This past fall, I had the incredible opportunity to snorkel with sharks in Hawaii. It was amazing, but I kept thinking... I want to be deeper. That's when I got it in my head to try scuba diving. The problem? I live in New Mexico. With a trip to Iceland on the horizon--including the chance to dive at the stunning Silfra fissure--I needed to figure out where to start my scuba journey. If you're anything like me, you might feel uncertain about whether you'll even enjoy diving. And walking into some dive shops can be overwhelming, as it quickly becomes clear their main focus is selling you lots of expensive gear. That's why I'm so glad I found Bill and his crew at Viking Dives. If that initial uncertainty sounds familiar, this is the place to go. They won't claim to be the cheapest training option in town, but what they do offer is exceptional, high-quality instruction at a pace that suits you. They make sure you truly understand each concept before moving on, which results in you becoming a more skilled and confident diver. I recently completed my Open Water and Deep Diver training with them, and at no point was there any pressure to buy gear. In fact, unless I specifically asked about it, equipment sales never even came up! Now that I've caught the diving bug, I'll likely be asking a lot more in the coming weeks and months--but on my terms. And if you do decide to invest in your own gear, Viking Dives won't just push the most expensive options. They actually dedicate part of their Open Water course to discussing what equipment is not worth your money! Instead, they make honest recommendations based on years of experience and tailor them to your diving goals. Since I needed a cold-water focus for Iceland, they made sure I had the right information without unnecessary upselling. Viking Dives is run by people with a true passion for diving, and their enthusiasm is contagious. I cannot recommend them enough! read more

Bill and his staff at Viking Dives provide the tip of the spear training in Albuquerque and probably the NM/CO/West TX region. The personalized service of this true boutique dive center is what you are looking for! If you want to be the envy of your friends and be the best diver on the boat they will get you there. I did TDI classes with Bill and I can't speak highly enough for his instructional ability to get me in perfect trim and buoyancy. If you truly want to enjoy your future dives Viking is a must!! Don't just become certified, become a true diver. read more

Viking is the best there is, I would recomend it to any diver of any level! Bill and Rudy are the best!

Viking Dives is fabulous! I recently got my open water certification with them. Even though I was very nervous as I started, Bill and Rudy were patient through the whole process. They want you to be comfortable and actually enjoy diving! The classes aren't the cheapest, but you can rent your equipment if money is an issue. I have received instruction that really prepares me to dive, rather than just checking boxes. I am so glad we chose to go with them - we are already considering more dives past the first trip we have planned! Thank you Bill, Rudy and crew! read more

I just completed my open water training at Blue Hole with Bill. Notice I used the term "training" versus certification. Bill is immensely qualified and passionate to train competent, safe divers. I trained with Bill 1:1 and the feeling you get is of having a patient mentor teaching you a life long skill and pursuit. Never rushed, just pure mentorship. My goal in taking up diving was not to check a box or get that one dive vacation on the books (although nothing wrong with either)! My goal was to learn a skill I could slowly progress in, and feel safe and competent enough to begin the journey. The fact that Bill is both part of, as well as actively building an amazing community of divers is of immense value. If you're thinking about it, just give him a call. You'll be glad you did! read more

Our family just finished our open water certification at Blue Hole this weekend with Bill and Rudy and Andrew. They were incredibly patient and helpful with our younger members, who are now so excited to be certified (and with amazing confidence) for their next adventures. The instruction was top flight with an incredibly high level of personalized attention. We never had more than 2 students to an instructor in the water. The gear was all very new, if not actually new. Perhaps most importantly, these guys love what they do and are eager to share this world with you. I'll be diving again with them for more advanced instruction and hopefully also just for fun on one of their cool trips coming up. read more

Nothing but great things to say about my experience. My schedule is very busy and Bill was very reasonable and flexible with getting my certification. He is very passionate about diving and takes his job seriously. Viking Dives is for people that really want to learn and understand diving, not just get certified. You can tell the difference between his students and students trained elsewhere. He will teach you all the tips and tricks that only come from many years of experience. read more

I come to Abluquerque a couple of times a year for business and was surprised to find Viking Dives. I was able to get certified, equipped at a great price, and ready to dive during the course of two different trips. I appreciate the professional and personalized service I received during my visits to Viking's read more

Instructor is amazing, detailed oriented, friendly and serious about safety.... I have taken multiple diving classes in other places and by far I would say this is the best. read more

I chose Viking because I read a great review elsewhere. I'm glad I did! Bill was great to work with. I was never rushed. I liked them so much that I signed up for two more courses read more

I always wanted to learn to scuba dive. Bill and Rudy were terrific instructors. They are very patient and take as much time as you need to feel comfortable learning the new skills. I really liked the small class size and personal instruction I received. I highly recommend them! read more