From Antalya or Kemer: Suluada Island Boat Trip with Lunch

Suluada’s clear water is the main event: from the boat, you can see the seabed beneath the bright turquoise surface, then step into the sea at several bays along the island. The trip pairs that scenery with a full day on the water and a meal on board.

I like two things in particular: the repeated swimming stops, which give you time to enjoy the water rather than just photograph it, and the choice of transport options, so you can book a pickup from Antalya or Kemer or make your own way to the port.

The trade-off is time. From Antalya, the shared ride to Adrasan can take around two hours, and the full outing may last anywhere from seven to 16 hours depending on your starting point and option. Plan for a long day, not a quick boat ride.

Suluada at a glance

• Clear water is the draw: Suluada is known for turquoise bays where the seabed can be visible.
• Several chances to swim: Stops include bays on the island’s western coast, a freshwater beach, and Hacivat Bay on the return.
• Lunch comes with the boat trip: A freshly prepared meal is served on board, with vegetarian options available.
• The journey starts at Adrasan: Transfer options cover Antalya or Kemer, but you can also choose an option that takes you directly to the port.
• Allow time for the full outing: The tour lasts seven to 16 hours, and shared transport may collect people at several locations.
• A short walk is part of the port approach: Vehicles drop passengers at a parking area, about 750 meters from where the boats depart.

The long road to Adrasan Harbor

Your day starts with a hotel pickup if you select that option, or with your own arrival at Adrasan Harbor. The transfer is shared, so the vehicle may stop at several hotels before heading to the coast. That makes pickup convenient, but it can add time to the journey.

For Antalya, one reported schedule began with pickup around 7:45 and returned around 17:00, with roughly five hours spent on the boat. The ride from Antalya to the boat was about two hours in that case. Treat those times as an example rather than a fixed timetable: the advertised tour duration ranges from seven to 16 hours, and your exact pickup time is sent by the provider the day before.

There is a practical detail at Adrasan. Vehicles can drop passengers only at the parking area, which is around 750 meters from the boat departure point. Pack what you can comfortably carry, especially if you have a towel, spare clothes, camera, and water shoes in your bag.

If you are staying in Antalya’s old town, the transfer vehicle cannot enter some narrow streets. You may be asked to meet in front of McDonald’s instead of your hotel. Check the pickup message the day before, and be at the stated spot ten minutes early. Drivers wait no more than five minutes after the scheduled time.

Boarding at a traditional coastal port

At Adrasan, the road gives way to a working departure point for boats headed toward the island. The sight of traditional wooden boats setting out is part of the appeal: this is a day organized around the sea, not a resort beach with a boat ride added on.

Once aboard, settle in and keep your swimming kit easy to reach. The cruise gives you time to take in the coastline and the island’s rock formations, but the precise boat layout and facilities are not specified. Bring the basics you need for a day outside rather than counting on finding them on board.

The tour is often described as relaxed, but the schedule is still a full-day group outing. You will share the boat and its stops with other people, and you may have less freedom than you would on a private charter. In return, you avoid arranging a boat yourself and get transport, several swimming breaks, and lunch as part of one plan.

Swimming in Suluada’s clear bays

Suluada is often called the Turkish Maldives, a nickname that points to its pale beaches and remarkably clear water. The water is the reason to come, but the island’s coastal shapes and greenery add interest between swims. From the boat, you get broad views of the shore and the changing color of the sea.

The itinerary includes several swimming breaks around the island, including the western coast and the famous freshwater beach. One reported outing had three stops of about 45 minutes each. That is useful as a guide to the rhythm of the day, though stop length and sequence can vary.

Those breaks give you enough time to get in, swim, and enjoy the setting without turning every stop into a race back to the boat. Still, the amount of time on shore may feel brief if you want a long beach stay. This is a boat trip with swim stops, not a day based at one beach.

The water may be warm and inviting, but some areas are rocky. Water shoes are a smart choice for getting in and out more comfortably. Bring a towel and a change of clothes, too, especially if you would rather not spend the ride back in wet swimwear.

If you are not a confident swimmer, you can ask about using a life jacket. A participant on one trip used one to enjoy the water, but it is sensible to confirm availability with the crew rather than assume a particular size or supply will be on hand.

Hacivat Bay and the return route

The return journey includes a final swimming stop at Hacivat Bay. Its rock formations are said to resemble Hacivat, a familiar figure from Turkish shadow theater. The formations give this stop a different character from the island’s pale beaches and clear-water coves.

It is a good final pause before returning to Adrasan, especially if you want one more swim after the main island stops. The bay is also a reminder that the trip is not only about getting to Suluada. The coastline and rock shapes along the route are part of what makes the boat day worthwhile.

If you are hoping for a quiet, secluded swim, keep expectations flexible. The tour visits popular spots, and the experience is shared with people on your boat and potentially other boats in the area. The setting is scenic, but a group excursion cannot promise solitude.

Lunch, drinks, and optional photos

Lunch is served on board and is included in the tour price. Vegetarian options are available. The meal may include chicken or fish, spaghetti, vegetables, and bread, though the exact menu can change. For a day with several swims, having food provided is a useful convenience: you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the boat portion.

Drinks are not included, so budget for them separately or bring what you need if permitted. The tour information does not specify onboard drink prices. One person found the drinks reasonably priced, but prices can change, so check before ordering if you are watching your spending.

A photographer may be on board, and photos are an optional extra. One reported price was about €25 per photo. That can be handy if you want a picture of the day without managing your own camera, but it is not part of the tour cost. Bring your own camera or phone if you prefer to keep the expense down, and protect it from water.

What the $18 price does and does not cover

At a stated price of $18 per person, this is a low-cost way to combine a boat trip, several swimming breaks, and lunch. The value depends on the option you select. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you book a transfer option; some options require you to get to Adrasan on your own.

That distinction matters. The boat tour itself departs from Adrasan, not Antalya or Kemer, so a lower price without transport may not be the cheapest choice once you arrange your own ride. Compare the total cost and convenience of the options before booking.

The meal is included, but drinks and photos are not. You should also allow for the time and effort of the transfer, including the shared pickup and the walk from the parking area to the boats. The tour’s value is strongest if you want a simple, organized day at sea and are happy to spend much of the day getting there, swimming, and returning.

The booking terms offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms can help if your plans are still taking shape, but confirm the details for the option you choose.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

This trip suits you if clear water and repeated swims are high on your Antalya or Kemer wish list. It also works well as a change of pace from town visits and walking tours: you spend the day cruising, swimming, eating on board, and looking back at the coast.

It is a particularly practical choice for couples, families, and groups who want transport and the boat arranged together. The available pickup options reduce the work of reaching Adrasan, though the transfer can take time and is shared. If you are traveling with children or anyone who gets tired easily, account for the long schedule and the walk at the port.

It may be less appealing if you want a short excursion, a private boat, or a long stretch of uninterrupted time on one beach. You should also think twice if you dislike early starts, group transport, or spending much of a day in swimwear. The tour’s strongest points are the scenery, the clear water, and the chance to swim at several spots, not a tightly controlled or exclusive itinerary.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack for sun, salt water, and a long outing. Sunglasses and a sun hat help during the boat ride, while swimwear, a towel, and beachwear cover the stops. A change of clothes is useful for the trip back.

Water shoes are worth the space in your bag because some shore areas are rocky. Bring a camera if you want your own photos, and remember that professional photos and drinks cost extra. Keep your belongings manageable for the 750-meter walk from the parking area to the boats.

Should you book the Suluada boat trip?

Book it if you want a full day centered on swimming in clear Mediterranean water, with lunch and an optional transfer handled for you. Suluada’s bays, the freshwater beach, and Hacivat Bay make the route more varied than a simple out-and-back cruise, while the price can offer good value if transport is included in your selected option.

Skip it if you need a short outing, dislike shared transfers, or would rather spend a whole day at one beach. Check your pickup arrangement, plan for the walk at Adrasan, and bring water shoes. With those details sorted, this is a straightforward way to see one of the region’s most striking stretches of coast.

FAQ

How long does the Suluada boat trip take?

The advertised duration is seven to 16 hours. The total depends on your starting point and whether you choose a transfer option.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat departs from Adrasan Harbor. Some options include transport from Antalya or Kemer, while others require you to reach the port yourself.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select an option with transportation. The exact meeting point depends on the option booked.

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

Vehicles drop passengers at a parking area about 750 meters from the departure point. Expect to walk that distance before boarding.

What language do the hosts speak?

English- and Russian-speaking hosts or greeters are available.

Which places does the boat visit?

The swimming stops include bays around Suluada, including the western coast and the freshwater beach. The return route includes a stop at Hacivat Bay.

Is lunch included, and are vegetarian options available?

Yes. Lunch is served on board, and vegetarian options are available. The specific menu may vary.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, a camera, beachwear, and water shoes.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.