Favorite SE Michigan Dive Shop?

[CathyS]

Hello,

I don't dislike the dive shop through which I took my OW classes, but I don't love it, either. So I'm looking for some good places to shop around as I start thinking about buying my first set of gear and take some more classes in the future. For those of you in southeastern Michigan, what's your favorite LDS and what do you like about it?

Cathy

 

[gtxl1200]

Cathy,
I also do not like my local dive shop so if you find one let me know so I can join you down there. Im in a tough spot there isnt any thing for miles around me as far as a dive shop.

 

[CathyS]

Cathy,
I also do not like my local dive shop so if you find one let me know so I can join you down there. Im in a tough spot there isnt any thing for miles around me as far as a dive shop.

I think we're fairly lucky here in the Detroit area, because there are quite a few dive shops. Maybe somebody will know a great one that will be worth the drive from Flint.

 

[fins]

Hello,

I don't dislike the dive shop through which I took my OW classes, but I don't love it, either. So I'm looking for some good places to shop around as I start thinking about buying my first set of gear and take some more classes in the future. For those of you in southeastern Michigan, what's your favorite LDS and what do you like about it?

Cathy

Hi Cathy,

I'm a fairly new diver (just finished OW in March). I visited a number of LDS's around SE Michigan prior to deciding on where to take classes. I chose to enroll through Sea The World in Farmington. At the time it was because of the instructor I had selected to take the classes from but as time has gone on and I have progressed into buying my own equipment and meeting other divers I have become very happy with the folks at Sea The World. Craig, the owner and James, the store manager both really care about and take a vested interest in their divers.

 

[CathyS]

...I have become very happy with the folks at Sea The World. Craig, the owner and James, the store manager both really care about and take a vested interest in their divers.

Thanks Mark. Someone else mentioned Sea the World in another thread here. I'll definitely have to check it out. Farmington is actually much closer to my house than the dive shop I've been going to in St. Clair Shores.

 

[wrecNcaver]

Thanks Mark. Someone else mentioned Sea the World in another thread here. I'll definitely have to check it out. Farmington is actually much closer to my house than the dive shop I've been going to in St. Clair Shores.

Cathy,
I too know James and Craig, and both are great guys. Sea the World is my second favorite shop. I have to say I really like the new owner of Divers Inc, but then I am biased. He has been my dive buddy for over 10 years. He is a great guy to deal with and makes diving a whole lot of fun. I don't think you can go wrong with either of these two shops. But then like I said, I am biased.

Hope to see you at a dive site real soon. Have fun and dive safe.

Kim

 

[diver_paula]

There are quite a few good dive shops in the Detroit area. Given the years I've been diving and the places I've lived I've frequented quite a few. There hasn't been one I don't like (that's still open!). Part of your decision should be based on what brand of regs or other gear you like and the instructors used. Not all stores carry the same brands.

My favorite is Sea The World in Farmington. Craig, James and the rest of the crew are great. They'll bend over backwards to help you and the shop has been around longer than my other 'top' stores.

& as Kim said, the new owner of Divers, Inc. in Ann Arbor is also great. I see good things coming to the store since Rich purchased it a few months ago.

Another of my favorites, is Aquatic Adventures in Brighton. Kim and Tom are both knowledgeable and fun.

For me, the choice between these three has come down to distance.

Other stores I've used with no major clomplaints, just not my favorites are Rec Diving in Royal Oak, Sea Side in St. Claire Shores, Another World in Allen Park, SCUBA Centers of Detroit in Lincoln Park, Underwater Outfitters in Commerce Township and Huron SCUBA in Ann Arbor.

Check some stores out and see which fits your style the best.

Paula

 

[GoBlue!]

Had some good interactions w/ the folks at Huron Scuba (Ann Arbor) just shortly before I moved out of Michigan. I was actually still fond of driving west to Battle Creek from Ann Arbor to visit Rick Sass's shop.
I won't comment on my Divers Inc. interactions, but they were in the mid to late-90's, so irrelevant now.

Jim

 

[jayprosser]

First of all I am not affiliated in any way with this shop, but they have been very good to me and they are fun folks to deal with. Great Lakes Dive; located on VanDyke Road in Shelby Township. (between 21 and 22 mile road). They are fair people.

 

[CathyS]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful information you've provided so far. Sea the World sounds like a winner, based on all the positive remarks. And Jay, thanks for mentioning Great Lakes Dive. They're only about a mile away from my boyfriend's house, how convenient! So I'll definitely be checking them out, too.