What to expect when visiting Brac
Brac is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, between Split and Hvar. It is nowhere near as popular as its neighbours though, and that just adds to its charm. Tourists who visit Brac are rewarded with quiet time with nature, as well as a genuine island experience.
You will find here one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia — Zlatni Rat Beach (Golden Horn) — a unique spit of land surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters. Also famous in Brac is its world-class olive oil. There are over a million olive trees on the island, and Brac is Croatia’s largest olive plantation!
5 ways to get from Hvar to Brac
There are five ways to travel the distance of 20 km (12 miles) from Hvar to Brac: by catamaran (50 minutes), catamaran via jelsa (45 minutes), catamaran via milna (1h55m-2h35m), day trip (6-8 hours) and renting your own speedboat (8 hours). The journey takes between 45 minutes - 8h and the quickest way is by catamaran via jelsa. The lowest priced tickets start from 64 KN (€8.00) for the catamaran via jelsa.Where to stay in Brac?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Brac at the bottom of this page.
Hvar to Brac by Catamaran via Jelsa
If you’re travelling during the low season (October to May), your only option would be a catamaran from Jelsa, Hvar to Brac. Ferries from Jelsa to Brac operate all year round.
Step 1: Hvar to Jelsa by Bus or Taxi
If you’re staying in Hvar Town, you’ll first have to find your way to Jelsa Harbour, which is 30 km away from Hvar Town.
There are buses to Jelsa available at Hvar bus station. However, with the current catamaran schedule from Jelsa to Brac, you can make it to the catamaran only if you’re travelling on a Sunday. The catamaran departs at 13:00 on this day, so you can take any of the morning bus trips.
The bus ride takes 25 minutes and costs 35 KN (€4.70). You will be dropped off at Jelsa bus stop. From here, it is a 10-minute walk to Jelsa Harbour.
If you’re travelling on the other days of the week, though, your only option to get from Hvar to Jelsa is a taxi. The ride also takes 25 minutes, but it is more expensive with rates starting from 380 KN (€51.00).
Catamaran via Jelsa options from Hvar to Brac
For this route, online booking for the bus is not available. You can buy your tickets at the bus station instead.
Step 2: Jelsa to Brac by Catamaran
Jadrolinija offers only 1 daily trip from Jelsa to Brac. The catamaran leaves at 07:00 on Saturday and at 13:00 on Sunday. For the rest of the week, the catamaran departs the harbour at 06:00.
The good thing about taking a catamaran from Jelsa is that it docks in Bol, the most famous tourist spot in Brac island. The journey also takes only 20 minutes and costs 29 KN (€3.90).
Catamaran via Jelsa options from Hvar to Brac
Hvar to Brac by Catamaran
The easiest and most convenient way to travel from Hvar to Brac is by a direct catamaran. Jadrolinija sails on this route once daily during the tourist season from June to September.
The best part of this option is that the catamaran takes you from Hvar town centre straight to Bol on the island’s south coast. Bol is Brac’s most famous tourist spot because of Zlatni Rat Beach.
A ticket costs 130 KN (€16.50) for the 50-minute catamaran ride.
Departure and arrival station
The catamaran departs from Harbour of Hvar. This port is in the south part of the town centre.
You will arrive at Port Bol on the south coast of the island. From here, you can easily find accommodations and establishments in the town centre.
Catamaran schedule from Hvar to Bol
Hvar to Brac by Catamaran via Milna
Are you visiting other towns in Brac apart from Bol? There is also an option to enter Brac through Milna on the island’s southwest coast. Milna is a charming Dalmatian fishing village and is often called the most beautiful harbour in Brac.
We think that you should only consider this option if you’re really planning to visit Milna. Otherwise, you would be taking a more complicated route that takes 2 hours when you can reach Bol directly in just 50 minutes.
Note that catamarans from Hvar to Brac via Milna operate only during the high season (April to October) mainly to accommodate tourists.
Step 1: Hvar to Milna, Brac by Catamaran
Hvar Town is an all-in-one town, a port and a resort. Therefore, getting to the port is easily accessible by foot. From April to October, you can catch a catamaran from Harbour of Hvar to Milna.
There is only 1 trip per day, and the ferry departs in the evening. A ticket costs 104 KN (€14.00) for the 30 to 40-minute journey to Milna, Brac.
Catamaran via Milna options from Hvar to Brac
You can book your ticket in advance through BookAway.
Step 2: Milna to Supetar by Bus
Once you’ve had your fill of Milna, you can start exploring other towns on the island. Is Bol your next destination? Sadly, there are still no direct buses operating from Milna to Bol. You’ll first have to get to the island’s “capital,” Supetar, which is located 20 km northeast of Milna.
Arriva operates several bus departures from Milna to Supetar daily. Travel time is 35 minutes, and a bus ticket costs 34 KN (€4.50).
Catamaran via Milna options from Hvar to Brac
Step 3: Supetar to Bol by Bus
Supetar is Brac’s largest and most urban town. And yet, it still boasts of beautiful culture and heritage that is worth exploring even just for a few hours.
From Supetar, you can take a bus to Bol that takes around an hour. A bus ticket costs 47 KN (€6.00).
Catamaran via Milna options from Hvar to Brac
Alternative option: Milna to Bol by Taxi
Unfortunately, since you will be arriving in Milna at 20:20, you won’t be able to reach Bol by bus within the same day. There are no buses to Supetar and Bol that depart late at night. With this, you can opt to stay overnight in Milna and take the early morning bus trips to Supetar and Bol.
