I dove my open water certification for more than 10 years and thought that I knew a lot about diving since I had more than 70 dives under my belt... boy was I wrong. I had no idea that I would have so much fun from the moment I accepted the Master Scuba Diver challenge (to receive the highest rating for recreational divers) back in early 2013. I have since doubled the # of dives in less than 2 years than I had completed during my first 10+ years of the sport! The staff, especially Drew have been extremely patient with me as I continue to build confidence from achieving each milestone along the way. Advanced Open Water was fun, but Rescue was even better! Working through all of those specialties were a lot of fun...thank you Drew! The rest of the friendly staff at Sterling Silver Scuba seem to know the answers to my 100's of questions along the way. The camping n diving weekends are a great way to unplug from a busy 8-8 schedule. You just can't beat 4-6 dives in a weekend while having awesome food, wonderful accommodations and of course all the stories and laughter that one could handle. Melissa has gotten the logistics down to a science. She and her staff works hard to provide everything that you need to be and stay successful in the sport so that you can enjoy yourself learning new skills in the water. Oh, and thank to Jason, I have watched movies while enjoying smores next to the campfire can't go unmentioned either... Bottom line: Great Staff- knowledgeable on all safety requirements, competitively priced trips, sell top of the line gear... what more could you ask for in a friendly family-oriented local dive shop? read more

Diventures - Scuba Diving Near Me - Ashburn,, Virginia

I stopped by this past weekend to look at some fins. Grace is very, very knowledgeable and she was able to answer all my questions and more. She pointed out the trade-offs between various types of fins and fin straps. I was surprised there was so much to consider when buying fins. She also pointed out some other things about scuba (not about fins) that were very helpful. I also had some questions about regulators. My concern was that the hose I used at the OBX felt too short and was almost about to come out of my mouth so I had to hold the regulator in my mouth or bite down hard on the mouthpiece. She answered questions about that as well as concerns I had about water leaking into the mask. She pointed out many things to consider. In short, Grace is very knowledgeable. She definitely knows what she is doing. I hope Diventures is paying her well because she deserves it. read more

I did my cert and bought all my dive gear at this shop when it was Nautilus. I loved Jason and Melissa's care they took in their training. I felt so prepared. Now that the shop is part of Diventures, I feel like it has become a community, as well. Diventures is a wonderful resource for trips and making new friends. I love all the events that they are having to bring divers together in the community. I'm doing a trip with another shop with Diventures and I appreciate that Willie is working with me and that shop to make sure that my trip is seamless. They take care of you here! read more

Excellent service and advice, from people who dove regularly. Melissa and Jason can help you find anything you need AND lend advice on gear and diving locales. Do you need certification? They do all of that as well. We completed our nitrox certification just about a year ago. Classes online, reviews/practicals and tests at the dive shop. Don't wait until you've arrived at your destination for all this, do everything at home at arrive for vacation ready for the deep! read more

Excellent service and instruction by the entire staff at Nautilus Aquatics. My 15 yo daughter was working on her PADI certification and struggled with the pool training. The dive shop staffed her follow up course work with an extra trainer, Josh, who was incredibly patient and supportive. Sherece was an exceptional trainer and Melissa made sure it all came together. Really appreciate the personal training, patience and support from everyone at the shop. read more

Nautilus Aquatics is a terrific place for your first scuba diving experience! Nobody in our family had ever been diving and we went here for their "Discover Scuba" class, which is a great way to find out whether scuba is for you (spoiler: it's a blast!!!). Our instructors Andrew and Mike were awesome. They explained things clearly and made you feel comfortable. They were funny at the same time. They took their time with each student to make sure you fully understand the skills required for safe diving. After that it was free diving time. The whole class was at an indoor pool in a very controlled environment. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone who is wondering what scuba is all about. You won't regret it! read more

I can't say enough just how wonderful the Sterling Silver Scuba shop is. I started going to the shop about a year ago as I was preparing to go on a vacation and was planning on earning my Open Water certification over seas. The staff took the time to advise me on what I needed to know, helped me pick the right equipment that I would need and explained what the PADI course would be like. As soon as I returned from my vacation with my C-card, I signed up to take the Advanced Open Water course through Sterling. Once again, they exceeded my expectations in the insight and support that they provided. I have since enjoyed 2 wonderful Camp & Dive weekend trips that Sterling put together (they think of everything). On these trips, they encourage families to participate. People go for certifications, fun dives, or even to come support family or friends as they dive. Sterling prepared all of our meals, had a nice camp fire to relax beside after a day of diving, and had water and other beverages at the ready to keep all of us hydrated. To top all that off, smores and a movie to end the day. This last trip I went on May 23-25 2014, there were around 50 of us (half were children). They even were working with a local Boy Scout troop for their certifications. Not only do I trust Sterling with my training and well, my life, but purchased all of my equipment from them as well. I was looking for a one-stop dive shop and I found it! I would say after a year of working with Sterling Silver SCUBA, they are by far the most professional, fun-loving, family-oriented dive shop I have been to. The owners Jason and Melissa have created a supportive environment where someone like me who knew nothing about diving could safely learn and explore this new passion of mine. read more

