Simply the best place around to learn about ocean ecology; get top notch kids swimming lessons; and participate in revolutionary programs like TIDES. Our kids have attended educational events, summer camps and swim lessons and everything is top notch!

Great place to learn Scuba. The instructors are patient and thorough. I have become a comfortable scuba diver in two weekends.

Ocean First has been a great resource for equipment as well as an education (I hear the trips are fantastic, too!). I took a freediving clinic with Drew and left feeling so much more confident, chiefly about diving techniques as well as safety and rescue scenarios. I’m stoked for our next snorkeling adventure! Thank you, Drew and staff at Ocean First.

BRUCE PENNER is a legend. Best instructor and human. Wonderful balance of a methodoical teacher, passion for the sport and humor. Thank you Bruce!!

Ocean First is an amazing dive shop and swim school. Ive taken multiple classes there including SCUBA, Freediving, and swim lessons. Every instructor Ive ever had there has been knowledgable, patient, and very safety-oriented. I just finished Level 1 Freediving and my instructor, Drew, went above and beyond to help me successfully complete my certification. When I first started visiting OF in 2018, I was pretty timid and uncomfortable in the water. Now I can calmly regulate my breathing, swim to 10m, and enjoy the water in ways I never thought I could before. The overall atmosphere at the shop is so fun and Im already looking forward to my next class there.

Stopped by Ocean First Dive again last week to pickup some extra gear for my annual Catalina trip. Great shopping experience as always! Ron was very knowledgeable and helpful. With his expert advice I got a mask, gloves, belt & weights, hoodie and a float line and was out of the store in about 30 minutes.

I have been on two prior diving trips with Oceans First and those trips have not only been tremendously exciting and fulfilling, but due to the efforts of Oceans First, they went off without a hitch. There were no problems or issues which ever came up which made for a relaxing experience making the trips that much more enjoyable. My wife and I had recently booked another trip with Oceans First. My wife was going to bring two others along who, like her, were non-divers. We asked Oceans First to arrange for some side trips not included in their itinerary as well as booking activities for the non-divers in our group which they did with efficiency and were happy to accommodate. However, the recent pandemic threw a wrench into our plans well after we had put down a substantial amount of money for reservations, activities and especially flights. We had committed tens of thousands of dollars on what was to be a trip of a lifetime for everyone involved. Knowing that there are forces beyond our control, we had spent an extra $5000 on getting trip insurance to cover all our expenses. I cannot emphasize how important this turned out to be. Initially, multiple foreign airlines and the resort were reluctant to give us back any money. Due to the tireless efforts of Amy Christopher at Oceans First as well as having an insurance policy which covered all expenses due to the trip, we were able to recoup all of the money our group of four had paid already. Again, this was tens of thousands of dollars which we would have otherwise lost. I highly recommend Oceans First as a diving resource, teaching facility, as well as a travel expert. Their trips are first class, well-organized, and expertly put together. I also recommend getting travel insurance through companies other than DAN if you have non-divers in your group and if you will have a large cash outlay in order to make the trip happen. Oceans First was instrumental in helping us get that coverage which turned out to be the key to get our money back when the trip didnt go as planned.

Staff is amazing and the swim lessons are worth it!

Our Kids are Divers and it is so exciting. Last summer our children then 14 and 12 got certified thru Ocean First. We did a trip to the Channel Islands off the coast of CA with OFD and really enjoyed it. This week I booked inexpensive airfare to Maui for a few days in July. When I told the kids almost 15 and 13 that we are going to Maui, their immediate response was can we dive there? I love that our children are concerned more about the planet, love diving in the ocean and even think more about using plastic straws, recycling because of courses they have taken thru Ocean First Institute and Dive programs. Next is a rescue diver course for them and my husband. Thanks for being a one stop shop for our travel and diving needs.

Great staff and really awesome new facilities. One of the best dive shops I have ever seen.

