Tour cancellations are never something we want — neither guests nor operators. Our goal is always to run the tour and deliver a great experience. However, there are situations where cancellation is the only responsible decision.
Below we explain the key factors that can lead to a tour cancellation and when such cancellations usually occur.
When Do Cancellations Usually Happen?
For all reasons listed below, one rule applies:
if a cancellation happens, it most often occurs the day before the tour.
These situations are rare, but they do happen occasionally — especially on tours that depend on multiple external factors, such as Blue Cave boat tours.
1. Weather Conditions
Weather is the most common and most complex reason for possible cancellation.
When Rain Does NOT Automatically Mean Cancellation
Rain in the forecast does not automatically mean the tour will be cancelled.
When checking real-time satellite data, we look at:
* where the cloud system is located
* its movement speed and direction
* when it may reach our route
* how long the rain is expected to last
In many cases, this allows us to run the tour without affecting the overall experience. Guests remain dry, and the quality of the tour is preserved.
The same applies to spot showers — smaller, scattered rain clouds that can often be avoided by adjusting the route or timing.
When Rain Means Certain Cancellation
The most problematic situation occurs when a combination of:
* air pressure
* upper-level air currents
* high atmospheric humidity
creates conditions where storm clouds form suddenly and locally, often directly above the area where we are navigating.
On satellite images, this appears as a rapidly growing cloud that spreads quickly, usually accompanied by:
* strong thunderstorms
* heavy rain
* sudden wind shifts
In such conditions, the tour will be cancelled without exception, as there is no realistic way to react or avoid the storm in time.
Wind and Wave Direction
In addition to rain and storms, tours may also be cancelled due to:
* strong winds
* unfavorable wave direction
Even when wave height itself is not extreme, wave direction can make navigation uncomfortable or unsafe, which is sufficient reason for cancellation.
Blue Cave Closure
If we receive confirmation that the Blue Cave will be closed for the entire day, we will:
* cancel the tour
* offer to reschedule your booking (if you are able to join on another day)
* or suggest an alternative tour with a different price
2. Technical Issues with the Boat
Despite regular maintenance, a technical failure that cannot be fixed immediately can occur, sometimes at the very last moment.
Possible scenarios include:
* a malfunction just before departure
* the boat requiring dry dock service
* uncertainty about repair completion time
In all such cases, safety comes first, and the tour will be cancelled.
3. Minimum Number of Participants Not Reached
Each tour requires a minimum number of participants to operate.
If the number of guests drops below 6 participants, we reserve the right to cancel the tour and provide a full refund.
This most often happens due to:
* late cancellations or no-shows
* guests traveling from another city and arriving late
* traffic issues, route changes, or illness
The main challenge arises when guests do not inform us in advance that they may not arrive on time. In such cases:
* we lose the ability to manage availability
* we cannot place other bookings on standby
* and sometimes the entire tour must be cancelled
Final Thoughts – Cancellations Are Rare, but Always Justified
Cancellations are rare, but when they occur, they are always based on valid reasons:
* safety
* tour quality
* fairness toward all guests
Our goal is not to “run the tour at any cost, but to ensure that every tour we operate is **safe, enjoyable, and worth your time and trust**.
