Explore Kvarner

Kvarner Bay is located on the south coast of Croatia, in the North Adriatic Sea, and harbours many islands surrounded by clear, turquoise waters, teeming with life, for divers to plunge into and enjoy. There are many locations that divers can visit to go diving here with some of the top destinations being Krk Island, Cres Island, Kostrena municipality, Losinj Island and Rab Island. Rjeka is a port ton in Kvarner Bay and is known to be the gateway to all of these islands for diving. Two other coastal towns which are worth a visit in this region are Selce and Crikvenica. What attracts many divers here are the following factors; good visibility and calm waters which are protected by the bay, a selection of different rocky formations and topography, a handful of shipwrecks and a multitude of marine life which is almost guaranteed to be the highlight of almost every dive.

The weather here is very seasonal. Croatia has a Mediterranean climate which means hot summer winters with a lot of rain. The air temperatures here range between a cold 8°C  in the midst of winter and reaches up to 26°C in the summer. The peak diving season lies between May and September. The water temperature here ranges between 12°C and 24°C and the visibility is on average good throughout the year and ranges between 10 metres and 35 metres on the best days.

When it comes to the types of diving to be done here, there are stunning shallow dive sites for the more novice divers, or deep shipwrecks for technical divers. Each of the islands and towns mentioned above each have their own expert dive centres in the region who can guide divers to the best of the best diving spots.

Places to Explore

Losinj

8 Divesites 2 Centers

Lošinj is an island of Croatia, which lies in the North Adriatic Sea. It is well known due to its luscious greenery and spectacular collection of bays. The two main cities that visitors stay in are Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj and this is also where the dive centres are located. These dive centres offer dive courses and guided dives for certified divers to go and visit the many dive sites here. One of the main spectacles here includes the Lošinj Historical Underwater Park, the many caves, walls and other rock formations, and the high density of marine life. The dive sites have many different depths so divers of all levels can visit them.

Kostrena

1 Divesite 1 Center

Kostrena is a municipality which lies in Kvarner Bay in Croatia. Its rocky but stunning beaches lie on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and this region is popular for sports and recreational activities, including diving. The diving here is a combination of some thrill-seeking dives for the more advanced and technical divers such as the Vis Wreck and shallower, calm and marine life-rich dives for more novice divers or divers who just want to relax and enjoy the underwater world here such as at Kostrena dive site and Kostrena Wall. The dive centres here will take divers out on their dive boats to go and visit these dive sites. With a large collection of marine life being attracted to the different topography and wrecks, almost every dive here is guaranteed to include some fun pops of colour.

Krk

26 Divesites 5 Centers

Krk is a large island which lies within the Kvarner Bay in Croatia and is attached to the mainland by a bridge. It lies within the North Adriatic Sea. This island is known for its rich history, but is also often visited by divers wanting to explore its surrounding waters. With over 40 very versatile dive sites, a large range of divers will enjoy diving here. Whether old historical wrecks, gardens of spectacular Gorgonians, steep drop offs down into the blue or thrilling caves are what divers are interested in, they are all here. The dive centres with their experienced guides will take divers to the dive sites by boat, whether it be for completing a dive course or just to explore the many dive sites here. Two unique highlights here are the 1.5 metre long Frogfish! Which can be spotted as well as the underwater mine at Lorelei at the Island of Cors. With so much variety underwater, each dive is bound to be a memorable one.

Cres

8 Divesites 2 Centers

Cres is a city located on the island of Cres which lies in Kvarner Bay of Croatia in the North Adriatic Sea. The beaches here border on crystal clear, sparkling waters and the bay protects these waters from extreme weather conditions, meaning calm waters to result in even more pleasant dives. There may only be three dive centres on the island of Cres, but the guides here are true experts and will take divers to the best possible dive sites or guide them through dive courses. Some of the highlights that divers will experience when diving here include wrecks which can be penetrated, marine life filled caves, steep reef walls, reef plateaus, caverns and shallow dive sites where divers can relax and soak in the stunning underwater environments. The dive sites are reached by boat. This is definitely the kind of diving destination that has a bit of everything for all kinds of divers to enjoy.

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Kron Diving

Dry Suit Diving

18 Nov 2025

Drysuit diving opens up a world of opportunities, including diving remote Arctic destinations and exploring cold-water dive sites teeming with life. Dry suit diving also keeps you warm on multi-dive days when you do not want to spend your time getting in and out of a cold wetsuit. The SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty program is the best way to become a dry suit diver and teaches you all the knowledge and techniques you need to dive safely and comfortably in a dry suit. You will learn how to use specialized equipment, like dry suits and BCs, the benefits of dry suits and how to deal with dry suit emergencies – which are unique to this type of diving. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty certification.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★★ Lina (Wreck)

The LINA is an iron ship built in England in 1879. It became Italian property in 1901 and worked as a freight forwarder in the Mediterranean. On December 14, 1914, it collided with the shores of Cres, where it sank very quickly.

2,090
Logs
1,253
Divers
38.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Toni House Reef

A beautiful coastal dive site located at the mouth of Torkul Bay. It is named after a famous local fisherman who also worships diving. The interesting thing about the bay is that there are several smaller and larger wrecks at this dive site, so this little hidden bay hides interesting things for everyone.

3,450
Logs
357
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Peltastis (Wreck)

The Peltastis wreck is located between Šilo and the bay of Klimno, a hundred meters from the northeastern coast of the island, at depths of 12 to 32 meters.

3,052
Logs
1,689
Divers
28.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kalifront

Kalifront is a wall dive at the end of the bay. This dive site is well protected from the South wind. Anchor on the plateau at 5m deep. The depth is between 5 m to 35-40 m.

