Neretva Delta

The Neretva Delta is located along the eastern Adriatic coast, primarily in southern Croatia with a portion extending into Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Neretva River flows from its source in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Dinaric Alps before reaching the Adriatic Sea at this delta.

The Neretva Delta is the largest remaining wetland on the eastern Adriatic coast and serves as a critical habitat for numerous bird species, including herons, egrets, and various migratory waterfowl. Its extensive marshes, lagoons, and alluvial plains make it a key stopover on the Adriatic flyway for birds migrating between Europe and Africa.

The fertile alluvial soils of the Neretva Delta support significant agriculture, particularly the cultivation of citrus fruits (mandarins and oranges), as well as vegetables and melons. The area around the towns of Opuzen and Metković is especially known for its mandarin orange orchards, which are a major local economic product.

The Neretva Delta is under pressure from agricultural drainage, water diversion for hydroelectric projects upstream, and tourism development along the Adriatic coast. These activities threaten the delicate wetland ecosystem that supports its biodiversity, prompting conservation efforts by both Croatian and international environmental organizations.