Its true that in 2008 a diver was attacked by a suspected great white shark, but the incident was newsworthy for how unusual it was, rather than it representing any kind of the norm.From the relevant statistics, we can see that since 1900, there have been 25 shark attacks in Croatian waters, with 14 people killed; the last such incident was in 1974. In 50 years of enjoying the sea, their casualties are down to one: my grandfather was slightly stung by a jellyfish although an independent family commission never properly investigated the case. Still, blue sharks, bull sharks, and even tiger sharks have all been spotted off Croatias coast. A vaccination certificate or booster dose certificate. It is people, though, that take advantage of these marine creatures. Which Vacation Hotspot Should I Choose? Practice caution when outside in the summer, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest. So keep your eyes peeled when youre looking out to sea while enjoying that morning coffee. The short length of the Ombla means much of the river is actually sea water, making way for a diverse mix of marine life. Dont let the arid landscape fool you, there is plenty happening on Pags beaches and Zrce Plaza, in the town of Novalja to the north of the island, is a party hub playing host to a number of international music festivals every year. Similar to some whales, they use their mouths to filter all that from the water. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Unlike the previous two sharks, these arent really dangerous to humans, so there is no need to panic if you happen to see one. Although the Slovenian diver claimed to have been attacked by a great white shark, this has never been proved. There are around 30 species of sharks in Croatia In the past 150 years, 9 people were killed by sharks. If you're set on a prime July or August visit, I recommend staying outside of the city center in areas like upa or Cavtat, where you'll not only save money on accommodations, but you'll also be able to escape the crowds for a more relaxed stay. Ombla is one of the shortest rivers in the world, with the source being less than five kilometers from the rivers mouth in Dubrovnik, located at the foot of the Golubov Kamen massif. in the Adriatic, but only two are actually dangerous - and attacks are extremely rare. All rights reserved. About the author Jamie By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Thats why theyre often mistaken for a ray. Oh, and there is also a good chance are that strong winds will stop the ferryboat line from some island, causing you to miss your booked flight. The species found there usually pose no threat to humans and tend to keep themselves to themselves, avoiding any kind of contact with us. Scientific Reports magazine stated that between 2000 and 2015, Croatia (despite its large bear population), is at the bottom of the list in terms of number of attacks, with only three non-lethal attacks recorded throughout the survey period. There are even some dangerous types, which include the man-eating monster from Jaws, the great white shark. They were transformed from children carelessly taking a swim to terror-filled adults, always searching the water for a shark fin on the surface. If you or a fellow traveler get stung by a scorpion, you should clean the area well, apply a cool compress and take pain medication as needed. While Dubrovnik's local government is trying to combat this problem by restricting the number of cruise ships per day, tourist crowds in peak summer season are still a problem. We select the targeted destination depending on the weather conditions and our anglers desires. Much less common in the northeastern part of the country, More common along the coast and have been seen on the islands, too, You probably wont find them on Rab Island, Dugi Otok or Mljet, Found in river lowlands of the Sava, Drava, Mura and Danube Rivers, Found in mountainous regions of Gorski Kotor, Found in meadows and long other freshwater shores. You can also get a special cream from the pharmacy that will help the splinters come out on their own. The interesting part is, I am not talking about my generation, the children in the family, but about our parents. They are responsible for the most unprovoked attacks on people, though, so are certainly ones to be cautious of. Join our travel community and discover the world through the eyes of passionate travelers like yourself. Is Croatia home to sharks? Try not to step on these, as the spikes will stay in your skin and it will be painful to walk on. I share with you all my best tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure. Another aggressive shark you might encounter in Croatia is the shortfin mako shark. Tingling and numbness around the sting spot. An exclusive video of chasing a poor shark on the Adriatic coast. About the author Jamie While cards are widely accepted, some bars or shops are often cash only. The sea is also extremely clean, so I never worry about the quality of the water either. Be careful there are sharks in Dubrovnik today! ), mainly found along the coastline - their bites are painless, but deadly. Luckily, unfortunate encounters are preventable for the most part, but to ensure you