Booking Terms & Conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to any booking made with Sunday Charters Ltd ("us", "we", "our") and should be read carefully before making a booking.
By making a booking, paying a deposit, paying an invoice, or boarding the vessel, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that all members of their group are aware of and comply with these Terms and Conditions.
1. Your Booking
A booking is only confirmed once the required deposit or full payment has been received by Sunday Charters Ltd.
The person making the booking will be treated as the Party Leader and will be responsible for the booking, payment, conduct of the group, and communication with Sunday Charters Ltd.
The Party Leader must be at least 18 years old and must have authority to make the booking on behalf of all guests in the group.
2. Your Booking Price and Payment Terms
The prices for our services are in New Zealand Dollars. Prices are accurate at the date of publication. Although we make all reasonable efforts to keep rates current on our website, they may not always be correct due to seasonal, operational, or other changes.
The prices stated in our invoice or written quotation, once accepted by you, will prevail.
A 50% deposit is required to confirm and secure your booking.
The balance of the price of your booking must be paid seven (7) days before your charter date if paying by direct bank transfer. Alternatively, the balance may be paid in cash on the day before departure, by prior arrangement.
For bookings made within seven (7) days of the charter date, full payment may be required at the time of booking.
Your booking is not confirmed until the required deposit or full payment has been received by us.
If the balance is not paid on time, we may cancel your booking and retain your deposit and any other amounts paid by you at that time.
Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing by us, any price for a boat charter does not include food, beverages, catering, BYO service, transport to or from the departure location, accommodation, or any other additional services.
Payment of an invoice confirms that you have read, understood, and agreed to Sunday Charters Ltd’s Booking Terms & Conditions.
3. If You Change Your Booking
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your booking arrangements in any way, we will use reasonable efforts to try to accommodate your requested changes, but it may not always be possible.
Any request for changes to your booking must be made in writing by the Party Leader.
All modifications to menu choices, catering plans, dietary requirements, or guest numbers must be received by the date requested by us. Late changes may not be possible and may involve additional costs.
For charters that include catering or BBQ service, final guest numbers and dietary requirements must be confirmed no later than the date requested by Sunday Charters Ltd.
Once final numbers have been confirmed, the invoice will be based on the confirmed number of guests. If fewer guests attend on the day, no refund will be provided for non-attendance, as food, staff, and charter arrangements are prepared in advance.
If guest numbers increase after the invoice has been issued, an additional invoice may be issued for the extra attendees, subject to vessel capacity and availability of catering.
4. If You Cancel Your Booking
You may cancel your booking at any time, subject to the terms agreed with us. Written notification of cancellation from the Party Leader must be received by us. Cancellation will be effective on the date it is received by us.
If you provide at least thirty (30) days’ notice before your charter date, we can refund 100% of your deposit and no additional cancellation fee will be charged.
If you cancel with less than thirty (30) days’ notice before your charter date, the deposit will be retained to cover our costs. No additional cancellation fee will be charged.
If you cancel with less than seventy-two (72) hours’ notice before your charter, your deposit will be retained and you may be invoiced for the full cost of the charter.
If catering, BBQ, or other third-party services have already been purchased, prepared, or committed to before your cancellation, those catering or third-party costs may also be non-refundable.
We strongly encourage early communication. If you think there may be an issue with your booking, please contact us as soon as possible. We would much rather work with you early than have to apply cancellation charges.
If the reasons for your cancellation are covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges from your insurer. We recommend that you obtain appropriate travel or event insurance for your booking.
5. If We Change or Cancel Your Charter
The arrangements for bookings can sometimes be made many months in advance. As a result, it is possible that changes or cancellations may need to be made.
We reserve the right to make changes to, delay, shorten, postpone, or cancel a charter if necessary, including but not limited to unsafe weather, sea conditions, mechanical issues, operational requirements, berth or marina restrictions, crew availability, safety concerns, or any other matter that may affect the safe and proper operation of the charter.
The safety and comfort of our guests, crew, and vessel are our priority.
Sunday Charters Ltd reserves the right to cancel, postpone, delay, shorten, or alter any charter due to unsafe weather, sea conditions, mechanical issues, operational requirements, or any other safety-related reason at the skipper’s discretion.