784
Logs
369
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kamenjak

This reef breaks the waters surface forming a small rocky, jagged islet. The underwater landscape is as rugged as the surface. Beginners can dive on the reef around the islet keeping to the shallower depths, while more advanced divers can do a deeper dive to some fascinating large yellow and red gorgonian corals.

508
Logs
342
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Velo Kolo

This dive site is at the end of Sorinj, 5 min away from our dive centre. It is situated inside of a bay, and it is the best place when the wind "Bura" blows, because it is very protected.

791
Logs
386
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Cavern Bay

Located on the northern side of Krk island, under the steep cliff faces, this site has a nice deep wall drop off with lots of life. The dive ends with a swim through tunnel.

104
Logs
85
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Čuf

One nautical mile south of Njivice we anchor at the peninsula Čuf. Our anchor drops to seven meters where we start our dive. From there advanced divers can explore the bottom of a stone wall full of life up to 32m. Beginners can enjoy the view from 18m until both groups meet at a pipeline where we return.

206
Logs
104
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Uvala Slana

The house reef at Mihuric offers a variety of life and geological formations in different levels up to 35m. Several boats, a statue, and a buoyancy control park offer perfect conditions for familiarization dives and all kinds of training.

6,104
Logs
755
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Vale Inglese, Koludarac

Very well protected area for sailors and boat owners….even from the ancient time. Still today on the sandy bottom divers can find fragments of ancient pottery.

252
Logs
154
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Maman

Maman is situated in the bay of “Maman” very close to Supertarska Draga bay. You can reach Maman in 5 minute with a speedboat. Maman has two tongues of rock that run parallel to each other underwater.

1,342
Logs
513
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Jakljan (Wreck)

The wreck of the Jakljan lies between Novi Vinodolski and the island of Krk in a depth of 42m to 51m upright on the bottom of the Adriatic Sea. Two anti-aircraft guns can be seen at the bow and stern, the cargo is completely preserved, and the wreck is in excellent condition.

48
Logs
41
Divers
38.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Plic Tenki

A very nice dive site on the east side of the island of Krk. Like a pyramid, Tenki stands in the water. After the entrance at 3m, there is a small tunnel which leads to 9m deep. Two steep walls (up to about 20m and the next one up to about 40m) are worth seeing. In the shallow water, there are great geo formations.

1,263
Logs
732
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Vrbnik Cave

The diameter of the entrance to the cave is +/- 4 metres; 2 or 3 divers can comfortably enter at once. Divers must be careful not to stir up the sediment on the cave floor. The cave is +/- 25 metres long and in the centre you will see a stream of sunlight coming from a narrow siphon, extending up to the surface.

165
Logs
93
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Punta Šilo

Located on the point of Šilo, 2 nm from the mainland, this colourful reef is suitable for beginners and advanced divers. There is a nice wall covered with yellow corals.

776
Logs
372
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Kvarner

Kvarner, a captivating dive destination in Croatia, offers divers a myriad of underwater experiences. One of the standout sites is the "Peltastis" wreck, often referred to as "The Greek." This shipwreck, lying at a depth of 20-32 meters, provides an exhilarating dive with its rich marine life and fascinating history. For those seeking shore dives, "Lina" is a popular spot, featuring a well-preserved wreck that lies closer to shore, making it accessible for divers of various experience levels.

Night dives in Kvarner are particularly enchanting, revealing the nocturnal behaviors of octopuses and cuttlefish. The region balances both shore and liveaboard diving options, catering to diverse preferences. Shore dives offer easy access and flexibility, while liveaboard excursions provide the thrill of exploring remote dive sites. This versatility ensures an unforgettable diving adventure for all enthusiasts visiting Kvarner.

The best Months to Dive in Kvarner

Kvarner offers year-round diving opportunities, with conditions varying by season. During the summer months, water temperatures range from 22°C to 26°C, providing pleasant conditions for divers. In contrast, winter temperatures drop to around 10°C to 14°C, requiring appropriate thermal protection. Visibility in Kvarner generally ranges from 10 to 30 meters, with the clearest waters typically found in the summer.

Weather factors such as the bora wind can affect diving conditions, especially in the winter and early spring. This strong northeast wind can churn up the water, reducing visibility and creating challenging currents. While diving is possible throughout the year, the most favorable conditions are from May to October. Divers may find it less ideal during the colder months due to lower temperatures and increased wind activity.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Moby Dick diving

Lopar 610D, 51281 Lopar, HRV

DIVER KRK

Brace Juras 9, 51500 KRK, HRV

Dive Loft Krk

Namori 4, 51516 Vrbnik, HRV

Kron Diving

Kampor 413a, 51280 RAB, HRV

Marine Sport Dive Center

Aleja Slatina 2, 51417 Moscenicka Draga, HRV

Pelagos diving center

Stube put Kijca 6, 51512 Njivice, HRV

Buborek DC

Sv. Marki ulica 128, 51500 Linardici, HRV

Diving Center Kostrena

Rozici 1, 51221 Kostrena, HRV

Dive City

Brace Buchoffer 18, 51260 Crikvenica, HRV

MUP

51550 Mali Losinj, HRV

Mirko Diving Center

Barbat 710, 51280 Rab, HRV

Hang-Loose-Diving®

Krcka ulica 34, 51521 Punat, HRV

Diving Cres d.o.o.

Autocamp Kovacine, 51557 Cres, HRV

SSI EMEA - Adriatic

Milovana Muzevica 39, 51265 Dramalj, HRV

Sea Mates XR Diving Cres

Cons 7, 51557 Cres, HRV

SUBSEASON Diving Mali Lošinj

Del Conte 1, 51550 Mali Lošinj, HRV