Punta Rata

A small crescent-shaped pebble cove at the northern end of Brela, hemmed in by Aleppo pines that lean out over the water. The cove's defining feature is the small rock island a few metres offshore, crowned with twisted pines and routinely cited as the symbol of the Makarska coast. A short swim takes you out to it.

The cove is shallow at the entry and drops away to clear, cold water within a few strokes. There is no road right to the beach — you walk in from the village or from the coastal path, which keeps the crowds slightly more manageable than the resorts further south. Bring water shoes; the pebbles are smooth but not soft. The beach has been listed in various international "best beaches in Europe" rankings, which means it is busy in July and August but largely empty in late September.

things to do sight beach
A story
The small rock pillar that sits in the water just off the beach — covered in twisted pines — is the unofficial symbol of the Makarska Riviera. It appears on more postcards, fridge magnets, and Croatia tourism posters than any other single feature on this stretch of coast. Strictly speaking it is called *Kamen Brela*; almost no one uses the name.

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