Have you ever considered taking a dive trip to Slovenia? Despite this nation’s position in the heart of the European continent, and despite its comparatively small size, it has much to offer scuba divers. Here, we’ll take a look at Slovenia’s reefs, which are wonderful for diving and which are teeming with an abundance of Adriatic marine life.
Slovenia’s Reefs
Fiesa Reef
If you’re in the mood for an easy shore dive, Slovenia’s Fiesa Reef is a great place to go. Easy to access by road, it offers good visibility and a maximum depth of just about nine meters. Due to the excellent conditions typically encountered here, this site is extremely popular with dive classes; it’s best to visit on a weekday, when there are fewer divers exploring the reef. While you’re here, watch for curious conger eels, seahorses, lobsters, and plenty of fish; squid and octopus are seen here on a regular basis too, and are particularly fun to watch once the sun has gone down for the day.
Punta Reef – South Side
An excellent site even for newer divers, Punta Reef south side features maximum depth at just 12 meters, and offers good visibility much of the time. One caveat about this side of Punta Reef is that the bottom is muddy. If there’s a dive class being held here, consider heading to the north side where you’ll run less risk of diving in murky water.
Punta Reef – North Side
Punta Reef north side is a nice multi-level site. It begins in shallow water that leads to a depth of about five meters; after a short distance, the reef drops away to a maximum depth of 22 meters. Conger eels, lobsters, and octopus are just a few of the creatures you’ll find among the rocks here; there are also crabs, a wide variety of fish, and plenty of other creatures. At times, the current picks up along the North side of Punta reef, allowing for a gentle drift. If you find the weather seems a bit rough to the north of the reef, head to the south side – local divers often choose this area because when one side of the reef is blown out, the other is calm.
Baltic Sea Marine Life
Marine life along these reefs is varied; to enjoy encounters with sculpins, rockfish, conger eels, and other animals, be sure to take your time and move slowly. Many species are well-camouflaged, but once your eyes have adjusted to the environment, you’ll find it is quite easy to spot them. Marine mammals including dolphins and seals are seen on occasion, however divers encounter these animals only rarely; they are most often seen from shore or from the deck of a boat.
Slovenia does have an active diving community as well as dive guides and charters. In addition to the reef dive sites we’ve just explored, there are a few shipwrecks worth exploring, along with rocky outcroppings that are great for snorkeling and just getting acquainted with the fish and other creatures that call the Baltic their home. Finally topside attractions range from skiing to museums, so you’ll find no shortage of interesting diversions to keep you occupied between dives.