As I took my giant stride off the stern of the Epic Diving boat at Tiger Beach, I pressed my mask…read moreclose to my face, secured my regulator in my mouth and octo against my chest, and thought wryly to myself, "I paid money to drop into a pool of milling lemon sharks at the surface to descend into a horde of tiger sharks at the bottom [I could already make out several dark torpedo shapes making their large circles]?" The boat ride out to Tiger Beach was spent doing boat briefing/dive site briefing then free-form discussion of sharks and other interesting ocean creatures. Vin and Deb were knowledgeable about the Bahamas, Tiger Beach and other sites, scuba in its many forms, and conservation. Since I was the only guest, the conversation was fast and furious. At the last minute, following suggestions from my hosts, I decided to dive in an old wetsuit and not in the stealth suit that I had been wanting to try out. My plan was to follow all instructions, interact authentically with every creature that might approach me, and use my own wild animal experience and instinct to assess my comfort and safety as my time underwater progressed. I wore a hood and booties and gloves, to minimize the areas of contrast between the dark neoprene and my skin - possibly an attractant for sharks. I kept my head on a swivel, scanning constantly in all directions to make sure that a large predator was not sneaking up on me for a closer look or a nibble. I was calm throughout, and I was aware that my two guides were keeping their eye on me as well. During the surface interval, we compared notes as to who we had seen and what their names were (I met Emma the tiger shark and Scylla the hammerhead shark who was impressively longer but not as robust). They even gave me a picture for my facebook profile. I would highly recommend EPIC DIVING because of their knowledge, experience, safety awareness, and caring about the sea and its inhabitants. This is not an inexpensive trip, and, as in many ventures, one gets what one pays for. One flies into Grand Bahama, the oldest town and capital of the island, then takes a taxi to the West End where one may stay in a beautifully-appointed hotel right on the water, a few feet from the dock. I very much enjoyed my drive from the airport to the hotel with a local who knew everything and everybody. I will absolutely explore again with EPIC DIVING - hope to see you there.

From the owner: Open Ocean Shark Encounters in the Bahamas including the rare, bold, and beautiful Oceanic Whitetip…read moreShark, as well as a variety of other species!

Great lads at this local dive shop. Came in as I wanted to finally invest in my own mask + snorkel…read moreset for SCUBA and freedive. Staff members were super friendly with a love of the game, and were so helpful in giving me the right metrics by which to evaluate fit for my gear. Left with what I needed and will be back soon for a set of fins no doubt. Prices match those online so definitely strong value in coming in-person to try on difficult to fit gear like masks and fins. They also do courses and dive charters here, which I'd love to take advantage of soon.

I had a great experience with Scuba Network! When I got a last minute invitation to join an old…read morefriend on a scuba diving trip, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity. Unfortunately, I hadn't been diving in 30 years! I called the folks at Scuba Network and everyone I engaged with was extremely accommodating. They helped me sign up for an eLearning refresher course and encouraged me to grab the last spot in an upcoming beginner's, in-person, 2-day pool dive to reacquaint myself with the gear and familiarize myself with some new technology since I last dove (goodbye dive tables, hello dive computers!). They equipped me with all the regular gear and even helped me pick out a scuba mask with reading bifocals when I told them after the first day that I couldn't read my gauges. (Yes, bifocal masks are a thing!) Ryan Hoffman, my dive instructor, was fantastic. He was patient, easy-to-understand, thorough, and kept things moving well. He also didn't miss a thing. If someone seemed nervous during an underwater exercise, he was right there to put them at ease and help them master it. If someone didn't clear their mask of water fully, he had them try again until they crushed it. At every step he was enabling us to know how to do for ourselves because in Scuba, though it's a buddy sport, you don't want to leave the details to anyone else -- you're safest when you are self-sufficient. Within days, I felt as confident about scuba diving as I did 30 years ago when I got certified -- no, actually, I felt more confident! I can't wait to get back in the open water now, and I'm even considering getting my kids to take up this past time so we can go as a family. If so, I'll take them to Scuba Network to learn!

Raul is an affable and effective teacher for Scuba! I highly recommend learning how to dive with…read morehim. He is patient, clear, and fun to work with.

Yo recomiendo a rey diving por el trato la calidad el profesionalismo y la entrega en los momentos…read morede realizar los ejercicios lo seguro que te sientes en todo momento ya que es lo más importante cuando se va a realizar un buceo confianza seguridad y conocimientos y todos los brinda rey diving .

