Want to Escape to a Relaxing Island?

It’s never a bad time to take an island vacation. However, there are best times to visit islands.

May is the Perfect time for Croatia

One of the best times to visit the island of Brac in Croatia is the beautiful month of May! Especially during the second half of the month. Brac island is a mecca of pebble beaches, crystal clear blue waters, warm sunny days, and best of all, amazingly small tourist crowds! May is the last truly relaxing month before the island is hit by a major influx of tourists. With the beautiful May weather on Brac you’re in for a real island relaxation treat!

Crystal clear water off the tip for Zlatni Rat beach in Bol Photo by Sarah Castillo | CC BY-SA 2.0

How to get there

The best way to reach Brac island is by ferry from Split. The mainland city of Split is easy to reach by flight, train, or even a ferry from Italy. Once you’ve landed or docked, all you’ll have to do is head over to the seaport and catch one of the daily ferries to Supetar or Bol. Theses are the main cities on Brac island. There is one daily ferry to Bol, leaving at 4:00pm or 4:30pm depending on the day, and nine daily ferries between Split and Supetar leaving all throughout the day. The multitude of ferries between Split and Supetar means that returning to Split for a day trip is a great option. Especially for those taking a longer island vacation! Split is a beautiful seaside port town with great food and beautiful historic spots like Diocletian’s Palace.

The perfect mix of modern comfort and historic monuments in Split

Head to the beach!

Once you’ve made your way to Brac, there are great things to do in both Bol and Supetar. Supetar is smaller and more residential as you go inland. The sea port, seaside restaurants, beaches, and shops are a great place to spend a couple days.

From where the ferry docks at the port, you’ll be able to walk west along the seaside boardwalk which will take you to a long stretch of pebble beaches and piers where you can settle down and relax on a warm sunny day. Don’t forget to bring a thick towel or better yet a yoga mat to protect you from the pebbles.  There are places where you can rent a cushion along the beaches. Carrying a yoga mat is a great portable option that’s easy to clean when your beach vacation is done! Plus, who wants to worry about carrying cash to rent a mat when you go to a beach!

While you’re relaxing and combing through pebbles for shells, be sure to take a swim in the crystal clear water. Due to a colony of harmless giant mussels in the surrounding sea, the water is filtered and extremely clean and clear.

Along with crystal clear water, you get a beautiful view of mainland Croatia from Supetar beaches

Photo by Sarah Castillo | CC BY-SA 2.0

You Have Options

After exploring in Supetar, head south across the island to the bigger city of Bol. This port town is home to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Zlatni Rat. From the town center, which is filled with cute shops and restaurants, you can either walk down a boardwalk to reach Zlatni Rat, or take one of the many taxi boats that will ferry you across the water right from the Bol port to the beach itself. Once you’re at Zlatni Rat, you’ll be intrigued by the resort style beach that reaches out into the sea. The beach itself is considered one of the best in Europe. This is due to its crystal-clear waters and very unusual shape, and is truly worth a visit!

Besides being home to one of the most unique beaches around, Bol is a great starting point for hikes. Hikes that travel up into ancient places tucked into the mountains of inland Brac. The Blaca Monastery, and Zmajeva Spilja are two such places. You’ll see how previous inhabitants of the island lived by carving parts of their dwellings right into the rock of the mountains. Note, the hikes should be planned in advance. Only locals act as guides and you need to make sure your schedule coincides with theirs, but the trips into the mountain are well worth the planning, just think of the views!

Zlatni Rat beach stretching out into the sea

Photo by Sarah Castillo | CC BY-SA 2.0

Try the food

Beyond amazing historic sites and beautiful beaches, Brac is fondly known for its local cuisine of amazingly fresh seafood. Average cost of a nice meal out for two at just around 30 US dollars, eating out is affordable and delicious. Think fresh fish caught that day, maybe just hours before you sit down to eat. Then cooked by chefs who have spent their lives working with local ingredients and show their expertise in their food. If you’re traveling in a group or just very hungry, many places will serve grill platters of whatever seafood has been caught fresh the day. You’ll have a unique opportunity to sample local fresh fare – probably while sitting outside right next to the sea!

 

Lots of restaurants have great outdoor patios with beautiful sea views

Where to stay

 

Although both Bol and Supetar have their winning points, for a truly relaxing island getaway Supetar is a perfect home base on the island. Waterman Svpetrvs Resort is an especially great option as it’s located right on the waterfront, walking distance from Supetar’s main port area, and has all sorts of amenities like an outdoor pool lounging area, a spa, and athletic facilities.

The resort has all-inclusive, and room-only options of stay and hosts lots of great activities throughout the day for all ages. As a great perk, there is also a Padi and Naui certified scuba diving center based right on the resort grounds. If you find that your beach days aren’t enough of a taste of the beautiful waters, head over to the Fun Dive Club for a course or an intro dive that will take you into a beautiful underwater world!

Whether you’re relaxing poolside, seaside, or even at great nearby restaurant, the resort and Brac island is the perfect island getaway and you’ll never experience a better May vacation!

Hop on a ferry and head over to Brac Island!

 

Croatia is is an amazing spring destination and should be at the time top of your list. If you are curious of where else is on the top of my travel list here at myoutofoffice.net then click the link below.

Top 4 May Vacation Destinations: Lets Spring into Travel

Make sure to stop by next week and see if Mexico City will make your travel bucket list.

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