I completed my dry suit certification with Everett and Valerie at Lake Phoenix. They are skillful teachers, experienced divers, and great to spend the day with. I left confident in my new skills and appreciate their excellent training. read more

My sons had a great experience with their weekend pool course as part of their Open Water certification. The instructors are thorough and attentive. The people in the store were also great - knowledgeable and helpful. All the staff is so into diving, which is really contagious. read more

From the cool owners, to the knowledgable in-store staff, to the friendly, safety-oriented diving instructors, Blue Planet is tops. They are genuinely nice people, helpful, super service-oriented, and concerned for your safety and enjoyment when diving. They sell top of the line equipment, but recommend what works for each diver. Look nowhere else for all of your SCUBA diving needs from equipment to instruction, local dives, certification, and trips. They do it all, and so f'in well! read more

If you are in the DC/ NoVA/ Souther Maryland I highly recommend Blue Planet Scuba. Kim and Allison were so patient and kind. They worked through my anxieties and hurdles with me, and I came out a safer/ better diver by the end. If I could give them 6 stars I would. Whether you are a beginner diver, experienced diver or someone who needs to refresh their skills BSP is the place to go. They have helped me open up a whole new world under the sea and I can't wait to explore. read more

This place provides great service, courses, and gear. Not pushy and very patient. And their trips are all curated and never disappoint. Also you get to meet so many great people who sometimes become forever friends. read more

One of the best dive shops I've used in 25+ years of diving! Their staff is knowledgeable and takes their time helping you. I came to the shop 3 times and asked a million questions before purchasing my BCD and regulator. The staff aren't pushy and offer their honest opinion when you're selecting the right gear for you. They offer great selection and value. They also host a lot of community events and organize dive trips. They've given me great recommendations for dive shops when I'm traveling as well. All around an amazing scuba family! We're lucky to have them in DC! read more

I was not happy that many participants, myself included, were unable to participate after downloading the tickets to do the free PADI Discover Mermaid due to missing medical forms that were required by the course instructors. Unfortunately, instructor Jen had to turn away many participants, myself included, due to missing medical forms that were sent out at the last minute. This was a huge let down after a SNAFU by the MerMagic Con planning team as getting the ticket was all for nothing. read more

*************** Update! Blue Planet and PADI really stepped up to resolve the issue - unfortunate situation, but a happy ending. We believe that what happened was a rare event, for which exceptions were made, and we're very thankful for their efforts! *************** read more

Blue Planet Scuba - gear we didn't end up using - Scuba Diving Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We have continued to travel on dive trips and take more classes with Blue Planet - my husband and I both got our Rescue Diver certifications and are completing our Master Scuba Diver classes through the shop, and we can assure you that the instructors are professionals who know their stuff. They are a PADI Project AWARE shop, and they live the environmental practices that they teach. We love the owners, Heather and Jonas, and the Blue Planet staff and instructors. If you take classes with them or go on their trips, you will discover why we - like so many people - feel like they have a new extended dive family. We've made some fantastic friendships and have had some of the best experiences on their trips and local activities. Rock Creek cleanups, happy hours, seminars, movies, and classes, are just some of the local activities that will build lasting relationships between the amazing trips if you get involved with this fantastic scuba community (it is so much more than a shop). Drop in for a visit - you won't regret it! read more

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Don't look anywhere else to take scuba classes or buy gear from other than BLUE PLANET! My experience with this school and shop has been off the charts! The staff is fantastic - competent, respectful, patient, adaptive to your learning needs, very experienced and a lot of fun! Any rental gear that you will be using is up-to-date and quite effective for your learning requirements. PADI Lead Instructor Sarah Pratt and PADI Instructor Mike Hassoun were sensational to learn from! You don't have to worry about what kind of training you're going to get with these two instructors! They are top-notch and they do an outstanding job of teaching and working with every student individually and corporately! They care about each person and where they are at and what their weaknesses and strengths are! They both made my time of learning so much fun and very safe in the water! Their leadership and experience as divers and instructors is apparent in their teaching skills and how well organized they are during the training! I had a fantastic class weekend experience because of Sarah and Mike! Owners Jonas and Heather are the kindest and sweetest you will ever meet! You feel like your part of the Blue Planet family from the get-go! Shop Manager and Master Instructor Jeff Peterson along with Instructor and Sales Associate Anthony White are two more amazing employees that I encountered and received plenty of support from during the paperwork process, registration and gear rental orientation process! They are extremely helpful and competent in every way! They are very knowledgeable on the latest gear out there and will hook you up with what you need and what you can afford! Choose BLUE PLANET and you'll be extremely happy with what you get out of your scuba diving educational experience and gear! I certainly have! read more

They are good people, and very knowledgeable, any comment of negativity does not apply to Blue Planet Scuba.

