The Brac Channel
The Brac channel runs between Split on the mainland and the north coast of Brac. It is 9 nautical miles wide at the narrowest point and 22 miles long. Most Split-based charters cross this channel on the first afternoon and again on the last afternoon of the trip. The channel is well-marked, well-documented, and can be fast sailing in the Maestral — which arrives reliably from the northwest around midday and builds through the afternoon.
The Brac channel also funnels the Bora. In a strong Bora episode the channel can run 25–35 knots from the northeast with a short, steep swell. This is uncomfortable but manageable on a capable charter yacht; it is unpleasant in an underpowered or heavily loaded boat. Check the forecast before departing Split if a Bora is mentioned in the next 24 hours.
Bol and Zlatni Rat Beach
Zlatni Rat is Croatia's most photographed beach — a pebble spit that extends 500 metres into the sea from the south coast of Brac near Bol. The unusual thing about it is that the tip shifts direction depending on current and wind, sometimes pointing northwest, sometimes northeast. The underwater part also shifts, which affects where you can anchor nearby.
Bol itself has a small marina (ACI Marina Bol, around 125 berths) and an active windsurfing scene. The Maestral coming over the ridge from the north shore of Brac creates consistent afternoon wind that has made Bol one of the best windsurfing locations in the Mediterranean. If you are not a windsurfer, this means the anchorage off Zlatni Rat can be choppy in the afternoons. Arrive and anchor in the morning; leave or go into the marina before the afternoon wind builds.
Anchorage near Zlatni Rat: Anchor east of the beach spit in 5–8 m sand. The spit itself has swimmers all around it — give wide clearance. Do not anchor to the west of the spit in the afternoon when Maestral swell comes around the tip.
Best Anchorages on Brac
| Anchorage | Coast | Depth (m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milna Bay | West | 4–12 | Best all-round overnight; good restaurant; ACI marina |
| Osibova | West | 4–8 | Quiet cove north of Milna; no facilities; beautiful |
| Lovreca (near Bol) | South | 5–10 | Sheltered cove east of Zlatni Rat; restaurant |
| Povlja | North | 4–8 | Roman ruins nearby; good holding; village taverna |
| Splitska | North | 3–6 | Roman quarry town; excellent stone quay; quiet |
| Postira | North | 3–6 | Village bay; ferry service; local feel |
Supetar — North Coast Main Town
Supetar is the administrative centre of Brac, on the north coast directly opposite Split. It has a car ferry connection to Split (50 minutes) and a functioning town marina with 300-odd berths. As a stopping point on a sailing route it is not particularly atmospheric — too much ferry traffic, not enough old town. But it is the right choice if you need a provisioning stop close to Split at the start or end of a charter, and the town itself has decent restaurants.
Milna — The Best Overnight Stop on Brac
Milna is on the west coast of Brac, sheltered inside a deep bay. It is consistently cited by sailors as one of the best overnight stops in the whole Split region. The ACI Marina Milna has 180 berths. The village has a Baroque church, a good market on summer mornings, and three or four restaurants that represent excellent value. The bay itself is almost completely enclosed, with good holding in 5–12 m.
Many charter routes use Milna as the last night before returning to Split — it is 10 nm by sea from Split, meaning a relaxed three-hour morning sail on the final day. This is a better end to a charter week than a last-minute dash from further afield.
Wind and Conditions on Brac
The ridge running along Brac's interior (highest point 778 m) creates a venturi effect for both the Maestral and the Bora. On the south coast, the Maestral arrives earlier and stronger than it does elsewhere — useful for an afternoon sail from Bol toward Hvar or Vis. The north coast benefits from the channel fetch when the Bora is blowing — it can be a fast but rough sail back from Brac to Split in a northeasterly.
Fitting Brac into Your Route
Brac is almost always the first stop on a Split-based charter route. The standard circuit from Split runs: Milna (first night) → Hvar/Pakleni Islands (nights two and three) → Vis (night four) → continue south or return via Brac south coast. The return leg from Hvar to Split can use the south coast of Brac as an alternative to the open Brac channel — better shelter and a string of anchorages for a lunch stop.
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