Boat trips
The Pakleni islands off Hvar
A chain of some twenty islets just off Hvar harbour: turquoise bays, Palmižana and Vinogradišće, restaurants under the pines and swimming from spring to autumn.
- Duration
- Half day
- Hvar (NM)
- 2
- Season
- April - October
The Pakleni islands stretch for about ten kilometres in front of Hvar town and close its harbour from the south. Their name comes not from pakao (hell) but from paklina, the pine resin once used to coat boats. The nearest is Jerolim, and the largest Sveti Klement, with the bays of Palmižana and Vinogradišće.
Between the islets the sea is shallow and calm, which makes them ideal for a trip in a small boat or a RIB. The day is usually spent in two or three bays: a morning swim in Stipanska or Ždrilca, lunch in Vinogradišće and back towards evening.
What to see
- Vinogradišće bay on Sveti Klement, with a sandy seabed and restaurants
- Ždrilca, the shallow passage between Marinkovac and Planikovac
- The botanical garden at Palmižana
- Sunset with a view of Vis
Departure points
| Departure point | Distance | By speedboat | By sailboat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hvar Boat rental: Hvar | approx. 2 NM | 5 min | 0.3 h |
Distance one way. Travel time is calculated at about 25 knots for a speedboat and about 6 knots for a sailboat, without stops.
With your own or a rented boat
No permit or ticket is needed. Berths are in ACI marina Palmižana, which is open from April to October, and in several bays there are paid buoys or you can anchor.
Good to know
- The passage between Borovac and Sveti Klement is less than five metres deep and unlit, and the Baba rock north of the marina entrance should be given a wide berth.
- Vinogradišće is open to the south. In jugo choose the north side of the island.
- In summer the bays are full of boats and swimmers: go slowly.
Boat trips
Other trips
The Blue Cave on Biševo
The best-known sea cave on the Adriatic, five miles from Komiža. Around noon the sun fills it with blue light through an underwater opening.
Open tripThe Blue Lagoon at Drvenik Veli
The shallow turquoise bay of Krknjaši between Drvenik Veli and two islets, six miles from Trogir: the most popular half-day trip in central Dalmatia.
Open tripZlatni rat and Bol
A shingle spit that changes shape with the wind and the current, the best-known beach on the Adriatic, and Bol below Vidova gora on the south coast of Brač.
Open tripSafety
Emergency at sea
Croatia's national maritime search and rescue coordination centre (MRCC Rijeka) is on watch 24 hours a day. Save the number before you set off.
- 195Maritime search and rescue
- VHF 16Distress and safety calls
- 112Single emergency number
Before you call, have ready the boat's position (coordinates or the nearest headland, island or bay), the number of people on board and a description of the problem. A call to 112 is put through to the maritime rescue centre.
Get out on the water yourself
Find a boat directly from its owner and arrange the rental with no commission.
The information is for guidance only and does not replace official nautical charts, pilot books or forecasts. Check the current conditions and regulations before you set off.