Tourists Flock to Croatia's Adriatic for Heatwave Relief Despite Record Sea Temperatures

Tourists are seeking cool refuge in Croatia's Adriatic Sea as temperatures soar both on land and in the water. Amid a severe heatwave, sea temperatures near Dubrovnik have set new records. Oceanographer Ivica Vilibic from the Rudjer Boskovic Institute highlights the long-term effects on marine life due to climate change.

In a bid to escape Croatia's record-breaking heatwave, hundreds of thousands of tourists are flocking to the Adriatic Sea this week. However, they're finding little solace as water temperatures also reach unprecedented highs.

Samira and Toska, hailing from Switzerland, are among the estimated 900,000 foreign tourists currently making their holiday stop in Croatia. 'We were in Italy last week and thought it was warm there, but here it's even hotter,' said Toska, relaxing on a beach outside the historic Adriatic city of Split. 'We just go every 10 minutes into the water to refresh ourselves.'

On land, daytime temperatures have soared above 40 degrees Celsius, while sea temperatures around Dubrovnik have reached a record-breaking 29.7 degrees Celsius this week. Ivica Vilibic, an oceanographer at the Rudjer Boskovic Institute in Split, noted that the Adriatic Sea is about 5 degrees warmer than average for this time of year, attributing the changes to climate change. 'There are species that thrive in warm oceans, like those in the Red Sea, which are already moving to the Adriatic,' Vilibic told Reuters. 'However, species that prefer colder water, like shrimp, might face extreme challenges and could disappear within a few decades.'

For now, the sea remains a sanctuary for tourists. 'The water is amazing; the land is hot, it's a disaster,' said Jasmin Babarovic from Bosnia. 'I don't dare leave the water because of the high temperatures, and the sea is extra refreshing.'

(With inputs from agencies.)