The shop introduced me to a passion for diving that I didn't even know I had! Everyone has been warm and welcoming, bringing me into the fold of the family so to speak! Melissa has gone out of her way to help me pick a camera system best for me - taking a day off to bring in personal systems to show me options! Even taking a return on a defective bag (months after it broke because I kept forget to bring it!!) Jason taught my rescue class and helped me to be calm (even when I was stressing about my buoyancy and mask issues) - filled our class with laughter and seriousness at the same time. I see the level of effort these two and the rest of the team (Robert, Drew, etc.) give - and I am happy to have them as my home away from home. A place I trust to have my back. An ear to listen. A set of teachers to continuously learn from. A place that brings me joy. New friends to travel with and new experiences to soak up! Thanks guys read more

Diventures - #padi #rescue #demp graduating class - Scuba Diving Near Me - Ashburn,, Virginia

Nautilus was an awesome place to get dry suit certified! They were so flexible with my schedule, and the fact that I had a torn ACL and couldn't carry my tanks. Robert was the absolute BEST, and he always had a smile on his face. What an awesome group of people to be surrounded by. The weekend certification camp in PA was awesome and the community was great. read more

Hands down...the best place to get scuba certified. My wife and I started out our scuba hobby with zero knowledge. We got our certification there, and that was what impressed us first. My wife is terrified of being in water that is more than 4 feet deep. However Jason and John were extremely patient and well-prepared to talk her through things. Overall, you can tell these guys really care about their students. She passed and we'll be diving in the Grand Caymans this weekend. After completing the course, they were very helpful in selecting a regulator, computer, and odds and ends for us. They never once pushed us to buy anything. Melissa, the girl that helped us, took her time out to go over the differences between each model. Prices were very reasonable, and the customer service that came with the purchase was exceptional. If you are in the Northern VA area, they are definitely worth checking out. If you are considering getting certified, you won't be disappointed. If you don't know how to buy, talk to Melissa. They are all super friendly. Vincent and Farrah read more

The group at Nautilus are fabulous. I've taken a couple of courses (nitrox, peak performance buoyancy). The instructors were clear, supportive, encouraging and knowledgeable. I also purchased and serviced my dive gear there - the sales people are advanced divers so their recommendations are based expertise rather than profit. I've also taken a couple of trips with them, too. Great experiences and diving. read more

Friendly and a great place to learn. Their trips are first rate. The training from Sterling is all very professional and fun. Safety is emphasized while still having a lot of fun. plus, they are family friendly, so kids are safe and welcome. This is not just a business for this crew, this is a passion to dive, teach, and enjoy the water. If you want to learn to dive, or extend your training, or go deep into technical diving, this is the place to go. read more

I can't say enough about the great experience I had earning my PADI Open Water Diver certification here. Everyone in the staff was extremely helpful. I look forward to taking some more certification courses here in the future. For now, I am able to cross one thing off of my bucket list and enjoy vacations involving as much diving as possible. They also have a good amount of diving supplies and were helfpul in fitting me for a mask and fins. Hopefully I can go on one of the many trips they schedule throughout the year! read more

Great group of people here (can only speak for the Sterling location, but Im sure the Chantilly store is just as good). My wife and I are in the process of getting certified and we went to Nautilus yesterday to get fitted for our rental equipment and buy a few upgraded pieces such as fins and boots. The staff was great and really know their stuff. Price wise, they are right on par with anyone else (plus you get a 10% discount when you are taking the class, which is a nice chuck of change), even big name online scuba shops... plus you dont pay shipping. Support local business and come check this place out! read more

Took a group of 19 teenagers from the Naval Sea Cadet Corps to Nautilus Aquatics for an intro scuba diving class. I was extremely pleased and completely IMPRESSED by the instructors: Chris, Andrew, and Bernadette. They were helpful, patient, informative and made the class FUN!!! They kept the energy high and the teenagers busy the whole time. Thanks to Melissa and Jason for creating an excellent and friendly atmosphere that makes you want to come back. If you've never tried scuba diving but have always wanted to make sure you check this place out. read more

Diventures - Scuba class for novice teenagers. - Scuba Diving Near Me - Ashburn,, Virginia

My son and I finished our open water with Drew this weekend. Drew is very patient and makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. We did our whole certification through Nautilus Aquatics and they really do care about your safety and overall experience in learning to dive. Thank you! read more

