Finding My Dive Family at Scuba Connection…read more Looking for a dive shop that truly builds divers, not just certifications? Scuba Connection is it! I came to them like a 'fish out of water' -- and left a proud little guppy, ready to swim. Scuba Connection has been everything I hoped for as I continue building my dive journey. Their instructors combine deep knowledge, real patience, and precision, always putting safety and skill first. From the very first conversation, it was clear: their priority isn't just certifications -- it's building skill, confidence, and true community. The instructors made sure I understood not just how to do something, but why it mattered for my safety -- every step reinforced with encouragement, care and expert support. The access to top-of-the-line equipment was outstanding -- everything was thoughtfully fitted, meticulously maintained, and set up for success. At one point, I was geared up with over $3K in dive computers -- talk about trust and full VIP treatment! If you're even thinking about diving, this is the team you want behind you. But what stands out most is the human side. At Scuba Connection, "connection" isn't just a word -- it's a promise. It's family. I'm proud to have found my dive family here -- and I can't wait for everything ahead!

Excellent experience from start to finish! Emailed them as I had purchased new regulators, BCD and…read moreSPG and wanted to test, and get familiar, with the new equipment before doing an 8 day Liveaboard diving with sharks in the Bahamas. Frank responded very quickly and professionally to each of my numerous emails with many questions. TIm who was my instructor (I did a refresher course to check out the equipment and get some pointers/reminders) was very attentive, had great input/suggestions and is also very patient. Both Frank and Tim checked my gear for leaks while we were in the water to ensure all hoses were properly connected. I highly recommend them, and hope to go on one of their trips in the near future!

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!

Well, one must give credit where due... My girlfriend and I are incredibly thankful to have become…read moreinvolved with this organization. We actually interviewed several dive shops before deciding on taking our certification course with Ocean Horizons. We felt very comfortable with Paul's demeanor, approach to our concerns, and high level of diving skill/experience. We enjoyed the experience so much we decided to go on a trip to Cozumel to do our certification dives. The group that traveled down with Ocean Horizons was big mix of very friendly people who were never shy about sharing their experiences or providing helpful tips to make each dive as smooth as possible. To make an already long story short- if you are thinking of getting scuba certified, do yourself a favor and at least reach out to Ocean Horizon, you won't regret it!

My son and I found Oceanblue (the Norwalk shop) this year and are hooked. Michael, the owner, is a…read moregreat guy and clearly cares about what he is doing, both in running his business and in bettering the diving community. We have taken a couple of courses at Oceanblue, gotten some great gear, and been diving with Michael and other instructors (shout out to Dan, who we finished our Master Diver certification dives with) - all fantastic experiences. I strongly recommend this shop to anyone in the CT/NY area for whatever your own diving interests are.

You know you're chicken of the sea when you always wanted to scuba dive, but can't, cuz you're too…read moreafraid of the ocean (hint: take a look at the image below) But have no fear because Oceanblue Divers are here!!! I came with my girl friend and we both had so much fun! The people were absolutely friendly and knowledgeable. The location was a bit far, but beautiful. The pool was beautiful and very tropical-ish, while the experience of going underwater with a tank was amazing!! I highly recommend this surreal experience to anyone who wants to get their feet wet but are too afraid to do so in the ocean. o / ) / ( , __/ ) .' `; o _.-~~~~ ''---..__ .' ; _.--' b) "" "" ''--...____.' .' . ( _. )). `-._ / `WW\)-.... .___"- `-. __...-- '-.'. jgs ' '---......____... " --.`.___.'----... .' `.; Btw, one of the best things about Oceanblue Divers, is that they are also a club which means they travel together as a group on vacation so they can enjoy swimming with the fish in its natural environment.

When I decided to dive, it seemed bold at the time because I've never snorkeled, Fall was ending…read moreand the idea of having tons and tons of water above me while I build the muscle memory to use the only thing keeping me alive was not something I would willingly do, at least with a sane mind. I spent about a week researching about scuba and realized the importance of buoyancy and trim. Unfortunately, I also found that almost all beginner friendly scuba classes treat buoyancy as something to check off a list. I was personally shocked because it meant that the vast majority of divers never really spent enough time learning to be neutrally buoyant. I cannot stress how important this is- divers kill coral, destroy ecosystems and by extension, marine life by simply being sloppy. Sandra realizes this and much more, it is evident on her website. Her classes are small in size and feels like a mentorship program (which was exactly what I was looking for) as she often teaches beginners and advanced students side by side, giving the beginners an opportunity to watch and learn from master divers. Safety is paramount to her, followed by buddy awareness and buoyancy. She is a passionate cave diver which is a highly technical side of diving, hence even if you just try your best to imitate her underwater, you will end up learning more than any beginner anywhere in the world. She is also a very meticulous teacher. You really have to earn your certification from her, making it all the more rewarding when you finally do. (as opposed to diving in a resort and checking a list off) In about 7 hours in the water at Dutch springs (including a snow day) I've become perfectly comfortable underwater -with a dry suit- evident to me and the other divers who buddy up, because of Sandra. She even managed to instill confidence and passion in me to get into technical diving and take up advanced courses. I cannot recommend her enough! 10 stars!

I got both my Open Water and Dry Suit Diver certifications with Sandra. Both the pool and open…read morewater sessions were well-run, organized and 110% thorough. I always felt very confident that I was being taught not just the basics, but also a lot of other helpful information. This is not your average, "check the box" certification. Sandra is extremely flexible and often spends a lot of extra time with students, whether it's to help with the e-learning or during the sessions themselves. She truly goes above and beyond. "Scuba Sandra" should also be known as Safety Sandra, because she is huge on safety, both out of the water and in it. Sandra has been diving for more than a decade, and it shows. I loved hearing her stories and also her teaching tools (ways to remember things, anecdotes, et cetera). And she's got a great sense of humor that I could appreciate. She's also very real, honest and down-to-earth (get it?). I would highly recommend booking her for your certification(s).

Doug is the best!!!! Very professional and knowledgeable! Took scuba classes here and I deff…read morewouldnt go anywhere else.

I have, for years, wanted to take SCUBA classes. After kicking the idea around for a while I…read morestopped in at a few shops, some of which were clearly less-than-honest about the pricing. I asked a few friends, young and old, about their opinions, and the only shop to get high recommendations was Cedar Grove Divers Supply. So I stopped in the shop to talk. Let me be clear, scuba diving is not cheap. But it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. CGDS was up front about the cost, which was reasonable. Some places say they are cheaper, but then add "pool fees" and "certification fees." CGDS has awesome supplies in stock, and let me try out items before making the decision on what to buy. They include so much in their course, which doesn't begin to explain the experience of the instructor. The primary instructor, Doug, has been diving for longer that I have been alive. The wealth of knowledge provided during class, during open water dives, and during general discussion is unparalleled. Classes and certification dive days felt more like talking to friends than taking a class. I can't say enough about this family owned operation, and would recommend it to anyone. In fact, some of my own family members will be signing up soon. I will be back for more advanced training in the future!

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 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!

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.

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.