Rob is awesome! My dad and I felt super prepared after getting our basic certification with him. Not just through and through class we really learned. read more

My daughter needed her open water certification and we were vacationing in the area I called numerous dive shops to inquiry. Robert at Depth Perception made me feel very comfortable so we booked with them. The communication prior to arrival was excellent we knew what to expect coming in from out of state. Once we met him in person I knew we had made the right choice. Robert is a GREAT instructor. He took the time to get to know my daughter's level of comfort in and out of the water. He is very patient, his tone of voice is very level so super easy to understand and he is very knowledgeable. I noticed that he was respected at both dive sites we went to. After completion of open water certification he made sure that the proper forms were submitted back to the home dive shop. I highly recommend Dept Perception and Robert. read more

I needed to get certified with my open water certification very quickly as I had a trip to Roatan set up and when I walked in to Depth Perception Dive Center in Tampa Florida, I met Robert the owner and he assured me he could get it done that quickly. I have never met such a kind, patient, knowledgeable, diving instructor in all of my life, he truly made sure I was OK, safe, and comfortable constantly while under the water but I never was fearful of anything as he went step by step to teach me everything I needed to know and after a weekend at Blue Grotto with four dives later along with classes and a pool session, Robert was sure to get me my card so that I could go on my trip to Roatan. I can't thank him enough as I am all set for my first dive trip. I only wish I could get Robert to go with me to make sure I was safe while there! He will be getting calls while I am down there diving and we will laugh about it together, at least I'll feel "safe"that way. Thank you again Robert you were an awesome teacher! Sincerely, Patty Brewer read more

See all

Depth Perception Dive Center was a great experience from beginning to end while obtaining our open water dive certification! Kent and Robert were thorough and efficient throughout the whole process. Would absolutely recommend to use Depth Perception for any of your scuba certification needs! read more

Depth Perception Dive Center - Scuba Diving Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My husband and I recently got our NAUI Open Water certification with Depth Perception Dive Center and their team is fantastic & down to earth. Robert (owner & lead trainer) is experienced and professional. He never pressures you to buy anything you don't need in the shop and took great care in matching us with the right goggles, fins, etc. His classroom session and communication throughout certification are great. John our dive instructor was super fun and educational. Straight forward about feedback and made the dives fly by since we enjoyed them so much. We feel confident after certification and know what we need to improve on as well. read more

Depth Perception Dive Center - Scuba Diving Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My daughter and I took the pool classes up north and attempted the certification dives there as well. Let's just say things didn't go as planned, so to say we were apprehensive to try again is an understatement. From the first call I made to the shop, Robert was accommodating and understanding, which eased my nervousness to a degree. When we arrived at the shop to schedule our dives, he was super helpful and without issue scheduled for the dates we wanted. Prior to the dives we had a long discussion and he went over everything about the dives in detail. Robert was clearly determined to put us at ease, make the experience positive, and make sure we were able to finish our certification. He took his time with everything and made sure we knew what to do and at no point did we feel rushed or bothersome. Both my daughter and I earned our certification and i would highly recommend Robert as an instructor. read more

Thank you Yelp! After a year of asking, Robert at Depth Perception refunded the balance he owed me for his cancelled class after I posted a negative review on Yelp! The power of Yelp! Is real. I had heard positive things about Depth Perception prior to this incident with them. I hope others have better experiences in the future . I heard the class is good. read more

Fabulous experience! I've been considering getting certified to dive for quite a while. When I looked online for the best diving center in Tampa they came up. From the moment I booked I received personalized customer service and great communication. Robert made sure I got all the equipment properly fitted and was happy to answer all my questions. Kent was the instructor for my group and he was very patient and dedicated to our learning. The experience was definitely easier on me thanks to the confidence that both Robert and Kent gave me. I am very appreciative of their years of experience, dedication and patience. They encouraged me and empowered me to work through my fears and now I look forward to continue diving with them in the future! read more

If you're looking to get your open water certification, look no further!! Hands down the best experience to kick start my new found hobby of diving. Robert and the rest of the team are kind, patient and knowledgeable. They will stop what they are doing and take the time to explain a piece of gear to you. I never had the feeling I was asking a question they get a million times (even though I'm pretty sure I did lol) I'm so glad that I chose these guys to do my certification. the class was clear, thorough and in a very comfortable learning environment. I am confident going into the water, knowing I am well-trained in operating all my gear and successfully completing a dive! Looking forward to many more dives with Robert, Kent and John! Thank you guys so much for your time and knowledge. read more

