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Abundance and diversity of its well-preserved plant and animal life, as well as its multitude of underwater walls , reefs, caves and shipwrecks are just some of the reasons why Istria is a great diving destination. Crystal clear sea and a huge variety of diving sites all conveniently located just a short boat ride from tourist centres make diving one of the most popular holiday activities. All tourist centres also provide you with a selection of Dive centres with top- quality equipment for rent, professional instructors and diving courses (CMAS, PADI, NITROX, APNEA) that will help you discover the picturesque, hidden underwater world of the Adriatic.
Diving Centres
Poreč, Brulo bb T: + 385 52 433 606
Poreč, Plava Laguna bb T: + 385 52 647 160
Poreč, Lanterna 52 T: + 385 98 951 2986
Plomin, Plomin bb T: + 385 98 265 923
Labin, Aldo Negri 3 T: + 385 52 880 466
AC Sv.Marina, Labin T: + 385 52 879 052
TUI Family Life Bellevue Resort 4*, Rabac T: + 385 52 879 052
Important telephone numbers
Poreč, Obala m. Tita 17 T: + 385 52 431 663
Rabac, Obala m. Tita 39 T: + 385 52 872 085
Pula, Giardini 14 T: + 385 52 222 551 T: + 385 52 222 544
Pula, Kochova 1a T: + 385 52 215 663 T: + 385 98 219 225
T: 112
T: 9155
Useful information
Recreational and sports diving, holiday diving, as well as commercial diving or special-purpose diving in Croatia are governed by the Regulations on Conducting Underwater Activities, the Labour Act and the Safety-at-Work Act. Holiday diving can only be conducted within the organisation and under the supervision of a diving centre that is authorised and qualified for recreational and holiday diving. The place of diving must be visibly marked with a dive buoy or a floating dive flag. The telephone numbers of the Search and Rescue Service and those of hyperbaric chambers must be clearly displayed in all dive centres and on all dive vessels.
Divers are required to have a valid diving card issued by the Croatian Diving Federation (www.diving-hrs.hr) on behalf of the Ministry of the Sea, Transportation and Infrastructure (www.mmpi.hr). The diving card is valid until the end of the year in which it is issued. For individual diving, it's necessary to obtain a permit issued by the Port Authorities.
The permit costs HRK 2,400 and is valid for 365 days from the date of issue. Holiday diving in registered dive centres does not require an individual diving permit.
Permits for these zones are issued by the competent bodies, and each dive centre conducting diving activities in these areas is required to have a written permit.
There are hospitals and clinics in all major towns, and ambulance and pharmacies in all towns. Emergency transport by air (helicopter) and sea (speedboat) is provided for patients whose life is in danger.
In 1948, the Argo set sail for Rijeka from Venice with a cargo of tomatoes but hit a mine left over from World War II which ripped the vessel in two. The bow and stern lie 50 m apart. both in an upright position. Parts of the ship and its equipment can be seen strewn between the bow and the stern and both anchors are still in place. tekst: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The wreck of the Coriolanus, a sunken battle ship of the British Royal Navy of the Shakespeare class, is located west of Novigrad at a depth from 11–25 m. Despite being a minesweeper, the ship sunk after hitting a mine in 1914. Powered by steam engines, designed for the roughest weather, and weighing more than 554 tons, it was armed with anti-aircraft cannons and 30 anti-submarine depth charges. tekst: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Off Cape Savudrija, Istria’s most northern cape lies the freight steam ship Gilda, which split in two after hitting an underwater mine. This open water dive uses an anchored rope tied to the wreck and provides a dive adventure you won't forget! tekst: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This iron steamship was built in 1879 in Great Britain, at a time when iron steamships had already won the race against sailboats. It sailed the entire Mediterranean and up to northern Europe transporting oil and wine from the Italian province of Puglia, and bringing back coal from Cardiff on the return voyage. On the night of January 14th 1914 the ship lost its way due to thick fog while navigating through the Vela Vrata Channel. A heavy storm caused the ship to run aground near Cape Pečen on Cres Island, where it quickly sank. tekst: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Dating back to World War II, the wreck of the Numidia is one of the largest in the Adriatic Sea. Its incredible length of 120 m represents a true challenge to all experienced divers. With the wreck located at a depth from 33–40 m, much experience is needed in planning the dive. Depending upon water currents, the visibility at this dive site may vary, and only a few divers have been lucky enough to see the wreck. tekst: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The cargo steamship Vis was built in 1921 under the name Renteria. In 1946 it set sail for Raša from Rijeka for a load of coal but because the minefield in the central part of Vela Vrata had not yet been cleared the captain was ordered to stay as close the Istrian coastline as possible. However, not far from Cape Mašnjak at the entrance to Plomin Bay, a powerful explosion shook the boat. The shipwrecked crew were saved by a sailing vessel and taken to Rab. Alongside this sunken wreck, you can see the remains of wooden lifeboats. tekst: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The Luana merchant ship sank in 1943 during World War II after hitting a mine. It lies in an upright position but because of the depth at which it is located, only experienced divers can enter the wreck. tekst: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
St. John’s Island is a dive site ideal for beginners. Excellent conditions for viewing marine life can be found at a depth of 20 m without the need for deep diving. An ancient Roman quarry and sunken stone blocks provide a safe haven for many fish and crabs. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Beginning at a depth of 20 m, the shoal near the lighthouse descends to 45 m. The Rubin Reef dive site is only for divers experienced in deep diving who want to see more than just the typical life forms found in shallow reefs. Here they can see fish such as large dentex, sea bass, scorpion fish and frogfish, etc. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
For the most part at this site, the dive is along an interesting wall with many caves and teeming with life, which reaches a depth greater than 30 m. At a depth of 29 – 32 m, you'll find fragments of amphora, the remains of an ancient Roman shipwreck. In the springtime, you can often see octopuses that come here looking for a place to lay their eggs. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This exceptional site features a long and interesting wall stretching over 200 m in length and is suitable for all types of divers. It is possible to dive to depths of up to or over 20 m. This dive site has numerous holes and underwater crags teeming with life and rich in colour. Because you enter the water only a few metres from the shore, this gives added safety to your dive. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This site is often used for final dives in beginner PADI courses but is also suitable for practising orientation skills and compass use. The dive takes you along a gently inclined rocky slope that ends in sand at a depth of about 20 m. Diving is easy and safe, because the depth is not great, while orientation is very easy. Depending on the season, it's possible to come across large examples of quality fish such as dentex, bass, gilt poll or leer fish. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
You begin this dive on the northern side by diving along a crag. As you follow the crag on the right and dive in a southerly direction the crag rises vertically above you; its curves creating underwater coves. Although the site has an average depth of about 25 m, there are two rocky extensions that descend to depths of about 40 m. Because the wall is long and holds plenty of interest, a dive here might last up to 60 minutes. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The Faro Island islet lies at the very end of the Roving archipelago and is rich in fish and other marine organisms, with a beautiful rocky seabed that reaches as deep as 45 m. This is a dive site for experienced divers only. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres