Dive Now. Adventure Awaits.
About Us
Florida Gulf Coast Scuba has an extreme passion for diving.
Founded by Chris Grimes, Florida Gulf Coast Scuba, we share our love of diving and underwater exploration with everyone who wants to experience the incredible Gulf of Mexico. Based in the Bradenton and Manatee/Sarasota County area, our certified professional dive team provide top-quality private and group dive charters throughout the Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, and greater Tampa Bay region.
Whether you're a first-time diver trying a Discover Scuba experience, working toward your Open Water certification, or an advanced diver ready for deep wreck exploration — our team is here for you. Florida Gulf Coast Scuba is your local dive company serving Manatee and Sarasota County.
Chris Grimes started Florida Gulf Coast Scuba because he wanted to share something that's been part of him almost his whole life. Scuba found Chris early — his mother had him free diving for sea urchins and seashells at just five years old, and the water never let go from there. By ten he was introduced to scuba diving, and he earned his first certification at fifteen. From that point on, he was in the Gulf every chance he got, working the shallows off the beach before chasing bigger water.
That early spark turned into a full-blown passion for exploration. Chris has taken his love of diving around the world, from the reefs of Thailand to the coastlines of Costa Rica and throughout the Caribbean — always coming back to the Gulf of Mexico he grew up in.
Meet Chris - aka “ Captain Chris”
Owner & Captain
Meet Doug — aka "Diver Doug"
Divemaster & Guide
Doug's love of Scuba diving has turned into a plan too: leave the desk behind and spend his days on and most importantly under the water. He's a NAUI Divemaster based in the Bradenton/Sarasota area, diving all the best wrecks & reefs the Gulf, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean have to offer.
You can often find Diver Doug working on fine tuning his Scuba diving skills at any of the numerous Florida springs several times a month, when you meet him ask about join him for some training yourself.
Next step for Diver Doug Technical certification, training underway, for deeper exploration.
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."
— JACQUES COUSTEAU
“We dive not to escape life, but for life to not escape us.”
— ANONYMOUS
