New tourist product in Croatia presented: Istria Snorkeling

(Photo credit: Anton Unković)

The Istria County Tourist Board and coastal local tourist boards have launched a new tourist product called Istria Snorkeling. This product offers a unique way to explore the Adriatic Sea, with 17 coastal destinations featuring special snorkeling locations.

Over the past two years, these Istrian destinations have been carefully researched and surveyed, documenting their geomorphological characteristics, depths, flora, and fauna. Only the most vibrant and suitable locations for snorkeling have been selected.

The Istrian peninsula boasts a remarkably diverse underwater landscape, making it a promising destination for developing this type of tourism. Its rich history as a hub for trade and exploration, with its deeply carved coastline, has always connected people and cultures. The sea has been a source of nourishment, employment, and endless inspiration for artists, poets, and explorers throughout history.

Fažana – Rt Mede (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

The Istrian coast, including islands and islets, stretches over 500 kilometers. The western side of the peninsula features shallower waters and a more indented coastline, while the eastern side has deeper waters with high cliffs and stunning landscapes of exceptional beauty. 

Pula (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

The northern Adriatic Sea is less saline than the rest of the Adriatic due to freshwater inflow from alpine rivers and the Po River. With an average sea temperature of 11˚C in winter, the bathing season starts early, and many locals continue swimming throughout the year.

In summer, the shallow waters can reach temperatures of over 26°C, but cooler spots can always be found, depending on the depth or the presence of underground freshwater inflows.

Medulin – Velika Kolombarica (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

The northern Adriatic is known for its various specific influences and is the most productive area in the entire Mediterranean Sea.

Fažana – Rt Mede (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

These factors have led the tourism community of Istria to initiate this new project. Barbara Unković, the founder of the Underwater Affair company in Pula and a passionate diver for over 30 years, played a significant role in implementing the project.

Rabac- Girandella (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

She explored the locations in Istrian destinations, identified the most interesting ones, and created underwater maps along with detailed descriptions, including historical facts, legends, information about the ecosystem, and marine life.

Krsan – Plomin – Rt Masnjak (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

Professionals, underwater fishermen, divers, as well as experts from local museums, scientific institutions, and public organizations, all contributed to the location scouting and gathering of information.

To showcase the beauty of the underwater world and attract interested visitors, underwater photography played a crucial role. Thanks to the work of professional photographer Anton Unković, the photos vividly capture the magnificence, opulence, and enchantment of the Adriatic underwater world. 

Medulin – Velika Kolombarica (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

The Istria County Tourist Board engaged the design studio Tumpić/Prenc from Rovinj to create the visual identity of the Istria Snorkeling product, incorporating the blue hues of the Adriatic Sea and the snorkel as its emblem. Informative boards were specially designed for each snorkeling location, presenting comprehensive details about each site.

Poreč – Pical (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

These attractive boards, reminiscent of snorkels, were produced by Sinam, a company from Tinjan. In the project’s second phase, a brochure titled “Istria Snorkeling” featuring all the included destinations and basic information will be created, inspired by the popular “Istria Culture” map.

Marcana – Skoljic (Photo credit: Anton Unković)

As part of the official website, the Istria County Tourist Board created a dedicated portal, www.istra.com/snorkeling, providing detailed information about snorkeling, behavior guidelines, safety measures, and comprehensive.