Lynnhaven Dive Center

I chartered Lynnhaven Dive Center’s «Ms. Mackenzie» in Virginia Beach last week for a special dive and couldn’t have been happier. They absolutely exceeded my expectations. It took me a while to finalize plans with Scott, (one of the owners) but he never seemed frustrated with me and was completely accommodating. Once we arrived, they were extremely attentive to my group’s needs. Once aboard Sharkey and Captain Matt made us completely comfortable for hour hour ride to the Chesapeake Light Tower. Under the Tower within the mussel bed, Sharkey pointed out all the octopus he could. I’m looking forward to coming back to VA Beach just to go on another dive with them.

I booked my boat trips weeks ahead and one of my trip got canceled for not enough divers on boat and I totally understand that. I also reserved 100 CF Nitrox tanks. I met a few people working in the shop. The first day went great they told me about canceling and to come on Friday after 4pm to pick up my tanks. When I showed up next day the experience went down hill, the stuff was not very helpful, Nitrox tanks were not ready and they told me they don’t have 100CF tanks as well. I had to leave and come again in 2 hours, I had to ask to analyze my enriched air and at the end they charged me $ 18 to rent weights for one boat trip!!! I couldn’t believe my ears (what a rip off)!!!
The crew on the boat was great and it was fun, but my Friday experience at the shop won’t bring me back again.

Bottom line upfront. I don’t think they like tourist type of customers. Their store personal was little to be desired in regards to customer relationship/​service.
1. I called to ask if I could bring a non diver then asked if there could be a discount: response: «why would I sell a spot at discount when I put a diver in that spot”-crap answer– I don’t care about your profits as a customer and second as most people know you can have more people than divers because of weight…
2. When I came to pick up my tanks…$ 15…yep…that is a true rip off (maybe that is the non club price but crap none the less) and then I had to ask to have them verified of PSI… really? Plus… no one even asked me how are you doing? There was no passion in the people at the store. And FYI… don’t ask for Nitrox unless you ask in advance and check daily to ensure you get it…(that was from a diver on my boat and his issues with the store)
3. Dropping off my tanks… yeah. that was ok until I asked about my refund for my cancellation the week before and then I got «what’s your name»? and not in a nice tone… quite rude actually… no one was polite. It was truly as if the customers should be thankful they are there.
As for the two Stars… this is the boat captain and the dive master…
They were nice and helpful. Not too arrogant not cocky. but nice and safe.
The sad part about the boat… only water to drink. (5 hour trip) make sure you bring something to eat… something. They provide zilch. They also have spares of nothing!!! Nothing!!! No extra weight in case, and not even pretzels for after dive.
I gave no tip because there was nothing extraordinary except they were polite. Small group…7 divers… small amount of folks… well, they might have made more money had I could have brought a friend!!!
Needless to say… I will NEVER use them again. and that is because no one was nice at the counter. There was no passion no trying to get to know me as diver and that I drove 4 hours to dive with them. Wow.

Great dive shop! Up beat and family friendly. You can hop in the pool to see if scuba is for you, and the staff is awesome.
They have a lot of very experienced and knowledgeable instructors and staff. The boat trips through the shop are great, and they maintain a schedule so you know what’s going on in advance to plan.
The shop is one of few in the area that carry the higher quality gear, and with scuba equipment you often get what you pay for in the long run. The staff are honest and upfront in helping you choose gear so ask all your questions.
Probably my favorite aspect about this place is how friendly the staff are. They are all active divers and love what they do. If you are looking for something they don’t have, they can get it for you or find you something even better!

