Oludeniz Boat Trip to Butterfly Valley and St Nicholas Island from Fethiye

Boat days in Ölüdeniz feel effortless. I like this one because you get round-trip hotel transfers and you relax with onboard lunch as the boat cruises between the region’s best bays and islands.

The trade-off is cost creep: a few stops have separate entrance fees, and popular swim spots can feel busy once the boats arrive.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• Hotel pickup and drop-off keep the day simple, but Oludeniz-area guests need to make their own way to the boat.
• Multiple swim breaks give you several chances to cool off, not just one quick stop.
• Butterfly Valley and Saint Nicholas Island are paid add-ons, so budget a few euros for the shore time.
• Boat size is capped at 75 travelers, which helps keep things from turning chaotic.
• Blue Cave plans can change by season, since there’s no Blue Cave swim break or visit in high season (1 July to 15 September).
• Lunch is included, but drinks and extras at lunch are not.

Why This Ölüdeniz Boat Trip Feels Like a Best-Hits Day

This is the kind of day I recommend when you want scenery without running around all day. You’re based on the boat, then you rotate through the same wild stretch of coastline that makes Ölüdeniz famous, with swim breaks at different bays and a paid island visit for history and views.

The best part is the rhythm. Instead of “one big stop,” you get several smaller chances to swim, float, and reset your brain. And since lunch is onboard, you avoid the usual mid-day scramble to find food on the ground.

What also helps: the tour caps the group size at 75 travelers. That doesn’t mean it will feel empty. It does mean you’re less likely to feel swallowed up by sheer numbers.

Pickup, Timing, and the Real-World Flow of Your Day

Pickup runs between 08:45 and 09:15 from the hotels you choose during reservation. After that, you head toward Ölüdeniz, and the boat starts boarding once all passengers are collected. The boat cruise usually begins between 10:30 and 10:45.

That gap is normal for this style of tour. You’re basically transferring first, then cruising. Plan to have breakfast, drink water, and accept that roads around the bay can be slow.

One important note: pickup from Oludeniz hotels is not included. If your hotel is in Oludeniz, you’ll need to get yourself to the boat. The boat name and start time should be provided when you call to confirm, so don’t treat the meeting point as a one-size-fits-all solution.

If your hotel is in areas where traffic and routing are tricky (like parts of the Fethiye port area), you might be directed to a meeting point closer to the main street instead of directly at your door.

Blue Cave by Faralya: Quick Views, Watch the Season Rules

Your first real stop is Blue Cave in the Faralya region, described as being opposite the Dead Sea. Entrance is listed as free for this stop, and it’s the kind of place where even a short visit can feel special because the water and cave setting look great from the boat and when you swim near the rock lines.

Here’s the season twist: in high season (1 July to 15 September), there is no swim break and no visit at Blue Cave. If you’re traveling in summer, you should adjust expectations and focus on the other swim bays instead.

Also, this is a popular route. If you’re the type who hates crowd density in the water, expect that Blue Cave can be busy when multiple boats arrive around the same time. The upside is that you still get the coastal wow factor early in the day, not after hours of cruising.

Butterfly Valley Beach Stop: The Main Swim, Plus an Optional Walk

After a short stop tied to Butterfly Valley beach glamping, you get a focused swim window in Butterfly Valley. The boat time here includes:

• about 30 minutes at the glamping stop, then
• about 1 hour swimming at the beach area

This is one of the headline stops. The water is the main reason, but you also get that “valley-in-the-frame” feeling when you look around from the shoreline.

There’s an extra choice for those who want more hiking: you can walk deeper into the valley for a fee, about 1 euro. If you’re in good shape and you like exploring beyond the main beach area, it can be worth it. If you prefer an easier day, stick to the main swim break and save your energy for the later bays.

One thing to keep in mind: the Butterfly Valley swim break is time-limited. If you want photos, go early in your hour. If you want a quieter moment, bring patience and pick your spot along the water where you’re not directly under the busiest anchor zone.

Aquarium Bay: Your Second Swim Chance on a Different Water Mood

After Butterfly Valley, you continue toward Aquarium Bay for another about 1 hour swimming break. This one is free, and it acts like a reset stop. You’ve likely already gotten your first swim fix, so this second bay helps you pace the day without rushing.

The “aquarium” label usually means clear, shallow-looking water and good visibility in many coastal spots. In practical terms, expect a swim break where you can float, swim, and maybe snorkel if you’re carrying basic gear. The tour does not mention snorkel equipment being included, so if you care about it, bring what you need.

If you’re picky about where you swim, try to move a few minutes away from where the boat first anchors. Even a small change in position can mean fewer people directly above and around you.

Gemiler Island (Saint Nicholas Site): Paid, Historical, and Often a Must-Do

Gemiler Island is where the tour connects to the Saint Nicholas story. You get about 1 hour here, and there’s an entrance fee listed at around 3 euros for the island visit. Another fee listed for St Nicholas is 3.50 euros, so budget in that same neighborhood.

What you’re actually going for is the mix of views and ruins. The island has remains of churches built between the 4th and 6th centuries AD, plus other associated buildings. Archaeologists believe it was tied to the original tomb of Saint Nicholas. The Turkish name Gemile is linked to the island’s camel-like shape.

