I completed my PADI Advanced Open Water course with this shop in May 2026. Christina was our instructor and she is the absolute best!! I've had her as a guide a couple of times on a dive boat and couldn't imaging completing this course with anyone else. Christina knows when to make things challenging and how to explain tasks so that you feel set up for success. Alyssa and Megan were also great communicators leading up to the class so that I knew exactly what to expect. read more

Very helpful about the local scuba scene -- Alyssa was so personal and knowledgeable about where to dive and what to know!

Amazing staff helped me rig and learn how to use my first large size speargun. Couldn't be happier and more satisfied with the knowledgeable staff. 10/10 will return soon. read more

Started Diving in 1975 in US Navy as we dove our Submarine twice a day in port , exiting in 81 then 31 years as Firefighter in LA I was lucky to dive east and west coasts of Thailand and Malaysia , Indonesia , Sipadan , Mexico , Fiji , Vanawatu , Egypt , Florida,Hawaii , and beautiful California . But had not dove for 12 years and was humbled by Refresher class today ! Outstanding instruction by Megan ! Very patient but incredibly good instructor ! Thank you very much Any questions Bob Launius 80521842 read more

Came in here today to get some gear in preparation for my hubbies dive class. We found brands of all the items he needed to buy and took pictures so we could look them up online after. I figured it would be cheaper that way, but the store actually has equivalent prices, and no shipping tax AND you get it right there on the spot. It's a win win. Maddy was super friendly and helped us navigate through the different necessities for a "starting out diver". She guided us through picking the right mask fit, to booty fit to fun designs. This is a neat little shop with the best deals in town for getting your PADI diving license. They definitely carry quality gear and from mid-low to high prices. My only complaint would be that I'd prefer lower prices, but I guess that's just the cost of things now vs 10 years ago when I bought my gear. read more

Santa Barbara Aquatics - Booties! - Sporting Goods Near Me - Goleta, California

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I bought snorkeling gear here in 2023 and was very happy with the store, choice of equipment, and service. I was new to snorkeling and they helped me pick out reasonably priced- good quality equipment I have enjoyed using ever since. I had to order two items not in the shop that day, and they told me exactly how long it would take to get them before I ordered. I went in again this past January (2025) to get swim goggles, but they only had ones for children (presumably because they offer kid's swim classes there). They suggested I go to Target and I found the best swim goggles I have ever owned online from that store instead. If I were a diver or had kids who needed swimming lessons, this would be my go-to place for everything. read more

I was certified at this location back in 1997, under different owners. We are so very lucky to have this shop locally. Friendly, personable, and knowledgeable staff that loves what they do, an excellent selection of gear for all your diving/snorkeling needs at competitive prices, equipment servicing, and excellent instructors and classes. They have a nice, deep pool in the back, making it very convenient for dive instruction as well as swim lessons for the little ones. With my teen son getting his PADI open water and advanced certifications recently, my wife and I got going again and took $150 refresher classes. We've done several boat dives out at the islands this year already with our son and rediscovered the magic. So much fun! If you are at all inclined to try or get into diving again, just do it. Signing up and scheduling is a breeze; the staff at SB Aquatics will get you under the water with confidence and skill in no time! read more

Santa Barbara Aquatics - Sporting Goods Near Me - Goleta, California

My wife signed me and her sister up for the PADI open water certification with SBA in an effort to ensure all three of of us are ready to take the Advanced together. From the first day of orientation, we quickly realized that this is not your typical beachfront course. Jed and Nicole were thorough and methodical throughout both weekends made sure that we are 100% prepared to dive. Communication via email and phone was super professional and we even decided to take advantage of our student discount and purchase basically Everything from SBA (BCD, Regs, suits, fins and more). We ended up going out with the Spectre to Channel Islands for our dives. It was breathtaking! I always heard that Scuba is a VERY expensive sport and now, looking at my Credit Card statement, I completely agree! But it's worth it! Thank you for everything guys! See you soon for the advanced (: read more

This operation seems quite shady. They are selling items that they do not actually have, and they don't even know when they will arrive! I ordered a special deal during Black Friday, and they contacted me to inform me that they don't have the items and that UPS has not delivered them from the manufacturer. Why not label these items as "backordered" instead of charging someone $400 and then sending an email to say they don't have what was paid for, with no clue about when it might arrive after promising 2-day shipping? What if UPS lost the shipment? It seems like they just keep taking payments and hoping for the best. Additionally, they don't offer any alternative items. The customer service is very poor and the advertising is unethical read more

