About Croatia

Croatia is known to some, as  “Europe's  best  kept secret”

A small and sparsely populated country, rich in nature and ranked as one of the top 5 countries in Europe for its bio-diversity. A country of mountains, forests, islands and sea, well preserved in its original state.

The Croatian coastline has, alongside the Greek, the largest number of islands, (1246 -last count) and is the most indented in the Mediterranean. The Length of the coastline extends to 1,778 km, and together with the shores of the  islands, isles, crags and reefs, to an amazing 5, 835 km. The number of coves, bays, nooks and crannies, and hidden intricate details along those shores is difficult to comprehend.

Astronauts have claimed, that viewed from space, the Croatian Adriatic sea, is the bluest in the world.

Visit preserved old Mediterranean towns, rich in history, with stone-built houses and narrow streets, meet friendly people and enjoy the fine food.

Because of its diversity, it is difficult to describe Croatia in a nutshell; in fact the best way to describe it is; “Such a big nut in such a little shell”, which one has to uncover for themselves, again and again.

Getting here

We are situated in the heart of the Kvarner region in the north of Croatia, which due to its littoral and wide mountainous area, is the richest of all the regions in natural sites. Three of a total of eight national parks, are located here.

Our dive centre is ideally located just 35 kilometres southeast of the city of Rijeka, in the lively coastal town of Crikvenica. The close proximity to many European centres, good road and air connections, favourable climate and excellent facilities, make it an ideal holiday choice for divers and non-divers.

Year after year the beaches of Crikvenica are awarded the prestigious “European blue flag” for amongst other things, cleanliness, quality of seawater and good facilities. You can expect a lively nightlife and Hotels, shops, restaurants, bars, land and water sports are all within walking distance from the dive centre.

Flight times to nearby airports are not more than 2 hours from most European cities. The nearest airports are; Rijeka, Zagreb, Pula, Trieste (Italy), Treviso (Italy) and Ljubljana (Slovenia). Crikvenica can also be reached by road from many  major centres in Europe, in one day!

Accommodation

Part of our service to our guests is to help them find suitable accommodation. 

Whether you prefer a luxury hotel with wellness facilities, or want to experience an Ethno guest-house hotel, carefully restored to it´s original 300 year old glory. 
There are many hotels, B&B pensions, private apartments and rooms available in the vicinity to suit all budgets.

Oxygene Croatia also has it’s own private in-house 2, 3 or 4 bed, top class apartments at the dive centre, but early booking is essential.

Enquire about our group discounts!

Courses: PADI, BSAC, SSI, NAUI, CMAS

Numerous qualifications from 5 of the most recognised training agencies in the world, international experience and ongoing professional development, ensure our candidates of the very best in diver training.

Our goal is not to acquire and just certify large numbers of people, but to develop each individual student into a successful, well-trained, competent diver. We don´t measure our success by how many divers we train, but by how many of those divers will become confident and comfortable enough to keep on diving.

All courses offered, adhere to the strictest international training and safety standards. Theory and practical classes are conducted in our fully equipped lecture room and diving takes place in calm, crystal clear waters, using only up to date, top quality scuba diving equipment.

Upon successful completion of any of our courses, the candidate is registered and earns internationally recognised certification.

Dive sites

Diving conditions in this northern region of the Adriatic are excellent for diving and snorkelling. Some of our dive sites are considered to be the best in Croatia!

A wide variety of locations are available, with good visibility, little or no currents and relatively warm sea temperatures. Our most attractive diving locations are Wrecks, Cliff faces, Caves, Caverns, Reefs and tunnels.

Visibility ranges from 10 to 30 metres, depending on weather conditions and dive location. In the summer months, water temperatures can rise up to 27 °C and in winter, temperatures average around 11°C. 

Our “Day trip” boat diving excursions are particularly popular, where guests have the opportunity to have lunch, snorkel, swim and relax in a quiet bay between dives, or visit an old town on the island, where they can also expect to sample local specialities including home made olive oil and wine.

Snorkellers, non-diving partners, friends and family are also welcome on these day trips and during the break, can do a “Try dive” with one of our qualified instructors.

A typical day trip includes not only diving and snorkelling, but taking in the beauty
of nature and most importantly, having fun and relaxing - Just breathe.

Dive site descriptions
  
       
PELTASTIS shipwreck
Location : Directly opposite our dive centre, near Klimno bay.
Distance from dive centre :Big boat -15 min, RIB - 5 min.
Max depth: 32 m

Description:
The "Peltastis" sank in 1968 and is known locally as the "GRK"(the Greek). The wreck is 60 metres in length and 9 metres wide, lying at a maximum depth of 32 metres. The shipwreck is in excellent condition and still in one piece. She lies in an upright position with the tip of the foremast only 7 metres underwater. More experienced divers can pass through the command bridge and cargo holds. The foredeck starts at a depth of +/- 18m and when moving towards the aft deck, depth increases to +/- 25m. The prop lies in the sand at 32 metres. There are large schools of fish present, including an abundance of scorpion fish. This wreck should be dived at least twice to properly appreciate its value.

PUNTA ŠILO
Location: Cape Šilo
Distance from dive centre :Big boat -15 min, RIB - 5 min.
Max depth: 26m

Description:
This colourful combination of wall & reef is also directly opposite our dive centre is suitable for beginners and advanced divers. There is usually a slight current present, in which the beautifully
coloured nudibranchs dance, (especially prominent in the summer months). Visibility is good and there is large variety of sea life including corals, large scorpion fish, sponges, octopus, anemone and starfish.

