Ultimate Pakleni Islands Hvar Guide (2026): Best Beaches, Boat Trips & Hidden Gems!

Last updated on August 16th, 2026 at 12:27 pm

The Pakleni Islands Hvar are one of my favourite places in Croatia, a beautiful archipelago of pine-covered islands just minutes from Hvar Town where you’ll discover turquoise lagoons, hidden beaches, waterfront restaurants and some of the clearest water in the Adriatic!

After countless visits over the years, I still spend at least one or two days exploring these idyllic islands every summer, I’m obsessed with the picturesque scenery, secluded bays for swimming and the stunning overwater restaurants and boutique beach clubs that feel a million miles away from bustling Hvar Town harbour!

And the best thing of all is that the Pakleni Islands are only 20 minutes away and easy to explore, I especially love sailing around the islands, dropping by my favourite spots for lunch and a swim, there’s nothing more luxurious and it’s ultimately one of the best things to do in Hvar Town and my personal favourite day trip from Hvar!

If you’re staying on Hvar Island for a few days, visiting this stunning group of islands in an absolute must, you can’t beat escaping to dreamy islands in style for the ultimate Hvar vacation and in this guide I’ll show you exactly where to go, how to get there and the best things to do!

Why Visit Pakleni Islands Hvar?

If you’re staying or even just visiting Hvar, the Pakleni Islands are one of the highlights, a jewel of the Adriatic Sea that I return to every summer, where the beautiful nature-filled scenery, glamorous waterfront restaurants, private cabanas and crystal-clear bays never fail to amaze me, its one of the best boat tours from Hvar!

Their appeal lies in the fact that the Pakleni Islands are largely natural and uninhabited, just pine trees and the clearest most perfect shades of turquoise blue water, which are easily accessible by small boat and among the islands there are three stand-out picturesque bays – and of course Pakleni Islands Hvar wouldn’t be without one party island!

Many of Hvar’s best experiences begin at the harbour, so if you plan on taking several boat trips, staying in Hvar Town makes the most sense. I’ve shared my favourite areas and boutique hotels in my complete guide on where to stay in Hvar Island.

When To Visit The Pakleni Islands?

Pakleni Islands are at their loveliest from mid-May to June and September, these months offer a serene atmosphere, the beaches are spacious, restaurants relaxed and service a little friendlier! I especially love late September, when the sea is the warmest, in my experience it’s the perfect time to explore the two most popular bays Palmizana and Mlini, usually bustling with day trippers but in quieter months they truly feel like a hidden oasis!

Best: May, June Sept (weather & relaxing)

Busiest: July & Aug (crowded & lively)

Avoid: Apil & Oct (chilly & amenities closed)

My favourite way to experience the Pakleni Islands Hvar: If I could only offer one piece of advice it would be to escape the crowds and glide around the islands on a private Pakleni Island sailing trip, this is by far the best Pakleni Islands day trip from Hvar that feels more elevated and personal!

HOW TO GET TO THE PAKLENI ISLANDS FROM HVAR

A day trip around the Pakleni Islands or Pakleni Otoci as it’s also known is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Hvar Croatia, whether you prefer sailboats, a private speedboat or even kayaking, there’s an option for everyone’s taste!

Sailing The Pakleni Islands

Sailing offers the best Pakleni Islands day trip with the sea breeze and serene views! It really a lovely way to explore and my personal favourite – the journey will be smooth and feel more premium, especially if you choose this private sail boat, for flexibility to suit your preferences including lunch places, crowd-free beach coves and idyllic swim spots, I always recommend it!

Pakleni Island Speed Boat Tours

A private speedboat boat tour from Hvar is a great way to discover the Pakleni Islands alongside some of Hvar’s coastal secret coves such as the dramatic cliff-backed red rock beaches, which can only be accessed from the sea, where you’ll discover the region’s incredible landscape! If you only have time for one boat trip from Hvar, this is a wonderful option covering the highlights of both areas!

Kayaking The Pakleni Islands

Kayaking is a fun and adventurous way to reach the Pakleni Islands from Hvar Town, and you’ll visit some lovely beaches such as those on Mlini Island to recharge, plus harder-to-reach spots not accessible by boat. There is a limit to which islands you can visit, due to distances, but if you enjoy kayaking on the open water – consider this morning Kayak tour!

Rent A Boat To The Pakleni Islands

Renting a boat from Hvar Town harbour 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 with the upmost privacy – if you don’t have a boat licence book a private boat with a skipper!