I have taken a few classes with Ocean First, including Perfect Buoyancy, Shark Ecology, React Right, and Stress and Rescue. All of their instructors are fantastic! Honestly, I have been diving for years, and you can say that I started to get really lazy with my skills, and setting up gear etc. The instructors at Ocean First helped me refresh some of the skills I already knew, and learn a whole lot more. I know that I am now a much more confident, skilled and safe diver because of the instruction I received at Ocean First. I really wish I would have taken my original Open Water certification with them, because I know I would have started scuba diving with a much stronger base.The store itself is great too. The staff there is very knowledgeable, and friendly, and they make sure you are getting the right gear for you.Honestly, I can go on and on, about how much I love Ocean First! Glad I found them!

Great service. Great pool. Always love coming here. Ask for Drew.

I completed my OW certification with Ocean First and have not stopped thinking about scuba diving since. Their facilities along with very talented instructors gave me all the necessary training and experience to dive in the real world. It was such a great experience that I have signed up for multiple continuing education classes and so far the 3 that I have completed have been an absolute pleasure. The staff has been nothing but welcoming and accommodating to my many questions. I have also had a couple sets of gear in for service and been very satisfied with the level of care they put in. I will be going to Ocean First for many years to come!

The very best swim lessons my son has ever had. Top notch and I love how they care about the environment.

We have been using Ocean First for swim lessons, kids dive certifications, refresher dive courses and a specialty dive course (customers for about 7 years). I have always felt they are extremely professional and provide great service. Most recently, I just completed my stress and rescue class with Bruce, and not only does he have amazing knowledge and passion for diving, his primary focus is safety and that students master the skills and have a solid understanding of what he is teaching. Highly recommend Ocean First for swim and scuba lessons!

Bruce was so clear as he shared information and techniques in the classroom. We were well versed not just in what we were supposed to do, but why. I learned so much, and really enjoyed the whole process.

Ocean First has a top notch facility and outstanding instructors. Our instructor, Mike Pivacek, has a passion for teaching and for the sport. He gave us the knowledge and skills through the classroom, pool, and open water training to get us ready for the Great Barrier Reef.

An inland dive shop that trains and supports divers to all of the worlds oceans. Also their kids swimming program is outstanding. My granddaughters 3 and she is already stoked on getting wet. It is a great investment to keep kids water-aware and safe! One of the best companies in Boulder, CO. Check out the ocean first institute as well!

We have had mixed experiences here. Years ago I bought my equipment here and my husband got certified to dive here. We were very happy with those experiences. Recently, not so much. We had our gear serviced here for the first time (we used to use A1 and they were awesome, just a long drive). My husbands computer flooded on the first dive out because they didnt change the battery appropriately. For my gear, I asked that they change the battery in my computer and replace a cracked cover on the top of my computer. My battery appeared to be unchanged and they never replaced the cracked cover. Im not sure they even touched my gear. We complained to the shop via voicemail and they never returned our call. Clearly, they did not care about fixing the situation. When you pay someone for their expertise of servicing expensive gear, you expect it to be cared for properly and tested prior to submerging into deep water. This was a rookie mistake. We wont be returning for gear purchase or service in the future. Better customer service could have fixed that.

This is an amazing place to learn to SCUBA dive! The vibe is friendly and welcoming. I would highly recommend Gary for your instructor.

Having tons of questions about wanting to get into scuba, the staff and instructors are extremely knowledgeable, patient, and nice. Took the open water certification and several specialty courses with them, I have no doubt that I’ve gotten the best out of my investment. Most recently took my first dive trip to Cozumel with Scott, Roger, and a few OF associates - their friendly company, leadership, and knowledge made for a very memorable and fun trip. Store carries quality brand equipment that is fairly priced. Also, their Aquarius Club membership is quite generous for what you get. The pool access for personal practice alone is worth the club membership.

