Diving in Kornati Islands
Why dive here
Kornati Islands offers some of Croatia's richest diving, with 91+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, octopuses, sea turtles and cuttlefish. Water ranges 14-26°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Kornati Islands in Croatia are a standout for us, mostly because it’s a national park with some seriously dramatic topography. Think sheer underwater cliffs that drop hundreds of metres, cut with caves and overhangs that feel ancient. We love the feeling of flying along these walls, watching schools of Atlantic chub mackerel flash in the blue, occasionally spotting a Norway lobster peeking from a crevice. It’s less about big pelagics and more about the intricate details: the vibrant Sunset cup corals clinging to rock faces, the way Painted combers dart amongst the calcareous green alga. What makes Kornati special is that feeling of raw, untamed Mediterranean drama. Visibility is generally good, and while currents can pick up, they’re usually manageable. We’d suggest focusing on the walls and caves for the full effect - that’s where you’ll really feel the history of this place. Keep an eye out for Grohmann’s scaldfish blending perfectly into the sand, or a smooth hound cruising by. It’s not an everyday kind of dive, and that’s why we rate it.
Kornati Islands Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Kornati Islands
Kornati Islands Dive Sites
95 dive sites in Kornati Islands
Alains cliff
Alains Cliff in the Kornati Islands offers a straightforward wall dive experience. The cliff drops vertically, revealing a decent spread of typical Mediterranean critters like morays and groupers tucked into crevices. It’s a reliable spot for a relaxed dive, good for those who appreciate easy navigation and the subtle beauty of a rocky reef.
Amfiteatre dive
Amfiteatre offers a gentle introduction to Kornati diving, topping out at 25 metres. It’s a good spot for newer divers looking to get comfortable with the local topography. We often see scorpionfish tucked into the rocks and the occasional moray eel peeking out. Expect decent visibility, though it can drop a bit after strong southerlies.
Anchor dive
The Anchor dive in the Kornati Islands is exactly what it sounds like – a big old anchor, resting on the seabed. It’s a straightforward dive, often a second dive of the day, with decent visibility. You’ll find some small fish darting around the anchor chain and nearby rocks. It’s a decent choice for those who appreciate historical artifacts underwater, or for newer divers getting comfortable in the Kornati National Park.
"AQUANAUT"
Aquanaut offers a pleasant dive among rocky overhangs, where we've often spotted bushy coral and the vibrant scarlet coral clinging to the walls. Look closely, and you might catch the subtle movements of a red snapping shrimp in the crevices. Patches of Neptune's lace sway gently, adding texture to the scenery. This site is a good choice for a relaxed dive, suitable for those who enjoy taking their time and observing smaller details.
Aquanaut Diving Centar Murter
Aquanaut Diving Centar Murter offers straightforward diving in the Kornati Islands. We typically find Bushy Coral and Scarlet Coral here, along with Red Snapping Shrimp and Neptune's Lace. It's a reliable spot for a relaxed dive, good for getting your buoyancy dialed in or for those newer to Mediterranean diving. Expect solid visibility and a pleasant, calm dive.
Arta Vala
Arta Vala offers a straightforward dive in the Kornati Islands. We've found the rock formations here interesting, with a gentle slope that makes it suitable for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed exploration. Expect to see some smaller Mediterranean fish species darting between the rocks, along with the occasional nudibranch if you're keeping a keen eye out. It's a pleasant enough spot for a second dive of the day.
AVALA
Avala, in the Kornati Islands, is a shallow wreck site, sitting at a max depth of 10m. This makes it a great spot for newer divers or those looking for a longer bottom time. The wreck itself is a motor vessel, reportedly sunk after a dust explosion, and it’s now thoroughly encrusted with sponges and hydroids. You can poke around the remains of the superstructure, where schools of damselfish often hang out, darting into the shadows as you approach. Keep an eye out for blennies perched on the metalwork and the occasional small octopus tucked into a crevice. It’s not a massive wreck, but it’s an easy, relaxing dive with plenty to observe.
