Croatia is one of the world’s up-and-coming holiday destinations. There are so many different things to experience and see in this beautiful country. Home to 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 8 stunning national parks, and of course many beaches along the coast, with the many different islands around Croatia to visit and see. If you like diving, then there are great places to explore under the waves the Adriatic Sea. Here are the 5 best diving spots in Croatia to visit on your next holiday:
1. Bol, Brač Island
Do you like dolphins? Then this is the diving spot of your dreams. Bol is renowned for its friendly dolphins which frequent the area. Divers here can experience a close encounter with these amazing, playful creatures. After some diving and playing around, check out the Dalmatian Island of Brač. Bol is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in Croatia. Bol is considered one of, if not the most beautiful beach in the Adriatic sea. Ancient sites such as Roman quarries and monasteries lie up and down the coast. Then it’s time to experience the finest sand beaches and gourmet Mediterranean dining at its finest. Overall, this one diving spot is not to be missed.
2. CaveLučice, Brač Island
Another great diving spot near Brač island, this breath-taking spot is worth an underwater investigation. An opening at 3 meters leads to a stunning two-chambered cave, the larger chamber reaching a depth of 37 meters, while the smaller reaches a depth of 42 meters respectively. The cave is wide enough to have around 20-30 divers inside a time. Hidden in these chambers, divers will see stalagmites and stalactites from back when the caves were above sea level. The walls are all covered in red coral. There are vibrant orange sea plants, offering camouflage for the sea life who live there. It is an absolutely stunning dive. This dive is recommended for experienced divers.
3. Tomislav, Lorkum Island
Located only ten minutes away from Dubrovnik, is the island of Lorkum. In the surrounding waters, will be an almost fully intact sunken shipwreck dive, the SS Tomislav. The wreck lies at a depth of 40 meters Divers can investigate the wreck and swim through its surrounding waters, will see plenty of dogfish and tuna hunting. The sunlight glinting off the tuna’s scales is a wondrous sight to see and creates a very impressive display for nearby divers to enjoy. It’s also home to moray eels and lobsters. This dive is suitable for advanced divers only.
4. Underwater Museum, Mali Lošinj
Yes, that is correct, there is such a thing as an underwater museum, and it happens to be located in Croatia. Lošinj Historical Underwater Park is an underwater museum, which contains 11 artifacts at depths between 5 and 15 meters. There is a Venetian cannon, numerous amphorae, and ancient anchors. There are also machine guns from WWII. The most well-known attraction, however, is the replica of the ancient bronze athlete statue “Apoxyomenos” from the 2nd-1st century B.C., which is sort of a symbol of Mali Lošinj. This is an easy drive, making it great for beginners.
5. Taranto, Dubrovnik
Taranto is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and if you haven’t visited it, it is worth strolling the street of this historic walled city, after a dive amongst a shipwreck. Just a short distance from the coast the wreck of the transport ship bearing the city name lies. The Taranto sank after hitting a mine in 1943 while carrying flour and tractors. This dive site is a great site for advanced divers, offering them the chance to see more than just a shipwreck. Lots of different sea creatures have taken up residence inside the wreck. Divers can expect to see octopuses, lobsters, and cardinal fish. The wreck lies 10 meters in the shallows to 52 meters at its depths.
These are some of the best, most well-known dive sites in Croatia. They offer a wide variety of different experiences, from swimming with dolphins, exploring shipwrecks and caves, to visiting an underwater museum. There is something that everyone can enjoy while exploring the depths of the sea.
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Jenny Williams is a writer at Last minute writing and Writinity. She also is a contributor at Draft beyond.
