The three signature excursions in Ölüdeniz are tandem paragliding from Babadağ mountain with a landing on the Ölüdeniz beach, the 6 Islands boat trip that stops at Butterfly Valley, and the 12 Islands boat trip around the Gulf of Fethiye. On top of these, you can join day trips with hotel pickup to Saklıkent, Kaş, Kalkan and Kaputaş, as well as a jeep safari, rafting on the Dalaman river, tours to Dalyan and Pamukkale, or a ferry trip to Rhodes.
Below you will find what each tour includes, who it suits best and practical tips to get the most out of it. To compare every option side by side, browse all tours in Ölüdeniz.
The experience Ölüdeniz is famous for is launching from the slopes of Babadağ and gliding over the Blue Lagoon. Flights are tandem, meaning you fly strapped to an experienced pilot, so no previous experience is needed.
On DIF-T's paragliding tour in Ölüdeniz, the day runs like this:
Practical tip: Choose a morning slot, when the wind is usually calmer, and book it for the first days of your holiday. If the weather forces a postponement, you will still have time to reschedule. Staying in Fethiye town instead? There is also paragliding from Fethiye to Babadağ with pickup there.
This is the classic daily boat trip from Ölüdeniz and the easiest way to see bays that are hard or impossible to reach by road. The 6 Islands boat trip with Butterfly Valley runs every day, with the boat leaving Ölüdeniz at around 10:40.
You spend about an hour at each stop. Lunch is served on board: fish or chicken, salad, and pasta or rice. The captain may skip a stop if waves are high or a bay is too crowded, which is done for safety and comfort.
Practical tip: Bring water shoes or non-slip sandals for the walk to the Butterfly Valley waterfall. If you are based in town, take the 6 Islands boat trip from Fethiye instead.
For a day exploring the islands of the Gulf of Fethiye, the 12 Islands boat trip from Ölüdeniz departs daily at around 10:00. The programme usually has four stops: Red Island, Tersane Island with its ruins, Aquarium Bay and Yassıcalar.
An open-buffet lunch is served on board. It suits travellers who want a calmer day drifting between islands rather than hopping along the coast. If you plan to do both boat trips, put a land day in between.
If you prefer your own route to a shared group boat, there are two good choices:
Private boats are ideal for reaching bays before the main crowds and setting swim stops at your own pace.
For adrenaline away from the sea, there are several options with pickup from Ölüdeniz:
Practical tip: Dust is unavoidable on jeep and ATV tours. Leave good clothes at the hotel and pack a spare T-shirt and a towel.
The Kaş, Kalkan and Kaputaş-Patara tour from Ölüdeniz combines some of the most photogenic spots of the Lycian coast in one day. Highlights include the icy water of Saklıkent Gorge, the whitewashed houses of Kalkan and the turquoise cove of Kaputaş.
The Dalyan tour with crab fishing takes in Dalyan's landmarks: a boat ride through the reed beds, the rock-cut tombs and İztuzu beach.
For a long but rewarding day, the Pamukkale tour from Ölüdeniz lets you walk the white travertine terraces and explore the ancient city of Hierapolis. The drive is long, so be ready for an early start.
A day trip by ferry to the Greek island of Rhodes is also available. Check visa and document requirements carefully before you book.
Rather than cramming everything in, a balanced programme keeps fatigue at bay:
Keep paragliding near the start of the week so it can be moved if conditions are not right. For more on the area, see our Ölüdeniz travel guide.
Flights are tandem with pilots who have more than 11 years of experience, and every flight starts with a safety briefing. If the weather is not suitable, the flight is postponed.
Children under 6 are not accepted. For older children, the final decision rests with the pilot.
Butterfly Valley is one of the stops on the 6 Islands boat trip from Ölüdeniz. It can also be included on a private speedboat route.
Sunscreen, a hat, a towel, swimwear, water shoes and some cash are enough. If you have snorkelling gear, it will come in handy at Aquarium Bay.
For paragliding, you are picked up 30-60 minutes before your flight. Pickup details for other tours are confirmed when you book.
The 6 Islands trip focuses on coastal coves such as Butterfly Valley, the Blue Cave and Cold Water Bay. The 12 Islands trip visits islands in the Gulf of Fethiye such as Red Island and Tersane Island and serves an open-buffet lunch.
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