Dive Shops
Shops we’ve gone diving with or just visited near home or while traveling.
Dive World Austin
This is our local shop and where I did my confined water training. They are also the reason we dive with Poseidon regulators and I don’t have a single regret on that purchase. Great shop, great owners, great staff. Can’t say enough good stuff about Dive World Austin. If you’re in Austin, stop by and say hi! Need training, I can recommend Richie, but I am sure all their instructors are top notch.
12129 Ranch Rd 620 N #430
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 219-1220
Aquatic Ventures
I did my open water checkout dives with Aquatic Ventures. I am a planner and often research things extensively and selecting a shop to learn to not die while in the open ocean was a big decision. When I called Aquatic Ventures they told me they do their checkout dives as shore dives because they train competent divers and anyone can fall off a boat. They had me with that, and I am glad I went with them. I will say though that shore diving takes a lot more energy than boat diving and combining that with the anxiety and running through all the skills makes for a very exhausting couple of days. They had a small but decent selection of products in the shop as well.
3720 Davie Blvd
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 792-4977
Divers Direct
We had shopped here before being divers in Key Largo. They have a huge selection and a great place to try on a lot of different gear. While doing my open water dives in Ft. Lauderdale, we visited this shop.
180 Gulf Stream Way
Dania, FL 33004
(954) 925-7630
fortlauderdale@diversdirect.com
VIP Diving
We were on a cruise and used VIP Diving for some shore dives. They picked us up at port and brought us to the dive shop to fill out paperwork and get ready to dive and then we headed out with Aya. During the drive she asked us a few questions about our experience and selected dive locations based on that. She was fantastic as was the diving. They had lockers at the dive shop to keep things that weren’t going in the water with us.
J.A. Abraham Blvd #77
Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
(+599) 701 7701
info@vipdiving.com
Sharky’s Shop
While on a cruise we dove in Bayahibe with Sharky’s. The weather was pretty rough this day and I probably would look for a different shop if I am back in the area. The owner did wear a baseball cap while diving, which I thought was pretty awesome.
9595+PVH, Parqueo Principal
Los Melones 23000
Dominican Republic
+1(829)892-0989
info@divingdr.com
Scuba.com, Costa Mesa
As a So Cal native, I am in Orange County quite regularly. They have a great local shop with lots of brands to choose from. It was nice to try on BCDs as they had every style and size in stock. We do our best not to shop online and support our local shops. When I was going on a dive on Catalina Island, I needed a couple things for cold water and was glad to have a local shop (yes I realize they have a large online presence as well) to pop in a grab a couple things.
1781 Newport Blvd, Ste. A & B
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.221.9300
Catalina Divers Supply
Located right at the Catalina Dive Park this shop is very convenient. We popped in for a wrist strap for our Go Pro and a Dive Catalina ball cap. They had a decent selection of products.
1 Casino Way
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-0330
Cindy Sieman, Instructor
So not really a shop, but I can’t say enough great things about Cindy. She runs a very popular scuba group for women that is incredibly informative and positive. I really wanted to Dive Catalina and experience something my Mom had. I booked Cindy as my guide. It was my 4th dive ever and to say I had some anxiety was an understatement. Since I don’t plan to regularly dive cold water, I didn’t have a full wetsuit, but she had everything I would need. Cindy spends time in Cozumel leading divers as well. We completed our NAUI AOW and Nitrox certifications with her there. She changed us as divers.
Avalon, CA
Cozumel
Scubaland Adventures
We like this shop and it is convenient for my husband as it is on the way to one of his clients. They have a good selection of products and is our local Scubapro dealer.
1001 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 323-6999
Captain Jak’s
I have gone out with Captain Jak’s a few times. They have a nice big boat, fun and knowledgeable guides and instructors, and captain. Can’t recommend Kyle or Martin enough. If you need rental equipment, it looked to be in great shape. They have rental equipment but no retail besides some dry bags and swag.
Belize or WhatsApp: +501-628-6447
info@captainjaks.com
Seahorse Dive Shop
Seahorse is at the very tip of the Peninsula. I went out to the Silk Cayes for the first time with Seahorse and it was incredible diving with a knowledgeable and attentive guide. I would dive with Seahorse anytime. They have rental equipment but no retail.
Main Street, Placencia, Stann Creek, Belize
+501-523-3166
WhatsApp: +501 630 4448
SeahorseDive@gmail.com
Go Sea Tours
My husband got his OW certification with Go Sea Tours and the instructor, Benji, was very patient and thorough with the training. They have two boats and leave right from the bottom of the peninsula, making it quick to get out to the cayes. I will dive with Go Sea Tours whenever we are in Placencia. They have rental equipment but no retail.
Belize or WhatsApp: +501 523-3033
Divers Supply
We were in ATL for a concert and had some time during the afternoon to visit some local dive shops and see what treasures we might find. We got lucky and they were having a sale before they close for inventory. The shop staff was helpful and pleasant and they had a nice range of products.
950 Cobb Pkwy SE #160
Marietta, GA 30060
marietta@divers-supply.com
Sharkies Scuba Adventures
I was excited to visit this Platinum Scubapro dealer in Smyrna, GA. Sadly, they only had a couple of products in their entryway and we couldn’t find anyone working there.
1318 Concord Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
Dive Georgia
This is a dive shop, but they also run the only recreational dive park in Georgia called Kraken Springs. The shop was brightly lit with lots of products to look at. They also had beautiful live edge oak display tables. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable.
168 Towne Lake Pkwy
Woodstock, GA, 30188
404-285-8600
info@divegeorgia.com
Scuba Mau
Scuba Mau is in Cozumel on the main waterfront road. They were a great shop to dive with. Once we brought our gear the first day, we didn’t touch it again until we left, outside of actually diving. They loaded it to and from the boat daily, as well as rinsed and hung everything to dry. The DMs were knowledgeable, the briefings were thorough, and I felt safe throughout all our dives.
Carr. Costera Sur km 2.85, Zona hotelera sur, 77675 Q.R., Mexico
Cozumel Scuba Repair
While diving in Cozumel, my husband was using his new gear for the first time. His BCD kept riding up on him and was not comfortable. We visited scuba repair shop in the hopes to find some straps and buckles that I could turn into a crotch strap for him. They had a broken strap with buckle that we were able to purchase along with some stainless steel bolt snaps. I was able to sew him a crotch strap and it did the trick. The shop was clean, they had all the basics, and a good variety of bolt snaps, d-rings, etc. The owner was friendly and accommodating.
Calle 1a sur between 85 and 90 avenidas
Cozumel Quintana Roo, Mexico
Prodive Cozumel
This is a dive shop, in the touristy area of Cozumel. They had a good selection and decent pricing. We needed to replace a dive torch while on the island and they carried Orcatorch.
Toucan Diving
We spent a week diving with Toucan when attending the Dive Talk Meetup. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Having a dive shop at the marina made boat dives very convenient. They also have carts to take your gear to the house reef, 18th palm. Highly recommend them.
Located at the Plaza Beach & Dive Resort
Julio Abraham Boulevard 80
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Visit Toucan Diving»