Emerald Coast Scuba, Destin, Florida

[Boat Chick]

Hi all,

We are going to visit our son who is at Hurlburt Air Force Base and are looking at diving with Emerald Coast Scuba. Does anyone have any feedback on this operation? We are staying in Fort Walton, and it seems Destin has the closest dive shops.

Any feedback would be appreciated, and if you have a better recommendation, please do so.

Thanks in advance.

Boat Chick

 

[Tom Smedley]

Emerald Coast is a great operation. Wait till you see their dive shop. Elegant!

 

[Boat Chick]

Emerald Coast is a great operation. Wait till you see their dive shop. Elegant!

Thanks Tom, does that mean that I need to bring more money? LOL!

 

[Hetland]

I can't say anything good or bad about Emerald Coast Scuba as I've never dealt with them before. I can say I've never heard anything bad about them.

When in Destin, I frequent ScubaTech, and have always been happy with their service. They run their own boat (Sea Cobra) for charters.

 

[kcomp13]

Went out with them about a month ago. They will name some different options and let the divers choose where to go. Captain Frank and crew did an awesome job. I would go with them again.

 

[zaberman1]

i took my IE right near Emerald Coast. My experience: fantastic operation!

 

[Tom Smedley]

You always need money in Destin. But no - Anna has put lots of thought and work into the shop. It is truly a shop to dream about.

Their entire staff is outgoing and friendly. They run a great boat and are overall a great operation.

They are one of the few PADI Gold Palm facilities.

Fantasea and others are also good. The jetties are also a great dive if you are up for a walk - or you can hire ECD to carry you out there on their flattop.

Going the other way - I really enjoy the laid back and relaxing atmosphere with Scuba Shack in Pensacola. Their boat "The Wet Dream" is old and slow but very comfortable. Gene and Eileen and the crew are tops. Cathy hand cranks ice cream.

Whichever route you choose i hope you have a great trip.

Thanks Tom, does that mean that I need to bring more money? LOL!

 

[wjefferis]

I don't know if I caught them (Emerald Coast) at a bad time or not, but I found them to be rude and not wanting to answer any of my questions about diving the jetties (which at that time I had never dove) or scheduling a charter. I put the t-shirt and other things I was about to purchase back and walked out of the store and went to ScubaTech. I found them to be super nice and helpful. I now make it a point to stop only by ScubaTech when I am in Destin.

 

[mike_s]

Hi all,

We are going to visit our son who is at Hurlburt Air Force Base and are looking at diving with Emerald Coast Scuba. Does anyone have any feedback on this operation? We are staying in Fort Walton, and it seems Destin has the closest dive shops.


Any feedback would be appreciated, and if you have a better recommendation, please do so.

If you have trouble finding their shop, they are toward the back of a parking lot and their sign faces the road and not oncoming traffic.... then just look for a Taco Bell sign. they are just west of the Taco Bell on hwy 98. Just FYI as it's easy to miss them.


The shop is on the north side of Hwy 98 and it's a divided highway right there. If you're coming from the west (Ft Walton area), you have to go past it and turn around at the next opening in the median, right past Taco Bell.

(hope that's helpful .... )

I don't know if I caught them (Emerald Coast) at a bad time or not, but I found them to be rude and not wanting to answer any of my questions about diving the jetties (which at that time I had never dove) or scheduling a charter. I put the t-shirt and other things I was about to purchase back and walked out of the store and went to ScubaTech. I found them to be super nice and helpful. I now make it a point to stop only by ScubaTech when I am in Destin.

I've got to agree with Wjeffries... I found Emerald Coast to be not helpful when we asked them questions and ignored us when we went in their shop. They just seemed like they would rather get back to their discussion among themselves as to come out and help a customer. I just wasn't impressed....

yeah it's a nice shop/facility, but a nice shop doesn't make a great LDS. (in my opinion)

There are some other posts about them in other threads,... good and bad... should be easy to find with searching a little.


I've had much better experiences with Scubatech in regards to customer service and fills... However, they don't like to go out in over 1ft seas.... which is kinda a sore point. (but all the shops in that area are wimpy in anything other than flat seas.... so it's a loosing battle down there...)

 

[Whyphysco]

The is a dive shop alot closer to you than destin in Fort Walton beach. The Scuba Shop on Hwy 98 is right next to hulburt field and they charter on The Miss Teak that leaves out of Fort Walton. So it could save you a little drive and Heather at the Scuba shop has forgoten more about diving than i know. Hope this helps you.