If you're looking for real dive instruction and unforgettable scuba travel, Desert Reef Outfitters…read moreis the standard -- not just in West Texas, but anywhere I've dived. This isn't a "check-the-box" dive shop. The instructors here actually teach. They take the time to build confidence, solid fundamentals, and real-world skills -- whether you're brand new, continuing your training, or just want to be a better diver. Safety is never rushed, questions are always welcomed, and every student is treated like they matter (because they do). Training locations like Balmorhea / San Solomon Springs are used the right way -- not just to get certified, but to build comfort, buoyancy, awareness, and calm underwater. You can tell immediately that the focus is on producing capable, confident divers, not just issuing cards. Where Desert Reef really shines is community and travel. The shop attracts great people, and the trips are incredibly well run -- from logistics to dive planning to surface intervals full of laughs and stories. Whether it's a local weekend dive or a bucket-list destination, you feel supported, prepared, and part of the group the entire time. They're also phenomenal with families, youth divers, and anxious students. Patience, encouragement, and professionalism are the norm here -- not the exception. Bottom line: If you want top-tier instruction, a welcoming dive family, and scuba trips that actually deliver, Desert Reef Outfitters is the shop you want in your corner. I trust them with my dives, my family, and my travel -- and that says everything.

I've been diving for over 24 years as a civilian and a a military diver. I hold multiple…read morecertifications in multiple agencies from an Open Water Diver to an Instructor in US Agencies and European agencies. This Dive Shop is, by far. one of the most professional shops I've had the pleasure of going to. The instructor, John, is a former military diver with over 20 years of experience. He brings knowledge and professionalism that very few locations offer. The patience with new students is amazing. I personally witnessed him teach a new diver who had an extreme fear of water, due to a near drowning in his youth, and coach him to be a highly skilled diver who is now working his way up the ladder. His staff of Divemasters are all highly qualified and very motivated and his sales personnel are extremely knowledgeable in every piece of gear in their store. They dive a minimum of three times a month, not just for students but for former students who want to maintain their proficiency or even to learn new skills. They always have something going on, to include dive trips to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Come in and talk to them about the past trips (believe me, they have pictures and videos) or talk about upcoming trips. They are also a full service shop for servicing gear, DOT hydrostatic tests on cylinders, visual inspection, and air refills.

So my mother booked a trip with this agency and this has truly been a horrifying . Not only did…read moreSuseanne book an extra room that we had to pay for and forget our park hopper tickets from Disney but she flew us on flights that were so inconvenient to put so much stress on me and my family. There was no reason why she wouldn't have booked a direct flight from Sacramento to Santa Anna. Instead they booked multiple layovers for us making a one hour flight into a five hour experience with a 3 year old. She booked our Disney tickets under the wrong name so we end up having to buy an extra ticket just to accommodate our party. We could of understood all of this had this been a cheaper flight but it was actually cheaper when we look to fly direct and what she had booked us. We will absolutely never again he $7000 for not even a mediocre experience. We were not able to get to both parks for the reservations we had made like we had been expecting to an end up having to pay for a reservation so we couldn't even get to. By far one of the worst experiences for traveling I have ever been and I urge you to reconsider using this company in the future.

I purchased a plane ticket to Africa with this company. When I arrived at the airport, I was not…read moreissued a plane ticket because the agent spelled my name incorrectly. She said that she would exchange the ticket for a ticket with the correct spelling, but I would need to pay $300 (half of the difference for the tickets). I told her that I think the company should pay the $300 for spelling my name incorrectly. I asked her to change the tickets, and we can deal with it when I get home. However, she charged the difference (totaling $443.60) to my credit card without my permission. I personally think a company should take responsibility for their own mistakes. The agent should have checked the spelling of my name on my passport before issuing the ticket originally.

This is what you expect from a little bar, a few pool tables, a little dance floor, and a nice…read morestained wood/tile bar. Friendly staff that tries to take care of its customers (excluding weekends). It gets really packed from Thursday to Saturday, the bar has a hard time keeping up with the demand, but makes an effort. Overall a great hometown bar.

Worst old bartender (horrible blonde). After waiting 30-45 min for a drink and asking her once…read moreagain, she harassed my husband for asking the bouncers a question while they were serving themselves a drink. Worst service ever! Visited bar on other occasions and the other bartenders were great. Overall horrible experience, will be telling everyone we encounter not to go there unless you don't mind waiting for your drink while a incompetent employee socializes. The owner should replace the old blonde bartender ASAP

This place has been doing the recipe the same since the 80s. Mostly Spanish speaking establishment…read more Great dive bar that keeps it clean and simple. Juke box in the corner with the local favorites, two pool tables, and canned beer only. Plenty of parking on this lot. Bartenders have been working here for decades. Easily accessible for handicap.

Pricing errors TERRIBLE Customer service Jsut don't like…read morehow they argued with us about prices

The shoe department is sh**, I don't think they have anyone working in that department, shoes…read moreeverywhere, display shoes cant be found in their boxes or spots. For the prices they want, we should be able to find the shoe, immediately locate it below or above the display, grab and go. There are shoes in boxes that aren't displayed, there is no help, absolutely pitiful, not what I expected from an Academy store. I would have given 0 stars, but the young man at the gun counter, with multi-colored hair, was phenomenal with help and customer service, these stars I gave are for him, and him alone. Academy better watch out, I might go back and try to recruit that young man to work for me.