Hvar To Pakleni Islands Water Taxi

Water taxis run hourly between 10am and 6pm from Hvar Town Riva to the Pakleni Islands, they depart when full (around 12-20 persons) and there’s one boat per island, so with that in mind you must be sure which Island you’d prefer to spend most of the day on (the signs are for the three popular bays Palmizana, Mlini or Jerolim). Although cheap – it’s limiting as there are no inter-island taxi boats and you can’t walk around the islands. For visiting one island it’s perfect for island-hopping, book a boat tour!

Feeling inspired? For my absolute top picks, check out my guide to the best boat tours from Hvar in 2026!

Mamato Restaurant Mlini Bay View

WHICH PAKLENI ISLAND SHOULD YOU VISIT?

Although there are more than a dozen Pakleni Islands, only a few have infrastructure and confusingly people often refer to Palmizana, Mlini and Ždrilca as separate islands when they’re actually bays located on three of the main Pakleni Islands (listed below) and after experiencing each personally, I can tell you that they all offer something different! Here’s a quick guide to help you choose!

Which Pakleni Island is Best For…

• First visit – Sveti Klement (Palmizana)
• Best swimming – Marinkovac (Mlini)
• Most peaceful – Jerolim
• Best restaurants – Sveti Klement (Palmizana Bay)
• Best beach club – Marinkovac (Carpe Diem)
• Best for couples – Sveti Klement (Palmizana)
• Best snorkelling – Taršće

SVETI KLEMENT – Best Overall

Sveti Klement is the largest and most popular of all the Pakleni Islands, home to the beautiful Palmizana Bay and, in my opinion, the best choice for a first visit – it really does capture everything that makes the archipelago so special, it feels tropical almost!

Palmizana Bay is the most developed spot out of all the islands boasting a handful of stylish waterfront restaurants, the beautiful small beach club Laganini and a relaxed, boho luxury atmosphere among the pine trees and clear water pebble beach, there’s no wonder why it’s one of the best stops for taxi boats, private charters and sailing trips from Hvar Town!

The south side of the island offers a quieter ambience Vinogradišće Bay especially where peaceful coves and picturesque swimming areas offer a welcome escape. I’ve visited the Pakleni Islands many times over the years, and Sveti Klement is still my favourite for natural beauty, fantastic dining and the type of cool glam that Hvar is famous for, making it one of the top day trips from Hvar!

Laganini Cabana, Palmizana Bay

MARINKOVAK ISLAND – Best for beach clubs & relaxed cocktails

Marinkovac is the second largest of the Pakleni Islands and offers two completely different experiences, on the eastern side, Stipanska Cove is entirely occupied by Carpe Diem Beach Hvar, an iconic beach club known for its atmosphere, cocktails and lively sunset parties, a fun spot to spend the day!

But, my favourite area lies to the west of the island which feels peaceful and relaxed, especially Mlini Bay, a beautiful sheltered cove with a rather stony beach, a couple of traditional tavernas and the most incredibly clear, shallow water that’s boat-free – perfect for swimming and reading a book beneath the pine trees, I’ve often spend the full day here!

Just a short walk away, you’ll also find Ždrilca Bay, another picturesque spot connected by a woodland path, it’s the most scenic corner of the Pakleni Islands an ideal choice if you’re looking to combine beach time with a long, leisurely lunch – one of the best restaurants in Hvar, Mamato, is propped right along the shoreline!

JEROLIM ISLAND – Best for peaceful swimming

Jerolim is the closest Paklinski Island to Hvar and is one of the most popular nudist beaches in Europe, but don’t let that put you off, its the quietest place for sunbathing with sheltered coves to avert your eyes and overall it’s calm and boasts lovely island scenery, you could easily spend a few hours here from Hvar Town.

Aside from the beach coves there is a lovely new traditional seaside restaurant, Mago Mago, that for now feels like a hidden gem and provides a private sunbed area with a wonderful terrace, making this island more desirable for quick trips!

While not as popular as the previous two islands it’s still worth stopping by to experience a more natural side to the Pakleni Islands, especially if you want to visit a convenient island and beach close by Hvar, taxi boats make regular trips across summer and private boats can certainly pass by!

Short on time? If you only have one day, I recommend visiting Mlini Bay for lunch, swimming and relaxation on Marinkovak Island before finishing with drinks at Palmizana’s Laganini beach club on Sveti Klement. It perfectly captures everything that makes the Pakleni Islands so special. Check out my favourite boat tours from Hvar!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE PAKLENI ISLANDS HVAR

1. Lunch At Mamato

For wonderful lunches by the water’s edge, Mamato situated on Mlini Bay is truly a top choice, it’s one of the best restaurants in Hvar the setting is incredibly picturesque, I love the carved tables and olive trees that surround the terrace and the food is quality, especially their pasta and sharing boards, this restaurant alone is one of the best reasons for visiting the Pakleni Islands – you can even get a taxi boat directly to it!