I have been a client of PanAqua for over twenty years--they trained me, they've helped me with…read morediving questions and issues, and they have supplied me with all of my equipment. Diving can be a dangerous sport if the equipment you rent at a resort hasn't been properly serviced, I have always preferred to own my equipment personally as a long-term investment. Nearly every dollar I spent over 20 years ago, all of the equipment is in top shape and will last decades more. I have traveled on their trips from South Africa to Polynesia and beyond. Some reviewers say to consider Amazon or scuba websites, but when you're down 100 feet underwater, nobody cares how much you saved by going online. If your equipment fails, it's kablooey and you're dead. The instructors and owners are fantastic, and nobody can consult you better on equipment than Lorraine. She analyzes every option before suggesting a good match for you. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

I just had my PADI open water certification re-activated at Pan Aqua after 20+ years. Everyone at…read morethe shop was great to work with. From Harrison and Lorraine who walked me through getting a new, prescription mask (and snorkel) to Jae who worked with me in the pool and out over 3 days on my re-activation, everyone was stellar. The care, depth of knowledge and patience they exhibited and practiced were greatly appreciated and will no doubt prove invaluable as I head into my next diving phase. I'm sure I'll be back for more...Thanks, Pan Aqua.

I am an experienced scuba diver and wanted to get my 10 year old certified. I signed her up for the…read moreconfined water classes offered by Adventure scuba and had a wonderful experience. Tom, the instructor was incredibly nice, capable, competent, and patient. The classes are very intimate with only four students. The proximity of the pool to the dive shop is literally across the street. We had amazing experience with my daughter learning all the skills in a very short period of time. I will follow up on this post as we were going for the open water dives next week. Thanks again to all the people adventure scuba. You all did a great job and we had a great time. **** Ok - following up on the above, great news. She passed her open water check outs with flying colors in the Caymans. The instructors thought she was perfectly prepared and will be a safe and capable diver. Thanks again to the Adventure Scuba team for solid work!!

I'm sadden to write this account as I wanted to like this place, but my experience was 100%…read moreavoidable. I went through the certification process elsewhere despite trauma I had to undo from Adventure Scuba. I tried twice to go to Adventure Scuba--big mistake. I arrived excited and ready, but left with an intense anxiety of scuba diving because of the comments the instructors made combined with their lack of support. The instructors boast having years of instructing experience, but had zero helpful advice while I had difficulty breathing except: "collect yourself" "what's going on with you?", "you need to relax and pretend your in the spa", all of which was monumentally unhelpful to hear as my body quickly spiraled to a panic. The worst was the female instructor. Hyper condescending. She was visibly irritated by my anxiety (I was astonished that my trouble breathing was a nuisance to both of instructors). The unfortunate part is that when I first conveyed I was having difficulty breathing, I didn't feel ANY fear initially, I simply tried to explain I was experiencing trouble breathing, and to ask questions, but I was quickly dismissed and told to "make up my mind if this is something I want to do." These comments quickly fueled a feeling of intense panic when I received NO answers to my questions and reattempted to submerge myself only for the cycle to repeat and lead several times to the same outcome of not being able to breath well. Repeating this several times rendered me freaked out, confused, and exasperated. I don't remember her name (but to be fair she kept calling me the wrong name which also contributed to my confusion). The male instructor accused me of not listening to him (although I proceeded to repeat everything he had just said, so no idea why he made that assumption). The bright side is, I have since been to two different dive sites (one to complete certification the other just to dive for fun) and they both were vastly different experiences from Adventure Scuba. Surprisingly, there was no insults or condescending statements, no visible impatience, no accusations. Only support, encouragement, instruction, and understanding which is not a lot to ask. I learned that the difficulty breathing wasn't in my head or something wrong with me, but breathing (unlike i was told at Adventure Scuba) does feel different under water and shouldn't be rushed. Now that's good instruction! The absolute worse part was I probably was in the pool both times for five minutes each and they happily kept the money despite lack of instruction. ASTONISHINGLY wrong. So I write this review and also let fellow divers know: please avoid this place. Ultimately, I'm glad I didn't give up despite this truly unpleasant experiences of my life. I would say its an ok place if you've already been diving a few times before, but definitely not if you expect to be supported, not rushed, and respected when you voice you can't breath or want to ask questions. I would definitely caution against spending hundreds of your dollars for that kind of treatment trust me other places are able to train without that nonsense. My sister did it with me she completed with Adventure Scuba, but fully agreed that the experience was lacking due to the treatment and how rushed the class felt. My feedback would be if someone isn't relaxed-- don't fuel the apprehension, it's NOT helpful.

I've wanted to dive for a long long time and have even visited several area dive shops to get a…read morefeel before committing to the sport. With this place I got the warm and fuzzy right from the get go and thus have certified with them. Though the store isn't as glitzy and big as some of the others make no mistake, Phil, Kyle, Steve, Pawel (just to name a few, too many to list!) will go the extra mile to make sure that you are good to go. PS- I live 30 miles south and make the trek out because they're that awesome! -Ron L SDI OW Certified June 2010

I did a referral program with this institution. They provide pool sessions to train underwater…read moreskills as required by both SDI and PADI. These guys are very professional and experienced and they emphasize safety a lot. I was able to learn and get really comfortable with all skills. The training really helped me to stay confident when I did open water sessions overseas. Highly recommended and I will definitely go back for more advanced classes.

