WaterDestination ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website waterdestination.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website.
1. Information We Collect
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit WaterDestination, we automatically collect certain information through third-party services:
- Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. This collects data such as pages visited, time spent on site, browser type, device type, approximate geographic location, and referral sources. This data is anonymized and aggregated.
- Google AdSense: Our advertising partner Google may use cookies and similar technologies to serve personalized ads based on your browsing history across websites.
Information You Provide
- Saved Beaches: If you use the "My Saved Beaches" feature, your beach selections are stored locally in your browser's localStorage. This data never leaves your device.
- Search Queries: Search terms entered on our site are processed locally and are not stored on our servers.
2. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
- Analytics cookies (Google Analytics) to understand site usage patterns
- Advertising cookies (Google AdSense) to serve relevant advertisements
- Functional cookies to remember your preferences (e.g., saved beaches via localStorage)
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some site functionality.
3. Third-Party Services
WaterDestination integrates with the following third-party services, each with their own privacy policies:
- Google Analytics & AdSense: Google Privacy Policy
- OpenWeather API: Used to provide real-time weather data for beach pages. OpenWeather Privacy Policy
- Booking.com: We link to Booking.com for hotel recommendations. When you click these links, Booking.com's privacy policy applies.
- Skyscanner: We link to Skyscanner for flight search. Their privacy policy applies when you visit their site.
- Amazon Associates: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. Amazon's privacy policy applies to purchases made through our affiliate links.
4. Affiliate Links and Advertising
WaterDestination contains affiliate links to third-party products and services. When you click on these links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These links are provided to:
- Amazon.com (as an Amazon Associate)
- Booking.com (hotel bookings)
- Skyscanner (flight search)
We only recommend products and services we believe are relevant to beach travelers.
5. How We Use Your Information
We use the automatically collected information to:
- Understand how visitors use our website and improve our content
- Analyze traffic patterns and optimize site performance
- Serve relevant advertisements through Google AdSense
- Monitor and prevent technical issues
6. Data Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. Data is shared only with:
- Google: Through Analytics and AdSense as described above
- Affiliate partners: Only when you voluntarily click affiliate links
7. GDPR Rights (European Users)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the following rights:
- Right to access your personal data
- Right to rectification of inaccurate data
- Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to restrict processing
- Right to data portability
- Right to object to processing
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the email address listed below.
8. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical measures to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Children's Privacy
WaterDestination is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
- Email: privacy@waterdestination.com
- Visit our Contact page