Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters

Overall, a great dive experience with a friendly and professional crew. We were supposed to dive the Sheridan Wreck on Sunday morning. The wind was going to pick up and they called off the dive. I was very disappointed. Luckily, I have a GREAT BOSS who let me take off Tuesday morning so that I could go diving with my mother. Rather than dive the Sheridan, they took us to the Rube Alyan. Initially, I was a bit bummed that we were going to an artificial reef and not a wreck, but after hearing the crew talk about it, my disappointment dissipated. The underwater structure was huge and the dive was spectacular and I left a very happy diver.
First, more on the captains and crew. Everyone was helpful and informative. Lots of email communication before the dive. Easy to follow driving instructions. They left little to no unanswered questions. We had no problem finding the place and we were greeted with warmth upon arrival. Captain Ryan was the main point of contact. He is wonderful and I could come up with many more adjectives to describe him and his professionalism, all very good. Captain Ryan actually dove with us and Captain Mike stayed on board. We had a full boat and I believe there is one crew member I am not naming, but I specifically remember Alex being very helpful. As other reviewers noted, they do help people in and out of the water and otherwise do everything they can do to keep everyone safe, comfortable, and informed. They are not over bearing whatsoever. They do not go crazy on the safety lectures and they do not get too involved helping strong young men like myself, I can suit up my own tank and get in and out without help, especially when I am diving with my mom, I do not need a second mother out there!!!
HOWEVER, MY FAVORITE PART OF THE CREW WAS THEIR FRIENDLINESS, INSISTENCE UPON HAVING FUN, AND TAKING PICTURES. Not long after arriving on shore, they already posted some pictures to Facebook. Additionally, Captain Ryan had a new underwater camera that he used to take pictures. He also lent Alex a GoPro to take more underwater pictures. And then of course Captain Mike was taking iPhone pictures on deck. My mom and I do not have fancy underwater cameras. We just take mental snap shots, and maybe one post dive picture but we are always reluctant to take out our iPhones on a crowded and moving boat. IT WAS SO SO SOOOOOOO NICE TO HAVE THE CAPTAINS AND CREW TAKING PICTURES FOR US AND THEN POSTING THEM TO FACEBOOK. That little perk was the icing on the already wonderful cake.
Next, a little on what we saw Rube Alyan. Early may, no clouds, 1 – 2 foot seas, 76 degree Fahrenheit water up top and 74 degree Fahrenheit water 45 feet down. Great depth for the dive because the artificial reef structure was huge. We did a two tank dive. The earlier dive was a bit better as we saw a good sized Nurse Shark, a couple Goliath Grouper (I only saw one, but my mom saw two). Lots and lots of other fish, I cannot specify them all yet as I have to look through the fish charts with my mom tonight, but a good variety of angel fish and snapper. There were schools of Barracuda, including some massive one. Between the two dives, I maybe say 10 to 15 Barracuda, but others with us saw a school of about 50. There was also a couple Spotted Eagle Rays that were spotted, unfortunately not by me. Irrespective of whether you get to see lots of big fish, the structures themselves were massive and covered with lots of sea life.
The crew noted that on weekends, this site can get a bit crowded with fisherman and other divers, but on a Tuesday morning, we were the only boat. There were a couple fisherman but they were hundreds and hundreds of meters away. We really had the Rube Alyan to ourselves.
I was very pleased and I would highly recommend Tanks-​a-​Lot to anyone and I will surely be back to do the Sheridan. THANKS-​A-​LOT, TANKS-​A-​LOT!!!

If you’re near Clearwater, FL and you want to do some diving then Tanks-​a-​Lot should be your go to. Start to finish one of the best experiences I’ve had diving. Captain Ryan and company provided a level of service and professionalism you just don’t see a lot of anymore, and were still able to create a very chill laid back atmosphere. From my first email contact till we settled the bill back on shore I always felt well taken care of.
Great dive sites. Great boat. New and high quality equipment rentals. Most of all really superior people. Highly recommended for novice divers or ones who haven’t dove in a while.

We typically use charter boats to cold water dive in Lake Michigan but decided to dive the Gulf since we were in Tampa.
We dove with Capt Ryan and crew and had a great experience. Capt Ryan runs a very well organized and well prepared operation. He was mindful of new or less experienced divers on our boat as well as others. He had gear rentals on hand for little mishaps and such and his crew was extremely helpful with loading and setting up gear. He was calm, cool, and organized from start to finish.
I would highly recommend Tanks-​a-​Lot!

I dove with another Charter 2 years ago and was very disappointed in the diving and the Charter. I watched someone’s rented gear just fall apart and I think they were catering to the spear fishers.
But these gears had excellent gear, a good working boat, great staff and awesome dive sites. Thank you, Tanks A lot!

A great first open water diving experience! Captain Mike and crew did a fabulous of keeping the group safe and informed about the dive site locations. They took us to some hidden treasures in the Gulf of Mexico. They made us feel safe and comfortable even though there was a 3′-4′ swell. They even provided some fruit and snacks for the return trip that were very much appreciated.

The best diving experience I’ve had so far! Highly recommended for the level of service, knowledge, and fun. They were great about taking tons of pictures and posting on Facebook so you could relive the experience :) If you’re in the area I would go with these guys over the other dive charters.

I’m generally a fairly negative person, but I have to say I absolutely love these guys! My girlfriend is new to diving and tends to be a little shaky underwater. The Tanks-​A-​Lot guys were really patient and helpful, they answered her questions and let her stop worrying and just enjoy her dives.
Here’s what they do great that separates them from other charters we’ve done:
**They send a dive master down with you and guides you through dives.
**Divemaster was highly knowledgeable and knew where to look to find
all manner of exotic fish, turtles, dolphins and fossils.
**Dive planning and execution was efficient, accurate and effective.
**They had a great attitude and were very supportive.
Overall the best two dives I’ve ever had and I would recommend these guys highly to anyone who loves diving or is just getting started.
Thanks!