Perna Bay — the most remote and empty cove in the Pakleni Islands

Perna is the secret nobody mentions when talking about the Pakleni. While everyone heads to Stipanska, Palmižana o Mlini, this remote cove at the western tip of Sveti Klement stays practically deserted even in August. The reason is simple: nothing makes it convenient — no water taxi, no restaurant, no facilities. Just clear water, rocky coastline and pine woods.

For those visiting the Pakleni for a second time or wanting the wildest experience in the archipelago, Perna is the answer. In this guide I explain what it’s like, how to get there (the trickiest part) and why it’s worth the effort.

Perna Bay at a glance

Location	Western tip of Sveti Klement island (Pakleni archipelago)
Distance from Hvar	~6-7 km · 35-45 min by boat
Access	Only by your own boat, Pasara hire or private tour
Type of coastline	Small pebble coves and rocky platforms
Facilities	None (no restaurant, bar, sunbeds or showers)
Water visibility	Excellent, 10-15 m on windless days
Best time	June-September (calm sea essential)
Good for	Total switch-off, snorkelling, picnics, couples with a boat

What Perna Bay is like

Perna isn’t a single cove but a cluster of small inlets at the western tip of Sveti Klement, the largest island in the Pakleni archipelago. Each inlet has a narrow entrance, rocky walls on either side and a small pebbly patch at the end. They’re modest in size: each cove comfortably fits 2-3 anchored boats and a small group of swimmers.

The setting is completely unspoilt. Dense pine woods cover the rocky coast up to the cliffs, and to the south stretches the wildest part of Sveti Klement, with no buildings or roads. It’s one of the few places in the Pakleni where you can really feel you’re on a desert island.

The water is extraordinarily clear (10-15 metres visibility), with varying depths: the entrances to the inlets are deep (4-8 m), perfect for snorkelling; the inner parts are shallower, ideal for anchoring and swimming.

What you’ll find:

• Absolute silence: no music, no voices, no engines most of the time.
• Relative solitude: even at midday in August there are rarely more than 3-5 boats.
• Abundant marine life: with so little traffic, the fish come close to shore without fear.
• No big shade: the pines are up on the clifftop and don’t shade the water’s edge.

Facilities: none (that’s the good and the bad)

Let me be clear, as this causes confusion: there is absolutely nothing at Perna. No restaurant, no bar, no beach shack, no sunbed hire, no shower, no toilet, no vendors. No bins, signs or lifeguards either.

That’s what makes it special — and also why you need to come prepared. If you can’t go 6 hours without a coffee or a snack from a beach bar, Perna isn’t for you. If you can bring your own picnic, water and essentials, you’ll have an extraordinary day.

How to get to Perna Bay

Only by boat. There are no other realistic options.

1. Licence-free boat hire (recommended)

The most practical option. A Pasara 5HP with no boating licence needed can be hired for 80-150 € a day in Hvar. The trip to Perna takes 35-45 minutes skirting the south of Sveti Klement, a lovely trip in itself with views of Palmižana and the island’s wild western coast.

If you’re going to Perna, it’s worth combining the day: morning at Perna, lunch at Palmižana (on the way back), afternoon and sunset at Mlini o Zdrilica before returning to Hvar.

2. Private tour with a skipper

If you don’t want to drive, you can hire a skipper for 250-450 € a day for a group. Tell them you want to stop at Perna and they’ll adjust the route. It’s often included in private “hidden coves of the Pakleni” trips.

3. Kayak (experienced paddlers only)

The distance (6-7 km) makes Perna a demanding kayak destination: a good 2 hours of paddling in ideal conditions and you need to go right round the island. Only for experienced kayakers and only on completely calm days.

4. Organised tour

Most group tours don’t include Perna because of the distance, but some private ones do. Our Blue Cave and 5 Islands tour from Hvar may pass nearby depending on the route and wind.

Best time to visit Perna

June, July and August: ideal months, with calm seas and water at 24-26 °C. The high midday light makes the water’s clarity spectacular.

September: probably the best month. Water still warm (22-24 °C), hardly any boats, a truly solitary atmosphere.

