Best beaches for snorkeling in Croatia

Visibility in the Adriatic regularly reaches 20 metres or more, especially around the islands. The rocky coastline means reefs, boulders and seagrass meadows start just a few metres from shore — you do not need a boat to see fish.

The best snorkeling is almost always at the edges of a beach, where the sand or pebbles meet the rocks. That is where schools of fish, octopus and starfish gather.

Expect damselfish, sea bream, wrasse and salema in large schools, plus octopus, cuttlefish and the occasional seahorse in the seagrass. The water is warmest from July to September, but visibility is often best in June and early autumn.

Sea urchins are a good sign — they only live in clean water — but watch where you put your hands and feet on the rocks.

Go in the morning before the wind picks up: calm surface, better visibility, fewer people. After a few windy days the water near shore can be murky — check the live conditions on each beach page before you head out.