Best Spots to Snorkel in Croatia

Right against Mišnjak ferry port on Rab Island, Northern Croatia, lies the Zavratnica Cove that resembles a fjord. A German warship sank here during World War II. This wreck is also very good do explore with your snorkel as it rests on shallow and clear water.

Between Sibenik and Dubovnik, the Makarska Riviera has lots of pretty beaches, coves and villages scattered in a 60-kilometer long shoreline. Mount Biokovo that dominates the scenery adds to the beauty of this gorgeous geography. You can discover the best mooring and snorkeling places for yourself during your cruise along these coasts.

Losinj Island is located in Kvarner Bay, between Pula and Zadar. Covered with pine trees, in the nineteenth century the island used to be Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph’s favorite summer destination. Losinj Historical Underwater Park is just 1 kilometer away from the center and it’s in the Cikat Bay, which has a marina. So it’s very easy to reach the park. The park has eleven historical artifacts glimpsing to the rich past of the island and its region, all placed 5-to-15 meters deep underwater. Among the things on display you’ll see cannon balls, old amphorae, anchors dating back to fourth and fifth centuries, machine guns from World War II, and one of antiquity’s famous Apoxyomenos statues. Losinj also has many beautiful coves where you might see dolphins. A beach of small pebble stones, Plieski is known as the best beach on Losinj, and is a nice place to snorkel as the sea is very clear.

On the southern tip of Istria Peninsula, Cape Kamenjak is a nature protection reserve. Its rocky geography makes the seawater even clearer here. What makes snorkeling around Cape Kamenjak so special is the caves under cliffs. The Kolombarica Cave is the most famous among these. Here, the light that filters through some openings makes the turquoise seas shine prettier than everywhere else. What’s more, this protected reserve is the habitat o Mediterranean seals – if you’re lucky, you can see some!

One of the eight national parks in Croatia, Brijuni National Park is on the Brijuni Archipelago, a few kilometers north of Pula. The archipelago is named after its largest island, which is also home to an ancient Roman town partially sunken in the Veriga Bay, on the southern part of the island. The sunken town is very suitable to view with a snorkel as it’s not very deep down underwater. You can explore the site on your own, or if you like you can be accompanied by a guide – this is a service offered by the National Park. Fishing is prohibited in the park, so the underwater life is truly busy. The sea is full of sea urchins, crustaceans, sponges and schools of fish. You can even see dolphins around Brijuni. The island has a marina, which will make it easier for you to visit this very special park on your boat holiday.