DiveAssure’s Travel Guide to Croatia for Divers

Pristine Beaches, Wonderful Wines, Ancient Architecture and Festivals Galore 

Croatia is a stunning country situated on the Adriatic Sea, boasting crystal-clear waters, ancient ruins, and beautiful landscapes. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Croatia, especially as an avid diver, is through diving. The Adriatic Sea has a lot to offer, from shipwrecks and underwater caves to diverse marine life. Let’s take a look at this travel guide to Croatia for divers.

Top Diving Destinations in Croatia

Croatia is a Mediterranean diving mecca, with dive sites spread over around 1000 islands. In Croatia, there is something for every diver, beautiful reefs teeming with life, underwater caverns and canyons and wrecks a plenty too. Let’s take a look at some of the top diving hot spots in Croatia:

Kornati National Par

Located in the central part of the Adriatic Sea, Kornati National Park is made up of over 100 islands and islets. The park is home to a variety of marine life, including schools of fish, octopus, and even often dolphins. Diving in Kornati National Park offers the opportunity to explore underwater caves and walls, as well as ancient shipwrecks.

Vis Island

Vis Island is known for its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life. Divers can explore the underwater world around the island, including shipwrecks, underwater caves, and vibrant coral reefs. Vis Island is also home to the Blue Cave, a stunning natural wonder that can only be accessed by boat and is a popular spot for divers and snorkelers.

Brac Island

Brac Island is located in the central Dalmatian archipelago and is a popular destination for diving. The island is home to a variety of dive sites, including underwater caves, shipwrecks, and vibrant reefs. One of the most famous dive sites on Brac Island is the underwater statue of Jesus Christ, which is located in a cave at a depth of 18 meters.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia, but it’s also a great spot for diving. The crystal-clear waters surrounding the city are home to a variety of marine life, including octopus, crabs, and schools of fish. Divers can explore underwater walls and caves, as well as ancient shipwrecks.

Krk Island

Krk Island is located in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea and is known for its underwater caves and diverse marine life. Divers can explore the wrecks of sunken ships, as well as underwater caves and walls. Krk Island is home to a variety of fish species, including octopus, seahorse and lobster.

Rab Island

Rab Island, located in the northern Adriatic, is a beautiful destination known for its sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and rich underwater landscapes. Divers around Rab can explore rocky reefs, gentle underwater slopes, and hidden caves teeming with marine life such as octopus, colorful sponges, and schools of small fish. The waters surrounding the island offer excellent visibility, making it ideal for both beginner and advanced divers. Several dive sites feature interesting rock formations and remnants of old shipwrecks, providing a mix of natural beauty and historical intrigue beneath the surface. Rab’s calm bays and vibrant underwater world make it a rewarding stop for any diving enthusiast.

Discover diving in Rab island with DiveAssure partner Kron Diving

Croatian Marine Life

Croatia has a diverse range of marine life that inhabits the Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic Sea is home to over 7,000 species, including fish, mammals, crustaceans, and mollusks. Here are some of the most common marine species that can be found in Croatia:

1. Octopus: Octopus are commonly found in the waters surrounding Croatia, and divers can spot them hiding in caves or crevices. They are known for their intelligence and ability to change color and shape to blend in with their surroundings.
2. Dolphins: Dolphins are a common sight in the Adriatic Sea, and they can often be seen playing and swimming alongside boats. The waters surrounding the island of Lošinj are a popular spot for dolphin watching. The most common dolphin species to be spotted here is the Common bottlenose dolphin or the Striped dolphin. Other less common species include the Rissos dolphin and although not a dolphin, you may sometimes encounter Cuvier’s beaked whales
3. Groupers: Groupers are large fish that can grow up to 2 meters in length. They are often found hiding in underwater caves and can be seen on many dive sites in Croatia. The most common grouper species are the white grouper and the dusky grouper.
4. Sea Turtles: Sea turtles are an endangered species, but they can still be found in the waters surrounding Croatia. The island of Korčula is a popular spot for sea turtle sightings. Although sea turtles in general are rare, if you do spot one, it is most likely to be a loggerhead turtle or a hawksbill turtle.
5. Mackerel: Mackerel is a common fish species in the Adriatic Sea and is often caught by local fishermen. They are known for their silver scales and can be seen swimming in large schools. The most common species of mackerel here is the atlantic mackerel, or the atlantic chub mackerel.
6. Lobsters: Lobsters are a popular delicacy in Croatia, but they are also an important part of the marine ecosystem. They can often be found hiding in underwater caves and crevices. Here the most common species are the key lobster and the spiny lobster.
7. Eels: Eels, such as the european eel, the european conger or the mediterranean moray, are a common sight in the Adriatic Sea, and they can often be seen swimming in shallow waters. They are known for their snake-like appearance and can grow up to 2 meters in length.

