I was in town for a dive at Back Beach and had forgotten my mask and snorkel. I stopped in to rent one and they informed me that it is considered a personal item and not available for rent. The staff showed me a bunch of different options to buy and gave me a few defogging tips such as rubbing toothpaste into the mask (she even gave me some so that I could do it right there in the store). She also provided a map of some popular diving spots in the area. Overall very helpful and knowledgeable. read more

I fully recommend Cape Anne Divers for scuba in this area. Cant Steve and his mate Dave are great. I been diving with them all year long, met many new friends and fellow divers during these trips, great P&J sandwiches and snacks. Big boat, can hold up to 14 people but if you get about 10 it is perfect. Try to get on one of his special trips to the Stillwagen for Patriot or Heroic wrecks, it is an all day trip but well worth it. Dave and Mary are great owners and his staff are very nice. read more

I wanted to go diving with this company because I had heard good things, so I called for information. I was told that, even though I have PADI certification, because I have not yet been diving in cold water conditions I have to take their Cold Water Introduction course, which costs $125 per person. They said to email the divemaster in charge of the course, which I did. I didn't hear back for over a week, so I emailed a more general email hoping someone would see it and reply, and still didn't hear back for a while. Then I called them again, and someone picked up and took my information and said the divemaster would be in touch, and it has been about two weeks and I still haven't heard back. So, while I wanted to dive with this company, I have effectively been told that I can't. This is all very lucky for me, however, because I have had to look around for other companies nearby and have found one that offers introductory shore diving for only $10! I will be taking my business somewhere that actually lets me. read more

Went in here with the kids the other day. A woman (I think the owner) with short gray hair came up and tried to upgrade our selection of a boogie board. She said, if we wanted to use it we should get the $59.99 board. Silly us listened to this "expert" and bought the recommended board after passing up what we thought were the cheap ones at Shaws next door. The woman did warn us, awkwardly so, to never leave the boogie board in a hot car or put it in an "easy bake oven" because it will be damaged. We appreciated the tip and went to the beach with the kids. AFTER 1 HOUR THE BOOGIE BOARD SWELLED UP. It was not in a hot car or an easy bake oven so I was obviously upset. After a few hours at the beach we packed up to go home. We stopped back at Cape Ann Divers to get a refund or at least an exchange for a non-defective boogie board that is worth $59.99. The woman acted like she never even sold us the boogie board, she told us that it's not her fault that the boogie board swelled up in the sun. She said the sun's hot and that it should have been in shade (AT THE BEACH?!) She told me that she was going to call the police because I wanted to return the defective item that she sold to me and my wife. I know a lot of people don't probably look at reviews on this place, but if you do, beware! Horrible experience. Horrible treatment. Horrible policies. Horrible threats. Buy beach stuff from Shaws because it's cheaper, and they will always refund defective items, even peaches. read more

There are so many negative reviews for a reason!!! Absolutely horrific dive shop operation. They should be out of business. My husband almost lost his life due to a faulty tank. He was testing out some neoprene suits in gloucester harbor last year when the air stopped flowing. He had to drop his weights and shot up. As you can imagine, anyone usually testing new equipment is a pro. My husband is not, but was going with a good friend who is a dive master. We started diving 4 years back but do so mostly on vacations because the water is cold here. There were about 10 extremely seasoned dive masters in this group, and they all took a look at the lines/equipment after the failure and were HORRIFIED. They were completely blocked with gunk/buildup. One guy said it was absolutely the worst condition equipment he's seen in his 30 years. The others agreed. To make matters worse, when my husband returned to the dive shop, he explained that he had to drop some of the weights to make it back up alive. Not only did they charge him for the tank, but they charged him RETAIL several hundred for badly used weights that could have been decades old. Mind you, the tank was still FULL of oxygen!They threatened to call the police if he didn't pay, and still in a very shock and disconcerted state from nearly losing his life, he merely handed over his credit card. Two of the other experts were with him and they could not be reasoned with or persuaded. AVOID THIS SHOP AT ALL COSTS! Apalling equipment conditions, ownership, and staff. They are not PADI approved for a reason. You are putting your life in the hands of an irresponsible and apathetic operation. read more

Should get zero stars. Major rip-off especially if you are looking to learn how to dive. First he (Dave) only takes cash for lessons to rip off the government I guess, keep it all under the table. Then he will not let you do your open water with anyone else, you need to do it with him and pay through the nose in really cold water. He will give you some bull that he can't certify that you actually did dive with someone else, but the form only states that he gave the book and pool lessons and has nothing to do with what someone else did. He is suppose to be a NAUI certified instructor, but I have never met anyone so unprofessional in my life. He will only send in a certification if you keep spending a ton of money with him. Go PADI, they are recognized worldwide read more

What a great day diving. I was a little worries about diving up north in the cold water but the guys on the boat were so great all my reservation disappear. The crew could't have been more helpful and accommodating to all of our needs. Including a great HOT shower between dives. Dave was the most friendly and knowledgeable first mate. We've dove all over the world and this was a first class operation. We'll be back... read more

