On the second day of our Rhodes holiday, we joined an organised TUI trip to Chalki Island, with a stop at the scenic Butterfly Valley. In this post, we’ll share our experience, thoughts on the trip, and plenty of photos—especially of Chalki Island’s picturesque, colourful houses.

TUI Trip Review to Chalki Island

Our day began with a 7:50 am pick-up, as we boarded a nearly empty coach. October is the last month of the season here, so it was quite peaceful—a different vibe from the busy summer months. There are many reasons to visit Rhodes in October, including fewer crowds and slightly cooler weather. Despite it being half-term, many parts of the island were winding down for winter, which made for a more relaxed experience.

The early morning sun cast a warm glow as we waited, setting a calm tone for the day ahead. After the coach picked us up at 7:50 am, we enjoyed the ride across the island, passing sights like various towns and villages. If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many empty or unfinished buildings in Rhodes, we cover it in another post.

What Was Included in the TUI Day Trip to Chalki Island and Butterfly Valley?

The TUI trip included:

• Coach transfers to and from our hotel
• A one-hour stop at Butterfly Valley (entrance fee not included)
• Return boat trip to Chalki Island
• About three hours of free time on Chalki Island for dining and exploring

Butterfly Valley Review in October (No Butterflies)

This is a beautiful, natural spot famous for its butterfly population from June to mid-September. Visiting Butterfly Valley in late October, we didn’t see any butterflies, but the area still had plenty to offer. The setting is peaceful, with wooden walkways, bridges, and paths winding up the side of a mountain alongside flowing streams and waterfalls. The higher elevation made it noticeably cooler than the beach areas—quite refreshing if you’re looking to escape the heat. We actually found it a bit chilly!

The entrance fee was just €3 per adult, and our children were allowed in for free, so we paid only £5 to explore. We had about an hour to wander around before reboarding the coach, which had filled up a bit with other visitors who had joined us at Butterfly Valley.

We enjoyed the valley’s natural beauty, with its shady woods and mountain scenery, and managed to grab a quick drink at the small café. There were also toilets available, costing 50 cents each, and a cashpoint nearby, which came in handy since we hadn’t brought cash for the facilities.

A nice touch during our visit was when one of the TUI reps noticed our son shivering in the cooler air. She kindly offered him her TUI-branded hoodie to keep warm, which he wore for our walk around the valley. Small gestures like this really made the experience feel more personal and welcoming.

Boat Ride to Chalki Island

After our second coach ride, we boarded a boat to Chalki Island, a charming, small island about an hour away from Rhodes. The boat was comfortable, with a cosy enclosed lounge area on the lower deck where Ben and the children settled in for most of the journey. They enjoyed the comfy seats and sea views through the windows, while I opted to sit on the main deck to enjoy the fresh sea air and watch the sunlight sparkle on the water.

Partway through the trip, the upper front deck was opened, and there was a rush of people eager to get a better view. I stayed on the main deck, though Ben and the children remained downstairs in the lounge. It’s always a treat to view the island from the sea and take in the surrounding scenery from a new angle.

Approaching Chalki was especially exciting, as we got our first glimpse of the island’s iconic architecture—those classic Greek-style houses in a variety of colours, each with distinct rectangular windows. Seeing these familiar views made it clear that we’d arrived, and we were ready to explore all that Chalki had to offer.

Chalki Island: What We Did & Photos

Upon arrival at Chalki, we had three hours of free time to explore. The TUI representative informed us that we could get a discount at three recommended restaurants on the island, but we came prepared with a vegan Buddha bowl packed the day before from the Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel snack bar to enjoy on our day trip. The children, not keen on the Buddha bowl, were ready for something else, so we headed to one of the suggested restaurants Magefseis Restaurant-Taverna.

There, they enjoyed a plate of spaghetti with Napoli sauce and a vegan vegetable burger, while Ben and I sipped on a beer and freshly squeezed orange juice. The waiter was very friendly, even bringing over a few complimentary pitta breads, which was a lovely touch.

We were so relaxed that we completely forgot to ask for the TUI discount! But, seeing how quiet things were with it being the end of the season, we were happy to pay full price and help support their business during the quieter months. The view from our table, overlooking the ocean and harbour with its beautiful yachts, was a perfect backdrop for lunch.

Eager to make the most of our time, we soon set off towards the beach. There was a small beach called Potamos Beach that some of our fellow passengers had already reached. We settled in, spreading our towels on the sand, while the children rushed straight into the sea. They couldn’t wait to dive into the clear, shallow waters that seemed to stretch forever without a sudden drop-off.

We all enjoyed a long, refreshing swim, venturing quite far out while still able to touch the sandy bottom—a perfect spot for families with younger children. The kids were reluctant to leave, and it was our first swim in the sea on this trip, as we’d only used the hotel pools up to this point as it was only the second day of our holiday.

After our swim, we dried off under the warm sun, which must have been about 26°C that day. Sitting against a stone wall at the back of the beach, we realised it was quite the suntrap, making it easy to warm up and relax.

Before we knew it, it was time to head back along the path to catch the boat back to Rhodes. We wished we could have spent longer on Chalki. There was another beach called Ftenagia Beach not far from the boat that we didn’t get a chance to see, and we’d have loved to stroll through the charming streets to admire more of the colourful houses, although we did manage a few photos from the sea platform near the boat dock.

Returning to Rhodes from Chalki Island

The return boat ride to Rhodes was as scenic as the trip there, but the coach ride back to the hotel was less ideal. This time, there was no changeover, so we ended up on a busy coach with multiple hotel stops along the way, making ours the final drop-off after nearly two hours. We were all exhausted, especially after the early start so close to our late arrival day, but it was well worth it to see Chalki Island.

Despite the long journey back, we had an amazing day and would highly recommend the trip—it was a hit with the kids too! In fact, I’m sure we’d all love to stay on Chalki Island one day and explore more of what the small island has to offer.

Overall, TUI handled all the transfers for the trip smoothly, just as they did for our TUI airport, flight, and transfer experience for our Rhodes holiday.

Things to note if you are considering booking this TUI trip:

• Entrance to Butterfly Valley not included, allow approx 3 euros per person if you wish to access the paid part of the valley
• Butterflies present in season only from June to September, so they will not be there if you visit outside these months
• Butterfly Valley, the boat ride and exploring Chalki Island on foot may not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility 
• Take bathing gear if you want to swim or sunbathe at Chalki Island
• Bring money for extras or gratuities such as paying to use the toilets at Butterfly Valley or leaving a tip for the coach driver at the end of the day which is appreciated in Greece
• There are approximately 2 hours in total on the boat, and we had around 3+ hours on the coach in total, so it’s not suitable for guests who suffer from travel sickness

MORE activities for your Rhodes vacation…

For another unforgettable excursion, consider a TUI-organised Hippo Submarine boat trip to Lindos and Navarone Bay with convenient hotel transfers included, offering unique underwater views and a scenic coastal experience.

If you’re staying in Kolymbia or at the Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel, like we were, consider taking the scenic Tsambika Mountain hike via White Rock Beach for breathtaking views or enjoy a relaxing sunset walk up Kolymbia’s Flag Hill with stunning harbour views.

Also, check out exactly what weather to expect in Rhodes in October.