Oludeniz: 6-Island Boat Trip with Swim Stops and Lunch

Six stops, one easy sea day. This six-hour cruise gives you a practical way to see Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, Aquarium Bay, Cold Water Bay, and Camel Beach without arranging separate boat trips. I like the number of swimming breaks and the included buffet lunch. I also like that the route mixes water time, scenery, and old island ruins.

The main caution is simple: this is not a serious snorkeling tour, and the food arrangements may disappoint vegetarians. Drinks are not included, and one review specifically reports being charged extra for chips, so bring some spending money and keep your expectations sensible.

Key points at a glance

• Six named stops in six hours: You visit Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, Aquarium Bay, Cold Water Bay, and Camel Beach.
• Swimming is central to the day: You can stop in each bay for a swim, so pack beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen.
• Butterfly Valley provides the big scenery: High cliffs, turquoise water, a natural beach, a waterfall, and more than 80 butterfly species define this stop.
• Lunch is included at St. Nicholas Island: The open buffet gives you a proper midday meal, but drinks are extra and vegetarian choices may be limited.
• The final stops slow the pace: Cold Water Bay and Camel Beach offer calm water and a chance to enjoy the late-day light.
• The value depends on what you want: At $79, the tour is worthwhile if you want an all-in-one boat day, but less so if you mainly want strong snorkeling or a special food experience.

What the $79 price really covers

At $79 per person, this is priced as a full half-day outing rather than a short coastal cruise. The fare includes the boat journey, the six-stop route, an English-speaking guide, and lunch. That makes the price reasonable if you plan to swim at several bays and want someone else to handle the route.

The price does not include drinks, hotel pickup, or hotel drop-off. You make your own way to the Hanuman Paragliding Turkey office in Ölüdeniz, and the boat returns you to that same meeting point. That is important when you are comparing the total cost. A cheap boat trip can become less cheap if you still need separate transport and drinks.

I would bring cash or a card for extra food and drinks. One rating of three out of five specifically points to an extra charge for chips, so ask what is included before ordering anything beyond the buffet lunch.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 24 reviews, which suggests the day generally works well for people seeking scenery and swimming. Still, the lower rating raises two useful warnings: vegetarian food may be limited, and some people found the stopping points less impressive than expected.

Starting at Blue Cave

Blue Cave is the first swimming stop, and it sets the pattern for the day. You swim in clear water and can enter the cave itself, where the light and rock create the tour’s most unusual setting.

This stop is best understood as a short natural encounter rather than a long cave expedition. The attraction is the combination of open sea, cave walls, and underwater views. If you enjoy taking quick swims in different settings, Blue Cave gives you an appealing start.

You should bring a towel and wear swimwear from the beginning. There is no point saving your bathing suit for later. With six stops packed into six hours, the tour is designed for repeated short breaks, not one long stay at a single beach.

Seeing Butterfly Valley from the water

Butterfly Valley is likely to be the visual highlight. The valley sits between high cliffs, with several shades of blue in the water and a beach that has remained largely natural. You can take photographs from the boat and, if the stop allows enough time, walk into the valley toward its waterfall.

The valley is associated with more than 80 butterfly species. That does not mean you will see every kind, or even a large number on every visit. The cliffs, beach, and waterfall are the more dependable attractions.

I like this part of the route because it gives the day a clear sense of place. Many boat trips blur together into a string of coves. Butterfly Valley has a recognizable shape and a story tied to its natural setting, so it feels more memorable than a standard swim stop.

The limitation is time. A six-hour route with six stops cannot give you an extended hike through the valley. If you want a proper walk, quiet time on the beach, or a close look at butterflies, a dedicated visit would give you more freedom.

Lunch and old stones at St. Nicholas Island

St. Nicholas Island combines the practical and the cultural sides of the trip. The included open buffet lunch is served here, and you can also walk around to see the church and other historic remains.

This is a useful stop because it breaks up the swimming schedule. You can choose food from the buffet, look at the old structures, and swim in the surrounding water. The island gives you more to do than simply sit on the boat.

The lunch is not a fine dining event. Think of it as a convenient meal that keeps the day moving. The available information does not list the exact menu, so vegetarian diners should ask in advance. One direct rating reports no vegetarian choice, which is a serious consideration if you do not eat meat.

Drinks are excluded. Carry water or budget for purchases on board, but note that food and drinks from outside are not allowed. Since chips were reportedly charged separately, confirm any extra price before accepting it.

The church and remains add value for anyone who enjoys seeing historic places in their setting rather than visiting a museum. You should not expect a long guided archaeological tour, though. The focus remains a boat day, with ruins as one part of the stop.

Aquarium Bay and the limits of snorkeling

Aquarium Bay is presented as a clear-water stop favored by people who enjoy seeing below the surface. It is a good place to swim, take underwater photographs, and look for marine life.

You should keep the snorkeling promise modest. One three-star rating found very few fish. That does not mean the water is unattractive, but it does mean you should not book this trip as a substitute for a dedicated snorkeling excursion.

