Snorkelling and diving in Istria: where to start

Put your face in the water anywhere along the Istrian coast and you will see the bottom several metres down. The rocky shore, seagrass meadows and calm summer sea make this a fine place to snorkel for the first time or to learn to dive.

Snorkelling

What you will see

• Fish: shoals of small silvery fish, colourful wrasse, bream and the occasional grey mullet near the surface.
• Octopus hiding in rock crevices. Look for a pile of shells outside a hole.
• Sea urchins, sponges and starfish on the rocks.
• Seagrass meadows (Posidonia and other species), nursery grounds for young fish.

Where to go

The best snorkelling is not on the busy main beaches but along:

• rocky points and headlands, where the sea floor drops away;
• small coves with a mix of rocks and seagrass;
• St Nicholas island, opposite Poreč old town (see our island guide).

Go in the morning, when the sea is usually calmest and clearest.

Tips

• Wear water shoes for getting in and out over rocks.
• Use a bright swim buoy, especially near boat traffic.
• Do not touch or take living creatures, and avoid standing on seagrass.
• Read our swimming safety guide before you go.

Scuba diving

Try dives and courses

There are several dive centres along the west coast of Istria, including around Poreč, Vrsar and Rovinj. Most offer:

• Try dives for complete beginners in shallow, sheltered water;
• Entry-level courses (such as PADI or SSI open water) over several days;
• Guided boat dives for certified divers, to reefs, walls and wrecks.

Children can usually start from about 10 years old. Bring your certification card and log book if you already dive.

Wrecks

The northern Adriatic was a busy shipping route for centuries, and wars left many wrecks off Istria. The most famous is the Baron Gautsch, an Austro-Hungarian passenger steamer built in 1908. In 1914 it struck a mine and sank about 9 nautical miles off Rovinj. It now lies at a depth of 28 to 40 m and is protected as cultural heritage: you can dive it only with dive centres that hold a special permit from the Croatian Ministry of Culture, and entry is limited to the upper decks. It is a dive for experienced, certified divers.

When to go

• June to September: warmest water and best conditions for beginners.
• May and October: fewer people and good visibility, but you will want a thicker wetsuit.

Check our sea temperature guide for what to expect each month.

Rules worth knowing

Recreational diving in Croatia requires a diving permit, which dive centres arrange for their guests. Some areas, including protected zones and wrecks, have extra rules. Spearfishing has strict regulations; ask locally before you try.

Back at the villa

After a morning in the sea, rinse your gear and spend the afternoon by the pool. Villa Duga is a short drive from the beaches north of Poreč, while Villa Bina and Villa Cvita Domenica are about 9 km from the sea near Tar.