I went to Blue Planet without any diving knowledge and experience and now I'm obsessed with scuba diving thanks to the staff's support and excellent customer service. It is very easy to schedule classes and they can work around your schedule too as they have so many nice instructors. The instructors teach you by the book and they make learning fun. I think I was spoiled a little bit during our diving trip to Tubbataha. They are so organized in everything they do so it's no surprise they have clients all over the country. The shop is packed with so many things and the experienced staff are happy to guide you make decisions. read more

Blue Planet has to have some of the best customer service in the District. I've interacted with Jonas, Jeff, and Andrea, and they are all so nice and helpful! They will go out of their way to make sure you are prepared for your class/dive/etc. They really love what they do and encourage customers to come by and just chat about anything related to scuba diving. The store has a wide selection of equipment, and they offer tons of great classes- as well as dive trips to awesome locations like Fiji! I took the Open Water Diver certification with Kim and John and it was a blast. They made sure everyone completely mastered each of the skills, and ran the class really efficiently so I didn't feel like I was wasting any time all weekend. My only complaint was that the pool at Trinity University was really cold (even with a wetsuit) and not very deep, so they had to alter a lot of the ascension practices to be horizontal instead of vertical. Apparently the Gallaudet University pool is about 10 degrees warmer and 12 feet deeper, so had I known, I would have waited to take class there. If you have a flexible schedule, I'd suggest getting the inside scoop on the pool so you can choose the location that best fits your needs! read more

Blue Planet Scuba - Scuba Diving Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We did a lot of searching for scuba places while trying to decide where to get certified. Even though Blue Planet is not the closest shop to us, we went with it. And I am so happy that we did! The entire staff was fantastic and accommodating. They were professional, passionate, and patient. We were a group of 6 friends, and they were wonderful at customizing to each individual. We had a great experience, which meant our first certified dive at the Great Barrier Reef was the dive of a lifetime! Highly recommend. And I plan to go back to them if I get additional certifications! read more

I did my pool classes with Paul through Blue Planet and it was incredible! The staff at the shop are great as well-they helped me so so much w my dive tables so I squeaked by in passing the written exam. If you're thinking about learning how to scuba dive, definitely try blue planet. They're flexible, reasonably priced and most importantly, don't laugh at you when you realize one can't breathe underwater with out a regulator. :) thanks, guys! read more

My wife and I sought out Blue Planet after relocating to DC. Since then we have taken multiple courses and trips, and participated in several volunteer events and happy hours. Blue Planet is so much more than a place to buy a wetsuit and take a class. It is a community of fun, interesting, and diverse people we now call friends. Javier Saade, Washington DC read more

Blue Planet Scuba - Stuff out of the water is fun with the BP community - Scuba Diving Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've wanted to become a certified scuba diver for as long as I can remember, but have been putting it off for years due to time, money, life, etc. After moving to DC I made a promise to myself that I would finally learn to dive and spent months researching online before finally settling on Blue Planet Scuba and am SO glad that I did. I've done three certifications with Blue Planet This year: Open Water, Nitrox and Advanced Open Water and just returned from a group dive trip to Bonaire. All of their instructors and staff are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Even with really poor conditions on my certification dives and some difficult conditions on my first real dive trip I never felt uncomfortable in the water. Heather and Jonas, the owners, as well as all of their staff, instructors and regular divers truly are a dive family. They love sharing their knowledge with others and were so supportive of me throughout the entire learning process. I would absolutely recommend Blue Planet to anyone thinking of diving in the DC area, whether you are brand new or have been diving for years. You'll find not only great instruction and quality equipment, but a great new group of friends and a diving family. I can't wait for my next Blue Planet dive trip and/or social activity (yes, they do non-dive related events too, which are always a great way to meet other divers and potential new dive buddies) read more

Simply THE best dive shop on the east coast. The owners, Jonas and Heather, care deeply about helping our planet, while providing top-notch instruction and training. They employ caring, safety-conscious staff who will ensure that you feel comfortable and confident in the water. All of the BP trips have the benefit of carbon emissions offsetting built into the cost, and the team leaders organize every detail to make the trip so enjoyable! The Blue Planet community is a great place to get your first certification, go Pro, or find your new favorite group of dive buddies! I highly recommend them! read more

