Top Island Destinations for Scuba Diving in Croatia

Top Island Destinations for Scuba Diving in Croatia

Are you a fan of diving, but you no longer know where to find new diving locations? Maybe you’re a beginner looking for interesting but undemanding dive sites? The crystal clear Adriatic Sea, with rich and colorful marine life, numerous archaeological sites and shipwrecks, and warm temperatures, is the dream of every diver.

Island of Hvar

As not just one of the most stunning islands in Croatia but also in all of Europe, it is no surprise that scuba divers from all over the world flock to this particular location. A number of underwater places have a well-known status all throughout the world.

A cave may be found on the seabed of Vela Grka Bay, which is home to a diverse collection of marine animals and plants. The cave’s entrance is located at a depth of ten meters. This diving area is great for people who are just starting out in the sport.

Additionally, there are several great diving areas in the Paklin Islands. The one that is most well-known is located close to the island of Vodnjak. Because it looks like a bell tower, the buried stone obelisk that can be found in the water close to Vodnjak is referred to as Kampanel by the people who live in that area. At a depth of ten meters, the obelisk’s point of highest elevation may be found. If you dive any deeper, you will see a canyon filled with red gorgonians as well as a tunnel that is 5 meters long.

This scuba diving spot is home to a wide range of plant and fish species in abundance.

Island of Korcula

The underwater depths of the island of Korcula are home to a number of remarkable natural phenomena in addition to the wreckage of sunken ships.

For instance, you may see the wreckage of the Italian steamer Garda at the port of Pudarica, which is close to Lumbarda. The Garda sunk in 1938 in the midst of a particularly severe storm in the south. On the sandy bottom, there are strewn pieces of the ship in various locations.

An extensive archaeological site may be found on the bottom of the Adriatic Sea beneath the islet of Majsan, which was historically significant as an anchoring on that body of water. An amphora and an anchor dating back to Roman times were discovered at a depth of 35 meters. These artifacts provided evidence of Roman presence. The visibility is not very good at this spot due to the presence of sand and boulders; nonetheless, because to the relatively modest depths, even novice divers should have no trouble exploring this area. Groupers, flounders, wrasses, and other species of fish are able to be found in this place due to the abundance of marine life.

For those who are fascinated by caverns, a trip to the cave in Orlando Bay is a must; there, the light will create a spectacular show that will blow your mind. A wall can be found beneath the cave that extends to a depth of forty meters and is home to an abundance of marine life, including fish, crabs, snails, and octopuses.

Island of Mljet – nature splendoure and antique

Every diver who visits the waters off the coast of Mljet Island will have a one-of-a-kind experience. It is well knowledge that the renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau was so enamored with the island that he proclaimed it to be one of the most beautiful places in the world to go diving.

It is said that the Greek hero Odysseus and the nymph Kirk resided on Mljet for a period of seven years. The cave was named after Odysseus since it is considered to be one of the most intriguing places to dive on the island of Mljet. Jellyfish are attracted to the cave by the southerly breezes, and sea urchins and octopuses may be seen living within and around the cave. The cave is home to a wide diversity of animal species.

When you enter the cave during the day, you will be able to observe the spectacular dance of light that is produced when the sunlight hits the openings on the cave’s side.

Cape Goli Rat is another another site that is wonderful to see. The remnants of an ancient ship and the amphorae that the ship brought may be found at this spot, which contributes to the area’s allure. Divers with less expertise can stay close to the remnants of the shipwreck, while divers with more experience can dive along the wall that is forty meters deep and has a bottom comprised of huge boulders.

Island of Lastovo – forbiden beauty

A close neighbor of the island of Mljet, the island of Lastovo, which together with the neighboring islands is also a Nature Park, is home to a number of exceptional diving spots. Keep in mind that scuba diving on the island of Lastovo is strictly prohibited unless you are accompanied by a trained professional from one of the two scuba diving establishments on the island, Ankora in Zaklopatica or Diving Paradise-Lastovo in Pasadur.

The islet of Bijelac is not only considered to be the best place to go scuba diving in all of Lastovo, but also in all of Europe. What seems to be an island from the surface is really divided into two pieces that go as deep as sixty meters below the surface. The walls are adorned with gorgonians, starfishes, and corals, and you may discover lobsters, moray eels, and tabby fish among the inhabitants of the fish world.

Island of Vis

It is not unexpected that the island of Vis is one of the most well maintained and authentic Adriatic islands because it was isolated from outside tourists from the 1950s until 1989 because it was used as a military post for the majority of that time. Vis is a dream destination for scuba divers thanks to its 85 kilometers of rocky coastline, the numerous islets that encircle it, and its secluded bays. A tiny portion of what Vis has to offer may be summarized as follows: distinctive underwater rocks, sea tunnels, marine vegetation and animals. The Blue Cave on Bievo and Stiniva, which is considered to be the nicest beach in Europe, are two of the most popular attractions on Vis. It is advised that divers with a bit more expertise proceed to the southern half of the island, to the island of Ravnik, where they may examine the remnants of the steamer Brijuni from the First World War. These ruins can be found in the waters near the island of Ravnik.

