From Antalya or Kemer: Suluada Island Boat Trip with Lunch

Suluada is the star here: a small Mediterranean island ringed by clear turquoise water, pale beaches, and striking rock walls. The day combines a scenic boat ride with several long swimming stops, so you get more than a quick look from the deck.

I like the excellent value at $18 per person and the generous swim time, with stops often lasting about 45 minutes. I also like the choice of transport from Antalya or Kemer, though the shared transfer can make this a very long day, especially from Antalya, where the drive to Adrasan takes about two hours each way.

• Three main swimming stops: Expect time at Suluada’s western coast, the freshwater beach, and Hacivat Bay.
• Adrasan departure: The boat leaves from Adrasan Harbor, reached by transfer or your own transport.
• Lunch included: A freshly prepared meal includes vegetarian options, while drinks cost extra.
• Rock formations with a local name: Hacivat Bay is known for rocks resembling Hacivat from Turkish shadow theater.
• Roughly five hours aboard: The full outing can last from 7 to 16 hours, depending on pickup and option selected.
• Bring water shoes: Some swimming areas are rocky, and a towel, hat, swimwear, and a change of clothes are useful.

A full Mediterranean day from Antalya or Kemer

This is a simple, good-value sea day. You leave your hotel area, reach Adrasan Harbor, board a traditional-style wooden boat, and spend several hours moving between Suluada and nearby bays.

The main appeal is not a guided history lesson or a packed sightseeing schedule. It is the chance to swim in clear water, sit in the sun, eat lunch on board, and look back at the Turkish coast from offshore.

The trip is sold from $18 per person, which is notably low for a full-day outing with transport and lunch included. Drinks, photographs, and videos cost extra, but the basic price covers the main pieces you need for the day.

You should think of this as a swimming cruise rather than an island walking tour. The schedule centers on bays and beaches, and the island is best appreciated from the water. If you want a quiet day with plenty of time in the sea, the format works well. If you want hours exploring Suluada on foot, this is not that kind of trip.

Getting to Adrasan Harbor from Antalya or Kemer

Your first decision is transportation. You can select a shared hotel transfer from Antalya or Kemer, or choose an option that has you meet the boat at the port.

The Antalya transfer is practical, but it takes time. One reported schedule picked people up at 7:45 in the morning and returned them around 5:00 in the afternoon, with about five hours spent on the boat. The road journey from Antalya to the boat was roughly two hours, so plan for a full day from breakfast until late afternoon.

From Kemer, the arrangement may be more convenient depending on your hotel. Pickup times vary, and the exact time is sent by email the day before. Wait at your hotel’s main security gate 10 minutes early. Drivers wait no more than five minutes after the scheduled pickup time.

Transfers are shared, so the vehicle may collect people from several hotels. That can stretch the morning and afternoon, but it keeps the price low.

There is also a practical port detail. Vehicles can drop people at the Adrasan parking area, but they cannot drive all the way to the departure point because of local restrictions. You then walk about 750 meters to the boats. Pack your swimming things in a small day bag rather than burying them under luggage.

For small hotels in Antalya’s Old Town, buses cannot enter the narrow streets. You may be asked to meet in front of McDonald’s instead. Read the provider’s message the day before, since the pickup point can vary by booking option.

Boarding the wooden boat at Adrasan

Adrasan Harbor gives you a pleasant start to the sea portion of the day. Traditional wooden boats head out from the coast, and the views improve quickly once the harbor falls behind you.

The trip is run in English and Russian, depending on the host or greeter available. The crew connected with the Mert Kaptan boat received particular praise for being friendly and helpful, so if that is your assigned boat, expect a crew that is used to helping people get settled and ready for the water.

The exact boat layout is not specified, so bring the basics that make any boat day easier: sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes. Water shoes are especially useful because some beaches and entry points are rocky.

A camera is worth bringing. An onboard photographer may take pictures during the cruise and swimming stops. The photographs are optional and were available for about €25 each on one outing, so you can simply enjoy the scenery without buying anything.

Suluada’s western coast and the first swims

Suluada is often called the Turkish Maldives, a catchy label that points to the water rather than suggesting a luxury resort. The sea around the island is clear enough for you to see the seabed, and the pale shore and green hills make a strong backdrop from the boat.

The first swimming stops focus on the island’s most attractive bays, including the western coast. You are given time to get into the water, float, and take photographs rather than making a rushed five-minute stop.

A typical stop lasts around 45 minutes. Three such breaks give you roughly two hours of swimming across the day, a generous amount for a boat tour at this price.

The water may feel refreshing, even in warm weather. If you are not a confident swimmer, a life jacket is available. That makes the stops more comfortable for families and anyone who wants to enjoy the water without going far from the boat.

The main drawback is that the best view is often from the water, not from a long stay on land. You may stop near a beach or bay, but do not book this expecting a full island walk or an empty private cove.

The famous freshwater beach

Another stop is the freshwater beach, one of Suluada’s best-known swimming areas. The combination of bright water, beach, and rocky coast gives this part of the cruise its classic postcard feel.

This is a good time to swim, relax on the boat, or take photos from the shore. The seabed is visible in the clear water, and the setting feels more secluded than the larger resort beaches around Antalya.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The word secluded describes the natural setting, not necessarily the number of people at the stop. Boat tours visit the popular bays because they are beautiful, so other vessels may be nearby.

