TL;DR Managment/ownership treats customers and employees terribly, would not spend money here…read more Repeat bad experiences, I'd rather buy online than go back in this store. As an avid adventurer of the western US, I tend to visit outdoor stores wherever I travel to see what their idea of adventure is there and take the chance to upgrade gear that's frustrating to use or worn out over time. I've visited Bill Jackson's on two separate occasions now, heading in each time with about $500 worth of gear in mind to shop for. The first time I came, I got great help from multiple associates and planned to purchase gear off of their advise, but witnessed a confrontation between management and an associate that I recall as mild but disruptive enough it made me leave the store without buying anything. I didn't come back for about 8 months. Now I'm back in town for a few weeks of work before heading on a 2,700 mile bikepacking journey and really needed to grab a few items I hoped they'd have in stock. Being interesting in all outdoor activities, I started talking with an associate about the ski shop they were building the last time I was here. He keyed in that I had ski knowledge from my time tuning skis and custom fitting ski boots out west and started talking to me about part time work as they expected to need some extra hands with ski knowledge and took me to show me their ski selection. To get there, we had to walk through an area that he explained was sectioned off for an upcoming sale, so not yet available, but the necessary route to the still-open ski shop. He made a pretty good case for their ski shop and my wheels were turning about coming to help them out in the fall. On our way back through the sale area, I asked a question about the items we were walking past and the associate was very clear that those items were not available for sale until the official sale start date, but took the opportunity to educate me about them(I knew very little about diving equipment but am curious to learn). I was quickly convinced that a decent snorkeling kit was necessary equipment to enjoy the area and decided I'd get a setup. Before he got a chance to redirect me to where the currently available snorkeling gear was(I could tell it was coming, this area was also tiny compared to the sale area), an angry manager/owner appeared ready to tear apart the kind and helpful associate that had just taught me what I needed to know to spend an extra couple hundred dollars on top of the items I was already planning. I hurriedly left the area while she continued to holler at me and once I passed the threshold of that room I heard her resume berating the associate in anger. I walked myself over to the full price scuba stuff and found another helpful associate, but I could not bring myself to buy anything from this store after that experience. It was not unreasonable for her to ask us to move along since we had stopped in a place we were meant to pass through, but she was incredibly rude to the associate for going above and beyond to take care of an enthusiastic customer. I won't spend money here, that manager is the most unkind person I've encountered since I've been in Tampa. In a town of incredibly kind people, there is no place for that. Very sad, I really wanted to like this store. The associates seem to be knowledgeable and passionate about the outdoors, but they don't deserve to be treated that way.

Melissa was super helpful in helping us pick out a roof rack, as well as other accessories, for our…read morepaddle boarding and kayaking adventures. Store also has a huge selection of everything a person could need for their next adventure!

John Youngblood is an outstanding scuba instructor who genuinely cares about teaching rather than…read morejust selling gear. Unlike many others, he creates a judgment-free learning environment, making the experience enjoyable and stress-free. My girlfriend and I couldn't be happier with our experience--we highly recommend this dive shop to anyone looking to get into scuba diving. John never pressures you into unnecessary purchases and is truly dedicated to helping his students succeed. I'll always recommend this shop to anyone wanting to learn how to dive! Also his rental gear is the best of the best

Been to this shop several times and I just can't get enough of good things to say about everyone…read morethere. They are always super friendly, eager to help, and always willing to answer questions. I also went on a shark tooth dive with them and was extremely happy how professional they were and how they over emphasized safety. Will be diving with them again!

Scott was very helpful and he had a wealth of knowledge. My wife and I have been looking for…read moresnorkeling gear for just over a month now and after reading the reviews we decided to stop into "World of Water". We explained what we needed and we also asked about certain equipment that other dive shops recommended. After explaining to us some things about the difference in manufactures, we asked if he could recommend some good and reliable equipment. He did just that and he explained a lot of the difference. And showed us what we needed and what would work best for us. And the other thing that stood out was the cost of each item he showed us. It was much less than several other dive shops we visited, AND I MEAN HALF OR MORE THAN HALF, than the other shops. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND AT LEAST PATRONIZE HOS SHOP before you decide to buy anywhere else. I promise that you won't be disappointed. He is a very nice man and I'm sure you will find this to be true.

