Zlatni Rat, the long pebble spit at Bol on the island of Brač, is one of the most photographed beaches in Croatia, and most people who travel there land at Split Airport. Brač is the closest large island to Split, but it is still an island: every trip has a road part and a sea part.
This guide explains the two main ways to reach Bol, how long each part takes, and how to plan the connection so your day of arrival goes smoothly.
Two ways to reach Bol
Bol is on the south coast of Brač, facing Hvar. The island's main ferry port, Supetar, is on the north coast, facing Split. That geography shapes the whole trip.
The direct catamaran from Split to Bol runs in the summer season. It takes foot passengers only and usually needs around an hour, depending on the route and stops. Bol harbour is a short walk from the town centre, which makes this the simplest option if you are staying in Bol without a car.
The car ferry from Split to Supetar runs all year and is the island's busiest connection. The crossing takes around 50 minutes. From Supetar, the road crosses the middle of the island to Bol, a drive of roughly 40 minutes. Local buses connect Supetar and Bol, but not after every ferry, so check the times before relying on one.
There is also a short car ferry from Makarska to Sumartin at the island's eastern end. It is mainly useful if you are driving up from the Makarska Riviera rather than coming from the airport.
Timetables change between winter and summer, and boats fill up in July and August. Check current departures with the operators and buy tickets ahead for the peak season.
From the airport to Split ferry port
Split Airport lies in Kaštela, west of the city. Both the catamaran to Bol and the car ferry to Supetar leave from Split ferry port in the city centre, about 25 minutes from the airport by car in normal traffic and longer on summer afternoons.
A private transfer to Split ferry port takes you from the arrivals hall to the harbour directly, with help for your bags. Our page for cruise and ferry passengers explains how the same trip works in the other direction, from the port to the airport. For a comparison of bus, taxi and transfer into the city, see Split Airport to Split: Taxi, Bus or Private Transfer?
Timing the connection
The usual mistake is booking the boat too close to the flight. Between landing and the harbour you have passport control, baggage reclaim and the drive into Split, and in summer each of those can be slow. Leave a comfortable margin, and more on Saturdays in July and August.
The direct catamaran to Bol sails less often than the ferry to Supetar. If you land in the late afternoon or evening, check whether a catamaran is still running that day. The ferry to Supetar runs later, and from there the drive across the island to Bol is straightforward if you have arranged transport on Brač.
When you book a transfer with your flight number, the driver follows the flight and adjusts the pickup if you land late, at no extra cost. Read what happens when your flight is delayed for how this works.
Zlatni Rat and Bol
Zlatni Rat stretches out from the coast about two kilometres west of Bol harbour, reached on foot along a shaded promenade through the pines. Its tip shifts with the wind and the currents, so the beach never looks quite the same from one season to the next.
The steady afternoon wind in the channel between Brač and Hvar has made Bol a well-known windsurfing and kitesurfing spot. Above the town rises Vidova Gora, at 778 metres the highest peak of any Adriatic island, with views across to Hvar on a clear day.
Bol itself is a small harbour town with a seafront promenade, cafés and a Dominican monastery on the headland east of the centre. It is busy in high summer and calmer in spring and autumn, when the beach is at its most relaxed.
Car or no car?
If you are staying in Bol and plan to spend most of your time on the beach and in town, a car is not essential: the catamaran brings you into the harbour, and the town is easy to walk. A car is more useful for exploring the villages inland and other coves around the island, or if you are travelling with a lot of luggage via Supetar.
Decide before you book the boat, since it decides which crossing you need. If you are also thinking about the neighbouring island, our guide to getting from Split Airport to Hvar follows the same pattern.
Getting back to the airport
Plan the return the same way in reverse. Pick a boat that reaches Split with a generous buffer before your flight: the drive from the port to the airport takes about 25 minutes, and summer check-in queues can be long. Tell us your boat and flight times and we will suggest a pickup time at the port.
Booking both directions together gives you 5% off the total, and one less thing to arrange on the last day of the holiday.
Plan the first part now
We can't book the boat for you, but we can take the uncertainty out of the drive. Enter Split Airport and Split ferry port in the booking form to see the fixed price for your group, add your flight number, and your driver will be waiting in arrivals with your name.
Book your private transfer to Split ferry port, and your trip to Zlatni Rat starts on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Split Airport to Bol?
Travel from the airport to Split ferry port, about 25 minutes by car, then take the summer catamaran to Bol or the car ferry to Supetar and drive across the island.
How long is the boat from Split to Brač?
The car ferry to Supetar takes around 50 minutes. The summer catamaran to Bol usually takes around an hour. Check current timetables with the operators.
How far is Zlatni Rat from Bol?
About two kilometres west of Bol harbour, an easy walk along the seafront promenade through the pines.
Can I take a car to Brač?
Yes, on the car ferry from Split to Supetar, or from Makarska to Sumartin at the island's eastern end. The catamaran to Bol takes foot passengers only.
Can you drive me from Split Airport to the ferry port?
Yes. We offer fixed-price private transfers from the airport to Split ferry port, with flight tracking and meet and greet in arrivals.