Oludeniz: Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island incl. Lunch

The best part of this Ölüdeniz boat trip is the variety packed into one day. You swim in a sea cave, walk through a protected valley, inspect early Christian ruins, and finish with a freshwater swim. It is a good way to see several coastal sights without arranging separate boats, taxis, and walks.

I like the calm, non-party atmosphere, with comfortable lounge beds on the covered upper deck and music kept at a reasonable level. I also like the generous lunch, with chicken or fish available and a simple vegetarian meal offered when requested.

The main thing to watch is the timing. The tour is sold as 7.5 hours, but one reported schedule ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, drinks are not included, and possible admission charges at Butterfly Valley or St. Nicholas Island should be confirmed before you go.

Key points at a glance

• Six or more swimming opportunities: The day includes the Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, Cold Spring Bay, and several other coastal stops.
• A relaxed two-deck boat: The upper deck has covered lounge beds, and the cruise is intended for sightseeing rather than loud partying.
• Butterfly Valley is more than a beach stop: You can walk inland toward the waterfalls and look for wildflowers and the rare Tiger Butterfly.
• St. Nicholas Island requires a climb: The reward is a high viewpoint and the remains of fifth-century churches.
• Lunch is included: Expect chicken or fish, with a basic vegetarian plate available, while drinks cost extra.
• Boarding deserves care: The boat can rock while you step aboard, though the crew helps people who need assistance.

Setting off from Ölüdeniz Belcekiz Beach

You meet the Grand Vega boat at Ölüdeniz Belcekiz Beach, then spend the day on a two-deck vessel with an English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the harbor and return from the same meeting point.

The boat setup matters. You can sit on the lower deck or head upstairs, where the covered top deck has lounge beds. That makes a real difference on a long day at sea. You can stretch out between stops instead of spending every hour on a hard seat.

This is not presented as a party cruise, and the mood is generally quiet rather than dominated by loud music. If you want a boat day built around swimming, views, and conversation, that is a strong point. If you want a small sailing boat or a private outing, this is not that experience.

Bring swimwear, and consider packing a towel, sunscreen, and sun protection even though only swimwear is specifically required. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and sea air. Drinks are not included, and the boat may require you to buy them on board, so check the arrangements before departure.

The Blue Cave makes the first splash

The first major stop is the Blue Cave, where you can swim in the bright water around the cave and, conditions permitting, swim inside it. This is a fine opening stop because it gets you into the water early rather than making you wait through a long cruise before the main activity begins.

The cave is best enjoyed from the water. You get the full effect by looking toward the entrance and around the walls while swimming, rather than treating it as a quick photo stop from the boat. Bring goggles or a snorkel if you have them, though snorkeling equipment is not listed as part of the tour.

The boat rocks while people get on and off, especially in moving water. The crew helps with boarding, which is useful for older passengers or anyone who feels unsteady. Still, you should expect a wet, active day rather than step-free sightseeing.

Butterfly Valley combines beach time and a short walk

Butterfly Valley is both a swimming stop and the day’s nature outing. You have time to use the clear water and beach, then take a short walk through the reserve toward the waterfalls.

The walk gives this stop more substance than a simple beach break. You can look for wildflowers and butterflies along the paths, with the rare Tiger Butterfly as the prize sighting. Butterfly numbers can vary, so you should visit with realistic expectations. This is a natural area, not a guaranteed wildlife display.

The waterfall walk also needs a little judgment. You are not simply stepping from the boat onto a paved attraction and back again. Wear shoes that can handle a short uneven walk, and do not spend all your time swimming if you want to reach the inland section.

For many people, the best balance is to split the stop: swim first, then walk inland, then return with enough time to relax before departure. The exact amount of time at each stop can vary, but the day is designed to give you more than a quick look.

Lunch on board keeps the day simple

Lunch is served back on the boat after Butterfly Valley. The usual choice is chicken or fish, and a vegetarian option with salad, grains, and a roll has been provided when requested.

The meal is not a restaurant experience, but it is practical and reportedly served in generous portions. Freshly cooked chicken has also been available on board. That is useful on a full-day boat trip, since you do not need to leave the coast searching for food between stops.

Drinks cost extra. This is one of the few easy-to-miss costs, especially on a hot day when you may spend hours swimming. Ask how drinks are handled before the boat leaves, and budget for them separately from the $48 tour price.

St. Nicholas Island rewards the climb

St. Nicholas Island, also called Gemiler Island, is the most historical stop. You can leave the boat and climb toward the island’s highest point, passing the remains of churches dating from the fifth century.

