Kornati Diving Center

Kornati Diving Center is situated in the idyllic fishing village of Zaglav on the island of Dugi Otok. It serves as a gateway to some of the most significant marine protected areas in the Adriatic, specifically the Kornati National Park and the Telašćica Nature Park.

The centre is well-equipped to handle various diving requirements, from introductory sessions to advanced technical profiles. Whether you are looking to explore local reefs or dive deeper into the national park, the location provides direct access to a wide range of Adriatic environments.

The centre is managed by Matthias Pollok and operates with a focus on professional standards through its SSI and IAC affiliations. The team is multilingually proficient, with staff able to communicate in German, English, Polish, and Croatian.

Training is available for all experience levels, ranging from those taking their first breaths underwater to professionals looking to advance their careers. The centre supports a variety of specialities, ensuring that both recreational and technical divers find the necessary expertise on site.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of SSI and IAC courses. Beginners can start with Try Scuba or work through the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to refine their skills or add new capabilities, the curriculum includes Stress and Rescue, Deep Diver, and Nitrox Diver courses. The centre also provides Refresher courses for divers looking to regain confidence before heading out to the boats.

The fleet consists of three boats designed to reach different dive sites around the islands. This includes a catamaran with a capacity for 12 divers, providing a stable platform for longer excursions or group trips.

A 7.5m semi-rigid boat, powered by a 200 horsepower engine, is also available for more agile movements or smaller groups of up to 11 divers. The boats facilitate trips to nearby zones, distant sites within the national parks, and night dives.

The shore-based facilities are built around two new compressors, ensuring reliable gas blending for all divers. The centre is equipped for technical diving, offering Nitrox, Trimix, and Oxygen, alongside Helium for specific mixtures.

Full kit hire is available for those not travelling with their own equipment, including regulators, BCDs, computers, torches, and compasses. Divers can also rent wetsuits, fins, masks, snorkels, gloves, and boots. Cylinders are available in 12-litre and 15-litre capacities.

The marine environment around Dugi Otok is exceptionally diverse, hosting over 300 animal species and 250 plant species. You will find a variety of habitats including rocky reefs, seagrass meadows, and cave systems.

The underwater scenery is defined by rich fixed life, with numerous species of sponges and various types of gorgonians creating complex structures on the walls and reefs.

Macro life is also present throughout the area, with divers encountering various crustaceans and other small organisms tucked into the crevices of the reef and wrecks.

Diving in this region involves navigating the varied topography of the Adriatic islands. While many sites are accessible from the shore in the bay, most excursions involve boat trips to reach the open sea and the protected national parks.

Divers should be prepared for the different environments encountered, from sheltered bay dives to more exposed sites near the national park boundaries.