While there are many places to dive in Croatia, there's one area which stands out from the rest; not just for its incredible marine life and untouched expanses of coral, but for its amazing geology, which includes caves, tunnels, and massive underwater rock formations. This place is Brijuni National Park; dive here, and you will never forget it. Let's take a closer look.
About Brijuni National Park
Croatia's Brijuni National Park, sometimes called the Brionian Islands, consists of fourteen islets which lie just off Istria's west coast, just about 6 kilometers from Pula. This 33.9 kilometer square area is protected by law, and only select dive centers are permitted to bring groups here. All diving is guided; however, the options are nearly endless. Throughout the archipelago, you'll find rocks and shoals, bays, passages, and walls to explore; all densely populated with diverse, healthy, and extraordinarily large marine life. The archipelago is separated from the mainland by a channel which is 3 kilometers wide and only 12 meters deep. The park is located 240 kilometers from the Croatian capital, Zagreb, and about 90 kilometers from Rijeka.
Topside, you'll find rich vegetation with grassland, oaks, laurels, and conifers; animals such as fallow deer, rabbits, and birds including wild ducks and raptors are plentiful. There is also a safari park on Large Brijun; here, elephants, zebras, antelopes, and many other species enjoy free range on 9 hectares set aside for wildlife conservation.
Marine Life
Brijuni National Park serves as a refuge for many species which are heavily pressured in other parts of the northern Adriatic. Here, you'll find many common species including two-banded bream, dentex, black umbers, forkbeards, and groupers, to name a few; in addition, you'll find a number of blennies and wrasse which are difficult to find in other places.
In addition, marine mammals such as dolphins visit the park from time to time, and sea turtles are seen with some regularity. Among the splendid corals and sponges that wreathe the underwater rock formations, you'll find an abundance of crabs, lobsters, and echinoderms - all of which are more than happy to pose for photos!
Climate
With mild winters and hot summers, Brijuni National Park offers the typical Mediterranean climate. Average temperatures are around 6 degrees Celsius in the wintertime, and 22 degrees Celsius in the summer; summertime sea temperatures are normally between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius. While most diving takes place during the summer, it is possible to dive during the cooler months; either way, you'll enjoy excellent visibility.
Brijuni National Park offers an abundance of attractions to keep you busy between dives. On Veliki Brijun, for example, there are over 200 dinosaur footprints to be seen at the Brijuni Cretaceous Park; at Kastrum, you'll find ancient Roman villas dating back to the 1st century BCE. Ruins, temples, and even ancient cemeteries are found throughout the islands; depending on where your guide takes you, you may have the opportunity to visit some of these ancient sites. You can either stay in one of the four hotels on the main island, or stay on the mainland and enjoy day trips; either way, you are certain to enjoy visiting this unique and unforgettable piece of paradise.