By the Dalmatia Express crew — skippers running the Split–island routes daily, 24/7. Updated July 2026.

Off Hvar Town’s harbour lies a 10-km chain of low pine islands — the Pakleni (“resin” islands, not “hell”, despite the false-friend name). No hotels, three legendary restaurants, water in fifteen shades of turquoise. They’re the reason a Hvar holiday needs at least one boat day, and they start five minutes from the town riva.

The stops that matter

Getting around in 2026

Water taxis shuttle from Hvar’s riva to Palmižana and Jerolim every 30–60 minutes in season (every 20–30 minutes at the August peak) (~€5–10 each way, first boats ~09:00, last returns early evening — confirm the day’s board at the pier). Private boats do what the shuttles can’t: multiple bays in one day, your own timing, sunset returns. A private Pakleni half-day from Hvar runs from ~€250–400; a full custom day pairs the chain with Red Rocks or a south-coast run.

Skipper’s tip: book Palmižana lunch tables in July–August before you sail — Toto’s and Laganini fill days ahead. And carry cash for the small konobas; card machines and island Wi-Fi have a complicated relationship.

Combining with your transfer

Arriving from Split anyway? Our Split–Hvar transfer can route via a Pakleni swim stop — turning the journey into the first excursion. Same on airport pickups when flights land midday. Ask for the swim-stop option when you book. For the full picture of boats to the island itself, see the complete Split–Hvar ferry guide.

Skipper’s tip #2: the chain’s south side (facing open sea) is a different world on a maestral afternoon — glassy coves on the north become choppy anchorages on the south. Morning = south-side caves and coves; afternoon = tuck into Ždrilca or the Palmižana lagoon.

Reaching the Pakleni by private boat (2026)

The Pakleni sit barely 10–20 minutes off Hvar Town, so the most flexible way to island-hop them is a private water taxi rather than the shared shuttle. From Split, a direct private transfer to Hvar runs about 55 minutes and starts around €370 per boat in our closed-cabin fleet; from Hvar Town we can run you out to Palmižana, Jerolim or Stipanska on your own schedule, with no fixed last boat back. Straight off a flight? An airport-to-Hvar transfer can put you on the water the same afternoon, and the wider Split-to-Hvar options are compared in our main guide.

FAQ

How do I get to Palmižana from Hvar?

Season water taxis from the riva (~15 min) or private boat; there’s no bridge or ferry.

Which Pakleni island is best for families?

Marinkovac’s Ždrilca/Mlini bays — shallow, sheltered, pine shade.

Can you visit the Pakleni from Split directly?

Yes — private boats do Split→Pakleni day trips or add a stop en route to Hvar.

Do the water taxis run in the evening?

Last shuttles return early evening; after that it’s private boats only.

Is Jerolim clothing-optional everywhere?

No — naturist zones are marked; mixed use is the norm and it’s all very relaxed.

Pairing the Pakleni with the rest of your week: most guests treat the archipelago as a half-day and keep the afternoon free. If you want the other headline day out, the Blue Cave and Biševo run is better as its own early start rather than bolted onto a Pakleni afternoon. And if you are still working out how to reach the island in the first place, our Split Airport to Hvar guide covers the arrival logistics door to dock.