I took a one-on-one class with Robert to get my Open Water certification and he was fantastic. He takes great care to make sure that you are comfortable and know exactly what to do in the water. I was worried about my ears equalizing in deeper water, so he told me about diving ear plugs he had, which really made my whole dive experience easy. He does not try to up-sell you, just gets down to business. He is a no-frills master of scuba. I would recommend him and his store to anyone who is interested in learning about scuba, taking a pool or advanced class, or buying gear. For Open water class, we went to Devil's Den & Blue Grotto, two beautiful FL springs! Depth Perception will leave you more than satisfied and ready to continue diving! read more

Depth Perception Dive Center - Business card- Depth Perception. Call today! - Scuba Diving Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I had a friend recommend this shop to me when I started looking into scuba certification. I am so glad she did!! I can honestly say that had I gone with any other dive shop in the area I would not be a certified diver today. I'm happy to report that I have gone on to achieve my AOW because of Robert! I have been up to the springs numerous times since my certification and have seen every other dive shop's classes. You really cheat yourself if you decide to go with one of the other dive shops. Robert's classes speak for them selves. He happily shares his extensive knowledge on diving and has a knack for working with students who may need a little more attention or time. Students complete their OW course with more time underwater, a more extensive skill set (including neutral buoyancy and performing skills while hovering), and better understanding of safety and dive knowledge. Meanwhile, there other shops offer dives with a max time of 20 minutes, packed classes and completely fail to teach their student proper diving!! Sitting, standing or kneeling while performing skills is what you get from every other shop in the area. That's not diving, that's breathing under water. Robert has had numerous divers come in from other shops and has been able to drastically improve their diving. If you want to learn to dive, there's only one place to go in the Tampa Bay Area and that's Depth Perception!! I got certified for a trip to Indonesia. Robert suggested that due to some anxiety, if I wanted to enjoy my trip, I dive as often as possible before my trip. I'm glad I took his suggestion and had an amazing trip. I had instructors asking me when I was going to become an instructor only to be shocked that I had just completed my OW 4 months prior. I have gone on to complete my Nitrox and AOW and have been down to 125 feet on the Oriskany. None of that would have been possible had I gone to any other shop! read more

See all

Robert is wonderful! He is as cool as a cucumber, kind, very knowledgeable, and teaches thoroughly with a great emphasis on safety. The learning environment was great and everyone in the class felt comfortable asking questions. His team is very friendly is always happy to answer any questions about diving and have helpful tips to share. For the dives we went to Blue Grotto and Devil's Den! It was a great experience and my husband and I are glad we had the opportunity to train and get certified through Robert. read more

I went with Depth Perception to get my NAUI Open Water certification. I am so glad that I did! I had no experience diving before and was a little nervous. Robert and the other instructors took their time to make sure I was comfortable and confident. When I was looking around for a class in Tampa, there were cheaper options but with Robert you really are getting your money's worth. Unlike other classes, he took his time with us and made sure we were learning meaningful skills that we would be able to use on our own dives. He also knew how to balance teaching us about safety and having fun on the dives. When we were at the dive sites, I looked around and could tell that the other classes weren't learning near as much as we were. Robert made sure we got our maximum dive time in and never rushed us in or out of the water. Robert also did a great job bringing in other (fantastic) instructors. Even though our class had seven people in it, we felt like we were getting one-on-one instruction. If you're looking to get your Open Water certification in Tampa, Depth Perception is the place to go!! read more

This is one of the best shops in Tampa. They Handel all kinds of diving open water, cave, spearfishing, and technical even rebreathers. This is one of the few places to high pressure oxygen fills, trimix, and nitrox. Jeffery Dougliss is one of the best technician /instructors in the area. He is the only person I let touch my rebreather, and regulators. He is now an instructor trainer one of only two in the area. That means he teaches instructors. He was pioneered many side mount modifications that have later been incorporated into current designs by halcyon, dive rite, and Hollis. You simply can't get a better side mount teacher. read more

I had the pleasure of getting my NAUI certification training with Rob and his team. I can't say enough good things about the quality of the training they provided. They are extremely knowledgeable, helpful and made the process fun and informative. They took the time with each student to ensure they were comfortable and confident in their diving abilities. I would recommend them to anyone who is interested in learning about scuba or looking to advance their skill set. Thanks again to Rob, Krista and John! read more

