From Antalya or Kemer: Suluada Island Boat Trip with Lunch

Clear water, simple pleasures. This full-day cruise from Antalya or Kemer takes you to Suluada, a small Mediterranean island often called the Turkish Maldives. I like the three swimming stops, which give you time to enjoy the water instead of rushing from one photo stop to the next. I also like the strong value: the listed price is $18 per person and includes the boat ride, lunch, and optional hotel transport.

The main drawback is the long day. From Antalya, the shared transfer can take about two hours each way, and the full outing may last anywhere from 7 to 16 hours depending on your pickup point and schedule. You will also walk about 750 meters from the Adrasan parking area to the boats, so this is not a door-to-deck experience.

Key points to know before booking

• Three main swim breaks: Expect stops of roughly 45 minutes in several bays, including the western coast and a freshwater beach.
• Adrasan departure: The cruise leaves from Adrasan Harbor, not directly from Antalya or Kemer.
• Lunch is included: The meal can include chicken or fish, pasta, vegetables, and bread, with vegetarian choices available.
• The transfer takes time: A pickup from Antalya can begin around 7:45 a.m. and return around 5 p.m., though times vary.
• Bring water shoes: Some swimming areas are rocky, and a towel, dry clothes, hat, and swimwear are essential.
• Optional extras cost more: Drinks and onboard photos are not included. Photos have been offered for about €25 each.

Why Suluada makes a good boat day

Suluada is not a town tour or a history lesson. Its appeal is simple: clean water, open sea, rock formations, and a full day spent outside. If you have been walking through Antalya’s old streets in the heat, the chance to sit on a boat and swim several times can be a welcome change of pace.

The island is known for water clear enough to see the seabed. That makes the swimming stops the main event, not a small extra tucked between sightseeing stops. You can swim, sit in the sun, take photographs, or use a life jacket if you are not confident in the water.

I would set your expectations correctly. This is a popular boat outing, not a private sailing trip. The boat serves a full group, and the schedule is built around shared swimming breaks. You get scenery and convenience, but not solitude all day.

The surrounding coast has steep rock faces, green patches, and small bays that look best from the water. Traditional wooden boats leaving Adrasan Harbor add to the local feel. You will see the coastline in a way that is hard to manage from the road.

Getting from Antalya or Kemer to Adrasan Harbor

Your day begins with either hotel pickup or a direct meeting point, depending on the option you choose. Shared transport may collect people from several hotels, so the departure time can vary. The exact pickup time is sent the day before, and you should wait at your hotel’s main security gate 10 minutes early.

Drivers wait only about five minutes after the scheduled pickup time. That is worth taking seriously, especially if you are staying in a large resort complex where reaching the entrance takes time.

Small hotels in Antalya’s old town have an extra wrinkle. Buses cannot enter some narrow streets, so you may be asked to meet in front of McDonald’s instead. The provider sends the details before the trip.

The drive from Antalya can take around two hours, according to the timing reported for one outing. Kemer is closer to the departure area, but your exact transfer time depends on the hotel and shared pickup route. The long ride is the price of reaching Adrasan, a more scenic departure point away from the city.

At Adrasan, vehicles stop in a parking area because of local restrictions. From there, you walk about 750 meters to the boat departure point. Pack your gear so you can carry it comfortably. A wheeled suitcase would be awkward here, while a small beach bag works well.

Boarding the boat in Adrasan

The walk and boarding process are part of the practical side of the day. Once onboard, you can settle in for the cruise toward Suluada and enjoy views of the coast.

The activity description does not give a fixed boat size or passenger number, so I would not book this expecting a small-group charter. The atmosphere can vary by departure, but the experience is designed as a shared full-day boat trip.

The staff associated with the Mert Kaptan boat received especially warm praise for being friendly and helpful. Denizhan Turizm Taşımacılık operates the experience, with English and Russian support available.

Bring your camera, but protect it from splashes. The boat and island scenery provide plenty of picture opportunities, and an onboard photographer may also take photographs for purchase later. One person reported paying about €25 per photo, so ask about the cost before ordering a large set.

The western coast and first swimming stops

The first swim breaks are usually the part of the day you have been waiting for. The western side of Suluada offers clear water and a broad view of the island’s rocky coast. You may be able to see the bottom from the boat, which makes the water inviting even before you get in.

Allow yourself time to adjust. The water may feel refreshing rather than warm, especially earlier in the season. You can swim from the boat, take photographs, or stay onboard and enjoy the view if you prefer not to enter.

A life jacket is available for people who are not strong swimmers. That small detail matters because the stops are built around getting into the water, but you do not need to be an experienced swimmer to enjoy the outing.

The stop lengths can give you a decent amount of time. One schedule included three swim stops of about 45 minutes each. Exact timing can change, but this is more generous than the quick 10-minute swim breaks found on some boat tours.

The tradeoff is that the bays can feel busy when several boats arrive. The tour is best for enjoying the setting, not for expecting a private cove.

The freshwater beach and island views

The famous freshwater beach is another highlight. Its appeal comes from the unusual setting: bright water, a small beach, and green and rocky surroundings in one compact scene.

The phrase Turkish Maldives is promotional, but you can understand why it is used once you see the contrast between white or pale shoreline, turquoise water, and exposed rock. Do not expect a large resort beach or a long walk ashore. This is a nature stop centered on swimming and taking in the view.

