Autobahnsee Elchingen - Istria Peninsula
Jesse Beazley Reef in Palawan doesn't always get the same hype as some of the Coron wrecks, but for a healthy, active coral reef, it’s one of our standout picks. Drop down and you’re immediately enveloped by the sheer numbers of fusiliers and chromis, so thick they almost block out the sun sometimes. It’s like swimming through a living, breathing confetti cannon. We love just drifting along here, keeping an eye out for the more unusual residents. Those Sunburst Butterflyfish are a real treat, their bright yellow bodies a stark contrast against the deeper blues. Look closely too for the tiny, electric Fire Dartfish darting in and out of their burrows. The Two-spot Bristletooths are everywhere, busily grazing, and we always spot a few Banded Goatfish sifting through the sand for a snack. It’s a busy place, perfect for divers who appreciate the subtle ballet of reef life over big pelagics. If you enjoy a leisurely drift, soaking in the details, this is your kind of spot.
- Location
- Istria Peninsula, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 48.448452, 10.121622
- Type
- reef
Best Time to Dive in Istria Peninsula
The warmest water temperatures in Istria Peninsula occur in August, averaging 26.1°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 11.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 13.5°C
- February: 11.9°C
- March: 11.8°C
- April: 13.4°C
- May: 17.0°C
- June: 22.4°C
- July: 25.6°C
- August: 26.1°C
- September: 23.6°C
- October: 20.3°C
- November: 17.8°C
- December: 15.8°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Istria Peninsula
- 100 Steps
- 1. Niederbayerischer Tauchsportclub Plattling e.V.
- 3 Zinnen - 18m
- A CAPELLINI - 11m (wreck)
- Accademia Blu Diving Center
- Allgäuer Taucherhof
- Allmannshausen: Naturschutzgebiet
- Allmannshausen: Seeburg
- Allmannshausen: Wasserwacht
- Allmannshauser Steilwand
- Almsee (reef)
- Alpenblick
- Alte Badanstalt
- Alte Brücke-Flurlingersteg
- Alte Julierbrücke
Nearest Dive Centres to Autobahnsee Elchingen
- 100 x 100 Diving - PADI, TECREC, DAN, EFR
- ACQUASUB VICENZA TEAM asd
- Albarella Diving Center SSDRL
- Apnea Slovenija
- Aquaemotion SSD SRL
- Aquanautic Elba - SSI
Marine Life in Istria Peninsula
Home to 48 recorded species including 28 reef fish, 7 sharks & rays, 3 other, 2 crabs & lobsters, 2 octopus & squid, 1 whales & dolphins.
Notable Species
- Corb (Sciaena umbra) - Reef Fish
- Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
- conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
- Common lobster (Homarus gammarus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Common Eagle Ray (Myliobatis aquila) - Sharks & Rays
- poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
- Blue Stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea) - Sharks & Rays
- Common smoothhound (Mustelus mustelus) - Sharks & Rays
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Blackspotted Smoothhound (Mustelus punctulatus) - Sharks & Rays
- Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
- Leidy's Comb Jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi)
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Slender Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) - Seagrass & Algae
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- european squid (Loligo vulgaris) - Octopus & Squid
- common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) - Octopus & Squid
Recommended Packing List for Autobahnsee Elchingen
Based on average water temperature of 18.3°C, currents 2 cm/s.
- Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 18°C water
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories