How We Used the Split to Brac Ferry: Supetar, Bol & More!

Are you considering the Split to Brac ferry on your next Croatia trip? Well, we have some good news for you… Brac is just a short boat ride away! Whether you’re going from Split to Supetar, Bol, or other dreamy beach towns, we’ll share all you need to know about the ferry routes. Here’s the best tips for getting to Brac Island, and all about our own experiences using the ferries.

Getting to Split Croatia

Before you buy your ferry tickets to Brac, you should know exactly how to get to Split! Split is the largest city in the south and definitely worth exploring before you hit the islands. 

The ancient old town is a Unesco World Heritage Site with thousands of years of history to discover. Check out our full guide to visiting Split and Diocletian’s Palace here. 

Many travelers fly into Split Airport to start their Croatia adventures. Just know that the airport is located about 30 minutes drive (depending on traffic) in the nearby town of Trogir. 

You will need to rent a car (read our tips), take the local bus, or hire a taxi to get to Split Port. Some travelers also begin in Dubrovnik and fly, or ferry their way through the islands and end in Split. 

About the Split to Brac Ferry

Split is the gateway to many beautiful islands in the south, including Hvar, Vis, and Korcula. However, the closest island to Split is Brac! You can see it right from the shoreline, and it’s close enough that you can even make a day trip using the ferry. 

Boats range from car ferries to high-speed catamarans. The ticket prices depend on your Split to Brac ferry route and the time of year. 

Know that cost fluctuates depending on if you’re taking a vehicle on board, or just hopping on one of the passenger ferries. Although a car can be a great way to see the Croatian Islands, we wouldn’t recommend bringing one from Split to Brac.

It’s much easier to rent a motorbike to drive on the tight island roads, take the ferries in between ports, or use public transportation when you get there. Be aware that outside of the summer season you will find far less daily routes between ferry operators.

It’s essential to plan your Split to Brac itinerary around this if you’re visiting during the shoulder season. Some of the most popular companies to look into are Jadrolinija, Kapetan Luka, and Krilo.

How to Book Split to Brac Ferry Tickets

This can be a little confusing! Don’t worry, though we’re about to share our top recommendation based on a recent trip. Once you decide what town on Brac you want to go to you’ll need to find out which companies run this specific route. 

The first place to look when island hopping in Croatia is directly on the Jadrolinija website! They are the largest company that sails through the islands and have endless routes to choose from. 

However, you can also search for your dates using a company like Omio. This will help compare other companies to see if there is a better sailing time. For example, when booking your Split to Supetar ferry, there may be multiple companies making the same trip on separate times and days.

There’s one SUPER IMPORTANT thing to know before booking your Jadrolinija tickets from Split to Brac. If you purchase them in advance you are booking for that date. The fine print says that you’re not actually guaranteed a spot at the sailing time you pick. 

So what does that mean? Say you booked an 8am ferry online and show up at 7:50am with your ticket in hand. Well, it’s actually first come first serve! If that if the Split to Supetar ferry is full already, you will have to wait for the next one.

This may not be a huge issue in the summer as they make the popular routes like Split to Bol non-stop. Still, it could really put a damper on your day if you had something planned. The best way to avoid getting bumped in high season is to get to Split port as early as possible. 

How Long is Ferry From Split to Brac?

There are three main ports you can sail into on the island of Brac. As we mentioned, during peak season the ferry schedules run pretty much non-stop all day. 

However, the duration of your ferry will depend on which town you decide to visit. Just know that these daily services will all get you from Split to Brac Island in under an hour!

Split to Brac Ferry Routes

Split to Supetar Ferry

One of the most popular routes is from Split to Supetar. The ferry trip takes just 50 minutes which makes it a quick destination to get to on Brač island. 

Supetar is a small charming town that makes for a fun day trip. On our last visit, we spent a full afternoon at the beaches and enjoyed a delicious lunch in the harbor. 

