Sink or Swim Scuba
Sink or Swim Scuba
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Sink or Swim Scuba Inc is a PADI 5 star certified scuba dive shop located in Nanaimo, BC. Vancouver Island is rated top 10 for cold water diving, and we are grateful to dive all year round. As a shop, we love helping people explore our waters through scuba diving, and snorkeling. We offer courses, guided dives, as well as equipment sales, servicing, and rental.
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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(8 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
17 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

nithomas
Edmonton, Canada82 contributions
Girlfriend and I showed up at 1pm on a Friday with our gear and cert cards. We needed a tank and weights each and told them we have time for one simple shore dive before we hit the road again.
They accommodated us immediately with weights, tanks, and even went above and beyond and mapped us out a perfect dive based on the time period we had and the current tide charts.
2 thumbs up. Beyond helpful. Great diving just up the road in Nanoose Bay...use Sink or Swim for all your scuba diving needs!
Written April 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for the review! We hope next time you two come out to the island you'll look us up again and join us for a couple of dives!
Written April 10, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

fishingguy2015
Ladysmith, Canada351 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
My soon took an open water advanced course with sink or swim. Very Friendly professional people who really know what they're doing. My son felt very comfortable and safe with them. Highly Recommended to beginners to advanced!
Written April 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks Fishingguy, we appreicate your feedback. I'm glad your son felt safe and comfortable with us during his course. That's what it's all about for us, making sure our students are comfortable and have an enjoyable experience. We hope to see him in the water again soon. Shelagh Richer
Written April 22, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sandra
Riudellots de la Creu, Spain11 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Everything was taken care of before we even arrived at the dive shop. All equipment was brand new and Christina was super helpful with everything we needed. She briefed us and all instructions were clear so we could have an amazing dive. I highly recommend this shop. Incredible service. Me and my sister had a wonderful dive thanks to them.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Simon C
1 contribution
Dec 2018 • Family
Ray and Shelagh run an amazing shop with top quality rental gear (all less than a year old). They are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. As we planned our latest trip to Vancouver Island, Shelagh worked closely with us to plan equipment rentals and dive opportunities. Everything was ready and organized when we arrived. Having used a couple of dive shops in Nanaimo, Sink or Swim Scuba is the place to go! Can't wait to return.
Written January 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Leni S
7 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
My friend and I did our advanced open water course earlier this year. We came from out of town and Shelagh and Ray were so accommodating with our schedule and mailing us our books so we could do the knowledge portion before since we were only in Nanaimo for a couple days. They even stayed late at the shop for gear fitting when I missed the ferry!

In the water, our dive instructors Michel and Wayne were very patient and knowledgeable and by the final dive I felt much more in control of my buoyancy and comfortable in the water.

We're trying to find time in our schedules to get back and do the dry suit training!
Written December 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

rallemeier
Idaho Falls, ID7 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
My husband and I came to visit Nanaimo and wanted to take a dry suit course while there. We looked at other reviews and chose Sink or Swim. Their shop is well stocked, organized and efficient. Our instructor, Michel Hutchinson, was patient and professional. The dive gear was in perfect condition. Look no further for your diving needs. Two thumbs up!
Written September 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Randy, Thank you so much for taking the time to give us feedback. I'm very pleased you were happy with the shop, gear and your Instruction. See, cold water diving is fun, isnt it? 😉 Lol. Enjoy your warm water diving this winter. It was a pleasure meeting you two.
Written October 1, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Nathan D
Nanaimo, Canada32 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
My partner and I went and learned to Scuba dive and how to use a dry suit in a week and change. We are looking forward to our first dive ourselves. We have also gone in a few times and asked questions about 2nd hand gear, now my partner wants to do more courses.
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nathan, We had a lot of fun introducing you and Chelsey into the world of scuba and we're excited you've been bitten by the scuba bug and want to continue. Discovering all our dive sites and our underwater life will be so exciting. See you underwater! 😃
Written June 19, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

LTodhunter
Nanaimo, Canada1 contribution
Feb 2017 • Solo
I have done all my training through SOS, they are very professional and their main focus is getting people back into the water. SOS is more then just a dive shop they become your dive family
Written April 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks LT. We're so happy you've joined our diving family and have been happy with your experiences with our shop, our Instructors and Dive masters. We look forward to diving our favorite dive sites with you!
Written May 2, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TomHlavac
Nanaimo, Canada70 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
Shelagh and Ray help make Vancouver Island's waters accessible for local and visiting divers. Air, EAN, equipment and sundries all available. The shop supports the local dive community heavily. Shelagh and Ray can hook you up for shore dives or charters. Great service.

Written December 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks Tom! We have a great team who do their best time and time again. They love diving and it shows.
Written December 13, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

dw_yyc
Calgary, Canada72 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Stopped with two teenagers to do some shore dives in Naniamo. Rental gear was fairly new and wetsuits fit well. Instructor and Divemaster were good and professional.
Written August 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks DW. I know Blake and Bianca enjoyed diving with you and the kids. Happy to show you all the underwater critters we have here. Hope you enjoyed your visit with one of our local wolf eels! We look forward to diving with you again the next time you come out this way. Maybe a winter visit, you could get your Drysuit certification for a warmer dive and we can show you even better visibility. :) Enjoy the rest of your summer and thanks again!
Written August 12, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Sink or Swim Scuba (Nanaimo) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go