STARFISH Diving Center Vrsar

Situated at the Porto Sole campsite in the Istrian fishing village of Vrsar, Starfish Diving Center sits just 25 metres from the Adriatic Sea. Since 1996, the centre has operated as a specialist hub for divers looking to explore the coastal waters of Croatia.

As an SSI Diamond Training Center, the facility is geared towards both recreational enthusiasts and those pursuing more advanced technical training. The location is highly accessible, being only an eight-minute walk from the centre of Vrsar and adjacent to local amenities including beach bars for post-dive socialising.

The centre is managed by Alexander, Miro, and Wolfgang, offering a professional and welcoming atmosphere for all divers. The team is multilingual, providing instruction and support in Croatian, English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Russian.

With three instructors on site, the centre focuses on a high standard of training through the SSI curriculum. Whether you are starting with a Discover Scuba Diving programme or progressing through to advanced specialties, the staff is experienced in handling a wide variety of diver profiles.

As an SSI Diamond Training Center, the course catalogue is extensive, covering every stage of a diver's progression. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Basic Diver course, moving through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers a wide array of SSI specialties, including Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility, Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, and Advanced Wreck Diving. Technical divers can access more advanced training such as Extended Range Foundations, Extended Range Nitrox Diving, and Sidemount Diving.

The Starfish is a 13-metre dive boat, 4 metres wide, designed specifically for comfortable and efficient transport to dive sites. Powered by twin 370cv engines, it can carry up to 25 divers and is equipped with a spacious dive platform, a cabin, toilets, and a sun deck.

Safety and navigation are prioritised on board with a sonar system, GPS, and UHF radio. The boat also carries two oxygen systems and a first aid kit, making it fully prepared for all excursions, including night dives. Nitrox is available for use during trips.

The shore-based facility is well-equipped for both recreational and technical diving. The centre maintains a large inventory of 130 steel cylinders in various volumes, including 8L, 10L, 12L, and 15L, as well as double cylinders and sidemount configurations. Two compressors with a 900 l/min capacity provide air, Nitrox, and Helium fills.

For those needing to hire kit, there are 40 complete sets available, including regulators, BCDs (such as Xdeep ZEOS wings), wetsuits, fins, masks, and computers. The centre also provides technical equipment for advanced divers, such as O2 and Sofnolime. After your dives, you can use the freshwater pool provided on-site to rinse your equipment.

The local marine life offers plenty for both macro enthusiasts and those looking for larger species. You can expect to encounter a variety of fish, snails, and crustaceans throughout the area.

For those with an eye for detail, the seabed hosts seahorses and various other small creatures. The diverse habitats of the Adriatic provide a rich environment for discovering these smaller inhabitants.