Unfortunately due to a fire, Charleston Scuba will be temporarily closed until further notice. We can still be reached through our phone (843) 763-3483, or message us on FaceBook. We apologize for any inconvenience, we hope to be back soon!. If you've always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, discover new adventures, or simply see the wondrous world beneath the waves, this is where it all starts!
We are the only PADI 5-star IDC and Coast Guard Certified Dive Operations in the Charleston area. We offer scuba classes, equipment repair and rental services, a broad selection of retails items, as well as plenty of local dive charters and dive trips to exotic locations. Book your scuba certification, local dive, or international trip today, and see firsthand why Charleston calls us the best in the business!
We are the only PADI 5-star IDC and Coast Guard Certified Dive Operations in the Charleston area. We offer scuba classes, equipment repair and rental services, a broad selection of retails items, as well as plenty of local dive charters and dive trips to exotic locations. Book your scuba certification, local dive, or international trip today, and see firsthand why Charleston calls us the best in the business!
Services
Charleston Scuba is Charleston, South Carolina's only PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center. Whether you want to learn to dive, purchase new gear, get your gear serviced, book a charter, or do some dive travel we have everything you need! Our staff is the friendliest in the area and can help you with all of your scuba needs.
Whether you want to try scuba diving, advance your training, or become a dive professional, let the PADI scuba diving experts at Charleston Scuba guide you to your goal. As a PADI Diver, you carry the most respected and sought after scuba credentials in the world. No matter where you choose to dive, your PADI certification card will be recognized and accepted.
We're happy you've decided to join us on one of our exciting expeditions offshore! Charleston diving is like nothing else you'll experience on the East Coast. Our sites are close enough to the warm, clear waters of the Gulf Stream to draw colorful tropical species up from the south, but also deep enough to draw large pelagic animals such as sharks, turtles, dolphins and big rays from the open ocean.
Isla Marisol Resort is a certified PADI Belize Diving Resort offering unbeatable and unforgettable local dive excursions in Glover's Reef and the Blue Hole. Billed as "the world's favorite freshwater drift dive", Rainbow River provides fun for all ages and certification levels, including snorkelers.
We carry a wide array of equipment from several manufacturers. We have all types of equipment in all sizes and colors in stock, from wet suits to snorkeling gear to gear for more technically challenging dives. We also have E (2) oxygen compatible air. Our air is tested every quarter by Trace Analytics.
Reviews (24)
Stephanie B.
Sep 15, 2021
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Kenneth Levoit
Jun 21, 2021
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A few things worth mentioning
1. The owner and boat captain Tom is a great diver and ambassador to scuba diving and marine life. His experiance is hard to find these days with over 30 years in the business and more being a diver his depth of knowledge is hard to beat. He told me about diving experiences and projects that were like a personal history of scuba and local knowledge. He's runs a very clean and properly working as well as safe boat.
2. His staff was awesome the dive master was super helpful, knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. The tech diver that was helping the dive master
1. The owner and boat captain Tom is a great diver and ambassador to scuba diving and marine life. His experiance is hard to find these days with over 30 years in the business and more being a diver his depth of knowledge is hard to beat. He told me about diving experiences and projects that were like a personal history of scuba and local knowledge. He's runs a very clean and properly working as well as safe boat.
2. His staff was awesome the dive master was super helpful, knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. The tech diver that was helping the dive master
Waffle Waffle
Jun 16, 2021
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Charleston Scuba canceled a charter trip the afternoon before we were suppose to go out. They would charge customers if they cancel without 48 hours notice, but they can apparently cancel the trip 18 hours before without repercussions. I'm sure it would be fun to go out, but I won't find out because it is now too late to book another trip. Hopefully if you book a charter they will follow through on their promises. I will not be rolling the dice with them again. Not a way to run a business.
Per their email: "We have a 48-hour cancellation policy for individuals and buddy teams, and a 7-day cancellation
Per their email: "We have a 48-hour cancellation policy for individuals and buddy teams, and a 7-day cancellation
Harriet Hall
May 22, 2021
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Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality
I had a great experience at Charleston Scuba! We did the Discover Scuba Experience, and I was really impressed with our instructor Oliver's knowledge and patience. He was excited to share his passion for scuba and made it a really fun experience. We can't wait to try it again!
I had a great experience at Charleston Scuba! We did the Discover Scuba Experience, and I was really impressed with our instructor Oliver's knowledge and patience. He was excited to share his passion for scuba and made it a really fun experience. We can't wait to try it again!
Laurie S.
