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Cancellation and weather policy

What happens when a trip cannot run, and what happens when you cannot make it.

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If the operator cancels

If a trip is cancelled by the skipper for weather, sea state, fishing conditions, mechanical or safety reasons, you are offered the next available date that suits you, or you walk away owing nothing. There is no cancellation fee when the operator cancels, and no deposit is held to argue about.

The decision is made as late as it responsibly can be, usually the evening before and occasionally on the morning at the harbour. Forecasts on this coast change inside twelve hours, and calling a trip off three days out would cancel trips that would have run.

If you cancel

No deposit is required to secure your booking; the trip is settled on the day. A cancellation fee applies only under the notice periods below.

  • More than 72 hours before departure — no fee.
  • Between 24 and 72 hours before departure — 10 per cent.
  • Within 24 hours of departure, or a no-show — 20 per cent.

Changing the package

The objective is giving you some experience rather than none, which matters most when your time here is fixed and you fly out the next day.

If the weather is unworkable 40 nautical miles offshore but would make a good day on the yellowtail at Robben Island, or if tuna are reported poor while the yellowtail fishing is strong, you can move to that package and the rate is adjusted accordingly. The call is the captain’s, made on the conditions of the day.

Shifting the date

A trip date is moved only at the captain’s discretion, and only when the weather or sea conditions will not allow the trip to run safely. The forecast on its own is not a reason for a guest to move a booked date.

If the captain moves your trip, you are offered the next available date for the same trip, a different package on the day where conditions suit it, or you walk away owing nothing. That applies to tuna, to yellowtail and to a coastal cruise alike. If you are only in Cape Town for a few days, say so when you book so that the alternatives can be planned around your dates.

Late arrival

Departure times are set by daylight and by the weather window rather than by convenience. A trip cannot be held for a late arrival without shortening it for everyone on board.