Diving Pula

Diving Pula is located within the Tehnomont Veruda marina, providing a professional base for exploring the rich underwater history of the Istrian coast. Since 2006, the centre has established itself as a key hub for both recreational divers and those seeking specialised training in wreck, night, and deep diving.

The local waters are defined by a compelling mix of maritime archaeology and diverse marine habitats. You can choose between exploring well-preserved wrecks from the World Wars or navigating the complex cave systems and vertical walls that characterise the regional reefs.

The instructional team is led by Branislav Danevski, a highly qualified HSA Course Director and UDI Instructor, alongside Jagoda and Vito Danevski. This team brings a high level of expertise to the centre, with qualifications spanning SSI Master Scuba Diver, CMAS underwater photography, and advanced technical instruction.

A significant pillar of the centre's identity is its commitment to adaptive diving. As certified HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association) instructors, the team specialises in working with divers with disabilities, ensuring that the underwater environment is accessible through dedicated programmes and specialised support.

Communication is straightforward for international visitors, as the team is multilingual, speaking Croatian, Slovenian, English, Italian, and Japanese. The centre maintains a focus on small groups, which facilitates better safety, communication, and instruction during every dive.

Training at Diving Pula covers the full spectrum of scuba diving, from initial entry-level courses to professional instructor training. They offer a wide array of SSI certifications, including Try Scuba, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and specialised modules such as Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, and Decompression Diving.

For those looking towards professional or technical paths, the centre provides UDI/CMAS courses up to Dive Master level, as well as HSA certifications. They also cater to technical divers with XR Technical training and specialized courses like Search & Recovery and Science Of Diving.

The centre operates two boats to facilitate trips to the various sites around Pula. One of these vessels is specifically configured to be accessible for divers with disabilities, ensuring inclusive access to the local wrecks and reefs.

Depending on the dive plan, you may head out for day trips to nearby wrecks or deeper excursions. The boats are used for a variety of diving styles, including night dives, wreck penetrations, and reef explorations.

The centre provides full equipment hire for those not travelling with their own kit. For those requiring gas blending, Nitrox is available on-site, and the centre stocks 10, 12, and 15-litre cylinders to suit different dive profiles.

Shore-based facilities include a base in the marina, making it easy to organise your logistics. The centre also manages local apartment accommodation in Šišan, providing a practical option for divers looking to stay close to the dive site.

The reefs and walls are vibrant ecosystems, heavily decorated with Sponge (Porifera), bryozoans, cnidarians, and soft corals. You will often find diverse life clinging to the rock, including various sea slugs and colourful anemones.

Macro life is abundant throughout the sites, particularly around the caves and crevices. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of crustaceans such as Lobster (Homaridae) and Crab (Brachyura), alongside nudibranchs, octopuses, and scorpionfish. Seahorses and various species of sea pen also inhabit these sheltered areas.

In the open water and around the wrecks, larger fish species are common. You will regularly see Salema porgy (Sarpa salpa), Damselfish (Pomacentridae), and various members of the Sparidae family. Depending on the season, you may also encounter dentex, sea bass, and palomète, as well as catsharks and eels (Anguilliformes).

Currents in the area are generally weak, though they can vary depending on the specific site. Some locations are specifically chosen for drift diving where a gentle current is utilised to move the group along the reef or wreck.

Many of the shallower sites, such as Svjetionik or Kockice, offer very calm conditions, making them suitable for those looking for a relaxed dive or those performing skills practice. The topography varies from steep vertical walls to gentle rocky slopes.