Scuba Diving In Croatia
Croatia is a beautiful country located in the Mediterranean Sea, known for its beaches, clear waters, nightlife, national parks, rich history, and of course – Scuba Diving.
The Adriatic Sea that surrounds the country is home to many shipwrecks, caves, and reefs that divers can explore. The wide variety of diving spots, from shallow coral reefs to deep shipwrecks, makes Croatia a perfect destination for both beginner and experienced divers.
One of the most popular diving spots in Croatia is the island of Vis, located in the central part of the Adriatic Sea. Vis is known for its clear waters and rich marine life, with a variety of species of fish, octopus, and other marine creatures, but what divers usually come to see are the shipwrecks, and Vis has more than plenty of them. Some of the most well-known wrecks are the plane wreck of Boeing B17 and a 105-meter giant shipwreck called Vassilios.
The water temperature in Croatia ranges from around 15C in the winter to 25C in the summer, so a wetsuit is usually necessary. There are also many diving schools and centers in Croatia that offer equipment rental, diving courses, and guided dives. These diving schools and centers are staffed by experienced and professional instructors who can teach you everything you need to know about scuba diving, from how to properly use diving equipment to how to safely explore the underwater world.
When to go?
The “When can you dive in Croatia?” question will often find the “All year around if you have a dry suit?” answer, but the best months are from May to October.
Sea temperatures may vary from an average 18 °C at the beginning of the season, climbing to a whopping 24°C in the peak months of July and August and all the way down to app 16°C at the end of October.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Adriatic has a thermocline, meaning the temperature during warmer months will be different at 5, 12 and 18m for example. For that reason, you will rarely see someone diving in a shorty even during the peak of the season.
5mm suit will do during the summer months, and 7mm will be ideal for the spring/autumn dives.
Visibility can be very good on a clear day, over 30m, depending on the dive location and the weather.
The winds may affect the dive or even cause the dive to be rescheduled, or at least delayed. The one to keep an eye on is called Bura, a northern to north-eastern wind. “When the Bura sails, you don’t”. It’s that simple. Jugo, the south-eastern wind, blowing from Sahara, causes higher waves and it may spoil your diving plans as well.
Do I need to be certified to scuba dive in Croatia?
To be able to legally scuba dive in Croatia, you will need to present your brevet, and ideally take your logbook with you as well. A check-dive may be required prior to a more advanced dive.
The recreational scuba diving depth limit in Croatia is 40 meters.
If you do not yet know how to dive, that is not a problem either, as all diving centers (often referred to as “Dive Shops” in the world) offer “Discovery Dives”, where you can try what it is like to scuba dive with an instructor in shallow waters up to 5 meters, or you can get certified choosing any of the world-known diving associations like CMAS, PADI, SSI, NAUI e.t.c.
And if you are a hard-core experienced technical diver, there will be something here for you as well. A good starting point may be the amazing B-17, Flying Fortress. Strap on the Trimix/Nitrox and enjoy.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, you will find something to suit your needs in Croatia. With the help of professional instructors and equipment rental, you can safely and comfortably explore the underwater world of Croatia.
Croatia is amazing, and its aquatorium awaits to be explored.
