At Hoonah Matata Whale Watching, we value your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, www.hoonahmatatawhalewatching.com (“Website”), book our whale watching tours (“Tours”), or interact with us. By using our services, you agree to this policy. If you have questions, contact us at [email protected] or (858) 324-5807.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our Tours, which depart from Hoonah, Alaska, picking you up at the Icy Strait Point cruise dock and returning you there after a 3-hour whale watching experience.

• Information You Provide:
  • Booking Details: Name, email address, phone number, payment information (e.g., credit card details), and Tour preferences when you reserve a spot via our Website or agents.
  • Contact Info: If you email us (e.g., for cancellations) or call, we collect what you share.
  • Special Requests: Health or accessibility needs you disclose for safety or accommodation.
• Automatically Collected:
  • Website Usage: IP address, browser type, device info, pages visited, and timestamps via cookies or analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics).
  • Transaction Data: Booking confirmations, payment records, and refund details.
• From Third Parties:
  • Information from cruise lines or booking platforms (e.g., passenger manifests) if you book through them.

We don’t knowingly collect data from children under 13. If you’re a parent and believe we have, contact us to remove it.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

• Process and confirm Tour bookings.
• Send you booking confirmations, reminders, and updates (e.g., weather-related changes).
• Fulfill our whale sighting guarantee (refunds if no whales are seen, per our Terms).
• Communicate with you about cancellations, refunds, or inquiries.
• Ensure safety and compliance during Tours (e.g., emergency contact info).
• Improve our Website and services (e.g., analyzing usage trends).
• Comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax or maritime reporting).

3. How We Share Your Information

We don’t sell your personal data. We may share it only as follows:

• Service Providers: With trusted partners who help us operate (e.g., payment processors like Stripe, email services, or Website hosting). They’re bound to protect your data.
• Cruise Lines: Limited info (e.g., name, booking time) to coordinate pickups at Icy Strait Point.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or to protect our rights (e.g., fraud prevention).
• Business Transfers: If we sell or merge our business, your data may transfer to the new owner under similar safeguards.

4. Cookies and Tracking

• Cookies: We use cookies to enhance your Website experience (e.g., remembering preferences) and track usage. You can disable them in your browser, but some features may not work.
• Analytics: Tools like Google Analytics collect anonymized data to understand visitor behavior. See their policies for opt-out options.

5. How We Protect Your Information

• We use industry-standard security (e.g., SSL encryption for payments, secure servers) to protect your data.
• No method is 100% secure, so we can’t guarantee absolute protection, but we strive to minimize risks.
• Report suspected breaches to [email protected] immediately.

6. Your Choices

• Access/Update: Email us to review or correct your personal info.
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails via the link in any message. We’ll still send essential Tour updates.
• Cookies: Adjust your browser settings to block tracking.

7. Data Retention

• We keep booking and payment data for 7 years to comply with tax and maritime laws.
• Website usage data is retained for up to 2 years for analytics, then anonymized or deleted.
• We delete unnecessary data (e.g., one-time inquiries) within 30 days unless required otherwise.

8. Third-Party Links

• Our Website may link to external sites (e.g., cruise line pages). We’re not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies separately.

9. International Users

• Our servers are U.S.-based. If you’re outside the U.S. (e.g., EU), your data transfers here and is subject to U.S. laws, which may differ from your local protections.

10. Changes to This Policy

• We may update this Privacy Policy. Changes take effect when posted on our Website. Check back before booking or contacting us.

11. Contact Us

• For questions, requests, or concerns:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (858) 324-5807
  • Address: Hoonah Matata Whale Watching, 228 Hemlock, Hoonah, AK 99829

Thank you for trusting Hoonah Matata Whale Watching with your information. We’re committed to keeping it safe while delivering an unforgettable whale watching experience!