The beautiful Croatian city of Hvar has an amazing history that dates back to the days of ancient Greece; nearby Faros was founded in 384 BC, and a second settlement called Heraclea, is said to have been located where Hvar sits today. Through the millennia, this Adriatic coastal city has been a major center for culture and trade; consequently, there are many fantastic attractions topside, plus historic shipwrecks, a picturesque bay, and a beautiful island chain nearby offer divers almost unlimited opportunities for exploration.
Vela Garska
Located off western Hvar, Vela Garska is a pristine site despite its close proximity to the ancient city. It may only be accessed by boat, and is ideal for all divers. The reef here is approximately 70 meters long, extending from a depth of about 5 meters to the ocean floor at a depth of 30 meters. Along the way, you'll find a cave 20 meters long; the opening is located at a depth of just over 5 meters. At the end of the cave, an eerie tunnel allows for a vertical ascent back to the reef top. Inside the cave, rare yellow gorgonians shelter crabs and forkbeards, and sea anemones sprout up from the sandy floor. Outside, small fish and lots of invertebrates add even more color and motion to the reef itself.
Vodnjak Kampanel
This site is located near the island of Vodnjak; it is an underwater crag or pinnacle whose name, Kampanel, means "bell tower;" once you see it, you'll understand how it got its name! The tower rises up from a depth of about 40 meters, and all the way up to about 15 meters, it is covered in bright red gorgonians. It comes to a point at a depth of about 10 meters. While the pinnacle and its many inhabitants is definitely fantastic at any level, it is at its best at a depth of about 35 meters, where a tunnel cuts through, creating a 5 meter long swimthrough. This site is often washed with strong currents; though they pose a bit of a challenge, the sights you'll enjoy here are well worth the effort.
Kabal
At Point Kabal, huge pinnacles rise up from Hvar channel; some are almost large enough to qualify as islets. One of these is of particular interest, as a cave cuts straight into it! This crag is marked with a lovely lighthouse; the cave's entrance is located just 5 meters below the steps that lead up to it. There is a second entrance located at a depth of 17 meters; both of these are situated along a colorful wall which drops away to meet the sandy seabed at a depth of 50 meters. Once inside the tunnels, use careful finning techniques to prevent the silt that coats their bottoms from being stirred up; the cave itself is large enough for two to three divers to explore at once. Inside, you'll find venus shellfish hiding in dark crevices, beautiful yellow cup coral and sponges, and red-spotted sea stars. Be sure to shine your light up side passages too small for you to enter; here, fresh water from above enters, and small cave-dwelling organisms thrive.
Amphoras Hvar
A ghostly site where you'll find heaps of ancient amphorae, most of which are broken, and which features a number of shallow caves to explore, Amphoras Hvar features maximum depth at 28 meters, though there is lots to see in water as shallow as 12 meters. The amphorae shelter tiny crabs and juvenile shrimp, and a nearby field of seagrass is home to an almost unbelievable array of nudibranchs in spectacular colors.
Poseidon Pile
Poseidon Pile is a rock that juts above the water's surface; it is not just any rock however; it has an entryway at 30 meters which allows divers to enter a narrow chimney that cuts up through the rock, finally allowing for an exit at a depth of 11 meters. Cracks in the ceiling allow narrow shafts of sunlight to enter, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Inside and out, Poseidon's Pile is colorful; you'll find beautiful wrasse and other fish swimming happily against a colorful backdrop of sponges and soft corals. Look for the forkbeards and congers that make their dens in the rocks along the wall!
While the diving around Hvar is fantastic, be sure you spend at least a little time getting to know this ancient city. There are museums and monuments to explore, plus fantastic dining opportunities, concerts, and other cultural events to enjoy. Picturesque, intriguing, and naturally diverse, Hvar is one place you'll never forget.