Scuba Diving in Croatia

A Guide to Diving in Croatia

People have been diving in Croatia for over 50 years but in the past decade more and more dive shops have been opening offering a range of PADI courses and packages for people interested in going diving whilst visiting the country. There are dive shops on the mainland (usually on coastal towns) and also most Croatian islands.

If you would like to learn to scuba dive then Croatia ia a great country to get started, there are lots of dive schools offering PADI courses all year round. For more advanced divers there are lots of trips and sites available.

When diving in Croatia you can expect to see coral reefs, wrecks, fish and other marine creatures. For beginners there are lots of sites available which are safe and enjoyable, the sea is very shallow around the Istrian coast which is a popular starting point. More advanced divers will enjoy the deep diving around Jabuka island which is 70km from Vis Island, the water depths here can reach as deep as 1300m.

Best Places to Go Diving in Croatia

Rogoznica
Korcula
Podgora
Tucepi
Brac
Hvar
Vis

Best Time to Go Diving in Croatia

Summer is the most popular time to go diving in Croatia, this is when tourist numbers are at the highest and the weather is warmer. You will need to book a course in advance as spaces can fill up quick. Water temperatures vary depending on the season and region, in summer you can expect the sea to be around 24 degrees and in winter as low as 7 degrees. Sometimes even in summer waters can be cold due to freshwater springs but your dive shop will be able to prepare you with equipement like gloves and a hood.

Requirements

Everyone who wants to go scuba diving needs a permit to dive legally in Croatia. This costs 100HRK and the easiest way to obtain one is through a local dive centre. The permit will allow you to dive in Croatia for up to one year. Some locations including the Mljet National Park and the Kornati Islands National Park require a special permit which again can be organised by a local dive shop. We also highly recommend you buy comprehnsive travel insurance which covers adventure activities like diving.

Best Dive Shops in Croatia

Blue Planet diving centre based in the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel is highly recommended. This is a Five Star PADI Dive Resort who offer courses from Open Water through to Master Scuba Diver.