Mihurić Diving Center

Mihurić Diving Center is a scuba diving school and dive operator in Selce, a small seaside village next to Crikvenica on the Kvarner Bay, in Croatia. It is a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm IDC Resort, a rating that means it is certified to train not only divers but also instructors, and it runs courses at all levels from a first taste of diving to professional training.

The Kvarner Bay is a good place to learn and to dive, and it is among Croatia’s best-known diving areas. The water is generally clear, the coast is steep and rocky, and the sea drops away quickly into deep water, so walls and ledges are common. Underwater the Adriatic is less colourful than a tropical reef but full of interest: sponges, sea fans, anemones and small fish cover the rocks, and divers regularly see conger eels in crevices, octopus under ledges, sea bream and, with luck, larger fish such as groupers. In summer the surface water is warm, though it cools quickly with depth, so wetsuits are normal, and many people dive in a thicker suit through spring and autumn. Diving in the area is possible through much of the year, with the summer season offering the most comfortable conditions.

The centre offers more than thirty dive sites, reached by boat from the waterfront base, and some sites can be dived from the shore. Beginners can book a trial dive in shallow water with an instructor, while certified divers can join guided dives to walls and other features. Longer programmes lead to open-water certification, and technical diving courses are available for experienced divers who want to go deeper or stay longer. A classroom, a shop and rental equipment, including wetsuits and dive computers, and free Wi-Fi are on site, so you can arrive with minimal gear. The centre advertises responsible diving, with respect for marine life and the underwater environment.

Selce itself is a quiet, family-oriented village with a small harbour, pebble beaches such as Poli Mora and a campsite, plus a little church that adds to the setting. Crikvenica and its promenade are a short walk or ride along the shore, and Rijeka and the islands of Krk and Cres are not far away. Non-divers in a group can enjoy the beaches and snorkelling while others are underwater.

Courses and dives are booked in advance, particularly in July and August, and hours vary through the season, so check before making plans. A medical self-declaration is normally required before diving. It suits beginners looking for a first course, certified divers on holiday and families where some members want to dive and others want a beach.