Diving in Istra

Embark on a journey of discovery to a world hidden from all but a few, an expanse of ethereal colour, sublime majesty and exhilarating experiences. The waters around the Istrian coastline are a diver’s paradise. Croatia’s temperate sea teems with a fantasia of sea life, reefs and shipwrecks. With dive tourism steadily increasing, over 100 centres throughout the region now provide the highest levels of safety and equipment for all levels from novice to the most advanced cave-diver. Because of the strategic position of the port of Pula, the western coast of Istria has been a busy trading route for centuries. Its relatively shallow waters harbour an extraordinary amount of sunken ships, from passenger liners to WWII submarines, and many lie off Pula’s coastline, including a perfectly preserved 19th century cargo steamship. For less experience divers, sites such as the small island of Piruzi provide incredible scenery at depths of less than 15 metres with graceful sea-horses, striped bream and yellow gorgonians colouring the turquoise waters. Similarly in the waters around the Brijuni Islands, shoals of saddled bream and grouper can be encountered at a wide reef located just six metres under the surface. Further north, off the northwest coast of Istria, the Gobo, Piranor and Buje Shoals are often used by dive schools to practise open water diving due to their remarkable visibility. Wherever you choose, the coastline of Croatia is renowned for having the clearest waters in the Mediterranean and provides a surreal adventure that dive tourists will never forget.