Last updated on September 15th, 2025 at 09:11 pm
Curious about the Pakleni Islands in Croatia? I’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide to the Pakleni Islands, Hvar Island’s dreamiest day trip!
Just a short boat ride from Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands – also known as Pakleni Otoci or Paklinski Islands – offer stunning scenery and an unforgettable day out on the water, no matter what you call them!
Paklinski Islands, think Picturesque Islands!
I’ve spent countless days exploring the Pakleni Otoci and completely adore the Mediterranean charm -shimmering waters, peaceful beach coves, pebble shores, fragrant pine trees, and overwater restaurant terraces. If you’re staying in Hvar, this island-hopping experience is one I truly recommend.
Here’s my guide to the Pakleni Islands, which includes where to swim, what to see, and the best boat tours from Hvar for the ultimate experience!
What are the Pakleni Islands?
You might not have even heard of the Pakleni Islands, I hadn’t before I planned a trip to Hvar and discovered restaurants and boho beach clubs among some of the islands!
I quickly learned that Pakleni Otoci archipelago is in fact 14 small, rocky islets and islands just off Hvar, a stone’s throw from the popular Hvar Town harbour (literally 15-minute away)!
And they are stunning. You can view the scattered islands from above at Hvar’s Fortress, it’s really no surprise that a boat trip around the Pakleni Islands is the most popular day trip from Hvar!
Fun Fact: The Pakleni Otoci in the Croatian language translates to Hells Islands!
In a hurry? Book your day tour from Hvar here!
The best way to experience the Pakleni Islands is by boat tour. You can join a tour or hire a private boat.
Here’s the best Pakleni Otoci Islands boat tours:
HOW TO GET TO THE PAKLINSKI ISLANDS FROM HVAR
A day trip around the Pakleni Islands or Pakleni Otoci is a must when staying in Hvar, whether you prefer sailboats, a private speedboat or even kayaking, there’s an option for everyone’s taste! Here’s my top picks for getting to the Hvar Pakleni Islands!
Pakleni Island Boat Tours From Hvar
A perfect way to explore the Pakleni Islands is by joining a group boat tour or a private boat tour from Hvar. You’ll have plenty of time to relax on the boat, enjoy the beautiful scenery at leisure, see much more of the Mediterranean landscape and hidden gems, usually off-limits to tourists – all in one trip!
In my view, the appeal of the Pakleni Islands lies in the scenery, tranquil swimming spots and pretty beach coves, which can only be truly discovered by a boat tour, especially private boat tours from Hvar, where you have the most flexibility!
Kayaking The Pakleni Islands
Kayaking is a fun and adventurous way to reach the Pakleni Islands, and you’ll visit serene beaches such as those on Mlini Island to recharge and grab a drink.
You are limited to which islands you can visit, due to distances, but the real fun of this tour is kayaking on the open water – just take the hot Croatian sun into consideration and book the morning Kayak tour!
Rent A Boat To The Pakleni Islands
Renting a boat from Hvar is an option for those who have a boat licence and confidence! Hvar Town is a busy place and there are lots of boats in the Adriatic to navigate around, from yachts to ferries, but you do have the advantage of visiting smaller quieter bays and basking on beaches all to yourself!
If you are a pro with a speedboat, you can rent a boat from a boat agency in Hvar Town and enjoy all the flexibility and freedom it brings!
Hvar To Pakleni Islands Water Taxi
A water taxi from Hvar to Pakleni Islands is a cost-effective way to reach the main islands from Hvar Town harbour; they run regularly from roughly 10am until 6pm throughout the day and leave when full (around 12-20 persons).
Schedules are advertised along the Riva and you pay once onboard; however, they are limited to only one island per trip and only visit three islands, so you have to be sure which island you want to visit! (Psst, Palmizana or Milini are the safest options!)
INCREDIBLE HVAR PAKLENI ISLANDS BOAT TOURS
Visiting the Hvar Pakleni Islands by boat tour offers the opportunity to experience multiple sights in one day and can easily be combined with the iconic Blue Cave, Red Rocks and secret beaches of South Hvar! I’m not here to gate-keep, below are the best Pakleni Islands tours from Hvar!
