Individual Diving Authorisation in Croatia

In individual diving, the diver is obliged to adhere to certain rules. For example, it is necessary to inform yourself about the zones where diving is prohibited. This applies to areas where cultural goods are located. Also, diving is prohibited in national parks such as Brijuni and Krka, as well as near ports, special reserves, and nature parks.

When diving, it is necessary to properly mark the diving area. The diver is obliged to place a buoy in the middle of the diving area, orange or red in color, with a diameter of at least 30 centimeters, or a diving flag (an orange rectangle with a white diagonal line or a maritime flag of the letter “A” of the International Signal Code or a prominently displayed diving flag on the vessel from which diving is carried out). At night, the buoy must have a flashlight – a strobe light, yellow or white in color, visible at a distance of at least 300 meters.

It is important to note that if you notice the remains of potential archaeological finds during recreational diving in an area that is not registered as a cultural heritage site, you must not remove them from the water/sea but you need to inform the competent conservation department about their exact location. Archaeological finds found on land, in water, or in the sea are the property of the Republic of Croatia in accordance with the Law on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Goods. You can find a list of conservation departments and their contact information on the website of the Ministry of Culture.