Croatia holidaymakers 'can see rare marine life' in Adriatic waters

Divers and travellers on a Croatia sailing holiday could find themselves spotting the cow shark.

An Austrian diving instructor found himself face-to-face with the harmless creature in the Adriatic sea, the Croatian Times has reported.

On the discovery, Gunter Rath told the German language Kleine Zeitung newspaper last week: "I don’t think anyone ever spotted a Bluntnose six-gill shark in the Adriatic Sea and at this rather low depth.

"We approached him and stayed close for at least seven minutes to take pictures."

The sharks can sometimes grow to 18 feet in length and is not considered dangerous to humans, unless it is provoked.

Sightings of the shark could attract more visitors to the Croatia region.

The waters around Croatia are becoming increasingly popular with divers.

Croatia sailing holiday travellers may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this docile creature, which comes up at night to feed.

The country is well known for having many natural attractions as well as cultural ones, in busy Dubrovnik and Split.

There are several satellite towns such as Trogir, where travelers can take in the country's wildflowers and natural landscapes.