WEST SIDE SCUBA CENTRE image

WEST SIDE SCUBA CENTRE

Diving center • Dive shop

👍👍 First time scuba diving. Such amazing experience with West Side. Peter is the best!!! I can’t swim. He encouraged me and gave out the instructions step by step. He is very patient and friendly. Being business for over 30 yrs, he knows exactly how to teach different level of students. During the div... People often mention dive, diving, experience, West, Side, Scuba, Barbados, great, time, Peter,


Address

Bay St, Bridgetown, Saint Michael Barbados

Website

westsidescuba.com

Contact

+1 246-262-1029

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (107 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Thursday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Saturday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Sunday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Monday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: dive (40) diving (35) experience (24) West (24) Side (21) Scuba (17) Barbados (14) great (14) time (13) Peter (13)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Katy GT A. 2 years ago on Google • 4 reviews
    First time scuba diving. Such amazing experience with West Side. Peter is the best!!! I can’t swim. He encouraged me and gave out the instructions step by step. He is very patient and friendly. Being business for over 30 yrs, he knows exactly how to teach different level of students. During the diving, he kept with me close. Checking with me all the time. Saw so many amazing beautiful fish including blow fish, turtle, trumpetfish, etc. Breath taking! If you go to Barbados, don’t miss the West Side Scuba. Lifetime experience!
    2 people found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Hemakshi P. 3 months ago on Google • 37 reviews New
    Me and my husband went for our very first scuba diving experience. We enjoyed it thoroughly. I can't recommend West side scuba centre enough!!!! The diving instructor PETER IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. PETER AND CREW ARE EXCELLENT. If it weren't for Peter the scuba diving experience wouldn't have been that amazing as it was. They give you proper instructions with practise before you go diving. This definitely has to be the highlight of my Barbados holiday. Would definitely love to do this again.
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Willem T. 4 months ago on Google • 27 reviews
    Me and my wife did 5 dives, my wife to get her AOW and me tagging along. I'd definitely recommend West Side Scuba to friends and family. Peter runs a friendly and professional dive shop. They answered all our questions via email swiftly before our arrival on the island. Check-in was effortless, equipment fitting for my wife easy as well. Brendan did an excellent job instructing my wife during navigation, deep, boat, wreck, and drift dive. Location of the dive center is excellent with many dive sites in close proximity. We saw sea turtles, seahorses, barracuda, trumpet fish, angel fish, and murey eels, to name a few. The boat is also very comfortable; big enough with enough shade and tank holders. Cold water was provided and Pierre, the captain, even had homemade cakes in one of our outings. Pierre not only got us to and from the dive sites safely, he gave a very welcome helping hand to all of us divers to get ready to backroll over board and climb back on board when the dive was over. Thanks Peter, Brandon and Pierre for an awesome experience!
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Adam R. 2 years ago on Google
    Great dive shop. Did 4 dives over 2 days with Max and Cpt Brendan. Very knowledgeable, super safe dive outfit. Definitely recommend for rec diving and obtaining any PADI qualifications. Will certainly dive with them again when I next visit the island.
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 William E. 2 years ago on Google
    Peter Grannam is a lovely man and runs a very good diving school. Sorted me out with a refresher for my Open Water, and helped my wife get her Open Water qualification over 3 days. Prices were good, and overall a great experience.
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Dale L. 2 years ago on Google
    Highly recommend contacting WEST SIDE SCUBA CENTRE and diving with them they will take good care of you from start to finish.***** :)
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Amy T. 1 year ago on Google
    I had an incredible time diving two days with Peter’s team. It’s hard to quantify what exactly makes a shop “good” — is it the pristine waters? The choice of dive sites? The integrity of dive masters? Quality of equipment? Whatever it is, at West Side Scuba, they’ve found out what it takes to be “great.” All staff and crew are not only experts, but friendly, funny, and their time to ask everyone their experience and confidence before planning the dive. Beginners don’t feel rushed, advanced divers don’t feel reined in. My two DMs were Brandon and RJ across the two days and I appreciated them so much. Both knew dive sites like the back of their hand and took time to hunt around for unique life and special sights. They took feedback on which sites to do across the two days so we weren’t doing the same back to back. RJ in particular was so friendly and even allowed the group to split so I could extend my final dive, penetrate one of the wrecks, and see a ray, turtle, and cuttlefish all in one go. Such a treat. The boat has enough space to move around on large trips and the captain Pierre makes excellent baked goods. This wasn’t a diving-specific trip for me so I rented a BCD and regs and everything was good quality and comfortable. Staff are very present in helping folks into their gear, which is not something I’m used to, but was a welcome accommodation in the hot midday Sun. Many thanks to West Side Diving, I look forward to my next trip.
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Martin P. 1 year ago on Google
    After a 3 year gap my diving was a bit rusty. The guys at West Side Scuba could not have been more welcoming, accommodating and thoroughly professional. They arranged a refresher. We did 3 fantastic wreck dives. They arranged transport and even washed and delivered my equipment. To Peter, Brandon, Pierre, Max and the Dude with the pirate rings - thank you for giving me a great diving experience. To anyone visiting Barbados and looking for somewhere to dive - dive with West Side Scuba !!!!
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Suzanne 1 year ago on Google
    I had an amazing three days of diving with West Side Scuba. I started out never having done any scuba before, and by the end I had passed my PADI Open Water Diver. With Instructor Max and Dive Leader Brandon I learned the skills and knowledge I needed, growing in confidence and ability over six dives. We explored the wrecks in Carlisle Bay and visited the Pieces of Eight reef. And a shout out to Pierre too - who was our captain on the dive boat and there to look after all the divers when we surfaced - with cake! I can’t recommend West Side Scuba enough - whatever level of river you are.
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Wendy M. 2 years ago on Google • 27 reviews
    Peter and his team will definitely take you on a diving adventure to write home about! After 25 dives together, I can honestly say I will never dive with anyone else on the island. The briefings are thorough and they do a great job explaining where we are going and what we will see. The crew is knowledgeable about the dive locations and share their enthusiasm for the island. Equipment is clean and well maintained and COVID-19 protocols are followed. They do not pack the boat like sardines so you have a chance to meet people and enjoy some nice relaxing dives. Dive Instructor Max is patient and encouraging and takes the time to truly teach the skills. He is passionate about his job and it shows. Pierre the Boat Captain is attentive, helpful and engaging...as he says, this isn't "his first rodeo" and "when we are on vacation he is in the 'office' looking after us". Peter is a professional through and through and holds his team accountable for the safety and enjoyment of his customers. It was great to see him guiding his son Brandon on the business side of the Dive Centre while also ensuring he continues his certifications. Thank you for a memorable visit to your paradise.....see you soon to blow more bubbles!

