Oakville Divers

I have known Robert for a long time. My son and I were certified by him. I have purchased all my equipment at Oakville Divers. He is very knowledgeable on diving and all the products he sells. Robert has helped me purchase the right product over the years.

I signed up for scuba lessons. Never have I done it in my life. I've been wanting to do this for both 15 years. I got recommended to Oakville divers by a friend of mine who is a certified rescue diver and he introduced me to Rob. He's probably one of the best instructors I've ever had in anything. Actually, the personality is spot on. He's direct and blunt but remember. The scuba diving is a dangerous sport and you need somebody that's going to tell you how it is. It may save your life, but I will be continuing my certifications with this location I'm very pleased on everything so far.

Ask for Julie. She works also in the store. She is amazing answers every question same thing tells her how it is very very kind, has no issues answering phone calls and answering questions and I have a lot of them so thank you to her as well

Is the best place to shop around for scuba and snorkelling gear, Julie is the best, Rob always has the best intend for the customer and in general, the staff is very knowledgable and im sure they can assist you with any problem you have, as they did with me,: D definitly coming back to the best scuba store in the GTA!

I obtained my scuba diving certificate through Oakville Divers. It was an incredible experience. The sessions were immensely informative, and the Oakville Divers Team was more than supportive. It was an overall pleasant experience!

I would recommend Oakville Divers to any individuals interested in obtaining their scuba diver certificate. They are accommodating and will work with you to be successful. My gratitude to the Oakville Divers Team for providing me with the skills and information to be an effective diver.

Not sure what these last reviews are about, but I have to say that I had a great experience with Oakville Divers. I found Rob friendly, and knowledgeable. There is a reason they are serious about their work. It’s to keep you safe, and give you the best experience. I highly recommend.

I did my PADI Open Water Certification with Rob and the team at Oakville Divers. Rob and his entire staff were fantastic to deal with. From the thoroughness of the class work to the fun of the hands-on dive experience this is a course that I highly recommend to anyone wanting to enjoy the sport of diving.

What an amazing experience! Rob is the best instructor. His knowledge, patience and respect for this sport is incredible. I would highly recommend Oakville Divers to anyone interested in learning to dive.

Great people, best experience I have had at a dive shop. I recommend Oakville Divers to everyone.

My experience was terrible. Robert is an awful instructor, impatient, rude, condescending. He expects you to know everything from the online course and video and doesn't follow the practice of showing you how the skills are done, letting you watch him do it, letting you try and then discussing afterwards. If you ask questions you are talked down to. If you can't ask questions, isn't that dangerous?
At the end of the pool session, he changed his mind underwater about what we were going to practice (we were supposed to practice skills but he apparently decided underwater that we should just scuba). Eventually after 5 minutes of watching him do nothing, he signaled to surface. At the surface he then got mad at us for not participating. When the other participant pointed out that we didn't know he had changed the plan, he said that he was the person in charge and that if we were going to talk back we would fail.
I would have got out and left several times during the session except I was afraid he would follow or insult me. I also didn't want to leave the other woman alone with him because he was so unpleasant. I didn't know my co-diver previously but we both agreed in the changeroom that it would be dangerous to continue the course with him. We have both gone on to other dive shops to finish up.
I do take it seriously but there should also be some wonder and enjoyment in Scuba. You will not get this with Robert.
Julie in store is a lovely person however.

Rob has to be the worst instructor I’ve come across. The 5 students of his I talked to warned me about it. It was worse.

Rude, demeaning, condescending would be a gracious account of his demeanour.

His students were fearful of even asking questions because he would consistently criticize and "gaslight" them.

Plus students complained that some critical skill tests were not supervised and missed for them.

My brief 5 minute encounter with him confirmed it, we both walked out. Was he apologetic for showing up over an hour late for class start? No… he seemed to be meaner than ever.

Not only does he appear to have a horrible disposition as a person, but woefully dangerous as an instructor. Students need to feel secure and comfortable going to their instructor with questions. This is a potentially high risk and life endangering activity for the poorly trained.

I feel sorry for students introduced to scuba are subjected to him.

I was a scuba instructor a decade ago, I’ve met dozens of instructors over the years. I’ve never met someone in the universe as bad as this one.

By contrast, the woman who works the shop was a complete delight to deal with.

Best scuba shop I've ever been to stuff is really nice and helpfull, thanks to the owner Robert for helping me getting everything I needed

I pulled out from this dive shop. I was scheduled to complete my two last open water dives to complete my certification, but after the most incredibly unpleasant experience with the instructor, Robert, I pulled out and hope to get my full refund back.
There were other students scheduled for today and we were instructed to meet at the shop at 8am. Close to one hour later he shows up, no apology, and just barking orders to the students. He was condescendin, rude, and a total bully when talking to everyone around him.
We ended up walking out after he yelled at us. At one point I thought he was going to throw a punch.
An instructor should be someone that makes you feel safe to ask any questions as you develop the skills to get into an activity like scuba diving, as you life depends on it.
I rarely post reviews, but this experience warrants it.

You can’t beat the expertise and decades of experience that Rob and team have here at Oakville Divers. This is the only place to go for gear and knowledge

Robert was very helpful, and provided great service even during the pandemic. He really went above and beyond to make sure I was happy. Excellent customer service, and very knowledgeable about all aspects of diving!

Rob focuses on safe diving and becoming self aware in all training and creates a fun environment to learn. Will definitely use Oakville Divers for all our training!

Nervous student here but Rob and Jesse did a great job of addressing fears and equipping me with the skills I need to feel more confident in the water. Love the mantra for the pool of "self-rescue" (just stand up!)

Always excellent support and advice - best part is Rob’s honesty. Great prices and quality support.

EXCELLENT Training Great gear, unparalleled instructor experience. I have been around the Medical/Rescue field for over 30 years as Paramedic/K9 Handler. The training I received at Oakville Divers is best I have taken in all my years I have been doing technical rescue courses.

Excellent service, very friendly staff, great diving courses and quality equipment for rent. Highly recommended.

Super friendly and knowledgeable owner and staff, will definitely be taking SCUBA lessons with them

Excellent at keeping our equipment up to date and safe. Excellent service and prices. Very conscientious excellent follow up.thanks

Rob is very knowledgeable and always goes out of his way to help out.
His staff is fantastic and the prices are great.

Robert is excellent - always helpful
to even the most experienced diver. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Oakville Divers has been my go to, one stop shop for everything from lessons to gear and information. Rob Shannon has proven time and time again that safety and knowledge equals fun in the water, if you put forth the effort. I wrote a letter to Oakville Divers after my certification, years ago which explains exactly how I felt about the no nonsense get it done approach to diving. If you are eager to learn, and put forth an effort and place your head square between your shoulders you will gain from his experience and the fantastic instructors and support staff he has to offer. I have nothing but respect for this shop and will continue my support for Rob and his staff.

Fast forward to current day.

Today, years later I have been able to acheive my Dive Master Certification, which I completed the process through the patient and enthusiastic instructor Steve Camacho with Oakville Divers.
I have been active with Oakville Divers from the get go and now find myself giving back to the shop that has been a guiding force behind my personal achievements. I now volunteer my time with a fantastic Group of professional instructors and DM assistants in helping others achieve their goals in becoming certified PADI divers. If you are willing to put forth an effort, and are seeking qualified PADI training in reaching your own personal level, then this is the place you need to sign up with. Thank you Rob and Steve and the great staff at Oakville Divers!