AMAZING!!! I had such a wonderful experience getting my certification through Depth Perception. Robert went above and beyond for me. I will not go anywhere else for any of my scuba needs. I will be returning again and again. Friendly, knowledgeable, encouraging and patient. read more

BEST PLACE IN TAMPA TO LEARN HOW TO DIVE!! During our training, we shared the pool/lake/spring with other dive classes from other dive shops and I couldn't believe the discrepancy these other places had compared to our Depth Perception class. Our class was small, personalized and so attentive to detail. I felt like my instructor (Robert) gave each of us so much attention and was able to make sure each of us mastered the skill before we moved on. In these other classes from other shops, the class size was so big, I can't imagine everyone masters the skill to the level DP divers do. I will definitely continue to dive with my new friends from DP and would recommend anyone to use this shop! read more

If you're looking to get your NAUI certification, this is the place to go if you are within driving distance to Tampa! Robert Lawrence is a great teacher who emphasizes safety with every dive. I was admittedly a little nervous going through all my dives, but Robert makes sure all of his students are comfortable but also challenged. Sam and Ray also helped to teach our group throughout our dives-- ensuring we knew how to prep our equipment and dive plan properly. All in all, if I had any questions, I had not one, but three knowledgeable people to ask. I also noticed other dive centers at each of our dive sites had huge classes with not very many teachers. In some cases, there was one teacher per 4-5 students. You won't find that at Depth Perception. The classes are small, and if you're looking how to learn how to dive properly, this is a place I would highly recommend to anyone. read more

Me and my boyfriend recently got certified with Rob and for team. I have wanted to get certified due to my love for water and all is activities for years but it was never the right time until now. I not only found a perfect fit for a drive partner but I also found a perfect fit with this dive center. I was trained by John who was fantastic and made it fun to learn all the skills. Rob made the situation fun too and was very accommodating. I look forward to possibly taking more dive classes with them but definitely going on a trip with them. I highly recommend you get certified, dive with them, it just even rent from them. read more

I cannot fully express how awesome Depth Perception is. Mr. Robert Lawrence is an all around great guy. Back in the 90's they sponsored some of our cave diving expeditions and I was more than thrilled to find them still around when I moved back to the Bay Area. I heartily recommend Depth Perception for all of your diving needs. I live in St. Petersburg and drive across the bay when I need a dive shop. They are a fantastic sport diving shop, but also VERY cave and technical diving friendly and understand some of our unique needs. This is easily my favorite dive shop in the state. read more

When deciding to further my dive knowledge I started researching local dive shops. I wanted to make sure that the dive shop I wanted to go to offered many different type of dive courses, cave diving, spear diving, wreck diving, recreational diving etc. I came across Depth Perception Dive Center and read some of the reviews. I decided to stop in on a Monday and didn't think to check the website for days of operation. I learned that Sunday's and Monday's they are closed. On the shops entrance door I read they were open from 12-7 pm through out the week. When I came back the next day around lunch time I met a man named Robert. He instantly welcomed me to the dive shop with a smile and a handshake. After speaking with him in the dive lounge for 45 min. I knew this was the place to get the training I needed. I signed up for the dive certification I was looking for. From the first dive meeting at the shop , to the pool session and the open water training, You will instantly realize how much pride this dive shop takes in thoroughly training their students with one instructor to every two students in the training program. Although we were a group of five in the training class Robert had two of his best instructors Sam and Carlos there with us every minute of class. The certified NAUI Dive Masters that Robert will have working with you, including himself, will make you feel very comfortable through out the whole certification process. It is like a family when it comes to being part of the Depth Perception training program. They are very attentive and they will be happy to answer any question you have , in fact they encourage you to ask them anything at anytime. When we were at one of our open water training sessions our group saw many other dive shops out there. Our group saw over 5 dive shops with a high a number of students and a very low number of instructors. At that moment I realized I made the right choice. I am a very strong believer in you get what you pay for with service. If you are thinking or considering about learning to dive this is the place where you want to go. I promise... you will not regret it. Depending on which class/certification you take, it can change the cost. However if you are a beginner, the class will be a little under $500. When it comes to being trained how to dive safely and properly money should not be a deciding factor. It is worth every penny to be trained by Robert and his Dive master/Rescue Diver crew. National Association of Underwater Instructors is the certification you will earn which is the oldest instructing association to date. I HIGHLY recommend this dive center if you are looking for certifications. read more

Great dive shop!! We organized our daughters open water certification thru depth perception and they couldn't have been more accommodating and helpful. She loved her instructor (Russ). Great experience!! read more

