You can find these spots in the Brač Spot Guide:
(Click here for the spot description)
Why are spots like Lake Garda so popular? It's probably because there's a wind system there that brings calm to every surfing day. You get up in the morning, have a relaxed breakfast and enjoy family time. After a short afternoon nap, you stroll down to the water, set up your equipment in comfort, and at one o'clock on the dot, a dark streak in the distance announces the onset of thermals. Then you surf until the evening and round off the day with a good meal. And the best thing is: the next day, everything starts all over again!
Surf, eat, sleep - repeat: this motto also applies on the Croatian island of Brač. The reason for this is a reliable wind system with local reinforcements. During the summer months, there is hardly any other region on the Adriatic with a similarly good gliding wind rate.
Overall, Brač is quite tranquil. Although the island is just under 40 kilometres long and 12 kilometres wide, there are hardly any large towns here - let alone endless bed castles.
The heart of the windsurfing and wingsurfing scene beats around the old fishing village of Bol on the south coast of Brač. This is due to the island of Hvar off the coast. As soon as the light thermals from the west get going, the strong basic wind of just a few knots pushes through between the mountain ridges of Brač and Hvar. Although there is no strong wind, the wind is almost always sufficient for gliding with large freeride equipment or foiling. The PWA Tour has also visited Bol in the recent past - the Slalom World Cup will continue in July 2023.
The fact that Bol is already very busy in the high season is partly due to the wind system mentioned above, but also to the famous Slatni Rat beach, the Golden Horn - certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. A picturesque pebble beach juts out several hundred metres into the deep blue sea, attracting many swimmers as well as water sports enthusiasts. For families, of course, this means that water sports and family time can be ideally combined here. The distances are short, and if you stay in a strategic location, you can theoretically leave your car parked for the entire holiday and walk between the beach, surf spot and the restaurants and bars in the town centre.
If you fancy a change, you will quickly discover the original Croatia in the hinterland: olive groves line the steep slopes around the almost 800 metre high Vidova Gora, goats roam around in search of wild herbs.
However, most water sports enthusiasts probably don't notice much of this, because at one o'clock it comes again: the dark stripe on the water that heralds the next surfing day.
The best windsurfing and wingsurfing spots on Brač
1. bol
The old fishing village of Bol is one of Croatia's windsurfing hotspots. Because the marvellous pebble beach Slatni Rat is regularly voted one of the most beautiful in Croatia, there is also a lot going on here. The town has all the infrastructure and accommodation options. If you choose your accommodation strategically and hire equipment, you can leave your car here completely and reach the harbour, surf spot and place of residence on foot. You can surf between the Golden Horn, which juts out into the sea, and Borak Beach. The surf centres are located here - and the PWA Slalom World Cup has also been held here several times.
The entrance is over pebbles and the wind usually blows directly from the right. As it gets deep quickly, long fins or foils are no problem. The wind usually blows very steadily 50 metres from the beach and, depending on the strength of the wind, there may be small chop or even a swell on the water. This makes Bol an uncomplicated freeride area for long hits, slalom or foil races and even the first jumps. Slatni Rat, located upwind, is usually reserved for the numerous bathers. In the low season, strong wind sessions can also be possible in Scirocco conditions with winds from the south-east to east. Scirocco N NW blows sideshore to slightly cross onshore from the left and pushes some swell W with corresponding wind strength SW SE - ideal for downwinders with the wing.
2. bol /aloa
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Bol, you can stay at the Aloa car camp two kilometres upwind. Here, you can stand under tall pine trees with a beautiful sea view. There is a small pebble beach on the steep shore, which is also home to the Active Bol surfing centre and a restaurant. Here, too, the wind blows sideshore from the right and the standing area is only a few metres.
When the thermals start, the wind arrives here first and lasts the longest in the evening. The conditions are similar to the main spot: there are ideal freeride, slalom and foil conditions. However, shopping or a trip to the town of Bol usually involves a short car journey.
3. povlja
Even in midsummer, cold breezes can fuel the famous bora from the north-east. This downslope wind from the nearby mountains on the mainland is offshore and gusty in Bol, so it is worth travelling to the north-east of Brač. The journey to Povlja takes around 40 minutes. The start is at the small beach north of the harbour near Kapela Sv. Ante. Here, too, the beach is pebbly or even rocky, but it is quite easy to get into the water. Bora from the north-east blows here sideshore from the right and, as everywhere in Croatia, is slightly gusty. In strong winds, the water offers good freeride and bump & jump conditions. You can end the day surfing in the nearby village, but otherwise there is no surf-specific infrastructure here.