Since I'm planning to travel to Phuket in a few weeks, I decided to undertake the wonderful world of scuba diving so that I can dive there. So I contacted the local dive shop, Sterling Silver Scuba (called SSS hereon out because I am a lazy typist), and decided to take their "Open Water Diver Bootcamp," for the instruction portion of the PADI certification. Over the course of a Fri, Sat, and Sun, it was knocked out. I thought it was a lot of fun and will surely pay off down the road. The best part about SCUBA is that once you get certified, you are certified for life. We had a lot of reading to do prior to the class, but the class wasn't too difficult. The pool sessions were a lot of fun. SSS provided most of the scuba equipment needed for the course (i.e., the tanks, wetsuit, BCD, etc). You have to purchases your own mask, fins, booties, and snorkel. I didn't drown, get the bends, or die, so I recommend this place for your dive training needs. read more

Diventures - Open Water Diver Course - Scuba Diving Near Me - Ashburn,, Virginia

Great staff great prices and super cute dogs sometimes hanging out in the shop :) my boyfriend and I just went on a camping/scuba trip in va and SSS has got it goin' on! All the food, snacks, drinks, a movie at night, and transportation arrangements upon request. I don't have anything to compare it to, but generally good people = happy Kara. Yay! read more

Excellent, friendly, knowledgable staff. Made me feel at home from the moment I walked in the door. This is the place to go if you are a beginner or an experienced diver looking for a really fun shop to dive with. read more

Can't say enough about how professional and accommodating everyone is. Just got back from receiving my Open Water certification after a weekend camping in PA with a fairly large group. I had a panic attack and the instructor assigned me a master diver (Chris Kelly) who, at times, literally held my hand 26 feet under to make sure I made it through the course. read more

I love the fact that this is a mom and pop shop - The retail is good and prices reasonable. I had an issue and the new owners saw my post and went out of their way to correct. You guys rock. Thanks for making it right and we are back to being a customer read more

The Sterling Silver Scuba team is excellent! They accommodated for my wife (she's only 5' tall) by giving her a smaller tank during all of our dives & when she had a bit of an anxiety attack before descending for the first time, they (Jason -- one of the owners) helped talk her down & make her feel comfortable enough to keep going. During our open water certification, I had trouble removing & replacing my mask because the water was so cold (I couldn't tell if I had cleared all the water or not from my mask). The instructor (Donna) worked with me by holding my arm loosely & squeezing it to tell me when I completely cleared my mask. I honestly couldn't be more pleased with these guys. The entire crew is fantastic! read more

I agree with all the other reviewers that this is the best place in Northern Virginia (probably the entire DC area, including Maryland) to get scuba certified. I came here to get certified due to a trip to the Bahamas and Hawaii that my family was planning. I started out by taking the online PADI course and all of its subsequent quizzes, printing out my score sheets, and showing it to the people at Sterling Silver Scuba. Apart from signing some paperwork, the visit to the actual place in Sterling, Virginia, was very short and simple. All I had to do was buy my equipment, which included a wetsuit, a mask that I ended up losing in Hawaii's crazy waters, a snorkel, weight belts, and fins. It was all very expensive, but the prices were normal in comparison to how they'd be anywhere else. The staff at Sterling Silver Scuba were incredibly helpful, and I was very impressed by how much attention they paid to my needs and how much they ensured I was prepared for the next day's training day. The swimming part of the scuba certification takes place at the Claude Moore Recreation Center with a large group of scuba training hopeful, like me, and trainers. They help you assemble everything, including the belts and the oxygen tanks. If you're not in shape, this training part can be a real challenge. They require you to swim throughout the lap pool several times to ensure you're a good swimmer and you're required to float for nearly half an hour to test your endurance. Despite its challenge, I find it necessary and commendable that they make people work very hard for their scuba certification as it is something you truly have to be prepared for. While underwater in your scuba gear in the Claude Moore swimming pool, they teach you how to recover your mask if it ever falls off, how to recover your oxygen mouthpiece if it ever comes off, and scuba "sign-language" they use underwater. They teach you how to properly dive and how to swim around. Honestly, I could not have felt more prepared to scuba dive after these two training days. If you are going to be scuba certified, I recommend you do this with a friend or family member. Luckily, my cousin was also training with me, so we could do a bulk of the things together since much of scuba diving involves the buddy system. If you train alone, chances are you might have to work underwater with a stranger or a trainer, which might not be that bad. The only real complaint I have about the Claude Moore training part was that the swimming pool eventually started feeling a little cold, which is normal for being underwater for so long. Overall, though, I strongly recommend this place to anyone who is wishing to get scuba certified. The staff provide the best care and quality and you'll truly feel more than prepared to breathe underwater in the Atlantic Ocean with sharks and sea turtles. read more

