Crystal Blue Diving

I planned a last-minute dive trip with a friend. I needed to get my Advanced Open Water certification within a weeks’ notice. Mike Chabalowski the owner of Crystal Blue Dive Shop not only was very responsive to my calls and emails, but he was able to accommodate my timing.

The equipment they provide is top-notch, and safety is clearly their top priority. Not to mention, they have an impressive array of gear available for rental or purchase, catering to all preferences and needs.

My dive instructor Fernando Relacion was AMAZING!!!! While I was a nervous since I had not been in the water in 10 months, he took the time to review everything with me with an emphasis on safety and enjoyment. Both days I felt relaxed and really enjoyed my time. I left the two days of diving feeling more confident that I could go on my dive trip and really enjoy it yet still have the tools and lessons Fernando taught me. I met him as an instructor and left with him as a friend!!!! Fernando, if you read this, thank you for “the gift”.

What sets Crystal Blue Dive Shop apart is the genuine love they have for the ocean and the environment.

I can't recommend Crystal Blue Dive Shop enough!!!!!

I recently completed PADI Advanced Open Water Diver training and certification. Yay! 😄 Fernando (the instructor) is knowledgeable, patient, and safety-oriented. The diving gear I rented was in perfect condition, well-maintained and at a great price. I highly recommend Crystal Blue Diving for anyone seeking a professional scuba diving experience and small group size for personalized attention. 5/5 stars! 🌊🐠

I met Mike professionally over 20 years ago and have personally watched his patience and professionalism with both new and advanced students. Mike has a fantastic wife and 2 great daughters. He just opened his scuba shop that is a family business. Everyone both those looking to learn scuba and already certified divers need check out this shop.

Mike was an amazing instructor. He truly went above and beyond to help me get certified just in time for my trip to Cozumel! I purchased some gear from them that worked out great for me as well. Highly recommend CBD! Thanks again, Mike! You’ve got a customer for life!

I did my open water diving course here and had a great time, the course instructor was knowledgeable, helpful, and able to speak from experience while teaching to a level that seemed appropriate for everyone. He was great at both encouraging those in the class that were doing well, and helping out when a student was struggling.

The shop owner is very friendly and had a lot of patience to help with making sure customers are getting the products that will be the best fit and use for them. He was also experienced and had a lot of knowledge to share regarding everything from gear to dive locations near and far.

Several weeks back I went on another dive trip with Crystal Blue Diving, and as always, it was great! This trip was to Cozumel. It was my first week long trip to Cozumel and I loved it!

Heck, I don’t even live in the Chicago area but I deal with Crystal Blue for my dive travel because they do such a great job of planning and communicating, and are just great people to hang out with! I first met Mike and his wife on a dive trip 4-5 years back and have been diving with them ever since. They are picking up quite a group of divers for travel and for good reason!

Looking forward to a week on the Cayman Aggressor in August with the Crystal Blue Diving clan!

What a wonderful experience! We got our Scubapro regulators serviced. They checked the pressures on arrival, did the service, then had us breathe with them and checked pressures again before we left. Awesome experience and gained our trust!

I'm an old codger who decided that I wasn't going to wait any longer to get certified. Mike and Crystal Blue Diving took me step by step through the classwork, the pool and the open water experience. It's been a long time since I've had that much fun! I felt safe throughout and now feel like I can go on dives to expand my skill set. My class not only had an old codger, but a 10 y.o. who, like me, wasn't going to wait any longer. Mike handled us all like the pro he is.

So if you are somewhere between old codger and 10 years old, you have no excuse. Go see Crystal Blue Diving and get wet!

The team at Crystal Blue were very professional. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I was contemplating taking a dive class. The owner, Mike, was extremely informative and did not rush me into anything. The Dive instructor, Bob, took his time and ensured I was competent in all skills. I can’t wait to work more with this shop and join them on some dive trips.

Great selection of equipment and Mike is more than willing to order something if he does not have it in the store. Shop also offers deals throughout the year including destination dive trips, just have to follow them on FB or sign up for the newsletter. My wife completed the first half of her certification with Mike as well and she had nothing but great things to say about it. Will definitely use Crystal Blue Diving for all my needs and future courses!

Crystal Blue Diving’s newest certified divers! Mike (and his daughter Laney) had so much patience, explains things and makes sure you understand before going forward. The process was so easy, and FUN! We can not wait to start taking trips to expand our diving fun! Thank you for making life long divers out of us!

I have been resort certified where ever I went on vacation and after 20 years or so I have 15/20
un logged dives I decided to take the dive
(pun intended 😄) and get my PADI certification.
I chose Crystal Blue and never regret it!
Mike the owner/instructor really peaked my interest in diving. Took the PADI OW (open water) course/confined water training.
Mike was very attentive and has a very professional approach and passion to teaching and covering materials with me. His staff is very knowledgeable in the scuba industry. I am very happy and I have continued my journey with Mike’s help and guidance.
I am currently AOW (advanced open water) Diver with my AED/CPR First aid emergency responder certification which Mike helped me with. I’m currently pursuing the next level which is Rescue diver and on my way to become a DM(dive master) thanks to the training and guidance from Crystal Blue Diving.

Thanks Mike and Crystal Blue Diving staff for helping me to live my dream!

JT

Was an incredible experience. Had a great time doing my certification. The staff is very patient and works with you to help master any skill you require.

I stopped in to get a tank filled and to look at other equipment. Workers were extremely professional and knowledgeable. Crystal Blue had a great selection of gear at low prices. Will definitely go back.

The certification process was great! Our instructor(Mike) was informative, patient and made sure you were comfortable before moving on to the next step. There is nothing like breathing under water when you are 30+ feet down!

Crystal Blue Diving hosted a great dive trip. They managed all aspects of the trip. All I had to do was show up and dive. The team from CBD is friendly and helpful. Can not wait till next year.

Thanks to Mike for sorting out some issues with the manufacturer on my gear. He is intensely detail oriented when it comes to service, and I'm confident that my gear is in the best shape it's been in since it was new.

Mike and Bob did a great job setting up and instructing the PADI Open Water certification. It seemed like they both cared if you actually knew and learned the material, not like you were just another number.

Top tier service and equipment. Plenty of inventory on hand. Instead of empty shelves or everything on back order. I'll be returning for a new set of fins and fitted for diving boots. 🌴👌👎🐠🐚🦑🐡🐳🌴

One of the best scuba diving classes ever attack they take their time they don’t give up and they will work with you