Kukuljari

Kukuljari is a small group of islets and rocks off the south coast of Murter, taking in the rounded hump of Babuljaš, the broad low islet of Vodnjak, and the skerries of Kamićici and Kukuljar. Our dive is on the islet closest inshore: a bare stone plate a few metres above the sea, topped with a small lighthouse—a beacon in place since 1895 (focal height about 11 m, white light) and, in its current form, the first solar-powered installation of its kind in the Šibenik archipelago.

You can work several aspects: the northwest point hides a small cavern, the west side is more sheltered and better for anchoring, and the east side is open to richer current and wall life. A settled forecast is essential: when the bora and the tramontana are up, there is not really a good anchorage anywhere in this part of the archipelago; in genuinely calm air the sea here is a joy to dive.

The site is a relaxed, easy profile for mixed groups: a roughly vertical, “cylinder”-shaped islet to about 40 m; the south is a little deeper, while the northwest is a kinder, shallower plateau. On the northwest cape, look for a small cavern with colourful sponges (about 22 m). On the east, expect yellow gorgonians, sponges, and schooling fish. About 7 nautical miles from Murter in straight-line terms; the boat run through the channels is longer. Depth and route can be matched to all experience levels.