Ocean Enterprises

Ocean Enterprises is my go to gear repair and service shop. They are convenient to where I work but most importantly they do good thorough work. I trust the guys in the shop with their work and opinions. And generally the turn around time is usually a few days and not weeks. They are also willing to do quick fixes on the spot. Awesome group of guys. As for the store, some good deals can be found at their twice yearly tent sale.

Just got my PADI cert this past weekend! The course was fast, fun, engaging and the instructors were fantastic!

Professional Service.
Bought a Scuba Pro reg from OE about 18 months ago. Brought it in for service. It was finished before they said they would, inside the quote and they called when it was done. What more can you ask for.

The staff at ocean enterprises are some of the best people I have ever met. Having just completed my open water certification through OE, I could not imaging feeling more confident and comfortable in the water. What a gift these people are, and what an amazing experience! If you’re reading this, go get your PADI cert. If you’re already certified, stop in the store and you won’t be disappointed. You’ll wonder why you ever patronized another dive shop! You’ll be met with more kindness that you could reasonably hope for and all the help and information you need to have your best diving experience. Thanks for opening me up to the underwater world, OE. You guys rock!

OMG, Pam is the best! I was just wondering around the store brousing when she came up to me and asked me if i needed anything (I guess i looked kind of lost). Pam spent a very long time with me explaining the differences between a lot of their products. I have been diving for quite some time but usually do it while backpacking internationally, thus not making it easy to lug gear around. So, I never bought any. I enjoy warm water and decided that I should dive the local SD waters (since I’ve been here 15 years or so). She helped me find a BC that could be compact for traveling, and everything else I may need. Even though she knew I wasn’t going to purchase anything today, she was so super helpful! She wrote everything down with their prices so that I could do more research. I found that their prices are about the same here as it is online or at other shops here, so why not just get it here? Thanks to Pam, I feel a bit more informed rather than wondering around the Internet and other stores aimlessly. She also told me about servicing my gear once I purchase it and was very knowledgeable about the warranties the gear offered. Thank you Pam! I hope this service continues after I get my gear!

My financè and I just finished our open water scuba express course with Jeff Bunker, Roscio, Tim, and Arianna. I must say– this was such an epic experience for us. The teachers were patient, kind, extremely knowledgable, and so much fun! I would absolutely recommend ocean enterprises and our incredible teachers to all our friends and family. We couldn’t have asked for better instructors. We can’t wait to go diving now on our honeymoon!

I promise this the last update to make the Trilogy of my SCUBA journey done.
A friend invited me to Catalina island with her & husband in September, suggesting that I could try a dive or two while they shopped /​ate/​drank, etc. So I booked a hotel ($ 150/​night) and checked into dive rentals + excursion packages. Cheapest out there was $ 120 (plus never forget tip) for a 1-​tank 45 min dive.
I then had a brainstorm to see if OE offered any Adventure (Advanced) Open water courses here, and by incredible luck, Master SCUBA diver/​instructor Ed Lavin had one this month I could JUST get into.
After completing this past weekend at the Avalon Dive Park all I can say is that this was the best travel experience I’ve had. For SUCH a reasonable price Ed pulled off incredible logistics to offer a package of Boat transport /​Hotel/​Tanks & weights /​Taxi gear transport /​Restaurant advice, etc. for considerable savings over one tourist dive on my own. His move-​out times were perfect to avoid delays, and his relationship with the Island dive supply shop even got us tanks and into the water Sunday an hour before any other groups.
Accompanying Dive Masters Meagan and Joe were also stellar, with incredible competence, experience, professionalism, safety bearing, generosity (like Meagan giving all her nylon ties out and Joe breaking out his own silicon lube for O-​ring cleaning exercises) etc. It was obvious to me that they have a 6^th sense of common rookie mistakes and were always prepared /​anticipating them (at least for me).
I think that combined these three must have over of 7,000 dives between them, which made for very interesting & funny dive tales during meals and down time. Once you learn that Ed has done this trip several times annually since around 2006 it’s so reassuring to be accepted into his well-​run group — which is something SCUBA-​YELPERS should bear in mind for ultimate course value !
Best of all was the comraderie they instilled between our group of ADV-​OW students. From initially being total strangers we had cordial down times eating together and wonderful shared underwater experiences (to hopefully repeat going forward).
The course had us arriving on Friday, then 3 dives Saturday (Naturalist /​Navigation & Night) and 2 more Sunday (Deep /​Shipwreck). One MAJOR advantage to Catalina is the water entry down a short staircase. We suited-​up at the back of the casino and walked no more than 75 feet… so much better than the La Jolla shores trek.
I have to admit this rythm was a challenge for me Saturday – especially suiting up a 3^rd time with a slight headache for the night dive where I was NOT 100%. But a decent sleep had me much better for Sunday’s finale – with the 100 ft Deep dive and return to shore over underwater canyons & kelp strands with 60 foot visibilty simply without words. Much marine life was seen and really appreciated after my inital OW dives off La Jolla shores where we didn’t see anything similar.
SO, now that I’ve passed this milestone there are still some things I definitely have to work on, but this class definitely advanced me significantly in terms of equipment familiarity and the distinct phases of a dive evolution. As these things are now much less mysterious I feel good about them being second nature. Immediate challenge now is to focus on what my OE instructors have taught on GOOD dive technique and fine observation of what’s hiding in the water on future dives.
Ed & crew also sometimes offer two of the four Open Water classes on Catalina, which is something I’d definitely ask the OE shop about. If you’re on the fence about entering diving… GO FOR IT !!

shitty customer service! had to ask for help twice and there was only one other customer in the store. luckily I checked the mask before i left the parking lot because he sold me the wrong product. they sell great merchandise too bad the customer service is awful!

