Monterey Dive shops to hang out at.

[alphonsis]

I'm planning on going down to Monterey this thursday or friday to check out the Otter exhibit at the aquarium. While I'm there I was hoping to find a dive shop to hang out at to check out gear and see what the Monterey dive scene is like.

Any suggestions on shops that are either very social or have nice gear?

thanks!

 

[wdunne311]

There are three dive shops that I've been to and liked.

Aquarius Dive Shop (on Del Monte)
http://www.aquariusdivers.com/

Bamboo Reef (on Lighthouse)
http://www.bambooreef.com/

Monterey Bay Dive Center (MBDC, near Breakwater next to Backscatter Underwater Video and Photo)
http://www.mbdcscuba.com/

They each have different brands of equipment with some overlap (see the websites for specifics). Any of them would serve you well. I've done my OW and AOW through Bruce at Aquarius and bought my gear through them. I have bought a BC through MBDC and they seem very knowledgeable as well.

Not that it should matter, but MBDC and Aquarius are PADI affiliated shops and if I'm not mistaken, Bamboo Reef is NAUI and SSI.

 

[Todd128]

Since you will be at the aquarium: MBDC and Bamboo Reef are both close to the aquarium. MBDC is right at the other end of Cannery Row, but Bamboo Reef is just two blocks over on Lighthouse. Aquarius is a longer drive by car from the aquarium. Agreed--these are all decent shops.

 

[dsafanda]

MBDC is probably the best bet since you can walk another 200 yards over to the Breakwater and check out this popular local dive spot for classes and user friendly dives. Although not the best dive site it's probably the most popular dive site in all of California if you go by numbers alone.

 

[JT851]

You wanna see what the Monterey Dive Scene is about???? Get some gear and jump in the H20.... If you havent dove Monterey yet.... Im sure the shops could hook ya up with a discover local diving or an intro to Monterey diving type deal.....


Welcome to the Cold Side...

 

[alphonsis]

Thanks for the information on the dive shops. Checked out Bamboo Reef and MBDC today and they both seemed great. Not too much variety at either one, but both very friendly and knowledgeable. Offered great discounts too with purchasing a set of gear where I could pick the components.

didn't get to check out aquarius, I'll try on my next trip down to monterey. I also meant to check out breakwater, but it was already 6:30 and I was running late, so that's also on my list of things to do.

 

[Todd128]

Not too much variety at either one

That's actually an interesting point--although each shop has odds and ends that I've picked up, I've often had to come back to my Bay Area LDS when needing a specific piece of gear. They are nice, though. No high-pressure sales.

 

[wdunne311]

Bruce is definitely not a high pressure salesman. He sometimes gets distracted and forgets that he's selling you stuff when he goes into his stories. He's a good guy though. A bit of a crusty old marine at times, but he's good people.

 

[starryeye]

The owner of Aquarius (on Del Monte) was quite nice to my group. Really chatty that day. Explained the best places to dive that weekend -- for newbies. When I mentioned that we had kicked out of Lover's Cove and then turned right, as suggested by another local diver, he suggested to go left instead, so we would be swimming into the current on the way out and would not have to fight it on the way in. We left with some free magazines, too.

 

[sarita75]

I visited both Bamboo Reef and MBDC this weekend and was impressed with both shops.

Bamboo Reef - rental tanks - open at 7 AM when we got there and it was buzzing with energy. My tanks were set aside, paperwork already begun. 3 minutes later I was out the door and on my way!

MBDC - My husband's broken snorkel required a quick trip to MBDC. Whomeever it was that helped up (a early 40 [??] gentleman with dark hair) was extremelyhelpful and friendly. I was very impressed. I liked the feel of that dive shop with the floor that didn't mind if you were wet (as we were having come out of the water about 30 minutes prior). Good shops.