Dive Shop Information

This list has been revised/updated with some info sent in and things I’ve heard by turning the rumor mill. I’ve put them kind of in order of preference although location isn’t considered in that preference. I’ve decided to put Newport/Jamestown shops at the end for no real reason. It should be noted that I’m strongly biased towards Kalipso though I’ve tried to be fair to everyone since they were all, generally, very nice people.
---Ryan

Name: Anderson's Ski & Dive Center
Address: 5865 Post Rd East Greenwitch
Phone: 884-1310
Hours: Mon.- Wed.9-6:00 Thur.- Fri. 9-8 and Sat. 9-5:30
Web Page: Anderson_Ski_N_Dive_Center.com
Directions: 95 South -> route 4 exit to left -> exit 7 bear right -> right turn onto French Town Road -> left onto Post -> 1/4 mile on left
Notes:I've been told that Gary Anderson (the owner) is very knowledgeable in terms of equipment repair and maintenance and is an overall very helpful and friendly dive guy who does ski stuff on the side (not the other way around). Still haven't been there personally.
Price on Rentals: $10 per. item per. day air fills $5.00 and $3.50 for 10 fills

Name: East Bay Dive Center, Inc. (not associated with the mail order comp)
Address: 8 Church Street Warren, RI 02885
Phone: 247-2420
Hours: M-Th 2-5:30, F 2-8:30, Sat 9-6
Directions: I-195 East -> 114 South (exit 17 Seekonk/Barrrington)-> keep going on 114 South through the town of Barrington keep going until you go over two bridges (its a ways and you see a lot of water and other bridges but they're not it) ->you'll see a Dunkin' Donuts on your right (its not the first Dn'D on this road), take the third right (you should see a dive flag painted on the building on that corner) and its right there on your left, parking a little farther down.
Notes: This place was by far the most Mom and Pop place we went to. There was a very nice black lab in the store and they had good equipment for rent. We were so tired by the time we came here I don't remember much but the guy seemed real nice, and he was the first to give us the $40/weekend package deal quote for groups.
Price on Rentals: $40/weekend package for groups

Name: Kalipso
Address: 375 Putnam Ave Smithfield
Phone: 231-DIVE (231-3483)
E-mail: Kalipso@peoplePC.com
Hours: Mon.-Tue.11-6 Wed. 12-6 Thur.-Fri.11-6 and Sat.10-5 br>
Sunday: Closed
Directions: ?get on 44 West in front of Capitol and keep going ‘til past I-295, in the plaza on the right OR if you want to get there a bit faster, take route 6 West to I-295 North to 44 West (exit 7B I think) and you're right there.
Notes: Very friendly/helpful. Also have a travel agent contact (Paula) specializing in dive trips. Personally, this is the shop I go to. Mike Octeau is the guy we usually deal with, and he has been very helpful to the Club in the past. They also have kayaks and organize activity dives a few times a year.
Price on Rentals: they have a special deal for card carrying Brown Diving Club members that is highly competitive with all the other shops listed here. Offers Brown scuba diving students package deals on equipment needed for the Brown PE program.

Name: The SCUBA Center
Address: 1 Highland Ave Sattleboro, MA
Phone: 508-761-5015
Hours: 12-5 Sat , Mon-Fri 12-8 closed Wed. and Sun.
Directions: 95 North -> Newport Ave South Attleboro exit (big plaza w/ Kmart) -> follow the road about a mile -> its on your right (this is the way to Emerald Sq Mall)
Notes: very friendly, PADI instructors, the dive club Old Colony Amphibians assoc w/ them, they sponser local dives/promote the sport of diving, a good contact if you’re interested in MA dives,
Price on Rentals
Equipment Daily Weekend
reg 8 13
tank 7 10
BCD 8 13
Suit 12 18
hood 3 5
PKG 30 50
Discounts given to groups of at least four.

Name: United Divers
Web: www.uniteddivers.com
Address: 209 Elmwood Av Prov
Phone: 274-4482
Hours: Mon.-Thurs.1-7pm and Fri 1-8pm Sat. 9-5 pm, Closed Sun
Directions: ? -> past YMCA -> bear right at split -> on the right after a mile
Notes: This one wins the prize for location convenience for Brown students since it's only about a five minute drive. And if you're not from Brown, they have another store in Somerville, MA. They have a great webpage which will tell you all about them, including some attractive packages for sale. One of the nice things I've learned about them is that they have Spanish speaking instructors and pool parties in the cold months. Worth a closer look. Now carries Nitrox but you should call ahead for availability of pre mix 32.


Newport/Jamestown

Name: Ocean State SCUBA
Address: 23a Naragansett Ave Jamestown, RI 02835
Phone: 1-800-933-3483, 401-423-1662
Hours: Sat 9-5, 10-4 Sun, M-F ?
Directions: I-95 South -> Rt 4 South -> Rt 1 South -> Rt 138 East (a divided highway) -> over the Jamestown bridge -> take the Helm Street exit (the first exit) -> go through the first stop sign -> at the next stop sign, turn Right -> go 1 1/2 miles and look for an off-white house with red trim
Comments: The only diveshop on the island of Jamestown as far as I know. They're conveniently located on the way to any Jamestown dives, though personally they open a little late for the early morning airfill. They also have a lot of kayaks available for rent and offer a PADI course (I think) in diving with kayaks. It seems to be the next big thing. I believe they charge $30 for ten airfills and give you a nice card with all the important phone numbers on it. I've heard good things about their boat charters also.
Rentals: $25 for lights for 24 hours

Name: Newport Dive Center
Address: 550 Thames St Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401-847-9293
Hours: Mon.- Fri.10-6 Sat. 10-4 and Sundays 10-3? for everything else
Directions: If you get into Newport and are going through the main area of town (along the bay where all those touristy shops are) you’ll be heading towards that scenic Ocean Drive. Well, right before the Shell station (I think its shell) where you make the turn to the right, there is a dive shop to the left on the corner before the station. If you’re coming from Ocean Drive, you must turn right at that gas station since its a One-way and circle around (we all know how that works, right?)
Comments: I went here between dives to get tanks filled once. They were friendly and welcomed people in wetsuits and booties. It’s a really convenient place to get tanks filled if you are diving anywhere along Ocean Drive. It was $3.50 per tank or 10 for $30 on this card they keep for you. You pay the twenty, they make a card for you and the next time they punch it out and you don’t even need to bring money. And they had this really, really good looking German shepherd. They’ve got into this kayaking thing, too. They have a two person kayak available for rent. It’s supposed to be good for Greenbridge.


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