PAKLENI ISLANDS SAILING TRIP
- Tour Length: Half or Full Day
- Tour Type: Private
- Best For: Luxury
If you’re looking for a dreamy escape just off the coast of Hvar Town, this stunning private sailing trip of the Pakleni Islands (also known as Paklinski Islands) is a must!
You can expect an incredible day of exploring hidden coves, turquoise lagoons, and crystal-clear bays like Palmizana, Mlini, or Zdrilca – a haven for swimming, snorkelling and sipping cocktails at chic beach bars.
On our full-day sailing trip, we swam in peaceful tourist-free beaches and lunched at a dreamy waterfront restaurant. And what impressed us the most were the incredible scenic stops that are usually off-limits to tourists, so you can dive straight into the Adriatic!
For all beach and nature lovers, this is one of the most picturesque and relaxing customisable day trips from Hvar – no long travel times, just pure island bliss – I highly recommend this tour!
Ready to explore the Pakleni Islands? Book your spot on our favourite luxury sail boat trip from Hvar to Pakleni Islands!
BLUE CAVE & Pakleni Islands TOUR
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Tour Type: Group
- Best For: Variety!
If you want to visit a variety of places, this Blue Cave and Pakleni Island tour offers several stops as well as lunch in the best Pakleni Island!
Explore the turquoise lagoon on Budikovac Island, Blue Cave, Green Cave and iconic Stinva Beach on stunning Vis Island – a fantastic large white pebbled beach flanked by dramatic cliffs – it’s a must-see (and swim) – and can only be reached by boat!!
At the end of the day, you’ll also enjoy a late lunch on Paklinski Island Svent Klement, which is a wonderful destination on the bay of Palmizana to round off your boat tour from Hvar!
Book this incredible Blue Cave and Pakleni Speed Boat Tour today or check out this private tour for more flexibility!
SOUTH HVAR & PAKLENI ISLANDS boat tour
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Tour Type: Private
- Best For: Flexibility
For beach and scenery lovers, this private speedboat tour to the dramatic red rocks, incredible southern beaches of Hvar and Pakleni islands is absolutely fantastic!
You will have the chance to swim and admire some of the most beautiful beaches on Hvar Island, including postcard-perfect Dubovica Beach and hidden gem Lucisca Bay, which is impossible to reach without an ATV due to the rugged terrain – we tried and failed!
It’s one of the best Hvar boat tours for discovering the beaches on Hvar Island, I personally love this trip for the beautiful landscapes and visiting remote beaches without a fuss, not many visitors get to experience this! It’s really one of the most unique Hvar boat tours!!
Tip! This private speedboat tour from Hvar is also fully customisable, so you can stop for longer if a beach takes your fancy!
Explore the best beaches in Hvar on this wonderful private speedboat tour!
HALF-DAY PAKLENI ISLANDS YATCH TOUR
- Tour Length: 4 hours
- Tour Type: Group
- Best For: Adventure!
If you’re looking to explore the best of the Paklinski Islands beaches Hvar, inslets and stunning coves, this half-day laid-back yacht tour is a great choice!
The best thing about this tour is that it solely focuses on the Paklinski Islands, so you can fully enjoy the island scenery, swimming, snorkelling and even stand-up paddleboarding!
I love how relaxing the tour is with only 8 passengers (or fewer), and the crew are friendly – I booked with them for a romantic sunset cruise, which was a fantastic experience (see the below pics). You can bring your own snacks and drinks, and I recommend the morning tour for an even more relaxing time!
Book your spot on this half-day yacht tour!
Ready to explore Hvar by sea?
Don’t miss the island’s most unforgettable experience! Discover the best Hvar boat tours for 2025
THE TOP PAKLINSKI ISLANDS TO VISIT
There are 14 Paklinski Islands in total, 3 of which are main islands, boasting beautiful bays with restaurants, chill beach bars and loungers – I recommend concentrating on those and leaving the remote islands to small boat trips!
SVETI KLEMENT
Sveti Klement is the largest and most popular Hvar Pakleni Island to visit. It’s home to Palmizana, a pretty bay and the main hub of the island.
Palmizana Beach has many restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea; however, I can personally recommend Zori for service, sea views and excellent tuna!
Elsewhere on the island, there are swimming bays without the crowds, such as along the south side, but it’s only reachable by private boat.
MARINKOVAK ISLAND
Marinkovak Island is the second largest Paklinski Island in the group and it boasts the largest beach club on Hvar; Carpe Diem Beach Hvar – a lively music and sunset party destination!