I am a diver from California and recently had the opportunity to dive in the Rockport/Gloucester area. I dove Back Beach and went to Cape Ann to have my cylinders filled. The staff was helpful and filled the tanks immediately. While I waited the gentlemen behind the counter, Dave, I think, gave me advice on a beach in Gloucester, Pebble Beach. His directions were spot on to find the site and his description of the underwater structure was helpful in exploring the site. The price and selection of gear was comparable to the store in Fitchburg I have dealt with. I will use this store again if in the area. read more

I have used their boat twice once for a lobster dive and one for a Scallops dive. I was very pleased with the service and coutersy conveyed at the shop and the amazing service provided by the boat crew Steve and David. Will use their services again and again read more

You will never be greeted by a smile at this place. Dealing with them beyond an in-and-out purchase will leave a sour taste in your mouth and ruin your day. I have honestly never experienced such unhelpful and rude service. Went to purchase diving booties as a Christmas gift, I hesitated when the merchant said merchandise was not returnable. He then offered to make an exception as it was a Christmas gift. I returned after Christmas only to find a sign saying they were closed until late February; not mentioned in the original conversation. I assumed it was an oversight on his part, returned to my home in DC planning to bring the booties back when I came back in the summer. I went to return the booties, happy to take store credit as by now the original receipt had been lost. Well, this unleashed an a surprisingly over-reactive piece of negative behavior. I was told that the store never gives anything back, period. I reminded them of the pre-Christmas conversation, reluctantly management said if I called my credit card company and got a copy of my statement from December they might give me store credit. To keep things in perspective, the booties were $54.00 and there was no dispute that they were 1. new and 2. from this store. I suggested this was asking rather a lot, also the credit card I had used had been compromised in March and getting the old statement would therefore require quite an effort. I have bought numerous things at the store and was undoubtably in the computer system, surely they don't think I came by them dishonestly? Incredulous I said you certainly don't think I stole them? Well, apparently they did! The owner glared at me and said you'd be surprised at what people do... Indeed I am! Wow, I honestly have never had a merchant go back on his word, and insinuate that I'm a thief. I said I would not be returning to the shop. The response was please don't, followed by the salesperson coming from behind the counter aggressively standing inches from my face and backing me out the door; "get out of this store, get out of this store!" I'm still shaking. Oh yes, gave away the booties. read more

Rude, Rude, Rude....I has signed up for dive instruction for $800, but they would not take a credit card, they only take check or cash (as one of the reviews below suggests, probably to avoid taxes), I mentioned that I would bring the check back the next day, I did not (my fault of course), but when I saw the owner 2 days later, I found they had booked someone else, and he did not give me a call before he overbooked me - he said it wasn't his problem or job to give me a call, again I can sort of understand this as a business owner, but they had my info and I had been there twice trying to find a lesson date that worked ( I also spent over $300 I their shop buying wetsuits and masks for my kids during one visits) - regardless, despite all that, I would have been ok with them, but then the owner began a rant about New Yorkers, and the way we do things in NY, and people from NY, and insulting me simply for asking why he didn't call me. All this right in front of my young kids. I happen to own a house in Cape Ann, and own a place in NY as well, but frankly if it wasn't for out of state folks buying inner tubes and sand buckets a your shop, you might not have a business. I suggest you learn to keep your comments to yourself, and if you must insult your customers who spend hundreds of $ in your shop, it would be best not to do it infront of small children. There are other dive shops and other places to buy your each toys - if you want to avoid being insulted for asking questions, I strongly suggest you avoid this place and it's miserable nasty owner. read more

Got certification from another dive shop but I was not happy with them so I tried this place. It was late season and I rented equipment and paid for dive master to sharpen skills. Water was really rough and we had other problems so we never got in. Shop owner was diving with another group and dive master was really upset that it didn't go as planned. The water was so rough that some equipment (mask & snorkel)was actually lost as well. I got a call later that day from the shop owner saying that they went back at low tide and found the equipment and would hold it at the shop. The shop owner also offered another dive opportunity at no charge for the dive master or equipment, which I took him up on. May not dive until it gets warmer, but this dive shop has a new customer. read more

Went there today, open Wednesday's right? Nope, closed. Thanks for the false advertising. Count me out, not going back.

This is the worst dive shop i have ever had to deal with. Probably because they are the only ones in the northern cape ann area and can afford to be. I have been going here for years (again because i have no other choices). There are two owners as far as i can tell (a man and a woman). The woman is at least polite and if you engage her and there are not too many people in the store, she can be helpful (50/50 shot). The man on the other hand is a total jerk. Never smiles, never helpful and acts as though you are there to irritate him. Last time i rented a tank there was to do a shore dive from good harbor beach (a very sandy beach). I told him I was going there and asked for any tips / suggestions and all i got was: "no sand on the tank when you return it". With that, i did my dive, came back (and had done my best to get the sand off) and dropped off the tank. He saw that there was a bit of sand on a part of the bottom of the tank and said he wouldn't take it back until i got the sand off. I asked if he had a hose outside or out back and he said no and that it was my problem. This is just one example of the many bad experiences i have had with these guys... If you can do anywhere else, do so... if you cannot (as is often the case), then expect this kind of treatment (even after being a customer for many years). read more

i've been back a handful of times since my last review and they've definitely changed for the better. much nicer and a reasonably enjoyable experience too. they've even helped out in a bind more than once. read more