Manta - Kornati Islands
Manta isn’t about big pelagics or dizzying drop-offs, but it’s one of our favourite Kornati dives for a different reason: the sheer density of macro life. You’ll spend most of your bottom time in the shallows, maybe 10-15 metres, meticulously combing the cracks and crevices of the rock walls. We love to spot the big European squid here, often camouflaged so perfectly against the rocks you’ll need a sharp eye to pick them out. Look closer, and the place really comes alive. We’ve found surprisingly large abalone tucked into overhangs, and the way the light filters through the Pink Plate Weeds creates this almost otherworldly glow. It’s a photographer’s dream, particularly for wide-angle macro shots, capturing those bushy corals with their resident bristleworms. This dive really suits those who appreciate slowing down, taking their time, and finding beauty in the smaller details rather than chasing fleeting giants. Go early morning; the light is best, and you’ll often have the site to yourselves.
- Location
- Kornati Islands, Croatia, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 43.048126, 16.083786
Marine Protected Area: Otok Vis - podmorje
Best Time to Dive in Kornati Islands
The warmest water temperatures in Kornati Islands occur in August, averaging 25.6°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 14.1°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 15.3°C
- February: 14.3°C
- March: 14.1°C
- April: 14.7°C
- May: 17.6°C
- June: 21.8°C
- July: 24.7°C
- August: 25.6°C
- September: 24.0°C
- October: 21.4°C
- November: 19.5°C
- December: 17.1°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Kornati Islands
- Alains cliff - 15-40m (wall)
- Amfiteatre dive - 25m
- Anchor dive
- "AQUANAUT" - 15-40m (cave)
- Aquanaut Diving Centar Murter - 5-30m (wall)
- Arta Vala
- AVALA - 10m (wreck)
- Babuljasi
- Balun
- Big Blue Diving - 20-40m (wall)
- Blue Lagoon - 14m (reef)
- Božava Diving - 10-30m (reef)
- Brbišćica - 10-25m (cave)
- Brbiscica Cave - 10-30m (cave)
- BRIGITTA MONTANARI - 30m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Manta
- Albamaris - SSI
- Ancora
- Anma Diving center - SSI, PADI
- Aqualis Diving Center Hvar - PADI, SSI
- "AQUANAUT"
- Aquanaut Diving Centar Murter
Marine Life in Kornati Islands
Home to 91 recorded species including 64 reef fish, 10 sharks & rays, 6 octopus & squid, 3 crabs & lobsters, 3 other, 3 hard corals.
Notable Species
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) - Reef Fish
- anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) - Reef Fish
- Capelin (Trisopterus capelanus) - Reef Fish
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
- Bogue (Boops boops) - Reef Fish
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Thornback skate (Raja clavata) - Sharks & Rays
- megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) - Reef Fish
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Gurnard (Trigla lyra) - Reef Fish
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) - Octopus & Squid
- Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) - Octopus & Squid
- Frie's Goby (Lesueurigobius friesii) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Manta
Based on average water temperature of 19.2°C, currents 3 cm/s.
- Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°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