This is also where you’ll feel the difference between “swim all day” and “do something on land.” Wear footwear you can trust. Walking and steps can be uneven, and you’ll want traction if the ground feels slick.

If you like viewpoints, plan to climb up when you can. Several people feel that the climb is a highlight because it gives you a wide view back over the coastline and islands you’ve been visiting by water.

Camel Beach and Soguk Su Bay: Final Swim Break Before Fethiye

After Gemiler Island, you get your last swim time. The tour describes two final swimming breaks:

• Soguk Su Bay
• Camel Beach

Together, you’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes for these final water stops. Both are listed as free, and this is where the day turns into a “soak it in” finish. By now, you’ve seen the key islands and bays, so you can relax and just enjoy the water.

Camel Beach is popular for a reason, but the practical advice is simple: arrive with a plan for your gear and towel space. Put your sunscreen on before you reach the final bays, not after. At this point in the day, you’ll be busy swimming, and reapplying can get skipped.

Onboard Lunch: Included Food, But Drinks Are Extra

Lunch is served onboard, and it’s included with the tour price. The menu details aren’t listed in full, but it’s described in the real-world as a solid onboard meal, with bread and couscous mentioned by one group, plus optional add-ons.

Here’s the part that can surprise people: drinks are not included. Expect to pay for soda, water, and any extra items sold during lunch.

One common “budget reality” tip from experience on this kind of boat day: chips and similar snacks may be sold separately even though lunch is included. If you’re sensitive to feeling nickeled-and-dimed, skip the extras and eat what’s included.

Also, you are not allowed to bring outside food or drinks onto the boat. So if you’re thinking about packing snacks as a backup, don’t. The tour expects you to use what’s provided onboard.

The Photo and Souvenir Trap: Enjoy the Day, Not the Receipt

There are photographers selling pictures and CDs. The tour notes that they are independent, and you should take their contact number. It also specifically advises you to check the CD’s to make sure they are the right ones when you receive them.

One review detail worth taking seriously: photo packages can add up fast, with one person mentioning charges around 5 euros per photo. If you love photos, that might be worth it. If you just want memories, consider taking your own photos and keeping your wallet closed.

If you want the best boat deck angles for photos, choose your spot early. The top deck has loungers with sun and shade options in some boats on this route, but the exact layout can vary by boat used that day.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• a structured day with hotel pickup and drop-off
• multiple swim breaks plus one meaningful island visit
• good value because boat cruise and lunch are included
• the kind of scenery where it helps to see everything from water level

It’s not ideal if you:

• hate crowds in the water. Popular stops can feel packed when boats converge.
• get bothered by smoke. One negative comment flagged smoking on board, which can ruin the vibe if you end up near smokers.
• feel motion sickness easily. There can be a long, winding drive to the boat before you even step onto the water.
• expect entrance fees to be fully included. Butterfly Valley and the Saint Nicholas site have separate charges.

If you’re flexible, the tour still works because the schedule gives you plenty of time to enjoy the coast even if a single stop feels crowded.

Price and Value Check for $50.46

At about $50.46 per person, this tour is often a good value because your day includes:

• round-trip transfers (for most hotel areas)
• a boat cruise with multiple stops
• onboard lunch

Now add the parts that cost extra:

• Butterfly Valley entrance about 1 euro
• St Nicholas island fee about 3.50 euros (listed) and/or Gemiler Island around 3 euros (listed)
• drinks not included

Even with those add-ons, you’re usually still in a reasonable overall range compared with paying for a half-day or full-day boat excursion that doesn’t include lunch and transfers. What can change your personal “value” is how often you buy extras at lunch, and whether you pay for photos.

My rule: if you’re a water person who plans to swim at multiple bays and you don’t overspend on drinks and snacks, this feels like a fair price for a day that’s basically built for fun.

Final Verdict: Should You Book This Ölüdeniz Boat Trip?

I’d book it if you want a classic Ölüdeniz day where the big effort is just showing up on time. The included hotel pickup for most areas and the onboard lunch make it low stress. The stops also give you enough variety that the day doesn’t feel repetitive.

Skip it or think twice if you’re extremely sensitive to crowding, smoke on board, or if long transfers make you queasy. Also, plan your budget for the paid island and valley entrances so you’re not surprised mid-day.

If you’re okay with that, you’ll leave with a camera roll full of bay-and-island views and enough swim time to feel like you actually escaped.

FAQ

How long is the Ölüdeniz boat trip?

The tour is listed as about 7 hours.

What time does pickup happen?

Pickup is offered between 08:45 and 09:15, and the boat tour typically starts between 10:30 and 10:45 after passengers are collected.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but pickup from Oludeniz hotels is not included. In that case, you need to make your own way to the boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard and is included with the tour price.

Which entrance fees are not included?

Not included entrance fees are listed for St Nicholas (about 3.50 euros), Butterfly Valley (about 1 euro), and Gemiler Island (about 3 euros).

Can I walk into Butterfly Valley deeper than the main beach area?

Yes, but it costs extra, about 1 euro per person.

Is Blue Cave swim time included during summer?

In high season (1 July to 15 September), there is no swim break and no visit at Blue Cave.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks are listed as not included.

Does the tour offer English and what is the group size?

The tour is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 75 travelers.