The fine print
Terms of service.
Booking a tour with EKAYA means you’re agreeing to these terms. We’ve tried to write them like a person, not a lawyer.
Who we are.
EKAYA is a locally owned tour operator based in Vilankulo, Mozambique. The business is new; the people running it aren’t. Our skippers and guides have spent years on this water and around these islands. When you book with us, you’re booking with that crew — not a call centre.
Booking and payment.
You book by messaging us on WhatsApp or email. A booking is confirmed when we’ve agreed on date, tour, group size, and price — usually in the same conversation. We don’t take deposits as a rule. Payment is due on the day of the tour: cash (USD, ZAR, or MZN), bank transfer, mobile money, or card. We’ll share the exact options when we confirm.
Prices include what we say they include — lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, park fees if applicable. Anything not listed (alcohol off-boat, extra activities, transfers, accommodation) is on you. If a price changes for any reason — a fuel surge, a park-fee increase — we’ll tell you before you commit, never after.
Cancellation.
The full cancellation and refund terms live on a separate page. Short version: cancelling costs you nothing if you haven’t paid. If we cancel for weather or safety, we refund or reschedule.
Safety and your responsibility.
Boat trips, snorkeling, quad rides, and beach activities all carry inherent risk. We provide the safety equipment we’re required to (life jackets on every boat, briefings before snorkeling, helmets on quads) and the experience to use it. You’re responsible for being honest with us about your health, your swimming ability, and any conditions that might affect what you can do.
You participate at your own risk. If you ignore safety briefings, drink heavily before activities, or refuse the gear we provide, we may end the activity for you on the spot — without refund. We’d rather not. Tell us if you’re unsure about anything; we’ll work it out.
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers ocean activities. It’s your responsibility to arrange it.
Conduct.
We’re a small, local operator. Be kind to the crew, be kind to the place, leave it as you found it. Removing shells, coral, or anything from a marine park is illegal in Mozambique — not just our rule. Disrespect to crew, other guests, or the environment ends the tour.
Photos and content.
We sometimes take photos and short videos on tours and may use them on our website or social media. If you’d rather not be in any of them, just tell the crew — it’s a normal request. If you appear in something already published and want it removed, message us and we’ll take it down.
Liability.
We’re responsible for running tours with reasonable care, providing the safety equipment we’ve described, and using crew who know what they’re doing. We’re not liable for things outside our control: weather, sea conditions, wildlife behaviour, illness, lost or damaged personal items, or losses caused by you not following safety instructions.
To the extent permitted by Mozambican law, our total liability for any claim is limited to the amount you paid us for the tour.
Governing law.
These terms are governed by the laws of Mozambique. Any dispute that can’t be sorted out in a friendly conversation goes to the courts of Inhambane Province.
Changes.
We may update these terms from time to time. The version that applies to your tour is the one published on the day you booked. We always keep the “last reviewed” date below honest.
Questions?
Message us. We’d rather talk than hide.