Croatia is famous for its fascinating history, its major cities, like Dubrovnik, and scenic pebbled beaches. It is also known for having charming small towns to visit over tourist spots. But that’s not what the country is all about. It boasts a spectacular coastline and boasts over 1,000 islands, home to plenty of Croatia’s stunning beaches. The majority of these islands are uninhabited, which means that most of these jewels are less visited, while some are untouched, making it perfect for adventurous tourists and scuba divers who’d rather explore secluded spots. Croatia’s dive scene is definitely incredible and would allow travelers to make the most out of their vacation. Here are the best diving spots and tips for scuba diving in Croatia.
10 Bol, Brac Island
Brac Island is known for being home to one of Croatia’s prettiest beaches. It is also home to Bol, an incredible diving spot in the country. Scuba diving in Bol, Brac Island, means swimming and exploring its colorful reefs, rocks, caves, and shipwrecks. Many divers start visiting this part of the country in mid-April, thanks to the favorable temperature that lasts until early November. The popular dive sites around Bol are situated only a short distance apart, with most of them reachable in 40 minutes or less via boat ride. Bol's incredible geographic position makes it one of the safest scuba diving locations in Croatia, regardless of the wind and other weather conditions.
Not an experienced diver, or never tried it before? Join one of the many schools in Bol, offering all types of lessons for scuba diving. Vacationers can also learn other specialty courses, including cave diving, night diving, and stress & rescue, apart from the basic ones.
9 Pakleni Islands
Pakleni Islands is a unique diving location in Croatia, and makes a perfect day trip from Hvar, recommended for all visitors coming to the island, divers or not. There are numerous dive sites located in the archipelago’s western part. One of the most popular dive sites is the Kampanel shoal, but since it features extreme currents, it is recommended for experienced divers. Another option is going diving with one of the local centers that know the location well. Kampanel shoal is unique because of the densely overgrowing reefs (paramuricea clavata). These impressive reefs are red, and this is one of the few locations in the Adriatic Sea to explore them.
Because of the extreme currents in this location, visitors should book diving excursions with one of the local diving centers that know this place well.
8 Cave Lučice, Brač Island
Cave Lucice on Brac Island is one of the best diving spots in Croatia and is only accessible via boat ride from Milna Harbor. Located on the southern part of the island, the impressive underwater cave boasts two entrance points but is relatively safe, even for inexperienced scuba divers. The underwater world on this side of the Adriatic is incredibly rich, and one of the most prevalent sea creatures is the amberjack. The cave is sometimes referred to as ''Amberjack's cave'' for being a shelter for these adorable creatures and ''Dragon's eyes'’ because its two entrances look like dragon eyes when viewed from inside the cave.
Travelers should book a local tour guide to take them directly to the cave's entrance. Also, if not that experienced, avoid going deep in the tunnels.
7 Bisevo Grotto, Vis Island
Situated just off Vis Island, on the Dalmatian Coast, Bisevo (Blue) Grotto is one of the best diving spots in Croatia and is one of the epic day trips one can take from Split. This spectacular natural phenomenon is one of the most stunning attractions in Croatia and shouldn’t miss on any tourist’s bucket list. To access the cave, vacationers can ride on a small boat that passes through a very entrance. One can combine a trip to this spot with other natural attractions around the area:
The entrance to the cave is extremely narrow, making it impossible to access it during bad weather conditions. For this reason, visitors should opt for tours that offer refunds when the Blue Cave is inaccessible.
- Distance from Split: about 44 miles
6 Underwater Museum, Mali Lošinj
Featuring numerous reefs, beautiful caves, historical artifacts and statues, and incredibly diverse aquatic life, Losinj is bound to offer an unforgettable diving experience. One of the most spectacular attractions in Mali Losinj is its Historic Underwater Museum, which brings plenty of divers around. Diving here allows travelers to marvel at the impressive historical artifacts and statues, including cannons, amphorae, ancient athlete statues, and ancient anchors. The museum's 11 unique exhibits give an insight into the rich history of the island.
Tip: The Underwater Museum at Mali Losinj is an incredible spot to visit for vacationers who are not well experienced in diving.
5 Te Vega, Sušac Island
Located on the small island of Susac, on Korcula Island's southwest side, Te Vega is one of the best diving spots in Croatia. One of the site's highlights is a small sea lake that tourists can access via an underwater tunnel. The lake is extremely beautiful at the bottom and features brown and green algae. Scuba divers will also encounter plenty of damselfish, and numerous brown and red scorpionfish, conger eels, and lobsters.
While divers can enjoy this location almost year-round, April through October is the perfect time to visit, as the temperature is warm and there is plenty to see in the underwater world.
4 Premuda Island
Reachable from Pag Island, Zadar, via a boat ride, Premuda Island is one of the North Dalmatian most beautiful islands and among the best diving spots in Croatia, offering plenty of opportunities to explore. It is located in the Zadar archipelago's westernmost part, known for its open sea and strong currents. The surrounding waters boast gorgeous and incredibly diverse marine life. The magnificent system of caves, known as the Cathedral, also makes this spot one of the most impressive diving locations to visit in the country.
The annual temperature, which averages 10-25 degrees Celsius, makes this spot a great year-round diving location, but the best time to explore its underwater world is between May and September.
3 Baron Gautsch, Rovinj
Constructed in 1908, Baron Gautsch was a famous 275-foot-long steamship that sank in 1914 near Rovinj after hitting a mine, claiming the lives of 127 passengers and the crew. The ship has become one of the most beautiful artificial reefs in the country and is home to plenty of fauna and flora. The area is well protected, and vacationers are only allowed to dive in specific sites. Also, one is only allowed to enter the ship's first two decks for security purposes.
Since this wreck is under the Croatian ministry of culture's protection, travelers can only dive there via the local diving centers, which are allowed to access the spot. For this reason, one should book early, especially during the peak diving season.
2 Taranto, Dubrovnik
Taranto Wreck is one of the best diving spots in Croatia and is only recommended for experienced divers. This is an incredibly stunning wreck of a steamboat that was built in 1899 in Rotterdam and was useful during World War II. Unfortunately, the ship sank in 1943 near Grebeni after stacking a mine while it was transporting tractors and flour. Today, it is home to beautiful aquatic life, including scorpionfish, mullets, sponges, and cardinalfish.
With water temperature averaging 27 degrees Celsius, April through November is the best time to explore this gorgeous wreck.
1 Rasip Island, Kornati Islands
Rasip is a small island located on the northwest side of its larger neighboring island, Piskera, on the Kornati archipelago. Island hopping in Croatia is a popular activity, and this is one of the places to experience the best of the country. This diving site is definitely among the best in Croatia, thanks to the colorful underwater world. Travelers diving here can explore a steep wall, an incredible paradise with a variety of marine life, including impressive corals, bryozoans, sponges, and different species of fish.
There is an array of marine creatures in this part of the island, and suitable for all kinds of divers. So, if looking for an unforgettable diving experience and are not an expert, this is the perfect spot.