Big Sky Dave:
Howdy, I'm really curious about diving opportunities in Croatia. What diving facilities
exist. Are there many divers? Where do they come from? How are the costs? Does the local population welcome divers? Are there attractions other than diving? Can you get along with just speaking English?
That's my 2 cents (of Euro):
I'd recommend, from North to South, the island of Cres (Cherso), the Kornati (incoronate) islands, Korcula (Curzola) and Vis (Lissa).
You have to pay a annual diving card which costs 100 kuna
(approx 13 euros). Diving centers are growing in quality according to my experience. Years ago "diving boats" where actually fishing boats, with no facility for divers. Things are changing now.
Lots of divers from Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Eastern Europe in general.
Water temperature is not the warm .... 25°C on the surface, but in the Northern Adriatic it's 12-14°C below 20m all year long.
Dives are generally deep. Best dives are usually 30-60m.
Lots of wrecks, which tend to lie at the bottom of the sea, and that's why you go deep ...
English is not a problem in diving centres.
Dalmatia (the coast from Rijeka to Dubrovnik) is really wonderful and not expensive.
Best period to go: July and August.
Don't stay in a hotel but look for a private room.
ciao
robcap
a.k.a. Señor Granzo
a.k.a. Sku-ba-man