The ruins are spread across the hillside, so the visit feels more like a short walk with archaeological details than a polished museum stop. The climb is worthwhile for the broad view across the surrounding water, but you should not expect an easy boat-to-ruins stroll.

Take your time on the ascent, particularly in hot weather. The island’s appeal comes from the combination of old stone buildings and open views, not from one single intact monument. This is also where sturdy footwear becomes useful.

Admission charges are not clearly included in the stated price. Since entry fees are not listed among the included items, confirm this before booking or carry some extra money. You may prefer to stay near the boat and swim if you are not interested in ruins or uphill walking, but that means missing one of the more distinctive parts of the day.

Cold Spring Bay is a refreshing finish

The final planned stop is Cold Spring Bay, where a freshwater spring flows into the sea. You can take a last swim in the cooler water before returning to Ölüdeniz Harbor.

This is a clever ending. After a day in the sun, a freshwater-fed bay feels more refreshing than another ordinary swim stop. The spring and sea meet in the same setting, giving you a different sensation from the warmer open water visited earlier.

The exact number of stops can change. Some departures have included around six swimming stops, while others have visited roughly seven locations. That variety is part of the appeal, but it also means you should treat the advertised highlights as the core plan rather than expect every departure to follow an identical minute-by-minute schedule.

How much value do you get for $48?

At $48 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full day that combines transport by boat, lunch, a guide, several swims, and access to coastal sights. Booking separate boat trips and arranging transport to the islands would likely be more work, even if a smaller boat might offer a quieter experience.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. You are not paying only for a beach transfer. The day adds a cave, nature reserve, historical ruins, and a spring-fed bay, with time to swim at several locations.

The value is less clear if your main goal is a short, private swim trip. A two-deck boat carries more people than a private charter, and the schedule can feel long if you are not interested in walking at Butterfly Valley or St. Nicholas Island.

Lunch improves the deal, but remember the extras. Drinks are excluded, and admission costs may apply at stops where access is charged. The advertised duration is 7.5 hours, yet a reported departure ran for about six hours. Check the available starting time and expected return when you book, especially if you have an evening transfer or dinner reservation.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

I would choose this cruise for families, couples, and groups who want several types of activity in one outing. It works well for anyone who likes swimming but also wants a little history and nature, rather than spending the whole day on the boat.

It can suit families with young children, since the crew has helped with boarding and the boat has comfortable seating. Still, children need close supervision around the water and while moving on a rocking boat. The tour is family-friendly in mood, but it is not a fully accessible sightseeing route.

It also suits people who dislike loud music. The atmosphere has been described as relaxed, with enough entertainment to keep the day moving but without the feel of a floating nightclub.

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, do not enjoy uneven paths, or want guaranteed butterfly sightings. The crew can assist when boarding, but the island climb and waterfall walk are separate physical demands.

What to bring and what to check

Pack swimwear first. Add sun protection, a towel, comfortable shoes for the walks, and enough money for drinks or any admission charges not covered by the ticket.

Check the departure time carefully. The tour lasts 7.5 hours in the published details, but actual operating times can differ. The meeting point is the Grand Vega boat at Ölüdeniz Belcekiz Beach, and the tour ends back there.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your weather plans are still moving, but it does not remove the need to confirm the day’s starting time.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 105 ratings, which fits the experience: strong on scenery, swimming, crew attitude, and value, with a few practical limits around drinks, timing, boarding, and possible entry fees.

Should you book the Ölüdeniz island cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, well-filled day on the water and like the idea of mixing swimming with a short nature walk and ancient ruins. The combination of Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, lunch, and Cold Spring Bay gives you plenty for the price.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a fixed six-hour schedule, or a serious wildlife walk devoted to butterflies. For most visitors staying in Ölüdeniz, though, this is a solid choice when you want the coast’s main sights in one relaxed day, without the loud party-boat feel.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

It starts at the Grand Vega boat at Ölüdeniz Belcekiz Beach.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The stated duration is 7.5 hours, though actual operating times can vary. One reported schedule ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

What food choices are available?

The meal is generally chicken or fish. A vegetarian meal with salad, grains, and a roll has been provided when requested.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included and may need to be purchased on the boat.

Is a guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking live guide is included.

Can I swim at the stops?

Yes. Swimming is offered at the Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, Cold Spring Bay, and other stops during the cruise.

Can I see butterflies at Butterfly Valley?

You can walk through the reserve and look for wildflowers, colorful butterflies, and the rare Tiger Butterfly. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Ölüdeniz Belcekiz Beach yourself.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The crew can help with boarding, but the boat may rock while you get on and off. The walks at Butterfly Valley and St. Nicholas Island also include uneven ground and, at St. Nicholas Island, a climb.