As a new diver I was unsure about what equipment I wanted. The staff here are very knowledgable and really helped me get the right gear that was within my budget. They took the time to explain the pros and cons of each piece and helped me pick out the right gear. read more

I can't say enough terrific things about Robert Lawrence, the owner and head NAUI instructor of Depth Perception. He is a total professional with 35 years of experience -- dealing with beginners and those looking for advanced accreditation. He is passionate about scuba diving and protecting the underwater environment. My kids and I benefited from his patience, attention to detail, and focus on safety first. We are now totally prepared in setting up our equipment, testing it and confident in diving. There are a lot of options for certification in Florida, but do yourself a favor and stop by his shop or give him a call. Five stars!!! read more

Great shop and divers. We recently went on a wreck dive in Key Largo, that really brought back my love of diving. Its a very chill atmosphere in the dive shop, doesn't have the "Come in, get your crap, and get out feel." read more

My 15 and 12 year old had a great time scuba diving with Robert. Robert was accommodating, knowledgeable and a great instructor. We felt very comfortable with the equipment as Robert took the time to work with us and explain everything. Robert is a top notch scuba instructor! Thank you! read more

Had a wonderful experience obtaining my scuba certification with Depth Perception over the past weekend. Robert and Michelle were very accommodating to our out of town group with varying ages and levels of experience. Robert was clearly a skilled diver, and more importantly, an experienced instructor. His holistic approach to our training was key to our confidence and success. read more

I took a refresher course from this shop and found them to be extremely professional. I highly recommend them.

Superb service and quality equipment. I am beyond appreciative with these guys. They addressed all my needs, kept me informed on new shipments and were extremely patient with my indecisiveness on a dive mask. read more

Depth Perception Dive Center is an absolutely outstanding organization; offering unsurpassed training programs taught by world class divers. They possess the knowledge to improve any skill level, and the best part; high standards of professionalism and technique. In 27 years of receiving military training, I have only seen their level of professionalism matched once before, by the U.S. Army Parachute Team (Golden Knights). That is about the highest compliment I can offer. Our training dives had 3 instructors for 7 divers, all teaching identical technical diving methods and techniques, they were seamlessly interchangeable. They issued me high quality equipment to train with. They were able to readily implement alternate plans to compensate for weather issues, allowing maximal comfort without any delay in becoming certified. Since completing the NAUI open water certification training, the lead instructor, Robert Lawrence has spent at least 6 hours (so far, it has only been 2 weeks :) of his free time answering my follow on questions, providing advise on refining trim/buoyancy/finning techniques, dive equipment, and helping me lay out a plan to work on the skills necessary for advanced level training courses. His shop closed only after my questions were answered and my needs were met. Additionally, he changed his dive plans last weekend to join our class for an additional dive day after becoming certified. The equipment for first dive day after certification is free of charge. In summary; regardless of skill level, Depth Perception Dive Center has the knowledge, equipment/services, and professionalism to become your favorite dive center. I can't recommend them enough. read more

This place is great. Class sizes are small so get a lot of one on one time. Robert is a great teacher and actually cares that you become a great diver. read more

Preferred over other local dive shops. This shop is larger than most, with a wider in store inventory, and are more than willing to find and order anything you may need. Their customer service is extraordinary, with friendly staff and knowledgeable. They're more focus on you than your money, which is hard to find at some of these other shops who run out of local colleges and have insider deals on base. Going thru several classes with another local shop, I felt completely underwhelmed by poor classes and instructors that weren't focused on safety, but on lobster hunting and lion fish spearing during the dives, with limited inventory in shop, and weren't willing to help order gear they didn't have. My experience has been exceedingly positive at Depth Perception! I love going in here to buy gear or have them service some gear, and rentals are reasonably priced! Thank goodness I strayed from the shop I got certified in, it would've been insufferable to continue at the other shop! read more

Excellent experience learning to scuba dive with Robert from Depth Perception Dive Center! An extremely knowledgeable, patient, and professional instructor that truly takes the time to teach students in a safe and encouraging environment. Robert really takes the time to explain everything and made sure that students are comfortable with every aspect of the dive before starting. Great time! read more

I had never scuba dived before, and after working with Travis for a few days, I felt completely comfortable in the water, ready to dive on my own (with a buddy, of course) and eager to learn more. Depth perception is a great group of people, and Travis especially is an awesome instructor. Thank you! read more