How to Choose a Dive Shop

Choosing a dive shop is one of the most important early decisions in diving. The shop sets the tone for your training, provides the gear you rely on, and often determines how much real practice time you get before certification. As a beginner, it is easy to assume the closest shop or the cheapest course will be good enough. In reality, that choice can shape your confidence, your safety, and how much you enjoy diving for years to come. This guide covers what to research before you visit, questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and quick checks you can do in person. With the right information you can avoid common mistakes and find a shop where you will thrive.

First Impressions Matter

• Is the shop clean, organized, and welcoming?
• Did someone greet you, or did they seem annoyed?
• A professional and inviting environment reflects the level of care in training and customer service.

Training Agency & Standards

Not all certification agencies follow the same training standards. While most dive shops are affiliated with PADI, SSI, or SDI, some may also offer GUE or NAUI courses.

Some agencies have different approaches to skills, safety, and continuing education. If you have a preference, ensure the shop aligns with your training philosophy. See our guide on Choosing a Certification Agency.

Instructor Availability & Fit

• Check if the shop provides instructor bios or allows instructor selection.
• Some shops allow instructor changes if needed.
• Ask how flexible they are in accommodating different teaching styles.

For more on instructor evaluation, see what makes a good dive instructor.

Selection of Gear

• Ensure they carry a good range of masks, fins, and snorkels.
• Many shops offer discounts for purchasing gear with class sign-ups.
• Check for reputable brands and avoid low-quality gear. See our Gear Guides.

Rental Gear Quality

• Check rental gear condition. Well maintained gear is a sign of quality.
• Look for signs of neglect, such as worn-out wetsuits or BCDs.

Pressure-Free Sales Approach

• Beware of aggressive sales tactics that pressure you into buying expensive gear.
• A good shop offers recommendations without pushing unnecessary purchases.
• Pre-built bundles are rarely a good deal.

Why Class Size Matters

Many shops advertise small classes, but small can mean different things. Some consider eight students per instructor to be reasonable. The real sweet spot is four students or fewer per instructor. At that size you have space to ask questions, get personal feedback, and avoid feeling like just another body in the pool. It also allows the instructor to observe and support each diver, which is a safety factor.

Emergency Preparedness & Safety Culture

Shops that offer DAN courses or Human Factors in Diving often have a stronger safety culture.

A Personal Lesson Learned

After my Open Water course I was enthusiastic and bought a full set of gear from my training shop. The owner was not trying to take advantage of me. He gave advice in good faith. But I had no way of knowing what I did not know. Within a year half of that gear was sold, replaced, or thrown out. It was not fraud. It was a mismatch between beginner assumptions and long term needs. That kind of mismatch can happen in instruction as well.

Later I walked into another shop just to look around. The owner Mike invited me to sit at a small table on the main floor and asked if I wanted something to drink. He did not know I was an experienced diver. He just listened. That quiet welcome made more of an impression than any sales pitch. In time he earned far more from me in gear, courses, and trips, and gained a Divemaster and a friend.

Choosing the right shop is about more than gear or convenience. It is about finding a place where you feel welcome, respected, and supported from the start. That choice can set the tone for your entire dive journey.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Instructors who brag about how fast they certify people
• Vague pricing or overly polished answers that avoid specifics
• Neglected rental gear, missing parts, or no visible service dates
• No instructor transparency or inability to request an instructor
• Rushed schedules with little pool time for real practice

Get Outside Input

• Ask local divers where they trained and who they recommend
• Look for detailed reviews, not just star ratings
• Compare at least two shops side by side using the checklist below

If You are in Chicagoland

If you are looking for training in the Chicagoland area, check out our Chicago Private Instructor page for recommendations on high-quality private instruction. We also maintain a List of Chicago Dive Shops to help you find a shop for training, gear, and air fills.

What to Research Before You Visit

• Clear class details: dates, class size policy, total pool and open-water hours, make-up options, pricing, and refunds
• Instructor transparency: bios, experience, and whether you can request one
• Rental and service: rental brands, servicing cadence, and typical turnaround times
• Safety culture: oxygen kit on site, first aid training, DAN courses and Human Factors in Diving
• Community: active trips, fun dives, or mentoring for graduates
• Quality signals: recent updates, mobile friendly pages, fast load times, real class photos
• Reviews: recent, detailed reviews that mention time in water and coaching quality

Quick web checks

• Search their site using Google: site:theirdomain.com "Open Water"
• Skim Google reviews by Most recent and look for specifics, not just stars

Questions to Ask Before You Sign Up

• What is the student-to-instructor ratio for Open Water
• How many pool hours and open-water dives are scheduled, and what if I need extra practice
• Can I see instructor bios and request one if schedules allow
• What rental brands do you use and how often is gear serviced
• What are typical turnarounds for reg servicing and tank fills
• Do you run fun dives or trips for graduates

Quick Checks When You Visit

• Clean, organized retail area that feels professional
• Respectful, pressure free answers to beginner questions
• Prices and return policies posted or clearly explained

A caution: what should appear on a shop’s website often reflects how well run the business is behind the scenes. A clear, detailed site is usually a sign of strong organization and modern systems. But many excellent shops are owned by divers who have little interest in websites or marketing, or are older and aging out of the industry. That does not automatically make the shop unsafe or low quality. It just means you may need to rely more on conversations, questions, and word of mouth to separate the good from the bad.