Olib & Silba – Sea Sponge Farm
An Exclusive Experience Aboard Boat EMA
The only tourist excursion in the world that takes you to an active sea sponge farm.
Start
Duration
14 hours
Capacity
12-15 people
Tour
private or shared
Included
boat ride, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling mask, free time
Available
April-October
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Embark on an extraordinary maritime adventure unlike anything else in the world.
Sail across the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea and discover one of Croatia’s most fascinating underwater stories. Boat EMA takes you to the enchanting island of Olib, home to the world’s only sustainable sea sponge farm cultivating Euspongia officinalis Adriatica – the finest natural sea sponge in the world.
Home-made
lunch
Olib
island
Boat
ride
Silba
island
Sponge Diving
What makes this tour truly exceptional is that EMA is the only tourist boat authorized to access the farm and offer guided visits to this unique location. This exclusive privilege allows our guests to step beyond traditional tourist routes and gain rare insight into a remarkable conservation project that few people will ever experience.
Operated by Volo d.o.o., the concession holder and guardian of this innovative project, the farm represents a globally unique example of sustainable sea sponge cultivation. These rare and highly valued Adriatic sponges are renowned for their softness, durability, and exceptional quality, and have been treasured throughout the Mediterranean for centuries.
Throughout the excursion, you will discover the rich maritime heritage of the Croatian islands and learn about the centuries-old sponge diving tradition that shaped the lives of local coastal communities. For generations, sponge divers passed down their knowledge of the sea, free diving, and marine conservation, creating a unique cultural legacy that continues to thrive on Olib today.
The Olib sponge farm is much more than a tourist attraction. It is an important marine conservation project promoting sustainable aquaculture, biodiversity protection, and responsible stewardship of the Adriatic Sea. The controlled cultivation of sea sponges helps preserve natural
Through this pioneering initiative, Volo d.o.o. preserves centuries of maritime tradition while creating a sustainable vision for the future of the Adriatic.