Pakleni Islands from Hvar: Best Beaches and How to Get There (2026 Guide)

If you're staying in Hvar and only have time for one boat trip, the Pakleni Islands are the easiest decision. They are literally opposite the harbour: in under 15 minutes you're across at one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia, with no open sea, no long crossings, no tight schedules. Most tourists spend the day going back and forth several times.

In this guide I tell you what's on each island, which beach to choose depending on what you're after (calm, partying, children, snorkelling), how to get to each one and the mistakes people going independently should avoid. From the perspective of someone who has been organising trips to Hvar for more than a decade.

Pakleni Islands: key facts

Location	Opposite Hvar harbour (central Dalmatia, Croatia)
Distance from Hvar	800 m to 5 km (15-30 min by boat)
Number of islands	21 islands and islets (most uninhabited)
Main islands	Sveti Klement (the largest), Marinkovac, Jerolim
Origin of the name	From paklina, pine resin used to caulk boats (not from "hell")
Best family beach	Mlini (sheltered cove with facilities)
Best party beach	Stipanska (Carpe Diem Beach Club)
Best for food	Palmižana (Toto’s, Meneghello, Laganini)
Best time	June-September (sea at 22-26°C)
How to get there	Water taxi, licence-free boat rental, organised tour

What are the Pakleni Islands?

The Pakleni (Paklinski otoci in Croatian) are a small archipelago of 21 islands and islets stretching for about 10 kilometres off Hvar town. Most are uninhabited and tiny; only three have regular tourist activity: Sveti Klement, Marinkovac and Jerolim.

The name is confusing. Many people think Pakleni means "hellish" in Croatian, but that's a mistake: it comes from paklina, a pine resin extracted here centuries ago to waterproof boats, which gave the archipelago its name. Far from hellish, they are among the closest, most accessible and most peaceful islands in all of Dalmatia.

What defines the Pakleni and makes them special:

• Crystal-clear water: among the clearest in Croatia, with visibility of 10-15 metres on windless days.
• Pine woods down to the sea: almost all the beaches are lined with pines that give natural shade.
• No cars, no roads: they can only be reached by boat, which filters out mass tourism.
• Huge variety within a short distance: family beaches, snorkelling coves, beach clubs with DJs and chef-led restaurants, all 15 minutes from Hvar harbour.

The main islands, one by one

Sveti Klement: the largest and most complete

It's the largest in the archipelago (5.3 km²) and the furthest from Hvar harbour (about 30 minutes by boat). Here you'll find Palmižana, a small sheltered marina with two legendary restaurants: Toto’s y Meneghello. Both have been benchmarks of island cuisine for decades, with a botanical garden, tables in the shade of pine trees and fresh fish of the day. They're not cheap (60-90 € per person with wine) but the experience makes up for it.

Sveti Klement is also home to Vinogradišće, a bay of turquoise water with the famous Laganini Beach Bar — one of the most photogenic beach bars in Croatia, with white sunloungers, wooden walkways and endless sunsets. To reach the prettiest beaches on Sveti Klement (Vlaka, Soline) you need your own or a rented boat, as they're on remote stretches of coast.

Good for: food, couples, sunsets.

Marinkovac: home of the legendary beach club

The island closest to Hvar (just 15 minutes by water taxi) and the one with two of the best-known beaches in the archipelago:

• Stipanska: home of the legendary Carpe Diem Beach Club, one of the best-known summer spots in the Mediterranean. Electronic music by day, parties until dawn in high season. The beach is pebbly, with sunloungers (paid, 25-40 €/day) and an atmosphere that swings from chill-out at 11 in the morning to a dance floor at midnight.
• Zdrilica: on the other side of the same island, separated by a very narrow isthmus, is completely different: a quiet cove, a family restaurant, shallow water. Perfect for escaping the noise of Stipanska without changing islands.

Good for: partying and nightlife (Stipanska), or total calm a 5-minute walk away (Zdrilica).

