COMPLETE Dive Store Closest to Houston

[HouTex]

Hello, I am a new diver but have visited several places around the world with complete dive shops. I mean shops with all different brands and many different items on display. I am looking for one where I can go to try on shorty and full length wet suits of many different brands and sizes, BC's, regulators, gauges, fins, masks, and computers of many different brands and types. I know of many websites like this but not a shop close by where I can have a "hands-on" shopping experience. I live in Houston, Texas USA. I am willing to travel to accomplish my goal but do not want to go too far if I do not have to. I am looking to purchase several complete sets of diving equipment but want to see the possibilities first. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated. Options would be nice - like several complete shops in the same metropolitan area. I found this in Australia.

 

[DandyDon]

Houston is a different type of city in many ways. I had a GF get certified there once and - well, it was odd.

Ask again on the Texas forum: Texas Swamp Divers - ScubaBoard

Or go to Scubatoys walk in store in Dallas: Scuba Equipment, Scuba Gear Scuba Diving Equipment Discount dive gear Snorkeling Equipment and Wetsuits Cheap online

 

[Jay_SMART_Diver]

From and old post of mine: (NEW NOTES IN CAPS)

Depends on what part of Houston you are in, but here's some shops:
Gander Mountain on IH-45 North in Spring. (from what I hear all three Houston Gander Mountains had a dive section). THEY CLOSED THEIR DIVE SECTION A WHILE BACK
There are some good shops in Houston but you'll probably have to drive a little for some better service.
Gigglin Marlin - Nice little shop southwest of downtown, I did meet a couple of their employees/divers diving at Aquarena and they were really nice. BEEN TO THE SHOP, NICE SELECTION REC TO TEC
Hydrosports - the dive shop in Lake Jackson for Mammoth Lake, Brand new store Pictures look great. BEEN THERE SEVERAL YEARS NOW STILL HAVEN'T MADE IT DOWN THERE
WW Diving - Another little hike to Humble, this shop comes recommended from a good friend of mine, and I think they handle tech stuff. (yet another I would like to visit.) BEEN THERE TOO, GOT LOTS OF STUFF AND A PRETTY BIG POOL
Kickady SCUBA - is in the Woodlands and is run by a really nice family that just loves to dive, and they have a Tiki-Bar IN THE SHOP!!!
Houston SCUBA Academy - I'm pretty sure this is the oldest dive shop in Houston, I got certified through a sister store (now defunct) back in 1989, there still in business so they must be doing something right, good size store and they're a Scubapro dealer (best regulators in my opinion.)
Scuba, Inc. - Scuba, Inc.
Sea Sports Scuba - Has several locations around the city
Also check out the City Of Houston Underwater Mariners Social Diving Club - or CHUM for short, a great group of fun loving divers in the Houston area who dive a lot and have monthly drink-er-I-mean meetings at the Stag's Head Pub near downtown.
For Houston Diving there is The Blue Lagoon, North of Houston near Huntsville.
South of town there is Twin Lakes, off Hwy 288, and Further South is Mammoth Lake, (see Hydrosports Above.)
Besides, Lake Travis, for Central Texas there is Canyon Lake outside New Braunfels, Diving there is usually off North Park, Aquarena Center in San Marcos, The Comal River in New Braunfels. Heres a link (BAD LINK NOT WORKING ANYMORE, BUT I THINK THE TAMU CLUB IS ON FACEBOOK NOW) to Dive Site List from the Texas A&M Scuba Club website. Heres another Texas List with some links, has some of the same info.
Hope this helps.

And like Don said check out the SWAMP