellation conditions
understand what is and is not included
accept responsibility for your travel documents, insurance and personal readiness
understand that water-based and travel experiences can involve change, flexibility and personal responsibility
We cannot wait to welcome you.
Women’s Water Wellness Retreats is about ocean, connection, courage, rest and a little bit of saltwater shenanigans. These terms simply make sure the practical bits are clear before we dive into our time together.