The best reason to enjoy Aquarium Bay is the water itself. Clear visibility can make a simple swim feel special, even when there is not much to see beneath you. If you bring your own mask and snorkel, you may find the stop more satisfying, but the supplied information does not confirm that equipment is provided.

This is also a good point to remember the pace of the route. Six named locations in a half-day means each stop has a purpose, but none is likely to feel unlimited. I would take a quick swim, enjoy the view, and avoid spending the whole break searching for fish.

Cold Water Bay and its fresh-water meeting point

Cold Water Bay is one of the more distinctive stops because fresh water meets the sea here. The bay sits against a pine-covered mountain slope, and the water is described as exceptionally cold and clear.

The cold water is the feature, not a minor detail. Some people will find it refreshing after sitting in the sun. Others may take one quick dip and decide that enough is enough. If you dislike cold swimming water, this stop may be more enjoyable from the boat or shoreline than from the water.

The pine-covered slopes give the bay a different feel from the open cliffs of Butterfly Valley. This variety is one of the strongest reasons to choose the full route. You move through different coastal settings instead of repeating the same beach scene six times.

The description also links this part of the trip with the approaching sunset. Depending on the day’s timing, the late light may add a pleasant finish before the final stop. Exact departure times vary, so check availability when booking.

Ending at calm Camel Beach

Camel Beach is the last stop. It has calm water and a small beach, making it a comfortable place for a final swim before returning to Ölüdeniz Beach.

The name may suggest a particular animal encounter, but the supplied details only describe the beach, water, and sunset setting. Do not book this tour expecting a camel activity. The appeal here is a quiet last swim and a slower end to the day.

I like the logic of finishing at a calm bay. After several stops, you may not want another dramatic climb or long walk. Camel Beach lets you use the remaining energy in the simplest way: get in the water, sit on the beach, and watch the late light.

The drawback is that the final stop may feel less remarkable than Butterfly Valley or Blue Cave. That is normal for a route built around six locations. Camel Beach works best as a gentle finish, not as the main reason to reserve the trip.

Lunch, drinks, and what to pack

Pack for a day spent around water. The essential items are:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes if that is comfortable. The route begins with a swimming stop, and waiting until later will only make the first part less convenient.

Bring money for drinks because they are not included. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, so do not plan to build your own picnic. If you have dietary needs, especially a vegetarian diet, ask about the buffet before paying.

A waterproof phone pouch could be useful, but it is not listed as a required item. The same applies to snorkeling equipment. The tour information does not promise gear, so bring your own only if you already have it and want to use it.

Meeting point and timing

You meet at the Hanuman Paragliding Turkey office in Ölüdeniz. The tour ends back at that same meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The duration is six hours. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you reserve. This matters because the final stop is connected with late-day light and the possible approach of sunset.

An English-speaking guide accompanies the activity. The supplied details do not provide the guide’s name, the boat’s passenger capacity, or the exact time spent at each bay. I would not assume a small, private group or a long stay at any one location.

The route is best for people who like a structured day. You see a lot, but you surrender some control over how long you stay. If you prefer to spend an entire afternoon at one quiet beach, a shorter point-to-point boat trip may suit you better.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this cruise if you want to see several famous Ölüdeniz locations in one outing. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who want swimming, photographs, lunch, and a little history without planning every transfer.

It also works well for a first visit to the area. The route gives you a broad introduction to the coast, from the cave at Blue Cave to the cliffs of Butterfly Valley and the old church on St. Nicholas Island.

You may want to skip it if your main goal is snorkeling. The water can be clear, but the available feedback specifically reports few fish. You should also reconsider if food matters greatly to you, especially if you need a reliable vegetarian meal.

This is not ideal for someone who wants a quiet, private cruise either. The group size is not stated, so you should expect a shared boat rather than a custom itinerary.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your schedule is still changing.

The meeting point, not hotel pickup, is the practical detail to check first. Make sure you can reach the Hanuman Paragliding Turkey office in time for the departure you select.

Should you book the Ölüdeniz six-island cruise?

Book it if you want a straightforward six-hour boat day with many swim breaks, a buffet lunch, Butterfly Valley scenery, and a short look at St. Nicholas Island’s remains. At $79, the combination is fair, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, meals, and several coastal stops.

Skip it if you expect abundant fish, a gourmet lunch, or long, peaceful visits at each location. The route is busy by design, vegetarian food may be limited, and drinks cost extra.

My practical verdict: this is a good all-round Ölüdeniz outing, not a specialist snorkeling or food tour. Bring sunscreen, a towel, money for drinks, and a flexible attitude about the buffet. If that sounds like your kind of day, the mix of swimming, scenery, ruins, and sunset makes the booking worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the Ölüdeniz boat trip?

The boat trip lasts six hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, Aquarium Bay, Cold Water Bay, and Camel Beach.

Can I swim at the stops?

Yes. You can stop and swim at all of the bays on the route.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch is included.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the price.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You meet at the Hanuman Paragliding Turkey office, and the activity ends back at that meeting point.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Food and drinks from outside are not allowed.