July 1, 2022 - Global travel site Big Travel 7 has released its annual list of 'The 50 Best Beaches In The World', and Croatian Golden Horn Beach (Zlatni rat) has come in the 12th position.

The list is now in its 4th year and ranks the world’s best beaches using aggregated scores from previous media results, official Blue Flag locations, social media popularity, and contributions from the Big 7 Travel editorial team. Golden Horn Beach (Zlatni rat) in Brac, Croatia was named one of the Best Beaches in the World, coming in at 12th position on the list.

"The Golden Horn is the most spectacular of all Croatia’s beaches. It’s not just its shape that makes it so beautiful and unique. The pebble beach is surrounded by crystal clear sea, that goes from turquoise blue to dark blue in just 10-20 meters. Decades-old pine trees provide shade, but you won’t want to get out of the warm waters here," writes Big 7 Travel about the only Croatian beach to make the list this year.

The best beach in the world 2022, according to Big 7 Travel, is Playa Conchal in Costa Rica. Turquoise Bay in Australia was ranked second, followed by Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos and Siesta Beach in Florida. You can see the ‘Top 50 Beaches in the World 2022’ list HERE. 

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

September 13, 2021 - Croatian Ian Anić is the European champion in windsurfing in the U15 iQ foil Olympic class, ahead of Israeli Gefen and Latvian Busmanis at the European Junior Windsurfing Championship in Bol. 

In the U17 group, Frenchman Eliot Ponce-Baranski won among men and Israeli Tamar Stainberg among women. In the U19 competition, the best among the men was Frenchman Gaspard Carfantan, and among women, Israeli Mika Kafri. Slovenian Lina Eržen, who finished second, was also excellent.

The Open European Championship in the iQ foil class was held last week at Zlatni Rat, organized by the Sailing Club Labud from Split and the windsurfing club Zoo station Bol, with the support of the Bol Tourist Board and the municipality. Over 118 competitors from 17 countries competed in three disciplines - course, slalom, and marathon in ideal conditions, which once again put Bol on the list of destinations that should be counted on in world windsurfing.

This is the second important competition held this season in Bol on Brač - in July; the popular Zlatni Rat beach hosted the World Windsurfing Championships before hosting the young hopes of world windsurfing - among which may be the future Olympic winners. Namely, the iQ foil class was approved in November 2019 by the World Sailing Council as windsurfing equipment at the 2024 Olympic Games in France. Thus, the IQ foil replaced the RS: X, which has been the Olympic equipment of choice since Beijing 2008.

"I am delighted with the results and conditions that did not disappoint - we had wind every day, ranging from 12 to 25 knots, which is not often the case even in destinations more famous than ours. All guests are delighted with Zlatni Rat, Bol and Croatia, and the Israelis, Poles, and British are returning for preparations, which will bring Bol an additional significant number of nights in the pre-season and post-season," says Toni Bulić, one of the two organizers of the competition.

Competitors collected points to enter the medal race throughout the five days of the competition. A total of 84 races were raced in three disciplines. The 12 final races included the competitors who collected the most points in their category through the competition - 12 of them per category. The results in all disciplines were added up for the medal race for which a special field was agreed today.

"I am very pleased with the progress of our competitors, juniors who performed at this week's open European Junior Championships, but also seniors. They only got the equipment a couple of months ago and progressed very quickly, and these are phenomenal results. We have never had better surfers at that age, not only in Croatia but also in the Adriatic," said Marin Siriščević from JK Labud, coach of all Croatian competitors in Olympic windsurfing, to whom experts attribute the main credit for the great success of Croatian competitors.

In the Olympic windsurfing class, the European Championships in Marseille for seniors, which starts at the end of October, is significant. Palma Čargo (21) and Luka Mratović (34) from Split will go with coach Siriščević to collect points that could lead them to the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. What is especially gratifying is that the generations gaining experience in Bol today are of great Croatian hope for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Photos: Roni Marinković / Snimke: Trio Stories

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September 8, 2021 - Organized by the Sailing Club Labud from Split and the Bol windsurfing club Zoo Station Bol, the Open European Junior Windsurfing Championship in the new Olympic class iQ Foil began on Zlatni Rat.

118 competitors from 17 countries are taking part in the regatta, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France, Latvia, Poland, Israel, Slovenia, and others, and Maroje Škoro and Ian Anić are competing for Croatia.

Following the successful organization of the World Windsurfing Championships in July this year, Bol is once again showing its attractive sporting side and will host the young hopes of the World Windsurfing Championships until Sunday September 12 - among whom may be future Olympic winners. Namely, this is one of a series of regattas in which competitors are also preparing to perform at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

The iQ foil class was approved in November 2019 by the World Sailing Council as windsurfing equipment at the 2024 Olympic Games in France. So the IQ foil replaced RS: X, which had been the Olympic equipment of choice since Beijing in 2008. It was a big win for Starboard and North sailboard manufacturers, who have been working on innovations for many years and developing equipment that will be equally exciting and suitable for Olympic windsurfing, but also the average recreational surfer.

