Business Details
SCUBA Diving Classes & Gear in St. Petersburg, FL
Jim's Dive Shop has been serving the St. Petersburg area for over 45 years, offering comprehensive SCUBA instruction, gear sales, equipment rentals, air and Nitrox fills, and equipment service. Our owner and manager, Teresa Hattaway, brings over 35 years of industry experience and has been teaching SCUBA since 1994. Our team of certified instructors has collectively logged thousands of dives and possesses extensive knowledge of local dive sites. We prioritize personalized service, ensuring proper gear fitting and offering exchanges for used training equipment. Our SCUBA certification courses combine classroom learning, pool practice, and open water dives to create safe, competent divers.We partner with local charter services to provide access to premier dive locations in the Gulf of Mexico. Our commitment to quality training is reflected in our Platinum Pro-certified instructors and our affiliation with SCUBA Schools International. We offer flexible scheduling options, including group and private lessons, to accommodate diverse learning preferences. Our facility includes access to St. Pete Beach Aquatic Center for pool sessions and training sites like Lake Denton and Rainbow River for open water certification. We maintain strong community ties through participation in local diving events and organizations like the Florida Skin Divers Association.
Services
SCUBA Certification
Gear Sales
Equipment Rentals
Nitrox Fills
Equipment Service
Highlights and features
- 45+ years serving Florida's diving community with expert instruction
- Instructors certified through SCUBA Schools International with 10+ years experience
- Platinum Pro-certified instructors with 5,000+ logged dives
- Comprehensive equipment selection with free exchange policy for training gear
- Flexible scheduling with group and private lesson options
Associations and certifications
- SCUBA Schools International
Services
SCUBA Certification
Our Open Water Diver Course combines classroom instruction, pool practice, and open water dives to certify new divers. Courses include SSI materials, equipment use, and digital certification. Instructors have 10+ years experience and thousands of logged dives. We offer group schedules and private lessons to accommodate different learning preferences.
Gear Sales
We offer complete SCUBA packages with $300 savings on essential gear. Packages include mask, fins, snorkel, regulator, dive computer, and buoyancy compensator. Customers receive 12 free tank rentals with purchases. Our staff provides personalized fitting assistance to ensure proper equipment selection for comfortable diving experiences.
Equipment Rentals
We provide rental equipment including tanks, regulators, buoyancy compensators, wetsuits, and weights for course participants. Rental gear meets industry safety standards and receives regular maintenance. Students can exchange used training equipment for better fit during their learning process at no additional cost.
Nitrox Certification
Our Nitrox Specialty Course teaches divers to use enriched air for extended bottom times and reduced fatigue. The course covers gas mixing principles, dive planning, and safety protocols. Certification is available as a standalone course or bundled with open water training for $50 additional fee.
Equipment Service
We offer equipment servicing to maintain optimal performance of SCUBA gear. Our technicians handle regulator checks, buoyancy compensator repairs, and dive computer maintenance. Regular servicing ensures safety and longevity of diving equipment for both recreational and professional divers.
People
Teresa Hattaway
Owner / Manager
Teresa Hattaway, owner/manager, has 35+ years SCUBA experience and 2500+ certified students. She holds SSI Dive Control Specialist Instructor certification and participates in Florida diving events. Teresa has logged 5000+ dives and specializes in underwater photography and spearfishing.
Questions
What SCUBA certification options do you offer?
We offer SSI Open Water Diver courses, Nitrox specialty training, and private lessons. Group courses start at $449, with Nitrox add-ons available for $50. Private instruction ranges from $650-$750 per person.
What equipment do I need for SCUBA training?
Students need a mask, fins, and snorkel. We provide tanks, regulators, buoyancy compensators, wetsuits, and weights. We offer gear exchanges to ensure proper fit during training and sell complete SCUBA packages with $300 savings.
Where do you conduct SCUBA training?
Classroom sessions occur at our Bay Pines Blvd location. Pool training takes place at St. Pete Beach Aquatic Center. Open water certification dives typically occur at Lake Denton and Rainbow River, weather permitting.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations over 72 hours before class start receive free rescheduling. Cancellations within 72 hours incur a $100 fee. Complete cancellations receive refunds minus $100 for non-refundable course materials.
Do you offer dive charter services?
While we don't operate charter boats, we partner with local operators like Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters and Gulfport Dive Center. These charters provide access to Gulf Coast dive sites including artificial reefs and natural limestone ledges.
