The Dive Academy Inc

I was introduced to The Dive Academy through a friend, and Dean (the owner) welcomed me into the dive family with open arms, even though I did my training elsewhere! He is an absolute wealth of knowledge, and is very kind and welcoming, whether he's known you for ages or just met you. The shop has a very strong emphasis on safety and continuing education. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Dive Academy for any dive training or gear you might need!

I had been around to several different dive shops in the area, and despite being PADI certified, ultimately ended up regularly coming back to this shop. Dean has got a million things to do but always seems to drop everything to have a conversation with you the minute you walk through the door. He welcomed me by my name the second time I came into the shop and ever since, and this is a great example of a small business that puts service first.I've recommended this shop to every diver I know so far, and even went as far to bring my kids there for their first try scuba. Once again Dean spent upwards of 45 mins with them before the session just to make sure they were properly equipped, comfortable and would have a great experience.

This is by far the best dive shop I've ever been to! My fiancé and I decided to get certified as an engagement present to each other so we can dive together on our honeymoon! We looked around at a lot of places and so many of them want to rush you through the program in a weekend and then send you out on your own. I'm so glad Paula and Dean don't do that!!! We were amazed that we could have unlimited pool sessions to make sure we were totally comfortable with all of our skills before going out in open water! Paula and Dean are experts in their field and incredible people to be around. We are learning so much and having tons of fun - best engagement present/honeymoon EVER! There is truly no better place than The Dive Academy!!!

I do all of my Advanced training at The Dive Academy as well as source all my gear from them. Such knowledgeable staff and thousands of dives of experience to draw from whether it is delivering training to a group of new divers to going into the effects of diving on the tissues of the body. Amazing experience every time I go in to the shop or message the staff via their web site.Can not recommend them enough to anyone looking to expand their diving knowledge and experience the best the GTA (and abroad!) has to offer.

The Dive Academy became my go to dive shop when Paula and Dean first opened their doors 12 years ago. I drive past three other dive shops to get to them and I do so because their standard of care and safety in all areas of their business is impeccable. I have trained, travelled, purchased gear and serviced gear all with the TDA, always resulting in complete satisfaction. So much so, my nephew is now taking his Open Water Diver with TDA. The TDA is a great place to be and a great family to be a part of.

Unparalleled knowledge, Dean is the encyclopedia of Scuba. Customer service is outstanding. The training is the best I've seen anywhere. It's not just a business, it's a family, and you'll feel like part of the family as a customer there. One of the few shops I've ever seen that will talk you out of a sale if the item isn't right for you.

If you are lucky enough to visit The Dive Academy you will find a close knit community of like minded people lead by Dean and Paula who share their love of the sport and their knowledge without reservation. Put your trust in them and they will treat you like family. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

This shop is great! So friendly & welcoming, like we had been friends for years when I just walked through the door! Dean worked with me to pick a good fitting mask, and actually let me take it to try it before I bought it. The shop was going to close before we made it back, so I just did my transaction with Paula over the phone, she was equally awesome to deal with. Not many places will do this -- so needless to say, I have my new source for all things diving! See you soon for my dive computer!

Dean and the entire Dive Academy family are amazing! I was introduced to this dive shop in 2016 when my wife surprised my son and me with an enrollment in their OWD Certification course. After visiting different dive shops, she chose The Dive Academy because of Dean’s amazing personality, sense of humour and passion for diving. We experienced this first-hand when completing the classroom instruction and confined water training under the guidance of Dean and his experienced instructors. He was then kind enough to arrange our Open Water Checkout Dives in the warmer waters at Sunset House in Grand Cayman, during a planned March Break holiday. He made the process seamless and the trip created so many great memories that my son and I return to Grand Cayman yearly for dive vacations. Thanks to Dean and your team for continuing to be so welcoming and so knowledgeable on everything from equipment to diving destinations, and for inspiring us to be better divers. You are the best!

The Dive Academy is more that a dive shop, it is a diver community hub that is not only focused on providing great service but making sure to really know you and your needs as a diver.We just dropped off our familys 16 tanks for their annual vis check. John and Dean noted that several tanks would need Hydro's later this year which would mean that we would have have then for a week or two in the prime season.Since they know our busy diving schedule they called and worked out a plan to send a couple at a time now so that we would always have enough tanks each weekend. It was more work and planning for them, but that is the difference between a just being a shop vs being a partner that supports your underwater adventures.Thanks Dean and John for all the support you give us!