Coastal
Brač Island
The big island off Split, home to Zlatni Rat, the shape-shifting beach on every Croatia poster. Kayak the coast around it, windsurf off Bol or hike Vidova Gora, the highest peak on any Adriatic island.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
Brač is the big, rocky island you see from Split's waterfront, and most people know it for one beach. Zlatni Rat, the Golden Horn, is a long tongue of white pebbles that juts out from the south coast near Bol and changes shape with the wind and currents, its tip swinging from one side to the other through the summer. It is the most photographed beach in Croatia, and in July and August it is busy from late morning.
The best way to see it is from the water. Guided kayak trips leave from the beach itself and paddle the coast around it, past small coves and caves that you cannot reach on foot, with stops to swim and snorkel in water clear enough to see the seabed metres below. No experience is needed. Go in the morning, when the sea is calmest and the beach is still quiet.
Bol is also Croatia's best-known windsurfing spot. The channel between Brač and Hvar funnels a steady afternoon wind, and the beaches west of Zlatni Rat fill with schools and rental centres for windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddle boards. For a view of it all, drive or hike up Vidova Gora, which at 778 metres is the highest point on any Adriatic island, with the beach, Hvar and the open sea laid out below.
Away from Bol, the island is quieter than its neighbour Hvar: stone villages, olive groves and the quarries that supplied the white stone for Diocletian's Palace in Split. Supetar on the north coast is the main ferry port, with crossings from Split all day, and a summer catamaran runs straight to Bol. Brač is also a regular stop when sailing the Dalmatian islands.
When to go
June and September are the sweet spot: warm sea, calm mornings and far fewer people at Zlatni Rat than in July and August. Kayak tours and water sports run from late spring to early autumn. Windsurfers come for the reliable afternoon wind through the summer.
Getting there
Car ferries run from Split to Supetar throughout the day, taking about 50 minutes, and from Supetar it is roughly 40 minutes by road to Bol. In summer, a catamaran runs directly from Split to Bol in about an hour. Zlatni Rat is a 2 kilometre walk along the seafront from Bol town.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
Day trips from Split from €69
Day trip or 2 to 3 days
Bol
Split, then 1 hr by catamaran
Where to stay on Brač for Zlatni Rat: Bol
Stay in Bol: Zlatni Rat, the kayak trips and the windsurf schools are all on its doorstep, and a summer catamaran runs straight from Split. Hotel Kaštil sits in the centre a few steps from the sea, while Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa is the resort pick with a big wellness centre. Supetar, the main ferry port on the north coast, is the alternative with crossings from Split all day. Bol is also a regular stop when sailing the Dalmatian islands.
Hotel Kaštil
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Set in a baroque fortress in the centre of Bol, a few steps from the sea.
In Bol centre
Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa
Hotel
Price Range:
Upscale
Big resort 50 m from the sea, with the largest wellness centre on Brač and 20 clay tennis courts.
50 m from the sea
Who it's for
Best for: Beach lovers, first-time kayakers, windsurfers and anyone staying in Split or Makarska who wants an easy island day with clear water.
Skip it if: You want Zlatni Rat to yourself in July or August at midday. Come early, come in June or September, or see it from a kayak instead.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Brač questions
How much does a day trip to Zlatni Rat cost?
The day trip from Split we link to costs from €69 per person, with transport across the island, free time at Zlatni Rat and Bol, and a stop at the Vidova Gora viewpoint. Paddle board rental on the beach starts from around €15.
Do I need kayaking experience?
No. Guided kayak trips from the beach suit complete beginners, and guides give a safety briefing before you set off. You do need to be able to swim and be comfortable in the water.
Why does Zlatni Rat change shape?
The pebble spit is shaped by wind and currents, so its tip shifts from one side to the other depending on the weather. It can look noticeably different from one week to the next.
Can I visit Brač as a day trip from Split?
Yes. Take the summer catamaran straight to Bol, or the car ferry to Supetar and drive across the island. Boat tours from Split and Makarska also stop at Zlatni Rat, though usually only for a short swim.
Is Bol good for windsurfing?
It is the best-known windsurfing spot in Croatia. A steady afternoon wind blows through the channel between Brač and Hvar, and schools in Bol rent gear and teach beginners. Mornings are calmer and better for kayaking.
What is Vidova Gora?
The highest point on Brač and on any Adriatic island, at 778 metres. You can drive up or hike from Bol, and the view takes in Zlatni Rat, Hvar and the open sea.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunscreen, a change of clothes and a camera. Kayak trips usually provide the kayak and snorkelling gear.
Brač or Hvar?
Brač for Zlatni Rat, water sports and a quieter island feel. Hvar for nightlife, the Pakleni Islands and a livelier old town. They sit side by side, so plenty of people visit both.
Ready to paddle Zlatni Rat?
A day trip from Split to Zlatni Rat, with free time in Bol and a stop at the Vidova Gora viewpoint.
