These are the terms that apply when you book with Barefoot Fishing Safaris. Every Barefoot trip runs three days or more — there are no day trips. These are the same terms printed in the back of the Black Books, set out here so you can read them before you commit, not after.
Prices and quotes
- All prices include GST.
- A quote is valid for one week. After that, ask for a fresh one.
Securing your dates
- A 30% deposit is required to secure your dates. The deposit is non-refundable.
- The balance is due 90 days before the trip starts.
Dates get held on a first-in basis, and the popular weeks go early — the run-off in particular books out well ahead.
Cancellations
Cancellations must be made in writing. No cancellation will be accepted unless it's received in writing — an email to glenn@barefootfishingsafaris.com.au is the simplest way to do it.
| When you cancel | Charge |
|---|---|
| More than 90 days before the trip | 30% of total booking cost |
| Between 90 and 30 days before the trip | 75% of total booking cost |
| Inside 30 days before the trip | 100% of total booking cost |
The 30% deposit is non-refundable, so cancelling at any stage means it isn't returned.
If a trip can't run
Safety calls sit with the skipper. If the weather, the water or a mechanical problem makes a trip unsafe, Watty may change the plan, shorten a day or call it off. That judgement isn't negotiable — it's the reason everyone comes home.
- If a trip can't run because of weather, cyclones or anything else outside our control, our refund policy doesn't cover it — that's exactly what travel insurance is for. Where we can, we'll offer you alternative dates instead.
- If Barefoot cancels for a reason within our control, you'll be offered alternative dates or a refund of what you've paid.
Travel insurance
Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance. It's only happened once in the last ten years, but cancellations due to cyclones and bad weather are not covered by our refund policy — it's up to you to be prepared. This is the Top End: weather moves, and insurance is what stands between that and a bad day for your wallet.
Your safety, and where responsibility sits
Fishing the Top End means remote water, tropical heat, crocodiles and weather that turns fast. Those risks are real, and they're part of what makes it worth doing. Every reasonable precaution is taken — Barefoot is a fully surveyed vessel maintained to a high standard, Watty is trained in senior first aid, and there's a satellite phone and EPIRB aboard — but you take part accepting that a degree of risk comes with the country.
- Follow the skipper. On the water, Watty's instructions aren't suggestions — they're the safety system.
- Your gear is your own. Rods, cameras, phones and luggage travel at your risk. Insure anything you'd hate to lose.
- Nothing here removes your consumer rights. These terms don't exclude, restrict or modify any guarantee, right or remedy you have under the Australian Consumer Law.
Fishing licences
You don't need one. There's no recreational fishing licence in the Northern Territory — turn up and fish.
Photos and video
I take photos and video on trips — for your use, and for mine to promote the business. If you'd rather your images weren't shared, just say so and they won't be.
Medical and dietary requirements
If you have any special medical requirements, let me know before the trip so the appropriate safety measures are in place. All diets can be catered for with a bit of notice — tell me in advance and it's sorted.
What your booking covers
- Choose a full meals and accommodation package, or a boat-only package to save a few bucks.
- On boat-only trips I'll help you book the right accommodation — you're not left guessing.
- Alcohol is organised separately, before we leave Darwin. Buy it yourself the day before, or pre-order it and I'll grab it for you.
Questions before you book
If there's anything here you'd like clarified, ask before you pay a deposit — not after. Call or message Watty on 0417 272 871, WhatsApp +61 417 272 871, or email glenn@barefootfishingsafaris.com.au.