Spot info Brač
Journey
The island of Brač (pronounced Bratsch), located south of the Croatian harbour city of Split, is easily accessible by camper. From Munich, the route leads over 950 kilometres past Ljubljana and Zadar to the ferry port of Makarska - mostly via well-developed motorways (toll road). An even better option is to cross from the ferry harbour in Split to Supetar. The ferries run on a shuttle service, so pre-booking is not necessary. Once on Brač, you can reach Bol in around 45 minutes. Alternatively, there is the option of travelling by plane. In summer, connections to Split are offered from many Central European airports. Ideally, you should book flights in combination with a transfer. Complete packages are offered, e.g. from the Surf & Action Company .
Living & Camping
There is accommodation of all categories and price ranges on site. If you want to stay directly in the holiday resort of Bol within walking distance of the Golden Horn, you will find several hotels and holiday accommodations here. The advantage: you can leave your car behind and have all the infrastructure at your disposal. The distance to the surfing centres is also short. If you live a little further out, you can escape the summer hustle and bustle a little - but then you have to use one of the paid car parks around Slatni Rat. During the holiday season, you should arrive early so that you don't have to carry your equipment far. Bol also offers good opportunities for campers:
- Camp Kanun Small, family-run campsite, situated above Bol. Quiet and with a beautiful view, but also a long way to the beach.
- Camp Kito Small and quite centrally located campsite in the village. Walk to the spot or beach approx. 1.5 kilometres.
- Mario Auto Camp Actually perfectly located near the spot, under beautiful pine trees. However, not a quiet place due to the nearby nightclub.
- Camping Aloa Situated directly on the surf spot, under tall pine trees. Quiet location, only the way to the village of Bol is longer here.
Please note:Wild camping is prohibited in Croatia - especially during the high season. The fines are severe, up to 400 euros.
Wind & weather conditions
The best time to travel to Brač is between May and September. This is when a reliable thermal system, the Maestrale, provides very constant ventilation. When the weather is fine - which is the rule here - the Croatian mainland heats up more than the sea during the course of the day, creating a light thermal from the west. As soon as the usual forecasts promise sunshine and a light westerly current, the chance of a gliding wind is very high. This is because the light basic wind between Brač and the offshore island of Hvar is channelled and thus strengthened.
It typically only blows lightly in the morning - even though there are no large standing areas here, beginners can have fun in Bol without any problems. Around midday, the aforementioned thermals set in and reach twelve to 20 knots a little later. In late summer (August/September), the thermals often start a little later and the wind usually stops again around four o'clock. If you have large freeride, slalom or even foil equipment with you, you will almost always get your money's worth for a few hours. Brač does not qualify as a designated strong wind area.
The notorious bora from the east to north-east occurs when it cools down in the Croatian hinterland. As Bol lies on the leeward side of a large mountain range, the bora is very rough, offshore and gusty here. Alternatively, you can go out on the water at the Povlja spot. Scirocco from the south-east is also easy to ride. However, this bad weather wind usually only blows in the winter months - and heralds an approaching low and often also rain. Scirocco therefore hardly plays a role in midsummer.
Official wind statistics for Bol are not available, but a wind rate of 45 to 60 per cent (>twelve knots) is guaranteed for the summer months of June to September.
By the end of May, water temperatures are already cracking the 20-degree mark, with 25 degrees also possible in midsummer. With air temperatures of around 30 degrees, shorties or short-sleeved wetsuits are easily sufficient between June and September. During longer bora phases, however, it can also be a little cooler at times. Suitable sun protection and surf shoes are important in any case, as the Croatian coast is predominantly rocky. But the water is crystal clear!
Waves & Tides
The tides play no role whatsoever. Waves only occur in Bol when there is a strong scirocco, otherwise - depending on the wind strength - they range from chops to small swells.
Surf stations
The Croatian surfing stronghold of Bol is well developed in this respect, with several professionally managed surf centres on site. You can also store your own equipment here or hire the latest equipment:
Alternative programme
On windless days, the clear water is perfect for diving, snorkelling or SUP tours along the coast. Tour tip: set off in the morning with the SUP to the west and then return with a downwinder when the thermals start. There is also plenty on offer for children around the Golden Horn - there are water parks, playgrounds and restaurants around Slatni Rat.
Guided mountain bike tours are offered by the aforementioned surfing centres. Another tip is a hike to the 778 metre high Vidova Gora. Ideally, you should do this in summer when the bora is blowing, as the air is cooler and the views are impressive. And what else? There are no party strongholds here, Brač is more of a relaxed destination where you can stroll through small towns such as Supetar or Sutivan, drink a cappuccino at the harbour or have a good time in one of the traditional inns with fresh olives, goat's cheese and local wine.
Good to know
Croatia has been part of the monetary union since the beginning of 2023 and now pays in euros. Due to the summer drought, the authorities don't take open fires and barbecues seriously; the risk of forest fires is immense, as it is everywhere in the Mediterranean. However, gas barbecues are of course no problem.