Speak Croatian with Five Words

Of course with just five words you can’t truly speak a language, but it is a good place to start.

Putting in the effort to learn a few choice words of the local language will help you to fit in during your stay in Croatia. Here are our favorite first five words of Croatian: 

1. Bok – Hi/hello
2. Hvala – Thank you
3. Molim – Please/Excuse me
4. Dobar dan – Good day
5. More – Sea

A Haven for Technical Divers

Technical diving in Croatia is a challenging and rewarding experience. The country has a variety of technical diving sites that offer the opportunity to explore deeper depths, longer dive times, and more challenging environments. Technical diving requires specialized equipment, training, and experience, and should only be attempted by certified technical divers. If you are an advanced diver looking at getting technical dive training, croatia is a good place to find the right training center.

Here are some of the top technical diving sites in Croatia:

1. Planika Cave: Planika Cave is located on the island of Vis and is one of the most challenging technical diving sites in Croatia. The cave is only accessible to experienced divers with specialized training and equipment. The dive involves navigating through tight passages and exploring underwater tunnels at depths of up to 70 meters.
2. Taranto Wreck: The Taranto Wreck is a popular technical diving site in Croatia located off the coast of Dubrovnik. The Italian cargo ship sank during World War II and now lies at a depth of over 50 meters. The wreck is home to a variety of marine life and offers a challenging dive for experienced technical divers.
3. Vela Luka Cave: Vela Luka Cave is located on the island of Korčula and is one of the largest underwater caves in the Adriatic Sea. The cave is accessible to experienced technical divers and offers the opportunity to explore deep underwater tunnels and chambers.
4. Lučice Wall: Lučice Wall is located near the island of Hvar and offers a challenging technical dive for experienced divers. The dive involves descending down a steep underwater wall to depths of over 100 meters, where divers can explore underwater caves and crevices.
5. Karaburun Peninsula: The Karaburun Peninsula is located on the Albanian side of the Adriatic Sea and is accessible by boat from the city of Vlorë. The area is known for its deep underwater canyons and walls, which offer a challenging technical diving experience for experienced divers.

Technical diving in Croatia offers experienced divers the opportunity to explore some of the most challenging and rewarding dive sites in the Adriatic Sea. However, technical diving requires specialized training, equipment, and experience, and should only be attempted by certified technical divers or together with technical diving professionals.

Fun Facts About Croatia – Diving Edition

Croatia is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture, and its waters offer plenty of fun facts for diving enthusiasts. Here are some fun facts about diving in Croatia:

1. Croatia is home to over 1,000 islands and islets, making it an excellent destination for exploring the underwater world.
2. The Adriatic Sea is one of the cleanest seas in Europe, with visibility often reaching over 30 meters.
3. The Blue Cave, located on the island of Biševo, is a popular diving and snorkeling spot, known for its stunning blue water that reflects off the cave’s walls.
4. The underwater statue of Jesus Christ on Brac Island was created by sculptor Frane Kršinić, and the statue weighs over 14 tons.
5. The Adriatic Sea is home to over 7,000 species, including fish, mammals, crustaceans, and mollusks.
6. The Adriatic Sea is the breeding ground for a rare species of monk seal, which is one of the most endangered species in the world.
7. The underwater walls and caves around Croatia offer a challenging and exciting environment for experienced divers, with some of the sites only accessible to technical divers.
8. The island of Vis was a Yugoslav naval base and was closed to foreign visitors until 1989, which helped preserve its underwater environment.
9. Croatia’s coastline is over 5,800 kilometers long, and its waters cover an area of over 31,000 square kilometers.
10. Croatia’s warm climate and clear waters make it an excellent diving destination year-round, with the water temperature ranging from 12°C in winter to 25°C in summer.