KEEP DRIVING AND FIND A MORE REPUTABLE DIVE SHOP!!! Why is it that hard to get your attention on a weekday when no one is in the store? Then, you do not elaborate on any of the products that I am looking to buy… I’m not understanding that at all. It was like talking to a dummy. You probably know that you are pretty much the only joint I can get my snorkel gear from… so, i buy a mask and you bag a different one! Without an apology? You guys suck and your manager today didn’t acknowledge any of the stank customer service because she’s just as crappy crap crap at customer service too! It’s too bad… what happened to «how may i help you?» and «sorry for the mixup»…i will never come here ever again! THE WORST EVER!

This is one of the more reputable places to get SCUBA-​certified, and twice a year, March (?) and August, they do a huge tent sale. Spend enough and you’ll get a raffle ticket for prizes like trips to diving in Palau, swimming with sharks in Guatemala, all levels of classes, surfboards, gear, and other paraphernalia. Proceeds go to a charity, so kudos to them.
The owner is hilarious, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and always willing to educate and convert the public to sea lovers and supporters.
I have a certificate to get certified, so another review is on the way!

Definitely not your typical dive shop, and that is not a good thing. Being located within an office building should have tipped me off immediately but I proceeded to do business with them anyway because they are one of the very few PADI 5 Star IDC dive shops in San Diego. Upon entering you can tell this is a large organization and, as I continued to learn each time I visited over the past two years, has lost (or never had) the customer service touch within its bloated walls.
Staff is very hard to find — nary a greeting upon entrance. Sales staff, once identified and made aware you are an interested customer, provided good service. However looking for them becomes a chore that an organization with as many people on the payroll should not suffer.
On the service side, which is almost a completely different company within the Enterprise, seems out of touch with the meaning of customer relations. My most recent interaction with this staff resulted in a passive-​aggressive attitude that is not required nor desired. The dive industry has for the most part eliminated the ‘holy than thou’ attitude, but it remains with these individuals. I tried attempting to correct this in person but finding a manager in a timely manner proved impossible (see previous paragraph).
Nothing negative to report on the rental side — that is a well run shop. But just like the service side, it is a completely separate ‘company’ internal to the Enterprise. What happens in one, stays there — it appeared there was no cross-​talking between their systems.
Pricing: out of this world. Very large selection of items but each are priced very high. Items displayed as ‘on sale’ are marked down to the MSRP. Regulator service is also over-​priced by a very large margin in what must be an attempt to make a nice profit. To maintain the Enterprise, one must charge the customers through the roof.
And finally, the little things that add up. Store opening on weekends is 0900 — how do you expect to service divers opening at such a late hour? Open at the latest by 0700. Social media marketing galore — but what supports these claims? Another ‘business’ focused on corporate sales — you can start to get the idea that the primary business model isn’t focused on the individual customer.
I wanted to like this establishment but the Enterprise is just too big for itself. Have a look at how many instructors they have — 34 plus 13 assistant instructors/​divemasters! I can’t speak to how they excel on the instruction side but to maintain such a beast of an instructor pool doesn’t come cheap. Based on the high prices, the poor attitudes, and the lackluster service, I am no longer a patron of this dive shop.

I can’t think of another retail or scuba diving store I would rather go to. The entire place is built with a purpose. Organized and stocked retail, repair and rental. The team is all very knowledgeable and helpful. It’s the kind of place I feel you rarely see anymore. They compete against every big box and online retailer out there and are still around and seemingly doing well. Plus if you have ever been to their Tent Sales, you will get some good old fashion retail deals and community interaction that I don’t think exists anymore.
I am a San Diego native and I would compare it to Hansens in Encinitas only with a more professional staff. The comparison is meant to say both are incredible, just giving some perspective.
It is family operated which I love because it adds a little personal and emotional touch to the service. I’ve spoken with the owners and their children work there too. All are have a great sense of humor and provided excellent customer service.
After getting my gear, next step is going to be dive travel. They go to like 100 places and everything I’ve heard points to Palau and Africa for an amazing trip.

So lame. All you have to do is try a little to give decent customer service. I called to see if they had a few things I needed. They said yes over the phone and I asked if they were sure. I get there, they didn’t have what I needed. But they did have an «It’s not my problem» attitude. Thanks for that.

So far, every one has been friendly. I’ve been very anxious to start my open water diving course. I’ll update this review once I’ve completed the course.

