Fethiye Speed Boat Tour Review: St Nicholas & Butterfly Valley

If you are headed to Turkey and searching for a memorable experience near Fethiye, a speed boat tour that covers St. Nicholas Island and Butterfly Valley could be right up your alley, so I am providing my viewpoint. This well known tour promises a day that is full of both ancient ruins and incredible natural beauty. Is that the case though? Is this experience worthwhile? Let’s take a detailed look, covering every aspect so you get a real feel.

Setting Sail: What to Anticipate

The adventure often gets going from Ölüdeniz, well known for its striking blue lagoon, and that’s typically where you will find the starting point. The excitement in the air is, just a little, noticeable as everyone piles onto the speed boat. A speed boat is a pretty great pick. It gets you to the spots faster when compared to traditional boats. As you zip across the waves, the Turquoise Coast starts showing its impressive looks. The views alone, almost, are worth the price of the trip.

The Speed Boat Experience

The speed boat bit? Pretty fun, if you’re asking me. The boats usually come equipped with sunbeds for soaking up those rays. The music starts and gets you in a holiday mood. The vibe is, actually, great. Still, I will suggest holding on tight. Those ‘speed’ boats can be a bit bouncy when the sea’s a bit choppy.

St. Nicholas Island: History and Hikes

The first stop is, typically, St. Nicholas Island, sometimes referred to as Gemiler Island. That little island is crammed full of old church ruins. You can wander around and just picture life in the Byzantine times. The history buffs among us are likely to be thrilled.

Exploring Ancient Ruins

Getting to the top bit of the island calls for a climb, just a little, but the scenes you see from up there? Worth it! The whole coastline sprawls out below you. Bring that camera along, is my opinion. There are stories claiming St. Nicholas, kind of, the inspiration for Santa Claus, chilled on that very island. Wild, huh?

Butterfly Valley: Nature’s Masterpiece

Then comes Butterfly Valley. That place is just what the name says; a hidden paradise packed with these flapping beauties. Surrounded by very tall cliffs, the valley shows some real beauty that’s untouched.

Hiking and Butterfly Spotting

That place is pretty perfect for taking it easy or, actually, being a bit more active. Lots of tourists choose to explore deeper to try spotting different types of butterflies. So, if you want to get up close with them, visiting during their ‘peak’ seasons is smart. Peak seasons are more or less, at their peak during the late spring or early summer months.

Swimming at Butterfly Valley Beach

Butterfly Valley sports this small stretch of sandy beach. Many come to, more or less, swim around or just lie in the sun. The water’s cool and quite inviting. Sounds quite dreamy to me.

Lunch and Leisure: Aboard the Boat

Lots of these tours throw in lunch onboard. Usually, expect chicken, salad, or some pasta – food to keep your strength up. Now, I am not suggesting it’s a gourmet thing. The simplicity can add to, sort of, the easygoing feel of the adventure.

More Swim Stops

Sprinkled between these main sites are a handful of swimming stops. Certain trips show off places like Aquarium Bay or, arguably, Blue Lagoon. Crystal water calls your name! Just keep that sunscreen slathered on you, is what I say.

The Return: Sunset Views

The speed boat heads back as the sun starts heading down. Seeing those colors light up the sky is quite remarkable. So you reflect on an adventurous day.

Making the Most of the Tour

If you would like your experience with this speed boat tour to be great, here are some ideas.

What to Bring

• Sunscreen. The sun can be stronger than you would think!
• A hat and sunglasses, so you will get extra sun protection.
• Swimsuit! There’s, often, multiple chances to jump into that tempting water.
• Comfortable footwear to check out the island as well as valleys without troubles.
• Cash is really great to get souvenirs and snacks; smaller spots, possibly, won’t take cards.
• Camera to grab amazing moments.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Check out the weather before setting off; bad conditions will likely influence the ride itself.
• Get there a little before to snag top spots onboard.
• Value your possessions because space might be limited!

Is the Speed Boat Tour Worth It?

Does that Fethiye speed boat adventure truly deliver? Quite possibly. It is jam packed. St Nicholas Island blends the beauty of old-times’ stuff combined with, what I think, are exceptional scenery. At the same time, Butterfly Valley gives an amazing nature getaway. Then there’s the sheer excitement you’ll feel. Yes, that midday meal is probably just food you could grab fast and that ‘speed’ boat can get rough; these things don’t negate an awesome tour if you are prepared. So you need a busy, wonderful memory that is Turkey centered?

Common questions