Deep Blue Divinity: Scuba Diving In Croatia.

Sea depths have always amazed us humans. Totally different world hides down under. Diving is a certain kind of blessing and a curse. When the sea honors you with all its beauty and presents itself in the most fascinating ways it is always a huge blessing. The curse is, of course, that you will probably never get enough of its magical powers. Croatian underwater is abundant in diversity. There are about 120 official diving locations that you can go to.

Seductive mysterious discoveries

Costal inhabitants of Croatia have always been closely related to the sea. Costal life often depended on the fruits of the sea throughout the history. There are 434 listed fish species and subspecies. The Adriatic Sea is rather small and closed off, but because of it, its under life has a story of its own. Do not expect bright tropical colors, instead brace yourself for the seductive mysterious discovering of the deep blue secrets.

Stormy past and nature in Croatian waters have sown many attractions for divers. There is a wealth and variety of flora and fauna, the monumental underwater walls and reefs, shipwrecks and aircrafts as well as numerous archaeological sites enriching diving experience. Lately, diving the magnificent Croatian caves is becoming more and more popular, which is not surprising at all given the karst region of Dalmatia. Prominent localities contain the remains of the sunken ships dating from ancient times and ancient trading routes leading from Greece towards northern Italy.

Most attractive diving locations

Of 120 diving locations most popular ones include areas around the city of Rovinj in Istria; Cavtat and Molunat in the southern Croatia, Brela in central Dalmatia and islands of Rab, Mali Losinj, Hvar, Lastovo, Mljet and Dugi otok.

Recently, it was announced in the media that famous ship “Vis” is going to be the first sunken ship solely for the purpose of touristic attraction. The planned location is close to the Cape Kamenjak. Kamenjak is situated in the south of the Istrian peninsula, just ten kilometers from the town of Pula. The wrecks are considered the most attractive places for diving. This alluring shipwreck would be accessible even to beginners licensed plungers because its upper deck would be on the depth between 18 to 20 meters.

If you still do not have your own license, do not worry one of 150 diving centers in Croatia will be able to help you with that. Diving courses cost somewhere between 1200-2400 KN (170-320 EUR).

Life in the sea – protected marine species

Before your first Croatian plunge you should be aware of the protected animal species. If you encounter any of them, know that you have been dignified by their presence and do not disturb them by any means. It is strictly forbidden by law to fish, destruct, harass or trade with these species.

Three species of sea snails:

Zoned miter (Mitra zonata)
Giant tun (Tonna Galea)
Triton (Charonia tritonis seguenza)

All sea turtles:

Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
Giant turtle (Chelonia mydas)

All sea mammals:

Mediterranean monk (monk)
Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates)

Shellfish:

Noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis)

Sea horse:

Sea horse (Hippocampus sp.)

Fishing and gathering for commercial purposes of all 36 species of sea cucumbers inhabiting the Adriatic seabed is prohibited. All the whales (Cetacea) are also endangered, therefore strictly protected. To conserve the rocky shore as a special habitat, fishing and breaking of the rocks in the coastal area and harvesting of date shells and putting them on the market is prohibited in the whole Croatian territory.

Nature is the greatest wizard making miracles at every turn. Diving is perhaps one of the greatest ways of experiencing its magnitude. Let yourself be taken by the marks mother Earth left in Croatia, and enjoy your bluest holyday of them all.

Photo Credit: (1) Romulic and Stojcic, Croatia Toruist Board, Pixabay, (2), (3), (8), (9) & (19) Pixabay, (4) Oliver Dodd, Flickr, (5), (6) & (7) Armin Rodler, Flickr