A stunningly beautiful city with ancient fortress towers, palaces and castles, incredible fountains, and amazing historic hotels, Dubrovnik is perched on the tip of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik, pointing toward the Adriatic Sea. Not only is this a city which boasts a rich history, it is a fantastic place to enjoy some of the best diving in Croatia. While there are many dive sites within easy reach of Dubrovnik, some deserve special mention. Here are just seven of the best.
Bezdan
Lying on the south shore of the little island of Kolocep, Point Bezdan features sheer cliffs that drop away into the abyss, and which rise up above sea level. Marked with a lighthouse, this splendid site features passages, small caves, and beautiful shallow coves; in addition, there is a shipwreck to explore - the Aurora is located in just 5 meters of water. As you make your way from one area to the next, you'll find blennies, gobies, squat lobsters, and plenty of other creatures; lovely sponges and soft corals cover the walls in some areas, creating the perfect backdrop for photos. Maximum depth is 57 meters along the outer edges of the site.
Jabuka
Located about 100 meters west of the beacon which marks the small island of Kolocep, Jabuka features a cliff face which drops away to a depth of about 38 meters. From here, a ledge drops to a depth of 50 meters. While the deeper areas are beautiful and fascinating to see, there's plenty - even for novices - to enjoy in shallower water. A passageway just 4 meters long leads to a cave which terminates above sea level; inside, fresh air from above penetrates, and lovely stalactites which are still growing hang from the ceiling. Depending upon which portion of Jabuka you dive, you'll find groupers, squat lobsters and lobsters, forkbeards, combers, and conger eels, moray eels, rainbow wrasse, and plenty of octopus, among others.
Mala Afrika
A truly fascinating dive site, Mala Afrika is located off the southwest side of the Lapad Peninsula. You'll dive adjacent to a wall that drops away to meet the seabed at a depth of 40 meters; halfway down the wall, you'll find the opening to a cave, with a ledge where scattered amphorae tell the story of the many shipwrecks which once occurred here. Toward the right, a passageway with a depth of 18 meters leads to the wreck of a trawler, where lobsters, moray and conger eels, forkbeards, and scorpionfish are plentiful.
Grebeni
A great site for newer divers, Grebeni features a small crag with a passageway that cuts through it to reveal a view of the open sea. A colorful wall drops away to a depth of 18 meters, and a recess in the midsection leads to a second cave that can be hard to find. The quality of light throughout the site is incredible, with sunbeams and shadows creating a dramatic contrast photographers are sure to enjoy. Octopus, moray eels, sea bream, forkbeards, and many other fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates will keep you entertained as you enjoy this site's incredible geology.
Taranto
Located about a half mile west of Dubrovnik lies the wreck of the Taranto, which was an Italian trading ship built in 1899 in Rotterdam. Tasked with transporting provisions for the military during the Second World War, the Taranto was carrying a load of tractors and flour to Dubrovnik when she struck a mine, then, disabled, struck the nearby cliff. Today, she lies with her bow at 23 meters and her stern at 50 meters; nearby, two tractors sit upright on the seabed. 62 meters long, Taranto is covered in a mantle of sponges, anemones, and bryozoans; cardinalfish and mullets swirl around her in endless streams, and inside, lobsters, octopus, forkebeards, and conger eels make their homes.
Tomislav
Located just off the southwest side of the island of Lokrum, Tomislav features a cove and a point, plus a wreck which lies with its bow facing the shore and its stern sitting at a depth of about 40 meters. The entire ship is teeming with life of all kinds - lobsters, crabs, forkbeards, and moray eels, along with scorpionfish and conger eels can be found in abundance here. In addition, watch for octopus and largespotted dogfish.
Lokrum
A mysterious site, and one that is definitely not for the faint of heart, Lokrum features a hidden lake called the Dead Sea, which can be accessed via a tunnel that winds beneath the island's south shore. You'll anchor in front of the entrance to the cave; the 20 meter long tunnel is located at a depth of 5 meters. Use caution as you enter the lake - tourists jump into the lake from the rocks above. While there is no marine life in the lake or in the tunnel, there's plenty to see outside; blennies, crabs, and lobsters enjoy hiding among the rocks. Maximum depth along the sea wall outside the tunnel is 40 meters, though there is plenty to see in the shallows.
Dubrovnik boasts several outstanding dive operators, all of whom are well-equipped and more than happy to take you to the dive sites you want to see most. Be sure to make your plans in advance - as these sites become increasingly popular, trip availability becomes increasingly limited. Fun for