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Dive Inn Review

Sunday, May 18th

2025 Scuba Store Reviews

Dive Inn Review 2.5 Star Rating

Dive Inn

2.5 Star Rating
  • Competitive prices on major brands, with potential savings on items like Mares regulators ($585 vs. $712) and Atomic Aquatics masks ($112 vs. $150)
  • Over 2 million products across 7,000 brands
  • Carries major brands including Scubapro, Suunto, Mares, Uwatec, Oceanic, Aqua Lung, Cressi, Tusa, Apeks, Atomic, and Hollis
  • Detailed product specifications, manuals, and clear import duty notifications provided
  • Worldwide shipping available to over 190 countries
  • 30-day return policy for unused items with original tags
  • Team of experienced dive instructors available for product advice

Dive Inn is often recommended on scuba diving forums across the internet for its vast selection and promised low prices. As part of the larger Trade Inn group, this retailer boasts over 2 million products and 7,000 brands in their 30,000 square meter logistics center. Yes, square meters - Dive Inn is based in Europe. So before you get too excited about any particular deal on scuba gear here, there's more you should know about shipping costs, accuracy issues, and customer service experiences that could make or break your shopping decision. (Spoiler alert: location matters - a lot.)

Extensive catalog with scuba gear for all needs

When you're browsing Dive Inn's scuba gear collection, you'll find an incredibly comprehensive catalog that covers everything from basic snorkeling equipment to technical diving apparatus. The selection is truly massive, covering everything from specialized items like diving logbooks and tank equalizers to everyday scuba essentials like fins and masks. You can navigate through major sections like "Suits and complements”, "Fins, masks and snorkels”, "Computers”, "Spearguns”, "Regulators”, and "Vests”, plus check out their "Hot Deals!” section. Dive Inn's product pages include thorough descriptions with specifications and manuals, and they're upfront about potential import duties that might apply to your scuba gear purchase.

Fantastic deals on scuba gear

When you're looking for scuba gear deals online, you'll notice that Dive Inn often has prices that look incredibly tempting - like their Mares Abyss 22 Navy II regulator set at $585 compared to $712 elsewhere, or the Atomic Aquatics SubFrame mask at $112 versus the usual $150. However, international shipping hassles and potential customs fees from this European retailer could quickly sink your savings. For example, when we added a Cressi Leonardo dive computer ($199.49) and a SEAC Relax freediving 2.2 mm wetsuit ($118.99) to our cart, shipping ranged from $21.49 to $82.99, depending on the timeline we chose. Here's our advice: show these great prices to one of the US-based scuba shops in our review that offers price matching. That way, you'll get the best of both worlds - great prices and more local service.

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Shipping from Dive Inn can be a roll of the dice

When you're shopping for scuba gear at Dive Inn, you should know that while they offer worldwide shipping, delivery times are completely unpredictable. Some customers have waited five months for basic fittings, while others received their compressors in just ten days. (And if customs gets involved with your scuba gear shipment, you might need to channel that zen-like patience you learned in your open water certification.) The site claims to ship globally, with shipping costs that vary based on your location and order size.

Returns are possible but potentially painful

If your Dive Inn scuba gear doesn't work out, you have 30 days to return it - as long as everything's unused and still has its tags. However, be prepared to handle return shipping costs back to Europe yourself unless you received damaged or incorrect items. Several customers have reported frustrating experiences with customer service, including one who received the wrong prescription dive mask and had to navigate a maze of support tickets just to get a refund.

A US-based scuba gear store might be more reliable

While Dive Inn might work for European divers seeking basic scuba gear, we can't recommend them as a primary retailer for most divers. (After all, you probably want your dive gear to arrive reliably and correctly the first time - especially for critical items like regulators.) Consider looking elsewhere if you're in North America and you need specialized equipment, precise prescriptions, or reliable delivery timeframes.

Where is the Best Place to Buy Scuba Gear?

If you're looking to upgrade your scuba diving gear, or you're just getting started with underwater adventures, you'll find that shopping for scuba equipment online offers both savings and selection - sometimes better than your local dive shop. While most online scuba stores maintain similar pricing (thanks to manufacturer agreements), they differ significantly in customer service.

