Scuba Dogs

I thought I would love scuba diving, but quickly found out I was not a fish in my former life. My ex-​boyfriend was certified in scuba diving and thought it would be lots of fun to go while we were on vacation. Our instructor, Chris was so patient with me and stayed right by my side the whole time. He took his time explaining and practicing with me how to use the scuba gear. He was also excellent at sensing if I was scared or unsure and make it his priority to make sure I was comfortable and safe. Though the dive went well, I don’t think I’ll be going scuba diving again anytime soon, but I do thank Chris for all his patience and introduction to scuba techniques.

These guys are lovely and helpful. The scuba shack overlooks the surprisingly good snorkeling of Escambrón.

Had a lovely shore dive at Escambron with David and Giovanni. We called at 9 AM, David picked us up at our hotel and by 10:30 or so we were in the water. The reef is a little challenged but there were plenty of fish and seahorses — love them. Nice dive and terrific staff! Gracias!

Great staff. I’d recommend trying it scuba diving for the first time with these people.
We called them around 12pm, and went scuba diving a little after 2pm.
I’m not comfortable being in the ocean, but I was pressured into scuba diving so I had to go. I’m not certified so we went with a dive master.
The staff was encouraging but not pushy. They were patient and helped me adjust under water (multiple times). They brought along food for the fish.
While I recommend the staff, I don’t think I’d necessarily recommend scuba diving at this location. The price isn’t immaterial, and the visibility was really low (I couldn’t see pass 2 – 3 feet). Granted — the staff warned us about the visibility before we agreed to it. Also, there wasn’t that many fish to be seen.
At the end of the day, I do recommend the staff and the act of scuba diving.

They were supposed to pick me up at the hotel. We had made arrangements and then they never showed up. Nobody answered the phone when I called, and I didn’t end up diving as this was the only day I had available. Use someone else.

Its ok I’m sure in experience, but in price it’s robbery. PADI cert is on average in Puerto Rico $ 300 (everything included). I got quoted at around $ 600 & this is after I had informed them that I completed the PADI e-​learning course. Just because it’s close to Condado (though still no excuse). Instead I took my business to La Casa Del Buzo who are also in San Juan.

Really, really great staff. I called to make last minute arrangements, day of, and surprisingly they accommodated. They warned me that I’d be tagging along with someone else’s training dive in the bay, but for how last minute I was, I didn’t mind. When the other customer bailed, they gave me a private dive instead.
The entire staff was super friendly, yet very professional. While signing the paperwork, David, Chris, and I chatted up about NYC and LA. I had forgotten my SSI license, but thankfully SSI has an online membership verification, which Scuba Dogs gladly accepted. John, my dive master, seemed super chill, but when it came time to dive, he was immediately attentive to details and procedure, which to me showed he was serious about safety.
Thanks David, Chris, and John!

With a referral, I just got PADI open water certified at Scuba Dogs. My instructor, Chris, really knows how to keep it simple and fun with no fuss or hassle. Reasonable price, great testing venue (Escambrón beach, San Juan). I’m glad to call myself a Scuba Dogs diver. Who let the dogs out?! Woof!

Great dive with the owner of the shop in San Juan. He was a good dive master, was patient in challenging conditions and was helpful in showing us lost of things. The equipment was all in good shape, and worked flawlessly. He also was helpful in sharing things to do in San Juan. The dive was a very interesting shore dive, and we saw a lot of life, as well as interesting aspects of San Juan history. Recommended shop and company, would return to them for a different dive.

I’m writing this review for their newest location located just behind the historic (but vacant) Normandie Hotel, right next to the Hilton Caribe. I was there last Friday for the Discovery scuba diving tour. The diving instructor there, Maggie, was totally cool and obviously knows what she’s doing. Her clear explanation of what she’ll show us once in water gave confidence to our group. Equipments were clean. The diving cove is great for beginners, ‘cuz there’s an old wall out in the cove that helps reduce the wave. It’s helpful when you’re just learning how to use the regulator and letting water out of your goggles under water. Once we’ve mastered those skills, then we made way over those walls to feed the fishes and explore. The tour left us with smiles on our faces. Overall, a good experience and would definitely recommend to my friends.

Horrible staff, acted like you were bothering them. Snorkeling was renting k-​mart equipment and paying through the nose for a fraction of Hiltons cove. Locker and water charges, this place was the only cancer of an otherwise lovely PR trip. The best thing that happen during this adventure was the ten accidental minutes spent at the hotel next door. Do. Not. Waste. Your. Cash. Go on the hike, the beach or sleep in.

A group of us have never scuba-​dived before and we decided it’d be a fun experience to try in Puerto Rico where the weather and beaches were warm (–er than Chicago). Pat Gaughran was our instructor. His English, having been in New Jersey, was pretty good.
Of the three of us women, I don’t know how to swim. Scuba Dogs and Pat was okay with this. He taught us hand signals and how to use our equipment. The whole 3-​hour experience (instruction included) cost us $ 110 each in cash.
When Pat learned that we were due to fly out the next day, he told us that he could only let us dive as deep as 20 feet so as not to poison us (due to the change in altitude within 24 hours, I think). Furthermore, he held my hand and made sure I was comfortable with what we were doing since I didn’t know how to swim. It was a very fun and memorable experience. I got to see a school of fish swim pass us!
My right shoulder somehow got dislocated (not due to scuba-​diving. I don’t want to scare you guys! but I had a sort of muscle-​spasm), and Pat told me to float on my back as he dragged me to shallower water so that I could drag the equipment onto shore as my friends continued their lesson. For what it’s worth, I still enjoyed my first scuba-​diving experience.
My friends and I didn’t bring cameras as we did not have waterproof cameras, and Pat took pictures for us. I emailed him for the pictures and he emailed them to me in a timely manner.
I would most certainly want to do this again one day.