Frequently Asked Questions

Cancellation Policy

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellation Policy:

Ocean Vibes reserves the right to cancel a customer’s booking with a full refund in the following cases:

  • Insufficient number of travelers
  • Adverse weather conditions

If weather or other unforeseen circumstances require us to cancel your reservation, you will receive a full refund.

Refund Policy:

  • A full refund is available for cancellations made at least 24 hours before the start of the experience. Please note, the 2% booking fee is non-refundable.
  • No refund will be provided for cancellations made within 24 hours of the experience start time.

Grand Turk:

If your cruise ship does not dock, you will receive a full refund.

Parasailing FAQ

No! We give you a safety briefing and off you go.

Modern methods of parasailing allow for takeoff and landing on the deck of the boat. It’s up to you how wet you get or whether you even get wet at all.
Children have to be at least 4 years old to parasail and there is no maximum age limit.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to sign their waiver.

Minimum weight required to parasail is roughly 125 pounds. If the flyer is less than this, they will simply fly tandem with someone not to exceed roughly 450 pounds combined weight. Weight requirements may change on any given day due to the wind conditions.

Yes! People love to share their experiences with each other in the air. We fly side by side so everyone gets a great view. Most of our guest choose to fly either double or even triple (3) as long as the combined weight does not exceed 450 lbs.

Yes but you are doing so at your own risk.

Photo packages are also available. Speak with your crew for more details.

Our flight time is 8-10 minute and you may be on the boat for up to an hour depending on how many other guests are on your departure.

Yes! We do allow spectators on our boat for a reduced fee of $25, if we have availability.

Ocean Vibes does not operate in unsafe weather conditions, but a light rain shower is not a deterrent. The Captain will assess the weather and should the Captain determine that the conditions are unsafe to run the tour, the tour may be postponed or it will be canceled. If a trip is canceled by Ocean Vibes for any reason, every effort will be made to reschedule the trip during your stay in Providenciales. If you are unable to reschedule, you will have the option of receiving a full refund. Every effort will be made to run tours, as advertised.

To receive a full refund, travelers may cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start date in the local timezone. No refunds will be given after that time period.

* The service charge is non-refundable.

When conducted by a well-trained crew utilizing the proper equipment and operating in good weather conditions, parasailing is a safe, fun, aerial adventure.
The United States Parasailing Safety Council (USPSC) estimates that from 1990 through 2003 there were over 324 accidents in the United States, 68 of which resulted in serious bodily injury and 11 deaths. Between 2003 and 2007, parasailing accidents resulted in 11 deaths. (These statistics are based on U.S. Coast Guard reports, state and local law enforcement, local reporting agencies, individual accident reports, eye witnesses accounts from parasail operators, and other sources deemed reliable.)
Comparison studies have shown that there is an increased risk utilizing certain types of equipment, but generally speaking parasailing with an experienced captain, using well-maintained equipment, and flying only in good weather conditions are the most important factors relating to safety. We use the absolute best equipment and follow all manufacturer recommendations for the use of their products. Our winch rope is double braided 7/16-inch Esterlon with a special coating to protect it from the elements. We change the rope every 9 months or at the first sign of stress, wear, or fraying of any kind, whichever comes first.
It is customary for the equipment manufacturer to provide training. As an alternative, experienced captains may serve as private instructors. Our captains are professionally trained, have at least 10,000 flights with us, and at least 50,000 flights before they came to work with us.
The most common accidents occur during tow line separation from the boat, equipment failure, high speed water and deck landings, canopy rotation, line popping, and whiplash. Safety is and has always been our first priority. We are serious about the maintenance of our equipment and have not suffered any major accidents or equipment failures.
There are many factors involved in arriving at an exact figure. The United States Parasailing Safety Council advises, as a general observation, that the maximum altitude for large lakes and open ocean should not exceed 800 feet. (For bays and small lakes, the maximum recommended altitude is 300 feet.) We limit our tow line length to a maximum of 600 feet.
To legally take passengers for hire or charge money in the Turks & Caicos Islands, an operator needs a business license and a Captain’s License from a reputable licensing agency. Our Captains are licensed directly through the Turks & Caicos Maritime Department, although the licensing course is conducted and examined by Sea School of Florida.

