Terms & Conditions
Ocean Calling Retreats, operated by Rocío Ruiz
Last updated: 25 April 2026
By booking any retreat with Ocean Calling Retreats, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions in full.
1. About Ocean Calling Retreats
Ocean Calling Retreats is a Swiss-based retreat company operated by Rocío Ruiz. We host small-group ocean retreats — a maximum of six guests — that combine freediving or scuba diving courses with guided ocean experiences, ethical wildlife encounters, curated activities, and accommodation. Every retreat is designed for solo travellers and small groups who want to explore the ocean at their own pace, in the right environment, with the right people.
These Terms & Conditions govern all retreats and services provided. By booking, you confirm you have read and agreed to them in full.
2. Nature of Services
Ocean Calling Retreats hosts small-group retreats built around ocean immersion. Each retreat includes a freediving or scuba diving course delivered by a licensed instructor, guided ocean experiences, ethical wildlife encounters, curated activities, and accommodation. Group size is capped at six guests to ensure safety, personalised attention, and a calm group dynamic.
Ocean Calling Retreats organises, coordinates, and hosts the overall retreat experience. We do not act as a freediving instructor, scuba instructor, dive professional, medical advisor, or safety supervisor. All in-water instruction, supervision, and certification assessment are carried out exclusively by licensed professionals, who are responsible for safety, training progression, and operational decisions in the water.
Certification completion cannot be guaranteed and depends on participant comfort, safety performance, instructor assessment, and environmental conditions.
3. Third-Party Providers
Retreats involve independent licensed instructors and local operators including dive centres, freediving schools, boat operators, accommodation partners, and transport companies. Each operates under their own licences, policies, and insurance.
Ocean Calling Retreats carefully selects trusted local partners and licensed professionals for each retreat. While we organise and host the overall experience, certain services are delivered by independent third-party providers operating under their own licences, policies, and insurance. For this reason, operational decisions relating to in-water instruction, transport, accommodation, equipment, and local activities remain the responsibility of the relevant provider. Any claims relating specifically to third-party services must be addressed directly with that provider.
Bookings made through third-party platforms or partner websites may be subject to the cancellation and refund policies of those providers.
4. Participant Eligibility
Participants must be at least 18 years old to book or join any retreat. Minors may participate only with written parental or guardian consent, a signed liability waiver, and proof of guardianship if requested. The accompanying guardian accepts full legal responsibility for the minor.
Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically and mentally fit to travel and participate in retreat activities.
5. Health & Medical Disclosure
To enrol in any freediving or scuba diving certification course included in the retreat, participants are required to obtain and submit a signed medical declaration from a licensed doctor confirming they are medically fit to participate in diving activities. This document must be provided before the course begins. Without it, the licensed instructor has the right to refuse participation in the certification course.
Participants must also provide accurate and complete information regarding their health, medications, and any physical or psychological conditions relevant to travel or ocean activities. Ocean Calling Retreats cannot verify medical claims and is not liable for undisclosed conditions or their consequences.
If a certified instructor or operator requires additional medical clearance before any other activity, it is the participant's responsibility to obtain this prior to arrival. Ocean Calling Retreats cannot override decisions made by certified professionals regarding a participant's eligibility to take part in any activity.
6. Participant Responsibilities
Participants are expected to follow all instructions given by certified instructors and operators, behave respectfully toward fellow participants, local communities, wildlife, and hosts, and comply with cultural and environmental guidelines throughout the retreat.
Ocean Calling Retreats reserves the right to remove a participant from an activity or an entire retreat — without refund — if their behaviour creates safety risks, disrupts group harmony, disregards professional instruction, or causes distress within the group.
7. Group Retreat Programs
Group retreats follow a fixed program designed to support safety, flow, and group cohesion. The schedule may be adjusted due to weather, safety considerations, or conditions beyond our control. Not all activities are guaranteed every day, and pacing is set to support the group as a whole.
Exploration days may not include structured meals or transport. Program adjustments do not qualify for refunds.
8. Accommodation & Meals
Retreat accommodation is typically in private island homes or boutique villas. Rooms are private; common areas are shared. Participants may choose alternative accommodation, and retreat pricing will be adjusted accordingly.
Ocean Calling Retreats is not responsible for power outages, Wi-Fi interruptions, temporary water shortages, or maintenance issues outside our control.
Some meals are included within the retreat program; others are left open for participants to explore independently. Breakfast essentials are provided for shared preparation. A full list of included meals is shared prior to arrival.
