Photos: Davor Žunić / Petar Fabijan

ACI Marina Palmižana, open from the beginning of April to the end of October, is one of the most beautiful marinas in the Adriatic and the ideal starting point for exploring the divine Pakleni archipelago. It provides all the benefits of civilisation, such as sanitary facilities, a cash machine, the internet, a shop and a restaurant, but you still have the feeling that you are in a treasure trove of nature.

The island of Hvar is the most popular island in the Adriatic, and an integral part of the island’s nautical tourism is one of the most beautiful marinas in the Adriatic – ACI Marina Palmižana, which has 180 berths and is open from the beginning of April to the end of October. It is situated in Palmižana bay in the north-east of the island of Sveti Klement, the largest in the Pakleni archipelago. The rest of the archipelago is within easy reach: from Palmižana, you can set out on an exploration tour of the many sheltered coves and secluded beaches, which will leave you breathless.
Life has been present here since ancient times, and the idea behind this text is to provide some details about one of the most remarkable places that a boater coming to the Croatian coast can find. We will only describe a few of the most popular destinations, and you can discover others while sailing in the Adriatic.
The Pakleni Islands protected area spreads from the town of Hvar towards the west, with the archipelago consisting of the following islands: Dobri, Gojca, Jerolim, Marinkovac, Paržanj, Planikovac, Pokonji Dol, Stambedar, Sveti Klement, Travna, Vlaka, Vodnjak Mali, Vodnjak Veli, Gališnik and two islets bearing the same name – Borovac.
The Pakleni Islands got their name after paklina, a type of pine resin, which was used in boatmaking in ancient time. Since the word is pronounced paklena in the dialect, the archipelago is called Pakleni Islands, and the link to the word for ‘hell’ (pakao) is only indirect. Despite the etymology, this island oasis near Hvar is a real nautical heaven on earth. Hvarski Škoji, as the locals call the Pakleni Islands, are a divinely beautiful archipelago that combines party destinations, secluded coves and first-rate culinary delights.