Sink or Swim Scuba

HIDDEN COSTS!!! You may be able to get a Groupon which makes you think you’ll get certified for under $ 200 but you will have to spend at least $ 400 probably more on equipment that he forces you to buy from him and refuses to teach you with outside equipment that he did not sell to you. and he requires you to buy equipment that you will never use again because most dive operations will provide or rent you said equipment. ie: weights, knife (no one is going to pack these in their luggage when going on vacation), a $ 35 cheap ugly looking dive log book with their logo on it, etc. Expect to spend another $ 100 or so for your required online classes. I will give it to him he is a nice guy and very knowledgeable but I think he needs to be a little more forthcoming and upfront with potential customers about the total cost for his scuba certification.

Awesome dive shop with no pressure sales.
I was certified here as well as about 10 other people I know.
Sadly the other review didn’t see the price match sign here too as they also price match.
I’ve personally seen the owner go above and beyond what was needed to make sure a person was certified.

Sink or Swim is HORRIBLE. Their prices are double what you’d find on the internet for the exact same brand and model.
Worse, they price their certification prices low, but it’s a classic bait and switch program. They’ll force you to buy their overpriced equipment, and by the time you’re through, you’ll spend over $ 1,000 per person.
I highly recommend Divers Supply in Charlotte. They have friendly staff, fair priced equipment (added plus: they match internet prices), and great instructors.
*By the way, Sink or Swim is in Gastonia, not Charlotte.