We live, eat, and sleep Scuba Diving, and want to help you do the same! The California Channel Islands are one of the world's most beautiful scuba destinations, and they're right in our back yard! Let our family share our passion with yours! Channel Islands Scuba has been locally owned and operated since 1988.
We're a Ventura County institution. This is a business born of a passion for SCUBA and a genuine love for the aquatic world off the California coast. We started as a family-owned and operated business; this is how we know that our team is made up of the very best people, and it's why we are so determined to take care of this community; it is a part of us.
We're a Ventura County institution. This is a business born of a passion for SCUBA and a genuine love for the aquatic world off the California coast. We started as a family-owned and operated business; this is how we know that our team is made up of the very best people, and it's why we are so determined to take care of this community; it is a part of us.
Services
Mike, our dive shop owner, loves to teach people about SCUBA. He knows from personal experience that the love for scuba can quickly become a life-altering passion. After becoming a diver himself, he wanted to share his experience with others, and became a Dive Pro and Scuba Instructor, but that wasn't enough.
Scuba Certifications vary widely in what you get for how much you pay. Our course fees include all certification and diving fees, meaning you'll never be surprised by unexpected costs. And with our own on-site pool, you'll never be rushed through skills before your ocean dives. Practice all you want.
Reviews (19)
Bob K.
Jan 04, 2022
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Logan Millsap
Dec 04, 2021
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Highly recommend this shop for dive certification, especially if you want to feel confident in the water. Mike and his team are incredibly knowledgeable and patient when it comes to instruction and they emphasize that they care more about creating confident, capable divers over merely certified ones. They even do an extra week of class and pool sessions over other programs to make sure you’re comfortable before hitting the ocean. They do however require you to own most of your own equipment instead of renting all of it to you, so prepare for about $700 on top of the class cost (They provide regulators
Nick Lundstrom
Sep 26, 2021
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K. A.
Mar 26, 2021
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These guys stand by their motto of scuba family. So much so that we are now training to be a family of scuba divers. One member of our family became certified and it was such a rewarding experience that two others are joining her ranks.
From the first trepidatious moment walking in not knowing a thing, Laz and Mike were warm and welcoming.
They took time to get to know our needs and outfit us correctly. They have passed on their wealth of knowledge with enthusiasm and patience.
Customer service like this is rare these days. In fact I'd go so far as to say it's rare for twenty years ago
From the first trepidatious moment walking in not knowing a thing, Laz and Mike were warm and welcoming.
They took time to get to know our needs and outfit us correctly. They have passed on their wealth of knowledge with enthusiasm and patience.
Customer service like this is rare these days. In fact I'd go so far as to say it's rare for twenty years ago
Michael M.
Dec 20, 2020
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Great people at this family businesses. Mike and Laz are considerate, knowledgeable professionals who took excellent care getting my son certified. He came away skilled, confident, and even more excited about diving than he was going in. I've been diving for 25 years all over the world; rarely do you see such safe, effective, and enthusiastic instructors.
Definitely recommend them.
Definitely recommend them.
Kaitlyn Gelfman
Nov 28, 2020
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Pixie Tobin
Nov 06, 2020
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Christian Walton
Aug 10, 2020
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Channel Islands Scuba is our top pick for all things SCUBA. Their courses are top quality with the most helpful instructors you can possibly find. I recommend their top tier service to all of my close friends and family looking to explore the ocean water. They helped my brothers and I gain our Open Water License and we can't wait to go on more dives!
Steven Walton
Jul 10, 2020
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We registered all 3 of our sons for Open Water certification and Channel Islands SCUBA created a custom family class when I decided to join them for a re-fresher. I am now finally able to share these experiences with the boys! The instruction was terrific, with wonderfully personable and knowledgable people at the shop. Whether for instruction or purchasing equipment, we highly recommend this team to all of our interested friends. Enjoy !
Marc S.
Sep 02, 2019
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Lauren Noelle G.
Aug 05, 2018
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Just finished my final dive on the Spectre today and got scuba certified. Amazing boat crew. Amazing dive masters and dive instructor, Mike, Lazarus and Brett. I can't say enough great things about this whole scuba diving experience--from the first day I walked into the scuba shop to today. If you're looking for a hands-on, informational, rewarding and fun scuba training, there's really (seriously) no better scuba shop to learn from in the entire LA area.
Mike I.
May 20, 2018
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I had a hard time choosing a scuba certification company but I'm so happy that I went with Channel Islands Scuba. I knew right off the bat that I was going to be in good hands, I initially met with Lazarus, he went over all the details with me, what to expect and what their process is. My instructor was Tim Coates, a very knowledgeable and experienced diver, man I gotta tell you! He is a very patient man, and a very good instructor overall. There are many scuba companies for you to choose from, make sure you go with CIS. You'll be glad you did.
Daniel P.
Apr 29, 2018
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Stephen W.
Mar 07, 2018
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If you want a shop that can help you pick the right gear, discover diving safely and create a sense of self-confidence when diving, then this may be the shop for you. I have been diving with this shop now for a little over a year now and it is thanks to them that I have fell in love with the sport of scuba diving. So much to the point where its an addiction (Warning: can potentially make you sleep on the couch when you decide to go diving with your buddies instead of spending 'quality time' with your significant other... just saying).
They helped develop my skills in the pool and provided
They helped develop my skills in the pool and provided
Lindsay E.
Aug 22, 2017
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When I walked into the shop for the first time I was greeted with a smile and the best customer service. It didn't matter how basic my question they are there to help with all your scuba needs. They are passionate about what they do and happy to share their experience and knowledge! Plus all the options for different programs and education they have is second to none! They are there for you whatever level of scuba you would like to participate in!
Anthony D.
Mar 19, 2017
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Annie C.
Sep 03, 2016
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I wanted to take the time to give a review as I know how often I depend on Yelp business reviews. Channel Islands Scuba is a huge asset and resource for the diving community. I took their Open Water Cert course last month and it was an awesome experience. The shop Owner Mike (who instructed the class) is super knowledgable, experienced, and passionate (obsessed! lol) with diving. They don't just try to sell you stuff, they genuinely have a community of divers who even get together monthly for special dive related speakers, to plan dives, all while enjoying a BBQ. Looking forward to doing
Megan S.
Apr 16, 2015
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J. B.
Nov 12, 2014
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Everyone at Channel Islands Scuba was amazing. The instructors were everything you'd want: knowledgable, patient, friendly, helpful and SO. MUCH. FUN! Mike and his son helped us pick out the right gear to get our new adventure started. If you want to learn to scuba, Channel Islands Scuba is the only place to do it.