SVETI MARAK
Location: Cape Sv.Marak
Distance from dive centre: Big boat -45 min, RIB - 15 min.
Max depth: 27m 

Description:
This site is great for those who like variety. It has a breathtaking wall and big boulders with yellow gorgonian corals and a variety of sponges in certain places. At a depth of +/- 18m there is a small sunken fishing boat lying adjacent to an entrance of a cavern. The cavern is large enough for two divers to enter at once. Bring a dive torch for the cavern; there are some unusual species of anemone on the sandy bottom and the walls are lined with colourful corals and sponges. In the shallower section near the end of the dive there are rock formations, with holes big enough to swim through, great for snorkellers too.

Zone 2 - Dive sites

ISLAND ZECEVO
Location: Small island further south, in the channel between the mainland and KRK
Distance from dive centre :Big boat - 2,5 hrs.
Max depth: 40m

This dive site is part of a full day excursion and is excellent for divers and snorkellers. This small undisturbed island in the middle of the channel has a great shallow reef full of life and a steep dropoff wall at around 30 metres. Divers can expect great visibility  and an abundance of fish and Gorgonian corals.

ISLAND PRVIC
Location: A larger island immediately south of the island KRK
Distance from dive centre: Big boat - 3 hrs.
Max depth: 70m 

Description:
Sites on this Island are also organised as part of a full day excursion. Over 20 different dive sites on this island characterised by clear waters, steep drop offs, swim throughs, tunnels and an abundance of sealife.

LINA SHIPWRECK
Location: Island of Cres
Distance from dive centre :Big boat - 3 hrs.
Max depth: 55m

Description:
Considered as one of the top 10 Wrecks in Croatia ! Part of a special fullday excusion. This well preserved old cargo ship sank in 1914. She lies in an upright position with the highest point of her bow at 22 metres and the stern at a maximum depth of 55 metres. The wreck is only suitable for advanced divers as the average diving depth is 30 – 40 m. Visibility is usually very good and a slight current is present.

And more :
The above descriptions are only of some of the dive sites available in the region. There are a lot more locations and due to the large areas that the islands cover, many more are being discovered all the time.

For the adventurous diver, we also offer exploration dives to previously unexplored sites. These dives are only offered to more advanced, active divers.

Why not help us discover Croatia´s underwater secrets!

Legal, Safety and Check in

The law requires all divers purchase a Croatian diving permit. This permit is issued   to all divers in possession of a valid diving certification from any internationally recognised training agency, it costs 100 Kuna (15 €) and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.  

Only legally operating diving centres, are authorised to issue this permit. The permit may be purchased at Oxygène Croatia upon presentation of your diving certification and a valid identification document. This permit is not to be seen in a negative light, as it is an effort on the part of the authorities to stamp out illegal activities and operators, in order to protect our natural and cultural underwater heritage and to increase safety and standards and for all divers visiting Croatia.

The closest operational decompression chamber (24 hour manned) is situated approximately 2 hours drive away from our dive centre in the city of “Pula”. Upon arrival, qualified recreational divers will be required to fill in a “Waiver and release of liability and assumption of risk” form. Guests attending diving courses are also required to fill in a medical questionnaire. (A medical examination may be required if you answer yes to any of the questions).

Divers who have any doubt about their medical condition are advised to undergo a diving medical examination before arrival. Diving medical examinations are also available locally for a fee of 400 Kuna (+/-55€) .
 

Opening times and seasonality

The dive centre is open 7 days a week between the 1^st of April  until the 30^th of October. From the 1^st of  November to the 31st of March, we open by request for groups of not less than 6 divers.

The climate at the Adriatic is typically a Mediterranean one, with mild rainy winters, and hot and dry summers, with a large number of sunny days. This area boasts an average of 2500 sunny hours per year, making it one of the sunniest regions in Croatia. In summer the air temperature reaches 30°C - 34°C and during July and August can rise up to 38°C.  In winter, there are still many mild, sunny days. Snow, fog and a temperatures below 5°C are very rare.

Average annual rainfall in the region is 1250mm with most of the rain falling in late autumn and winter, between the months of October and March. Occasional short thundershowers occur in summer.

During the warm summer months;( July and August) it is warm in the morning and evening, and hot in the afternoon. Due to the cooling effect of the sea and wind, excess heat episodes are rare and they happen mostly only in the afternoon.

Generally on the Adriatic coast, the feeling of well-being, or comfort level as defined by the TWH index (temperature-wind-humidity) is very favourable for the most part of the year. The most “comfortable” periods at the Adriatic coast are April, May, September and October.

From December until March, mornings and evenings are partly-cold, with cool afternoons. In early spring (April) and autumn (late October, November) temperatures are cool.

Due to the favourable position of Crikvenica and its shelter from strong winds - from the north thanks to the slopes of the mountain of Kapela and from the south thanks to the island of Krk, its climate is mild and relaxing. Owing to such favourable climatic and ecological conditions the first tourists began to arrive in Crikvenica on an organized basis, more than one hundred years ago, primarily for medical reasons. 

The two significantly important winds that effect sea conditions are, from the South; the“Jugo” and from the North; the “Bora”.

- The “Jugo” from the South is a constant, warm wind which can blow for days creating high waves and poor visibility.

- The cold “Bora” from the north can blow in extreme powerful downward gusts. It blows mainly in the winter when it can last for up to 7 days, while in the warmer months it is usually short-lived and lasts only a few hours or just a day or two.
 

Water , Air temperature and Precipitation chart