2. Swim Pakleni Islands Secluded Bays!

Swimming in a secluded bay with the most crystal clear water and not another tourist in sight is truly wonderful and between Hvar’s shoreline and the Pakleni Islands there are some incredible swim spots! My favourite is easily Mlini Beach on Marinkovac Island for it’s super shallow water, but what’s even more special are the unnamed beach coves around Sveti Klement that are only accessible by private boat! For more tips, see my full guide to the beaches in Hvar!

3. Walk Between Ždrilca and Mlini

Boats frequently stop by Zdrilca bay where you arrive right in front of Mamato restaurant and what’s really wonderful is that you can also walk through the pine tree path to Mlini Beach, the most picturesque spot that not many people realise is there, you’ll find clear and shallow turquoise sea, traditional tavernas, sunbeds and cabanas to relax – mornings are especially good!

4. Lunch At Zori Restaurant

Zori is a lovely – unpretentious restaurant and hotel situated in the centre of popular Palmizana Bay, over looking the pebble beach and beyond towards Laganini beach club and the fancy boats that glide past. It’s a wonderful Mediterranean setting for breakfast or lunch! I really like the peaceful ambience and serene views that breakfast brings before the crowds descend and if you are totally won over there are five luxury villas to stay at Zori Timeless Hotel!

Zori Restaurant, Palmizana Bay

5. Laganini Beach Club Drinks

Laganini Fish House offers a popular restaurant and boho lux beach club set within a secluded corner of beautiful Palmizana Bay surrounded by lovely coastal views, you can expect dreamy white wood, tree houses, hammocks and a good DJ. I’ve spent countless afternoons enjoying the vibes, cocktails and overwater cabanas, some days are more vibrant than others! A good way to finish your boat trip in style – it’s similar to BOWA a wonderful place to visit from private Dubrovnik boat tours!

6. Sunset Parties At Carpe Diem Beach

Carpe Diem beach Hvar is the largest beach club operating out of the Pakleni Islands and is famous for their sunset parties and younger crowd, between 4pm and midnight, while during the day you can lounge, eat and swim – it used to run through until 6am and I can confirm it was both fun, loud and chaotic, but noise restrictions from have put a stop to the non stop partying since 2024 which affected Hvar Town’s ambience and quality.

7. Discover Hidden Gem Mago Mago!

Mago Mago is the Pakleni Islands newest restaurant on quiet Jerolim Island, the closest to Hvar Town, which you have a view of from the restaurant terrace, it’s an idyllic spot for those looking to get off the beaten path, this traditional restaurant offers authentic Croatian food and vibes and there’s even a little beach with loungers for sunbathers if you want to stay a while in this location!

8. Hire A Private Boat

Exploring the Pakleni Islands by private boat is absolutely the best thing to do for finding those secret swim spots, spectacular scenery and bays that only the private boat can get to! I really love the freedom a private boat brings whether that’s by sailboat or speed boat, both offer flexibility and a crowd free experience, trust me you will discover so much more!

Planning more than one boat trip? I always recommend staying in Hvar Town, the island’s main departure point for the Pakleni Islands, Blue Cave and many of the best excursions. You can find my favourite areas and hotels in my complete guide on where to stay in Hvar Island.

Mamato Restaurant, Mlini Bay, Marinkovac Pakleni Island

BEST BOAT TRIPS TO THE PAKLENI ISLANDS HVAR

Visiting the Pakleni Islands from Hvar 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! Below are the best Pakleni Island day trips from Hvar well worth your time!

PAKLENI ISLANDS HVAR SAILING TRIP

• Tour Length: Half or Full Day
• Tour Type: Private
• Best For: Island scenery & luxury sailing!

A private sail boat trip is a wonderful way to explore the Pakleni Islands and one of my personal favourite experiences is this full-day sailboat trip I took around the smaller unspoilt islands and natural shallow water bays as well as visiting favourite islands Marinkovac and Sveti Klement.

It feels more elevated away from the crowds and bustle and the journey between sights is much more calm than a fast-paced bumpy speed boat, it’s the best Pakleni Islands day trip from Hvar for couples or small groups and for those who prefer relaxed and personal island-hopping trips!

