Logistics · Country Guide
Island-hopping walls and wrecks in the clear Adriatic
Updated Dec 7, 2025 • 19 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Croatia is served by multiple gateways. For a pure dive trip, fly directly to the coast when possible: Pula for Istria, Rijeka for Kvarner, Zadar for North Dalmatia, Split for Central Dalmatia, and Dubrovnik for the far south. Zagreb is the main year-round hub and can work well if you are combining inland travel or arriving in winter. Once on the coast, ferries and fast catamarans connect most islands, and buses plus car rentals cover the mainland.
Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport
ZAG • LDZA
15 km • 15 km drive to Zagreb center; about 170 km onward to Rijeka/Kvarner
Primary international hub. Best for inland travel, winter city breaks, or connecting onward to the coast by car or bus.
Transport: Airport shuttle, Taxis and rideshares, Car rentals, Intercity buses from Zagreb
Split Airport
SPU • LDSP
24 km • 24 km drive to Split
Gateway for Central Dalmatia: Split, Trogir, and island ferries to Brac, Hvar, Vis, and beyond.
Transport: Airport bus to Split, Taxis, Car rentals, Private transfers
Dubrovnik Airport
DBV • LDDU
20 km • 20 km drive to Dubrovnik
Gateway for South Dalmatia: Dubrovnik Riviera, Peljesac, Mljet, and longer transfers to Lastovo.
Transport: Airport shuttle, Taxis, Car rentals, Private transfers
On the mainland, car rentals are the easiest way to reach small ports and dive centers, especially in Istria and for multi-base trips. Buses connect major coastal cities well, but island schedules are ferry-driven. For islands, decide early whether you need a car: foot passengers can move fast on catamarans, but a vehicle makes remote beaches and dive centers simpler. In July and August, expect congestion around ferry ports and popular beaches, and build buffer time into your plans.
Croatia is in the Schengen Area, so short-stay rules for visa-exempt travelers generally follow the 90 days in any 180-day period framework. Carry a passport (or national ID for EU/EEA travelers). Border procedures are evolving: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out and may add biometric checks at first entry, while ETIAS is planned to start operations in late 2026. Always check requirements for your nationality and passport validity rules before flying.
Dive shops widely provide tanks and weights, and most coastal hubs have full rental fleets. If flying with gear, pack regs and computers in carry-on, and use a dry bag for wet kit on ferries. DIN valves are common in Europe, but confirm with your operator. If you plan any independent diving, bring or rent a proper surface marker setup because marking your dive area is part of the local safety expectations.
Euro (EUR)
Cards are widely accepted in coastal cities and established island towns. Carry cash for small konobas (taverns), beach bars, and remote marinas, especially outside peak season.
ATMs are common in cities and main tourist hubs (Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Pula). Smaller islands can have limited coverage, so withdraw before long ferry hops.
230V • 50Hz • C, F
Most accommodations use standard EU plugs. Boats may have limited outlets; bring a small power bank if you rely on cameras and lights.
Communications
Mobile coverage is strong along the coast and on larger islands, with occasional gaps in remote coves. If you are an EU traveler, roaming rules often make data simple. Non-EU travelers can buy local SIMs or eSIMs at airports and major towns. Download offline maps if you plan long island drives.
Language
Croatian is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and dive centers. In parts of Istria, Italian is also common. Learning a few basics (please, thank you, hello) goes a long way in smaller towns.
Insurance
Carry standard travel insurance plus diving accident coverage if you will scuba or freedive beyond casual snorkeling. Confirm that your policy covers hyperbaric treatment and medical evacuation. Keep emergency contacts, policy numbers, and any pre-existing condition documentation accessible offline.
Packing list