If Sunday Charters Ltd cancels the charter before departure due to unsafe weather or safety reasons, you may choose to reschedule to another available date or receive a refund of the charter payment received.
If catering, BBQ, or other third-party services have already been purchased, prepared, or committed to before cancellation, those catering or third-party costs may be non-refundable.
If weather or conditions change after departure, the skipper may alter the route, fishing area, activities, or return to harbour early for safety reasons. In this situation, no refund is guaranteed, but Sunday Charters Ltd may consider a partial credit or reschedule option at its discretion, depending on the circumstances.
The skipper’s decision is final in relation to safety, weather, sea conditions, vessel operation, route, fishing location, alcohol consumption, guest behaviour, and the conduct of the charter.
6. Skipper’s Authority and Safety
The skipper has full authority and final decision-making power in relation to vessel safety, weather, sea conditions, route, fishing location, passenger conduct, alcohol consumption, and whether the charter may proceed, be delayed, altered, shortened, or terminated.
All guests must follow the reasonable instructions of the skipper and crew at all times.
Sunday Charters Ltd may refuse boarding or terminate the charter without refund if any guest is intoxicated, aggressive, unsafe, disorderly, refuses to follow instructions, uses illegal substances, or behaves in a way that may cause danger, distress, damage, or nuisance to the vessel, crew, other guests, marina users, or third parties.
The skipper may also refuse boarding to any guest who appears to be unfit to safely participate in the charter.
7. Guest Conduct
Guests must behave in a safe, respectful, and responsible manner at all times.
Guests must not interfere with the safe operation of the vessel, safety equipment, fishing gear, navigation equipment, or any other vessel equipment.
No illegal substances are permitted onboard.
Smoking or vaping is only permitted in designated areas if approved by the skipper.
Pets are not permitted unless agreed in writing before the charter.
Guests must wear suitable non-slip footwear. High heels, sharp footwear, or footwear that may damage or mark the vessel may not be permitted onboard.
Sunday Charters Ltd reserves the right to refuse boarding, stop service, return to harbour early, or terminate the charter without refund if guest behaviour is unsafe, offensive, illegal, or unreasonable.
8. Alcohol
Sunday Charters Ltd does not hold a liquor licence and does not sell, supply, or provide alcoholic beverages as part of any charter.
Guests may bring their own alcoholic beverages onboard, provided alcohol is consumed responsibly and in moderation.
We promote responsible drinking and will not tolerate excessive alcohol consumption, intoxication, or unsafe behaviour.
No spirits are permitted onboard unless they are in ready-to-drink (RTD) form. All RTD beverages must not exceed 6% alcohol by volume.
Alcohol must not be consumed in any marina car park, pier, dock, or public area where alcohol restrictions or liquor bans apply. Alcohol must remain sealed until guests are onboard, unless otherwise permitted by law.
The skipper has full discretion to refuse boarding to any intoxicated person, stop alcohol consumption at any time, or terminate the charter and return to harbour early without refund if the skipper considers that alcohol consumption, intoxication, or guest behaviour creates a safety risk or is excessive.
Guests must not swim, dive, jump from the vessel, or enter the water after consuming alcohol.
Guests are responsible for complying with all applicable alcohol laws, including age restrictions, and for the conduct of their group.
9. Swimming and Water Activities
Swimming, diving, jumping from the vessel, or entering the water is only permitted if approved by the skipper.
For safety reasons, the skipper may prohibit swimming or water activities at any time, including but not limited to where alcohol has been consumed, weather or sea conditions are unsuitable, vessel traffic is present, water temperature is unsuitable, or the skipper considers it unsafe.
Guests must not swim, dive, jump from the vessel, or enter the water after consuming alcohol.
Any swimming or water activity is undertaken at the guest’s own risk, subject to the skipper’s approval and instructions.
10. Catering, BBQ and BYO Food
Where catering or BBQ service is included or requested, final guest numbers and dietary requirements must be confirmed by the date requested by Sunday Charters Ltd.
