Croatia

GENERAL INFO

General

good both for beginners and experienced divers

Underwater

• amazing rock formations (walls, caves, caverns)
• red and yellow sea fans
• sponges and corals
• variety of marine life: lobsters, conger eels, scorpionfish, gorgonias, electric rays, cat sharks, amberjack, tuna fish, crabs and wrasses

 

Suit

In summer it is comfortable to dive in a 5 mm neoprene suit. In winter the water is cold enough to warrant diving in a drysuit or a semidry.

 

Risk

There are a few sea animals which can have vicious or poisonous bristles and spines. Watch out for the scorpion fish, bristleworms, sea urchins and the stingray. If you step on or touch one of these fish, look for medical attention as your reaction to the injury will depend on your general medical condition and age.

 

Visibility

5–30+ metres

 

Bottom

rocky or sandy

caves, caverns, grottos, cliffs

 

Best time to dive

April – October

 

Courses

Besides recreational diving for beginners, it is possible to take a PADI course (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), BSAC course (British Sub Aqua Club) or DSAT course (Diving Science and Technology).

 

PADI courses:

Open Water Diver

Adventure Diver

Advanced Open Water Diver

Rescue Diver

Master Scuba Diver

Divemaster

Nitrox

Specialities: Deep Diving, Night Diving, Wreck Diving, Underwater Navigation, Underwater Photography, Peek Performance Buoyancy

 

BSAC courses:

Ocean Diver

Sports Diver

Dive Leader

BSAC Nitrox Course

BSAC Full Instructor Course

BSAC IFC – Instructor Foundation Course

BSAC OWIC – Open Water Instructor Course

 

DSAT courses:

Nitrox Diver

Deep Diver

Tec Deep Level 1

Tec Deep

Tec Trimix

Gas Blender

Trimix Gas Blender

 

SSI courses:

- Scuba update

- (Junior) Open Water Diver

- Specialities: Nitrox Diver, Deep Diving, Stress & Rescue, night diving, underwater navigation, underwater photography, boat diving, Dry suit, Wreck diving

- Advanced Diver (4 Specialities)

- Master Diver

- Dive Control Specialist

- CPR & First Aid

 

More info: DIVING COURSES

 

Prices

about 300 euro/initial open water course

about 30 euro/1 dive

 

Minimum age

There are no restrictions on age. The decision on minimum age is at the discretion of the instructor of the course. For all divers under age of 18 written parental/guardian consent will be required.

 

Regulations

Recreational and sport diving in the waters of Croatia require a valid HRS Divers Card from Croatian Diving Federation (available through registered diving centres) and an international acknowledged diving certificate. The fee for a diving license is 100 HRK. It is valid for one year. Sport and recreational diving is possible to the maximum depth of 40 m. Diving is not permitted in special sea reserves and natural parks (National Parks Brijuni, Kornati and Mljet), except when diving with a registered diving centre.

Unaccompanied divers

Individual diving requires an Approval for individual diving which can be obtained at the harbour master’s office. The fee for the approval amounts to 2 400 HRK.

Children

Depending on the diving centre the minimum age of a child attending a diving course is 8, 10 or 12.

 

Snorkelling

Snorkelling can be an alternative to scuba diving as it is really enjoyable, cheap and there is no age limit. Even in the first few metres below the surface experiencing the underwater environment can be extremely exciting. Clean and blue Adriatic waters invite to an adventure of meeting a variety of fish and other underwater creatures. One can try it independently or choose one of many snorkelling excursions offers with professional guides. There are also skin diving courses for those who are interested in equipment, techniques and safety.