META DESCRIPTION: There's a shipwreck just off the coast near Fažana, and it's one of Istria's most fascinating hidden attractions. Here's what you need to know before you dive in.

Most visitors to Fažana come for Brijuni National Park, the dolphins, and the beaches. A smaller number — and invariably the most enthusiastic ones — come specifically for the shipwreck that lies in the waters just off the coast. And they almost always say it's one of the best things they did in Croatia.

The wreck accessible from Fažana by speedboat sits in relatively shallow water, making it accessible to snorkellers as well as divers. It has been there long enough to become a genuinely interesting marine habitat, with marine growth covering much of the hull and a diverse range of sea life — fish, crustaceans, and various invertebrates — now making it their home. The visibility in the clear northern Adriatic water allows you to take in the full scale of the structure, which is an unexpectedly moving sight.

Remember Istria's private tour that includes the shipwreck is one of its most requested experiences, and for good reason. The route typically combines the wreck with the golden rock formations of the Brijuni coastline and the fossil beach at Mali Brijun — a trio of unusual, off-the-standard-tourist-circuit attractions that together make for one of the most varied and interesting boat days available in Istria.

You don't need to be a certified diver to enjoy the shipwreck stop — snorkelling gear and confidence in the water is sufficient to get a vivid impression. That said, those who are certified divers and want a proper dive can arrange this through specialist operators in Pula.

If you're the kind of traveller who values the unexpected over the predictable, put the Fažana shipwreck high on your list. It's the kind of experience that becomes the first thing you tell people about when you get home.