Exploration of the Jama na braku od Lonče in the Kornati National Park

The Croatian Biospeleological Society (CBSS), in cooperation with the Public Institution Kornati National Park, has been conducting biospeleological, speleological and cave diving research in the Kornati archipelago for many years. Thanks to Zlatko Ružanović, a biologist at the Park who has been diligently collecting data on caves in the Kornati Islands for years, 70 caves have been explored in the Kornati National Park area so far.

The reason for this year’s cave diving research was the information about submerged caves that Zlatko was given by diving instructor Mr. Josip Turčinov – Špar from Murter. Based on this information, in September 2023, the first cave diving research was carried out, in which Mr. Špar personally joined the team and led them to the entrance to the then unknown cave, near the island of Lavsa. On that occasion, divers managed to explore and topographically map the cave to a depth of 45 m and were surprised by the impressive underground space, as well as the multitude and size of various speleothems. This cave, in our opinion, is one of the most beautiful in the Park area, which also gave rise to planning the continuation of the research. Since the cave had no name until then, it was given the name Jama na braku od Lonče.

Already at the beginning of planning the second research, it was clear that due to the great depth, it would be necessary to include divers with rebreathers in the team. Thanks to the understanding and support of the National Park, a new cave diving campaign was carried out on September 25-28, 2025, in which Zlatko Ružanović (JU NP Kornati), Petra Kovač Konrad (SO HPK Sv. Mihovil, DIK Freatik), Leo Lušić (HPK Sv. Mihovil) Lea Okićki (CBSS, SO PDS Velebit), Damir Pavelić (CBSS) and Branko Jalžić – Bančo (CBSS, SO HPD Željezničar) participated.

During the campaign, Petra and Leo managed to dive to the bottom of the cave at a depth of 69 m and topographically map the new area, which was also the main goal of the research. The area, speleothemes and fauna were recorded and photographed. At the end of the research, during the last dive in the cave, Petra and Leo discovered a large chamber measuring 25-30 m wide and about 20 m long at a depth of 26 m. The chamber is decorated with numerous large stalactites and stalagmites.

The research was successfully carried out. Everything went like clockwork, the team was united and hardworking, and the weather was ideal. The continuation of the research is planned for the spring of 2026.