Longa is a small island in the southern part of the Vrsar archipelago, located half a nautical mile from the Porto Sole camp and the Belvedere resort. It is elongated in shape, which is why it got its name – "long," although when viewed from above, it more closely resembles a slipper covered in greenery..
The snorkeling location is on the eastern tip, closest to the mainland on the northern side where two rocks protrude from the sea. No matter how you arrive at Longa, whether by boat, kayak, or SUP, the first thing you’ll notice from a distance is the lush greenery that gives the islet its special charm. Large pine trees tower over the scrubland, creating the impression of a wild Mediterranean forest, and their canopies provide shade even in the shallow waters.
Underwater Attractions
Longa islet offers several interesting snorkeling spots. Both rocks can be circled by swimming around them. The larger rock is lower and hides an underwater arch that you can swim through. The arch is illuminated through three openings at a depth of one meter, one of which is wider and easiest for a single person to pass through. When you emerge from beneath the arch towards the open sea, you’ll see a stone wall on the right slowly descending into deeper water. In the crevices at the bottom of the wall, you can find schools of blackfish, wrasses, comber, and scorpionfish.
By carefully observing the shallow rocks of this reef, you’ll notice they are covered in a velvet-like texture, soft to the touch. On the back side of this rock, there is a sandy bottom with dunes. At the end of the sand, in deeper water, there is a small cave accessible only to small fish like gobies and blennies, but if you look closely, you’ll see light at the end of the tunnel.
Among the underwater hills, you can often spot cuttlefish. When they notice you, they start changing color and pattern as a means of communication. They are likely signaling that they are not interested in closer interaction, and if you make a sudden move, they will release ink to confuse you and obscure their escape route.
Returning to the shallows, the sand gradually transitions into small pebbles with scattered large rock formations. During low tide, the passage around the rocks is less than a meter deep, but it’s worth squeezing through as you might find sharpnose puffers. These small fish grow up to 7 centimeters and are easily recognizable by their color. Males are bright red with black heads, while females and juveniles are lighter, yellowish with a marbled pattern. If you approach them slowly and carefully, you can observe them closely. They swim in a zigzag pattern, and when they spread their dorsal fin, you’ll be amazed by the beautiful light blue border. Females have specific markings depending on their habitat. They are very territorial and do not stray far from their home.
Up close, you can also observe various types of blennies, recognizable by the growths on their heads resembling deer antlers. They hide under rocks in semi-dark holes. Here you can also find larger-sized nudibranchs, and around the smaller rock, there are always schools of small fish. Near the reef, there is a small cove colored by red algae, and at its bottom, a lobster sometimes hides.
Unique Aspects of Longa
If you continue exploring this snorkeling location a bit deeper, on the sand, in front of the larger rock, about 15 meters away at a depth of 8 meters, you’ll find the remains of a fishing trawler that left its engine and shaft here as a monument to past labor. Today, it is a hiding place for scorpionfish, a decorator crab carrying an orange sponge on its back, and occasional visitors like lobsters or octopuses.
On the surrounding sand, you’ll often see gurnard fish walking with small legs. If startled, they spread their pectoral fins like wings with a turquoise border and blue spots.
A frequent visitor in July is the marbled electric ray, which can be seen resting on the sand in small groups. If you approach them slowly, you can enjoy watching their flight, which looks like they are hovering above the bottom, truly fascinating!
Safety First
When swimming through the underwater arch, pay attention to the size of the passage and the necessary depth for a safe exit. A too-shallow dive could result in scraped backs.
During the summer months, Longa is a popular spot to escape the hustle and bustle of city beaches. Be cautious when moving away from the reef and always observe the situation at sea; whether someone is anchoring or just passing by the island...
Do not swim to the nearby islet of Galopun as there is a navigable channel between them.
Our Relationship with the Sea
At the Longa snorkeling location, you may find shipwreck remains scattered everywhere, but do not remove or touch them. They are just a reminder of the sea's unpredictable nature, which must be respected even when choosing the moment to go snorkeling. The most enjoyable snorkeling is during calm sea conditions.
Welcome to the world of snorkeling!
