- Sailing Croatia tips
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by Ultra Sailing Team
Brač is the third largest island in the Adriatic (after Cres and Krk), island of stone, olives, grapes, fish.. Boaters will know its safe harbours in Milna and Bobovišća on the west part. Saturdays are the busiest days, as well as Fridays as this is is the first or last step for charterers before returning to port in Split area. For those who decide to sail around the whole island of Brač, it would be a shame not to visit stone Pušišća, Postira, Sumartin and touristy Bol.
Škrip – Native museum of Brač island
If you are moored in Postira or Pučišća, you should go to the nearby village of Škrip. Being the oldest settlement on the island, you should visit it and go to the Native Museum of Brač island. The museum is located in a rebuilt old building by the Radojković castle which used to be a fort. Over 1000 artifacts were cataloged till now, with more than 700 from prehistoric sites in Škrip and Donji Humac, Roman and early Christian sites in Lovrećina. This museum is a jewel of the cultural heritage where you can all kinds of Brač handicrafts and tools from newer history. In the summer, you can visit this museum from 8am to 8pm, in the winter only on request (contact number: +385 21 630 033). The entry fee for adults is 15 kn. A lot of times, descendants from immigrants from Brač to South America come here in search for their roots and find this place to be a time machine that takes them back to their grandparents’ times.
Donji Humac – Stone sculptures
Donji Humac is located atop a hill, distanced about 7 km from Supetar. As all inland villages on the island, the reason it was built there was to keep away from pirates. Donji Humac will delight you with numerous stone houses. Roman mausoleum and statues built from Brač stone show how long stonecutter tradition is here. The local church of St. Fabian and Sebastian dominates the village, and by it you can see many stone sculptures that were made at the international sculpting symposium which was held here.
Dračevica – village of family-run farms
This small picturesque village is few in inhabitants, but many in family-run farms, so lunch on one of them is just what the doctor ordered. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu (lamb, local cheeses etc..)
Nerežišća – in the center, literally
Nerežišća is located right in the center of the island, so in the past, this was the village where Brač princes resided. Fear of pirates made them build on top of hills for protection. You can still see the old church and noble stone houses, as well as old villager’s houses and alleys. Tourists are very few, but the old main road drivers through here so we recommend a stop and a visit.
Ložića – Rendić’s bell tower in Ložišće
This settlement was founded in the XVII century by families from neighboring Bobovišća. Next to the church from 1820, there is a beautiful bell tower by prominent Croatian sculptor Ivan Rendić, built in the 2nd half of the XIX century. AS the main road runs right past it, you can’t miss it if you are coming by car or bus. Today, there are about only 150 residents living here.
Bobovišće bay
Bobovišće is smaller than Ložišća, and it used to have its own fisherman’s port which today is well known to boaters as it is big, safe and has buoys.
Milna – safe port with a marina
Milna is the biggest village on the west side of Brač island, located in a deep bay which is turned to Split gate strait. Mrduja regatta is held yearly on the small islet of Mrduja which is located in Split gate. Milna was founded in the 17th century as the most important port of that time on Brač. In 1783 began the building of the beautiful church of Our lady of good tidings which dominates the village even today. Even though this village was named after the sand and mud that would come with heavy rains (old slavenic mil = mud), we like to believe it was named after „Mille Navi“ which is Latin for „A thousand ships“. Today this bay offers two safe mooring spots: ACI marina Milna and Vlaška bay. You can always be sure that at least one cafe, restaurant or pizzeria will be open. Make sure that get a glimpse of the first or second alley after the boardwalk to see and experience the local way of living. Famous painter Marko Trebotić was from Milna.
Blaca hermitage – world heritage and observatory
Blaca hermitage is located on the east slope of the valley, on the south side of Brač island, between Bol and Milna. It was founded in the 15th century by Glagolitic monks on the run from the Ottomans.
For a long time, this monastery was one of the most prolific economic operators on the island. From 1862 to 1962, Blaca was rune by Miličević priests. When the last one died, father Nikola Miličević, this hermitage was done. During all those year they ran an observatory too, so in 2005 International Astronomical Union allowed that two newly discovered asteroids were named Miličević (10241) and Brač (10645). Asteroids were discovered by Višnjan observatory in Istria.
Murvica – small village
A nice place for a day on the beach or a picnic, near Bol.
Bol – beaches, surfers & Zlatni rat (Golden horn)
This is the most famous place on the island, firstly as a tourist and surfing destination, as Bol beach Zlatni rat is often a motive on Croatian postcards. Bol is situated on the south side, under the highest peak Vidova Gora (780 m). It was first mentioned as a site in 1184.
Local baroque church with it beautiful ornaments, dedicated to Our lady of mount Carmel was built in 1785. Only one glance of the big winery building as you enter the port gives you an idea of the economic aspects of this place. Bol can be visited any time of the year with sights listed on the town’s webpage, and we suggest visiting Galery of Arts Branko Dešković. He is considered to be the best Croatian animalist, who grew up i Pučišća, went to an academy in Venice, lived in Vienna and Paris 100 years ago. Besides his, there are a few more galleries of prominent artists.
For boaters, it is important to point out buoys where you can tie your boat for a fee, but are unsafe during bad weather so it is prudent to move to berth in Vrbosla or Jelsa, both on Hvar island, only 10 NM away.
Sumartin & Selca – quiet places
Sumartin is located on the east side and falls under the municipality of Selca. As all the older villages, this one is also on the higher part of the island. Sumartin is a big port, small and quiet tourist spot. For those who berth in Sumartin, a walk to Selca is really short and pleasant, with the village itself being old and picturesque. Originally, Selca was a shepherd village, and later on stonecutter center. The biggest tragedy that would befall Selca happened on August 8th 1943, when the Italian fascists burned Selca and 6 other villages. Selca burned for 3 days and 3 nights. Tribute to this event can be seen in Pučišća library.
Povlja – harbour
This small coastal village also falls under Selca municipality. You can tie your boat here, but it is very open to bura and west winds.
Pučišća – picturesque place with harbour
For boaters in search of peace and quiet, this place is heaven. There are no crowds here, only the beauty of stone (even the showers on the main beach are made of it). The village had 13 forts or „Kastels“ which are now mostly residential sites. Before there used to fight off the pirates. Be sure to visit the stonecutter school which has its showpieces displayed in front. This knowledge and skill are passed down from generation to generation. A nice souvenir to buy here is the spice marjoram.
Postira – nice beach
Postira has a small mooring spot in front of the hotel (20-ish boats), but the bay is open to bura. Postira has had the best economic results in the last few decades on the island. Most of the residents are employed in the local fish factory. There are a few nice beaches, hotels, restaurants and it is not familiar that much to tourists so in addition to Pučišća, it is a nice place to berth. There is an annual regatta held here, the Little night regatta which we look forward to each year.
Supetar – capital of Brač
Supetar is the capital of Brač and well connected to Split by ferry (45 min ride). So for good reason, this is the administrative, economic, cultural hub of the island and has lots of hotels, apartments and a few beautiful sand beaches.
Sutivan – quiet with nice beaches
We finish our tour of the island in Sutivan, another beautiful village on the coast, which has a nice view of Split. Even though tourists do come here, it is mostly in private accommodation and small boutique hotels, so it is ideal for families or couples in need of some quiet time.
