The Pakleni Islands — sometimes called the "Hell Islands" by tour marketing (which is misleading; the name actually derives from paklina, a resin used to waterproof boats) — are a chain of about 20 small islands strung just off Hvar Town. They're the centerpiece of most full-day Hvar boat tours from Split. Here's what you actually get.
Which islands you actually visit
"Pakleni Islands" is the name for the whole archipelago, but most day tours only stop at one or two of these:
- Sveti Klement (largest, has the village of Palmižana with restaurants and a small marina)
- Marinkovac (the famous Carpe Diem Beach club is on its south side; the Stipanska Bay swim spot is on the north)
- Jerolim (closest to Hvar Town, popular nudist beach)
- Borovac (rarely visited by day tours; deserted)
The exact islands depend on which tour operator you book with — most stop at Sveti Klement or Marinkovac, then a beach club on Marinkovac if you want lunch ashore.
What the swim spots are like
The Pakleni Islands are not the Caribbean. The water is clear but deep, the shorelines are rocky and pine-rimmed, and there is virtually no sand. Expect:
- Deep, clean water (typically 25–28°C in July/August)
- Rocky entry points — water shoes help
- Decent snorkeling: schools of bream, the occasional grouper, sea urchins
- Limited shade — bring a hat
If you're imagining the Blue Lagoon's shallow turquoise bay, you'll be surprised — the Pakleni waters look more like a deep emerald than turquoise. Both are beautiful; they're just different.
The famous beach clubs
Two beach clubs dominate the tour-circuit landscape:
- Carpe Diem Beach (Marinkovac, south side) — Hvar's most famous party spot. Day-club ambient music from 12:00, full sound system by 18:00, dinner served late. Cocktails €15+. Crowded mid-July through August.
- Palmižana (Sveti Klement) — a quieter marina village with a couple of family-run restaurants (Toto's, Meneghello). Reservations strongly recommended.
If you want a calm island lunch, aim for Palmižana. If you want the Hvar party scene, go to Carpe Diem.
Which tour type suits you
Speedboat group tour (most common)
€90–120/person, 8–12 guests. Departure from Split 09:00, arrival at Pakleni 11:00. 60–90 minutes at one or two swim stops, then 90–120 minutes on Hvar Town. Returns to Split by 18:00. Pros: cover a lot in one day. Cons: rushed; little time to actually swim. See our speedboat-vs-traditional boat comparison for the tradeoffs.
Private speedboat charter
€500–900/day for a 6–8 person boat. You set the schedule. Worth it for groups; expensive for couples.
Traditional boat group tour
€55–80/person. Slower, larger boat, longer stops. Some traditional tours skip Pakleni in favor of Blue Lagoon + Šolta because the crossing time eats into the day. Check the itinerary.
Catamaran/yacht tour
€120–180/person. Larger boats, lunch on board, swimming from the back deck. Less stop-and-go, more cruising. Good for non-swimmers who still want the views.
Practical things people overlook
- Pakleni Islands have no ATMs or shops. Bring cash or a card.
- Mooring fees at Palmižana are €30–60/day if you anchor your own boat — built into tour prices.
- The water is colder than Blue Lagoon in early summer. Pakleni opens to the south and the deeper water stays cooler.
- Bring water shoes. The rocky entries are sharper than the photos suggest.
- The wind picks up in the afternoon. Some tours cut the swim short if the maestral kicks in.
Pakleni or Blue Lagoon?
Honest answer: they're different products. Pakleni is closer to Hvar Town and tends to be combined with the town as the headline destination. Blue Lagoon is shallower, sandier, calmer, and closer to Split. If swimming is your priority, the Blue Lagoon usually wins. If you want to combine swimming with sightseeing and a famous town, Pakleni + Hvar is the better choice. We focus on the Blue Lagoon route because that's what we do best — see our full-day Blue Lagoon tour for the alternative.