An alternative option is to take a taxi directly from Milna to Bol. This option is more expensive, though, with rates starting from 500 KN (€67.00). The taxi ride takes only an hour.
Hvar to Brac by Day Trip
There aren’t a lot of day trips originating from Hvar to Brac, probably because of the short distance between the two islands. Frankly, we think it’s easy enough and much cheaper to do a DIY tour even if you’re visiting Brac for just a day.
However, if you really want to avail yourself of an organised day trip from Hvar to Brac, you can check out Hvar Tours. They don’t have a fixed itinerary and can arrange the tour depending on your preferences. Rates start from 743 KN (€97.00) per person. The day tour takes 6 to 8 hours.
Hvar to Brac by Renting your own speedboat
GetYourGuide, a popular travel platform for Croatia, also offers private speedboats for groups of up to 12 people.
This option already comes with a skipper that can take you around the islands of Hvar, Brac, and even Vis. An 8-hour rental costs 2,740 KN (€355.00).
Just note that this rate doesn’t include the payment for gas. You’ll have to return it with a full tank at the end of the day.
Our favourite places to stay in Brac
Important: Tourism in Croatia is very seasonal. Much of the available accommodation in Croatia is fully booked in the summer, but many sites are closed in the winter months. With July and August being the peak season, rates can rise 3 times as high as compared the low season or shoulder months. We recommend booking your accommodation at least 1 month in advance to lock in better rates.
Before you start reading about our favourite places to stay in Brac, we want to make you aware of the different locations to stay on Brac Island.
- Bol is by far our favourite. It’s a charming port town with lots of watersport activities and outstanding restaurants. This is also where you find the famous Zlatni Rat beach
- Supetar is where most ferries dock. Not as interesting as Bol, but you can find some good value accommodations here. In Supetar, you’ll also find some great hidden beaches to explore.
- Milna is a traditional fishing town which is nice to visit, but we definitely prefer to stay in Bol or Supetar on Brac Island.
Villa Ana - Budget Friendly
At Villa Ana you’ll be just under 250 meters from the beach in Bol. You’ll even be able to see the sea from your own private balcony. If you can’t wait to cool down, then you can just take a dip in the villa’s outdoor swimming pool.
The hosts are beyond helpful and go out of their way to ensure you have the best stay possible. The villa even provides home-made wines, olive oil, prosecco and brandy.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Close to the beach
- Helpful and friendly hosts
- Outdoor terraces and balconies
Villa Medea - Budget Friendly
If you want to stay in Supetar (the northern part of the island), Villa Midea offers the best value for money. Although the hotel is located just 5 minutes from the beach, you don’t even need to leave the hotel to enjoy a dip in the water as the hotel has its own pool!
The villa offers the feel of a small-scale hotel, with apartments on offer for up to 4 adults. Every room has everything you’ll need, a comfy bed, seating area and even a kitchenette with a coffee machine. Don’t fancy cooking? The hotel offers an exceptional breakfast to start the day right.
- Located in Supetar
- Exceptional breakfast on offer
- Swimming pool
- 5 minutes from the beach
Apartments LOTA - Mid Range
Apartments LOTA have thought about every detail of their hotel. Every corner of the hotel is modern and luxurious, giving it a boutique hotel vibe, with a massive living space.
The hotel just doesn’t stop giving. You also have access to an outdoor pool, barbeque and bicycles.
- Located in Supetar
- Bicycles available
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Barbeque facilities
- Huge, beautifully decorated apartments
Hotel Villa Amorena - Mid Range
Hotel Villa Amorena is one of those places where everyone wants to stay – which means it gets booked up fast. That’s not a surprise when you see the the large outdoor swimming pool or read the reviews of the delicious breakfast that’s included.
Situated in Bol, you’ll be only a 10-minute walk from Bol Promenade, as well as a number of restaurants and farmers market. The rooms are modern, spacious and have their own balcony.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Large and modern rooms
- Onsite bar
- Family-run hotel
Belado Residence Bol - Treating Yourself
Want a private pool or a private hot tub? Well, you can get that with one of the large and open apartments here. Soak up the sun whilst sitting on your balcony admiring the sea view.
Aside from the modern and fully-equipped apartments, the hotel also offers bicycles for rent, grocery delivery and even packed lunches!
- Private pool or hot tub
- Sea view
- Packed lunches available
- Large, fully-equipped apartments
Frequently Asked Questions about Hvar to Brac
What is the distance from Hvar to Brac?
The distance from Hvar to Brac is 20 km (12 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hvar to Brac?
The fastest way to get from Hvar to Brac is by catamaran via jelsa and takes 45 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hvar to Brac?
The cheapest way to get from Hvar to Brac is by catamaran via jelsa with ticket costs starting from 64 KN (€8.00).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Hvar to Brac. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Hola me pueden informar si se puede ir de la isla de Brac a la isla de Hvar llevando automovil? o los catamaranes son solo de pasajeros? muchas gracias
Hi Marta, there are no direct car ferries operating between Brac and Hvar. Only catamarans are available, which carry only passengers.
If you want to bring your vehicle to Hvar, you have to drive to Sumartin in Brac, take the car ferry to Makarska (1 hour), drive to Drvenik (30 minutes), and then take the car ferry to Sucuraj in Hvar (35 minutes).
Sumartin and Sucuraj are both on the eastern ends of Brac and Hvar. It takes about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to the islands’ town centres.
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.