We went to Premuda, Croatia for a 1-week scuba diving trip last year right around the same time (link). As we had a great time it was only logical to go again this year. After a “brief” half-day drive first by car and then by ferry, we were there.
The weather was nice most of the time but a bit colder overall than last year. Still, the water had a nice temperature of 17°C at depth and 22°C at the surface. In total, we did 12 dives, 2 per day. Diving is done from a boat and the dive locations are all nearby.
I also managed to take quite a few pictures on most dives. As there are simply too many, I will only share the best ones. There was certainly a lot to see, same as last year.
Pictures
First, a couple of octopuses. They are always a welcome sight. We saw a few of them during the week but not as much as I hoped for. These two are common octopuses (Octopus vulgaris). The one on the left seemed rather large but it is difficult to estimate its size when it is in its hole. They can easily be overfished so there were dive sites where there should be plenty with none left.
An interesting fish that I saw a few times is the forkbeard (Phycis phycis). You can normally find them in larger holes during the day and I found them to be quite calm as long as you don’t use a strong light.
The Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena) was a common sight on all dives so got plenty of opportunity to take some nice pictures. The one on the right comes with a bonus nudibranch that I of course didn’t see until I looked at the pictures. My observation skills can still use a bit of improvement.
A few dives welcomed us with European spiny lobsters (Palinurus elephas). They came in all sizes like the two in the pictures. Same as with octopuses you can easily overfish them, unfortunately.
A very welcome sight was the Mediterranean slipper lobster (Scyllarides latus). I believe I saw it for the first time. I was taking pictures of one in a hole which was quite difficult, and by pure luck one more came crawling around the edge and into the same hole, giving me a bit of time to take some pictures. These were the only two I saw. They are nocturnal and hide quite well in holes during the day.
The cleaner or glass shrimp can normally be found on or nearby anemones. I started a habit of looking at most anemones I see in search of shrimp. Sometimes I get lucky with a nice specimen as was this Periclimenes aegylios. It was quite difficult to take pictures of it due to where it was hiding.
Next up is the bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata). While they may look harmless you wouldn’t want to touch it. When threatened it will flare its bristles that contain a neurotoxin.
Nudibranchs and flatworms
I think these deserve a separate section. They are the most colourful group and I am always glad to see them, especially new or uncommon species.
This flatworm was especially difficult to photograph due to it being mostly black. It is a Pseudobiceros splendidus which I saw for the first time. It was certainly a welcome sight.
I normally see Phyllidia flava only as a yellow blob so if I see one with its rhinophores visible I try to take pictures.
Cratena peregrina was the most plentiful nudibranch. I took so many pictures it was difficult to narrow them down to a few.
Flabellina affinis was similarly plentiful but for some reason, they were mostly in weird and difficult-to-reach places. I saw quite a few near their egg masses.
One of my favorite nudibranchs is the Antiopella cristata. And I was certainly lucky this week. I saw one on three separate dives. The right one was rather large at about 5 cm. Given how they look they do move fairly quickly.
And from the smaller end of the spectrum, we have a couple of nice examples of Felimare orsinii. Normally you can see them in groups of two or three and even several such groups nearby.
The Felimare tricolor also appears in one picture above, with the moray eel. Both pictures were taken close together but I can’t remember if it is the same one or not.
And for the end, a nice looking Felimida krohni.
Conclusion
Overall I had a great week of scuba diving. Not just scuba diving but a great week in general. I certainly saw a lot and the pictures above only show a small portion of it.
If at all possible I will certainly come again to Premuda.
And if you are wondering about the name of the wind that is currently blowing, they have a nice map.