I had to finish my dive certification with Ocean First because the dive shop I initially attempted to certify with (after paying over $500) told me I wouldnt be able to complete the last two required dives locally. I contacted Ocean First and they scheduled me to complete dives 3 and 4 at the Aurora Reservoir. On the scheduled dive day, as soon as I met Matt and Bruce, they were extremely friendly and helpful. It was obvious from the first moment how passionate they were about diving and how much they cared for their students learning how to dive safely. Im moving out of the area in the next few months, and my only regret is that I didnt find Ocean First sooner. I will definetely be scheduling a dive trip and linking up with them again here in the near future. I highly recommend this dive shop!

Got my Open Water Diver Certification through Oceans First. The instructors are great! Personable, Caring, and patient - looking to introduce others into a sport that they love.

I took the Open Water Diver course here, and I enjoyed it immensely. Mike Pivacek was my instructor, and I was impressed with how well he managed to make me feel comfortable underwater. The employees here were very kind and helpful while I was shopping for scuba gear also. I highly recommend taking courses here.

Best swim school around! Both of our children (8 and 11 yrs old) have taken lessons at the swim school for over a year and have learned more during that time than all the numerous previous years combined at other facilities. The water is warm and the classes are small. The instructors are caring, attentive, and follow a set curriculum that focuses on teaching accurate technique. They have offered free water safety classes where among other things, your child jumps in the pool with their clothing on and is instructed on what to do to safely get back to the wall. Scheduling is flexible and you are able to sign up month to month. Best of all, our children feel safe, confident and love the water.

Ive came here in early August (2015) to get some equipment for a trip me family and I took to the Galapagos. The staff helped us promptly and efficiently and got us going in no time. They were always patient an answered questions. In July I decided I wanted to take swim lessons to be a better swimmer over all. So far theyve been great. I have had water experience but nonetheless after just one day I felt a lot safer and better and Im looking forward to my next class! 10/10 I highly recommend this for anyone trying to learn to swim, scuba, snorkel, etc. I also have a disability and they were happy to teach around that!

Overall great Dive Shop, definitely best in the area. Ive taken a number of different scuba classes from them starting with my open water certification and moving on through nitrox etc. Ive also taken a few adult swim lessons from them as well and those were good too.

Best staff ever! The dive shop folks are wonderfully helpful, instructors are incredibly skilled & patient, and the management teams pulls it all together gracefully. The only dive shop you should visit in Boulder.

Weve been taking my daughter here for over a year now, since she was about 6 months. Shes loved coming here and has developed a love for water and swim. Our teachers are kind and patient and take heir time with each child, treating them as individuals on their own level. Weve always appreciated that and although we recently unenrolled to try a school closer to home, we had a huge reality check and re enrolled our daughter back immediately because it was very clear that respect for children, a wonderful environment, patience and care, and kind faces are not something that can be easily found just anywhere. Its a bit of a drive for us but for the experience my daughter has here, its worth it.

There are some seriously awesome staff members here who are kind, very knowledgeable, and not pushy (youll have a good experience if you speak with them); then theres Amy. I walked in with a very specific item in mind, and told her about my very ridged budget, and she took me over to the display mannequin and was very insistent that I buy the latest and greatest that was more than four times my stated budget. I really do want to support my local dive shop, but with the one very pushy staff member, not so good communication when it comes to repairs, and pretty much MSRP prices theres really nothing special about OFD that makes it stand out from the other dive shops in the area or online retailers.