"Apart from the fact that it's nice to have a competition of this rank in Bol, which has already proven to be a real mecca for windsurfing, and iQFoil could become the only class that unites all surfers - the Olympic community, PWA, and weekend surfers - I'm thrilled to be in this class. We have our young, talented competitors to whom I wish good luck and good wind," says Toni Bulić, one of the two organizers of the competition.

iQFOiL is the result of many years of development of surfing equipment that allows windsurfing from 6 to 35 knots regardless of sea conditions. It is also characteristic of the class that it is standardized - that is, all competitors in the men's and women's competition ride identical equipment. There are three iQFOiL class formats - course, slalom, and marathon - which will all be run in Bol as well, while the competition always ends with a medal race in which the 12 best competitors in each race enter.

On Sunday, September 12, we will watch three separate medal races - in each of the three competition formats - and the final will include four overall best competitors. After the first day, Ian Anić is an excellent fifth in the under-17 category.

Photos: Clive Bevan/Roni Marinković

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January 2, 2021 - Nature is behaving very unpredictably at the moment in Croatia with the Petrinja earthquakes - the latest example a heart for Petrinja on Croatia's most famous and iconic beach, Zlatni Rat in Bol. 

Nothing seems normal at the moment in Croatia. 

And while there is an outpouring of prayer and support from people all over Croatia (indeed, all over the world), is Mother Nature also sending her support for the victims of the recent earthquake in Petrinja and surrounding area?

Earlier today, we reported on the cloud in the shape of Croatia that hung in the sky above Sisak as the earthquake struck, beautifully captured by Antonija Kmetovic. 

A little further south yesterday, on the island of Brac, sharp-eyed photographer Darko Čaleta noticed something rather unusual through his lens from the top of Croatia's tallest mountain, at Vidova Gora, the peak of Brac. Croatia's most famous beach, Zlatni Rat, often shifts position with more extreme weather, and yesterday was no exception, as its tip veered left. And in the movement, it left something quite beautiful and filled with sea-water. Was this indeed a heart for Petrinja? With thanks for Darko for permission to use the photo (above is zoomed in, the original is at the top of this article - you can follow Darko on Facebook).

The timing would indicate that it might be, coming on the same day as the mayor of Supetar (on the same island) pledged to build a house for the first child born in Croatia in 2021 - born just 15 seconds into the New Year, young Daris was born in a hospital in Sisak, into a family from Petrinja whose home had been destroyed and who had been sleeping in their car until the birth. 

The Zlatni Rat heart for Petrinja is not the first unusual sighting due to the weather on Bol's iconic beach. Five years ago, water also appeared in the very same spot, and an enterprising (if slightly crazy) local decided to use the opportunity to indulge in the Dalmatian sport of picigin, which involves flying through the air wearing just Speedos, as you can see from the video below.  

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary and material aid, follow our dedicated section.

ZAGREB, Aug 7, 2020 - The prestigious US Conde Nast Traveler magazine has included the Nugal beach on the Makarska riviera and Zlatni Rat beach in Bol on the island of Brac among the top 25 best beaches in Europe, the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) said on Friday.

Conde Nast Traveler highlights the beauty of Nugal beach with its spectacular view and crystal clean sea, adding that a 40-minute walk to the beach was well worthwhile.

The magazine notes the advantages of Zlatni Rat, saying that it stands out because of its shape and that it is ideal for water sport enthusiasts, notably sailing or board sailing.

HTZ Director Kristjan Stanicic underlined that the latest report by this prestigious American magazine is confirmation that Croatia has retained its visibility and positive image on the US market.

"Despite the current situation, because of which we are not expecting a large number of American guests, it is important to continue maintaining their interest and the perception of our country as a safe and attractive tourist destination," underlined Stanicic.

July 22, 2020 - The famous Zlatni Rat beach is a trademark of Croatia, and particularly of the island of Brac and the town of Bol.

HRTurizam writes that now, this symbol is the first beach in Croatia, and among the first in Europe, with its very own, bilingual website - www.zlatniratbol.com.

 The extraordinary story of Zlatni Rat is its natural phenomenon where the beach itself changes its shape and position depending on the wind that blows, waves and sea currents, which form the very top of the beach. It is continually evolving. Interestingly, measurements have shown that Zlatni Rat, which is also known as the 'Golden Horn', is growing longer every year.

The website aims to inform guests about the offers on the beach, provide various service information, beach etiquette, as well as real-time weather forecasts, but also the related offer of the destination Bol.

Tourist workers in Bol are currently achieving about 50% of last year's tourist traffic, and they hope to be at about 70% of last year's traffic by the end of July.

Most visitors are from Germany, followed by Slovenes, Czechs, Croats and Austrians.

"Given the situation, we can be satisfied with the arrivals. If there are no major difficulties related to the coronavirus, we hope to achieve about 70% of last year's visits at the end of July. From July 24, in addition to the existing line, we expect the introduction of a second catamaran line directly to Bol. It is important to point out that we adhere to all epidemiological measures to make our guests feel safe and comfortable," said the director of the Bol Tourist Board, Markito Marinkovic.