Babuljasi
Babuljasi in the Kornati Islands offers a gentle Mediterranean dive, suitable for less experienced divers. Dropping from 10m down to around 30m, you’ll find a rocky slope dotted with some sponges and small gorgonian fans. We've often seen scorpionfish tucked into crevices and small schools of damselfish flitting about. It's a relaxed dive, good for getting comfortable in the water.
Balun
Balun offers a straightforward dive, tracking along a wall that begins around 10 meters and drops to 30. You'll find a good spread of Mediterranean reef fish here, typical for the Kornati. It’s a solid choice for a relaxing afternoon dive, particularly if you’re looking to explore the general Kornati underwater landscape without anything too demanding. Suits divers who appreciate a quiet, uncrowded spot.
Big Blue Diving
Big Blue, in the Kornati Islands, is a decent dive for those exploring this part of Croatia. We found a good few damselfish and bream darting around, plus the occasional moray eel peeking from the rocks. It’s a solid spot for a relaxed dive, suitable for most experience levels looking for a pleasant afternoon underwater rather than anything too dramatic.
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon in the Kornati Islands is a gentle introduction to Croatian diving. At a comfortable maximum depth of 14 metres, it's an ideal spot for beginners or those getting back in the water. We usually find schools of damselfish flitting among the rocks and plenty of small crabs scuttling across the seabed. The visibility here is consistently good, making it easy to just relax and take in the calm, sun-dappled lagoon environment. It’s not about big pelagics here, but rather a quiet exploration of the smaller details.
Božava Diving
Božava offers a solid dive in the Kornati Islands, a good spot if you’re looking for a relaxed exploration. We’ve found the rock formations here interesting, with plenty of small nooks and crannies to poke into. You’ll often spot common octopus tucked away, and European squid tend to glide by in the open water. Keep an eye out for scorpionfish camouflaged against the rocks; their patience is impressive. It’s a site that suits divers who enjoy a slower pace, focusing on spotting the smaller, shyer residents of the Mediterranean rather than big pelagics.
Kornati Islands Dive Centres
44 dive shops and operators in Kornati Islands
Albamaris
Ancora
Anma Diving center
Aqualis Diving Center Hvar
"AQUANAUT"
Aquanaut Diving Centar Murter
A.S.D. ELMOSCIOLO CLUB SUB FALCONARA M.MA
ASD MONDO SOMMERSO
Ocean Wildlife in Kornati Islands
91 species recorded in Kornati Islands
Kornati Islands Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Kornati Islands, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:14
Sunset
18:50
Daylight
13h 37m
Golden Hour
18:12
First light (dawn) at 04:43 · Last light (dusk) at 19:21
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:30 | 16:47 | 9h 17m |
| Feb | 06:59 | 17:28 | 10h 30m |
| Mar | 06:12 | 18:05 | 11h 52m |
| Apr | 05:19 | 18:40 | 13h 22m |
| May | 04:36 | 19:16 | 14h 41m |
| JunLongest | 04:17 | 19:42 | 15h 25m |
| Jul | 04:30 | 19:40 | 15h 10m |
| AugNow | 05:02 | 19:06 | 14h 4m |
| Sep | 05:37 | 18:13 | 12h 36m |
| Oct | 06:12 | 17:19 | 11h 7m |
| Nov | 06:53 | 16:35 | 9h 41m |
| DecShortest | 07:26 | 16:23 | 8h 57m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Kornati Islands.
Where to Stay near Kornati Islands
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Marine Protected Areas near Kornati Islands
231 protected areas near Kornati Islands - please respect local regulations when diving
Lastovski i Mljetski kanal
J. Molat-Dugi-Kornat-Žirje-Zlarin-Murter-Pašman-Ugljan-Rivanj-Sestrunj-Molat
Akvatorij zapadne Istre
Cres - Lošinj
Viški akvatorij
SZ Dalmacija i Pag
NP Kornati i PP Telašćica
Kornati
Nacionalni park Kornati
Kvarnerski otoci
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Lastovsko otočje
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Getting to Kornati Islands
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