• Booking validity: 21 May - 17 September 2025 
• Travel period: 20 June - 19 September 2025
• Lead-in prices on Qatar Airways Holidays are dynamic and change on a daily basis. Your final price at the time of booking may be different. Prices may vary based on your point of departure, hotel selection and number of nights. 

1.  General terms & conditions
   • This product is subject to availability at the time of booking confirmation 
   • Discover Qatar reserve the right to change the rates of this tour 
   • Infants under two years of age travel free of charge 
2. Inclusions
   • Whale shark viewing aboard a catamaran  
   • Bottled water
   • Note: 
     • There is a selection of light snacks and beverages for purchase during the tour. Please note we can only accept cash for purchases on the boat. You are welcome to bring your own provisions for breakfast and lunch should you wish. 
     • While we make every effort to track the movement of whale sharks, viewing cannot be guaranteed. A refund won't be granted if whale sharks aren't sighted during your trip. However, we are happy to offer one complimentary rebooking for you during the 2025 season, subject to availability.
3. Exclusions 
   • Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned in the specific package 
   • Meals and beverages 
   • Cancellation/luggage/assistance/repatriation/medical insurance(s) 
4. Cancellation policy 
   • If you or any member of your party wishes to cancel your booking once a booking has been confirmed and an invoice or receipt has been issued, the Lead Name must notify their agent (or Discover Qatar if the booking was made directly with Discover Qatar) in writing. The cancellation charges you will be required to pay, will be calculated on the basis of the date we received the written notification and the booked departure date. 
   • In the event of cancellation, please contact the “Discover Qatar” team on whalesharks@qatarairways.com.qa within a minimum of 48 hours to avoid cancellation charges. 100% of the cancellation charges apply if a full 72 hours’ notice has not been received prior to arrival. 
   • Amendment or changes to existing bookings can be done free of charge up to 72 hours before the service date (Subject to availability). 
   • The noshow charge 100% of the booking. 
   • Should the charter be cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions, an alternative date or a full refund will be provided. 
   • While we make every effort to track the movement of whale sharks, viewing cannot be guaranteed. A refund won't be granted if whale sharks aren't sighted during your trip. However, we are happy to offer one complimentary rebooking for you during the 2025 season, subject to availability. 
5. Disruption to itinerary arrangements 
   • Itineraries are intended as a guide only and are subject to alteration without notice. Alterations may be necessary for reasons beyond Discover Qatar’s control. Changes could include, but are not limited to: If conditions render any routes unsafe for navigation, Discover Qatar reserves the right to provide alternative services, including, but not limited to, accommodation on the docked ship. 
   • Discover Qatar will not be liable for any direct or indirect costs that passenger’s may incur as a result of any event or other factor beyond Discover Qatar’s control which necessitates a change in itinerary. 
   • Passengers are not entitled to any refund or compensation for any alterations to the itinerary that are caused by events beyond Discover Qatar’s control. 
6. Limitations of liability 
   • Discover Qatar packages include the services of independent providers, such as cruise companies, catering and other operators, who are not agents or employees of Discover Qatar. Although we take care in selecting the independent service providers and the optional excursions conducted by some independent service providers, Discover Qatar is not responsible for the conduct of such independent service providers, their agents, or for any ramifications of that conduct. 
   • The passenger accepts and assumes the risk involved with all activities provided. 
   • If, in the opinion of any representative of Discover Qatar, a passenger’s mental or physical condition, or general behavior is such as to affect a passengers own health and safety, render a passenger incapable of caring for themselves, cause a passenger to became a hazard to themselves or other passengers or result in a passenger becoming objectionable to other passengers or staff, such passenger will not be permitted to embark or continue on the whole or any part of the holiday package. Abuse or harassment of any kind toward crew, contracted suppliers, or other guests may result in immediate removal from the tour or cruise. Discover Qatar is not liable to passengers for any costs associated with such decision and the passenger will not be refunded for any part of the holiday package. 
   • Discover Qatar accepts no responsibility for any death, injury, illness, loss (including loss of enjoyment), damage, detention, delay (including mechanical breakdown) beyond its control. 
   • Passengers will be required to sign a Risk Acknowledgment and Waiver of Liability at the start of the tour.  
7. Travel insurance 
   • The sale of Services by Discover Qatar does not include any kind of insurance. 
   • Passengers are solely responsible for taking out such insurance at their own expense. If a passenger has not taken out such insurance, they accept responsibility and any costs linked to medical expenses, evacuation for health reasons, or repatriation. 

While we make every effort to track the movement of whale sharks,  viewing can't be guaranteed. A refund won't be granted if whale sharks aren't sighted during your trip. However, we are happy to offer one complimentary rebooking for you during the 2025 season, subject to availability.

With the sole purpose of protecting the whale sharks and their habitat, any interaction with the whale sharks will be prohibited, and that includes - no swimming, touching, or feeding.

Food and beverages are not provided as part of this excursion. However, there is a selection of light snacks and beverages for purchase during the tour. Please note we can only accept cash. You are welcome to bring your own provisions for breakfast and lunch should you wish.

We strongly recommend that you wear flat comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. Be sure to pack your own meals, snacks, and beverages.

We recommend that sea sickness tablets be taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to the tour departure time as the vessel with not return to shore until the scheduled time. We will not be able to provide you with any medications on board.

English will be the main language spoke on board.

Yes, there will be Wi-Fi on board.

No, alcoholic beverages are prohibited on board and will not be offered as part of the excursion. Any alcohol found will be confiscated.

Yes, children are allowed on board - there is no minimum age. On the Daily Explorer tour, children under 12 will receive a discounted price.

No; however, optional shared or private transfers from Doha are available to be added while booking the tour. In the case of whale sharks not being sighted during your trip, complimentary transfers will not be provided with the rescheduled booking. 

The whale shark excursions are subject to favourable weather conditions. Should a scheduled departure not be able to go ahead as planned, you will be informed at least 48 hours prior to the departure date and offered an alternative date or a full refund for the tour.