Terms & Conditions

Bookings & Payment

All bookings are made directly with the resort via WhatsApp. A booking is not confirmed until a deposit has been received and acknowledged by the resort in writing.

The deposit amount will be communicated at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due on or before arrival at the resort. Rates are quoted in US dollars and payment may be accepted in USD or the equivalent in Indonesian Rupiah at the exchange rate applicable on the day of payment.

The resort reserves the right to release a held booking if the deposit is not received within the agreed timeframe.

Cancellation & Unused Services

Cancellation charges and the policy on unused services are set out on the Rates page. These form part of these terms and conditions.

Diving Requirements

All guests participating in scuba diving must hold a valid certification from a recognised training agency (PADI, SSI, NAUI, or equivalent) and must present their certification card and dive logbook on arrival. Guests who cannot produce valid certification will not be permitted to dive.

Certain dive sites — including The Channel — require a minimum level of certification and logged dive experience. The dive team will advise on eligibility prior to any such trip. The Divemaster’s assessment of a guest’s readiness for a specific site is final.

All divers must follow the instructions of the Divemaster at all times. The resort reserves the right to limit or withdraw diving privileges from any guest whose behaviour underwater is deemed to endanger themselves or others.

Health & Medical Fitness

Guests are responsible for ensuring they are medically fit to dive before travelling. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your fitness to dive, you must obtain clearance from a qualified medical practitioner prior to your stay.

The resort may ask guests to complete a standard medical declaration on arrival. If a guest is considered unfit to dive on medical grounds, the resort reserves the right to restrict their participation in diving activities. No refund will be provided in such circumstances.

Pregnant guests are advised not to dive. Guests must not dive within 12 hours of consuming alcohol.

Insurance

Comprehensive travel and dive insurance is strongly recommended for all guests. Insurance should cover, at minimum: emergency medical evacuation, hyperbaric (recompression) treatment, personal accident, and trip cancellation.

The nearest recompression chamber is located in Balikpapan. Medical evacuation from Maratua is time-consuming and costly. The resort accepts no liability for medical or evacuation costs incurred by guests.

Personal Responsibility & Liability

Scuba diving and snorkelling carry inherent risks. Guests participate in all water activities at their own risk. The resort, its staff, and its operators accept no liability for injury, illness, death, loss, or damage arising from participation in diving, snorkelling, or any other water-based activity, except where caused by the proven negligence of resort staff.

The resort accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage of personal belongings, including dive equipment, cameras, or valuables, during your stay or during boat trips.

Guests are responsible for their own conduct and for any damage caused to resort property during their stay. The cost of repairs or replacement may be charged to the guest.

Dive Schedule & Weather

The dive schedule is subject to change at the resort’s discretion due to weather, sea conditions, equipment, or safety considerations. The resort makes no guarantee that any specific dive site will be accessible during a guest’s stay. No refund will be issued for dives or trips that cannot be completed due to conditions outside the resort’s control.

Force Majeure

The resort accepts no liability for failure to fulfil any obligation under a booking where such failure results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, extreme weather, government action, civil unrest, pandemic, or disruption to transport services. In such cases, the resort will endeavour to offer an alternative arrangement where possible, but no automatic refund is guaranteed.

Amendments

The resort reserves the right to amend rates, inclusions, and these terms at any time. Changes will not affect bookings already confirmed by deposit unless required by law or exceptional circumstances, in which case guests will be notified directly.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Indonesia. Any dispute arising from a booking with Borneo Cottage Maratua shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Indonesia.

Contact

If you have any questions about these terms, please contact us via WhatsApp at +60 14-636 7877 before confirming your booking.