Sunday, May 18th
2025 Scuba Store Reviews
Online Scuba
- Standard market rates for popular items and occasional deals on clearance items
- Expert assembly of all scuba gear by certified professionals before shipping
- Full manufacturer warranties and authentic guarantees on all products
- Owned and operated by certified scuba instructors and divemasters
- Comprehensive product catalog including everything from basic gear to specialized equipment
- Special military discounts and volume pricing available
- Equipment repair and maintenance services offered at reasonable rates ($40)
- 60-day return window for most items
- Free shipping available on select items
- PADI certification courses and training available in Las Vegas location
When you're shopping online for scuba gear, having a trustworthy online retailer is as essential as a well-maintained air tank. Online Scuba makes waves right from the start with its fully stocked catalog of scuba gear for both technical and beginner divers. The company has equipped some impressive clients over the years, from major Las Vegas attractions like the Bellagio's "O" Show and Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef Aquarium to military installations including the Navy SEALs and US Coast Guard. You'll find their Fort Mohave, Arizona headquarters is staffed with experienced divers ready to help you select the right gear - whether you're planning recreational dives or specialized military operations.
A website that's stuck in the early 00s
Ever wondered what the internet looked like back when people were doing the Macarena? Well, Online Scuba is here to show you. Established in 1996, this scuba gear retailer's website looks like it hasn't changed much since then. You'll find everything from rainbow gradient text to an inexplicably placed rabbit logo - which might be a nod to a scuba diving memory trick. (The safety check acronym "BWRAF" stands for "BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final Check” and is often remembered as "Big White Rabbits Are Fluffy" - or "Bruce Willis Releases Awful Films". Whatever floats your boat, pun intended.)
Everything from BCDs to wetsuits
Online Scuba's website design might not be cutting-edge, but it is functional. There's a handy "Today's Deals" section for promotions on scuba gear and an Advanced Search feature that lets you filter by category, manufacturer, and price range. The product catalog is well-organized into clear sections with detailed product information and pricing readily available. Just be aware that some items show as out of stock or special order only after you click on them, but each listing includes all the important technical details, reviews, and FAQs to help you make an informed decision. Here are some of the categories you'll find when shopping for scuba gear at Online Scuba:
- Buoyancy Control Devices (BCD's)
- Cameras
- Computers / Gauges
- Dive Bags
- Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV's)
- Fins
- Masks
- Regulators
- Scuba Gear
- Snorkels
- Tanks
- Wetsuits
PADI certification and equipment servicing
Online Scuba is owned and operated by actual scuba instructors and divemasters, which means they really know their stuff. In addition to selling scuba gear, they offer everything from equipment repairs to PADI certification and underwater photography courses in Las Vegas. Need your regulator serviced or drysuit fixed? They'll do it for $40 - though you might have to hunt around their website to find these services (we stumbled upon them by accident).
Military-friendly service
Online Scuba shows particular attention to their military customers, offering special discounts and services that make purchasing scuba gear more accessible for service members. They also provide personalized assistance and volume discounts that help keep the armed forces well-equipped for underwater operations.
Pricing is comparable to rivals
How does Online Scuba stack up against local dive shops and other online scuba gear retailers? While their scuba gear prices are competitive, they're not always the lowest - with the exception of a few second-hand wetsuits, their products are priced exactly the same as most of their competitors. However, Online Scuba maintains direct relationships with manufacturers, so that all of their scuba gear comes with full warranties and authentic guarantees. Additionally, every piece of scuba gear sold by Online Scuba gets assembled by certified professionals before shipping - which means you won't have to worry about whether your regulator is properly configured (because let's face it, breathing underwater isn't something you want to get wrong).
Limited online presence
We wish Online Scuba was more widely reviewed on third-party platforms. As it stands, they don't appear to have a Better Business Bureau listing, and their Trustpilot page is a ghost town. While they've got some pretty glowing recent testimonials on their site, these are guaranteed to be cherry-picked. Some customers rave about exceptional service that goes above and beyond, like a cruise director who got help with a complicated computer return. On the other hand, where we were able to find a handful of independent reviews, there were a few not-so-successful experiences with Online Scuba's customer service. In one case, a customer received a defective mesh dive bag, and the company apparently tried to dodge responsibility - blaming it on intentional sabotage from "the airline” and then on a manufacturer error. (So much for backing their products with manufacturer warranties.) As with any online scuba gear retailer, your experience with customer service here may be better or worse than what other customers have reported. If you need to get in touch, Online Scuba offers both customer service and technical support during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM Mountain Time).
Returns are hassle-free, but mind the timeframes
Online Scuba's return policy is fair. If you're not happy with your purchase, you can return most items within 60 days for a full refund (minus shipping costs). However, clearance items have a shorter window of 30 days and will only get you store credit for half the purchase price. Also, make sure your items are unused and in their original packaging (wetsuit buyers, take note: careful folding is crucial to avoid those pesky restocking fees).
Shipping costs and special considerations
When it comes to shipping costs, you'll need to check your cart for the exact amount. Keep in mind that while free shipping is available, it doesn't apply to everything - especially bulky items like tanks and large bags. If you need to return something, you'll have to cover the return shipping costs unless Online Scuba made a mistake with your order. One nice perk is that they handle exchanges differently than returns - they'll cover shipping on your first exchange.
Fair, but not the best
When it comes to scuba gear shopping, Online Scuba feels a bit like finding a vintage dive watch - it works, but it's showing its age. While their competitive prices and professional assembly services might tempt you, their dated website and mixed customer service reviews make them a less appealing choice than modern competitors. (Sure, their retro web design might give you nostalgic feels, but wouldn't you rather have a streamlined shopping experience?) If you're a military member or happen to live near their Arizona location, Online Scuba could be worth considering. For everyone else, you might want to explore other options before taking the plunge - there are plenty of other fish in the sea when it comes to online scuba retailers.
More Scuba Store Reviews
The 10 Best Scuba Stores
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%.
Scuba Store FAQ
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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