Good Dive Shops in San Diego Area?

[bkman211]

I am getting ready to spend a few grand on a full set of gear and would like to get some recommendations on good local dive shops. From the research that I have done it seems prices are all pretty close and I am more interested in good customer service and future support than saving a few bucks. I would preffer a shop that is a Scubapro dealer since I like thier regulators and I really like the idea of buying from a local company.

 

[headhunter]

I've heard wonderful things about San Diego Underwater Adventures from people I know and trust, but have not personally been to visit the shop.

By the way, welcome to our SoCal dive community!

Christian

 

[LAJim]

If you fill out your profile then people can take your diving experience into consideration in making a recomendation. Milo at ScubaToys (Beach City Scuba) in OC and Karim at Hollywood Divers in LA would be two good people to visit on a bit of a road trip if SD doesn't work out.

 

[divekim]

Not sure that just one shop will fill all your needs.

SDUA is an excellent shop with the most attentive and customer oriented staff of any of the shops in San Diego. They are smaller, not a huge stock or variety of gear, but what they do carry is typically top of the line. They give members discounts. Now before you scoff at membership, I'm a member, I dive Nitrox, I pay $55 a month and receive free fills for that price. You don't have to do too many dives a month to make that pay for itself. I dive a lot, it is well worth the money.

If you are looking for a variety and specifically shops that carry ScubaPro, Ocean Enterprises and AquaTech are both large shops that carry a variety of gear and both carry a pretty full line of ScubaPro. I like the staff at both of these shops, I've bought gear at both of these shops, but that is pretty much it. They have the larger variety of items and brands and thats the only reason I go there. They both do air fills, neither does Nitrox, and they don't let me leave my tanks overnight, SDUA does Nitrox and lets me leave my tanks overnight.

So, there you go, anything else you need to know just ask, we'll try to answer.

Kim

 

[scubanimal]

Ocean Enterprises has a tent sale in May, frequently new gear is better than average priced, so if you can wait a bit longer. Also they will usually price match if you ask.


Welcome to San Diego, lots of friendly divers here.

 

[REFLECTIONPOOL]

Great point about the tent sale at OE. Great deals can be found. Rick's Diving locker in Escondido always took awesome care of me and offered great package deals when I lived in SD. Rick is a great and very honest owner. Sometimes the small Ma n' Pop shop will go the extra mile for you. I always found that to be the case with Rick. Look into the North county dive club as well. Those folks put together awesome trips and fun events.

RP

 

[pinkleesha]

I was very happy with the Dive Locker in getting my wetsuit. The employees were very nice and helpful. However, in dealing with the owner, Jake, I wasn't very happy with his customer service, and I wouldn't recommend renting gear from him. I have been to Ocean Enterprises, and their prices seem a little high, but the customer service was excellent!

 

[Starboard Tack]

Hey there,

I'm up in the OC now, but when I was down in SD, I went to a place called The Dive Shack. It is about 20 minutes east in El Cajon. Rod knows what he's doing, takes great care of his shop and gear, and carries excellent equipment. His number is (619)447-7400 if you want to give him a buzz.

Happy spending!

 

[prthd9]

You might want to consider your future needs. Are you going to be a recreational diver or move into tech? Different shops provide more support for different needs. OE is basically a recreational shop, where as Aqua Tech and SDUA provide all the recreational gear plus tech gear.

As for gear, things with good warranties you may want to by at a shop (i.e. scubapro reg), but other things just get them online. You'll really save a lot of money and don't limit yourself to one shop. All do not sell the same gear and you might find something that suits your needs better at another shop.

Leisurepro.com, techdivinglimited.com have great tank deals and diveriteexpress.com has great stuff and then there is scuba.com where you can get a tribal pak (cannon light, backup light, and titanium knife) for $200. Shops usually sell the cannon for $200 and the whole pack for $300-$350. Be smart and educate yourself. You'll find you can often end up knowing more than the min. wage sales person in the shops.