Diving Center VIKING

Diving Center VIKING is a family-run operation situated in a calm, sheltered bay on the island of Hvar. Established in 2003 by Ksenija and Vinko, the centre has spent over two decades building a reputation for personalised service and professional standards in the Adriatic.

The centre is positioned just 15 metres from the water's edge, offering direct access to the sea and beautiful views of the Pakleni Islands. It serves as a practical base for both local explorations and more structured training programmes, benefiting from its proximity to the island's main transport links.

The team is led by Vinko, a CMAS 2* instructor and boat captain with over 30 years of maritime experience, and Ksenija, who manages bookings and communications. The centre is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, ensuring that training and dive operations meet rigorous international standards.

Instruction and guiding are conducted in Croatian, English, German, and Italian, making it accessible for a wide range of divers. To maintain a high level of safety and personal attention, the centre operates with a strict ratio of a maximum of four divers per guide.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of PADI and CMAS training programmes. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Scuba Diver course, eventually progressing through the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to advance their careers or refine their skills, the centre provides Divemaster training and ReActivate programmes for experienced divers looking to refresh their knowledge. All courses include the use of full equipment, though eLearning and certification fees are handled separately.

The shore-based facilities are designed for efficiency and comfort, featuring a modern L&W 'silent work' compressor capable of 320 litres per minute to ensure high-quality air fills. The centre utilises 12-litre and 15-litre steel cylinders for all dives.

Full kit hire is available for those travelling without their own equipment, including regulators, BCDs, and wetsuits. For those opting for basic rental, masks, snorkels, and fins are also provided. The centre is also a DAN partner, offering short-term dive accident coverage for 1, 3, or 7 days within Croatia.

The underwater landscape is defined by diverse hard life, including vibrant yellow gorgonians and a variety of orange and yellow sponges. These structures provide the essential habitat for the local resident species.

On the walls and reefs, you will find a variety of larger inhabitants such as scorpionfish, moray eels, and lobsters. Divers can also spot phycis and John Dory navigating the rocky terrain.

For those with an eye for macro life, the area is home to octopuses, various nudibranchs, and the elusive yellow seahorse. In the seagrass meadows and sandy areas, you might also encounter small creatures, crabs, and even a octopus hiding in the crevices.

The diving area is characterised by calm sea conditions, making it suitable for a wide range of skill levels. Most dives are planned within non-decompression limits and always include a mandatory safety stop.

Safety is a primary focus, with all excursions equipped with a first aid kit, oxygen kit, mobile phone, and radio. The centre is also conveniently located just five minutes by car from the emergency medical helicopter landing zone.