Yaju Boat Tours – Weather and Cancellation Policy

Welcome

At Yaju Boat Tours we’re committed to giving you an unforgettable experience on the water while keeping everyone safe and fairly treated. Miami’s weather can be unpredictable; brief showers are common and often pass within minutes. To manage expectations and keep our operations running smoothly, we’ve put in place the following policies. By booking a tour with us, you agree to these terms.

1. Our Philosophy

• Rain or shine: Our tours generally operate in light rain or overcast conditions. Miami often experiences short, scattered showers that don’t pose a hazard. A forecast calling for rain is not, by itself, cause for cancellation.
• Safety first: If the weather is genuinely unsafe—such as thunderstorms, lightning, high winds or official advisories—we will not depart. Your safety and that of our crew comes before all else.
• Fairness for everyone: Preparing a private boat tour takes time and coordination. The licensed captains and operators assigned to your charter often travel to the marina and block out several hours of their day. Our policies ensure that last‑minute changes don’t leave those captains unpaid and our company unable to offer great service to other guests.

2. Captain’s Authority

Your captain has the final say on whether it is safe to operate. They may alter the route, delay departure or end the tour early if conditions deteriorate. If the captain determines that it is safe to sail and you choose not to participate because of non‑hazardous weather, your reservation will be treated as a no‑show.

3. Cancellations by You

More than 24 hours before your tour

If you cancel by phone or email more than 24 hours before your scheduled departure, you may choose between:

• A full refund to your original method of payment, or
• A credit for the full amount to be used toward any Yaju Boat Tours experience within six months.

Between 24 hours and 2 hours before your tour

Cancellations made between 24 hours and 2 hours before departure are not eligible for a cash refund. We will gladly rebook your tour once to any available date within the next four months. Subsequent reschedules or cancellations within this window are not permitted.

Less than 2 hours before departure or no‑shows

If you cancel within 2 hours of your departure time or fail to arrive for your booking (failure to arrive within 40 minutes of the scheduled start time is considered a no‑show; the company reserves the right to cancel your trip if you have not arrived within 45 minutes):

• A portion of your payment—equal to the cost of one hour of captain service—will be retained to compensate the captain for traveling to the marina and preparing the vessel.
• The remaining balance will be held as credit toward a future booking. A 20 % service fee may be deducted to cover fuel, preparation and administrative costs.
• Credits are valid for four months from the original tour date and can be applied to any similar tour.

Please note that arriving late forfeits any right to cancel due to rain. Once the captain or operator is at the marina awaiting your arrival, the tour becomes a rain‑or‑shine experience; light rain or showers will not be grounds for cancellation or refund.

Why do we charge a late cancellation fee?

Last‑minute cancellations and no‑shows have real consequences. The licensed captains and operators assigned to your charter reserve their time and often turn away other bookings. When guests change plans without notice, we lose the opportunity to fill that slot and the captain loses wages. The one‑hour charge ensures those captains and crew members are compensated fairly and encourages timely communication.

4. Weather Policy

What counts as hazardous weather?

We will postpone or cancel a tour only when conditions are unsafe, such as:

• Thunderstorms or lightning in the immediate area.
• Sustained winds strong enough to make navigation hazardous.
• Official Small Craft Advisories or similar warnings from the U.S. Coast Guard or National Weather Service.

Light rain, scattered showers and cloudy skies do not constitute hazardous weather. These conditions are normal for Miami and often pass quickly.

Before departure

If questionable weather arises before your scheduled time, we may delay departure up to 20 minutes to see if conditions improve. During this time, we ask that you complete any paperwork so we can depart promptly once the captain gives the all‑clear.

• If conditions improve and the tour proceeds, it will run for the full length you booked.
• If conditions remain unsafe and we cancel before leaving the marina, you may rebook at no charge or receive a refund/credit depending on whether you purchased Weather Protection (see below).

After departure

Should unsafe weather arise during your tour, the captain may decide to return to port early. In that case, you will be offered a 70 % refund of your tour fee or a one‑time opportunity to reschedule. Regardless of the option chosen, the captain must be paid for at least one hour of service.

5. Optional Weather Protection

For a small additional fee you can purchase Weather Protection, which entitles you to a full refund of your tour fee (excluding the cost of the protection) if your trip does not go ahead due to unsafe weather. This option must be added at least 24 hours before your tour. Please note that you must still arrive on time to claim Weather Protection; failing to show up without notice voids this benefit.

6. Responsibilities of Guests

• Arrive on time: Tours start and end at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, your tour may be shortened, and you will not be able to cancel due to light rain or scattered showers.
• Bring valid ID: The lead guest must present photo identification upon arrival and is responsible for all members of the party.
• Follow safety instructions: All passengers must adhere to the captain’s directions. Children aged six and under must wear a Coast Guard‑approved life jacket at all times.
• Respect the vessel and crew: Disorderly conduct, intoxication, smoking or use of illegal substances may result in the termination of the tour without refund.

7. Cancellations by Yaju Boat Tours

We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a tour for safety, maintenance issues, captain availability or unforeseen circumstances. If we cancel:

• You may rebook for another date at no additional cost, or
• Receive a full refund to your original payment method.

We make every effort to notify you as early as possible when we must cancel.

8. Privacy and Data

When you book with us, you enter into a direct contractual relationship with Yaju Boat Tours. We collect only the personal information necessary to manage your reservation and do not share your data except as required to process your booking. For more details, please see our separate Privacy Policy.

9. Governing Law and Disputes

These policies and any disputes arising from your booking are governed by the laws of the State of Florida. Any legal action must be filed within one year of the event giving rise to the claim. We encourage you to contact us first to resolve any concerns; should a dispute arise, both parties agree to engage in good‑faith discussion or, if necessary, to submit to binding arbitration in Miami, Florida.

10. Agreement

By completing your booking, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to these policies. If you have questions, please contact us before making your reservation.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!