Incredible Experience
My 16yo son, Jake, & I participated in the beginner scuba course on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, & what an incredible experience it was! We came in with absolutely zero scuba diving experience, so we weren’t quite sure what to expect. We met our instructor, Tommy, at the Hilton Hotel pool, where he walked us through the basics, including hand signals & important safety information. His teaching style was clear, patient, & reassuring, which helped ease my nerves right from the start. Once we got suited up and into the water, Tommy made sure we were completely comfortable with each step before moving forward. He also took extra time afterward to answer all of our questions, which we really appreciated. Later, we met at the dive shop at 12:30 PM, headed down to the dock, & joined our captain, Drew. From there, the adventure truly began. It’s honestly hard to put into words just how amazing the entire experience was. Everything was perfect, and I wouldn’t change a thing. During our first dive, I had some difficulty clearing my ears, but Tommy stayed right by my side the entire time. He patiently guided me up & down the rope, allowing me to adjust at my own pace until I was comfortable. At one point, I started to feel anxious, as he had taught us, I signaled it, with a bit of panic beginning to set in. Tommy immediately recognized it, calmly reassured me, & helped me regain my confidence. Thanks to his steady guidance, I was able to relax & truly enjoy the rest of the dive. We completed two separate dives (each with a tank), & the underwater world was breathtaking. We saw a sea turtle, a stingray, a goliath grouper, lobster, trumpet fish, lionfish, and thousands of other beautiful fish. Tommy did a fantastic job pointing out marine life we would have otherwise missed. Scuba diving is something I’ve always wanted to try, & thanks to the passion & enthusiasm of both Tommy and Drew, my son & I are now completely hooked. We’ve already signed up for the open water online course & are excited to continue toward our certification. If you have the opportunity to take this excursion, don’t hesitate, it’s an unforgettable adventure. Thank you, Tommy & Drew, for making this such a meaningful & inspiring experience for both of us. You’ve truly sparked something special! Chris & Jake Mueller Oglesby, Illinois