GUIDELINES AND GENERAL TRIP INFORMATION

Reservations and Final Payments
Oxbow River Snorkeling accepts reservations on a first-come-first-served basis. Guaranteed reservations are made only by full payment of the stated reservation fee. For our river snorkeling trips, this fee reserves your snorkel adventure, wetsuit, snorkel, snorkel mask, neoprene gloves and neoprene socks. Our river snorkeling trips are designed for ages 10 & up, however, exceptions can possibly be made upon request. Our hiking and backcountry trips can be customized for groups with younger children and for level of difficulty and distance. Full payment for classes and workshops are required up front. No exceptions!

Late Arrivals
It is extremely important to arrive on time at the designated pick-up site. Your necessary arrival time is 15 minutes prior to your trip. If you are late, you and your group risk being left behind. Because Oxbow River Snorkeling incurs the same expenses whether you are part of the snorkeling adventure or not, there will be NO REFUNDS for late arrivals.

Cancellations & Refunds 
There will be no refunds after payment is received for any of our aventures, classes, or workshops unless Oxbow cancels. Please look below for more information on trip changes and refunds. This policy is due to several factors. Our guides and instructors have full time employment other than Oxbow, and they sometimes schedule to be off months in advance to guide a trip or teach a class or workshop. From our experience, potential clients who want to book a date that is already booked will plan other activities for that date.

Trip Changes and Trip Refunds
Our trips run rain or shine! However, for our snorkeling tours, too much rain will limit visibility and more importantly increase water depth and water velocity. Oxbow River Snorkeling monitors rivers and sections of rivers, and are very cautious when it comes to safety. We reserve the right to cancel, OR change locations, of any trip deemed too dangerous for our guests, or when the river lacks enough visibility to see the riverbed. Cancellations may be made at the last minute, and the trip will either be rescheduled or a full refund will be provided at the customer’s request.
 
Trip Cancellation Insurance
We understand life happens. Circumstances such as sudden illness and emergency situations may arise and force you to either cancel your adventure with us after the refund deadline or be unable to finish your snorkeling adventure. We at Oxbow River Snorkeling suggest you consider cancellation insurance to protect you, your family, and your friends from financial loss.
 
Risks and Responsibilities
Participating in any outdoor activity exposes you and your group to many unforeseen variables that may cause harm. No matter how carefully each trip is planned and executed, it contains many variable risk factors. It is possible for you to become injured, or for you to die, no matter what outdoor activity you choose. Whether you are hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, mountain bike riding, or just driving a car, there are many variables that can at any moment become a disastrous reality. Oxbow River Snorkeling does not assume liability for injury or illness to you; and you will be asked to read and sign a “Medical Release and Assumption of Risks and Responsibilities Form” prior to your trip. Also, please keep in mind that Oxbow River Snorkeling trips have rules designed to minimize risk, but in no way can prevent every element of risk from becoming a reality. It is also your responsibility to the river environment while on your trip, to adhere to the laws and rules regarding organisms, especially federally endangered species or federal species of concern. For example, It is imperative that you do not flip rocks or try and hold or collect fishes or amphibians. There is a permit process with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission that covers these issues.