Antalya: Suluada Island Small Group Boat Trip with Lunch & Pickup

Suluada is the main event: a small, uninhabited island reached by boat from Adrasan, with white sand and clear water that make the swimming stops the best reason to go. I like that the tour visits three named bays and that the boat’s 65-person limit is smaller than the boats that can carry 100 or more.

I also like that hotel pickup and a three-course lunch can simplify a long day out from Antalya. The catch is the transfer and timing: the drive to Adrasan takes about two hours, and pickup times have caused real confusion. Confirm your pickup directly before the day of the trip.

• Three swimming stops: Paradise Bay, Waterfall Bay, and Maldives Beach are the planned highlights, though the schedule can change.
• A 65-person boat: Smaller than some boats on this route, but still a shared trip, not a private outing.
• A long road-and-sea day: Allow about eight hours in total, including the drive to Adrasan.
• Lunch is included: Expect a simple meal served aboard; drinks cost extra.
• Pickup is optional: Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you choose that option, but confirm the time.
• Good value for a swim-focused day: At $22.57 per person, the price includes the boat trip and lunch, with transport included only when selected.

Suluada is the reason to make the trip

Suluada’s appeal is easy to understand once you picture the day: you leave the Antalya coast, board a boat at Adrasan, and spend much of your time swimming in clear Mediterranean water. The island is uninhabited, and its pale sand and bright water give the bays a striking look. This is a day for getting in the sea, taking in the shoreline, and relaxing between stops, not for touring historic sites.

I would book it for the water time. The three planned stops offer a welcome break from the heat, and the boat itself adds the fun of approaching the island from the sea. One account of the trip especially praised jumping from the boat, so if that sounds appealing, this outing has more of a lively group-day feel than a quiet beach escape.

The scenery is the strong point, but do not picture an empty island. Suluada is popular, and several boats may visit the same places. The 65-person limit is relatively low compared with boats carrying 100 or more, but it does not mean you will have a secluded bay to yourself.

The drive to Adrasan takes real time

The tour begins with pickup at your hotel or address if you select that option, followed by a drive to Adrasan Port. The stated travel time is about two hours, so the outing starts with a substantial road transfer before the sea portion begins. That matters if you are deciding between this and a closer beach day, or if long days on the move are not your idea of a holiday.

Pickup deserves extra care. Departure times have varied in practice, and some people have been collected earlier than they expected or have had trouble when the driver and their confirmation did not match. Do not rely on a general time shown on a booking page. Confirm the exact pickup time with the operator, Ginza Travel, and keep your booking details handy.

Once you reach the port, you board the boat for the trip to Suluada. The boat’s maximum capacity is 65. That is a more manageable size than the larger vessels on this route, though you are still sharing the deck, swimming schedule, and meal service with a group.

Paradise Bay gives you the first swim

Paradise Bay is the first planned swimming stop. You get around 30 to 40 minutes there, enough for a swim or a short snorkel if you bring suitable gear. You can also stay aboard and enjoy the views rather than getting in the water. The stop is brief, so have your swim things ready before the boat reaches the bay.

The name may set high expectations, but the basic attraction is the setting: clear water, a beach, and a chance to cool off after the drive and boat ride. If swimming is your priority, this first stop gets you into the day quickly. If you prefer to spend a long time on land, keep in mind that the tour is built around short stops rather than extended beach visits.

Waterfall Bay is another chance to cool off

The boat then continues to Waterfall Bay, where you have another opportunity to swim in warm Mediterranean water. The planned schedule allows time to enjoy the bay, but the exact length and sequence can shift. One account of the trip described only two swimming stops rather than three after an anchoring problem, a useful reminder that conditions at sea can affect the plan.

That uncertainty matters most if you are booking specifically to visit every named bay. The itinerary includes Paradise Bay, Waterfall Bay, and Maldives Beach, but a boat tour cannot guarantee that every stop will happen exactly as scheduled. I would treat the locations as the intended route, not a promise that each one will receive equal time.