can wander through the magnificent Croatian woods and relax on the beach in peace, weve created a guide detailing exactly what to look out for. You should also fill out this Enter Croatia form here. As with most European countries, Croatias forests and gardens are no strangers to ticks. But despite the occasional sensationalist story, there is little chance of you having any close encounters with sharks. WebAre There Sharks in Croatia: 7 Species You Can Find There Great white shark. Another thing that makes Silba so special is that the island is completely pedestrianized. Also make sure you are comfortable with heights, as the main road connecting Dubrovnik to the airport goes alongside a steep cliff. Meadow vipers are fond of grassy, mountainous landscapes too, and are typically found in Southern Velebit, as well as the Dinara mountain range. You dont need to hold back from enjoying the inviting Adriatic Sea, but it wouldnt be a bad idea to stick to swimming between the flags at the beach and avoid unallocated areas. While most holidaymakers never even get close to seeing a shark during their Croatian adventures, it doesnt mean that theyre not lurking beneath the surface of the seas. About the author Jamie The fact that the colors dont blend but drastically change is their biggest giveaway. The most recent attack that ended in death took place in 1974 near Omis, and the last known recorded attack happened in the water near Vis, in 2008. Our Facebook Travel Group is the perfect place for you to connect with other travelers from around the world and start planning your next adventure. Although the probability of a shark attack in Croatia is really insignificant, you may take some precautions anyway. Days would pass and he wouldnt take a swim. If, by comparison, we look at the number of shark attacks in the US or Australia during the same period, well see that they have had 1,999 and 1,237 attacks, respectively. There are actually as many as 47 different shark species that inhabit the Adriatic, including bull sharks, tiger sharks, and even great whites. Sharks tend to populate very deep waters and drop-offs and keep their distance from humans, and dolphins can actually be a deterrent for sharks. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. They typically favor habitats in unpolluted environments, so if youre surrounded by these creatures, at least you can bet that youre swimming in pristine water. You'll also avoid stepping on any sea urchins that you see along the rocks. Blue Shark catch&release in Dubrovnik The Adriatic Sea is considered extremely safe for swimming. Up to 47 different species of shark are found in the Adriatic, including blue, bull, tiger, and, yes, even the fearsome great white shark! Even if just to steer clear of rip currents and undertows which pose more of a threat than the sea creatures. Adorned with mosaics and housing an atrium, bishops palace, baptistery, and sacred relics from the 4th century, the basilica will fascinate even the least historically inclined visitor. Sharks tend to populate very deep waters and drop-offs and keep their distance from humans, and dolphins can actually be a deterrent for sharks. In conclusion, you will likely find Croatia one of the most rewarding places to swim in Europe. Croatias waters are better known for their great sporting opportunities and fantastic clarity for snorkeling and dolphin watching, but there are also around 45 species of shark that live in the Adriatic. Conservationists track the early years of the pups around Croatias coast, and your excursion tour guide is sure to fill you in on everything there is to know about the lives of young dolphins in the Adriatic. These creatures are found primarily in the Adriatic coastal area of Croatia, and the chances of you having an encounter with one of these dangerous arthropods are actually fairly slim. Is There Sharks In Croatia? This huge rock and cave straddle the Croatian-Bosnian border. As the name suggests, you can distinguish these sharks by their beautiful deep blue color, which appears on top of their bodies. Be careful there are sharks in Dubrovnik today! Subscribe to Travel Snippet newsletter for free travel tips and inspiration. The first story about sharks in the Adriatic in 2017 came unusually early on, on June 14, with an exclusive video of two men chasing away a 1.5-metre blue shark on a ski jet, poking it with a harpoon, which some saw as animal molestation, as spectators could be heard saying Poor thing! on the video. No, not the Jaws type with the fin and razor-sharp teeth but the American football type. There are realistic chances that you will find someone else lying on your towel after you leave the water. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations. The last attack happened in 2008. Sea urchins can dwell in shallow waters, and there is a chance that your foot could meet an urchins spiny back while walking on the seabed. For years now, these Croatian shark reports have not included any actual encounters with people, however; the last dramatic one was in 2008, when a great white almost bit off the leg of a Slovenian scuba diver off the coast of the island of Vis. 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