Pakleni Islands Sailing Guide for Yacht Crews

The Pakleni Islands, also called the Paklinski Islands, are the most famous sailing playground beside Hvar Town. They are close enough for a short hop from Hvar, but varied enough to offer marinas, restaurant moorings, beach clubs, turquoise bays, quiet coves, snorkelling stops and overnight options for yachts.

This guide is written for skippers and charter crews visiting the Pakleni Islands by boat. It covers ACI Marina Palmižana, Vinogradišće, Ždrilca, Soline, Vlaka, Stipanska, Jerolim, restaurant stops, provisioning limitations, fuel planning, Google map, practical anchoring notes and an interactive checklist.

For SEO and international searches, both names matter: Pakleni Islands and Paklinski Islands. Locally, the name is linked to pine resin once used for coating wooden boats, not “hell”, although the incorrect translation is common in English travel content.

Quick Skipper Summary

Google Map: Pakleni Islands Near Hvar

Where Are the Pakleni Islands?

The Pakleni Islands lie directly opposite Hvar Town, along the south-western side of Hvar Island. Because the archipelago is so close to Hvar, many crews use it as a calmer overnight alternative to Hvar Town harbour, or as a lunch and swim stop before going ashore in Hvar by water taxi.

The largest island is Sv. Klement, where ACI Marina Palmižana and several famous bays are located. The archipelago also includes Marinkovac, Jerolim, Planikovac and many smaller islets and rocks.

Approach and Navigation Notes

The most common approaches are from Hvar Town, Stari Grad, Vis, Šolta, Brač or Split/Trogir routes. The channel between Hvar and the Pakleni Islands is busy in season, with water taxis, excursion boats, yachts, tenders and day boats moving throughout the day.

Arrive early if you want a berth or a good anchoring position. Keep a proper lookout and do not rely only on the chartplotter in crowded areas. The biggest risk is not distance or offshore exposure; it is local congestion, poor anchoring decisions and arriving after the best spots are already full.

ACI Marina Palmižana

ACI Marina Palmižana is the main marina in the Pakleni Islands and one of the most important yacht stops near Hvar. It is located in Palmižana Bay on the north-eastern side of Sv. Klement, the largest island in the archipelago. ACI lists the marina as open from April to the end of October, which makes it a seasonal marina rather than a year-round base.

The marina is popular because it gives crews a structured berth near Hvar without the stress of staying directly in Hvar Town. From Palmižana, crews can walk across to Vinogradišće, eat in restaurants, swim, or take a water taxi to Hvar Town.

Fuel Planning for the Pakleni Islands

Do not plan the Pakleni Islands as a fuel stop. They are primarily an anchorage, marina, restaurant and beach destination. If your route depends on refuelling, confirm a fuel station elsewhere before arrival.

Depending on your itinerary, practical fuel planning may involve Hvar-area fuel options, Stari Grad, Split, Trogir, Kaštela, Vis, or another confirmed marina/harbour fuel station. The key point is simple: arrive in the Pakleni Islands with enough reserve to leave, change plan and continue safely.

Best Anchorages, Bays and Yacht Stops

The Pakleni Islands offer many places to stop, but the best option depends on wind, swell, crowding, mooring rules and your crew’s plan. Some bays are better for lunch, some for swimming, some for restaurants, and some only make sense in settled weather.

For more Croatian anchorage planning, browse the complete Twoboat Anchorages Guide. Use it together with updated nautical charts, current weather and local harbour information.

Palmižana Bay

Palmižana is the most famous yacht stop in the Pakleni Islands because of ACI Marina Palmižana, nearby restaurants, water taxi connections and walking access toward Vinogradišće. It is the most structured option for crews who want to stay near Hvar without anchoring in a crowded bay.

Use Palmižana when you want a berth, water taxi access to Hvar Town, restaurant options and easier overnight logistics. In high season, assume demand is high and plan ahead.

Vinogradišće Bay

Vinogradišće is one of the most beautiful and popular bays in the archipelago, on the southern side of Sv. Klement. It is known for turquoise water, restaurants, beach atmosphere and access from the Palmižana side. It is also one of the busiest areas in summer.