This place is definitely a go-to for baby swim lessons! The pool area is nice and warm, the changing area is roomy and clean too. They also have a shower where you can rinse off before going back to the changing room. The pool is always clean and warm so you are not too cold when swimming. The swim instructor Ashley is super friendly and always so happy whenever we go. I take my 9 month old baby to their Monday morning swim class and she has a blast. We sing nursery rhymes then play some games like grabbing the balls and putting them in the bucket. Then at the end of the swim class, we have a really "competitive baby relay race." Soo much fun! I am so glad, I was able to get into the summer session II class with ease and no waitlist. It is an 8 week session for only $175. The customer service is great and do not have to deal with headaches. I recommend this place over any other place in town. read more

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The worst shop I have worked with. I was not sent paperwork right away and am being charged 250 dollars for the online course and cannot even scuba dive because if you mark yes to anything on the medical record you need to see a primary care physician to get the okay. The manager did not work with me even though the cancellation was out of my control as most primary doctors cannot see you in just days they take time to schedule. I will NEVER again be coming here and make sure that moving forward everyone knows that they just care about getting their money. I did not even receive the paperwork with the medical screening until days later. If you can dive with another company do it. They are not worth it. read more

written course of was good but instructor though qualified wasn't a good one on one teacher, this navy trained diver would like passively insult you. read more

The staff is awesome and very personable. They take the time to explain gear and diving to you. Truly a great shop! Jed and Andrew are not only awesome instructors but they know dive spots and all the gems in Santa Barbara county. And of course the air fills are always on point; never gotten an under fill. Highly recommend this shop. read more

I am so happy I found Santa Barbara Aquatics. I've always wanted to learn how to scuba dive. One day I decided to just go in and get some more information. With Andrew's help, ended up signing up for my open water diver class. Marianne was my instructor. There was only 2 people in the class, including myself, which made me feel comfortable having the personal instruction. Marianne was an amazing instructor. If I was ever unsure or had questions she was willing to help me understand something. The open water dives were amazing. I chose to do one dive at Refugio beach (included) and the rest off the Spectre dive boat in Anacapa Island (an additional $135, but so worth it!). Like Jed, one of the co-owners, says, diving will change your life. I highly recommend Santa Barbara Aquatics to anyone interested in diving. read more

Santa Barbara Aquatics - New scuba mask and gear, came with SBA's guaranteed fitment (definitely dont want a leaky mask) - Sporting Goods Near Me - Goleta, California

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Santa Barbara Aquatics is awesome! Their staff in the store are very friendly and willing to discuss all your scuba desires! I recently got my advanced open water certification with Christina. She was amazing! Such a great teacher with a fun personality! She is the best. Highly recommend taking a course with her! read more

We received a great price and wonderful service when purchasing new BCDs, regulators, and dive computers from Santa Barbara Aquatics. When we arranged a liveaboard trip unexpectedly, they went out of their way to allow us to use their pool to try the gear out and make adjustments, even though they had renovations going on. All of the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. Our thanks to Jed, Megan, Andrew, and Alicia! read more

I took my PADI Open Water and Advanced certifications with SB Aquatics, and could not have had a better experience! Carlos, my dive instructor, is extremely knowledgeable and made the class so much fun. Maddy and all the other staff members were also extremely helpful when explaining all the dive gear necessities, and made sure that I picked out the best gear for me. SB Aquatics made me a confident diver in no time! I can't wait to keep earning more certifications with them. Highly HIGHLY recommend!! read more

Jed and Andrew, the new owners, are professional and friendly. They offered flexibility and a great price in regards to my open water certification. I took classes with their awesome instructor Marianne. She instructed in way that was fun and safe. Cheers! read more

I can't express how thankful I am for this shop. They are professional, prudent, and show prowess, giving me great confidence in all of the dive gear I buy. I highly recommend this shop! read more

I wish every small/local business were run this way. Jed and Andrew (the two owners, it seems like they recently took it over) and the rest of the team go above and beyond when it comes to providing excellent customer service and information for a diving newbie like myself. From the first interaction over the phone, they gave me a ton of detailed information about getting my PADI certification without a sell. When I decided to go with them, their responsiveness via telephone and email was great. The guidance provided at their shop to purchase gear was also excellent, without any sort of hard sell. I wish more businesses operated this way: provide me with expert information tailored to my level of experience, respect my intelligence and guide me towards the proper purchase, then support the purchase through to complete satisfaction. For instance, I tried on a ton of masks for fit. The one I eventually went with didn't perform well for me in the pool (the fit just didn't work out in the water). Jed allowed me to swap it out for another mask, no questions asked. He only asked that I pay the difference, even though the first mask was already used. Then, when the mask wasn't in stock, he let me hold on to the store demo model until it arrived, and trusted me as the customer to call back at a later date to process the new charge + pick up the new model. He was also cognizant of the group experience during the pool portion of our certification. There was a member of our class who unfortunately required a bit more individual attention and was slowing down progress. Taking note of this, he handled a difficult situation very well, producing a positive outcome for both the individual and the rest of the group. The detailed follow up via telephone and email is excellent. I really can't say enough good things about my experience, as this level of professionalism and care is something you rarely get in today's world of online ordering and showrooming. I will be recommending them to all my family and friends. Also, as a new father I'm looking forward to bring our little one here for swim lessons. Keep up the great work. read more

