Discover butterfly Valley on blue cruise tours: reach the cove by sea from Ölüdeniz, follow trails to small waterfalls, and time your visit for butterfly season. A natural stop within feyhiye olympos blue cruises for swimming and easy hikes.
About 25 km west of Fethiye, the gorge opens onto the coast, where pale shingle meets brilliantly clear, turquoise water. With no large-scale development and cliffs rising sheer on both sides, the cove keeps a back-to-nature vibe that draws campers and backpackers from around the world. There’s no road access—arrivals are by sea—so it’s a classic pause on many blue cruise tours and small-boat day runs from Ölüdeniz. In spring, after rains, countless butterflies shelter in the vegetation; by late May they begin to appear in greater numbers and drift upward along the streams that ribbon the valley. Among travellers it’s so beloved that you’ll often hear it casually called butterfly Valley.
The name comes from the remarkable diversity recorded here—around 82 species—protected beneath Mount Babadağ. The cove is designated a conservation area by the Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board, and that status, combined with its remoteness, has helped it sidestep mass tourism. Local stewards also promote ecological farming and low-impact stays to keep the valley as unspoiled as possible.
Daytime water shuttles link Ölüdeniz Beach with the cove, so reaching the valley by sea is straightforward. For guests on our feyhiye olympos blue cruises, Butterfly Valley is typically an early-route stop: plenty of time to explore the canyon, cool off in the sea, or follow the footpath about 30 minutes inland to a petite waterfall shaded by oleander and pine.
Water spills through the gorge in several places, and a mesh of informal trails lets you wander to small cascades and pools. With patience—and a quiet step—you might spot butterflies resting on rocks and leaves beside the water.
Through the season, the community also hosts low-key arts and crafts sessions, occasional yoga gatherings, and once-in-a-while mini-festivals—all in keeping with the valley’s easygoing, eco-minded spirit.