To obtain a basic license, one must have a certain level of boating experience, pass a course in basic firefighting and survival at sea, and pass a written and practical exam that covers seamanship and boat operation. A Captain must be at least 18 years of age.

No. There are currently no licensing requirements, qualifications, or industry standards to become a parasail operator. This is one of the dilemmas of commercial parasailing. While operators enjoy their independence, this freedom comes with some risks.

The jury is still out on this question. In the meantime, the public needs to understand that parasail operators can fly by their own rules and make up new ones as they go along. Generally speaking, the majority of operators are responsible and have enjoyed a strong safety record.

Slogans such as these are often misleading in that they imply that the tour operator, the Captain, and/or their equipment are somehow sanctioned by the USCG. In reality, a Coast Guard Captain without training in the sport of parasailing knows as much about parasailing as I know about piloting a space shuttle.

An inspected vessel requires the manufacturer to follow building specifications and has nothing to do with the operation of the boat. The USCG overseas the construction of the boat until completed. In some cases, a stability test is performed to determine the number of passengers the vessel can carry. (Note: 90 percent of all reputable boat manufacturers build boats that would probably meet USCG specifications). However, there are no USCG requirements for parasail vessels with regard to the parasailing equipment onboard.

Whale Watching FAQ

The most common question we receive from people who are vacationing in Providenciales and want to go whale watching, is “how do we get to Grand Turk?”.

Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands and approximately 75 miles from Providenciales. There is no boat service between islands. The beauty of Grand Turk; however, is readily accessible by air with two different airlines servicing this route, yielding approximately 10 return flights per day. The cost of the return flights varies depending on availability, but ranges from $130 to $200 return trip. You can check out the options at the following links:

https://www.intercaribbean.com/

https://www.turksandcaicosflights.com/

We recommend visitors take the first Caicos Express flight to Grand Turk in the morning and return to Providenciales on the last flight of the day. We would suggest buying a refundable ticket if possible since Whale Watching is very much weather dependent and if you are only travelling to Grand Turk to Whale Watch and we have to cancel due to weather then you can seek a refund from your airline.

We can arrange a taxi transfer at your own expense or suggest a hire car or golf cart if you want to explore the island after the tour. There is plenty of time to explore what Grand Turk has to offer on land or you can enjoy one of the relaxing beach bars. It’s just 5 miles by 1.5 miles, so our island is very easy to explore.

We will provide complimentary transfers between the airport and boat for Private Charters.

The whale watching season is January to April, with the peak being from mid-February to mid-March.

Turks and Caicos is a breeding ground for North Atlantic Humpback whales.

Humpback whales migrate from colder northern waters to the Caribbean during the winter months, usually between January and April, to breed and calve in the warmer waters. Just offshore from Grand Turk is the Turks Island Passage, a deep underwater trench that serves as a marine highway for migrating whales. Whales are funneled through this passage and consequently migrate quite close to Grand Turk.

Shallow waters around Grand Turk are important to mothers and calves Humpback whales as they are a safe place where moms can hang out with their newborn calves until they are strong enough to start their journey back to the feeding grounds. Our shallow waters are warm and protected allowing they to rest, bond and nurse in peace.

Yes, whale watching is generally very safe. We follow strict guidelines to protect both the whales and the passengers.

Distances always depend on the sea conditions and the whale’s behavior. Our captain is following the guidelines provided by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources.

While whale watching is often successful, sightings cannot be guaranteed. Whales are wild animals, and their movements can be unpredictable. However, we typically have a high success rate, especially during peak seasons.

Yes. In water encounters are possible but they depend on the sea conditions and the whale’s behavior. Our captain and marine biologist on board will determine if the conditions are safe for both the whales and the passengers before trying to get in the water with the whales.

This excursion take place on the open sea. Sea conditions depend on the winds and the tides which might include surface chop, swell and sea spray.

No. While whale watching in Turks and Caicos is a fantastic experience, it’s important to note that the tours take place on open water, where waves are common. If you are prone to seasickness, you may want to reconsider or take precautions. Even though our 48-foot power catamaran is generally stable, the open sea can still be choppy, especially if the weather changes. If you’re not sure, consider taking seasickness medication an hour before the tour.