Scuba diving is one of my main bucketlist items and as a professional photographer I look forward to, one day soon, having enough experience to bring my cameras underwater. I highly recommend Sterling Sliver Scuba. Instruction is amazing and instructors are very patient, helpful, professional, and understanding. Thank you Jason and Ryan! Ryan thank you especially for letting me work through a part I found difficult and putting up with me wanting to keep trying it over and over and over and over. :) I can't wait to continue onward with Sterling Silver Scuba!! read more

For the summer break Scuba Diving was not on the family agenda. However, while at a resort my 12 year old son was offered a chance to put on scuba gear and have a short swim in the resort pool. Upon returning home my son decided that he wanted to try it for real so we visited Nautilus Aquatics (Sterling Silver Scuba). Since then it has been an amazing fantastic journey. The owners, Melissa and Jason, and the entire staff have all been greatly supportive in helping us feel confident that our son, who is challenged, had the ability to participate in this new adventure. He started with a Discovery Swim and Dive session and followed that with some book study and then to a week long camp that ended with a multi-dive certification. We have since followed that up by participating in a Swim-N-Dive weekend which was fantastic. It is difficult to believe that just several months ago his love for swimming has grown into a new sport in which he has added 6 additional dives with one of them being a night dive. I cannot say enough about the support that every instructor provided, not only for my son, but for each member of every group he was with. His new skills have given him a new level of confidence and the knowledge that he can reach for higher goals. We highly recommend Nautilus Aquatics! The thought, caring, and details that they put into every event makes you know that you are their number one concern and a member of their diving family. Nautilus Aquatics is now a new part of our lives and we expect that our son will do many more diving events with them over the years. read more

I am overjoyed with this dive shop. I just became certified and I am proud to be so with Nautilus Aquatics. The owners, the instructors, they love diving, they care about their customers and students. I highly highly recommend this dive shop. Even if you are just a little curious about diving, go! They are so patient and will answer every question you have. The part that impressed me most though was the instruction. Every single instructor is top notch. From class to pool to certification dive you will find instructors to be full of knowledge, ready to answer any question you have, and so motivated to instill their passion of diving with you. Absolute class act in every way! read more

Sterling Silver Scuba staff and organization is wonderful. I had been certified before and never gained the confidence that I gained with the instructors at SSS. Following a weekend of confined water dives and classroom instruction I felt comfortable underwater and ready to take the next step to the Open Water dives. I immediately signed up for the Dutch Springs Aqua Park Dive and Camp weekend. I was so impressed with the organizational skills: gear ready for pick up, directions provided, entrance tickets to the park ready, plenty of good food and drinks at the campground, movies at night, campfire, s'mores, a wonderful group of people--both fun divers and staff. Just really well organized for a group outing of 30+ people. I can't say enough good things about the Instructors, the Divemasters, and staff. Doug, Ryan, Rich and Rob were all well qualified, supportive, encouraging, and safety oriented. I could not complete my second dive after growing anxious 25 ft underwater. I then missed the third dive as I relaxed and talked with other divers that related some of their experiences. The next day, I suited up again with the intent of finishing the next 3 dives to qualify as an Open Water Diver. On the first dive down, again I became anxious, and was within moments of going back up and quiting. But, with Rich's underwater encouragement and support, I was able to calm down within a few minutes. I completed all the skills required and felt comfortable swimming around in the open water. One of my concerns had been that I would sink to the bottom or going rocketing to the surface, neither happened. I changed out the air tank and began the next dive. After completing the task of taking off my mask underwater and putting it back on without a moment of concern I began to enjoy the underwater environment. After the third dive, I asked if we could just head back down for the forth and final qualification dive since I still had plenty of air in my tank. I was excited to get back underwater. I attribute my transition from anxious to confident to the quality, caring, and encouraging instruction I received. I was also extremely overwhelmed by how they worked with me, virtually private instruction, to make sure I was able to satisfy the course requirements even when the reason I didn't complete the dives as scheduled was "my fault". Melissa, and I am sure others, made sure everything on the trip was organized to perfection. I don't think you will find a better group of people to learn SCUBA from and to go diving with. I highly recommend Sterling Silver Scuba. read more

"Everything is Awesome" Thank you very much to the Sterling Silver Team. What a wonderful weekend Helen and I had. I appreciate all the support you gave us, we were both pretty scared. We always felt like we were in expert hands with Jason and Brian. The Master Diver candidates were also great and helped us feel at ease. When Helen had trouble and panicked, I wanted to to go up with her, but I saw Jason in total control, and knew he could handle the situation. I know she will get the one skill she needs to pass the next time I get her there. Kudos to Melissa and all the food she had out for us. Helen even commented, "Mom, her food is better than yours, and she doesn't have a kitchen or grocery store near her". Just a wonderful place to learn to scuba. read more