Diving in Dubrovnik & South Coast
Why dive here
Dubrovnik & South Coast offers some of Croatia's richest diving, with 95+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, octopuses, sea turtles and sperm whales.
Dubrovnik's South Coast diving is often overshadowed by other parts of Croatia, but we think that’s a mistake. While you won't find the pelagic action of some more remote spots, what you do get here is a compelling mix of history and geology, all within an hour or so of the city. We love dropping into a quiet cave, the light playing on the ancient rock, maybe spotting a shy anglerfish tucked away in a crevice. The wrecks are a real draw, too. We’ve spent many a dive poking around the old patrol boat, imagining the stories it could tell, often finding a conger eel or a painted eel peeking out from a dark corner. Visibility hovers around 20-30 meters in summer, which is perfect for appreciating the sheer drop-offs and the subtle colours of the Mediterranean sponges. Our favourite time to dive here is late September, when the summer crowds thin out and the water is still bathtub warm. You'll often find a brown skate cruising the sandy patches, or maybe a blackspotted smoothhound gliding past a reef wall. The currents are generally mild, making it a good spot for newer divers, but there are enough deeper sections and penetration opportunities to keep experienced divers engaged. We’d suggest focusing on the morning dives; the light is better in the caves, and the boat traffic is lighter.
Dubrovnik & South Coast Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Dubrovnik & South Coast
Dubrovnik & South Coast Dive Sites
28 dive sites in Dubrovnik & South Coast
Amphora
Amphora, near Dubrovnik, offers a relaxed dive focused on archaeological finds. We’ve seen fragments of ancient pottery scattered across the seabed, giving the site its name. It’s a gentle spot, usually with mild currents, making it a good choice for newer divers or those looking for a tranquil afternoon. You won’t find dramatic drop-offs here, but the historical aspect is genuinely interesting.
Ankovica
Ankovica offers a straightforward dive, popular for its accessible entry and calm conditions. You'll find a rocky slope that levels out, dotted with sponges and the occasional small octopus peeking from crevices. It's a comfortable spot for newer divers looking to get comfortable with the local topography.
ARISTOTELES
Aristoteles, a 115-metre motor vessel, ran aground back in 1977. She’s since become one of our favourite shallow wrecks in the Dubrovnik area. You’re looking at a max depth of 2 metres here, so forget the tanks and grab your mask and snorkel. We love how accessible she is, even for kids who are confident in the water. This is a true shipwreck playground. The Aristoteles lies broken in two, with her bow and stern sections forming distinct islands for exploring. You can spend hours swimming through the cargo holds, poking your head into the old accommodation blocks, and imagining the ship’s final moments. Sunlight filters down, illuminating schools of small silversides darting between the decaying metal. Look closely, and you’ll spot blennies tucked into crevices and anemones waving gently on the plates. It’s a fascinating glimpse into history and marine life.
B-24
Dropping onto the B-24 bomber off Dubrovnik, you're looking at a piece of history resting between 10 and 30 metres. This is a bomber that went down in World War II, and while it's broken up a bit, the scale of it is still impressive. We usually see sections of the fuselage, engine parts, and wing remnants scattered across the seabed, all now home to octopuses, moray eels, and schools of damselfish darting through the structure. It’s a good one for anyone with a wreck specialty or those just looking to explore something a bit different from the usual reef dive. We’d suggest going early to avoid any boat traffic.
Benesin rat
Benesin rat offers a straightforward dive along a rock face near Dubrovnik. You'll likely spot some scorpionfish tucked into crevices and maybe a small octopus if you look closely. It’s a decent choice for divers looking for a relaxed outing, perhaps a second dive of the day, with minimal currents. Good for stretching out your bottom time.
BOKA
The Boka wreck, a sizable motor vessel that grounded in 1981, rests at a very accessible 20 meters. This spot is a decent option for those looking to get into wreck diving without deep-diving certifications. The wreck itself is quite broken up in places, but you can still make out the superstructure and vast holds. Schools of small fish weave through the metal skeleton, and we’ve often spotted conger eels tucked into shadowy corners. It’s not the most intact wreck around, but its sheer size and the light penetration make it an interesting exploration, especially for photographers learning their craft.
