Kamen Brela, once known as Šakan kamen, is a small 6-metre rock rising from the Adriatic Sea right beside the famous Punta Rata beach in Brela. It is one of the most photographed spots on the Croatian coast - a solitary rocky islet covered in Mediterranean vegetation, surrounded by turquoise water and a pebble-sand beach.

The atmosphere here changes with the light and seasons - at sunrise and sunset the rock casts striking shadows on the water, while in summer it becomes a natural backdrop for swimmers and sunbathers on Punta Rata. The rock is made of breccia and most likely broke off from the cliffs above Brela centuries ago. Although it has no landing point, its surface hosts a surprisingly rich microhabitat of plants - eleven species in total, including a century-old pine tree now in its final stage of life, myrtle, olive and stone pine.

How to get there

• Punta Rata beach in Brela — short walk along the promenade, a few minutes, easy
• The rock can be admired from the shore or approached by kayak or SUP board

Practical information

• Height of the rock: 6 metres
• Coastline length: 42 metres
• Surface area: approx. 120 m²
• Composed of breccia rock

The old name Šakan comes from the local word for the Mediterranean monk seal, which once found natural shelter around this rock.