I was looking for information on getting scuba certified. I drove by several times before finally…read morestopping in and I'm glad that I did. The gentlemen that helped me was very nice. He gave me tons of great information and if I wasn't in such a time crunch, I would take his diving course. They also had tons of gear. If you take the diving course with them they give you 20% off the package required for the course. See my pictures for more details.

This is a new scuba shop which opened in July. Jorge the owner is a very nice and professional guy…read morewho cares and will listen to your needs. They teach SSI and PADI. They carry mainly MARES gear and is very nice and affordable.

It had been a while since my last dive so I booked a refresher and a dive trip with trilogy…read more Brennan was my dive instructor for the whole thing. He's a great guy with lots and lots of diving experience. It was a very well organized trip from gear, diving to lodging. We saw lot of beautiful fish and an awesome ship wreck. Unfortunately our first dive was canceled for bad weather but we all still had a great time hanging out at the hotel. This was a great way for me to get back into diving and I'm excited for the next trip with them!

Went on a dive trip this past weekend with Trilogy. We traveled to Pompano and this was my first…read moreboat/ocean dive. We did a wreck and a drift dive. Our instructor Brennan was very knowledgeable and personable. I felt very safe during the dives and the trip was a lot of fun. Everything was well organized which definitely adds to the experience. Overall this was a great trip and I can't wait for the next one. If you are looking to go on a trip I highly recommend Trilogy!

I am so glad I found Calypso Diving of Tampa! I originally went in to learn more about scuba diving…read moresince I am going to the Great Barrier Reef next year. Everyone was so nice and treated you like family. That is when I realized this is where I wanted to get my open water certification. I met Dan the instructor for the first time on day one. He was personable, patient and genuinely wanted to get to know us. What I appreciated the most was that he always reiterated that he would go at our pace and would not rush us. He constantly checked in through out the process and made it fun. Dan also mentioned a good mask was very important, which I learned very quickly in the first open water dive. That day I drove to Calypso and Rob helped me find the perfect mask. Day two of open diving at rainbow river was an experience I will never forget. I truly appreciate all the staff I have met there and look forward to future dives with the Calypso family!

There is more to a modern dive shop than sales or even the training of new divers. Calypso gives a…read moremore than fair break when it comes to the former and is among the most conscientious, professional and safety-minded when it comes to the latter. You won't go wrong if this is where you decide to get certified, re-certified or make a great purchase. But modern dive shops should do more than these admittedly essential tasks. They have an obligation to grow the sport and make possible exceptional adventures to the diving community. Larry does exactly that. Calypso arranges for local dives to hunt for Megalodon teeth and trips to the East Coast for diving adventures in the Atlantic. They also regularly offer impressive trips that take divers around the world. Recently my wife and I joined Larry and Laura on a dive trip to Puerta Galera in the Philippines. The planning and execution was exceptional with divers being able to get in as many as five quality dives a day. Every aspect of the trip was first rate and something remarkable was experienced on every dive. In part this was due to the high quality care of the resort and their staff, but also to the first-rate attention to detail of Larry. So, if you are looking for a dive experience that is world-class and out of the ordinary, take a close look at what Calypso is offering. If you don't, you may be missing the opportunity of a lifetime.

The crew at DCAV are friendly, knowledgeable, and patient, whether you are taking classes, buying…read moregear, or getting tanks filled you know you will be treated fairly with them!

I'm a beginning diver and am at a point where I'm starting to build my personal gear. I needed a…read moregood size mesh bag to carry my fins, face mask, and water shoes. Not only did they have exactly what I was looking for but 2 other options also. Great service, speedy, and many choices from A-Z in the diving world!! A must stop location!

My boyfriend and I would come back all the way from AZ just to dive with Ally V. again! She's…read moreincredibly kind and patient, and made our fossil hunt dive super fun. She's so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and elevated our dive experience above and beyond.

Fantastic full service scuba shop and I mean full service (lessons, gear, trips, community, etc.)…read moreand the most knowledgeable diver I have ever met, yes that's you Greg , so fortunate to have found Florida Underwater Sports.