On the opposite side of the island, you’ll find Mlini and Zdrilica beaches, which are beautifully tranquil and have the clearest waters for shallow water swimming! It’s also home to picturesque Mamato – one of the best restaurants in Hvar Croatia!
JEROLIM ISLAND
Jerolim is the closest Paklinski Island to Hvar and is one of the most popular nudist beaches in Europe! It is a beautiful beach and mostly quiet, possibly also due to the fact that there aren’t any facilities!
As a fair-haired brit, I like to keep my clothes on, so I haven’t checked out this beach, but if you are into nude bathing, the beach before Robinson’s Beach, a 25-minute walk from Hvar Town is also nude!!
Tip! If you only plan on visiting one Paklinski Island, I recommend focusing on the bays of Palmizana or Mlini!
THINGS TO DO ON THE PAKLENI ISLANDS HVAR
Swim in the Pakleni Islands best beaches!
Some of the best Hvar beaches are situated in the Paklinski Islands, the crystal clear waters and shallow bays are perfect for a refreshing dip! Most of the beaches are pebbly or rocky, so you’ll need swim shoes, but it’s worth it, the beaches are incredibly scenic, especially tranquil Mlini beach – don’t miss it!
Here’s my favourite beach spots!
- Mlini beach, located on Marinkovac Island
- Zdrilca beach, located on Marinkovac Island
- Palmizana beach on Svent Klement
Swim off the boat in a secluded bay!
One of the advantages of a boat tour is having a trusted skipper find the best swimming spots right off the boat! Swimming in the shimmering blue sea with Mediterranean landscape away from the mainstream is the perfect thing to do in the Pakleni Islands!
Relax at Laganini Beach Club
Laganini is a boho luxe beach club in the most lively bay on the Pakleni Islands, Palmizana, I’ve visited this spot many times; there’s always a good vibe!
A lot of small boat tours drop by here, which is the easiest way to access it – you can relax at the bar, one of the loungers, including tree top canopies or stop for lunch in their popular seafood restaurant – just be aware it’s the priciest out of all the places in the Pakleni Islands!
Stop for a fantastic waterside lunch
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to great Pakleni Islands restaurants and incredible waterside lunches! Mamato in Mlini Bay and Zori on Palmizana beach cove are hands-down the best lunch places on the islands!
Mamato is located on the beach in a picturesque bay with island views and a nice vibe, the tables are set back among the trees – the bar stools are almost over the water! Everything I’ve ordered, so far, from the Mediterranean menu has been good!
Zori is perfectly situated in the centre of Palmizana beach cove with a fantastic sea view and terrace, the food is well presented and tasty, especially the tuna!
Sunset drinks at Carpe Diem beach Hvar
Carpe Diem beach Hvar makes up a huge part of Marinkovac Island. It’s famous for being the largest and most vibrant beach club in Hvar, featuring a dance floor and DJs.
During the day, you can relax on the sun loungers and sofas, then it livens up at sunset until midnight – it was until the following morning, but Hvar is trying to curb the ‘party destination’ reputation to bring harmony to the town (thank goodness).
WHEN TO VISIT THE HVAR PAKLENI ISLANDS
Summer is the best overall time to visit Hvar and the Pakleni Islands, June until September, as the islands are seasonal; however, the shoulder months late-May and mid-September are my personal favourite times, especially late May.
In late May or September, the days are sunny and warm and there are fewer tourists, making getting around much more pleasant – the Pakleni Islands are one of the main attractions on Hvar Island, so to arrive early and find secluded bays all to yourself in the low season is a real treat!
WHAT TO PACK FOR A PAKLENI ISLANDS DAY TRIP
For a day out on the water, think light, stylish and sun-ready! You’ll be hopping between beaches and boats, so pack smart!
Must-Haves:
- Reef-safe sunscreen – The sun is strong, bring your SPF30-50!
- Towel or travel towel – Quick-dry options are perfect for boat trips.
- Water shoes – Great for pebbly coves and slippery boat steps.
- Dry bag – Essential for keeping your phone and valuables safe on boats.
- Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated – I take this water bottle everywhere.
- Sunglasses & hat – For shade while sailing or lounging on the beach, sunglasses are an essential!
