Pakleni Islands Guide — Which Bay Is Which

The Pakleni Islands (Paklinski otoci, sometimes mistranslated as "Hell's Islands" — actually from "paklina", the pine resin once collected there) are a chain of about 21 small islands and islets just off the south-west coast of Hvar.

The biggest is Sveti Klement, the most-visited is Marinkovac, and the smaller islets — Jerolim, Stipanska, Borovac — get fewer visitors. Almost no permanent population. A few seasonal restaurants and one or two famous beach clubs.

For Blue Cave day-trippers from Split, the Pakleni Islands are the final stop of the day — a relaxed swim after Hvar lunch, before the run home. Which bay you see depends on the wind and the skipper.

Sveti Klement is the largest Pakleni island and home to the area's most famous bay: Vinogradišće. Sheltered, pine-fringed, sandy entry into the water, and a couple of low-key restaurants and beach bars. This is the Pakleni stop most group tours target when the wind allows.

On the south side of Sveti Klement is Palmižana, an old anchorage that has become a more upmarket marina-and-restaurant scene. Travellers staying overnight in Hvar often catch a water taxi here for dinner.

Day-trippers from Split realistically see Vinogradišće or one of the small bays nearby. Palmižana is more of an evening destination than a swim stop.

Marinkovac is smaller and just east of Sveti Klement. Two notable bays: Stipanska (south side, very clear water, decent snorkelling) and Ždrilca (a narrow channel between two islets — protected and photogenic).

Stipanska is the home of the famous Carpe Diem Beach Club, which is a daytime-into-evening party venue from June through August. A water taxi from Hvar harbour runs every 15 minutes during peak season. For day-trippers on the Blue Cave route, your skipper may or may not stop here depending on the vibe of the group — most family tours skip it.

Ždrilca is a quieter alternative — two small islets separated by a swim-through channel. Calm water, good for kids, less party energy.

Jerolim is the closest Pakleni island to Hvar town. It is small, mostly undeveloped, and known historically as a clothing-optional beach island — although that reputation is fading and most visitors today are clothed.

For day-trippers, Jerolim is rarely the chosen stop because it is too close to Hvar and the water gets busy with passing traffic. Private charters with specific interests sometimes include it; group tours generally do not.

Carpe Diem Beach Club on Stipanska is famous internationally. White day beds, branded bars, DJs from late afternoon into the night. In peak season it is genuinely one of the more memorable scenes on the Croatian coast.

On a Blue Cave day-trip from Split, you will not be stopping for an extended Carpe Diem session — the schedule does not allow it and the price tag (drinks easily €15 to €20 each) is not what most day-trippers came for. If you want the Carpe Diem experience, do it as a separate evening from Hvar town.

If you do happen to anchor near Stipanska on a group tour, you can usually swim ashore for a quick photograph; ordering a full round of drinks tends to make you late for the boat home.

Vinogradišće (Sveti Klement) — fair snorkelling near the rocky edges, less so in the middle of the sandy bay. Best for families who want a calm swim more than serious snorkelling.

Stipanska (Marinkovac) — very clear water, good marine life along the rocks, often the best visibility of any Pakleni bay. Avoid the area directly in front of Carpe Diem (boat traffic) and snorkel along the cliff edges instead.

Ždrilca (between two Marinkovac islets) — sheltered, family-friendly, decent fish life. The swim-through channel is the highlight.

Mlini Bay (Sveti Klement, north side) — quieter alternative when Vinogradišće is busy. Smaller, but the snorkelling along the western rocks is genuinely good.

On the group Blue Cave 5 Island Tour, your Pakleni stop is one bay — usually Vinogradišće or Mlini, occasionally Ždrilca, depending on wind direction and how crowded the popular bays are.

On a private charter, you can request specific bays or even visit two of them. A common private charter combo is Stipanska for snorkelling, then a quick stop at Vinogradišće for a beach-bar drink before heading home. The flexibility is one of the main reasons groups of six or more pick the private upgrade.

Either way, the Pakleni stop is the quiet, satisfying end of the Blue Cave day. The water is the clearest it has been all day, the light is golden, and most guests are sun-tired and quietly happy. See our full Blue Cave 5 Island Tour guide or the private charter version for the day this fits into.