The Best Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Spots in Dubrovnik

15 July 2024 5 min

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic,’ Dubrovnik is a premier destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.

This dream-worthy location features transparent waters and endless stretches of coastline, essential for all diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, from newbies to experts.

Are you planning an adventure along the Dalmatian Coast and want to learn about where you can find the best snorkelling and scuba diving in Dubrovnik? We’re here to help.

From the mesmerising Lokrum Island to the exhilarating Jabuka, take a look at our top Dubrovnik snorkelling and diving spots.

The best diving & snorkelling sites in Dubrovnik

Scuba diving and snorkelling are essential activities to fully experience the natural wonders of Dubrovnik’s coast.

From local treasures within walking distance of the old city to remote sites just a short boat ride away, Dubrovnik offers a variety of diving and snorkelling spots perfect for your sailing itinerary.

Jabuka

First on our list of the best scuba diving and snorkelling spots near Dubrovnik is Jabuka. Located on the outer sea side of Kolocep island, a boat ride from the heart of Dubrovnik, Jabuka is a small crag beneath a cliff with a depth of 38 metres.

The outer edge of this crag can also descend to 50 metres, perfect for more experienced divers. However far down you decide to dive, this site offers a fascinating landscape, even from the shallower water.

Jabuka features a stunning natural cave, complete with stalactites that dangle from the ceiling, creating a haven for diverse marine life. Discover lobsters hidden in crevices while sea bream, octopus, moray eels, scorpion fish, groupers and mussels roam around the diving site. It’s a stunning destination to see what the Adriatic Sea offers for marine life and rugged cliffs. Want to learn about how you can protect the precious marine life during your sailing holiday? Take a look at our sustainable travel policies and tips for eco-friendly yacht charters.

This dive site is recommended for novice to advanced divers, depending on the level of depth you go and how far you swim within the cave and overall site. From Dubrovnik, it takes around 10 minutes to reach the site via a boat ride.

Mala Afrika

A mark of natural wonder, Mala Afrika is located between the mainland and Grebeni islands, ranging from 10 to 40 metres in depth, offering an opportunity for scuba divers of all levels.

Offering some of the best scuba diving in Dubrovnik, Mala Afrika’s rocky reef and its storied cave are known for numerous historical shipwrecks, adding a layer of intrigue to every dive. The cave has many openings and endless opportunities to witness fish parading up and down and other marine life. Locate tuna, octopus, lobsters and smaller fish you may not have seen before.

The shallow water and geographical location encourage the array of marine life, giving the feel of an African safari underwater. It’s renowned as one of the most intriguing reefs in the Mediterranean to explore and enjoy nature.

Lokrum Island

Encounter the mysterious side of diving and a green oasis at Lokrum Island, located a boat ride away from Dubrovnik. Under the cliffs to the island’s eastern side, discover a semi-submerged tunnel which conceals the entrance to The Dead Sea Lake.

As waves roll into the tunnel, located at a depth of 5 metres, you can swim and dive a further 20 metres. Lokrum Island, rich with legendary tales and history, offers an intriguing dive. While the Dead Sea itself lacks marine life, the nearby tunnel and cave teem with diverse fauna, including crabs and exotic marine creatures.

Can’t wait to explore the depths of Lokrum Island? Find out the best time to sail in Croatia and when to visit the Mediterranean.

Grebeni

Grebeni is an excellent choice for novice divers, offering gentle conditions and abundant marine life. Known as one of the most fascinating diving locations in the area, Grebini is near Dubrovnik’s city hub. Home to many treasures under the surface, Grebeni features a narrow underwater passage leading to the open sea.

The clear blue waters feature marine life, including gurnards, octopus, sea bream, moray eels and scorpion fish. With a depth of 18 metres, the quality of light throughout the site adds a mind-blowing element to scuba diving and witnessing the wonders beneath the water’s edge.

Bezdan

Bezdan features a cave, wreck and lake to explore, located on the southern shore of the Kolocep Island. This scuba diving spot in Dubrovnik is suitable for all diving levels, with shallow and sheer drops to snorkel or dive. With the remains of a two-mast coaster, the Aurora, at only 16 to 19 metres deep, Bezdan is accessible for newer divers.

The Bezdan Point features plenty of marine life, including lobsters and is fascinating to explore with endless underwater reefs and caves. You can explore the magnificent Bezdan Blue Cave, dropping to 60 metres if you’re an expert.

The best scuba diving in Dubrovnik is found across the city and beyond, with plentiful marine life, clear waters, caves and inlets for all diving levels. Other notable diving sights to consider on your Dubrovnik holiday include Wreck Taranto, Tomislav, Sv. Andrija, Maros Cave and Bobara.

We can recommend the best diving companies for an experience suitable to you.

Why you should consider snorkelling in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a spectacle for sun-worshipers, history lovers and water fans with its collection of diving opportunities and endless sights to explore in the old town. Dubrovnik has it all for keen snorkelers looking to explore transparent waters and diverse marine life.

You’re spoilt for snorkelling options and crystal clear waters in Dubrovnik, from stretches in the city hub or further afield, accessible through chartering a catamaran or monohull.

With its accessibility, Dubrovnik has everything for budding snorkelers, from Buža Beach with its rocky terrain and underwater haven to Danče Beach, one of the oldest in Dubrovnik. This snorkelling spot in Dubrovnik features cooler temperatures and cleaner, more transparent waters with underwater life boasting incredible colours and clear visibility.

Other phenomenal snorkelling destinations in Dubrovnik include Sveta Marija and Raznjic on Korcula Island. Sveta Marija is located in Mljet National Park’s lake, featuring an array of sea creatures to observe. As a protected area, the underwater life is magical. Snorkelling in Dubrovnik will win over your heart.

Are you planning a dream sailing holiday in Dubrovnik to explore the underwater paradise?

Charter a catamaran or yacht with us to ensure you explore all the diving and snorkelling sites in Dubrovnik. Whether you’re enjoying a family holiday, a summer getaway or your honeymoon, Dubrovnik has it all. We’re here to make your time on the water unforgettable and embrace what Dubrovnik offers.

Contact us today for more information about catamaran hire and yacht hire or for more information regarding your holiday in Dubrovnik. Want to explore more of what Croatia has to offer? Take a look at our Agana yacht charters.