Explore Istria

Istria, or the Istrian Peninsula, lies on the west coast of Croatia with its coast on the North Adriatic Sea. This is a popular destination for avid divers to come and see the best of what the North Adriatic Sea has to offer. The most popular destinations in this region where divers can see the best of the best are the coastal towns of Pula and Rovinj. However, other destinations in this region include Vsrar, Medulin, Labin and Opatija. All these areas have a collection of experienced guides at dive centres and/or dive resorts who know when it’s best to go where. The air temperatures range between a cool 8°C and reach up to 26°C in the summer. The peak diving season lies between May and September. The water temperature here ranges between 11°C and 25°C and the visibility is on average good throughout the year and ranges between 10 metres and 35 metres on the best days.

The types of dives here are a mix of relaxing shallow dives where divers can admire the vibrant marine life in their colourful habitats, and high thrill dives in and around wrecks and caves. Diving here caters to a wide range of interests and diving levels, but each dive is guaranteed to have some impressive pops of colour in the background for an unforgettable diving experience.

Places to Explore

Rovinj

22 Divesites 5 Centers

Rovinj is a fishing village which lies in the Istrian Peninsula which lies on the west coast of Croatia which borders on the Adriatic Sea. On land this area is known for its strong character in the shape of cobbled streets and traditional style houses, while off the coast, lies the Rovinj archipelago. The numerous dive centres will send out their expert guides to show divers the best of the best that this region has to offer of which most are reached after a short boat ride. The marine flora and fauna in this region is still in pristine condition for divers to admire due to many spots being protected as a natural cultural heritage site. Aside from flourishing reefs, other highlights include some impressive reef walls, caves and a collection of thrilling shipwreck dives such as the well known Baron Gautsch wreck.

Pula

31 Divesites 8 Centers

Pula is a seaside city on the south east coast of the Peninsula of Istria in Croatia. The coast lies on the Northern Adriatic Sea. It is a place that is visited for its history, its beaches as well as for diving. The clear, calm waters here hold a high abundance of marine life. The handful of dive centres here will take divers to the best dive spots depending on the conditions and certification levels of the divers. There are dive sites for every level of diver, from shallow house reefs, to tunnels to penetrable wrecks. Some of the highlight dive sites include the Flamingo wreck, the tunnel systems at Fraserik dive site and the rock formations at Bumbiste dive site. Whether divers are hoping to do relaxing guided dives, thrilling wreck dives or dive courses, they are all possible here, year round!

Upcoming Events

Professional Level Programs / Courses

Morski Puz Diving Rovinj

Open Water Instructor (Instructor Training Course ITC)

25 Nov 2025

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to: • Conduct academic sessions • Lead confined water training • Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more • Develop student management and communication skills Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more. Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Vis, Wreck

Built in 1956 in the Pula-based shipyard of Uljanik as part of Tito’s fleet, it was designed to function as a command ship of the Yugoslav Navy. The hull is made of steel, whilst the decks are of aluminium. It is the first deliberately sunk ship in Croatia with the max depth of 34m.

769
Logs
488
Divers
31.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Luana

This is a merchant ship, which was sunk in 1943, because of coming over a mine. The bow is just a few meters separated from the rest part of the ship. Max. depth is 48m. Suitable for technical diving.

140
Logs
104
Divers
38.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kap Kamenjak - caves

KOLUMBARICE OR KAP KAMENJAK CAVES ARE SITUATED IN PARK OF NATURE KAMENJAK. CAVES ON THE DEPTH: 3 – 8m; MAX DEPTH: 18m; TRANSFER FROM ORCA DIVING CENTER IS NEAR 45min.

772
Logs
418
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Rossarol 1, Wreck

Cesare Rossarol is the Italian destroyer was built in Genoa in 1913, launched one year later, and met its fate in 1918. When the end of the war was declared, the ship left Pula-Pola for Rijeka.Sea depth: 48-50 mGreatest depth: 50/48 mSmallest depth: 42/40 mLength: 40/25 mWidth: 8/8 m

96
Logs
69
Divers
45.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Girandella

Three entrances offer a lot of variety.1: Directly below the Dive Center, here you can dive right or left shoulder. 2:50m N/E before the nudist beach you dive the wall right shoulder and at the marker back to the beach. 3:50m S/W this time dive left shoulder to the marker and back over the reef.

4,453
Logs
845
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Army Tower

This dive site, brings you back to  the past. Beside schools of  common reef fish, you can see the Roman remains. There is no written evidence what had happened here. That gives to this place even more mystical aspect .

65
Logs
45
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Safari Reef Istria

Maximum depth: 20m. Reacheable by boat in 25 minutes from ScubaLibre. Suitable for all levels. There are several possible itineraries, taking you through different channels.

