Zlatni Rat beach on Croatia's Brač island reshapes as tourists try horse‑water rides

The iconic Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brač in Croatia is undergoing unusually rapid shape changes. Local officials say the beach, already known for its shifting tip due to wind and currents, is now narrowing and widening in ways not previously observed. The cause remains unclear; theories such as climate change effects or loss of the seagrass Posidonia have been dismissed, and the mayor, Katarina Marčić, calls for long‑term monitoring.

Tourism on Brač remains strong, with record numbers of overnight stays. Amid a regional heatwave with temperatures above 40 °C, visitors have turned to an unconventional way to cool down: riding horses into the Adriatic Sea. Ranch owner Stiven Razmilić offers guided horse‑water tours, and tourists like Toni Perišić describe the experience as a refreshing escape from the scorching streets of Split. The activity has attracted wide attention as a novel response to extreme summer heat.

Both the beach’s physical transformation and the new horse‑water rides highlight the island’s popularity and the challenges of managing a heavily visited natural landmark under changing environmental conditions.