→ Supetar Brac: Easy Day Trip from Split to the Colorful Island Town

Split to Bol Ferry

Bol is another amazing Croatian island town to visit from Split. It’s slightly bigger than Supetar, so we recommend spending at least two or three nights to fully experience it. 

The Split to Bol ferry is a little longer as it takes you around the other side of Brac Island. Yet, the travel time is still only one hour on the fast ferry.

Bol is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on Brac Island. This includes the most famous in all of Croatia in Zlatni Rat Beach! 

→ 15 Tips for the Charming Town of Bol Croatia on Brac Island

Ferry From Split to Milna

One more ferry route to make from Split harbor is to Milna. This is the quickest ferry boat ride with an average sailing time of 30 minutes. 

This is another lovely day trip to make if you have time from Split. Enjoy a local seafood meal and take in the picturesque waterfront area of Milna.

Somehow, this is the only Split to Brac ferry we haven’t taken yet! If you’ve been to Milna be sure to tell us about your experience in the comments.

Makarska to Sumartan Ferry

Even though this route doesn’t leave from Split, we had to mention it! One of our favorite road trips we took on the Dalmatian coast was to the coastal town of Makarska. This beautiful village makes for a great lunch stop, or place to spend the night. 

You can even take the drive up through the Biokovo Nature Park to the skywalk for a glorious view. Looking across the Adriatic Sea from Makarska, you’ll see Brac Island right in front of you!

There are ferry rides offered in both low and high season to make the one hour journey. This is the only direct way to get to Sumartan. Otherwise, you’ll need to take the Split to Supetar ferry and drive from there. 

Our Split to Brac Ferry Trips

We’ve made several visits to Brac Island over the years from the Split ferry port. Our most recent experience was on a day trip from Split to Supetar. Leaving in the morning, we made the short 50 minute ferry ride with Jadrolinija. 

Since we were traveling in off-season we didn’t book the Split Supetar ferry online. Instead, we went straight to the terminal to buy tickets in person. If you’re doing this make sure to arrive early!

The ferry terminal was crazy packed even in mid-April. There was quite a few people in line ahead of us and we were lucky we got on.

Getting your ticket in advance is especially important during the peak tourist season. Yet, know that there will also be more ferry services running at this time. 

To be honest, the Split harbor is beyond confusing if you haven’t been there before. Even if you have you already have your ticket, it can be a struggle to find the right boat! Here is the exact spot on Google maps for the Jadrolinija ticket office. 

We enjoyed a fun afternoon in Supetar and were so happy we didn’t pass up a chance to go to the islands. Getting back in the late afternoon, we also had more time to walk around the lively city of Split. 

If you can believe it, our first visit to Brac was way back in 2018! This time we took the Split to Bol ferry and stayed three nights in the stunning island town. 

We had an amazing apartment rental which overlooked Bol. Most of our days were spent at the beaches, hitting the local bakeries, and taking in the beautiful scenery from our balcony. 

Is it Worth Going to Brac?

Absolutely! One of the best things about Split is the easy access to the high-speed ferries. While we wouldn’t say Brac is our favorite island in Croatia, it’s 1000% worth a visit. It’s a completely different vibe than Split and filled with world-class beaches and great local restaurants.

As we’ve said over and over again, it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance from the Croatian mainland once you know your dates. The port of Split can turn into a madhouse during July and August.

During this period, also plan to pay a higher average price than you would in the off-season. Yet, whatever time of year you go, you won’t regret a trip from Split to Brac!

Have any questions on this article or want to share your own experience using the Split to Brac ferry? Leave us a comment below.

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

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Croatia Travel Planning 

Rental Car: We use Discover Cars to rent vehicles on our travels. In Croatia, you can even take your car on the ferries so you have wheels for the different islands! 

Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities around the country. You can book a blue cave 5 islands tour from Split, go sea kayaking in Dubrovnik, or take a day trip to the famous Krka National Park. 

 Flights: We always find great flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. This way you can plan your trip around the cheapest and most direct routes.

 Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also,  Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget. 

 Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered! We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.

 Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials! 

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