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Diving tourism is very well developed in Rabac and its surroundings and it is no wonder considering the crystal clear waters and great diving conditions. With seas never reaching depths of more than 70 m, the coastline of Rabac presents many various diving options and locations suitable for all experience levels. If you are only starting to enter the wonderful and exciting world of diving or if you would like to advance your knowledge, numerous diving centres across Rabac will be able to offer a fantastic variety of courses, all lead by certified and experienced diving instructors. Apart from training, diving centres provide all the necessary equipment for you to start your journey into the fascinating world under the sea. Explore various cliff walls, vibrant marine life or learn the secrets of the shipwrecks that have been buried under the deep blue for over 100 years. Calm and see-through waters of Rabac and locations such as Lanterna, Babino and Girandella will provide you with a memorable diving experience and a highlight of your Croatian holiday.
Diving Centres
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
Valamar Bellevue Hotel & Residence, Rabac T: + 385 52 879 052
Important telephone numbers
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.
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. text: 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. text: 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. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
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. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This Italian destroyer built in Genoa in 1913 met its fate in 1918. When the end of the war was declared, the ship left Pula for Rijeka. About 2 nautical miles from Ližnjana, it struck a mine that tore it in two. The larger fore part is capsized and located towards the north, with a breach in the hull through which you can see bombshells. The stern part, about 30 m long, lies some 300 m to the south in an upright position. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This English torpedo patrol boat went down towards the end of World War II when it hit a mine during a routine patrol. The dramatic explosion split the boat in two. The first part is about 20–25 m long and is fully preserved. The second part, 20 m long, lies several metres away, but was destroyed when the English set it on fire to prevent the enemy from getting hold of its radar. 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
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 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
At Black Point you dive parallel to the shore, following the rocks towards the east at a depth of about 20 m. At 25 m, you pass through a tunnel festooned with soft corals and jelly fish. To the left, there is a small cave in which you can see large tube worms and lobsters. At a depth of 3 m, there is a crevice that leads toward land and ends in a beautiful pebble beach. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This is one of the most popular dive sites because of its fauna and the interesting seabed formations. As the shoal faces east, the best time to dive is in the morning hours. You begin diving on the north side and descend towards the east where the wall opens up and the seabed is at a depth of 28 m. Turning right, you then dive towards the south and enter an overhang at 14 m that continues into the wall where you can enter a cave. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
This is an excellent site for beginners who don't have much experience. The deepest dive is 12 m, although most interest lies at a depth of 7–8 m. This dive site is also particularly appealing for night dives. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
Among a diversity of wildlife and a strong current, this dive begins along the southern side of the shoal towards the east. The shoal’s southern side is well known for common two-banded sea bream and a resident population of crayfish. Its north-eastern side is particularly interesting in terms of geology – here, crevices alternate with caves and overhangs. Diving with the current is a special experience at this shoal - like sailing underwater, using just your fins for steering. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres
The mythical Galijola, a rock surrounded by sea, stretches in an east-west direction about 150 m long and 50 m wide. In the middle of the rock is a lighthouse, erected to warn sailors of its existence. The rock’s southern side is the best for diving. You anchor at about 100 m from the shore at a depth of 12 m, and then dive along the anchor rope to the edge of the wall at 15 m. The maximum diving depth is about 40 m. At the end of the dive, you rise to the surface through a canyon that takes you to a safety stop. The canyon is the best part of the dive, after which visiting Galijola and taking photos is a must. text: Željko Kamerla in collaboration with the Istria diving centres