I went to Blue Planet to get my gear from them and the service I received was great. Jonas spent time with me to understand my needs and find me the right gear. He didn't just try to sell me the most expensive thing which was definitely nice. They didn't have everything I would need in the store so he let me rent out gear with no charge until they could order some new items for me. Plus, none of the masks fit my small face so he worked with the manufacturers to try to find one that fit. All the other gear I bought has been great also. I would definitely go back to buy gear in the future. I would recommend metro if you can carry the gear back with you. You can find street parking but you might have to circle for a bit. read more

Blue Planet is awesome. I got my open water (the first step) and advanced open water certification with them. Matt is nice and patient. He helps you overcome your fear and work out any of your kinks. We've since gone on multiple trips with them, including Honduras. Each one was amazing with a great mix of folks who are actually friends by the end. Blue Planet is a great place to get certified and then fall in love with diving. read more

Blue Planet truly deserved their 5 stars! I was already certified when I moved to DC but they have been a great shop and dive community. The owners and staff are fabulous, genuinely love diving, and super helpful. The store isn't big but very well priced and has most of the essentials you'd need. They are also happy to order spare parts (I needed a battery kit changed on my wireless pressure gauge). If you are in DC area and want to learn how to dive, advance your dive training or want to go diving someone with a great group of folks, this is the place! read more

I was certified out of state and considered myself to be a moderately experienced diver when I moved to DC. Shortly after arriving I took the rescue diver course with Blue Planet and had a total blast. It was far and away the best taught scuba course that I've taken. Everyone, both those at the store (Heather, Jonas, and Andrea) and those running the class (Cindy, Keith, and Paul for EFR), was great. I felt much more confident in my skill as a diver after the class. After the success with rescue diver I made Blue Planet my go-to dive shop and I haven't been sorry. Since then I've taken a couple of additional specialties and found that the instructors are always top notch and leave me feeling confident in the material from class. I know I'm a much stronger diver because of that. In addition to classes, I've spent a lot of time at their new location buying lots of gear (scuba gets expensive like that). They've got an ever expanding selection of gear and the staff of Blue Planet are always helpful and patient to the point it being extreme. I wanted to try on some gear and they brought in a bunch of their personal gear as additional items for us to try. Blue Planet makes you feel like you're a member of a club full of really cool people rather than just another customer visiting a store. read more

I'm going to say coming mainland this is one of the best. Actually I have 3 experiences in the area and 2 of the 3 were good. I really liked how they tried to assist with all the small detail questions. The shop was busy when I came in with new soon to be addicted divers but yet there was enough staff to take care of the skilled customers. If they don't have you brand they have a counterpart that does. Would recommend this to anyone. I did notice they don't force equipment on the new folks but sell more to cater to preferences. Great team. read more

My wife and I completed our Open Water Certification with Blue Planet and the experience was excellent. Heather, Jonas, Caesar, Andrea, and John were all excellent trainers that were supportive and patient as we learned our skills in the pool and then braved the cool clear waters of Dutch Springs for our checkout dives. This is a group that genuinely cares about your successful completion of the training as well as your safety throughout the program. I would recommend them to anyone that is looking into SCUBA certification, and I myself look forward to future classes with Blue Planet to increase my skills. read more

My husband and I were certified in the late '90s and hadn't gone diving in years. In preparation for our vacation to Aruba, we wanted to take a refresher course and were extremely happy to find Blue Planet Scuba and meet the staff, who were all so much fun, knowledgeable, and very accommodating. Case in point ... The Saturday morning pool session with our instructor, Cesar, (who was very thorough as we re-learned equipment set-up and ran down the skills checklist), went smoothly. We suited up, did the giant stride, and just as we were about to do the underwater drills, I had a mini panic attack and backed out. I remained in the shallow end and tried to get comfortable breathing underwater as my husband completed the underwater drills towards recertification. Ugh, I was just a mess. Cesar was so gracious and understanding throughout this process. I wasn't about to give up though. So I signed up for the next refresher class that Cesar was teaching. Take two ... This time I was relaxed and confident, and was able to complete the underwater drills. Despite the additional session, instructor time, use of tank and equipment, etc., Blue Planet did not charge me extra, which I really appreciated. To go above and beyond, they even researched/called the dive operators close to our hotel in Aruba and recommended a couple for us to check out when we got there. Because of our great experience with Blue Planet, we had our daughter take her advanced open water with Cesar at Lake Rawlings. And now that we're a family of divers, we look forward to going on a dive adventure with them -- and having our younger kids train with them -- in the very near future. Overall, Blue Planet Scuba is awesome. Jonas, Heather, Cesar, Andrea, and Jeff will make you feel like you're their most special customer. Walking into this place makes you want to grab a beer, lay on a hammock, and exchange dive stories for hours : ) Did I mention they're socially responsible too?!? read more

I just moved from Texas to the DC area, so I was scouting dive shops. Based upon all of the stellar reviews here on Yelp, I decided to swing by Blue Planet and see what all of the fuss was about. The shop is rather small, and unless there is a portion of the showroom that I did not see or a back stock area, their gear on-hand is somewhat limited, but I am certain they could order anything you need in the brands they carry. But, they do have a nice assemblage of accessories and the essentials, like masks, snorkels, wetsuits, booties...etc. I purchased two of the neoprene snorkel straps and a SCUBA tool while I was there. But, their inventory isn't what makes them stand out. When I walked in, there was a couple being helped at the register, but almost immediately, a nice fellow came to greet me and offer assistance. He introduced himself as Jeff, and we began talking. Never, at any point, did Jeff seem troubled or hurried. Even after I told him that I was a brand new diver, he never acted snobbish or anything. He took his time and showed me a few of the items on display and was cordial at all times. Then, when the couple at the register concluded their business, the owner, Heather, welcomed me to the shop. She was very friendly and welcomed me to the DC area, and asked if I had been diving anywhere yet. When I told her that I was thinking about going to Lake Rawlings, she informed me that divers from Blue Planet regularly dive there, and she said that I would be welcome to tag along/meet them there if I ever needed a dive buddy or to just hang out with them. I think every other review states how friendly and unhurried the staff are at Blue Planet, and they are correct. I was only there for about a half-hour, but I felt right at home the whole time! read more

Just got back from the Blue Planet trip to Socorro. I am so glad I found Blue Planet!! I have completed all of my dive training with Blue Planet (excellent teachers) and my husband and I have gone on several trips with the group (Socorro, Saba, Bonaire, and Cayman Brac), and will continue to do so. We are a not-so-young couple and relatively new to diving (yes, you can start diving in your 50s or 60s!!). We are not the best or most experienced divers on any trip, but Heather, Jonas, and the entire group are supportive and very helpful. If you want to start diving or are looking for good group travel, this is the pace for you!! read more

Totally awesome experience getting my open water certification! I work most weekends so the weekend classes didn't work for me but Heather, Jonas, and Jeff were flexible with my availability to help me get my gear and complete my open water certification. I've had some experience with other dive shops during Discover Scuba dives but definitely prefer Heather's instructional technique! She's professional and thorough while fostering a relaxed and fun environment. This is a group of people who love to dive and want to share their love of diving with you... I can't wait to dive with them again! read more

Provides excellent customer service. Staff is very friendly, polite and knowledgeable. They go and above to accommodate and ascertain that you are prepared and will be secure during your diving sessions. They are always consistent in providing valuable information regarding anything related to scuba diving. They have an open door policy which means you are entitled to ask away any questions or concerns. Employees seem to take pride and love the work they do. Plethora of assorted equipment available. Feature high class scuba diving classes and sessions. Instructors are very thorough and ensure you become a master or pro in no time. Ask for suggestions or recommendations regarding the pool that best fits you for your classes. read more

I just completed a Coral Restoration II certification with Blue Planet under the instruction of Ms. Andrea Williams. Wait... let me first say Blue Planet has always been a technically sound operation. I've been reminded of equipment being ready, a credit on my file, etc. I've dealt with Jonas, Heather, Kim, JB and Andrea, so my expectations were pretty high when I signed up for the class. After completing three days of training this past weekend, I could not find a reason not give the experience and level of instruction 5 stars. Ms. Andrea Williams had completed and distributed all the research and kept everyone aware of schedules and planned activities before AND after training sessions completed. The CRF staff was helpful and motivated. Luckily I also signed up for a peak buoyancy training and Andrea, identical to the CR training, was clear in setting expectations, resolving my concerns and increasing my proficiency moving in the water. This weekend was the most productive scuba weekend I've ever completed in my life. I WILL be signing up for classes in the future! read more

On my first "diving trip" with Blue Planet... And it is awesome! Heather and Jonas are so helpful, knowledgable, chill... Yet very professional. They don't let you slack or just scrap by on getting certifications. They know their stuff and have great ways of helping you absorb it. This is not their first rodeo and it shows. Plenty of things set up (dives, dinners and things to choose from) yet plenty of personal time to do your own thing. There are more trips planned in the future with this shop, and you should really consider going on one. read more

I would highly recommend Blue Planet to anyone in the DC area who is interested in getting scuba certified. The staff were very organized, professional, and a lot of fun. The classes were very informative, and I liked how it was all very hands on - you were diving within the first few minutes of getting to your first pool session! The store is equipped with all of the gear you need, and they take the time to make sure you get the gear that is right for you. Made my life very easy! read more

Did the Discover Scuba afternoon with my two boys. Was excellent. Safe, enjoyable and very well taught.