The customer service here is outstanding. A week ago, my mechanic needed to change a propeller on my sailboat, except his tank was out of air. I called around and Lynnhaven was open until 6pm. When I explained to Luke that traffic wouldn’t allow me to get there until after 6:15pm, he said «No problem, I’ll wait for you». When I arrived, he walked outside to greet me, and was just a very decent guy. He had me witness the pressure test on the tank to verify its fill. Given the low cost of a tank rental, he really went above and beyond what I would expect from any store. Thanks to this kindness, I decided to buy an underwater flashlight — simply to increase their profit margin on my sale. I needed one anyway, but I was more than happy to buy it from them. Thanks Luke.

I want to thank all the staff at LDC for helping my Daughter and I get open water certified. Specifically Bruce, Scott, Dana, David and Kathy for going above & beyond the call of duty by being extremely helpful on every level. There were others that also helped, but I apologize if I forgot your name. This shop is absolutely awesome, highly recommend for anything SCUBA.

First I want to thank the entire staff at LDC for helping me complete my dive certification. It took two continents and a lot of planning for this and LDC was able to get me certified. I will be coming back soon for my advanced and for my wife and kids certification.
The shop is great. Once more very helpful staff and was even told about the rental program. I normally think rentals are a waste of money but LDC does an amazing dollar for dollar rental towards purchase. If you rent you BCD until you purchase from them that money goes toward the purchase. This is something that can’t be passed up.
Once more thank you LDC and I will be seeing you all soon.

If you have an infant or young child and you would like to teach him/​her how to swim (float on his/​her back long enough for you to make a save), this is a place to consider. I’ve heard of folks learning how to swim at a young age but didn’t realize there are professional «classes» parents take their very young children for learning. Classes are short, about 10 minutes max, mainly because swimming takes a lot of energy out of kids (me, too, for that matter). They also have classes very early in the morning for you parents that need to get in and out before work. A definite must for parents and kids.

I received my Scuba training from Lynnhaven Dive Center’s wonderful dive instructors. Have 70 dives now, including trips to Cozumel, Roatan and Galapagos and in 2015 to Belize with LDC staff accompanying or arranging the trips. The staff is very professional and helpful.

LDC is the only dive center I would dive through in this area. I got certified AOW through LDC and have gone on one dive trip (Cozumel) and multiple chartered dives. Everything is top notch including the gear they sell, the dive vacations they coordinate and boat dives they charter. Even the clothes they sell are stylish! Definitely recommend LDC for any diving needs. When my daughter is old enough, I plan to bring her in for swim lessons!

I’ve been diving with LDC on 3 occasions & have been more than satisfied with all aspects of my experiences and plan to join them In The future for all my dive vacations, and gear Rich Smith

A perfect place to learn to dive, continue training, purchase equipment and go on dive vacations. The ENTIRE staff is top notch in knowledge, customer service and training.
I recently went on a dive trip to Roatan Honduras. The trip was a complete blast. Everything was well planned and the pre-​trip meetings prepared us for everything. I’ve already booked another trip with them to Cozumel in August of 2015.
I now also have the rest of my family starting their Open Water courses, while I continue to take advanced classes.
If you want to learn how to dive and go on great local boat trips and dive vacations, this IS the place to go.

I’ve not taken any classes here, so I’m not *quite* willing to go with five stars, but let me tell you that this shop excels in customer service, much better than some of the other shops I’ve been to in the area.
Walking in, a perky and charismatic gal at the front counter greeted me immediately with a «Welcome to the shop! What can I help you with», after explaining what I was there for, she let me know as soon as the gentleman to her right was off the phone, he could give me the information I was looking for. So I browsed for a few minutes while he wrapped up.
He then proceeded to give me an excellent run through of every piece of gear I asked about! Details, different price points, why things were more expensive/​less expensive, packaging deals, the whole 9.
If you’re just getting into diving (as I am) I definitely recommend LDC, A+ on customer service.
As info, they are definitely a ScubaPro leaning shop!

Great place and got to learn some about what its like diving…
Even signed up for diving school with a cert. open water dive.
Over all great atmosphere. People are relaxed and the pool was good for practicing. Only suggestion is to bring a towel cause ur gonna get wet!