101
Logs
40
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Uvala Polje - Zid

Reachable by boat in 35 minutes, or ten minutes by car from Premantura, entering the national park Kamenjak. Diving in the bay is suitable for beginners, the wall at the end of the bay is much more interesting, suitable for all kind of divers. Maximum depth 29 metres, the wall starts at 10mt and drops down to 28mt

613
Logs
343
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kap Marlera

Maximum depth: 28mt. Distance: 25 min by boat from the centre. Nice channel, quiet place, with the wreck of a fishing boat. Ideal for all categories.

265
Logs
127
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Bumbište

This is a beautiful position with a very long and various wall which spreads over 200 meters. During the diving, which as you wish may be on depth to 20 meters or more, we are going around a few underwater capes with no end to holes and cliffs. Each of these is rich in colours and different species.

841
Logs
583
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Bay Camping Vestar

The dive sites is located directly in front of the Dive Center, in the Marina of the Camping Vestar. The maximum depth is 4/5 meter and it is perfect for try dive, mermaiding, night dive, equipment test and refresh dive.

2,607
Logs
771
Divers
6.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Banjole

One of the most beautiful dive sites islands of Rovinj. In the upper portion of the centre of the island there is the entrance to a small cave. (About 5 meters). A corridor leads into the central room of the cave, which is lit up by the sun through an opening. The dark parts of the cave are home to red starfish.

3,350
Logs
1,777
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Red Rocks

It is suitable for orientation exercises and using of compass. We dive by the mild rocky slope, which ends in the sand on the depth of 20 meters.

497
Logs
376
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Porer Island

This is almost a secret spot, which is only approached by a few diving centres. The beautiful reef resembles an extensive underwater plateau with many terraced gradations.The richly vegetated reef begins 8 meters below the water surface and extends to a depth of over 25 meters.

993
Logs
544
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Reef Rubin

This dive sites is a beautiful plateau that starts at 17mt. At this dive sites we can encounter sometimes current. The plateua starts at 17mt and then gently go to a maximum depth of 30/40 mt.

13
Logs
11
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Istria

Istria, a stunning peninsula in Croatia, offers divers a variety of exceptional underwater experiences. Among the most notable dive sites is the Baron Gautsch wreck, a sunken passenger ship from 1914, now teeming with marine life and captivating to explore. Another highlight is the Coriolanus, a WWII British minesweeper, that attracts both history enthusiasts and marine explorers alike.

For those preferring shore dives, Cape Kamenjak provides easy access to vibrant underwater landscapes and diverse marine species. Night diving also offers a unique spectacle as the Adriatic Sea reveals nocturnal behaviors of its aquatic inhabitants. Both shore and liveaboard options are well-balanced in Istria, catering to varying preferences and allowing divers to plan their adventures comfortably.

The best Months to Dive in Istria

Istria offers diverse diving conditions throughout the year, with water temperatures ranging from 10°C in winter to 26°C in summer. Visibility is generally good, averaging between 10 to 30 meters, although this can vary with weather conditions. Summer months, particularly July and August, are popular for diving due to warm waters and relatively calm seas.

Diving is indeed possible year-round, but divers should be aware of the bora wind, which can affect water conditions, especially in winter and spring. The fall season may present occasional storms, impacting visibility and currents. For those seeking optimal conditions, late spring to early autumn is the most favorable period.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Scuba Center Sv. Marina

Sv.Marina bb, 52220 Labin, HRV

Orca Diving Centre

Verudela 17, 52100 Pula, HRV

www.theolddiver.com

Bujska 16, 52211 Bale, HRV

diving RABAC

Maslinica 3, 52221 Rabac, HRV

Morski Puz Diving Rovinj

Camping & Mobilhome “Veštar“, 52210 Rovinj, HRV

Murena Dive Center

Jeremiasova 2581/2, 15500 Praha5, CZE

Caretta diving center

BI VILLAGE camping, Dragonja 115, 52212 Fazana, HRV

Diving Rovinj

Lukovica 60, 52341 ŽMINJ, HRV

STARFISH Diving Center Vrsar

Autokamp Porto Sole, 52450 Vrsar, HRV

Hippocampus Diving Center

Stoja 37, 52100 Pula, HRV

Diving Pula

Valsabionska ulica bb, 52100 Pula, HRV

Centar za podvodne aktivnosti Pula

Frane Glavinica 1, 52100 PULA, HRV

Ceti Sub

Prilaz Barake 6, 52100 Pula, HRV

DPA RABAC

Rudarska 3, 52220 Labin, HRV

DC SHARK Medulin

Osipovica 30, 52203 Medulin, HRV

Diving Center Puntizela (Mergus d.o.o.)

Osjecka 16, 52100 Pula, HRV

Subaquatic

Savudrijska bb, Stella Maris, 52470 Umag, HRV

Blue Lagoon diving

Hotel Galijot - Plava Laguna, 52440 Porec, HRV

Rovinj Sub

Kolodvorsko setaliste 9, 52210 Rovinj, HRV