I had been around to several different dive shops in the area, and despite being PADI certified, ultimately ended up regularly coming back to this shop. Dean has got a million things to do but always seems to drop everything to have a conversation with you the minute you walk through the door. He welcomed me by my name the second time I came into the shop and ever since, and this is a great example of a small business that puts service first. I've recommended this shop to every diver I know so far, and even went as far to bring my kids there for their first try scuba. Once again Dean spent upwards of 45 mins with them before the session just to make sure they were properly equipped, comfortable and would have a great experience.

This shop is great! So friendly & welcoming, like we had been friends for years when I just walked through the door! Dean worked with me to pick a good fitting mask, and actually let me take it to try it before I bought it. The shop was going to close before we made it back, so I just did my transaction with Paula over the phone, she was equally awesome to deal with. Not many places will do this -- so needless to say, I have my new source for all things diving! See you soon for my dive computer!

I found Dean and the Dive Academy 5 years ago (I know this because my tank hydro tests are about to expire) Dean was recommended as one of the select few who were qualified to service my newly acquired Poseidon regulator set-ups. Dean worked with me to bring my equipment up to snuff and get me blowing bubbles as quickly as possible. Over those 5 years I’ve continued to service, change and even upgrade my equipment through the Dive Academy. Always there with helpful suggestions and never overselling Dean seems as happy to take about the options as sell them. It might take a call or two to get an answer or a follow-up email but I quickly learned it’s because he and his small but dedicated team want to give everyone the personalized service they deserve - that sometimes takes time! Thank you.

The Dive Academy became my go to dive shop when Paula and Dean first opened their doors 12 years ago. I drive past three other dive shops to get to them and I do so because their standard of care and safety in all areas of their business is impeccable. I have trained, travelled, purchased gear and serviced gear all with the TDA, always resulting in complete satisfaction. So much so, my nephew is now taking his Open Water Diver with TDA. The TDA is a great place to be and a great family to be a part of.

I applied for the owd course. Easy to understand, and teach you their own techniques they learned. We also got a freebie(thank you Dean), and Dean, Paula, sue, and everyone else were amazing. Amazing customer service, tips, and can also help you plan your trips. I asked a question online. I got a response in 15 seconds.

I was introduced to The Dive Academy through a friend, and Dean (the owner) welcomed me into the dive family with open arms, even though I did my training elsewhere! He is an absolute wealth of knowledge, and is very kind and welcoming, whether he's known you for ages or just met you. The shop has a very strong emphasis on safety and continuing education. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Dive Academy for any dive training or gear you might need!

The skills and knowledge passed on in training (through the pandemic ) was awesome, well run on line, in class, the pool sessions were small and very inclusive, the open water was great. Once certified the hands on and personal touch continues. Walking into the shop is like going to a friends place and chatting and learning new things. They DO NOT push for products and when you are looking to purchase any equipment regardless of price point or brand the staff will educate you on the product and allow your to choice/investment to be an informed well placed one. I would recommend The Dive Academy to any one new or experienced

I do all of my Advanced training at The Dive Academy as well as source all my gear from them. Such knowledgeable staff and thousands of dives of experience to draw from whether it is delivering training to a group of new divers to going into the effects of diving on the tissues of the body. Amazing experience every time I go in to the shop or message the staff via their web site. Can not recommend them enough to anyone looking to expand their diving knowledge and experience the best the GTA (and abroad!) has to offer.

I had booked the Try Scuba course as a birthday experience. And right off the start, Dean responded quickly and provided lots of information on date availability, how long the session would require, and what the course entailed. He also sent Google calendar invites complete with addresses for the shop and the pool, which might seem such a small thing, but the thoughtfulness and organization was much appreciated. When we arrived at the shop, Dean took the time and care to thoroughly explain all the equipment and made sure everything fit properly. Just a genuinely nice guy! We picked up the equipment and met Paula at the Cawthra pool. It was really neat to see other diver groups at different levels of experience practicing or doing more advanced training. Paula was wonderful - really friendly and it's evident that she cares deeply about safety and making sure you understand what you're doing! While my husband is quite proficient in swimming, I am not a strong swimmer and gets extremely nervous when it comes to deep water. Paula broke everything down into manageable pieces and we both had a fantastic time! As she said - her goal is to help people become good divers that she would feel comfortable diving with. Thank you Paula and Dean!

I have had the most incredible experiences at The Dive Academy in Oakville! This place came highly recommended just at the start of the pandemic by a friend's son who was doing their commercial Diving course at Seneca, and I am beyond grateful for the referral. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warmth and professionalism that made me feel like I was part of their diving family. The pandemic and other life commitments had be out of the water till our honeymoon in 2023. but when when the bug struck back I walked back into Dive Academy and it was like I had never left. Dean's personal service and the attention to detail that I received at The Dive Academy were unparalleled. The staff and fellow divers genuinely care about their students' progress and well-being. They took the time to understand my goals and tailor the a progression to suit my needs. It was evident that they are passionate about diving and are dedicated to sharing their knowledge with others. What truly stood out to me was the friendly and supportive environment that The Dive Academy cultivates. I felt comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance, knowing that I was met with patience and encouragement. Whether I was in a classroom session or underwater, Dean made sure I was at ease, which significantly boosted my confidence as I progressed through my Drysuit and EAN training. The range of training options they offer is impressive, catering to divers of all levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver looking to advance your skills, The Dive Academy has something for everyone. In conclusion, I can't thank The Dive Academy enough for the outstanding experience I had. If you're considering diving lessons, this is the place to go. The personal service, attention to detail, and friendly environment are unmatched. My confidence as a diver has soared, and I owe it all to the wonderful team at The Dive Academy. Five well-deserved stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve come here to get my gear serviced since 2018 after coming back to Ontario as a warm water diver. Dean was friendly from the moment I walked in and talked about Tobermory trips and overseas dive trips… fast forward a few years and I bring my boyfriend to get certified here which turned out to be the best decision!! He was so nervous and after training with these guys he’s confident, prepared, and all geared up to dive. These guys are just the best, we always make the trip to Oakville for our diving needs.