Twelve daily ferry lines between Split and Supetar and one catamaran line between Split and Bol currently run to Brac, and twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays) Zagreb is connected to Brac by air. At the beginning of August, there are plans to introduce an airline from Frankfurt to Brac, which would be active until October 23, 2029. 

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August 9, 2019 - Zlatni Rat now features a Croatian product to fuel all of your inflatable beach toy needs - meet Luftomat.

The tourist season is in full swing, and not unlike last year, the inflatable beach toy obsession is back at our favorite beaches. Fortunately, for all those looking to feed their obsession further, a new device has emerged on the market that will greatly facilitate blowing up all types of inflatable beach toys. Meet Luftomat, a self-service machine of the new generation, developed and manufactured in Croatia, reports Dalmatinski Portal. 

The Luftomat is equipped with unique and innovative features, as evidenced by winning the gold medal at the international innovation fair 'Inova 2018'.

The first electric air pump in Dalmatia can be found at the Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brač, and the number of users is increasing every day.

The device is mounted at the beach and works using coins. It is always available and spares bathers of the burden of having to transport their pumps to and from the beach. 

The Luftomat can inflate the largest and most demanding inflatable toys and other inflatable equipment in a very short time. Though that's not the feature that sets it apart from the rest. The Luftomat’s more exciting function is the option to deflate the toys after use. Thus, allowing beachgoers extra time to enjoy themselves without worrying about how they’ll transport or dispose of their inflatable toys once they’re finished using them. 

While different types of inflatable beach equipment might have a variety of valves, the Luftomat machine includes attachments that can be adjusted to the valves in the inflatable equipment.

The Luftomat is fast, efficient and indeed could become an indispensable detail on beaches and in tourist complexes in the future. Whether or not a Luftomat will be implemented on your beach depends on the municipalities and cities that care for the beaches, the concessionaires and the owners of large tourist complexes.

Another story of Croatian innovation at its best, would you want a Luftomat on your favorite beach?

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

June 3, 2019 - An exciting draw at the Cocktail Bar Varadero in the center of Bol started the official program of the WTA Croatia Bol Open on Monday afternoon. 

"We want the tournament and tennis to live with the community, with Bol, that the whole town lives for tennis, and not that it only takes place on tennis courts that are far from the center of Bol,” said tournament director Feliks Lukas at the start.

The first-seed of this year's edition, last year's winner Tamara Zidanšek, was joined today by young Serbian player Olga Danilović and Croatia’s Jana Fett.

The draw began somewhat later than the previously announced 4:30 pm because at 4 pm, it was time to see which reported players are continuing their run at Roland Garros, explained supervisor Cristina Romero, the official WTA representative since the first edition of the tournament.

The first drawn pair is two winners of the Bol tournament, namely Zidanšek will play her first match against Mandy Minella from Luxemburg. Furthermore, Jana Fett awaits the winner of this match if she overcomes Switzerland's Stefanie Voegel.

The 2017 winner, Serbian player Aleksandra Krunić, will play against the young Danilović, while Slovenians, Kaja Juvan and Dalila Jakupović, will also play against each other.

Croatia’s Tena Lukas will measure power with Laurom Siegmund, Teresa Mrdeža will play against Czech player Denisa Allertová, and the young Ana Bošković awaits German Anna Lena Friedsman.

"The atmosphere is great, relaxed. The draw could be worse and better for me, but in the end, my result will depend mostly on my game,” said Jana Fett honestly at the end of the draw.

"The beginning of the year was not the best. I was in the top 100, but then there were some problems, I had injuries, and I hope I can get back closer to the top," Fett added.

Matches on the Bluesun tennis courts at Zlatni Rat start on Tuesday, June 4 at 1 pm. 

CROATIA BOL OPEN - BOL, CROATIA

$125,000

SCHEDULED MATCHES – TUESDAY, 04.06.2019

BLUESUN start at 13:00 

B. Schoofs (NED) vs [4] A. Schmiedlova (SVK) 

B. Haddad Maia (BRA) vs [2] S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 

A. Tatishvili (USA) vs [7] T. Bacsinszky (SUI) 

Not Before 20:30
D. Allertova (CZE) vs T. Mrdeza (CRO) 

KRAŠ start at 13:00 

[WC] A. Danilina (KAZ) vs [5] A. Sharma (AUS)
[6] J. Teichmann (SUI) vs I. Begu (ROU)
After Rest - Y. Bonaventure (BEL) / B. Schoofs (NED) vs D. Jakupovic (SLO) / T. Lukas (CRO)
After Rest - A. Bogdan (ROU) / C. Skamlova (SVK) vs [4] A. Danilina (KAZ) / Y. Sizikova (RUS) 

LUKAS start at 13:00
A. Bogdan (ROU) vs [WC] M. Djakovic (SRB)
V. Strakhova (UKR) vs N. Hibino (JPN)
After Rest - [WC] L. Boskovic (CRO) / M. Djakovic (SRB) vs O. Danilovic (SRB) / T. Zidansek (SLO) 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

Zlatni Rat is one of the best-known symbols of Croatia, recognized for its captivating beauty and remarkable shape which was tweaked this week due to windy weather. 

The idyllic photo of the Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brač has been chosen by the National Geographic.