Catering, BBQ, food, special orders, or third-party costs may be non-refundable once purchased, prepared, or committed to, regardless of whether the charter is cancelled, postponed, shortened, or guest numbers reduce.
For food safety reasons, guests may not be permitted to bring their own meat or food for cooking onboard unless agreed in writing before the charter.
Guests may bring their own drinks, subject to our alcohol policy and the skipper’s discretion.
Sunday Charters Ltd will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements notified in advance, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary requirements can be met unless confirmed by us in writing.
11. Late Arrival, No-Show and Charter Time
Charter times are based on the booked start and finish times.
Guests must arrive on time and be ready to depart at the scheduled time.
If guests arrive late, the charter may still finish at the scheduled finish time and no refund, discount, or time extension will be provided.
If the group does not attend, the booking will be treated as a no-show and no refund will be provided.
Any extension of charter time is subject to vessel availability, crew availability, weather, daylight, operational requirements, and additional charges.
12. Damage, Cleaning and Additional Costs
The Party Leader is responsible for the conduct of all guests in their group.
The Party Leader is responsible for any damage, loss, excessive cleaning, equipment loss, blocked toilets, vomit cleaning, or additional costs caused by any member of their group.
Sunday Charters Ltd reserves the right to invoice the Party Leader for any such costs.
Guests must not throw rubbish, food, fishing gear, cigarette butts, bottles, cans, or any other items into the sea or marina. Guests must respect the vessel, crew, marina facilities, and other marina users at all times.
13. Fishing Rules and Catch Responsibility
Guests must comply with all New Zealand fishing rules, size limits, catch limits, and Ministry for Primary Industries requirements.
Any fish kept by a guest or placed in their personal bin is that guest’s responsibility.
Our crew can assist with measuring fish and explaining general fishing rules, but guests remain responsible for ensuring their catch complies with the law.
Sunday Charters Ltd may require undersized fish or excess catch to be returned to the sea.
Fishing locations, fishing methods, and whether fishing can safely take place are at the skipper’s discretion.
14. Personal Belongings and Liability
Guests are responsible for their own personal belongings.
Sunday Charters Ltd is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property, except where required by law.
Guests participate in marine activities at their own risk, subject to our obligations under New Zealand law.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to limit or exclude any rights that cannot legally be limited or excluded under New Zealand law.
15. Health, Medical Conditions and Fitness to Travel
Guests are responsible for ensuring they are fit and able to participate in the charter.
Any relevant medical condition, mobility issue, pregnancy, injury, allergy, or other health concern that may affect a guest’s safety or participation should be advised to Sunday Charters Ltd before the charter.
Sunday Charters Ltd may refuse boarding if the skipper considers that a guest is not fit to safely participate in the charter.
Guests should bring any required personal medication, including seasickness medication if needed.
16. Children
Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
The Party Leader is responsible for ensuring that all children in the group follow crew instructions and remain safe onboard.
Lifejackets or other safety equipment may be required for children at the skipper’s discretion.
17. Pest Free Hauraki Gulf / Biosecurity Requirements
Guests must comply with all applicable biosecurity requirements, including any pest-free island or Hauraki Gulf biosecurity rules.
Guests must ensure that bags, shoes, clothing, food containers, fishing gear, and other equipment are clean and free from soil, seeds, insects, rodents, or other pests before boarding.
Sunday Charters Ltd may refuse to carry items that may create a biosecurity risk.
18. Complaints
If you have any concern or complaint during the charter, please raise it with the skipper or crew as soon as possible so that we have the opportunity to address it at the time.
If the matter cannot be resolved during the charter, please contact Sunday Charters Ltd in writing as soon as possible after the charter.
We will review any complaint reasonably and fairly.
19. Website Information
We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information on our website is accurate and up to date. However, details, prices, schedules, inclusions, vessel features, and availability may change from time to time.
If there is any inconsistency between website information and a written quotation or invoice issued by Sunday Charters Ltd, the written quotation or invoice will prevail.
20. New Zealand Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by New Zealand law.
Any dispute relating to these Terms and Conditions or any booking with Sunday Charters Ltd will be subject to New Zealand law.