Beautiful beaches surrounded by crystalline water, amazing Mediterranean marine life, and hundreds of tiny islands make Croatia's Kvarner Gulf a fantastic place to dive. Located in Croatia's northwestern region, the Kvarner Gulf is well protected from northern winds, enjoying mild weather all year round. The island of Cres is a wonderful place to enjoy the best of the Kvarner Gulf; here, we'll take a closer look at just five of the best dive sites the Cres area has to offer.
Lina
A freak blizzard which sprang up during the winter of 1912 caused Lina, an Italian merchant ship, to strike a reef and sink. This 70 meter long, 9 meter wide wreck is very well preserved and can be penetrated by those qualified to do so. As you make your descent, steer clear of the funnels and mast as fishing nets are often snagged on them; instead, follow the guide rope down to the bow, which is located at a depth of 20 meters. You'll find the bridge and engine room at 40 meters and the propeller at a depth of 55 meters; the deeper you go, though, the worse visibility will become. Look for poor cods hiding in the wreck, along with blennies, brown meagre, bream, sheepshead, and friendly-faced conger eels. Your safety stop will be made along the reef itself, where rock formations and a cave at a depth of 2 meters add even more interest to a dive that is altogether fantastic.
Beli
At Beli, you'll find an incredible cave with two entrances; the narrower of the two is located at a depth of four meters, while the wider one, which resembles a wide-open mouth, is located at a depth of 18 meters. Inside, you'll find the walls are festooned with beautiful sponges and other organisms, including Mediterranean feather stars. Look for the lobsters and octopuses which conceal themselves among the rocks, and as you make your way through the tunnel that leads back to the surface, prepare yourself for a strong current that sweeps across the crag near the surface.
Treca Vala
Located between Cres and Krk, the idyllic little island of Plavnik features rocky crags on its west side. Here, the stone face of the island drops all the way to a depth of 38 meters, creating a fascinating wall covered with a colorful mantle of marine life. This site is only diveable during calm weather; your boat will moor between a pair of huge rocks, and from there, you'll make your descent. As you take in the amazing colors, shapes, and textures here, you'll notice lovely gorgonians, alcyonium soft coral, and many tunicates and sponges, all creating a fascinating backdrop for small fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates.
Mali Cutin
This site is in a protected area, and is located just off the east coast of Cres, near the island of Veli. Mali Cutin features a plateau, a wall, and a canyon - all of which are inhabited by schooling dentex and other fish, including damsels and wrasse. Along the plateau, watch for octopus, shrimp, and sea urchins among the lush anemones; in the canyon, tuna and big groupers are sometimes encountered. Maximum depth here is 52 meters; however, there are many levels on the way to the bottom; you can stop at 24 meters, at 26 meters, and 32 meters, or at 48 meters; novices can stay in the shallows along the plateau. Those capable of diving to 28 meters will enjoy the sight of a forest of brilliant red gorgonians, while at 38 meters, yellow gorgonians are in abundance. No matter where you look, though, you'll find beautiful colors and fascinating marine life.
Plava Grota
Also known as Blue Grotto, Plava Grota lies just off Zanja Beach, about a mile from Lubenice. Though maximum depth here is 18 meters, there is plenty to see in shallower water; in fact, the entrance to the cave is located at a depth of only 3 meters. A tunnel leads to the cave, which is above sea level; 20 meters long, this cave can only be accessed from the sea. Along the way, watch for squat lobsters, thorny oysters, and John Dories.
Topside, you'll find historic sites dating back to ancient Roman and Byzantine times, plus hiking, shops, and other attractions to keep you occupied between dives. There are hotels on Cres; in addition, a ferry line runs in from the mainland. This area is becoming more popular with each year that passes; be sure to make reservations well in advance to make the most of your holiday.