Nov 29, 2020
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My daughter and I recently took the padi certification courses with Jeff Sheldon at Charleston Scuba. Jeff made sure that my daughter and I understood the course material. I can't say enough about how patient and thorough Jeff was. I was very nervous with certain skills and Jeff managed to calm me down. He would practice the skills with me multiple times until I met the requirements. He was so attentive and made sure we also had fun. If you have a chance to take any of the padi courses, I highly recommend Jeff! The whole staff at Charleston Scuba are professional and friendly. The last day
Chap Your Hybrid Tech
Sep 23, 2020
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Just got my special order aqualung semi dry suit in!! Kelly was super helpful, I asked a ton of questions bc the suit wasn’t in store to try on. She was super knowledgeable about the suit I was after. It arrived within a week. A young man over heard Kelly and I talking and gave me vital info on how to keep my particular suit in good condition, how and when to wash it... etc. I learned a lot thru my interactions with them. I just couldn't be happier with Chas dive shop and staff... and my new wetsuit
Scott L.
Jul 13, 2020
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We had an introduction to Scuba lesson set up for my daughter's birthday. Our instructors, Cathy and Denny, were outstanding. My daughter and her friend could not stop talking about the incredible experience they had. Very professional and complete. My daughter wants her Open Water Divers Certification. We will be taking another friend in the next couple of weeks.
Kayla Bradley
Jun 09, 2020
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Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Value
Amazing experience and people. Everyone in the class and at the shop make you feel at home. Relate information to real life situations you may occur in your professions. 10/10 recommended. I felt a part of the groups during my CPR class and will be going back to further my SCUBA diving certifications.
Amazing experience and people. Everyone in the class and at the shop make you feel at home. Relate information to real life situations you may occur in your professions. 10/10 recommended. I felt a part of the groups during my CPR class and will be going back to further my SCUBA diving certifications.
Felicia Thomason
Aug 20, 2018
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I had a great experience with Charleston Scuba. I became a certified scuba diver yesterday, 09/02/18. The team was great! I got very seasick, and they were just the best! They helped me every way they possibly could, to include taking care of my gear for me. They encouraged me to complete my dives & kept a close eye on me under water to make sure I was ok. The dives were great! Tom, Tim, and Michelle were fantastic! I am so glad I was able to complete my dives. I would not have been able to do it if it were not for them. A million thanks!
Tim H.
Aug 11, 2018
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We dove twice recently. Would I use them again yes but check the number of divers as they over load the boat sometimes. Now the details.
Check in was good but took a little while on Day 2 due to the number of people. The shop where park at is not at the marina where the boat is docked so don't forget anything.
The captain/owner and crew are competent, knowledgeable, and enjoyable to be around for the 1.5-2 hours boat rides you are on. The safety/boat and dive briefings are good. They bring coolers for drinks and food but they are too small if Tom packs the boat.
Day 1 there were 7
Check in was good but took a little while on Day 2 due to the number of people. The shop where park at is not at the marina where the boat is docked so don't forget anything.
The captain/owner and crew are competent, knowledgeable, and enjoyable to be around for the 1.5-2 hours boat rides you are on. The safety/boat and dive briefings are good. They bring coolers for drinks and food but they are too small if Tom packs the boat.
Day 1 there were 7
Catharine P.
Jun 18, 2018
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I took a SCUBA Refresher Course yesterday and it was exactly what I needed. It's been 8 years since I last dove but I'm diving next week, so wanted to get reintroduced to the equipment and to get past some of those initial nerves. We ended up spending 2.5ish hours in the water which was fantastic. We worked on some skills at first and then we were able to just swim around and practice our buoyancy skills and just generally get more comfortable with everything. Carly was our instructor and she was fantastic - couldn't have been more helpful. We had a bunch of layman questions which
Drew C.
Jun 04, 2018
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Jeff Turner
Jan 28, 2018
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This is a great group of folks to dive with. You get personalized service from prior to boat launch until you have returned to the dive shop. Experienced, knowledgeable, and safety minded throughout every dive trip. I have now made over 75 dives with them both locally and on “out of State” dive trips, and have never had a bad experience. They are the ONLY dive shop I will go with in the Charleston, SC area. Thanks Charleston Scuba for all the great times I've expierenced, and those yet to come.
Andres T.
Oct 18, 2017
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My wife and I finally decided to take on a new adventure and try out SCUBA diving. We choose Charleston Scuba due to its close proximity to the downtown area. We were very surprised on how well they treated us as first timers to their store. We felt right at home! We signed up for our open water dive classes and they answered all of our questions. We had the best time with Morgan (our dive instructor) and are currently signed up for two of our four open water dives necessary for the certification. We are so happy we picked this place!