Sailing with a stylish private boat gives you the upmost flexibility, you can swim for however long you like, see places that are off radar for most tourists and lunch wherever you please, although I do suggest Mamato in Mlini Bay or hidden gem Mato Mato on Jerolim Island, this is an incredibly scenic Pakleni Islands boat trip, one that I would absolutely revisit!

See availability this summer for superior Pakleni Islands sailing!

SOUTH HVAR & PAKLENI ISLANDS boat tour

• Tour Length: 8 hours
• Tour Type: Private
• Best For: stunning beach-hopping & exploring

For beach and scenery lovers, this private speedboat tour to the dramatic red rocks, beautiful southern beaches of Hvar and Pakleni islands is absolutely fantastic, it covers the coastal highlights of both island destinations, making it ideal if you want to explore more but not travel too far!

This boat tour gives you the opportunity 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 not many tourists get to see, it’s so secluded and mountainous and by land you would need an ATV!

It’s truly one of the best Hvar boat tours for discovering picturesque landscapes and visiting remote beaches effortlessly, a wonderful experience for every traveller, swimming in the clearest water, finding beach coves and seeing the changing island scenery is what the Pakleni Islands are all about!

Check out the full details & summer availability for this incredibly scenic beach-hopping private speedboat tour!

BLUE CAVE, VIS & Pakleni Islands TOUR

• Tour Length: 8 hours
• Tour Type: Group or private
• Best For: Adventure & Adriatic gems!

If you want to visit a variety of iconic Adriatic hotspots such as Vis Island and the iconic Blue Cave, this small group boat tour offers several stops as well as lunch in the best Pakleni Island – Svent Klement – Palmizana to round off your full and adventurous day out on the water – it’s one of the most popular and best day trips from Hvar!

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the turquoise lagoon on Budikovac Island, Blue Cave, Green Cave and the famous Stinva Beach on stunning Vis Island – a fantastic large white pebbled beach flanked by dramatic cliffs, where you can swim off the boat to the shore ‘James Bond style’, this tour is what made return to Vis for many summers after!

It may be fast paced, but worth it if you want to see the highlights of the area and only have a short time to so, the only downside is that the boat trip only stops in one of the Pakleni Islands bays out of the whole archipelago, if you were hoping to see more I would book the full-day Palkeni Island sailing trip above!

Book this incredible small group Blue Cave and Pakleni Speed Boat Tour or check out this private tour for more flexibility!

Wondering if this tour is worth it? Check out my full review of the Blue Cave, Vis Island & Pakleni boat tour here!

HALF-DAY PAKLENI ISLANDS YATCH TOUR

• Tour Length: 4 hours (morning, afternoon or sunset)
• Tour Type: Small group
• Best For: A taste of the Pakleni Islands!

If you’re looking just for a taste of the Paklinski Islands from Hvar without committing to a full day this half-day laid-back morning or afternoon yacht tour is a great choice, it includes stunning pebble beach coves, popular bays, swimming and even paddle boarding

It’s perfect if you want to see more than one spot, but don’t have a lot of time spare, the best thing about this sail trip is that it solely focuses on the Paklinski Islands, so you can fully enjoy the island scenery and highlights, especially in the morning when the islands are more tranquil and the sea calm and shimmering turquoise!

I enjoyed the romantic sunset yacht tour, which is only two hours, there’s no swimming involved so it slots amazingly into your evening itinerary, but even though the group tours are capped at eight persons, if the boat is full you may find it a bit cramped, if you’re visiting in the peak summer months July and August I would opt to go private for a better experience!

Check availability for summer on this half-day Pakleni Islands yacht tour!

Ready to explore Hvar by sea?
Don’t miss the island’s most unforgettable experience! Discover the best Hvar boat tours for 2026!

THE PERFECT PAKLENI ISLANDS DAY TRIP ITINERARY!

If I were planning my perfect Pakleni Island itinerary, I would take a full day and incorporate private bay swim spots, a fabulous lunch (booked ahead) Island scenery and sailing – here’s what I have loved from past experience!

Morning: 10am

Jerolim for swimming and scenery, Tarsce for snorkelling, plus lovely sailing and scenery

Afternoon: 1pm

Marinkovac Island for lunch at Mamato and a walk to beautiful Mlini Bay.

Late Afternoon: 3pm

Sveti Klement Island for sailing, scenery, a swim at hidden gem Vinogradišće

Last Stop: 5pm

Palmizana Bay and drinks at Laganni beach bar before returning back to Hvar Town

Are The Pakleni Islands Worth Visiting?

