Cetina River Spring Croatia (Izvor Cetine) – The Eye Of The Earth

The Cetina River Spring (Izvor Cetine), also known as the Eye Of The Earth is an incredible karst spring located at the foothills of the Dinara mountain range in Croatia.

The Eye Of The Earth in Croatia got its name because it looks like a blue-green dragon eye from above.

The Izvor Cetine source is an incredibly beautiful hidden gem in Croatia and top on the list of the coolest and most unique places in Croatia.

The Eye Of The Earth Croatia

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Cetina River Croatia

The Cetina River Spring is, as the name gives away, the source of the Cetina River in Croatia. The mouth of Croatia’s Cetina River is in Omis, a coastal town and port in the Dalmatia region.

Cetina River Source (Izvor Cetine)

The beautiful blue and green Cetina River Source is a karst spring with crystal clear and very cold water. The water is so cold and clear because a karst spring is a source from which groundwater from deep down in the earth flows out and that water is very cold.

Karst Spring

A karst spring is part of a karst hydrological system with sinkholes and caves. This Croatia karst spring reminded us of the cenotes in Mexico and the Sac Actun underwater cave system in the Yucatan Peninsula.

The cold karst spring in Croatia is quite the opposite of our beloved hot springs that we chase around the world. (If only there was a volcano around!) However, the blue-green dragon eye like spring is so beautiful, that we had to make an exception and visit it.

Cetina Spring Water Temperature

We haven’t measured the water temperature but it felt veeeery cold. The temperature is said to be between 4 and 8 Celsius cold (39 F – 46 F). So, really, really cold. It’s basically almost an ice bath if you will.

Depth Of The Eye Of The Earth

Divers have investigated the Cetina Springs up to a depth of 155 meters / 508 feet according to the Croatian nature institute that manages the monument. So the depth of the Cetina River Spring is at least 155 meters deep.

Croatian National Monument – Izvor Cetine

The Cetina River Springs is an official Croatian national monument and is protected since 1971.

When you visit Izvor Cetine in Croatia, please make sure to treat it with respect. Don’t litter and don’t damage or throw anything into the Eye Of The Earth so the Cetina River source will be as beautiful in the future as it is now.

How To Get To The Eye of The Earth In Croatia

Cetina River Spring Location

The blue hole of the Cetina River is located in the small and rural town of Cetina, which is a short ride off the local Highway 1 in Croatia.

The Eye Of The Dragon is located right next to the Serbian Orthodox Church of The Ascension of Christ.

Directions To The Cetina River Spring

You will need a car to get to the Cetina Spring. Type into Google Maps “Cetina River Spring” or “Izvor Cetine” to get to the right place. Just typing in Cetina River won’t get you to the right place.

If you are coming from overseas and don’t drive to Croatia in your own car, it’s best to rent a car at the airports in either Split or Dubrovnik.

Book your rental car ahead of time, as there is high demand in Croatia over the summer months and prices go up significantly.

Dubrovnik to Cetina River Spring

The drive from Dubrovnik to the Cetina River Source takes about 3,5 hours without traffic. Keep in mind that you will have to cross the short mediterranean sea access of Bosnia Herzegovina and pass the border controls. This will add some time to it. If there is not much traffic, the crossing and border control is pretty quick. With traffic, this can take a long time.

We visited the Cetina River Spring from Dubrovnik on our way to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. If you have similar plans, the Cetina Eye Of The Earth makes a great stop on the way.

Split To Cetina River Spring

From Split to the Cetina River Spring it is a lot quicker. It only takes 1,5 hours without traffic and there is no border control.

How To Take Photos Of The Cetina River Spring Croatia?

To state it right away, you will need a drone to get that iconic dragon eye photo from above. Only from a bird’s eye perspective and directly from above the Eye Of The Earth you will see the incredible blue-green eye shape.

There is a view platform built next to the blue spring to overlook the Cetina River source, but to be honest, you will not get that iconic photo from there (see photo above).

Camera Polarizing Filter

One more thing to add: To get that glare from the water’s surface out it’s best to use a polarizing filter, especially if you take photos at an angle from the view platform.

The polarizing filter helps to filter out the reflection of the clouds on the water. It also makes the blue tones pop more and the highlights won’t be blown out either.

Drone & Polarizing Filter

We used a DJI Air 2S for the drone shot. You can find polarizing filters for your drone on Amazon.

Pro tip: Don’t go with the cheapest option, as these filters are usually quite bad. Go with a mid to upper-range filter depending on your budget. A good quality filter will go a long way!

Closest Places To Stay Near The Cetina River Source

If you are looking to spend the night around the area, these are the closest places to stay near the Izvor Cetine spring.

Travel Insurance For Croatia

Cetina River Spring (Izvor Cetine)

The Eye Of The Earth In Croatia

We hope you found our overview about the Cetina River Spring aka the Croatia Eye Of The Earth useful and got inspired to visit this hidden gem in Croatia.

The blue hole of the Cetina River is definitely one of the most unique places in Croatia and absolutely worth a visit.

Julia & Felipe

Follow our adventures on Instagram! @piscoandbier