  • 5/5 Petr V. 2 years ago on Google • 21 reviews
    My son and me have spent a few days in August enjoying diving with West Side Scuba. They provide professional, yet friendly service with attention to details. The boat has enough space for several divers, water and snacks are provided on a complimentary basis. What I mostly liked was, that they did not only take us to the nearby locations, but very often took us to the very attractive more distant onces. Highly recommended!

  • 5/5 Laura K. 3 months ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    Had a great dive with Don - I was nervous after more than a year of not diving and Don made me feel really comfortable, going at the right pace. We saw some great shipwrecks, reefs, lots of sea creatures and even a few surprises. Highly recommend! The whole team at the shop and on the water could not have been nicer, so thank you guys!

  • 5/5 nishssh 3 months ago on Google • 5 reviews New
    If you’re looking to see some cool stuff while scuba diving - Westside Scuba is the place to go for sure!! Brandon was such a cool & attentive instructor. 10/10 recommend!

  • 5/5 Jay B. 8 months ago on Google
    Peter was brilliant via email answering our questions and doing his best to work out some diving opportunities for my wife and I for a last-minute trip we were planning to Barbados. Unfortunately in the end, it didn't work out on our side but based on his attentiveness to us, we definitely hope to dive with him in the future. Excellent customer service!

  • 5/5 David S. 8 months ago on Google
    I had the opportunity to dive West Side and it was great. They were very professional and well equipped. Anytime I'm in Barbados again, that's my dive stop. So if you are looking for a truly enjoyable experience, call them.

  • 5/5 Claire T. 9 months ago on Google
    RJ was very patient, a great guide, and a wonderful dive instructor. My Intro to Scuba diving was an exhilarating experience. Absolutely incredible to be under a sunken ship! Can't begin to describe all the sea life I saw !

  • 5/5 Doug B. 1 year ago on Google
    I just got back from my trip to Barbados. I dove with West Side Scuba on Friday April 21st and had an awesome couple of dives in Carlisle bay. Over the course of the 2 dives we got to see all of the wrecks in the bay (5 or 6?) plus lots of cool fish and other amazing sea life. I've dove with other dive companies while in Barbados on past trips but none of them had that same welcoming vibe as West Side scuba. For your next dive in Barbados I'd highly recommend West Side above all others.

  • 5/5 Adam C. 1 year ago on Google
    Only having time for one day of diving, walked in to Westside (Eco doesn't seem to stay open for mid day walk ins it seems?) and got great info on dive option, went for the afternoon 2-3:30 singled tank. Adult son and I found the Carlisle Bay dive beyond expectations, having snorkeled above some wrecks previously. We saw way more ships than advertised, a few reefs too. Our dive master Max was awesome, set up via Brandon so easy - and his help getting gear and through the paperwork efficient and friendly. Loved having just a couple other divers in the water with us, one other getting an intro lesson that Brandon went off and did separate so we could see more, go a little deeper (max I saw on my gauge was 45'). Boat was perfect size, easy in and out. C Fun, fun crew that were also helpful with our occasional mistakes during setup since we hadn't been diving in a couple years. Use these guys for your next dive!!

  • 1/5 Prarthana 9 months ago on Google
    I wouldn’t recommend this place if this is your first dive . I was very excited to try scuba diving, but it was not a nice experience at all. Some scuba schools practice in a pool, but here you practice in the ocean and the water was very choppy. I was trying to learn the techniques whilst balancing myself in the choppy water . Brandon was rushing through and getting annoyed when I was taking more time to learn compared to the other 3 guys (2/3 guys had dived multiple times) I lost confidence when I saw my instructor was losing patience. A part of being a teacher is understanding your students & coaching them accordingly.. I didn’t want to hold the other guys back & said I won’t dive & he didn’t even try to encourage me . I gave up and sadly this is my memory of my first diving experience! If you’re a fast learner & very comfortable in the ocean, then do go ahead and sign up. If not, there are other schools in the area where they make you practice in the pool & then ocean only when you’re ready! Worth checking this.

  • 5/5 Dutch Van S. 9 months ago on Google
    I dived with West Side Scuba in July 2023 after they were recommended to me by PADI. It was my first time back diving after an 18 year break. The entire team couldn't have been more supportive. Their professional confidence was all I needed to get back into my stride. I dived with them for 5 days - travelling all along the West coast on the reefs and shallow wrecks. Stunningly clear warm waters with plenty of marine life. There were many other divers who joined us on different days - ranging from beginners to very experienced - I saw nothing but smiles and praise from them all. I will be returning to Barbados in 2024 - mainly because of my experience with West Side.

  • 5/5 Ariella L. 9 months ago on Google
    I haven’t been diving in a while so I was a bit apprehensive to go, but I am so happy I did. The owners and staff care about their customers and it shows in everything they do. For those who are just starting out, every step was explained with great detail. Our dive instructor, Brandon, was knowledgeable, well trained, and worked super well with our group, which had different levels of experience and comfort diving (he even gave me a refresher on the basics so I’d feel more at ease). Our Captain was an absolute gem, who even took the time to help me with my fins and assist me in getting everything setup. The experience was personalized and not cookie cutter and they ensured that our dive experience was fun, interesting, and safe (Brandon constantly was aware of where we were and always checked in to make sure we were okay). We got to see some turtles, shipwrecks (including a sailboat), shrimp, lobsters, stingrays, it was all around a beautiful experience. If you aren’t sure if it’s worth the dive, I hope this is proof that it is. You won’t regret it.

  • 5/5 Ana Sofia C. 1 year ago on Google
    We did our Open Water Diver certification (2 days) with West Side Scuba during our holiday in Barbados and what a great experience it was!! On both mornings Peter arranged a driver to pick us up from Oistins to the dive shop. RJ, our instructor, was fantastic and made us feel very safe (and I can't stress enough how important that is!). We were always provided with water and snacks after each dives. Overall, it was amazing! Truly recommend West Side Scuba!

  • 5/5 David O. 1 year ago on Google
    Another 10 dives with West side Scuba. They are truly brilliant, friendly, professional and suportive. Every dive is a pleasure and as a family of four our two lads certified with West Side then dived with us. We have felt totally looked after every day. Can't wait to come back Dave Orme

  • 5/5 Loz G. 2 years ago on Google
    Brilliant experience of two dives with Peter and the team. High quality gear. Great dive sites. Fun staff. All in all very positive!

  • 5/5 Allie B. 2 years ago on Google
    Had the best time today with Brandon, RJ, Max, and Pierre. Hopefully I’m getting all of their names right. They took us around Carlisle Bay to see some sunken ships. This was our second dive after being certified and we felt we were in great hands! They put our gear together for us, did safety checks, and made sure we were comfortable. They also provided snacks and water! I would HIGHLY recommend going with them to scuba during your Barbados vacation.

  • 5/5 Ryan L. 4 months ago on Google • 1 review
    Life works mysterious ways and thankfully to a referral from another top rated diving center in Barbados I arrived to west side scuba center to get my open water certification. I m leaving Barbados today with my new training but above all with a family. My very first impression of the shop was very warming and welcoming. Thankfully to Brandon, Thea, RJ, Pierr and my instructor Don. It was very pleasant to be there at the shop, before the diving even started. About my instructor Don, highly recommend. He is knowledgeable, good communicator, patient and he makes sure you have acquired the skills as well as are enjoying your diving experience. To me, it will be an unforgettable memory of my diving training start. The center is very close to Carlisle bay, where you diving around ship wrecks, gets to see lots of sea life. Which they got me there on both days of my training. Last but not least. As a business owner myself, I believe the culture and environment of a company steams from its ceo, the boss. Peter, whom I met on the second day, overheard I was asking for directions to go to places after my diving. He promptly offered to take me where I needed to go. Took me to dinner with his lovely wife. Dropped me off at my Airbnb. And it doesn't stop there. They invited me over to stay at their house for the rest of my stay (3 days,turned into 4 because I missed my flight). Honestly how many people you know does that? So it wasn't a surprise I felt so welcomed at West Side diving Scuba. I'm leaving Barbados with a family I just met. A successful business focus on people and truly aims improve people's life and to show that you matter. Can't recommend them enough. If you're looking for training, tank dive, snorkeling, etc give west scuba a shot and you won't regret.
    1 person found this review helpful đź‘Ť

  • 5/5 Pete K. 2 months ago on Google • 1 review New
    This is my second time diving with this crew and I’m telling you that there are the best people to go out with! I got my advanced certification in 2020 and this year I got my rescue certification! Very helpful in explaining the details of what I had to learn!!

  • 1/5 Emily L. 3 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    Unfortunately a very rude, egotistical staff member ruined our experience with West Side Scuba. My partner and I booked in to do two morning dives - meaning we needed to arrive at The Boatyard at 9AM. Our taxi dropped us off in the car park - so never having been to the Boatyard before, and with it being before it's official opening time, we walked through what looked like an open air bar, on a beach, to where we could see the group of divers. To clarify, it was open. On the beach. There were no doors, just an open bar area. As we meet the group of divers a lady behind a reception desk - which was again outside on the beach - asked us why we were there. We explained we were diving, and then as she then gave us a wristband, the boat Captain turned up where we then the experience was officially ruined. He raised his voice, and said, 'When you walk through an establishment you do not walk through the back you walk through the reception', he carried on, 'So tell me what do you do when you walk through an establishment? What is the correct thing to do that we as adults should do. You check in with the receptionist'. He didn't shut up, so carried on, 'Can I hear you say that's what you do?'. Stunned I just kept quiet and checked in. To reiterate. It was an open beach. It wasn't a building that had a large sign. There was no signage in the car park not to walk on the beach straight to the divers. It's a shame how someone can really effect an experience like that. I would urge you to go to the Fishpot restaurant and book in with Scott instead. It's a great and friendly experience.


Call +1 246-262-1029 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Cash only
  • Service options
    • âś— Delivery
    • âś— In-store shopping
  • Health and safety
    • ✓️ Mask required
    • ✓️ Staff wear masks
    • ✓️ Appointment required
    • ✓️ Temperature check required
    • ✓️ Safety dividers at checkout
    • ✓️ Staff get temperature checks
    • ✓️ Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits

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