Croatias Most Secret Dive Sites – A Travel Guide to Croatia for Divers

Croatia has a diverse range of dive sites that are well-known and popular with divers. However, the country also has some lesser-known and secret dive sites that offer a unique and exciting experience for adventurous divers. Here are some of Croatia’s secret dive sites:

1. Galebova Stijena: Galebova Stijena is located near the island of Krk and is a vertical wall that drops to a depth of over 70 meters. The site is accessible to experienced divers and offers the opportunity to explore deep underwater canyons and caves.
2. Maslinova Uvala: Maslinova Uvala is located near the island of Cres and is a secluded bay that is only accessible by boat. The dive site offers clear water and an abundance of marine life, including octopuses, lobsters, and schools of fish.
3. Ploče: Ploče is located near the island of Brač and is a deep dive site that offers the opportunity to explore underwater walls and crevices. The site is accessible to experienced divers and offers the chance to see a variety of marine life, including groupers and barracudas.
4. Žuljana: Žuljana is located on the Pelješac Peninsula and is a secluded bay that offers clear water and a variety of marine life. The site is accessible to divers of all levels and is a great spot for beginner divers looking to explore Croatia’s underwater world.
5. Zmajan Island: Zmajan Island is located near the island of Vis and is a secret dive site that offers the opportunity to explore underwater caves and walls. The site is accessible to experienced divers and offers the chance to see a variety of marine life, including octopuses and groupers.

Top Tips from a Local Croatian

As someone who lives in Croatia, I can offer some advice to help you make the most of your trip to this beautiful country.

1. Visit between peak and off-season (the shoulder season): Croatia can get very crowded during the peak tourist season, so I recommend visiting in May–June or September–October, when the crowds are smaller and the weather is still great. If you go in the off season, you may find that many local businesses have closed for the winter, especially around the islands, so you could be disappointed.
2. Try the local cuisine: Croatia has a rich culinary tradition and some delicious local dishes, such as black risotto, fresh seafood and grilled meats, are well worth trying. The local wine and olive oil are also well worth trying.
3. Learn some basic Croatian: While many locals speak English, learning a few basic Croatian phrases can help you to make connections and get around the country.
4. Explore off the beaten track: While popular tourist destinations like Dubrovnik and Split are definitely worth visiting, there are also many lesser-known places offering a unique and authentic experience. Ask the locals for recommendations or do some research to find hidden gems.
5. Respect the environment: Croatia’s natural beauty is one of its biggest attractions, so it’s important to respect the environment and help preserve it for future generations. Avoid littering and follow the ‘leave no trace’ principle when hiking, camping or enjoying the underwater world.
6. Try diving or snorkelling: Croatia’s waters are home to a diverse range of marine life, and these activities are a great way to explore the underwater world. There are many dive centres and snorkelling spots along the coast, so why not give them a try?
7. Take advantage of local transport: Croatia has an efficient network of buses, ferries and trains, making it easy to travel around the country without a car. This is particularly useful if you’re exploring the islands, where ferries are the main form of transport.
8. Try sailing: A great way to get around a country with such an extensive coastline is to hire a sailing boat, you can either rent a “naked” boat if you are a trained sailor, or if you prefer to have someone doing the sailing for you, you can hire a boat with a skipper.

All in all Croatia is a beautiful country to visit, both as a diver and a non-diver, a place for all the family! Did you know that our Dive and Travel programs can be purchased as a family and can include non-diving family members? Get yours here.