The island’s rock formations are especially attractive from the boat. The best photographs may come when you are approaching or leaving a bay, since you can frame the whole coast rather than only the water around you.

You should bring a change of clothes because wet swimwear becomes uncomfortable during the return cruise. A towel is not listed as included, so pack your own. Water shoes are useful for rocky entry points and uneven sea bottoms.

Lunch on board

Lunch is served during the boat day and is included in the price. The meal can include chicken or fish, spaghetti, vegetables, bread, and vegetarian choices. One person found the lunch very good, while another did not enjoy it much, so I would treat it as a practical included meal rather than a reason to book by itself.

That is a fair approach for a boat tour. You avoid spending extra time searching for food in an unfamiliar port, and you can get back to the swimming schedule without leaving the boat.

Drinks are not included. Drinks can be purchased onboard, and one person found the prices reasonable, but bringing personal water is still sensible. A hot day on the water can leave you thirstier than expected.

If you have dietary needs beyond the stated vegetarian option, ask before booking. The available information confirms vegetarian choices, but it does not give a wider list of special diets.

Hacivat Bay and the final swim

On the return journey, the boat makes a final stop at Hacivat Bay. The bay is named for rock formations said to resemble Hacivat, a well-known character from Turkish shadow theater.

This gives the final part of the trip a little local character beyond the usual sun-and-sea routine. You can look for the shapes in the rocks, take a final swim, and enjoy the coastline before heading back toward Adrasan.

Hacivat Bay is also a useful reminder that the boat ride itself matters. Even if you eventually tire of swimming, the changing views from the deck keep the return trip from feeling like dead time.

After the final stop, you return to Adrasan, walk back to the parking area, and meet your transfer. Depending on your hotel and the shared route, you may arrive in the late afternoon or evening.

Is $18 good value?

At the listed $18 price, this is unusually strong value if your priority is a full day on the water. The price covers the boat trip, lunch, and hotel transport if you select the transfer option. You also get several swimming stops and access to a scenic part of Antalya Province without arranging separate transport to Adrasan.

The low price does come with limits. Drinks cost extra. Photos cost extra. Shared transport takes longer than a private car, and your day may be much longer than the core boat time.

One outing ran from about 7:45 a.m. until 5 p.m., with roughly five hours actually spent on the boat. That means you should judge the tour as a full-day outing, not a short afternoon activity.

For a couple, family, or small group trying to keep costs under control, the package makes sense. If you value privacy, a quiet deck, or complete control over departure times, you may prefer a private boat arrangement, though that would not offer the same price.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend Suluada to you if you want:

• Several chances to swim in clear Mediterranean water
• A relaxed break from city sightseeing
• Scenic coastal views without planning your own boat rental
• A low-cost full-day outing
• A family-friendly activity where non-swimmers can use life jackets
• Plenty of time for beach and sea photographs

You may want to skip it if you dislike long shared transfers, crowded boats, or fixed schedules. You also need to be comfortable carrying your belongings from the parking area to the boats.

The experience suits people who are happy with simple pleasures. The boat, the water, the lunch, and the views do the work. There is no need for a packed program.

Practical packing advice

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a full change of clothes. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a towel, and water shoes should be part of your basic kit.

Water shoes deserve special attention. Some areas are rocky, and they make getting in and out of the water more comfortable. A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch is also a sensible personal addition, though it is not listed as provided.

Keep your luggage small. You will walk from the parking area to the departure point, and anything you bring must fit comfortably on a shared boat.

If you want photographs, bring your own camera or phone and consider the onboard photographer only after checking prices. If you are considering the sunset option, confirm the schedule and return time before booking, since it may not follow the standard daytime timing.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The meeting point depends on the option selected, so read the pickup details carefully.

Should you book the Suluada boat trip?

I would book this trip if you are staying in Antalya or Kemer and want a low-cost day of swimming, sea views, and fresh air. The clearest reasons to go are the water, the multiple swim stops, and the chance to visit Suluada without arranging your own transport.

I would think twice if your holiday schedule is tight. The transfer can take about two hours from Antalya, the shared pickup adds uncertainty, and the whole day can run from early morning to late afternoon.

For most people, the value is hard to argue with at $18. Pack water shoes, accept that lunch will be basic, and expect a shared boat rather than a private escape. If those terms suit you, Suluada offers one of the easiest ways to trade Antalya’s pavement for a day on the Mediterranean.

FAQ

Where does the Suluada boat trip depart from?

The boat departs from Adrasan Harbor. Transport from Antalya or Kemer is available with the appropriate option, but the boat does not leave directly from those cities.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the transportation option you select. A direct meeting-point option may also be available.

How long does the entire experience last?

The stated duration ranges from 7 to 16 hours. One reported schedule ran from about 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., but your exact timing depends on the pickup location and option booked.

How long is the transfer from Antalya?

The transfer from Antalya can take around two hours. Shared transport may collect people from several locations, so the total journey can vary.

How far is the walk from the parking area to the boat?

Because of restrictions in Adrasan, vehicles stop at a parking area. The walk to the boat departure point is about 750 meters.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and vegetarian options are available. Meals may include chicken or fish, pasta, vegetables, and bread.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, though they are available to purchase onboard.

What languages are available?

Host or greeter support is available in English and Russian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.