Baska Voda is a modern tourist destination situated on the northwestern part of the Makarska coast, at the foot of the Biokovo mountains. This charming town, with its small harbor, is located about 10 kilometers from the well-known city of Makarska and belongs to the Split-Dalmatia County.
The region saw a major tourist boom after World War II, transitioning from its traditional economic activities of fishing and agriculture. Before the rise of tourism, these industries were practiced only by a few locals. The Grand Hotel Slavia, the first hotel in the area, was built in the early 1930s, marking the beginning of the town’s modern tourism era.
Nikolina Beach, the main beach in Baska Voda, is named after St. Nicholas the Traveler, whose statue stands on the pier that separates the beach from the harbor. The statue, created by renowned sculptor Mladen Mikulin in the summer of 1998, honors St. Nicholas, the town's patron saint, as well as the protector of sailors and travelers.
Nikolina Beach has been recognized as a significant tourist attraction since the early 20th century. Its beautification began in the 1930s, when the newly established Society for the Beautification of Coastal Areas planted pine trees to enhance its natural appeal. Since 2006, Nikolina Beach has proudly flown the Blue Flag, an international symbol of environmental quality. In 2008, it was awarded Croatia's top national tourism honor, the Blue Flower, for being the best-maintained and most beautifully arranged beach along the Adriatic. In 2014, a view from a webcam of Nikolina Beach was named one of the most beautiful in the world. A year later, in 2015, the British newspaper Daily Mail listed it among the ten most attractive beaches in the Mediterranean.
Visitors to Nikolina Beach can enjoy sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, and even massages. The beach is fully accessible for people with disabilities, and a lifeguard service ensures safety for all. Nearby, numerous restaurants and bars offer a variety of refreshing drinks and Mediterranean delicacies, such as fresh seafood, fish, lamb, and sheep's cheese.
In addition to Nikolina Beach, other well-known beaches in the area include Stazica Beach, Basko Polje Beach, Djecje Selo Beach, Ikovac Beach, Podluka Beach, Zbanjica Beach, Promajna Beach, Bratus Beach, and Krvavica Beach.