Thank you so much to Blue Planet! I just got back from a trip to Bonaire to finish my open water dives/certification after doing confined water dives in DC with Blue Planet. The pace of the course with Blue Planet was great and they spent a lot of time to make sure we understood everything and were prepared and comfortable (the place that I was referred to in Bonaire even said that I must have had good instructors back in DC!). The staff is very responsive, thorough, and helpful and the location is perfect for anyone in the DC area. I would highly recommend Blue Planet to anyone and hope to take more advanced courses with them since I loved my first scuba adventure and want to do much more! read more

I initially got certified elsewhere but went with the Blue Planet folks to Honduras, where I also did my advanced certification. I can't say enough good things. Their staff is outstanding---smart, good teachers, really know what they're talking about and they're fun! Very different from some places. Their shop is small but well stocked with everything I have needed, and they sell the best stuff including Atomic regulators and fins and the great Aqualung travel series which I now own. Bonus: didn't feel that creepy salesman pressure to buy, buy, buy. Overall, 5-stars plus, great experience! read more

I just returned from my 4th trip with Blue Planet DC, a great dive shop. Jonas Furberg and his wife Heather Tallent and their staff run a great operation, and I once again recommend people visit the shop and use them for dive trips and other resources. The trip to Baja California in November of last year, to Turks and Caicos in January of January of this year, and this latest trip last week, to Cayman Brac, were all superb. In Cayman Brac, as in the other two, the trip planning, organization and the resort and dive operators were great and, including on this trip, the weather cooperated. As before, on this trip the group was well-led; Jonas is really good guy and a superb instructor (I completed my deep diver certification). I think we all learned a lot from him as an instructor (3 of us were taking courses) but also in general - lots of good tips and knowledge passed at meals and just hanging around. The other thing about Blue Planet is that when the weather doesn't cooperate, they don't stop trying. Last June I went with Blue Planet to North Carolina for wreck diving. As you all should know, the weather there is very unpredictable, so for a frustrating 3 days, we weren't able to go out at all. Well, that's a test of a good leader, and he passed, because Jonas quickly organized some fun things for us to do (go-cart racing, a group barbeque at the AirB&B house that was rented, a trip to the beach, group dinners, everything). Blue Planet made a frustrating time tolerable and sometimes enjoyable. So, 5 plus stars to Jonas, Heather, their employees, and Blue Planet read more

I got my Rescue Certification here, took a few specialty courses, and have gone on two group trips. I've been diving with just about every member of the Blue Planet staff and cannot say enough positive things about all of them. For classes, you can count on highly experienced and safety-focused instructors. The trips all have a great mix of people, personalities, and age ranges (I went solo on my first trip with them, barely knew anyone, and was completely comfortable). They have cultivated a great community of dive enthusiasts and diver education with a focus on conservation. I would refer anyone here without hesitation. read more

I booked my "Discover SCUBA" beginner's class with Heather (one of the owners). She took the time to answer all of my questions. She ended up being my instructor as well - there were only 3 of us in the class. Heather explained everything carefully, and then got us in the water, and suited up. She made it as low-stress as possible, letting each person take it at their own pace - no pressure. Plenty of personal attention. Took me a while to get the hang of it, but once I did, it was a blast! Something everyone should try. A great experience! read more

I worked with Heather to book a beginner's course at the last minute and she was incredibly helpful. She helped me determine different options that would work best as far as timing and price (e.g. using our apartment pool for part of the lessons or taking the pool lessons while on vacation), and she well-explained the process of certification. Unfortunately, I had to cancel the course the next day as vacation plans had changed, and I spoke with another gentleman who worked at Blue Planet. He was just as helpful and positive in helping me cancel the course as Heather had been in setting up the course for me. If I ever have need a SCUBA certification again, Blue Planet will be the first company I will call. read more

I was already a diver when Blue Planet opened up in DC, but for anyone here and thinking about getting certified - 1) do it, diving is amazing and 2) go with Blue Planet. This is a great by-divers-for-divers operation - really, labor of love - and the owners and employees are awesome. My first few times in the shop were just to ask about some trips I was thinking about, and they never treated me dismissively or curtly because I wasn't looking to buy anything. They really just were excited to talk about where I was thinking of going, give tips on gear, and be helpful. Since then, I looked in to getting gear through the shop with the idea that as long as it wasn't too much more, I'd go with them out of a desire to support a local business and gratitude for all their help selecting the right gear. I was pleasantly surprised to find that their gear rates were actually cheaper than my online go-tos, making it an easy choice. Next up for me is rescue certification, and I'm excited to get to do the class with their great team. read more