 Diving
in Croatia has been increasing in popularity 1996.
Annual growth in the number of tourists has been between
15 and 20%, and with it grew the number of professional
diving centres organized in the near vicinity of the
most attractive locations along the coastline, in order
to enable divers from all over the world to abandon
themselves to enjoying the Croatian submarine world,
while at the same time being able to feel secure under
professional supervision and with all the necessary
safety measures in place.
There is a total of 150 diving centres operating along
our coast with the largest number being located in
Istria and Kvarner, and in the area of Central Dalmatia.
Undoubtedly the most attractive diving locations in the
Adriatic are underwater cliff faces and reefs, caves and
the wrecks of ships and aeroplanes. The Croatian land
mass ranks among the most specific in the world:
Dalmatia itself lies on karst, full of crevices, caves,
sink holes and channels. Based on the number of caves so
far discovered on land it is estimated that there are at
least 1500 underwater caves and holes still undiscovered
in the Adriatic. In addition to plant and animal species
endemic to the Adriatic, which are a highly sought-after
target for photo and video safaris, the most attractive
locations are those which conceal traces of times gone
by: archaeological localities and underwater wrecks.
The oldest localities containing the remains of sunken
ships date from the times of Antiquity, and are to be
found on the ancient trading routes leading from Greece
towards northern Italy, and all the colonies founded
along that route on the shores of the Adriatic: Cavtat
(Epidaurus), Mljet (Meleda), Korčula ( Kokira), Hvar (
Pharos), Vis (Issa), Split (Asphalatos / Spalatum),
Solin (Salona), Trogir (Tragurium), Rogoznica
(Heracleia), anchorage sites in the Kornati archipelago
(Žirje, Lavsa, Murter), the wider area of Šibenik and
Zadar (Liburnia / Jadera), Pula (Pola), Roman villas on
the Brijuni islands, and many other micro-locations once
used by ancient mariners as refuges and anchorages. In
the Middle Ages trades links between Italy and the
Middle East intensified, Venice became a booming trading
metropolis, towns along the Croatian littoral experience
strong development (Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Pula);
naval battles of the 19th and 20th centuries leave their
traces on the sea bed.
Legislative regulation regarding underwater activities
in Croatia is still in the phase of defining the final
legal provisions, the aim being to regulate development
of diving tourism in the most effective way, based on
practice and application, while at the same time
preserving the wealth of the Adriatic underwater world
and to increase diving safety. According to current
regulations it is possible to dive in Croatian waters
only when accompanied by a diving guide from an
authorized diving centre.
In other words, you can dive anywhere in the Adriatic
provided that you are accompanied by a professional
guide (diving guide or diving instructor) whose job is
to take ensure your safety and to show you diving
locations in a direct and informed way. Every
professionally organized diving centre fulfils all the
conditions required to make your diving trip a safe,
interesting and unforgettable experience.
diving
schools, coast, islands
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