Eco village - Boracko lake
Boracko Lake's Eco village site is a genuinely easy introduction to freshwater diving. The depth rarely pushes past 9 meters, making it ideal for those just getting their fins wet or brushing up on skills. You'll find it calm, usually with good visibility, allowing a relaxed pace to spot the various small fish and submerged vegetation. It’s not about big pelagics here, but rather a peaceful, quiet dive, perfect for a gentle afternoon.
Garda Wreck
The Garda Wreck off Dubrovnik is one of those sites that just feels right. It’s a patrol boat, sitting upright at around 30 metres, mostly intact. We love how it’s becoming a proper artificial reef, the metalwork now fuzzy with life. You can poke your head into the wheelhouse, check out the engine room – though we’d suggest being mindful of the silting. Look closely and you’ll find scorpionfish tucked into crevices and moray eels peeking from pipes. The prop is still there, too, often visited by schools of damselfish. This is a brilliant dive for anyone comfortable with a bit of depth and keen on exploring history with an ecological twist. Come when the sea is calm for the best visibility; a little sun makes the colours pop nicely.
Garma
Garma is a solid shore dive, popular with local dive centres for training and easy afternoon excursions. You'll find a gentle slope into the blue, with the usual Mediterranean suspects – small schools of damselfish, wrasse darting amongst the rocks, and the occasional octopus tucked into a crevice. It's a relaxed spot, good for those looking to dust off the fins or get comfortable in the water without any big demands. If you're after big pelagics, you'll need to look elsewhere, but for a simple, pleasant dive, Garma fits the bill.
Glavat
Glavat offers a straightforward dive, popular for its calm conditions. You’ll find walls dropping into the blue, home to plenty of small critters like nudibranchs and blennies if you look closely. It’s a good spot for divers looking for a relaxed exploration, especially useful for refreshing skills or a gentle introduction to the local underwater scene. We often suggest it for an easy second dive of the day.
Govedari lake
Govedari Lake offers a unique freshwater dive experience, a nice change from the Adriatic. The visibility can vary, but we often find decent conditions for exploring the submerged trees and rock formations. It’s a tranquil spot, perfect for divers looking to practice skills or enjoy a calm dip away from the coast. While you won't find colourful corals, we’ve seen smaller freshwater fish species darting between the branches.
Kaljinski Buk
Kaljinski Buk might only drop to a maximum of 4 meters, but for new divers, it's a calm spot to get your fins wet. We’ve used it ourselves for skills refreshers. You'll find it’s a gentle introduction to the Adriatic, with small rock formations offering cover for blennies and shy gobies. Keep an eye out for small crabs scuttling across the seabed; they’re often more curious than you’d expect. This site is really best suited for those taking their first breaths underwater or perfecting buoyancy in shallow, clear conditions.
Dubrovnik & South Coast Dive Centres
5 dive shops and operators in Dubrovnik & South Coast
Ocean Wildlife in Dubrovnik & South Coast
95 species recorded in Dubrovnik & South Coast
Dubrovnik & South Coast Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Dubrovnik & South Coast, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:07
Sunset
18:41
Daylight
13h 34m
Golden Hour
18:03
First light (dawn) at 04:37 · Last light (dusk) at 19:11
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:20 | 16:41 | 9h 21m |
| Feb | 06:50 | 17:22 | 10h 32m |
| Mar | 06:04 | 17:57 | 11h 53m |
| Apr | 05:12 | 18:32 | 13h 20m |
| May | 04:30 | 19:06 | 14h 36m |
| JunLongest | 04:12 | 19:32 | 15h 20m |
| Jul | 04:25 | 19:30 | 15h 5m |
| AugNow | 04:56 | 18:57 | 14h 1m |
| Sep | 05:30 | 18:05 | 12h 35m |
| Oct | 06:03 | 17:12 | 11h 9m |
| Nov | 06:44 | 16:29 | 9h 45m |
| DecShortest | 07:16 | 16:17 | 9h 2m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Dubrovnik & South Coast.
Where to Stay near Dubrovnik & South Coast
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Marine Protected Areas near Dubrovnik & South Coast
138 protected areas near Dubrovnik & South Coast - please respect local regulations when diving
Lastovski i Mljetski kanal
Viški akvatorij
NP Kornati i PP Telašćica
Kornati
Nacionalni park Kornati
Lastovsko otočje
Lastovsko otočje
Park prirode Lastovsko otočje
Sitsko-žutska otočna skupina
Malostonski zaljev
Malostonski zaljev
Obalna linija od luke Gonoturska do rta Vratnički
Showing 12 largest of 138
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