Lunch is served on board during the day. The meal has been described as including chicken or fish, spaghetti, vegetables, and bread, with vegetarian choices available. One person found the lunch disappointing, while others found it very good, so I would treat the meal as convenient fuel rather than the main reason to book.

Drinks are not included. They can be purchased on board, and one outing found the prices reasonable, but bring enough cash or confirm the payment arrangement before leaving the harbor.

Hacivat Bay and its unusual rocks

The final swimming stop on the return journey is Hacivat Bay. Its rocks are said to resemble Hacivat, a character from traditional Turkish shadow theater.

That small cultural detail gives the stop more character than a generic photo break. Look at the rock shapes from different angles, then settle in for another swim in the clear water.

The bay also helps break up the return ride. After a morning of swimming and lunch, you still get one more chance to cool off before the boat heads back toward Adrasan.

The trip description calls this a hidden bay swimming break, but the exact order of stops can change. Weather, boat operations, and local conditions may affect the route, so think of the listed bays as the planned highlights rather than a rigid promise of minute-by-minute timing.

Lunch, drinks, and life on board

The boat day has a relaxed rhythm: cruise, swim, dry off, eat, and repeat. That makes it an easy choice when you want a break from walking tours and ancient sites.

Lunch is a useful inclusion because you do not need to arrange food during the cruise. Vegetarian options are available, but the supplied details do not specify the full menu for every departure.

You will want extra drinking water, especially if you spend much of the day in the sun. Drinks are excluded, and although onboard purchases have been described as fairly priced, bringing your own water is still sensible.

The onboard photographer is another optional extra. You may receive attractive action shots and beach photos, but there is no obligation to buy them. A waterproof phone pouch or a secure camera strap is a smart addition if you plan to photograph yourself from the water.

How much time the day really takes

The advertised duration ranges from 7 to 16 hours because the total depends on your selected option, pickup location, and transfer schedule. The actual time on the boat can be about five hours, with the rest spent getting to and from Adrasan.

From Antalya, I would reserve the whole day and avoid booking another major activity afterward. The drive is around two hours each way according to one schedule, and shared pickups can add more time.

From Kemer, the trip may feel easier, but your exact pickup time still depends on the route. Keep your morning open and check the provider’s email the day before.

This is not a good fit if you dislike long transfers, shared vehicles, or fixed group schedules. It is a better fit if you see the journey as part of the day and want a low-cost way to reach some of the coast’s prettiest swimming spots.

Is $18 good value?

At $18 per person, the basic package offers strong value. You get the full-day boat trip from Adrasan, several swimming stops, lunch, and hotel transport if you choose that option.

The price is especially appealing for couples, families, and groups who want a sea day without paying for a private boat. The tradeoff is a shared experience with a set route and possible waiting during hotel pickups.

Extra spending is limited but worth planning for. Drinks are separate, and onboard photos and videos are sold independently. You may also need to arrange your own way to the port if you select the direct meeting option.

The low price does not mean every part will feel polished or private. Lunch is functional rather than a restaurant meal, and the boat may have other groups aboard. Still, the combination of clear water, long swim stops, and coastal views gives the outing a lot of return for the money.

Who will enjoy this Suluada cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want:

• A relaxed day away from city streets and hotel pools
• Several proper swimming breaks instead of one brief stop
• Clear Mediterranean water and dramatic coastal rocks
• An affordable outing from Antalya or Kemer
• A family-friendly way to enjoy the sea, with life jackets available
• A break from walking tours and archaeological sites

You may want another option if you need a quiet, private boat, dislike shared transfers, or want extensive time walking around an island. The day is built around swimming, sun, and views from the boat.

Bring water shoes. One person specifically noted that some areas are very rocky, and this is the sort of small detail that can make the difference between an easy swim and an awkward one.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 1,018 ratings, which fits the experience well: the scenery, swimming, transport, and value are the strongest points, while lunch and the long transfer are the main variables.

Should you book the Suluada Island boat trip?

Book it if you want a low-cost Mediterranean day with clear water, three substantial swim stops, and lunch included. The Suluada views are the reason to go, while Hacivat Bay adds a distinctive final stop and a bit of local character.

Choose the port-only option if you can reach Adrasan easily and want to avoid shared transfers. Choose hotel pickup if convenience matters more than time.

I would not book this as a short excursion. From Antalya, it can take most of the day, and the road journey is part of the bargain. But if you have a free day, pack water shoes, accept the group format, and want a refreshing change of pace, this is one of the better-value ways to get onto the Mediterranean.

FAQ

Where does the Suluada boat trip depart from?

The boat departs from Adrasan Harbor. Depending on the option booked, you can use a shared transfer from Antalya or Kemer, or arrange to meet at the port.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the transportation option selected at booking. Pickup details and the exact time are sent by email the day before the cruise.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration can range from 7 to 16 hours, depending on the pickup location and option selected. One reported schedule ran from about 7:45 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, with roughly five hours on the boat.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the full-day boat trip from Adrasan, lunch, and a hidden bay swimming stop. Hotel transport is included if you select that option. Drinks, photographs, and videos are not included.

Are vegetarian lunch options available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available. The meal may also include chicken or fish, spaghetti, vegetables, and bread, though the exact menu can vary.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, beachwear, a camera, and water shoes. Water shoes are particularly useful because some swimming areas are rocky.