Traditional brick-and-mortar dive shops that have expanded online typically provide personalized expertise and maintain long-term relationships with their customers. Meanwhile, large e-commerce retailers might offer less individual attention but compensate with extensive inventory options. If you do happen to find a lower price offered by an unauthorized scuba gear retailer, most authorized retailers offer price match guarantees between 100-110%.

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Scuba Store FAQ

Your basic equipment will include a mask, a regulator (i.e. the mouthpiece) and tank, and fins. Optional items include a wetsuit (not so optional if you're diving in cold water!), weights to help you stay below the surface more easily, an underwater camera, and anything else you might need for how you intend to spend your time (such as spearfishing, exploring a shipwreck, and so on).
In scuba diving, you're equipped to breathe underwater! Snorkeling is best for staying at the surface, because you'll need to hold your breath if you want to dive down for a closer look at a school of fish or a shipwreck. Both activities use a mask for optimal vision, and a wetsuit if you're trying to regulate your temperature.
Tec diving goes beyond the typical recreational scuba diving limits and requires divers to have extra training, experience and equipment. Most tec divers use two air tanks instead of one, two regulators, dive computers, and other backup gear. These dives go much deeper than most recreational scuba activities, so divers have to be better prepared for emergencies.
For the most part, yes. Your mask, for example, will likely be appropriate for any dive regardless of water temperature. However, if you plan on diving in water that is cooler than 75 degrees, you may want to consider buying scuba gear designed for temperate climates: you'll still be able to use it on tropical dives, but you'll stay warmer when you're in colder water.
If you have a local store that's open year-round, lucky for you! However, most brick-and-mortar stores don't carry as much inventory as you'll find online. For example, your dive shop may only have one or two brands of wetsuits, and maybe none in your size. Buying your scuba gear online gives you access to the best selection available, whether you're diving in June or January.
It's absolutely safe to get your scuba gear from a reputable internet retailer. Some of these companies have been in business for decades and have a loyal customer following. Just be sure to read up on each store's return/exchange policies before you buy. Most of them give you a window to send items back if they're not the right size or not what you expected - just watch out for restocking fees!
A few online retailers give you the opportunity to buy gently-used fins, masks and other equipment. You may also be able to trade in your own gear for an upgrade. And, like most internet businesses, scuba gear stores often have promotional discounts, buy-more-and-save bundles, or free shipping if your purchase meets a certain minimum threshold. Scuba gear is definitely spendy, but there are ways to save some cash if you're a savvy shopper.
Most scuba gear stores are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Look for a toll-free number or online chat option on their websites. You can also visit the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) website to get more information about diving in general or even find a scuba class near you!
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Continued from above...

Want more than just equipment? Many online scuba retailers create a complete diving ecosystem for their customers. You'll find equipment maintenance, tank services, gear rental programs, and certification courses. Some even partner with local instructors and organize diving excursions.

If you're worried about finding the right fit, you may want to patronize an online store with physical locations near you, but if that's not possible, you should go for an online scuba store with a generous return policy that includes gently-used items. (Because sometimes you don't realize how much extra room there is in your wetsuit until you take it for a spin.)

When choosing an online scuba gear store, also consider these important factors:

  • Product selection and availability. If you're a tech diver, do they have specialized equipment like side-mount BCDs, back-plate/wing systems, or double tanks? Look for stores that carry major brands and offer various price points to match your budget.
  • Customer service and expertise. Are the retailers' staff members experienced divers? Can they give personalized recommendations about equipment selection? What communication channels are available to reach their support team? Choose a scuba store that cares about your safety and is more passionate about scuba diving than they are about their bottom line.
  • Return policy and warranty support. How long do you have to return items? Will they accept gear you've tried on? What happens if something breaks under warranty? When choosing scuba gear, you need to be able to return it if it doesn't work out.
  • Shipping and handling. How quickly do they ship orders? Do they offer free shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount? Choose a scuba gear store with consistent shipping and delivery timelines, or risk not having your gear in time for your vacation.

Whether you're shopping for your first mask and fins or upgrading your entire kit, finding the right online scuba gear store is crucial for your diving success and safety. Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best scuba gear stores available online. We hope this review helps you find the perfect equipment for your underwater adventures.

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