Antalya/Kemer: Suluada Island Small-Group Boat Tour w/ Lunch

Suluada is the main event here: an uninhabited island with white sand, clear sea, rocky coves, and a famous cave. You get three swimming stops, a boat ride along the coast, and enough time to enjoy the water without paying yacht-tour prices. I especially like the fresh lunch and the friendly guides, including Kartal, Ugur, and Mehmet, who keep the long day lively.

The catch is the word small-group. The boat can carry up to 65 people, so this is a shared excursion rather than a quiet private cruise. The road transfer from Antalya can also take about two hours each way, and one recent account found the van too hot, so keep that in mind when weighing the very low price.

Key points to know before booking

• Three different swim stops: Paradise Bay, Waterfall Bay, and Maldives Beach each offer clear water, rocky shorelines, and strong photo opportunities.
• A full-day outing: Plan on 7 to 12 hours, including roughly two hours by road from Antalya and the return trip.
• Lunch is included: You can expect a three-course meal, commonly with a choice of fish or chicken.
• A social boat atmosphere: Music, light entertainment, and upbeat guides such as Kartal and Mehmet are part of the experience.
• Bring water shoes: Some beaches have rough stones mixed with sand, making bare feet uncomfortable.
• Excellent headline price: At $21 per person, the package offers unusually good value if you mainly want sea time and scenery.

Suluada gives you a full day on the Mediterranean

I like this trip because it makes a beautiful stretch of Turkey’s coast fairly easy to reach. You do not need to arrange a private boat, find your own way to Adrasan, or negotiate separate meals and swim stops. You can pay $21, board the boat, and spend the day around Suluada.

The island is uninhabited, which gives the outing a more natural feel than a visit to a developed beach resort. You will see pale sand, bare rock, bright water, and small coves rather than shops or a built-up waterfront. That simplicity is the point.

Still, do not picture a silent sailing trip. The boat may carry as many as 65 passengers, and music plus entertainment can create a cheerful, party-like mood. I would choose this for swimming, scenery, and easy social fun, not for solitude.

Getting from Antalya to Adrasan

If you choose hotel pickup, the day begins outside your hotel’s security gate. Tour vehicles are not allowed inside hotel grounds, and the driver waits no longer than five minutes after the scheduled time. Pickup times vary by location, so keep your phone available and be ready early.

The road journey takes about two hours. Pickup areas include Antalya, Konyaaltı, Lara Beach, Belek, and Kemer, with drop-off also available at Kooperatif Cafe. If you are already nearby, you can meet the host at the cafe instead of taking the longer transfer from Antalya.

The transport is one of the less predictable parts of the outing. Several people found the transfer comfortable, punctual, and well air-conditioned. One person reported a rude driver and weak air conditioning, while another said the van was uncomfortably warm. That difference may depend on the vehicle and the day.

An optional breakfast stop may be made during the drive if you book hotel pickup. Breakfast is not part of the stated tour inclusion, so carry some cash if you want to buy food. The stop also adds time to an already long day, but it can be useful if you leave your hotel early.

The 45-minute cruise to Suluada

At Adrasan, you board a compact boat and head out across the Mediterranean. The cruise to Suluada takes about 45 minutes, giving you time to settle in, find a place on deck, and take in the coast.

The boats used for this excursion vary. Some passengers describe clean boats with comfortable mattresses on the upper deck, while others specifically enjoyed boats called Carpe Diem and Korol. The available vessel may depend on the departure date and operating team.

You can sit in the sun, stretch out on a mattress, or stay in a shaded area if one is available. Drinks are sold aboard, including soft drinks and alcoholic options. Since drinks are not included, bring cash for purchases and carry your own water.

The crew helps shape the mood. Guides called Kartal, Ugur, and Mehmet receive particular praise for humor, energy, and helpful advice. English and Russian are listed as the main guide languages. The guide may share information about the coast, explain the stops, and keep people moving when it is time to return to the boat.

Paradise Bay: your first swim in open water

Paradise Bay is the first main stop. You get around 30 to 40 minutes to swim, snorkel, take photos, or remain aboard and enjoy the view.

