Business Details
40 Years
experience
SCUBA Diving Instruction & Equipment Sales in Warren, RI
East Bay Dive Center has been a trusted name in SCUBA diving instruction and equipment services since 1986. Our team of certified instructors brings decades of combined experience to deliver PADI-certified training programs, from beginner Open Water courses to advanced technical diving certifications. We specialize in providing top-tier diving equipment sales and maintenance services, including regulator overhauls, tank inspections, and custom wetsuit repairs. Our facility in Warren, Rhode Island serves as both a training hub and retail center, offering compressed air fills, gear rentals, and expert guidance for local dive sites.With over 3,000 certifications issued, we maintain rigorous safety standards while fostering a community of divers through educational forums and organized dive trips. Our technical staff holds specialized certifications like PCI-PSI tank inspection, ensuring equipment reliability. We prioritize personalized instruction and equipment care to prepare divers for global underwater exploration while supporting local diving enthusiasts through equipment servicing and community engagement initiatives.
Services
SCUBA Certification
Equipment Sales
Regulator Maintenance
Tank Testing
Dive Rentals
Wetsuit Repairs
Air Fills
Spearfishing Gear
Dive Instruction
Equipment Servicing
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of SCUBA instruction experience with 3,000+ certifications issued
- PADI-certified training programs for all skill levels
- Certified technical equipment repair services with PCI-PSI inspectors
- Expert knowledge of 25+ local Rhode Island dive sites
- Flexible class schedules with evening and weekend training options
Associations and certifications
- PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)
What people say
Expert instructors
Reliable equipment service
Extensive local dive knowledge
Patient teaching style
Lifetime certification programs
Services
SCUBA Certification
Our PADI-certified Open Water course provides comprehensive training through six alternating classroom and pool sessions. The program includes all materials, pool fees, and open water dives in Newport or Jamestown. Graduates receive a lifetime certification recognized worldwide. Evening classes accommodate working professionals with accelerated three-week options available.
Equipment Sales
We offer premium SCUBA equipment from leading brands like Aqualung, Mares, and Atomic. Our inventory includes regulators, BCDs, dive computers, and wetsuits for recreational and technical diving. Spearfishing gear specialists carry guns, slings, and accessories. Certified technicians provide expert recommendations for both novice and experienced divers seeking reliable underwater equipment.
Regulator Maintenance
Professional regulator overhauls include complete disassembly, cleaning, and replacement of worn components. Our technicians service both first and second stage regulators to factory specifications. We diagnose performance issues and ensure safe operation through pressure testing. Annual maintenance recommended for frequent divers to maintain equipment reliability and safety standards.
Tank Testing
We perform visual inspections and hydrostatic testing for steel and aluminum SCUBA tanks. Our certified inspectors check for corrosion, cracks, and valve functionality. Hydro testing required every five years ensures cylinders meet safety regulations. We also provide compressed breathing air fills using commercial-grade compressors for recreational and professional diving operations.
Dive Rentals
Affordable rental options available for complete SCUBA setups and individual components. Daily and weekly rates accommodate visiting divers and those trying the sport. Equipment includes regulators, BCDs, masks, fins, and wetsuits from trusted brands. Rental gear maintained to strict safety standards with regular servicing by certified technicians for reliable underwater performance.
People
Kevin Quinlan
Dive Instructor & Owner
Kevin transitioned from 30 years in IT management to owning East Bay Dive Center in 2021. Certified by Joe 8 years ago, he combines technical expertise with diving passion. Holds PCI-PSI tank inspection certification and continues advancing his diving education while managing daily operations.
David Labrecque
Dive Instructor
With 36 years as business owner and PADI instructor since 1983, David brings extensive experience through thousands of dives and certifications. Now focusing on instruction, he maintains active involvement in training programs while sharing his lifelong diving knowledge with new generations of divers.
Mark Bessette
Dive Instructor
PADI-certified instructor with a patient teaching approach, Mark has helped hundreds of divers achieve certification. He emphasizes skill development and safety while making diving accessible. Organizes local dive site information sharing through forum contributions and site documentation initiatives.
Joe Winston
Dive Instructor
Methodical instructor with extensive diving experience, Joe provides personalized one-on-one training. Focuses on exceeding PADI standards through thorough skill development. Combines technical knowledge with approachable teaching style to build diver confidence and competence in various underwater environments.
Terry Diniz
Dive Master
With 40+ years diving experience, Terry serves as instructional assistant and dive site guide. Specializes in hazard assessment and site briefings for local waters. Shares extensive knowledge with students while maintaining safety standards during training dives and recreational excursions.
Questions
What SCUBA certification levels do you offer?
We provide PADI certifications from Open Water to Divemaster levels, including specialty courses in spearfishing, rescue diving, and nitrox training.
Can I service my diving equipment year-round?
Yes, our technicians perform regulator maintenance, tank testing, and wetsuit repairs throughout the year, with seasonal hours adjustments.
What local dive sites do you recommend?
We recommend 25+ documented sites including Newport's Fort Adams, Beavertail State Park, and Block Island's Black Point wreck at varying depths.
Do you offer equipment rentals for visiting divers?
Yes, we provide daily and weekly rentals for complete SCUBA setups and individual gear components with regular equipment maintenance.
How do payment methods work for classes?
We accept deposits for upcoming classes with full payment due before course commencement. Specific payment options available upon inquiry.
Are evening diving classes available?
Yes, our Open Water course offers evening sessions Monday-Thursday starting at 6:00pm with accelerated three-week options available.
Reviews (4)
Jarrod Goulart
Jul 15, 2020
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Dave and Nick are helpful. I go there daily for air fills. They help everyone not just their regulars like me.
Jordan Cabral
Jul 11, 2020
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East Bay Dive Center is great! A small local shop that has everything that you need. Dave the owner is very knowledgeable and great with pairing you with the right equipment. He also has dive classes from beginner to advanced to rescue diver and beyond. He'a recommended dive sites that turned out to be really cool is a wealth of knowledge! Other places might be bigger but the service and knowledge and friendly atmosphere keep me going there.
Aaron Fleming
Jan 17, 2020
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My son Lucas and I took the open water and advanced classes with East Bay Dive Center and I would recommend them to anyone thinking about getting certified in scuba diving.
Matthew Ramos
Jan 02, 2019
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Never returns calls , unreliable scheduling of classes . appears to have a set group of cliental outsiders not welcome.
