Tour of Croatia by its deep sea
Let's start with Istria! The great peninsula can be boarded via its west coast, considered by sailors to be the most dangerous in all of Croatia. Several wrecks, mostly war pavilions, lie there under a few dozen meters deep. The most impressive, off Rovinj, is undoubtedly the 85 m long and 12 m wide Baron Gautsch ferry, which was sunk in 1914 by an underwater mine on its way from Kotor to Trieste. 240 people died. Today, the boat is finally seen between 28 m and 42 m deep.
In the Gulf of Kvarner, off the island of Krk, two wrecks (the Lina and the Peltastić) were located. The first hit a rock in a storm in 1914 and sank to the bottom. The second is just a few meters from the surface. It can therefore be visited by inexperienced divers. The bow is directed towards the rocks of Krk; the body of the boat (mast, chimneys, winches and even cabins) is particularly well preserved. With caution, one can explore "inside" by moving slowly so as not to lift the mud.
Let's now head towards the Kornati archipelago, a real paradise for diving. From Pakostane, Biograd, Tisno or Murter, you stay close to the protected islands. These waters are not part of the large marine national park but the fauna and flora are just as beautiful. Near the lighthouse of Veli Rat (Dugi Otok), there is also a wreck to visit.
In the south of Dalmatia, the coasts offer deeper seabeds than in the north. There are many rocky cliffs covered with coral and caves. A few kilometres south of Dubrovnik, one can access the wreck of the Seka od Mrkana (between 23 m and 52 m deep), an Italian Navy transport ship, which was hit by an Allied mine in 1943. Lying at a 70° angle, the wreck lies with the bow facing the surface. Pieces of his cargo and engine parts are still visible.
In the bay of Cavtat, a few kilometres from the border with Montenegro, the famous wreck of the Pithos dates from the 4th century BC. The ship has been transformed into an underwater museum, where terracotta amphoras are "on display" at a depth of 30 m, always well stored, where globular jars with large openings are so big that a man can fit inside them. But these monumental potteries were used to transport wine and grain.
In addition to its natural beauty, the seabed of Vis, on the edge of the Croatian Adriatic, contains treasures of military archaeology. About thirty aircraft, spotted a few miles from the mainland, date back to the Second World War. With the assistance of local diving agencies, it is possible to approach the B-17G bomber that sank on November 6, 1944 at 150 m near Polivalo Cape (Rukavac Bay). The dive requires descending to more than 70 m depth to see one of the most spectacular aircraft wrecks. Practically intact, the pilot's cabin is still in place... Another remote island, Lastovo preserves the wreck of the Drasan Plic, indicated on the surface by a beacon. It shows how dangerous the area is.Chromatic caves at the zenith
In the southwest of Premuda Island, a famous site called the "katedrala" (Široka Bay) hides underwater caves connected by passages and reveals a porous rock. When the sun's rays enter the cavities, a fascinating play of light and shadow is created.
On the island of Brač, the best diving spots are in the canal that separates it from its neighbour Hvar. In transparent, fishy water, new caves, tunnels and some small cliffs are explored, as in Golubinja Špilja, Babaca Stine and Murvica or, on the other side (Hvar), in Zala Luka, Tatinja and Kabal. A little further offshore, in the Pakleni Islands archipelago, one of the most beautiful cliffs starts from 5 m and goes down to 45 m. In the deepest part, there are countless red and purple gorgonians, algae where fish, marine snails and sea urchins hide.
Vis always offers lovers of the sea a large number of beautiful beaches and bays such as Srebrna, Stiniva, Stončica or Rukavac. 5 miles from Komiža, on the islet of Biševo, the Blue Cave was discovered by Baron Eugen von Ransonnet in 1884. A wonderful natural phenomenon, the famous Modra Spilja, with its azure reflections projected on the surface of the water and on the rocky walls, loves visitors like butterflies. The Green Cave (Zelena Splija), on the less frequented islet of Ravnik, is no less spectacular. In Lastovo Nature Park, the archipelago's seabed also reveals secret passages leading to mysterious caves, such as Seka Drašan (northeast of the island), Petrovac (Bijelac islet) or near Tajan, the Struga cliff, which is 80 m deep.Prevention memo
To properly prepare and succeed in scuba diving, some tips to apply before, during and after the trip.
Be in good standing with the administration. To be able to present your identity papers, diploma card, diving authorization, medical certificate
State of health. Do not dive if you do not feel fit, if you have had a party the day before
Water pressure. During a dive, a cavity can become painful.
Rehabilitation time. After several months or even weeks without diving, inform the receptive club of your recovery
Ballast required. For a more comfortable dive. You can lose up to 2 kg between two daily dives
Dive alone. To avoid! Your partner should be able to reassure you and vice versa. Otherwise, report your presence (red flag with white diagonal).
Cooling. As soon as the first chills occur, inform the instructor because the deeper you go down, the colder it gets.
Natural reserves. Surprised in a prohibited site, you may be fined or see your equipment seized by the maritime guards
No collection! Do not raise anything to the surface (except plastic waste!), neither wreckage nor coral fragments, sponges, shells, rocks
Travel by plane. Depending on the number of dives and their depths, you should not take a flight within 24 or 48 hours.
