Lakeland, Florida

Bill Jackson's is a family-owned outdoor sporting goods retail store in Pinellas Park, FL, established in 1946, offering products, classes, and equipment for scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, camping, snow-skiing, archery, backpacking, and more. It features unique facilities like an indoor heated swimming pool for scuba training, a ski slope, and a shooting range, with a focus on expert staff and customer service for outdoor adventures.

Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, Letts Dive is a well-established dive center with over 60 years of combined experience in scuba instruction and underwater exploration. Founded in 1985 by Capt. Joe Letts, a USCG OUPV, the business has grown into Tampa Bay’s premier dive center, distinguished by its majority women ownership and commitment to diversity and inclusion. The center offers a welcoming environment for both beginners and experienced divers, emphasizing quality service and expert guidance. Its long-standing presence and dedication to the diving community make it a unique destination for those interested in exploring the underwater world. Letts Dive provides a comprehensive range of scuba diving courses and services, including beginner programs like the SDI Scuba Discovery and Open Water Scuba Diver certification, as well as advanced training such as the SDI Advanced Adventure Diver and Deep Diver courses. The center also offers specialized trips and charters to various locations, catering to divers seeking new adventures and skill enhancement. Customers can expect professional instruction, access to high-quality equipment, and opportunities to participate in unique diving experiences such as shark tooth charters and international excursions. The business serves a diverse clientele, from hobbyists to those pursuing diving as a career, ensuring an engaging and educational experience for all.

Calypso Divers of Tampa Bay, located in Tampa, Florida, has been teaching scuba diving since 1987. With decades of experience, the academy offers a student-focused approach that emphasizes scuba diving as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time achievement. This long-standing establishment is dedicated to transforming lives by enabling divers to explore underwater environments that most people only see on television. Their commitment to quality instruction and passion for the underwater world sets them apart in the Tampa Bay area. The academy provides a wide range of scuba diving courses and certifications, including PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Dry Suit Diver, Enriched Air Diver, and Full Face Mask Diver. They also offer specialized programs such as Public Safety Diver and the unique PADI Mermaid courses. Suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike, their offerings cater to recreational divers as well as those pursuing professional training. The experience includes both theoretical learning and practical training, ensuring divers gain confidence and skills to safely enjoy diverse underwater adventures.

Epic Diving is a scuba diving training and adventure company based in Tampa, Florida, dedicated to providing comprehensive education and immersive underwater experiences. With a strong emphasis on creating well-prepared and disciplined divers, the business offers a range of courses from beginner to advanced levels, including specialty certifications such as underwater imaging and rescue diver training. What sets this operation apart is its commitment to both safety and passion for aquatic exploration, led by experienced instructors who prioritize personalized attention and skill development. The company also offers expert gear consultations to ensure divers are equipped with the right equipment for their needs. The offerings include a variety of dive trips to notable Florida locations such as Clearwater and the Weeki Wachee River’s Hospital Hole sinkhole, catering to both novice and seasoned divers. Services extend beyond training to include spearfishing excursions and enriched air nitrox courses, appealing to divers seeking to expand their skills and underwater adventures. Customers can expect a supportive and educational environment where safety and enjoyment are paramount, with opportunities to explore vibrant marine environments and participate in specialized activities like two-tank dives and underwater photography. This combination of quality instruction, diverse dive options, and expert gear support makes it a preferred choice for diving enthusiasts in the Tampa area.

Located in Dunedin, Florida, Heroes Dive Center has been serving the Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and surrounding areas since 2018. As an SSI Diamond dive center, it offers a comprehensive range of scuba diving certifications, from beginner to instructor levels, with over 50 SSI certifications available. The center is distinguished by its experienced team of certified instructors dedicated to providing safe, high-quality training that emphasizes both skill development and the enjoyment of diving. Its commitment to environmental awareness is reflected in its status as an official Blue Oceans Center, promoting ocean conservation alongside diving education. Heroes Dive Center provides a full suite of services including scuba courses, gear sales, and equipment servicing such as regulator overhauls, BCD maintenance, and cylinder inspections and hydrostatic testing. Monthly dive trips to local springs, the Gulf, the Florida Keys, and international destinations offer divers of all levels opportunities to explore diverse underwater environments. The center caters to a broad clientele, from novices eager to learn scuba diving to advanced divers seeking specialty courses and guided adventures. With a well-stocked retail shop and personalized customer service, the experience at this dive center combines expert instruction, quality equipment, and exciting dive excursions.