Images shown on the website are representative of the retreat standard and atmosphere. Due to availability, operational planning, seasonal considerations, or last-minute bookings, the exact accommodation may vary. Any alternative accommodation will always reflect a similar level of comfort, quality, and location aligned with the retreat experience.
9. Ethical Wildlife Encounters
Ocean Calling Retreats follows a strict ethical approach to all wildlife interactions. We never chase, feed, touch, or disturb marine animals. All activities are guided by licensed instructors and boat crews who prioritise safety, respectful distance, and responsible behaviour in the water.
Marine life sightings cannot be guaranteed. All encounters depend on ethical guidelines, prevailing ocean conditions, and operator decisions. Ocean Calling Retreats is not liable for missed encounters or activity adjustments made for ethical or safety reasons.
10. Photography, Media & Consent
Retreats include professional underwater photography. Final images are delivered digitally after the retreat; delivery timelines vary by retreat.
By participating, you consent to being photographed and filmed during retreat activities. These images and videos may be used by Ocean Calling Retreats for website content, social media, marketing materials, and promotional purposes.
If you do not wish to appear in published content, you must notify Ocean Calling Retreats in writing before the retreat begins. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request, though we cannot guarantee exclusion from all group imagery.
Ocean Calling Retreats is not liable for equipment malfunction or inability to complete a photoshoot due to conditions, safety decisions, or participant discomfort.
11. Visas, Flights & Travel Documentation
Ocean Calling Retreats may provide general guidance on visa considerations, passport validity, and routing options. Participants remain solely responsible for obtaining the correct visas, ensuring documentation validity, and meeting all immigration and airline requirements. Failure to meet entry requirements does not qualify for a refund.
12. Insurance
Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering medical and emergency expenses, freediving or scuba-specific coverage, evacuation, trip cancellation and delays, and lost luggage. Ocean Calling Retreats is not responsible for costs arising from insufficient or absent insurance coverage.
13. Personal Belongings
Participants are responsible for their own belongings throughout the retreat. Ocean Calling Retreats is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
14. Cancellations, Transfers & Refunds
14.1 Payment & Standard Cancellation
Non-Refundable Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is required at booking to secure your place.
Balance Due: The balance is due 30 days before arrival.
Refund Schedule: * If you cancel more than 30 days before the start date, any payment beyond the deposit is refunded.
Within 30 days of the start date, no refund is issued as local services and resources are confirmed and paid.
14.2 Participant Transfers
Participants may request a one-time transfer of their booking to another Ocean Calling Retreat within 12 months, subject to availability and the following:
Notice: Written notice must be received at least 30 days before the original retreat start date.
Pricing: If the new retreat is of higher value, the participant pays the difference. If it is of lower value, the difference is not refunded.
Category: Transfers must be within the same retreat category.
14.3 Mandatory Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory to book. * Your policy must cover trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and force majeure. We strongly recommend coverage for adventure activities (scuba/freediving).
Personal decisions—including changing your mind, visa denial, fear of travel, or airline cancellations—are not covered by Ocean Calling Retreats and must be claimed through your insurance.
14.4 Force Majeure & Geopolitical Disruptions
If a retreat cannot run due to circumstances beyond our control—including war, armed conflict, insurrection, political instability, natural disaster, pandemic, border closures, or government travel advisories—we will work with you in this order:
Reschedule to the next available retreat date at no extra cost.
Issue a credit valid for 24 months toward any Ocean Calling Retreats booking.
Refund whatever our partners are able to refund us, minus the non-refundable deposit and any costs already incurred on your behalf.
14.5 Early Departures & No-Shows
To maintain the integrity of our bookings with local partners:
No refunds or credits will be issued if a participant arrives late, leaves early, or misses any portion of the retreat (including meals, excursions, or training) for any reason.
If a participant fails to show up for the retreat without prior written notice, the entire booking fee is forfeited.
14.6 Third-Party Bookings
Refunds and cancellations for bookings made through third-party platforms or providers are governed solely by their own policies. Ocean Calling Retreats is not responsible for the refund practices of external entities.
16. Privacy & Data Protection
Personal data is collected solely to deliver services, ensure participant safety, and support retreat operations. Data is stored securely and is never sold or shared with third parties beyond what is necessary for service delivery. Participants may request data removal at any time by contacting hello@oceancallingretreats.com.
17. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Switzerland. Any disputes arising from services provided by Ocean Calling Retreats shall be resolved under Swiss jurisdiction.
18. Acceptance
By booking any retreat with Ocean Calling Retreats, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
For questions, contact: hello@oceancallingretreats.com