Ocean Enterprises has a lot more than gear to offer. I’m a working diver (marine research) so I tend to use the same olé gear for as long as possible! I go there for my annual service on my regulator, they give university/​institution discounts. The service department is great. They are always very helpful, fast, & friendly. I am super picky about the settings on my second stage & they always take the time to work with me. Brett & Jeff have been there for years & they know their gear!
I make a point of going every year for the amazing deals at the annual tent sale! I picked up a new computer last year (my first new one) & this year I scored a super deal on brass clips!
The awesome selling point of Ocean Enterprises for me are the REEF classes they host! Yay citizen science! Once a month you can attend a FREE class & learn about our local fish or invertebrates — Did I mention — for freeeeee!

Just went to these guys from a recommendation by SD Expedition! John Kelly is the man. He hooked me up with the best Scubapro/O’Neill gear in town and was very knowledgable and helpful in explaining everything to me. Michael in the back is yoda when it comes to setting up all the new goodies! I will definitely be a life long customer of these guys. They are AWESOME!!! Thank you for the great service.

One of the best experiences ever! I just finished up my Open Water Certification on 4÷19÷15 and I plan on taking a bunch of other classes. Needless to say I have my new found hobby and am whole-​heartedly addicted!
Everybody at Ocean Enterprises are so incredibly helpful. I had to work out some scheduling issues which they were great with accommodating. Recommended awesome gear too — thanks Lori.
A HUGE thanks to my instructors Jeff Bunker and Tim (& Rocio who was there on the pool dives). They really made everything comfortable, relaxing and fun for our entire group — who are now all great friends. Additionally, they were excellent to stop and help other people if they had any issues with a skill.
I honestly can’t recommend this company highly enough.
Scuba diving was on my bucket list of things to do but now I just want dive all over the world and take more courses, so my bucket list is growing. If you’re on the fence or maybe nervous like I was, do yourself a favor and sign up. Give it a shot because you won’t regret it. I will never forget my first breath underwater and neither will you. Thanks again guys :)

WOW! What a great experience. From the refresher coarse too actual LJ Beach dive. Rental was cheap an easy. Guys there so friendly and fast. Got to LJ and found my sm 3 person group. Dived with Megan Holbrook. She was so informative and friendly. I felt so comfortable diving w/​her. I haven’t been back in the ocean for 6 years. [Turks Caicos.]
A shore/​surf dive is alot more work, than off a dive boat.
So glad I did the refresher coarse through OE they are true pros. Everything went smooth on a big surf /​surge day.
I will recommend them to anybody.

This review is for my Open Water Cert (the weekend express course) specifically the Ocean Dives. I was already a fan of OE based from how they ran the class and pool sessions the previous weekend but I was all the more impressed during the Ocean Dives. By the time I rolled into La Jolla shores at 0600, the crew were already busy handing out gears to all the OE students. My instructor (Jaaassonn!) made sure I had an XS BCD before the truck ran out because they were short of xs bcds that day. After gearing up and a briefing, off to the ocean our class went. There were 8 of us to 3 instructors the whole time which to me proves that safety is not just lip service with OE.
Now, diving in La Jolla shores means shore dive which means we have to wade into the water (surf and all) until chest deep to put on our fins then kick back (I don’t remember how far but my thighs were burning by the time we descended). Which is fine except that I am a shortie which means I have to put my fins on way before everybody else does. Jason (and then Curt on the second day) never left my side until I have my kickers on — which I have to put on while the surfs keep pushing me back to shore. I hated this part but thank God for the instructors who held on to me until I was safely on my back.
During the dives all instructors were calm and very patient with each of us while we go through all the skills we learned in the pool. It was not until the third dive when we actually went diving i.e. to see marine life. We saw various fishes, a lobster, and a cormorant diving for his food! By the time we did our fourth dive I already felt comfortable descending without a line, hovering and I finally figured out how to be neutrally buoyant. During this dive, our group saw a huge school of northern anchovies swimming around us — that alone was worth it. Because of this experience I am thinking of doing my advanced water next month also with Jason!
Special mention to John at the OE shop who hooked me up with a wetsuit when he found out that my size was missing from the truck on our first day of ocean dives. A size difference in wet suits makes a whole world of difference when you are diving in cold water.

I recently took my son to Ocean Enterprises to get him SCUBA certified. I monitored the classes and was extremely happy with the instructors, Jay and Ed. They were very patient with my son and took all the time necessary to make sure he understood everything.
While he was in class, I took time to shop for new gear for myself. In the past, I had always shopped at another local dive shop or online for my equipment. Never again will I go elsewhere. The deal they made me on a complete package was far better than I could get anywhere else and I’m extremely happy with the quality of the equipment I received.
Once my son has a few dives under his belt, I plan on taking him back to get him a full set up of his own.

I just finished the open water diver class at Ocean Enterprises: it was a great experience. The instructors were very knowledgeable and helpful. I had to reschedule a few dives because of bad weather and travels and it went very smoothly thanks to the responsiveness of the staff. The pool and ocean dive sessions are very well organized — it was fun and I learnt a lot.