Winter is almost over. Degrees are increasing, and so is your wish to leave your drysuit aside, take your passport and travel to a warm destination, whose dive sites, reefs and wrecks wait just for you.

Choosing a destination is the most difficult decision while planning your trip. You can always opt for popular sites welcoming thousands of divers yearly, or choose a not-so-popular place. Clearly, popular sites are popular for a reason, but don’t let that discourage you from choosing a site that is not mentioned in every scuba guide book.

Croatia is a small country with a beautiful coast, and that’s not only local patriotism speaking. With more than 1200 islands, its rugged coastline is bound to provide unique experiences, especially when it comes to diving. Let me share a few reasons why Croatia should be the first on your go-to dive list.

1. Crystal Clear Sea

The first point should be the most obvious one, right? This phrase can be found in every single brochure about Croatia, but when it comes to diving, it acquires another meaning. You will love swimming in the Adriatic, but if you’re a diver, you’ll also enjoy amazing visibility. Whether you choose to shore dive or explore one of Croatia’s mysterious wrecks, visibility will rarely be an issue.

2. More Wrecks than You Can Dive

Speaking of wrecks, Croatia has its fair share. You can see wrecks from Ancient times, World Wars, from the Croatian War of Independence, warships, merchant ships and even plane wrecks, among which is the mighty ‘Flying Fortress’ near Vis!

3. Flora and Fauna

In Croatia, apart from the wrecks, you can enjoy biodiversity in every dive site. You can see dolphins, seahorses, rare sponges, enormous schools of fish, turtles and many more. However, what is crucial is that you should never touch, disturb or take any organism living in the sea!

4. River Diving

In Croatia, wrecks are not just in the sea. If you want to try river diving, pack your dive gear and visit inland Croatia. There are numerous rivers, Kupa, Dobra and Mrežnica to name a few, and diving is possible in each of them. The unique flora and fauna, an occasional ancient wreck and a totally different experience is why river diving in Croatia is something worth trying.

5. Lake Diving

If we speak about freshwater diving, we have to mention lakes. Even though lake diving might not be the number one diving option in Croatia, it’s certainly worth a try. The dive is far different from anything you’ve experienced and thus you should definitely consider it when visiting Croatia.

6. Cave Diving

For more extreme divers, Croatia offers cave diving. There are many caves, some of which among the deepest in the world. However, if you plan to cave dive in Croatia without a dive center, remember that you need a permit from the Department for Environmental Protection, and of course, proper training. If you still decide to go cave diving, the islands of Krk, Cres or Vis are the way to go!

7. Ice Diving

Ice diving may not be the first thing that crosses your mind when thinking about diving in Croatia. But, if you visit in winter, why not try it? Ice diving is rarely organized by dive centers, so you’d need to contact one of the dive clubs located in inland Croatia. But hey, why not?!

8. Numerous dive centers and clubs

Unorganized diving in Croatia is illegal, so if you want to explore the underwater world, you need to visit a dive center. No worries there, Croatia has many. Whichever place you choose, there is a dive center nearby. If you want to experience river diving, you should contact a dive club in your desired area and have it organized for you.

9. Liveaboard

Liveaboards are one of the coolest experiences when it comes to scuba, and now they exist in Croatia too. Imagine spending a week on a diving boat, exploring both the underwater world and the coast, accompanied by like-minded people. How cool would that be?

10. Rich Culture and Picturesque Landscapes

This one may not be specifically related to diving, but, even if you’re the most passionate diver out there, you’ll probably want to experience local culture, cuisine, historical places and lovely landscapes. Well, you’re in luck, Croatia has all of it!

There you go, these are just several reasons why you should already be booking your ticket to Croatia. This perfect dive destination, along with its unique history and breathtaking landscapes, will make you fall in love and come back to it over and over.