We've enrolled our now almost 5 year old daughter in a number of classes. Shannon has been an outstanding teacher. She's incredibly patient and kind but can also keep the kids focused. The dramatic improvement in my daughter's comfort level and skill has been dramatic. She's becoming a swimmer and loves her class. read more

Incredibly excited to have a legitimate dive shop in the area. I finally decided to invest in my own gear and could not be more satisfied. I won a BCD at their grand re-opening and figured I should complete the whole setup by purchasing my own regulator and dive computer. Jed was super informative and able to give me several options for each piece of equipment while taking into consideration my budget and personal preferences. Up until this point I've been an avid customer of Leisure Pro, but it makes a huge difference talking to someone in person that can give you reliable feedback. I would absolutely recommend checking out SB Aquatics before you think to purchase online or elsewhere--they will also price match and give you 10% off if you're a student! read more

Santa Barbara Aquatics - Sporting Goods Near Me - Goleta, California

Case, Maddie, and Megan deserve the entire world! I came in way too close to closing time and they offered me full services, didn't rush any purchases, and even ended up staying late for me (I know, I'm the worst). I felt completely confident in every purchase I made. Case walked me through all the options and not once did I feel he was trying to push any specific product on me. It was clear that he prioritized me getting the best gear for me, not simply the most expensive (as I've unfortunately experienced with other dive spots previously). He was extremely knowledgeable about every option, I honestly could not have made these decisions without him. Maddie helped me with a super last minute rental and Megan filled my tank, again all after hours. Bring your business here, you will be taken care of by an attentive, knowledgeable, and amazing staff! Wish I could rate higher than 5 stars. read more

As a SCUBA instructor, I've never experienced such a rude and disrespectful staff. After they made disparaging political remarks, we left and happily spent our money at a more professional establishment. read more

I got my PADI open water certification with SB Aquatics and it was such a great experience! They were super thorough and professional, and I will definitely continue to go to SB Aquatics for all of my diving needs. One of the co-owners, Jed, made the dive course tons of fun. Despite feeling initially nervous, his enthusiastic love for diving and his charisma got me over any initial jitters within the first day. He made sure we were all comfortable and fully equipped us for diving. When I couldn't equalize during our first dive at Anacapa Island I thought that I had wasted my money and wouldn't be able to dive that day, but he made sure I could still safely participate, helping me descend slowly and equalize every yard. We did two pool days to learn skills, one beach dive at Refugio, and three dives out at Anacapa Island off the Spectre dive charter. DEFINITELY worth it, they're such a great business!!!!!!! read more

Santa Barbara Aquatics - diving off anacapa island during PADI certification! - Sporting Goods Near Me - Goleta, California

I can't say enough wonderful things about the swim school. Ashley is absolutely the best and really goes out of her way to make the experience great. The class sizes are small, and she really focuses on making sure that everyone is comfortable, and safe. During my daughters first round of classes we were planning a trip to a lake with family and the entire staff really went out of their way to make sure that I felt at ease with water safety and was prepared to handle an emergency situation. I really appreciate the level of care that they show for the students and their families. read more

As a newer diver, it can feel daunting and overwhelming to plan scuba excursions or purchase diving gear. My recent successful experience with SB Aquatics / Jed Grundy, began before I even stepped foot in the store. Over the phone, Jed was eager and serious about helping me find a solution to my diving gear needs. I experience an allergic reaction from wetsuits, contact dermatitis, not uncommon, and there are a few companies who make gear minded toward this irritant. Jed and his shop were willing to put in the effort, personally making calls/sending emails to track down the correct suits, and special order them; just so I may enjoy the underwater world more comfortably! SB Aquatics + team is where it's at for customized, excellent, customer service and experienced diving knowledge. read more

I have been bringing my granddaughter here for her first swimming lessons and couldn't be more pleased. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the facilities are CLEAN and well-maintained and the pool is heated. I plan to continue bringing her here for lessons throughout the year. It's fun to watch her become more and more comfortable in the water. read more

