Kemer Suluada Boat Tour (Maldives of Turkey) With Hotel Transfer

Suluada is sold as the Maldives of Turkey, and its best moments are easy to understand: clear turquoise water, pale coves, and a full day on the sea off the Antalya coast. The tour also adds Akseki Bay and its cold Love Cave, so you get more than one swimming stop for a low price.

I like the hotel transfer from Kemer and the included lunch of fish or chicken, pasta, and salad. I also like the relaxed mix of swimming, boat time, music, Turkish tea, and fruit reported on some departures. The catch is that Suluada can be packed with boats, and its beaches are made of sharp stones rather than soft sand.

Key points to know before booking

• Suluada is the main event: Expect turquoise water and striking coastal scenery, but do not picture a wide, empty sand beach.
• Three water stops: The day includes Suluada, Akseki Bay, and another swimming opportunity during the cruise.
• Hotel pickup is useful: Transport runs from Kemer to Adrasan and back, but you must wait at your hotel’s main entrance.
• Lunch is included: You receive fish or chicken with pasta and salad. Drinks cost extra.
• Crowds can shape the day: The boat may share small beaches with many other boats, leaving limited room to swim.
• Sea shoes are a smart choice: Pebbles, sharp stones, waves, and wet landings make sturdy footwear useful.

What this Kemer boat trip is really like

This is a long day built around the water, not a quiet private cruise. You leave Kemer in the morning, travel by road to the port at Adrasan, then spend several hours on a boat before returning by road.

The advertised duration is about eight to nine hours, with a 7:30 am start. That early beginning matters. The transfer from Kemer takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, so roughly two and a half hours of the day are spent in the vehicle.

The boat carries up to 80 people. That is not a small sailing trip, and the mood can change with the number of boats gathered at each cove. I would book this as an affordable shared outing with strong scenery, not as a peaceful escape from other people.

The biggest appeal is value. At $20 per person, hotel transportation, lunch, crew, and a full day near Suluada make the price unusually low. You need to accept a few compromises at that rate: drinks are extra, the boat may feel crowded, and transport standards can vary.

The early transfer from Kemer to Adrasan

Pickup begins in Kemer, with a car taking you toward Adrasan. The stated driving time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. At the end of the cruise, you make the same journey back to Kemer.

Pay close attention to the pickup instructions. You are asked to meet at the main entrance gate of your hotel, not at the reception desk. Hotels in the Kemer area may limit vehicle access, so waiting inside the lobby can mean missing the driver.

There have been problems with pickup timing and collection points. One departure involved a message arriving at 7:30 am to say the driver was already waiting, despite a later pickup time having been given. Another had confusion over the correct meeting spot. I would be ready before the stated time, keep your phone available, and confirm the exact pickup point before bed.

The road transfer has also received mixed feedback. Some people found it fine, while others reported an old vehicle, weak air conditioning, or unsafe driving. That does not define every departure, but it is a fair reason to treat the transfer as part of the budget-tour tradeoff.

The official meeting point is Akdeniz Cafe Adrasan, in Kumluca, if you are arranging your own arrival. For most people, the included hotel transfer is simpler.

Suluada: beautiful water, small beaches

Suluada is a small island, and its size is part of the appeal and the problem. The water can show intense turquoise color, especially on a bright day, and the rocky coast makes a fine setting for photos from the boat.

You are scheduled to spend about four hours at Suluada. That sounds generous, but the time may include swimming, sitting on the boat, moving between coves, and waiting for a safe landing. Conditions at sea and the number of boats can change how much useful beach time you get.

Do not book this expecting a broad beach of powdery white sand. The shore is described as pebbly and stony, with sharp rocks that can be painful underfoot. You may sink into loose stones while walking in the shallows. Sea shoes are one of the best things to pack.

Getting from the boat to shore may also mean stepping directly into the water. With waves moving the boat and stones underfoot, you could end up soaked before reaching land. Pack spare clothes in a dry bag or sealed plastic bag.

The word Maldives sets a high bar. Suluada has clear, bright water, but it is not a private tropical island. Boats can line the beach, and several accounts describe 10 to 15 boats in the same area. That can leave only narrow spaces for swimming between vessels.

Water quality and swimming conditions may also vary. Some departures had clean, warm water, while others encountered plastic waste, jellyfish, or rough water that made swimming unpleasant. I would think of swimming as weather and crowd dependent, not guaranteed perfection.

Lunch on the boat in Kumluca

After time at Suluada, you return to the boat for lunch. The meal includes a choice of fish or chicken, pasta, and salad. Some departures also included fruit and Turkish tea, although the listed inclusions specifically guarantee the main meal rather than every extra.

The food is one of the stronger parts of the day. It is simple boat lunch, not a restaurant meal, but it gives you something substantial after swimming. Several ratings praise the food, while other comments place it closer to average. Your expectations should be sensible: this is included fuel for an active day.

Drinks are not included. Bring money for beverages or check what is available before setting out. The information also notes that alternative food can be bought at a cafe shop on the route, but I would not rely on that as your main plan.

Music is played on the boat, and the atmosphere can feel social and family friendly. If you prefer quiet, bring patience. If you like a little music after lunch, this part may suit you well.

Akseki Bay and the cold Love Cave

The next named stop is Akseki Bay, where you visit Love Cave. Local legend says the cave filled with the tears of a girl forced to separate from her boyfriend. It is a small story, but it gives the stop a bit of character beyond another swim in another cove.

