Business Details
38 Years
experience
Your Trusted Scuba Diving Partner in Thousand Oaks
Channel Islands Scuba has been a trusted name in scuba diving since 1988, rooted in Ventura County as a family-owned institution. Our passion for the aquatic world drives our commitment to providing comprehensive scuba certifications, equipment services, and unforgettable diving experiences. With a team of expert instructors and a focus on community, we prioritize safety, education, and fostering a love for underwater exploration. Our on-site pool, equipment service center, and partnerships with leading diving organizations ensure clients receive top-tier training and resources. We specialize in adaptive diving programs, technical courses, and local dive trips, catering to both beginners and seasoned divers.Our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has made us a cornerstone of the regional diving community. By combining decades of experience with innovative training methods, we empower divers to explore confidently. Our affiliation with organizations like SDI/TDI/PFI and Diveheart underscores our commitment to industry excellence. Whether you seek certification, gear maintenance, or adventure, we deliver personalized service rooted in integrity and expertise.
Services
Scuba Certifications
Equipment Service
Adaptive Diving
Freediving Courses
Dive Trips
Dive Club Membership
Pool Rentals
Technical Diving
Gear Sales
Dive Travel
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of experience in scuba diving education and service.
- Our team includes certified instructors with expertise in adaptive and technical diving.
- We provide comprehensive equipment maintenance and sales with on-site service.
- Our adaptive diving programs cater to individuals with disabilities.
- We guarantee small class sizes and personalized training.
Associations and certifications
- SDI/TDI/PFI
- Diveheart
- DAN
- DEMA
- PSI-PCI
- TRI Air Testing
What people say
Amazing instructors
Life-changing experience
Proper gear fitting
Knowledgeable staff
Confident diving skills
Services
Scuba Certifications
We offer comprehensive scuba certifications through SDI/TDI/PFI, including Open Water, Advanced, and Technical Diving. Our courses feature small class sizes, personalized instruction, and all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees. Students gain hands-on experience in our on-site pool and local dive sites.
Equipment Service
Our on-site service center provides regulator overhauls, BCD repairs, and cylinder inspections. We use PSI-PCI certified technicians and DOT-approved hydrostatic testing to ensure equipment safety and longevity for both personal and rental gear.
Adaptive Diving
Partnering with Diveheart, we offer adaptive diving programs for individuals with disabilities. Our certified instructors provide specialized training for divers and buddies, ensuring accessible and safe underwater experiences through tailored equipment and techniques.
Freediving Courses
PFI-certified freediving programs teach breath-hold techniques and safety protocols. Courses include pool and open-water training, covering static apnea, deep diving, and equalization methods for recreational and competitive freedivers.
Dive Trips
We organize local and international dive excursions, including weekend trips to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. Services include boat charters, travel insurance, and guided dives at renowned sites like Point Loma's kelp forests and San Diego's wrecks.
People
Larry St. Georges
Owner & Operations Manager
Larry leads Channel Islands Scuba and Diveheart's California chapter. With a background in recreation management and 8+ years in the dive industry, he specializes in technical wreck diving and adaptive diving instruction.
Matt Volk
TDI Technical Instructor
Matt teaches SDI specialties and TDI technical courses. A certified CCR and freediving expert, he brings advanced knowledge of deep diving and equipment maintenance to our instructional team.
Courtney Chase
Instructor
Courtney contributes to our educational programs with expertise in recreational and technical diving. She supports skill development for divers at all levels through structured training and hands-on experience.
Desi
Shop Dog
Desi, a Corgi-Pomeranian rescue, brightens the shop daily. She greets divers and embodies our welcoming, community-focused atmosphere while enjoying beach walks and ocean-themed toys.
Questions
What scuba certification options do you offer?
We provide SDI/TDI certifications including Open Water, Advanced, Technical Diving, and specialized courses like Adaptive Diving and Freediving.
Do I need to purchase my own scuba gear?
Students must buy personal gear (mask, snorkel, fins) for safety and comfort. Optional equipment like dive computers and wetsuits are available for purchase.
Are private scuba lessons available?
Private Open Water courses are available with dedicated instructors for an additional $600, offering flexible scheduling for individuals or small groups.
What adaptive diving programs do you provide?
We offer Diveheart-certified adaptive diving courses for individuals with disabilities and training for adaptive dive buddies through specialized programs.
Can I rent your pool for practice sessions?
Our 12ft-deep heated pool is available for $200 per 4-hour block for skill practice or private coaching sessions with certified instructors.
What dive travel opportunities exist?
We organize local California trips and international scuba vacations, including Point Loma dives and Catalina Island freediving excursions with group discounts.
Reviews (4)
Bob K.
Jan 04, 2022
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If it bothers you that their receipt says "Let's Go Brandon," THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS ANY MORE. Was a 20 year customer, now I will go out of my way to tell people about this.
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 youre 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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The place to go If you want real reliable dive shop. I got my open water certification though this shop and working my way up to master diver. They have everything you will need to get started or improve your skills.
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
