Twelve years ago, I walked into Ocean Safari already certified but honestly not a diver yet. I'd…read morehad a bad certification experience at another shop a couple of years earlier, and it completely destroyed my confidence. My gear sat untouched for two years because I was scared to dive again. Eventually I worked up the courage to walk in and ask to join a local dive trip, I had my card, so I figured I should be able to do it. Somehow Gabe, Soo, and the team recognized exactly where I was and never once made me feel embarrassed about it. They patiently filled in the gaps in my training, helped me work through the things that scared me, and gave me the confidence I'd been missing all along. Looking back, it feels like they quietly re-certified me without ever making me feel like I had to start over. That changed everything. Diving went from something I was afraid of to one of the great passions of my life. With Gabe's mentorship and encouragement, I eventually moved overseas and spent a few years working as a scuba instructor, something I never would have imagined when I first walked into that shop. Over the years, Ocean Safari has become so much more than a dive shop. It's a community and a second home. My parents learned to dive here. Years later, I brought my boyfriend in to get certified, and he's now my husband. We still dive with Gabe, Soo, and the Ocean Safari family regularly. They gave me the confidence I needed to actually become a diver, introduced me to lifelong friends, and gave me a community that still feels like home. Thank you, Gabe, Soo, and everyone at Ocean Safari. You've had a bigger impact on my life than you'll probably ever know.

I went in looking to change out the prescription lenses on my 20 yr old mask. Since the style is no…read morelonger available I browsed for a new mask. They were very helpful and patient as I tried on masks and asked a lot of questions.

I'm not a scuba diver but I know a lot of divers and they unequivocally attest to how much they…read moreenjoy this club. Sole Searchers Dive Club is a recreational club with monthly meetings at El Torito Restaurant in Pasadena. At the meetings, guest speakers, socializing, and the opportunity to win raffle prizes keep everyone in attendance happy and engaged. The guest speakers share interesting topics such as ocean conservation, marine life, and local and international dive locations, just to name a few. I think one of the best aspects of this club is that it's open to anyone who is interested in scuba diving. The people are very friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. The club also schedules monthly beach and boat dives, so if you're hankering to go diving, here's your opportunity. Of course you have to be certified to go on these dives, but they're a great way to go diving with a nice group of people who love the ocean and hanging out with all those cool creatures beneath the surface.

I booked La Sirena with 11 people to celebrate my birthday. I had amazing time. Captain Stephen was…read morefriendly, knowledgeable, and professional. He made the whole experience special. Everyone that went really enjoyed themselves and said they would book another boat ride with the same captain and boat. Before the day we sailed out I asked a million and one questions and they were all answered in a timely manner. Instructions on how to prepare for the charter were clear. Directions to where the dock is located were clear as well. They recommend buying Dramamine for motion sickness. You should get it even if you don't think you'll get sick. My group and I did a morning charter and were back by the afternoon. I thought that was perfect since it wasn't too hot while we were out in the ocean. Can't wait to book another boat ride. Thanks, Captain Stephen!

Came back for more. 11 people for my birthday... sunset sail. Everything went super smoothly and we…read moreall had a great time. Gustavo is the best!

I have learnt scuba diving with Bill and Casey back in June 2018. I remember after the first theory…read morecourse, I went out to the ocean with a tiny group and ate fresh sea urchins on July 4th. Of course I was not qualified diving back then. But I had fun watching them and enjoyed my new friendship. After the theory, I actually practice quite a few times in the pool (that is a MUST). The first time in the pool was kinda learn how to snorkeling, how to breathe, how to relax in the water. The second time, I learnt about all the equipment, how to adjust it, put it on and then Basic Six. I practiced a couple times, and the last one is learnt a little about rescuing, can't remember the name of it, just knew how to do it. They didn't limit how many times I can practice in their pool, even after my first diving in San Diego, I still went to their pool and had fun. Bill and Casey are super friendly, as well as all the students there. I had fun and great conversations with all the new people I met. Everyone is very easy-going. Besides diving, we also hanged out, go to KTV, singing, playing games. I knew they went to Hawaii, Miami, skiing in big bear. Unfortunately, I had to work. I am happy for their new opening store and highly recommend you join the group, even just for a try, for something new in your life. There are some tips I would suggest if you are interest: 1. Learn NOW cause the discount! I paid the full price because I joined in the season. They just opened a store, so they are having great discount. Do not miss it. 2. Maybe the wet suit? I am super sensitive to coldness, so I choose half dry and half wet suit. But it is suffering to put on and off. If you are not like me, maybe try a wet suit, it is a lot easier! Maybe you can wear a diving waistcoat outside? 3. Catalina Island is a good spot for beginners. There are several spots diving, changing every week. My favorite one is Catalina Island. The water is most time calm and clear, the view is great, and the boat is not bad. 4. Motion sickness pills. I didn't know I would have motion sickness until it actually happened. It ruined my first diving in San Diego. I will suggest you, no matter what, take the pills and have fun. There are two types: drowsy and non-drowsy. I think the captain told me to take the drowsy one the night before and the non-drowsy one 1-2 hours in advance. It helps a LOT! Do NOT take the chance, take the pill. You will be super regret if you really have the motion sickness!!!! I hope you all have fun. If we met in the future, do not forget to tell me;).