Some sources note seasonal mooring buoys and limited anchoring on sandy patches where seagrass is absent. This is exactly the kind of bay where skippers must anchor carefully, avoid Posidonia, respect mooring fields and keep a backup plan.

Ždrilca and Mline

Ždrilca is another classic Pakleni Islands stop. Visit Hvar describes Ždrilca as a beautiful bay with pebble beaches, including Mline, and several restaurants. For sailors, it is useful as a lunch stop, swim stop or restaurant stop when the conditions are right.

Because Ždrilca is close to Hvar Town, it can become very busy with excursion boats and day visitors. Keep a close lookout for swimmers, tenders and water taxis.

Soline Bay

Soline is a quieter option compared with the busiest Palmižana and Vinogradišće areas. It has natural scenery and historical interest, with sources mentioning Roman remains and old medicinal clay in the area. It can be a useful stop when the crew wants a calmer bay.

As always, protection depends on wind direction. Check the chart, bottom and swell before staying.

Vlaka

Vlaka is on Sv. Klement and is often appreciated because it feels less intense than Palmižana. It can work well for crews who want a slower, more local stop, especially when combined with restaurants or quiet shore time.

Do not assume that a quieter bay has unlimited anchoring room. Check bottom, mooring arrangements and whether local rules apply.

Stipanska on Marinkovac

Stipanska is known for beach club energy and summer atmosphere. It is not the best choice for crews seeking a silent night, but it can be useful for daytime guests who want a more social stop near Hvar.

Skippers should manage expectations: loud music, day boats and tender traffic can be part of the experience in high season.

Jerolim

Jerolim is close to Hvar Town and popular for swimming, beaches and easy access. It is more of a day-stop and swim-stop island than a serious provisioning or technical stop.

Use Jerolim when conditions are settled and you want a short, easy stop near Hvar. Avoid crowding swimmers and stay clear of local traffic patterns.

Taršće and Smaller Coves

Between the better-known bays are smaller coves such as Taršće and other swim-stop areas. These can be excellent in settled weather, especially when the main bays are too crowded.

Smaller coves require better judgment. They often have less room, fewer services and more need for precise anchoring. If the bay is already crowded, move on.

Pakleni Islands Anchorage Comparison Table

Provisioning: Shops, Water and Supplies

The Pakleni Islands are not a provisioning destination. They are a place to anchor, swim, eat, berth, and enjoy the Hvar area. For proper groceries, water, breakfast supplies, drinks and charter provisioning, use Hvar, Stari Grad, Split, Trogir, Kaštela or your charter base before arriving.

ACI Palmižana and restaurant areas may provide some services, but do not plan a multi-day provisioning strategy around the islands. If the crew wants dinner ashore, book or call ahead in season. If the crew wants onboard meals, bring supplies with you.

Restaurants and Shore Stops

The Pakleni Islands are famous for restaurants, beach bars and relaxed lunch stops. Palmižana and Vinogradišće are the strongest dining zones, while Ždrilca, Vlaka and Stipanska also offer seasonal options. Opening dates, prices, mooring arrangements and reservations can change by season, so always check current details.

Things to See and Do in the Pakleni Islands

Suggested One-Day Pakleni Sailing Plan

Suggested Overnight Strategy Near Hvar

Best Use Cases for Sailors

What to Avoid Around the Pakleni Islands

Interactive Skipper Checklist for the Pakleni Islands

FAQ

Final Thoughts

The Pakleni Islands are one of the best sailing areas in Croatia because they combine beauty, convenience and variety. You can stay in a marina, anchor in turquoise water, eat in a beach restaurant, swim near Hvar, or use the islands as a calmer base for visiting Hvar Town.

The challenge is popularity. In high season, the best spots fill early and the water gets busy. The best skipper strategy is simple: arrive early, keep a backup plan, protect the seabed, avoid crowded anchoring mistakes and choose the bay based on wind, not Instagram.

Before choosing your overnight stop, review the How to Anchor a Boat Safely guide, check the Sailing Weather Croatia guide, prepare with the Boat Safety Checklist, and compare more bays in the Twoboat Anchorages Guide.