Dugio Otok Island

It is noted for its particular coastline, which has been drawing a significant number of visitors for many years due to its location in the Zadar archipelago. The underwater region of Dugi otok is home to an abundance of fish and coral reefs due in large part to the presence of the natural park Telaica, which is situated in the southeastern portion of the island in close proximity to the Kornati National Park. The wreck of the Italian commercial ship Michele, which sank in 1984 and can be found close to Veli Rat, is one of the most well-known spots in the area for scuba diving and snorkeling. You should have no trouble locating the remainder of the wreck because some of it is exposed above the water. Telaica Bay, because of its sloping position, offers natural protection from the wind, and as a result, there is a plethora of marine flora and fauna to be found in this bay as well.

Brijuni national park

Brijuni National Park is one of eight national parks in Croatia and is located on 14 islands not too far from Pula, the major city in Istria. It wasn’t until 1983 that it was designated a national park, although it garnered notoriety long before that. This was largely due to the fact that Josip Broz Tito, a former president of Yugoslavia, made the “white house” his official residence. The park wasn’t designated a national park until 1983. Those who want to dive with a mask for a variety of reasons will find that the underwater environment of pristine Brijuni is a true paradise. One of the reasons is certainly due to the fact that it is a National Park, which implies that fishing is restricted inside the boundaries of the park and that there is an increased level of protection for the flora, wildlife, and all marine life. notwithstanding the fact that. You may view one-of-a-kind artifacts from the Roman Empire and underwater archaeological structures in Verige Bay, both of which have not yet been fully studied.

Krk – Island Made of “Gold”

The so-called “Golden Island” may be found in the middle of Kvarner Bay, which lies in the upper portion of the Adriatic Sea. Because the underwater scenery on the island of Krk, which is also the largest island in Croatia, is so remarkable, those individuals who are interested in having an experience when they are submerged in water should make it a point to visit this location. While on Sveti Rak you may view sea cucumbers, peculiar sea rocks, and even the remains of a small ship, the region known as Karaka is home to brown algae and starfish. When visibility is high in Glavotok, the conditions are ideal for doing study on sea urchins and other similarly “weird” species. In Stara Baka, on the other hand, you may observe a variety of Adriatic fish, crabs, and yellow sponges.

Kornati archipelago – cluster of amazing biosfere

The Kornati archipelago is a collection of more than one hundred islands and several smaller islets strewn throughout a sea region that is around 320 square kilometers in size. There are more than sixty distinct dive sites dispersed across the archipelago. The biodiverse archipelago of Kornati, also known as “Poseidon’s Garden,” is a nautical paradise that is home to more than 500 plant species and 300 animal species (and as many as 69 types of butterflies).

The Kornati archipelago is a pristine wilderness on both land and water due to the absence of any permanent towns or population. It has a rich variety of plant and animal life, cliffs that drop down into the water, and a lot of great spots for diving. There is also Blitvenica, which has walls that are up to 90 meters deep. Also known as Irje Island, located in the southern Kornati archipelago close to Sibenik, this island is packed with coves and sites such as Pli Grmeni, which features a combination of a deep wall and rack with depths reaching up to 55 meters.

The coral cliffs of Balun in Kornati National Park may reach depths of up to 85 meters.

A cargo warship from World War II named the Francesca de Rimini went down in the waters off Kaprije near Ibenik at depths ranging from 38 to 50 meters.

Island of Brač

The island of Brač is rife with hidden coves, caves, and beaches that are just waiting to be discovered by curious explorers. The Luice Cave, which can be found on the island’s southwestern coast next to the sandy Luica Beach, is considered to be one of the most interesting of these caves. An inconspicuous entrance on the sea bottom may be found about 2 meters away from the coast. This opening leads to a large subterranean cave, but in order to enter there, you will need the appropriate gear, a flashlight that is in good operating condition, and steely nerves.

The beach of Luice is an excellent spot to begin. You won’t want to miss the beach that wraps around the cave. Luice is a sandy beach paradise that is located right next to a pine forest that provides shade, as well as restaurants and cafés.

Let’s not forget about Osibova Bay, which is located close to the settlement of Milna and is a lovely bay with water as clean as glass and several swimming locations to discover.

The Blaca Hermitage is a monastery that dates back to the 16th century and was constructed into the edge of a steep cliff. It is now used as a museum.

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Planning your trip? Explore our destinations or check our charter FAQ and request a personalized quote for your dates.

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About this guide

This guide was prepared by the Europe Yachts editorial team — a group of charter brokers and sailors who have been organizing yacht charters in the Mediterranean since 2007. Every itinerary, marina, and pricing range described here reflects current first-hand fleet experience and direct partnership with licensed charter agencies. Last reviewed: May 2026.

If a detail looks out of date, write us at www.europe-yachts.com/contact — we update guides quarterly.