Croatia by its deep sea
Let's start with Istria, where the Zambratija boat, dating from the Bronze Age, was recently found. Archaeologists are working on the site (closed to the public) to preserve this unique heritage. For scuba diving, the large peninsula can be explored via its west coast, considered by sailors to be the most dangerous in Croatia. Several wrecks, most of them war flags, lie at a depth of just a few dozen meters.
The most impressive, off the coast of Rovinj, is without doubt the Baron Gautsch ferry, 85 m long and 12 m wide, sunk in 1914 by an underwater mine while en route from Kotor to Trieste. 240 people perished. Today, the ship can finally be seen at depths of between 28 m and 42 m. In the Gulf of Kvarner, off the island of Krk, two wrecks (the Lina and the Peltastić) were located. The first struck a rock during a storm in 1914 and sank to the bottom. The second is just a few meters above the surface. It can therefore be visited by inexperienced divers. The bow faces the Krk rocks; the body of the boat (mast, chimneys, winches and even cabins) is particularly well preserved. With care, you can explore the "interior", moving slowly to avoid stirring up the mud.
Let's move on to the Kornati archipelago, a veritable diving paradise. From Pakostane, Biograd, Tisno or Murter, we stay close to the protected islands. These waters are not part of the large marine national park, but the flora and fauna are just as beautiful. Near the Veli Rat lighthouse (Dugi Otok), there's also a shipwreck to visit.
The coasts of southern Dalmatia are deeper than those of northern Dalmatia. There are numerous coral-covered rocky cliffs and caves. A few kilometers south of Dubrovnik, you can reach the wreck of the Seka od Mrkana (between 23 m and 52 m deep), an Italian navy transport ship hit by an Allied mine in 1943. Bent at an angle of 70 degrees, the wreck lies with its bow pointing to the surface. Pieces of cargo and engine parts are still visible.
In Cavtat Bay, a few kilometers from the border with Montenegro, the famous Pithos wreck dates back to the 4th century BC. The ship has been transformed into an underwater museum, where well-stored terracotta amphorae are "displayed" at a depth of 30 m, and globular jars with wide openings are so large that a man can fit inside them. But these monumental potteries were used to transport wine and grain.
On the edge of the Croatian Adriatic, the seabed of Vis reveals more recent remains to divers. Some 30 aircraft, dating from the Second World War, have been spotted just a few miles from land. With the assistance of local agencies, marine military archaeologists were able to approach the B-17G bomber that sank on November 6, 1944, 150 m from Polivalo Cape (Rukavac Bay). You have to descend to a depth of over 70 m to see one of the most spectacular aircraft wrecks. Virtually intact, the pilot's cabin is still in place.
Chromatic caves at the zenith
In the south-west of the island of Premuda, a famous site known as the "katedrala" (Široka Bay) hides underwater caves linked by passages, revealing porous rock. When the sun's rays enter the caves, a fascinating play of light and shadow is created.
On the island of Brač, the best diving spots are to be found in the channel that separates it from neighboring Hvar. In transparent, fish-filled water, you can explore new caves, tunnels and small cliffs such as Golubinja Špilja, Babaca Stine and Murvica or, on the other side (Hvar), Zala Luka, Tatinja and Kabal. A little further offshore, in the archipelago of the Pakleni Islands, one of the most beautiful cliffs starts at 5 m and drops down to 45 m. In the deepest part, you'll find countless red and purple gorgonians, seaweed where fish, sea snails and sea urchins hide.
Vis still offers sea lovers a large number of magnificent 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 Ransonnet in 1884. A formidable natural phenomenon, the famous Modra Spilja, with its azure reflections projected on the surface of the water and rock walls, attracts 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 at Seka Drašan (north-east of the island), Petrovac (Bijelac islet) or near Tajan, the Struga cliff, which reaches 80 m in depth. Off this northern coast, the wreck of the Drašan plic is indicated on the surface by a beacon, which warns sailors that the area is dangerous. Many ships have run aground here, as the amphorae and remains of vessels of varying ages testify. After anchoring in the shallows, a slow descent begins to explore exceptional marine life.
Scuba diving in complete safety
To prepare and succeed in your scuba diving, here are a few tips to apply before, during and after the dive.
To be in order with the administration. Be able to present your ID, your graduate card, your diving authorization, your medical certificate.
State of health. Do not dive if you are not feeling well or if you have been partying the night before.
Water pressure. During a dive, a cavity can become painful.
Rehabilitation time. After several months or even weeks without diving, you should inform the diving club that you are returning to diving.
Necessary ballast. For a more comfortable dive. You can lose up to 2 kg between two daily dives.
Avoid diving alone! Your buddy should be able to reassure you and vice versa. Otherwise, signal your presence (red flag with white diagonal).
Cooling down. As soon as you feel the first chills, tell the instructor, because the deeper you go, the colder it gets.
Natural reserves. If you are caught in a forbidden site, you can be fined or have your equipment seized by the sea guards.
No collecting! Do not bring anything to the surface (except plastic waste!), neither wreck fragments, nor coral, sponge, shell or rock.
Travel by plane. Depending on the number of dives and their depths, you should not take a flight within 24 or 48 hours.