After taking a 20 year break from SCUBA diving, I am again hooked due in large part to the exceptional training, service and community found at Ocean First! Last year, my college student son asked me to become (re)certified with him so he could start to experience scuba diving and we could have some fun adventures together. We decided on Ocean First after speaking with their very knowledgeable and friendly staff. We are so glad we did. Their Open Water Certification classes were very organized and enjoyable! Cathy C. did a fantastic job presenting the materials in class and the pool sessions were very relaxed and informative. The repetition of several important skills in the pool made the Open Water checkout dives with Scott G. and Bruce G. in Homestead, UT fun and stress free. My son and I will absolutely be going on Ocean First hosted dive trips in the future. So many cool exotic destinations being offered like Fiji for New Years!. Since becoming certified, we have taken 3 specialty courses at Ocean First, which were also very educational and helpful. I highly recommend the Perfect Buoyancy classes for divers of all skill levels! The dive shop staff are very knowledgeable about the gear they sell and definitely take the time to explain features and options to the customer. Dive equipment can be expensive so its nice to hear their expert opinions before making purchases. I just purchased a SeaLife underwater camera and light from Kellon S after he spent a lot of time going through the pros, cons and features of them. He is an accomplished underwater photographer so he has plenty of hands on experience to share. He even offered to schedule a training session in their pool to teach me how to use the camera properly. Thats exceptional customer service!!! Finally, I love the community feel and involvement at Ocean First. They host many events that bring the dive community together to educate, socialize and give back.

I have been a diver since 1978 and I ran a dive shop in Hawaii for 3 years. I have traveled a lot and have been to countless dive shops, and I can say that Ocean First Divers is without a doubt the best dive shop I have ever been in. The staff are all very helpful and knowledgeable. About five years ago my husband learned to dive with Oceans First. At the time, he was 53, over weight, with a bad back, and a very poor swimmer. If they can teach him to dive, they can teach anyone. They have great monthly socials covering a wide assortment of diving and ocean topics. They even had the director of the movie The Cove come to speak at one of the meetings. The owner really cares about the oceans, hence the name of the dive shop “Oceans First” He even testified before congress regarding shark finning. If you want to learn to dive or go on a dive trip, this is the place to go. Boulder is very lucky to have this dive shop in town.

I like this place but I am so scared of 1000 people died XD

Very nice and informative

The owners are amazing and took an incredible amount of time with my family!

Great aspen vacation condo! They provided free limo transfers, daily maid service and free passes to aspen club and spa.

The owner tried to get me to delete this review but I think its important for parents of potential scuba divers to read. Certifying your child is an important decision.If you are getting your child certified for Scuba, this is not the dive shop I would recommend. We had several problems with them.I am already certified so I paid to do a refresher course with my son to provide moral support to him. The instructor seemed threatened by me being there even though I was really eager to learn (its been a while for me). After my son submerged the first time, we came up and told my child how awesome he was and the instructor said, Hey, thats my job! Then, several times when he was explaining things and it was hard to hear, I would whisper to my son He said to.... so he would stay engaged. My whispers we literally 5 seconds but the instructor would promptly stop and look and me and say something humiliating to me. After Day 2, I stopped saying anything at all for fear of being embarrassed in front of the class.Several other incidents happened that made me feel uncomfortable. We wanted to just get through it though so we did whatever he asked.Then, on the last night, my son was taking the test and get really stressed so he kept mixing up the order of the bubbles on the test. I had been out of the room but when I came back in, my son was crying. I asked the instructor if he could give us a minute and he said he couldnt leave in case we cheated. WTH??!!!! Ummmm, theres about a 0% chance Im going to let me kid cheat on anything, let alone a test that assesses whether he is safe to submerge under water. The instructor refused to leave and sat there hovering over my son the entire time, creating more stress for him. It was terribly insulting but not out of line with many things the instructor did.My biggest problem though is I discovered the instructor was just taking orders from the Assistant Trainer. So, it comes from a little higher up.When I discussed it with the owner, I got the sense she tolerates this type of odd and discomforting behavior. She says she considers them personality differences. Hmmm...last time I checked humiliating a mother when she is providing moral support to her kid is not a personality difference. Neither is accusing someone of cheating. Really??!As I said, the owner tried to convince me to remove my review. She likely knows now that is not a possibility. Lets see how they treat my son when he needs things for his dive certification.