Yes! Absolutely, the Pakleni Islands are well worth visiting and one of my favourite things to do in Hvar is take a boat trip and explore two or three islands, swimming in hidden tranquil bays and lunching in the most wonderful overwater restaurants. Pakleni Islands really are a wonderful addition to your Hvar Island itinerary, whether you fancy sailing around the islands, visiting the day clubs or seeing in the magnificent sunsets – let a Pakleni Islands day trip be one of your top priorities!

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 then I would lunch around 2pm and cocktails at 5pm!

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, Pakleni Islands day trips are popular for a reason! 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!

Getting Around

Aside from getting around via boat – private boat especially, on the islands themselves there are no pavements, roads or vehicles, you can’t walk from one side of any island to the other, which means for taxi boats, where you arrive i.e. Mlini Bay – it’s where you’ll stay!

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!

Take Cash & Cards

Take both cash and card for the Pakleni Islands, there isn’t much infrastructure or ATM’s and in case of electronic fails on these tiny islands, I would come prepared before you leave Hvar Town – plus there’s gratuity tips!

What To Wear

For an all day boat trip, I would ensure of an outfit change especially for lunch in Mamato or Laganini, bikini’s won’t cut it, don’t forget your sunhat, glasses, sun lotion, chic sun cover-up and towel.

Laganini Beach Club, Palmizana Bay

HVAR PAKLENI ISLANDS CROATIA: FAQ

Which Pakleni Island is best?

For first time visitors the best Pakleni Island is Sveti Klement an its Palmizana Bay, a beautiful islands with a great mix of upmarket over water restaurants, pebble beaches with sun loungers and a small boho-luxe beach club, there’s something for everyone here and my favourite! If you enjoyed visiting BOWA from Dubrovnik old town – you will love this bay!

How do I get to the Pakleni Islands from Hvar?

You can get to the Pakleni Islands from Hvar by water taxi to spend the day on one bay of an island, but the best experience is a boat tour or private sailing boat trip from Hvar Town around the tiny island archipelago, stopping in secret spots and visiting more highlights and scenery, it’s more worthwhile!

Can you visit the Pakleni Islands from Split?

Yes, but it’s best done as part of a full-day private speedboat tour from Split. If you’re travelling independently by ferry, you’ll have very limited time to explore the islands after arriving in Hvar Town, so I recommend staying at least one night in Hvar if visiting the Pakleni Islands is high on your itinerary.

How far are the Pakleni Islands from Hvar?

The Pakleni Islands are only a 15-25 minute boat ride from Hvar Town, Jerolim is the closest – only 10 minutes away and from the beaches you can clearly see the harbour of Hvar Town.

Can you stay on the Pakleni Islands?

Yes, there’s a wonderful luxury boutique hotel called Timeless Zori – part of the Zori Restaurant, which I also recommend on Sveti Klement Island (Palmizana Bay) where you can book a dreamy private villa for two. It’s romantic and you’ll have a very peaceful evening and experience beautiful mornings on this idyllic island before the day trippers arrive!

Are the Pakleni Islands sandy?

The Pakleni Islands, much like the majority of Croatia have pebble and rocky beaches, I recommend water shoes for the most part, but the water is so clear and turquoise blue the lack of sand will not affect your stay. The swim spots and lush island scenery are what makes these islands special.

What is the best Pakleni Islands tour from Hvar?

The best Pakleni Islands tour from Hvar is this full-day private sailing tour, my favourite experience to date! It’s luxurious, flexible and relaxing, you get to see multiple islands in one day and plan your perfect swim spots and incredible lunch venue!

Still planning your Hvar Island itinerary!

Planning your trip to Hvar? I’ve also shared a complete what to do travel guide for first-time visitors, my favourite things to do, that pairs perfectly with the best day trips from Hvar Island!

• Where To Stay In Hvar Island – the best areas, boutique hotels & luxury stays!
• Complete Guide To Hvar Island – top tips & need to know for first time visitors!
• Best Things To Do In Hvar Town – heritage sites, attractions & experiences!
• Boat Trips From Hvar – islands, bays & coastal towns worth visiting!
• Day Trips From Hvar – hidden gems, villages boat trips & more!
• Best Beaches On Hvar Island – beautiful Bays & Beach Clubs!
• Blue Cave Review – full review & tips!
• Best Restaurants in Hvar Croatia – wine bars, seafront terraces & more!
• Stari Grad From Hvar Town – what to see, do & how to get there!

Where To Visit Next In Croatia!

• Where To Stay In Split
• Where To Stay In Dubrovnik
• Where To Stay in Korcula
• Where To Stay in Vis Island

• Best Things To Do In Split
• Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik
• Guide To Korcula Island
• Guide To Vis Island

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