Jerolim: the naturist one

The closest to Hvar harbour (10 minutes by boat) and traditionally a nudist beach, although the dress code has relaxed and today it's shared with clothed bathers. It's a small island, with dense vegetation and no major infrastructure, ideal for escaping the bustle. There's a simple restaurant by the jetty serving grilled fish at reasonable prices.

Good for: nudists and naturists, travellers looking for peace close by; not the first choice if you have children.

The best Pakleni beaches, in order

If you have to choose, this is my ranking by type of traveller:

1. Mlini (Marinkovac, next to Stipanska): the best for families with children. Sheltered cove, shallow water, bar-restaurant with parasols, easy to reach.
2. Vinogradišće (Sveti Klement): the most photogenic, with the Laganini Beach Bar. Best for couples and for a long, lazy lunch.
3. Stipanska (Marinkovac): home of Carpe Diem. For anyone looking for atmosphere and music. Not for children or real relaxation.
4. Zdrilica (Marinkovac): peace and a family restaurant. A good combination with Stipanska: visit both on the same day.
5. Palmižana (Sveti Klement): a small beach but with the best restaurants. Better for food than for lounging.
6. Jerolim: for nudists and for quick getaways (10 min from Hvar).
7. Remote coves of Sveti Klement (Vlaka, Soline): you need your own boat. If you have one, the reward is huge.

How to get to the Pakleni Islands

1. Water taxi from Hvar harbour

The easiest and cheapest option. On the old harbour quay in Hvar there are water taxis that leave continuously between 9:00 and 19:00 (later in July and August) for Palmižana, Stipanska, Mlini, Jerolim and Zdrilica.

Typical fare: 8-15 € per person each way, depending on destination. Most are return trips with a flexible schedule (you let them know when you want to come back and the next boat picks you up).

Pros: fast, cheap, no booking needed.

Cons: only takes you to each island's main harbour/beach; hidden coves need your own boat.

2. Licence-free boat rental

The option I recommend most if you're a group of 3-5 people and at least one has basic experience. The 5 HP Pasara boats are easy to handle, require no boating licence and give you complete freedom: stop where you like, swim in empty coves and set your own schedule.

Typical price: 80-150 € per day of rental.

Pros: total freedom, you reach coves that aren't on the tourist circuit, good value from 3 people.

Cons: you need a little experience or common sense; in strong wind (jugo, bura) the authorities may suspend rentals.

We offer 5 HP Pasara rental in Hvar with a briefing beforehand, clear instructions and a map of recommended coves.

3. Organised group tour

If you'd rather not worry about anything, there are half-day or full-day tours that combine several Pakleni beaches and coves with Stiniva Bay or the Blue Cave itself. It's the option for anyone who wants to see a lot in a short time and just go with the flow.

Our tour from Hvar combines the Blue Cave, Green Cave, Stiniva and a stop in the Pakleni — a very full day if you're only in Hvar for a few days and want to make the most of them.

Restaurants and nightlife

The Pakleni are one of the few places in the Adriatic where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner without setting foot on Hvar. Highlights:

• Toto’s (Palmižana, Sveti Klement): the classic, with a botanical garden and grilled fish. Booking essential in July and August.
• Meneghello (Palmižana, Sveti Klement): owned by the Meneghello family since 1906, it combines a restaurant, accommodation and a contemporary art garden.
• Laganini (Vinogradišće, Sveti Klement): an elegant beach club with Mediterranean cuisine and iconic sunsets.
• Carpe Diem Beach (Stipanska, Marinkovac): the best-known nightclub. Food and electronic music from 14:00 until dawn in high season.
• Lola Beach Bar (Mlini, Marinkovac): a more relaxed and cheaper option, with sunloungers and simple food.