May and October: possible on particular calm days. Check the wind, especially the maestral (westerly), which hits Perna directly as it’s on the west side of the island.

Days with strong west/south-west winds: Perna becomes inaccessible or very uncomfortable. The west side of the island takes the current head-on.

Snorkelling and swimming at Perna

Thanks to its shape and low traffic, Perna offers exceptional snorkelling conditions. The rocky walls of the inlets attract plenty of marine life: gilthead bream, white bream, salema, octopus in holes, the odd conger eel. Visibility is excellent.

The depth is ideal for intermediate snorkelling: 3-5 metres near the walls, enough to see well without extra effort. For more serious freediving, there are areas outside the inlets reaching 10-15 m.

You get into the water via rocky platforms and small pebbly patches. Water shoes make getting in much easier.

What to bring to Perna

No facilities. Bring everything you need for a self-sufficient day:

• Plenty of water: at least 2 L per person in summer (there’s nowhere to top up)
• A full picnic: sandwiches, fruit, nuts, salad
• A portable sunshade or awning (there’s no natural shade near the water)
• A rubbish bag (take everything back with you!)
• Snorkel and mask — absolutely essential here
• Large towel, change of clothes, cap
• Water-resistant sun cream (several SPFs if you’ll be out a long time)
• Water shoes essential for getting in comfortably
• A camera or phone with plenty of battery
• A basic first-aid kit (plasters, antiseptic, antihistamine)
• A power bank if you want to use your phone for photos all day

Perna vs other Pakleni beaches

• Perna vs Borče Green Lagoon: both are unspoilt coves with no facilities. Borče stands out for the unique green colour of its water; Perna for its solitude and absolute silence.
• Perna vs Palmižana: complete opposites. Palmižana is fine dining at Toto’s and Meneghello; Perna is picnics and silence.
• Perna vs Stipanska: complete opposites. Stipanska is Carpe Diem and partying; Perna is total solitude.
• Perna vs Mlini: Mlini is the accessible one for families; Perna is the remote one for adventurers with a boat.

Perna FAQ

Is there a direct water taxi to Perna from Hvar?

No. You have to get there by your own boat, a Pasara hire, kayak (experts only) or a private tour with a skipper.

Is there a restaurant or bar at Perna?

No. A completely unspoilt cove with no facilities. Bring everything you need.

Is Perna good for families with children?

Only if you have your own boat and the children are used to days without facilities. The lack of natural shade and basic amenities makes the day harder with little ones. For families, Mlini is much better.

Is there sand at Perna?

There are small pebbly patches, but no real sand. The coves are mainly rocky with short stretches of pebbles.

Can I anchor at Perna?

Yes, the inlets are suitable for anchoring in 4-6 m of water. Each cove comfortably fits 2-3 boats.

Is there nudism at Perna?

There’s no official naturist tradition as on Jerolim, but given how secluded the coves are, some visitors go nude naturally and without any conflict.

Is there mobile coverage at Perna?

Patchy. Croatian operators (T-Mobile HR, A1) have partial coverage. Data speeds are limited. Don’t count on a stable connection for emergencies.

What do I do if something goes wrong and there are no facilities?

Keep your phone charged, bring a basic first-aid kit and make sure your boat hire includes assistance cover. In an emergency, the European number is 112.

Is Perna worth visiting?

If you already know the more touristy Pakleni spots (Stipanska, Palmižana, Mlini) and want the wildest, most authentic side of the archipelago, Perna is the answer. It’s for visitors on their second or third trip to Hvar, couples looking for real privacy, or anyone who values solitude over facilities.

If it’s your first time in the Pakleni and you only have one day, you’d probably prefer more accessible options with facilities: Palmižana for food, Mlini for families, or the classic Stipanska.

For the full picture of the archipelago, read the general guide to the Pakleni Islands from Hvar.

Book your day in the Pakleni Islands

• Pasara 5HP boat hire in Hvar — essential for getting to Perna.
• Blue Cave and 5 Islands tour from Hvar — may come close depending on the route.

Personal support via WhatsApp, payment by PayPal/card, free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Message us at +34 600 988 287.

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