Really awesome dive shop, really good class and really cheap equipment. Recommend to all Chinese or…read moreEnglish students to give them a try.

5 star service! 5 star food! 5 star sightseeing! 5 star hotels!…read more If you want to enjoy your trip without any worries, signet is your choice.

Went to Vietnam for 9days. Excellent tour guide, 5stars…read morehotels. wonderful food. Trip arrangements were suit for the weather.

Amazing program!!!! My 10 year old son loves this camp and has attended the last 3 years. He has…read morelearned so much and the instructors are so patient and attentive. My son is aweful about sunscreen and they made sure to also remind him to apply and helped when needed. They also have a great bus program that allows the kids to ride to and from the beach which was super fun for them and very convenient for me!

This is a fantastic Summer Camp, with a caring and responsive staff. My kids have enjoyed it for…read moremany years now and always look forward to an opportunity to attend again. I highly recommend it!

The website said that the boat and the fees include bait. I was on the Western Pride on 9/30 and…read morethey had no bait. No flyline fun that day. They should let us know that they will have no bait so we can be ready for it.

Awesome job to the crew on Western Pride on 09/27/26. Day started normal but while hooked to the…read morebait barge, she went dark and silent. No worries though, the crew tried everything to restart the generator but she X was dead. Yep, no pumps, no lights and no galley at 6am. However this crew got us on the Boners and loaded bag limits for all within a couple hours. Left with a pass for another trip as well. This is why I keep coming back over 5+ decades to Daveys Locker.

Riverside Scuba is an extraordinary shop l! In an area with only 3 shops in a 50 mile radius they…read morego above and beyond for customer experience and education safety. Pros: 1. Nico and staff goes above and beyond to make sure your gear is to your liking and meets all safety while allowing you to match your swag and budget. 2. Nico isn't focused on making a sale but educating and allowing you to make sound gear decisions. 3. This shop is not focused on selling you their shop branded gear Cons: 1. Need more shops like this.

The shop is well stocked, I really appreciate the amount of stock that they carry, it's a lot for a…read moresmall shop. Staff is friendly, albeit not terribly knowledgeable unless Nico is there (owner). But, for the Inland Empire, it's a great shop if you need equipment. i can't speak for their classes because I've never taken any from them. I'm sure the classes are well run, the cert agencies see to that. What I would NOT recommend is their repair service. It's the worst I've experienced in the LA area. I've left a reg and a SS1 there (separately) and even tho they were promised to be ready by my trip. The date came, they weren't ready. Both times, the gear was there for over a month. This last time (and it will be the last time) they promised a month; i got busy and left it 2 months. I called, it wasn't done. When I threatened a poor review, the owner called me, got nasty and said he didn't appreciate the threat and my SS1 was going to 'magically' be done that Sunday. Here's the facts: I don't ever threaten, i write honest reviews, both good and bad. So the next person knows what to expect, that's what YELP is about. So, as they say "if the shoe fits" and if it fits in a bad way, then FIX IT. I am not happy about it and it really is a shame, they are local and I prefer to do business locally. I lived in the SoBay for 30+ years and retired to the Inland Empire... i would prefer to do business here, but they gave me no choice. If you need a referral, contact me.