6 stars!!! Had the absolute honor and privilege of doing my side-mount course with Jed of Santa Barbara Aquatics. We started with a comprehensive pool session that covered the equipment configuration in detail including, set up and personal fitting, from there we jumped in the pool for final adjustments and some drills that we were scheduled to do the following day in open water. On the second day of my training I met Jed on the Spectre Boat in Ventura harbor (great boat, awesome staff) we headed out to Channel Islands for the day. Jed guided me through the day's schedule and what needed to be done, we got to work right away. On the agenda we had three boat dives that included all the necessary drills and knowledge needed to complete the course and then some. Ive been looking for someone to do recreational side-mount course with for a while and everyone in the industry recommended I should go speak with Jed. very glad I did. I learned so much on my training, Jed is very passionate about diving and side-mount in particular. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Both Andrew and Jed of Santa Barbara Aquatics did an all around phenomenal job, I am a customer for life!!! THANK YOU !!! read more

Unfortunately this was the closest place for me to get an air fill or miscellaneous scuba gear when I lived in Isla Vista. It would get an OK rating for me but man, there is this old dude who works there who is SOOOOO DAMN SLOW. I'd come in to get an air fill and he'd be helping out one guy and take forever with helping him, then like 20 mins later I finally get his attention to get an air fill. Then you gotta wait another 20 mins for him to remove the air tanks from the compressor even though they finished in like 10 mins. What else...OH! No parking! People usually park in the 7-11 next door but that's not exactly a reliable place to park. Sometimes it's full with people buying donuts and slurpees and whatnot, then you're just screwed and you'd have to park a little far and lug a heavy tank to the store. I wish Anacapa Dive Center was closer, as that place has more people working there and is a lot faster for service. I dont really want to drive all the way downtown just to get an air fill - unless I was diving around there. I should've just bought my own air compressor. read more

Jed is very nice guy and it was great experience. He taught us safety and make sure we do it right. I highly recommend to take class under him.s read more

I got certified as a rescue diver and a dive master by Jed, Andrew and Grant while I was in California. Could not get a better training. Jed and Andrew also gave me the opportunity to DM with them and it was an absolute pleasure to go with students under such a high degree of professionalism. Not only, these guys always provide some great advice about diving and gears but they also are extremely friendly. I highly recommend and I'll always go to them any time I want to dive in California. read more

This review is for the swim school. We previously had our kids taking lessons with Swim with Phyn. We were distressed when she left, but were happy to see that the new owners of the dive shop also had lessons. We enrolled our kids with an open mind, and it has been incredible. Ashley is really enthusiastic and great with young kids. Class sizes are small. The cost is incredibly reasonable. We are so happy to have this school in our community! If you were previously with Swim with Phyn, don't hesitate at all to enroll your kids in this program. read more

Shop has great service and very professional employees. They have a lot of options and are willing to spend the time with you to explain pros and cons to help me decide what I want. Thanks for helping me with the mask and reel. read more

Happy to have Jed and Andrew in town and the new owners of SB Aquatics. They both went above and beyond to honor and old gift certificate I had from the previous owners, which I never used bc the inventory used to be pretty limited. They are stocking the place up super well with everything you need and prices that match or beat Amazon. Knowledgable staff and willing to help you out with whatever you need and get to know your diving style. So happy to have a PADI center in town run by great owners! Lots of visits and dives with these guys in the future! read more

We are new to the area, and were looking for new snorkel equipment. We really had no idea where to begin. We stopped by the surf country shop, and they referred us to Santa Barbara Aquatics. They told us it was under new ownership, and it was a much better run business now, compared to the past. And in our experience, they were wonderful and thorough! Jed, the new owner made us feel welcome, and comfortable, and helped us with all of our needs. I can't recommend them enough. read more

The new owners, Jed and Andrew, really know what they're talking about. Tons of experience in the industry and are always up to date on what's new in the industry. I've purchased all of my gear from Jed and done most of my diving trips with him. I'm excited to watch the shop thrive in the future! read more

After being on the Wendy Fereday waitlist for 2 months, I decided to try another swim school for my one-year-old daughter. We were signed up and started the first class within the week! We've only had 1 class so far but it was AMAZING! The instructor Ashley was so enthusiastic, patient, and genuinely kind. She made us feel so comfortable and welcomed. Literally like taking a class from a Disney princess. We can't wait for class next week! :) read more

The new owners really know what they're doing. And the store has so much new merchandise now. So much better than it used to be!

The new ownership is great, Jed and Andrew are awesome guys and they are really doing great things with the store. This place even has a 12 ft training pool. Great place to learn Scuba! I haven't seen any other store like it on the central coast. read more