Are you ready to join the most amazing scuba family in Brooklyn? Do you want to dive with 2…read moreexperienced retired firefighters/divemasters? Do you want to be the most competent scuba diver? If you answered yes to all of that ocean horizons scuba is for you, if you didn't reread my review five times and re-ask yourself those questions . I loved scuba diving and like most people when you initially try to get your scuba certification, your probably looking for the "best deal" like where can I get certified for the "cheapest price". Well you can go on yelp look up reviews call 15 scuba shops and I can almost guarantee not going with Ocean Horizons Scuba is a big mistake. When I went scuba shopping some places will give you your certification after one day in a pool and say "hey your certified, just go complete the course online and finish your certification dives and your PADI certified" After one lesson in the pool do you think your ready to get tested on skills underwater in the ocean or a quarry you decide? Paul's prices are so reasonable....There is really no competition. Paul & Jimmy (the handsome instructors) are the gurus of the ocean they drill the concept of diving and the risks as well as understanding. They embed information into your brain. The course is 5 weeks, that's right 5 long weeks of water time(spent either at YMCA park slope or Ft Hamilton high school) and class time... and if you aren't picking it up fast enough they wont "let you fly just yet" they will take you under there wing and spend individual time with you in the pool or tell you to come for extra classes(no they wont charge you, they genuinely have your best interest at heart). If you feel uncomfortable about a skill they will review it with you, over and over again. They prepare you to take the NAUI certification and are more than willing to help you out with anything. Paul plans trips to Cozumel and Micronesia and other places once your certified and also to complete your certification. Like I reiterated when you take a class with Paul not only do you become a certified diver but you just got a first class ticket to one of the best circle of divers to travel and dive the world with! Not only would I go back and do it all over again and again but this time I would take the paper with the list of other dive places and throw it out and not waste my time. I went to Thailand and It was such a great diving experience I owe it all to two hardcore scuba instructors. Working a full time job, and going to school Paul accommodates to every schedule possible. Weekend, Nights he has so many classes to choose from. Ocean Horizons Scuba has one goal and its making the best and safest divers in the world!

Paul Bardo is a world class instructor…read more My girlfriend and I recently completed our NAUI Open Water Diver certification with Paul, which comprises five weeks of classroom/pool training, along with four certification dives at the Dutch Springs Quarry. We had an incredible experience, with instruction being both academic and practical at the same time. Paul demonstrated a patience that remained unabated, answering all of our questions, and never failing to share his wealth of knowledge gained from decades of scuba experience. Pat, his colleague, was the best guy ever, fun and surprised us in helpfulness, showing up to provide assistance wherever he could. We would never recommend any shop other than OHS to do your certification, and look forward to diving with Paul again on his future trips!

I was lucky enough to get invited to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go Cage Diving with…read moreSharks, but they told me I don't get to go to 30ft depths unless I get certified... So naturally, I had to google to find the best place in NJ and UADC came up on multiple occasions. The owners answered my calls themselves and they walked me through the entire process. I cannot tell you enough that the owners literally made sure I did everything required to get certified (and I'm a busy entrepreneur who doesn't check his personal email that often)... They're kinda amazing! Their shop also had every piece of equipment I could possibly ask for to get setup for my classes. Ask for Anne or Scott as your teachers (they were the best, and even though I was a nervous wreck for a few of the lessons, they made sure I had a great experience!.

Paul and the staff at Underwater Adventures are wonderful. Scuba diving, while fun and exciting,…read morecan be scary and intimidating. The instructors here are patient, enthusiastic, friendly, and helpful. They ensure that every new diver feels comfortable and has a great experience. I would absolutely recommend Underwater Adventures to any scuba diver, new and old for all of their scuba needs.

What a great experience at Blue Water Divers. Friendly and extremely professional staff in a well…read morestocked facility. A little bit old and stodgy looking, especially from the outside, but the warm, friendly and extremely professional staff more than makes up for it. I would recommend BWD to anyone looking to embark on a lifetime of adventure, or existing divers looking to hone their skills or service their equipment.

Blue Water Divers is going to be my new dive shop from now on. Although I live on Staten Island and…read moreafter losing my previous dive closer to my home. I searched for a new dive shop, and was impressed enough that my son and my granddaughter took the try scuba class. Everyone that I have spoken to has been extremely helpful and passionate about their role at the shop. I am looking forward to continuing my own scuba education next month.