Suluada Island Boat Trip incl. Lunch and Transfer f/Kemer

Suluada’s clear water and white-pebble coves are the main reason to book this full-day trip from Kemer. The boat reaches the island from Adrasan, with time for swimming near the Love Cave, Akseki Bay, and Korsan Koyu, also called Pirate Cave.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, since the harbor is about two hours from Kemer by road. I also like the simple value: lunch, a guide, boat transport, and several swimming stops are included for $54.01.

The catch is the crowds. Suluada can fill with boats, and the stops may feel rushed. Drinks cost extra, English guidance may be limited in practice, and the lunch is a fixed group meal with no gluten-free option.

Key points to know before booking

• A long road-and-boat day: Plan on roughly 10 hours, including about two hours each way between Kemer and Adrasan.
• Suluada is beautiful but busy: The water is the star, while the small bays can feel crowded with boats.
• Swimming matters more than sightseeing: This is a water day with short stops, not a quiet island exploration tour.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: Bring cash or another payment method for beverages, and do not expect a special diet menu.
• The group can be large: The maximum listed capacity is 80 people, so this is not a private or intimate cruise.
• Pickup details need attention: Collection is from your hotel security gate, with a stated start time of 8:00 am.

The real appeal of Suluada

Suluada is often promoted as the Turkish Maldives. That comparison is useful only up to a point. You do get strikingly clear Mediterranean water and pale beaches, but the shoreline is made of white pebbles rather than soft sand. The island is also a popular day-trip stop, so solitude is not part of the package.

I would book this trip for the water, not for a peaceful beach escape. The color can be lovely, especially when viewed from the boat or while swimming close to shore. The island’s rocky edges, small coves, and forested mainland views give the cruise a pleasant setting.

The tour begins with a hotel pickup in Kemer between about 7:30 and 8:00 am, with the advertised start time at 8:00. You meet the transfer at your hotel security gate. From there, the road journey to Adrasan takes around two hours.

That transfer is a major part of the day, so it helps to think of this as a full excursion rather than a quick boat outing. A short break is provided during the drive so you can use the toilet. Once you reach Adrasan, you board the boat and head toward Suluada.

From Kemer to Adrasan by road

The included transfer makes this outing much easier than arranging your own transport to Adrasan. You do not need to find the port, manage local connections, or worry about getting back to Kemer after a day on the water.

Still, pickup coordination deserves care. One serious service problem involved an incorrect hotel and an incorrect pickup time, followed by a long wait. That appears to have been an operational mistake rather than a normal feature of the trip, but you should confirm the hotel name, security-gate location, and pickup time before the morning of departure.

The trip is offered in English, but the level of spoken English onboard may vary. If clear explanations are important to you, keep your expectations modest. This works better as a sightseeing and swimming trip than as a detailed guided lesson about the island or the Lycian coast.

Cruising toward Suluada Island

The boat ride from Adrasan brings you toward Suluada and its small bays. The route also gives you views of the rocky coast, beaches, and wooded hills connected with the Lycian Way. From the sea, the coastline is often the most enjoyable part of the cruise.

The water is the reason to pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and something dry to wear afterward. The itinerary is built around repeated swims, so you will spend much of the day moving between the boat and the sea rather than walking around on land.

The tour information notes that sea turtles may be seen in these waters. That is a possibility, not a promise, so treat any sighting as a bonus. You should not book this trip solely to see turtles.

The boat can hold up to 80 people. That capacity explains both the low price and the busy feel at popular stops. You have the convenience of a ready-made outing, but you give up the quiet and flexibility of a smaller boat.

Suluada and the first swimming stop

The first island stop gives you time to swim in cool, clear water and enjoy the sun. The island itself is attractive from the water, with pale shorelines and rocky edges that contrast with the deep Mediterranean blue.

Do not expect a long, unstructured stay on an empty beach. Several boats may arrive at the same area, and the available room around the coves can shrink quickly. The trip is best enjoyed by getting into the water rather than trying to claim a large patch of shore.

If you dislike pebbles, bring water shoes. The beaches are described as white-pebble beaches, not sandy ones. That makes the water look appealing, but entering and leaving the sea can be less comfortable for bare feet.

The word Love Island is used for Akseki Bay, while the Love Cave is part of the same group of attractions in the schedule. Names and stop order may be explained differently on the day, so do not worry if the guide presents the island and cave stops in a slightly different sequence.

Akseki Bay and the Love Cave

Akseki Bay is known locally as Love Island and for its small cave. The cave’s water is said to remain cold, even in warm weather. A local story explains the cold water as the tears of a girl, which gives this otherwise simple swimming stop a little character.

This is one of the more unusual moments on the trip. You can swim toward the cave, feel the cooler water, and return to the boat when the crew calls time. The cave is not presented as a long walking or exploring experience. It is a short water stop.

The main limitation is time. Several stops are fitted into one day, and the schedule can feel tight. If you want to linger, snorkel slowly, or take many photographs, you may feel hurried.