WHERE TO STAY ON THE PAKLENI ISLANDS
If you are looking to stay on the Paklinski Islands Croatia, the only hotel I recommend is Zori Timeless Hotel in Palmizana; a luxurious Mediterranean hotel with spacious designer rooms, amazing sea views and a fantastic restaurant overlooking the bay!
As the Pakleni Islands accommodation and infrastructure are limited, I suggest opting for Hvar Town instead, where there are more things to do. From there, it’s just a quick boat ride to Paklinski Otoci!
Hotel Moeesy
An exceptional hotel with scenic grounds, pools and gardens over-looking the Adriatic, one of the best luxury designed boutique hotels in Hvar!
Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel
A stylish and central hotel with Hvar Town harbour views offering a rooftop pool, lounge and spa and excellent service!
Beach Bay Hvar Hotel
Stay in a chic beach hotel with luxury boho decor and sea view balconies nearby an attractive bay and Franciscan Monastery!
Read Next: Where To Stay On Hvar: Best Areas, Hotels & Boutiques!
TIPS FOR VISITING THE PAKLENI ISLANDS HVAR
Start Early
Whichever method you choose to explore the Pakleni Islands, I recommend starting early or opting for a morning tour. There are lots of advantages; a calm sea, fewer tourists and crowds and the sun is not as intense!
Pre-book Tours
If you’re hoping to book a private or group tour, pre-booking weeks ahead is a must to avoid disappointment, especially during the peak season late June until early September! Book online to secure your boat trip and to save time later on!
Boating Licence
For those who are planning on renting a boat themselves, a boating licence is required and insurance to cover the propeller. You do need to be a skilled driver in the Paklinski Islands due to the rocks and busyness!
What To Bring
Most boats come with a cooler box, so I recommend bringing a few drinks and snacks of your own – check with your provider as some private boats include all of this as well as alcoholic drinks!
HVAR PAKLENI ISLANDS CROATIA FAQ
Is Pakleni Islands worth visiting?
Yes! The Pakleni Islands are some of the most beautiful islands in Croatia, they are a must visit when staying on Hvar!
How do I get to the Pakleni Islands from Hvar?
The best way to get to the Pakleni Islands from Hvar is by water taxi, boat tour or private boat from Hvar Town.
How far are the Pakleni Islands from Hvar?
The Pakleni Islands are only a 15-20 minute boat ride away from Hvar Town.
How many days do you need in Hvar?
You need 5 days on Hvar Island to fully explore the island, relax at the Pakleni Islands beaches and take an amazing day trip!
What is the best Pakleni Islands tour from Hvar?
The best Pakleni Islands tour from Hvar is this full-day private sailing tour. It’s luxurious, flexible and relaxing, you get to see multiple islands in one day!
Hvar Pakleni Islands Guide – Final Thoughts
A day trip to the Pakleni Islands is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of Hvar beyond the town itself. Whether you want to relax at a chic beach club, find a hidden cove, or cruise between scenic islets in style, it’s an incredible part of any Dalmatian adventure.
Ready to set sail? Check out my favourite Pakleni Islands boat tour or explore my full list of best boat tours from Hvar Town to help you plan the perfect day trip from Hvar!
Plan your Hvar & Paklinski Islands itinerary!
Here’s my go-to list of resources for transport, accommodation, and tours for travelling to Hvar, Croatia!
- Booking.com for the best boutique rates
- Get Your Guide for unique day excursions
- TripAdvisor for the latest reviews
- Viator for incredible day tours
- Omio for booking Croatia ferries
- Discover Cars reliable and best rates on rental cars
Read Next!
- 15 Best Things To Do In Hvar Town Croatia!
- 6 BEST Ways To Get From Split To Hvar: A Detailed Guide!
- Stari Grad Hvar: Why You Should Visit & Best Things To Do!
- Stari Grad Croatia: A Perfect Day Trip From Hvar Town
- A Guide To The Best Restaurants In Hvar Croatia
- The Ultimate Guide To Hvar Island: What To See & Do!
- Uncover Hidden Gems: The Best Day Trips From Hvar Island!
- Top Boat Tours From Hvar Town: A Complete Breakdown
- Is The Blue Cave Tour From Hvar Worth It? My Honest Review!
- BEST Beaches On Hvar Island: Stunning Spots You’ll Love!
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Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!