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Warm sea temperatures and a seabed rich in animal and plant life makes the area around Poreč an exciting diving destination all year round. Regardless of your experience level, you will be able to explore the deep blue and find an activity which suits you thanks to the whole array of courses (CMAS; PADI, NITROX APNEA) and professional diving instructors available in and around Valamar Hotels & Resorts in Poreč. Explore the cliff walls of Kampani and Tempesta reefs as well as the underwater caves of the Banjola Island. Discover the riches of two shipwrecks: Baron Gautsch, perfectly preserved Austrian passenger ship which sank in 1914 and British battleship Coriolanus. For something completely different, try the night diving expedition – a truly memorable experience.
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
Important telephone numbers
Poreč, Obala m. Tita 17 T: + 385 52 431 663
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 (mmpi.gov.hr/en). 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.
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! text: 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. text: 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. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Poor weather conditions in November of 1912 caused the fate of the Romagna, a freight ship that sunk near Rovinj. On its last voyage, the Romagna was transporting wheat from Ravenna to Trieste. Today it lies at a depth of 40 m, and is an almost ghostly sight, with 60 m of length heavily covered in the remains of fishing nets. Experienced divers can dive to the Romagna only in conditions of exceptionally good visibility. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Built in 1913, this Italian minesweeper was sunk in 1944 by English aircraft that spotted it during a routine reconnaissance flight. A torpedo tore the vessel in two, leaving the bow and the stern separated about 50 m apart. The stern has a greater appeal to divers. The Giuseppe Dezza lies on the seabed in an upright position as if frozen in time, with its cannons and military equipment clearly visible. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The small freight ship Maona is located at a depth of 30–35 m not far from the 'Sv. Ivan na Pučini' lighthouse near Rovinj. With a length of 40 m, this wreck presents a fairly straightforward dive in conditions of good visibility. Many lobsters and scorpion fish can be seen along the ship’s bottom and stern. Similar to any artificial structure, the wreck attracts large numbers of small fish, and its vicinity to the shore makes it a favourite dive site in the summer season. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Built in 1908, this Austrian passenger ship sank after hitting a mine in 1914 while carrying the families of Austrian officers on the Boka Kotorska – Mali Lošinj – Trieste route. Wanting to shorten the voyage, the ship attempted to pass through a minefield, nine nautical miles off of Rovinj, because, allegedly, a merchant ship had managed to do so shortly before. The Baron Gautsch touched a mine midship portside, and the ship quickly sank. Diving is allowed only through diving centres that hold a special permit of the Croatian Ministry of Culture, and for safety reasons, entry to the ship is allowed only through the first two decks. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Once a wooden sailboat with a metal mast, the Marija sank during the 1950s. Today it is possible to see the ship’s frame with parts of the planking, keel and mast, while one part is covered in fishing nets giving it the appearance of a sunken pirate ship. The ship is teeming with different fish species that add to the overall diving experience. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
For a long time, the Hans Schmidt wreck was known as the Istria, because its true name was not known. It was built in 1920 in the Netherlands (under the name of the Albireo), but carries the name of its last owner from Germany. This cargo steamship was ripped in two by an explosion when it struck an underwater mine on 23 January 1943 while transporting armament and ammunition. On the seabed, the wreck is in two parts, a 10-m bow, and the rest of the wreck some 10 m away. Particularly interesting and of historical interest is the special type of anchor that has not been in production for more than 100 years. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
At the Gobo Shoals underwater mines and torpedoes from World War II can be found at depths from 8–14 m. This site is suited to beginners because visibility is excellent due to the rocky seabed. Diving instructors often bring PADI course attendants to this site so they can practise boat diving and open water diving. tekst: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The shoals at the very entrance to the Lim Channel are characterised by short but thriving “walls” that reach a depth of 25 m.. The steep structure of the seabed and the hollow “burnt-out” crags provide an idea habitat for many crustaceans and the site is rich in seabed fish and crabs. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The Salina Coast is the ideal destination for any diver intent on seeing a lobster or an eel. Covered with hollow rocks, the seabed holds an abundance of seabed fish. The Salina Coast is a favourite among divers also because it is the location best protected against storms. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This is a dive site for beginners wanting to see a shipwreck for the first time. Although small, this wreck lying at a depth of 16 m provides an exciting experience for the novice diver. Nearby is the beginning of a rocky seabed that adds to the dive experience. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Underwater mines and torpedoes from World War II can be found at depths from 8–14 m. This site is suited for beginners as visibility is excellent due to the rocky seabed. Diving instructors often bring PADI course attendants to this site to practise boat diving and open water diving. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This islet is a favourite beginner’s destination because of its terrace-shaped underwater structure and depths not greater than 20 m. Divers have a chance of seeing seahorses, eels, lobsters, as well as the common torpedo and St. Peter’s fish. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Not far from Rovinj and located in one of the most appealing sites on Istria’s western coast, this islet features three caves at a depth of 12 m offering the ideal spot for beginners. It's also an exciting dive site for the more experienced as it is possible to dive as deep as 35 m down the rocky reef. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The rocky structure of the islet’s western seafloor resembles canyons stretching from the shallows to a depth of 18 m. It enables divers to dive between high rock walls, protected from currents, and surrounded by the wide variety of fish found in this seabed habitat. text: 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
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
At the Buje Shoals underwater mines and torpedoes from World War II can be found at depths from 8–14 m. This site is suitable for beginners as visibility is excellent due to the rocky seabed. Diving instructors often bring PADI course attendants to this site to practise boat diving and open water diving. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
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