Best time to visit the Pakleni Islands

June and September are ideal: sea temperature between 22 and 24 °C, long days, fewer crowds. July and August have the warmest water (25-26 °C) but the harbours and restaurants can be packed — book ahead. May and October are pleasant for a visit but the water may be cold (18-20 °C) for some people; many beach clubs close or cut their hours in October.

From November to April, almost everything closes and water taxis run very infrequently. Not recommended.

Differences between the Pakleni and other famous tours

It's worth being clear so you don't mix up different trips:

• Pakleni vs Blue Cave: the Pakleni are beaches + coves + restaurants. The Blue Cave is on Biševo (near Vis), 1 hour away by boat, and is a light phenomenon inside a cave. They are completely different experiences, both worthwhile.
• Pakleni vs Elafiti: the Pakleni are off Hvar (central Croatia); the Elafiti are off Dubrovnik (southern Croatia). It's not possible to combine them.
• Pakleni vs Hvar (town): Hvar is the main town/island where you stay. The Pakleni are the smaller islands opposite, perfect for a half-day or full-day trip.

FAQ

How much does it cost to get to the Pakleni from Hvar?

The water taxi costs 8-15 € per person each way. Licence-free boat rental, 80-150 € for a full day. An organised tour combining several beaches, 60-100 € per person.

Which is the best Pakleni island?

It depends on your style: Sveti Klement (Palmižana) for food, Marinkovac (Stipanska) for partying, Mlini for families, Jerolim for peace close by. If you only pick one, Sveti Klement is the most complete.

Is there nudism in the Pakleni?

Traditionally yes, especially on Jerolim. Today it coexists with clothed bathers on most beaches. On beaches with an organised beach club (Stipanska, Vinogradišće) the code is clothed.

Can you kayak there from Hvar?

Yes, several agencies in Hvar rent kayaks. The shortest distance is 800 m to Jerolim. For longer crossings (Sveti Klement, Marinkovac) you need experience and should check the wind.

Are the Pakleni suitable for children?

Yes, especially Mlini and Zdrilica. They are sheltered coves with shallow water and no waves. Stipanska isn't recommended because of the music and party atmosphere.

Do you need to book restaurants in the Pakleni?

At Toto’s, Meneghello and Laganini, yes in July and August. Elsewhere there's usually room. In August, booking 1-2 days ahead is wise.

What should I bring to the Pakleni Islands?

Shoes for stones (the beaches are pebbly), sunscreen, a cap, water, a change of clothes and cash in euros (small beach bars don't always take cards). Your own snorkel if you have one.

What happens if it's very windy?

With a strong bura o jugo , water taxis may be suspended and rentals aren't allowed. It's rare in July-August but happens in May-June and September-October. Ask at the harbour the day before if you have a fixed plan.

Individual guides to each Pakleni beach

If you want to dig deeper into a specific beach before choosing, we have individual guides with all the practical information for each one:

• Palmižana Beach (Sveti Klement) — the most complete for food and sunsets
• Mlini Bay (Marinkovac) — the best for families with children
• Stipanska Beach — Carpe Diem (Marinkovac) — home of the legendary beach club
• Zdrilica Beach (Marinkovac) — calm and a family restaurant 5 min from Stipanska
• Jerolim Beach — the closest to Hvar, traditionally nudist
• Borče Green Lagoon (Green Bay) — an unspoilt cove with emerald water
• Perna Beach — a hidden corner to escape the crowds

Book your day in the Pakleni Islands

If you want to visit the Pakleni from Hvar with a ready-made plan, our catalogue has:

• Pasara 5HP boat hire in Hvar — licence-free, up to 5 people, total freedom to explore the coves at your own pace.
• Blue Cave and 5 Islands tour from Hvar — a full day combining the Pakleni with the Blue Cave, Stiniva and Komiža.

Personal support via WhatsApp, payment by PayPal/card, free cancellation up to 24 hours before with a 100% refund. If you're unsure which option suits the days you have in Hvar, message us on +34 600 988 287 and we'll help you out, no strings attached.