Every visit to the shop is lovely. My multitude of questions are always answered and often expanded upon beyond what I expected. Dean is a wealth of knowledge and very willing to help figure out any problem you may have. Highly recommend!

I learned diving and got my open water diver certification with The Dive Academy, and the experience was incredible. Folks here are like a big family and they welcome you in right away. Dean and his crew are really experienced divers each with thousands of dives in their belt, and they do a great job instructing and training their students to become confident and independent divers. It was clear that they've made this their mission, because if you ever feel like you need additional pool time to practice, you can definitely do that as part of the program. The instructor to student ratio was really superior to many other diving schools, so each student gets a lot of attention and opportunities to improve. I would recommend The Dive Academy for anyone looking to get into diving.

This is a great shop that makes you feel like family. Dean and Paula are extremely kind and are happy to help you with any questions or assistance. Dean is person the type of person that gets you excited to go diving every time you talk to him. The one this that I love is that Dean always welcomes me when I come into the shop and greets me with my name. If your looking for an honest and fun dive shop, Dive Academy is for you.

If you are lucky enough to visit The Dive Academy you will find a close knit community of like minded people lead by Dean and Paula who share their love of the sport and their knowledge without reservation. Put your trust in them and they will treat you like family. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

The Dive Academy is amazing! When I was first certified, I popped in to get some help finding a mask and fins. After some really awful experiences at a couple other shops, talking to Dean was such a breath of fresh air. He explained everything to me and was so patient, helping me find the right fit for me. The pool refreshers have been great to refresh my skills before I head on vacation to dive, and I even did a couple of dives with The Dive Academy in Welland. The whole crew is just the best!

This is by far the best dive shop I've ever been to! My fiancé and I decided to get certified as an engagement present to each other so we can dive together on our honeymoon! We looked around at a lot of places and so many of them want to rush you through the program in a weekend and then send you out on your own. I'm so glad Paula and Dean don't do that!!! We were amazed that we could have unlimited pool sessions to make sure we were totally comfortable with all of our skills before going out in open water! Paula and Dean are experts in their field and incredible people to be around. We are learning so much and having tons of fun - best engagement present/honeymoon EVER! There is truly no better place than The Dive Academy!!!

Outstanding dive shop!! The first and only shop I’ll ever deal with. No need to look elsewhere. From my first introduction to Dean, through Open Water certification, equipment purchases, local and international dives, Dean and Paula have been amazing. Super knowledgeable in all diving from recreational to tech and beyond, photo and video experts, great teachers and communicators, won’t sell you on anything you don’t need, ( I think Dean has actually talked me out of a few purchases) and are the most hospitable dive group hosts you could imagine.

I walked into the Dive Academy back in 2018 after being referred by someone who knew of the team there. Stepping into the shop exceeded all of my expectations and I never turned back! I was so excited to start my dive adventure with Dean! Throughout all of my training he always made me feel at ease. My training never felt rushed and was always clearly explained with probing questions to ensure that everything was understood. Not to mention- Deans got a way to incorporate humour into any situation! 15/10 would recommend Dive Academy to anyone, new divers or experienced. If you’re new to diving and unsure- head in, chat with the team and I guarantee that they will put you at ease and you’ll be diving in no time.

The kids and I recently completed the Open Water Diver program with Dive Academy. The professionalism that Dean, Paula, James and other members of the team demonstrated at every step of our education was only matched by the sheer love they have for diving. This isn’t just a dive shop - it’s a community of enthusiasts whose sole purpose is to nurture that same passion in every student and customer that walks through their door. If you are looking to learn to dive, this professional group of humble and fun divers should be at the top of your list.

Dean and the entire Dive Academy family are amazing! I was introduced to this dive shop in 2016 when my wife surprised my son and me with an enrollment in their OWD Certification course. After visiting different dive shops, she chose The Dive Academy because of Dean’s amazing personality, sense of humour and passion for diving. We experienced this first-hand when completing the classroom instruction and confined water training under the guidance of Dean and his experienced instructors. He was then kind enough to arrange our Open Water Checkout Dives in the warmer waters at Sunset House in Grand Cayman, during a planned March Break holiday. He made the process seamless and the trip created so many great memories that my son and I return to Grand Cayman yearly for dive vacations. Thanks to Dean and your team for continuing to be so welcoming and so knowledgeable on everything from equipment to diving destinations, and for inspiring us to be better divers. You are the best!