Lunch is simple, and drinks cost extra

Lunch is served aboard the boat before the final stop. It is described as a three-course meal with treats. The food is best thought of as practical fuel for a day on the water rather than a reason to book: accounts describe meals including fish or chicken, pasta, and watermelon, but the exact menu may vary.

Drinks are not included, so budget for them separately. If you have dietary needs, the available information does not specify options or substitutions. Ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the boat can provide a particular meal.

A meal on board is useful because it avoids needing to find food during a full-day excursion. At this price, having lunch included improves the value, even if you should keep your expectations modest. The experience is about the island and swimming, with lunch as a convenient part of the day.

Maldives Beach finishes the island stops

The final planned stop is Maldives Beach, named for its clear water and white sand. It is the last chance to swim before the boat returns to Adrasan. Like the earlier bays, its appeal is mostly visual and aquatic: you can take a dip, relax on the sand, or remain on the boat and enjoy the view.

Three stops give the day a good rhythm on paper. You get several chances to swim rather than spending the whole trip at one beach. But each stop is limited by the overall schedule, and the day includes both the drive from Antalya and the return journey. If you want hours of unhurried beach time, a dedicated beach day may suit you better.

After the island visit, the boat cruises back to Adrasan Port, and the transfer takes you back to your hotel if pickup and drop-off were part of your selected option. The stated return leg from the port is about an hour. Taken together, the drive, boat time, stops, and return make this an approximately eight-hour outing.

What the $22.57 price gets you

At $22.57 per person, the tour offers a relatively inexpensive way to reach Suluada and spend several hours swimming around the island. The boat trip and lunch are included, as is a host or greeter. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select that option, and drinks are extra.

The price makes the most sense if you want a straightforward shared excursion and plan to use the swimming stops. It is less compelling if you expect a small, quiet group, a polished meal, or a tightly controlled schedule. A capacity of 65 is smaller than some competing boats, but it is not a small private boat.

The value also depends on how much you care about the transfer. You spend time on the road before and after the sea portion, so the cost is not just a few hours on the water. In return, you do not need to arrange your own route to Adrasan if you book the pickup option.

Who should book this boat trip

I would consider this tour if you are staying in Antalya, want a full day centered on swimming, and are comfortable with a shared boat. It should suit people who enjoy lively group outings and do not mind that the bays may be busy. If jumping from a boat, snorkeling, or simply floating in clear water sounds like a good day, the core experience is a strong fit.

It is a weaker match if you want a quiet escape, need exact timing, or are counting on a particular bay being available for a set period. The early pickup issue is worth taking seriously: confirm your collection time with the operator rather than assuming it will match a general schedule. You should also be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity, as stated for the tour.

The tour has a free-cancellation window up to 24 hours before its start time. If bad weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. That provides some flexibility, but changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if Suluada’s clear water is high on your Antalya wish list and you value several swimming stops, lunch, and a boat ride at a modest price. Go in expecting a shared, potentially busy day, and confirm pickup directly. If your ideal outing is quiet, punctual to the minute, or focused on long stretches of beach time, choose a different plan.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour takes about eight hours in total. That includes the drive from Antalya to Adrasan, the boat trip and island stops, and the return to your hotel if you select pickup and drop-off.

How much does the trip cost?

The listed price is $22.57 per person. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you choose that option.

How many people can the boat carry?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 65 people. It is smaller than some boats running this route, which may carry 100 people or more.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are offered if you select that option. Confirm your exact pickup time with the operator, as collection times have caused confusion.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned swimming stops are Paradise Bay, Waterfall Bay, and Maldives Beach on Suluada Island. The schedule may change, and a stop can be missed if there is a problem at sea.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch and treats are included and served aboard the boat.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the tour price.

How much swimming time is available?

The first stop at Paradise Bay is scheduled for about 30 to 40 minutes. The tour also plans stops at Waterfall Bay and Maldives Beach, but exact times can vary.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund.