Aquatic Obsessions Scuba

Probably the best shop in the area. Great selection of regs, BCs, and spearfishing gear. They cater to technical divers with high-​pressure helium and oxygen fills. Both the owner and the manager are rebreather divers, the owner has more spearfishing trophies than he can count, and runs top notch spearfishing charters. The store is well laid out with a large inventory that is organized. There trips are something they have done for years so they are always well run.

Great dive shop if you are in to spear fishing. The gentleman that owns the store sponsors the local spearfishing tournament every year. Im a local dive cleaner that was in their store a few times a week filing air. Seems like the store is a victim of its own success. Crappy hours. Very clique. Employees are not very friendly at least to me. Staff is knowledgeable especially if you’re in to spearfishing. So make sure and stop by if your a spear fisher.

This place my family has gone to for many years Bill Hardman is an Amazing person not only to his customers, but also has a charity he runs and has so much passion to help people. I learned how to dive from AO and they made sure I was well educated and prepared, safety is one major Goal in that dive shop. They also match competitor prices and will answer any questions you have about diving to spear fishing. And one thing that’s very unique about this place they ha e a dive meeting once every month at Fergs free Beer!!! So that’s why I give this place 5 stars

I have been in and out of this store for any scuba needs for over ten years. I find them to be very friendly and efficient. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. I must say I have never had a negative experience when visiting for any reason.

After moving to St. Pete from Chicago about 4 years ago I decided to get back into local diving. On my first visit to their shop and meeting the staff and eventually the owner, I thought that this would be a good shop to do business with. So I returned to drop some tanks off to be hydro’ed and visual inspected so they could be current. They did this without fail, after a couple of more visits ranging from buying some misc. gear, air fills, ect. I decided to drop off a set of regulators for service. They originally told me that it would be about a two week turn around time, I asked them if it could be repaired faster, they asked the very grumpy and unprofessional technician that does all the repairs, he told me that it would now be 4 weeks before he could look at them. In the mean time, I was yelled at by the owner for bring my gentle dog into the store — which I have done many times before. The owner informed me that he was an attorney and he could be sued if my very gentle retired greyhound bit someone. (The dog doesn’t even bark) Upon doing a little research on this chronic liar, (Bill the owner) has turned up not only has he NEVER taken the state bar exam, he a a washout-​drop out of law school, yet he boasts and brags to everyone coming in the store that he is a lawyer. I can not feel comfortable doing business with a chronic liar and scam artist. I would highly recommend anyone considering doing business with A O Scuba to find a new shop that will not lie to you.

I called Aquatic Obsessions in advance of a long vacation and made arrangements to take classes to become open water certified. They advised me to take the on line class and when I arrived they would give me the classes. So I paid the $ 109 and completed the on line class prior to arriving in St. Pete. Upon arrival I called to set up classes and was told an instructor would call me back. I waited 3 days without hearing anything so I called back. Once again I was told an instructor would call me and set it up. After 2 more days I personally drove to AO and went in. The girl working there was nice and took my name and number and once again I was told I would be contacted. Again NOTHING! Another phone call, NOTHING! I finally drove to AO again and the same nice girl took my number again. I explained in more than 2 weeks they had not contacted me. She told me the same thing again.
I finally called SDI and complained. They were very responsive and immediately transferred my on line test results to another dive shop they recommended (the test results go to a particular shop and you as a student cannot forward them to another shop yourself). My experience with the alternate shop could not have been better! They will be getting all my business in the future.
I would not recommend Aquatic Obsessions to ANYONE under ANY circumstances.

Back story: I was with friends and wanted to dive — so I needed tanks. No problem renting them, very friendly and fast. Dropping them off was another story. I was 20 minutes early and the store was locked — but I could see staff in the back so I knocked on the door. Completely ignored — not even eye contact. I called — went to voice mail. So I left the tanks at the front door. An hour later, got a call chastising me for leaving the tanks at the front door where I would have been liable if they had been stolen. Was told never to do this again. Was also told that the staff has a lot of work in the morning so it is policy to completely ignore customers standing at the door.
For new divers, scuba is exciting and scary. I would never recommend OS to anyone — especially a newbie that would be intimidated by such rude behavior. Good news is there is another dive shop about 15 minutes from OS — and they love their customers and treat them very well.

I got my certification from AO and could not have been happier. My dive experience was scary for me but it was my fault not theirs. In fact, my diver master Captain Dave and his wife Maria were very patient with me and help me through my fear and assured me I would be able to complete the course. They were right. Had it not been for Capt Dave and his one on one with me I would not have been able to do the dive. AO is very helpful, professional and above all SAFETY CONSCIENCE! Capt Bill, the owner, is very concerned about the safety of all the divers regardless of level and his dive masters reflect that same attitude. I have recently been on a snorkel trip with this dive shop and had an amazing experience. My wife accompanied me and she is a beginner and she was put completely at ease by everyone involved. From the first time I walked into this shop I was told they would take care of me and they have not let me down yet! If I go out on a trip with anyone of the dive masters from AO… I know I will be coming back safe and sound. I can’t say enough good things about then at the shop… Leann, Capt Bill, Capt Dave, Maria, and especially Charlie… you guys rock!!!
Jan Lowe
Gulfport, FL