Once the island and bay visits are finished, you return to the boat for lunch. The timing is practical: after swimming and sunbathing, a meal gives you a chance to sit down and recharge before the later stops.

Lunch on board and drinks

Lunch is included in the price, which helps make the excursion a reasonable choice for families and couples who want a predictable day out. The meal is a basic group-boat lunch rather than a special culinary event.

The food may include chicken with pasta and bread, or a fish option with similar sides. Another meal description includes a beef dish with rice. That suggests the exact menu can vary, so you should not expect a single fixed plate every day.

If you eat gluten-free, take this seriously. A gluten-free option is not available according to the tour information, and the standard meal may include bread, pasta, or breaded food. Contact the operator before booking if you need a safe alternative, but do not assume one will be prepared.

Drinks are not included. The onboard prices have been criticized as high, with a small can reported at 4 euros. I would bring water with you if permitted and budget for any drinks you buy onboard. The difference between an inexpensive boat day and an irritating one can come down to this small extra cost.

The coastal route and Pirate Cave

After lunch, the boat follows the coast and reaches another cave area before stopping at Korsan Koyu, known as Pirate Cave. The route gives you views of rocky shoreline, beaches, and the wooded mainland around the Lycian Way.

Korsan Koyu is used as another swimming stop. The water is described as clean and suitable for a swim, but this is not necessarily the best place for snorkeling. One final swimming area was considered unremarkable for underwater viewing, with little to see below the surface.

That detail matters if you are choosing between a general boat trip and a dedicated snorkeling excursion. Bring goggles if you like looking underwater, but set your expectations around swimming and scenery rather than marine life or coral.

The cave and Pirate Cave stops are also short. You get a chance to enter the water, cool off, and see another section of the coast. You do not get a long visit at each location.

The final stop at Karaoz Hurmalik

The final part of the boat route takes you back toward Karaoz Hurmalik and the port. The schedule allows time for sunbathing and swimming before you meet the transfer vehicle for the return to your hotel.

There may also be a very brief photo stop during the route. Think of it as a quick chance to take a picture rather than a full sightseeing visit. The day moves according to the boat schedule, and the crew needs to keep the return transfer on time.

After reaching port, you board the bus for the trip back to Kemer. The return transfer is included, which is useful after a day in the sun when organizing your own ride would be tiring and uncertain.

How much value do you get for $54.01?

At $54.01 per person, the package includes hotel pickup, return transport, the boat trip, a guide, lunch, and multiple swimming stops. For a full day away from Kemer, that is a fair bundle, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange transport to Adrasan.

The value is strongest for people who want convenience. You pay once, reach the port without planning, eat onboard, and return to your hotel. Families may also appreciate not having to organize separate meals and transport.

The value drops if you want any of the following:

• A quiet beach with plenty of personal space
• A small group or private boat
• Strong English commentary throughout the day
• A flexible schedule with long stays at each bay
• High-quality food or inexpensive drinks
• A gluten-free lunch
• Serious snorkeling

The published rating is 4.2 from 30 reviews, which fits the mixed nature of the experience. The most praised features are the beautiful island, clean boat, helpful staff, included food, and reliable transport when the pickup works properly.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy day on the Mediterranean and care more about swimming than silence. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy meeting other people and do not mind a large shared boat.

It also suits anyone staying in Kemer who does not want to arrange the long trip to Adrasan alone. The included transfer removes much of the practical hassle.

I would be cautious if you dislike crowded attractions, need a special diet, or expect a polished English-language tour. I would also choose a different type of outing if your priority is snorkeling, private space, or a slow beach day.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, water shoes for the pebbles, and money for drinks. Confirm the pickup details carefully, arrive at the hotel gate early, and expect the day to last around 10 hours.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins, while changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour period are not accepted.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, though the supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility statement, so ask the operator directly if you have mobility concerns.

Should you book the Suluada boat trip?

Book this trip if you want clear Mediterranean water, several swimming stops, lunch, and simple hotel transport at a reasonable all-in price. Suluada is genuinely attractive, and the boat gives you an easy way to see it.

Skip it if you are hoping for the Maldives in the literal sense. There is no guarantee of empty beaches, soft sand, quiet coves, or a refined meal. The best version of this day comes when you accept the crowds, bring your own expectations down to earth, and treat the island as a beautiful swimming stop rather than an untouched paradise.

FAQ

Where does the Suluada boat trip start?

The experience starts with hotel pickup in Kemer. Pickup is made from the hotel security gate.

What time does pickup take place?

The advertised start time is 8:00 am, with hotel pickup generally listed between 7:30 and 8:00 am. Confirm the exact time with the operator before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. The drive from Kemer to Adrasan takes about two hours, followed by the boat trip and the return transfer.

Is transport from Kemer included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Kemer are included in the price.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $54.01 per person. Prices can change, so check the current amount when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the boat after time around Suluada and Akseki Bay.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

Is there a gluten-free lunch option?

No gluten-free option is currently provided for this excursion. The standard meal may include bread, pasta, or breaded food.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum listed group size is 80 people. This is a shared group excursion rather than a private cruise.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.