William P.
Aug 07, 2017
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John B.
Jul 30, 2017
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Kelly M.
Jun 04, 2017
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My husband and I needed a refresher before we headed to our next dive vacation. Charleston Scuba offered what we needed. I spoke with Claudia over the phone to book this, she was very helpful and knowledgeable about the equipment the shop sells. Dan was our Dive Master. He was patient and helped me a lot with buoyancy. This was definitely a great start to our dive trip the next week.
Allie S.
Apr 02, 2017
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A fantastic and accommodating dive shop. I had an unexpected trip come up in 2 weeks and needed to be certified and they were able to accommodate the short time period and work around my work schedule to get me in to everything i needed in time. My dive instructor was great, too! Extremely helpful- highly recommend in the Charleston area!
David Miller
Feb 01, 2017
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My fiance and I flew down from Washington, DC to get our final open water certification training for a weekend in October. We were signed up with another dive company in Charleston--but they canceled on us the same morning of our flight! I thought we were screwed, but Charleston Scuba totally saved the day! They scrambled to accommodate us and got us an instructor at the last minute. Jason, Jordan, and then Jeff totally took care of us and were just awesome. I'm so glad we came to Charleston and got these guys because they made us feel comfortable and are top notch professionals. Thanks for everything
Charles H.
Feb 22, 2015
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This is the worst dive operation I have ever used.
I have years of diving experience on both coasts of the US, Central America and Mexico, and never have I seen a more unprofessional and rude staff, or more people packed onto a smaller boat. Sally in particular was incredibly rude to other divers on the boat and actually diver to "sit down and shut up" when she asked how much longer it would be until we reached the dive site.
The "reefs & ledges" that they promote on their site are inedibly meager in size and NOT worth the 2.5 - 3 hour ride one-way in a packed boat
I have years of diving experience on both coasts of the US, Central America and Mexico, and never have I seen a more unprofessional and rude staff, or more people packed onto a smaller boat. Sally in particular was incredibly rude to other divers on the boat and actually diver to "sit down and shut up" when she asked how much longer it would be until we reached the dive site.
The "reefs & ledges" that they promote on their site are inedibly meager in size and NOT worth the 2.5 - 3 hour ride one-way in a packed boat
Lee Taylor
Dec 05, 2014
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Jiska F.
Apr 12, 2013
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I have been diving with Charleston Scuba for several years and although my initial certification was done elsewhere, I have done the rest of my certifications up to rescue diver with this outfit. In addition, I have been on a number of trips, both local and elsewhere with them.
The number one rule at all times with Charleston Scuba is SAFETY FIRST. Some people seem to be offended by being told something they don't want to hear on the dive boat, but I have always been impressed with the level of professionalism by the crew and captain. If something is mentioned or suggested to a diver, it
The number one rule at all times with Charleston Scuba is SAFETY FIRST. Some people seem to be offended by being told something they don't want to hear on the dive boat, but I have always been impressed with the level of professionalism by the crew and captain. If something is mentioned or suggested to a diver, it
Cian D.
Dec 04, 2012
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I haven't dove with them, and there isn't a lot of diving done in Charleston due to long trips to decent deep water & very poor visibility close to shore so I can't comment on the dive trips with them (nor have I done one yet). The lack of local activity probably means its very hard to get enough people to run a trip not at a loss, so enforcing a cancelation policy seems very reasonable to me, as well as having a drawn out process of booking.
However I have bought quite a bit of equipment of them, and had service repairs done, and I have to say I was extremely impressed. The
However I have bought quite a bit of equipment of them, and had service repairs done, and I have to say I was extremely impressed. The
Cam K.
Jul 28, 2012
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Undoubtedly the most unprofessional scuba company in all of SC.
Took weeks of persistent emails and phone calls before I was able to schedule dives.
Eventually, I was able to schedule a 2-dive trip for 2 people, but then had to cancel due to medical reasons. Canceled more than 48 hours in advance (which is their policy IN WRITING on their website), but then received a call saying "no, they didn't get the message (number went to voicemail during normal business hours) and they hadn't gotten any messages all week." Um, isn't not getting any messages all week a good indicator
Took weeks of persistent emails and phone calls before I was able to schedule dives.
Eventually, I was able to schedule a 2-dive trip for 2 people, but then had to cancel due to medical reasons. Canceled more than 48 hours in advance (which is their policy IN WRITING on their website), but then received a call saying "no, they didn't get the message (number went to voicemail during normal business hours) and they hadn't gotten any messages all week." Um, isn't not getting any messages all week a good indicator