Scuba diving in Croatia has become more exciting since the country joined the Schengen region and switched to the Euro. Suppose you’re an adventure-seeker looking for a new scuba diving destination. In that case, the Kornati Islands should be on your list. As the densest archipelago in the Mediterranean, the Kornati Islands offer a vast and diverse area for scuba diving enthusiasts. The crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and stunning landscapes make the Kornati Islands an impressive film backdrop and a sight to behold for tourists.
Managed from Murter, the Kornati National Park covers approximately 220 square kilometers and has been under strict nature protection since 1980. The protection has helped maintain the underwater flora and fauna. Visitors can also experience a Robinson Crusoe-like adventure by staying in former fisherman’s houses, now lovely holiday cottages on some of the islands.
Content
Exploring the Abundant Marine Life
Scuba diving in the Kornati only through Licensed Diving Centers
List of Licensed Diving Centers
Nine Scuba Diving Zones within Kornati National Park
Five Rules for Scuba Diving in Kornati National Park
Scuba diving in the Kornati: Exploring the Abundant Marine Life
Top reason to dive in the Kornati Islands is the incredible marine life that can be found beneath the surface. Divers can witness the wonder of the miniature Mediterranean delicacies that populate the underwater world, including filigree nudibranchs, cute seahorses, and scorpionfish. The diversity of marine life is astounding, with octopuses and lobsters seeking shelter in the niches and caves. At the same time, large yellow sponges flourish on the cliffs. Red fan corals compete for prime real estate at deeper depths, adding color to the underwater landscape.
With 353 species of algae and three species of underwater flower plants, the park is a haven for marine flora. But the vast range of animal species truly captures the imagination. From 61 species of corals to 177 species of mollusks, 127 species of bristle worms, 61 species of decapod crabs, 64 species of echinoderms, and 185 species of fish, the Kornati Archipelago teems with life.
However, the most alluring diving zones are concealed beneath the towering and majestic Kornati Cliffs. These cliffs are a natural wonder that offers an awe-inspiring backdrop to the vibrant and diverse underwater world.
Scuba divers can explore the hidden treasures of the sea, swim among vibrant schools of fish, and discover stunning coral formations, all while surrounded by the grandeur of the Kornati Cliffs. It is no wonder this is one of Croatia’s most sought-after scuba diving destinations.
Whether you’re an experienced diver or a snorkeling enthusiast, you’ll be amazed at the abundance of marine creatures that can be found around the islands.
Scuba Diving in the Kornati only through Licensed Diving Centers
Diving in the Kornati National Park is only allowed with organized groups or from licensed diving centers in specially designated zones. However, there are still enough good spots available for divers to explore. Snorkelers can also have an excellent experience exploring the surroundings.
List of Licensed Diving Centers
NAJADA DIVING
Najada Diving Center in Murter offers several PADI and SSI courses, from Supplied Air Snorkeling for kids, OWD, and AOWD to Instructor, and technical dive courses, including trimix.
The Center offers the best map of diving locations in the Murter-Kornati region: Dive Sites in Kornati.
AQUANAUT
AQUANAUT diving center is situated in Murter and offers Scuba Diving & Courses.
JUST DIVE CROATIA
Diving Center JUST DIVE CROATIA offers diving courses from introduction to professional level technical diving according to World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) PADI, PSS. They organize diving trips on and around the National Park Kornati.
DIVING IN KORNATI
The only Scuba Diving Center situated directly in NP Kornati. They are specialized to supporting yachts in scuba diving in the Kornati!
NADJI LAGUNA
Nadji-Laguna diving center, located in Pakoštane between Zadar and Šibenik, is a well-established Padi Dive Resort. The center organizes daily diving and snorkeling trips to Croatia’s most beautiful dive sites, including the National Park Kornati.
VRANJAK I DIVE CREW
The ‘Vranjak I’ dive crew offers advanced nitrox dives to experienced divers who want to explore wreck locations and deep walls in the Adriatic sea. This tour suits twinset, single tank, side mount, and CCR divers. The tour targets wreck fans and divers who enjoy deep walls covered in colorful marine life.
DIVING SAFARI
Motor Yacht Agramer I offers diving safaris from Jadranovo or Zadar, exploring attractive locations such as shipwrecks, tunnels, caves, and walls with diverse flora and fauna in the Croatian Adriatic Sea. The Kornati diving tour covers approximately 200 nm and includes diving spots like NP Kornati, Kaprije, and Zirje, with steep walls, gorgonian fields, and caves.
Nine Scuba Diving Zones within Kornati National Park
The Kornati National Park is home to a diverse and rich marine ecosystem that has captured the hearts of scuba diving enthusiasts worldwide. Diving is only allowed in specific areas under certain conditions to protect this unique underwater environment. There are nine zones within the park where diving is permitted, each offering a distinct and breathtaking view of the underwater world.
From the stunning Opat-Tanka Prisliga in Kornat to Samograd, the diving zones of Kornati National Park offer a glimpse into an underwater paradise. Oključ, Mala Panitula, Vela Panitula, Rašip, Kasela, Mana, and Borovnik each offer their unique experience, showcasing the diversity of the marine life that thrives within the park.
These designated diving zones are carefully chosen to protect the marine ecosystem and preserve the underwater world’s delicate balance. Whether exploring the colorful coral formations or encountering a vast array of marine life, diving in the Kornati National Park is an unforgettable experience that immerses visitors in the stunning beauty of the Adriatic Sea.
Five Rules for Scuba diving in Kornati National Park
When exploring the underwater world of Kornati National Park, strict rules are in place to preserve its delicate ecosystem.
1. Visitors are reminded that touching or removing anything from the sea is strictly prohibited except for garbage, which should be appropriately disposed of on land.
2. Respect for marine life is paramount, and intentional disturbance or endangerment of sea organisms is strictly forbidden.
3. Night diving is also prohibited between 19:00 and 7:00.
4. Also, divers are not permitted to carry any weapons or tools, aside from their diving knife, on themselves or the boat. It is essential that all visitors respect and adhere to the laws and regulations of the Republic of Croatia that apply to underwater activities.
5. The maximum allowable depth for diving in the Kornati National Park is 40 meters, ensuring that visitors can safely explore the underwater beauty of the park while minimizing any potential impact on its fragile ecosystem.
For more information, you can directly contact Public Institution National park Kornati.
In conclusion, the Kornati National Park is a scuba diving paradise with abundant marine life and stunning underwater landscapes for divers and snorkelers to explore. The park’s strict rules and regulations are in place to protect its delicate ecosystem and preserve its underwater world’s delicate balance, making it crucial for all visitors to follow them. With nine designated diving zones to choose from and licensed diving centers available, diving in the Kornati National Park is an unforgettable experience that immerses visitors in the stunning beauty of the Adriatic Sea. So if you’re an adventure-seeker looking for a new scuba diving destination, add the Kornati Islands to your list.