The water inside the cave is notably cold. That makes it appealing on a hot day, especially after sitting in the sun, but the sudden temperature change may not suit everyone. You can treat the cave as a quick look and refreshing dip rather than a long stay.

The stop lasts about an hour. Some accounts also describe several shorter water stops, including one of only about 10 minutes. The exact rhythm can shift with sea conditions, boat traffic, and the day’s timing.

Love Cave is one of the more memorable parts of the trip because it gives you a distinct feature to see. Suluada is about color and open water. Akseki Bay adds a story, a cave, and a different swimming setting.

Crowds, boat access, and the practical swimming problem

The main weakness is not the scenery. It is space.

Suluada’s coves are small. When many boats arrive, their passengers use the same limited beach and swimming area. You may reach lovely water only to find that boats are moored across the best access points.

Boat traffic can also affect how long you swim. A vessel may need to move in or out, forcing people to clear an area. That is frustrating if you have made the effort to get there for a swim.

Landing can be awkward. Waves may push the boat, and the seabed can be rocky. Some people may get wet up to their waist, and an unsteady step can lead to a fall. Hold your belongings securely and use footwear with a firm sole.

The boat itself has been described as small enough to sway in rough seas. If you are prone to seasickness, the combination of a moving boat, choppy water, and a long day deserves serious thought. I would choose a seat with the least motion available, stay hydrated, and avoid treating the ride as a sure thing if you are very sensitive to waves. The tour information does not promise a particular seating arrangement, so you cannot count on a fixed spot.

The maximum group size is 80. That number may be manageable on a larger boat, but it will feel busy at a small cove. The most comfortable version of this trip is likely a calmer day with fewer boats around Suluada.

What is included for $20

The $20 price is the tour’s biggest strength. You receive:

• Two-way hotel transfer from the Kemer area
• English-speaking crew
• Boat transportation
• Lunch with fish or chicken, pasta, and salad
• Stops at Suluada and Akseki Bay

That is a lot of service for the cost. You are not paying separately for the long drive to Adrasan, the boat, or the basic meal.

You do pay extra for drinks. You should also budget for any optional photos. A photographer has been present on at least some boats, with pictures offered for purchase at what one account considered a reasonable price. That is optional, not part of the tour cost.

The low fare does not remove the need to check basic details on the day. Confirm pickup, bring practical swim gear, and keep your expectations aimed at a shared boat outing rather than a polished luxury cruise.

Who will enjoy this day most

I think this tour suits families and couples who want a full day near the sea without spending much. The included meal, hotel transport, several swim stops, and simple schedule make it easy to book as a beach day away from Kemer.

It also suits people who enjoy social boat trips. Music, lunch, shared swimming areas, and a larger group can create a pleasant holiday mood. The positive ratings give particular weight to the scenery, food, crew attitude, and the sense of having a memorable day together.

I would be more cautious if you need soft sand, quiet coves, excellent snorkeling, or precise timing. There is no coral reef mentioned, and rough water may make snorkeling difficult. Jellyfish, plastic waste, sharp stones, and other boats have affected some departures.

This is also not the best match if you have mobility problems around uneven stones or wet boat landings. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise accessible beach access or step-free boarding.

Tips that make the day easier

Arrive early at the hotel entrance, even if your pickup time seems later. Keep your phone on and confirm the meeting point, since timing and pickup confusion have caused problems.

Pack sea shoes, a swimsuit, sunscreen, a towel, and spare clothes. Put your phone and wallet in waterproof protection. You may need to step into the sea to reach the beach.

Bring drinking water or money to buy drinks. Lunch is included, but drinks are not.

If you are sensitive to motion, consider seasickness precautions. The boat can sway in rough conditions, and the tour includes a long return journey by boat and road.

Do not judge the day only by the phrase Maldives of Turkey. The water may be wonderfully clear, but the shore can be rocky and busy. You will have a better time if you value the boat ride, the views, and the chance to swim more than a perfect beach.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and bad weather can lead to another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Suluada boat tour?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, all-day sea outing from Kemer and can handle crowds, stones, and a variable boat experience. The turquoise water, Love Cave, lunch, and included transfers give the tour real value at $20.

Skip it if your priority is an empty beach, soft sand, reliable snorkeling, or a calm private cruise. For the best chance of enjoying it, bring sea shoes and spare clothes, confirm the pickup carefully, and treat Suluada as a beautiful but heavily visited swimming stop.

FAQ

Where does the Kemer Suluada boat tour start?

The tour starts with pickup in Kemer, followed by a transfer to the port at Adrasan. The listed meeting point is Akdeniz Cafe Adrasan, 07350 Kumluca, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 7:30 am. Pickup instructions ask you to wait at the main entrance gate of your hotel, not at reception.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience takes approximately eight to nine hours. The road transfer between Kemer and Adrasan takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.

Is hotel transfer included?

Yes. Hotel transfer is included in both directions for hotels in the Kemer region.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fish or chicken, pasta, and salad. Drinks are not included.

Is the crew English speaking?

Yes. An English-speaking crew is included.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity can have a maximum of 80 travelers.

What stops are included?

The tour includes Suluada Island and Akseki Bay, including Love Cave. The schedule also includes swimming time during the boat trip.

Do I need to bring drinks?

Drinks are not included, so you should bring money for them or make your own arrangements.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a different date or a full refund.