This is a good first stop because it lets you get used to swimming from the boat. You are not simply walking into a shallow resort beach. You step or climb into the Mediterranean from the boat, then swim in open water surrounded by cliffs and clear sea.

The water is often described as warm and exceptionally clear, especially during the warmer months. Bring your own snorkeling mask if you have one. Some equipment may be available to rent, but one account gives a price of €5 for water glasses, so your own gear saves money.

Thirty to 40 minutes passes quickly. If swimming is your main reason for booking, use the first few minutes to get in the water rather than waiting for the perfect photo. You can take pictures from the deck before jumping in.

Waterfall Bay adds another swim stop

The second stop is Waterfall Bay. The name suggests a natural feature, but the supplied details do not explain whether water is flowing during every visit, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed waterfall display. The main attraction is another chance to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the coastal setting.

Having two separate open-water stops is valuable. You can swim hard at the first bay, relax during the cruise, then return to the water later. It also helps if one stop feels crowded or if the sea conditions make one cove less appealing.

Some accounts describe the swimming areas as beautiful but busy, with several boats serving the same part of the coast. That is important. Suluada may feel remote, but the popular bays are not necessarily empty. You still get clear water and memorable views, but personal space can be limited during busy periods.

The schedule gives about 1.5 hours for one of the Suluada stops and about 2.5 hours for another segment that includes lunch and swimming. Exact timing can change. If you want a slow, unhurried swim, this may feel brief. One person specifically wished the stops lasted longer because the time passed so quickly.

Lunch aboard the boat

Lunch is included and is served aboard the boat. It is described as a three-course meal, with fish or chicken commonly offered as the main choice. Salad and a small snack period with tea and biscuits may also be part of the meal service.

The food receives mixed but mostly favorable feedback. Several people call it fresh, delicious, or one of the best parts of the day. Fish appears to be the safer choice if you care about the meal. One person found the chicken more like a large chicken nugget and preferred the fish.

I would treat lunch as a useful inclusion rather than a reason to book the trip by itself. At $21, getting a hot meal during a full-day boat outing makes the price even more attractive. But if you have strong dietary needs or expect restaurant-quality cooking, bring a backup snack and ask the crew what is available before the meal is served.

Drinks cost extra. Snacks and beverages can be purchased on board, and some passengers found the prices reasonable. Cash is still a sensible choice, as it is specifically recommended for the tour.

Maldives Beach and the island’s clearest water

The final named stop is Maldives Beach. It gets its name from white sand and clear water that recall the Indian Ocean islands. The comparison is promotional, but the setting does deliver the ingredients people want from a beach day: pale shoreline, bright sea, and strong photo opportunities.

The beach may be reached as a swim from the boat or visited as a stop close to shore, depending on the boat’s position and conditions. You can swim, snorkel, take photos, or stay on deck. The water is the star, and several accounts describe it as warm and remarkably clear.

Take water shoes or sturdy flip-flops. The beach areas are not always soft sand. Rough stones mix with sand, and the shore can be hard on bare feet. A waterproof phone case is also useful if you want pictures in the water.

This is the stop where crowd levels matter most. Suluada Beach can be busy, with many boats arriving in the same area. You can still find space to enjoy the view, but do not expect an untouched private beach.

The return through Adrasan

After the final swim, the boat returns to Adrasan. The final listed stop includes roughly 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and coastal scenery on the way back. A short yacht segment of about 15 minutes is also part of the transfer sequence before the road journey begins.

The return drive to Antalya takes about two hours. If you have hotel pickup, the vehicle brings you back to the designated drop-off area near your accommodation. Expect a long day from start to finish, especially if you are staying in Belek, Lara Beach, or central Antalya.

This timing makes the experience better suited to a full free day than to a packed sightseeing schedule. Do not book it on a day when you also need to catch a flight, make a dinner reservation at a fixed time, or visit several Antalya attractions.

Is $21 really good value?

Yes, if you want a simple sea day rather than a private luxury cruise. The price includes the boat tour and lunch, and transportation plus hotel pickup are included when you select that option. You receive multiple swim stops, a coastal cruise, a meal, and the convenience of organized transport.

A private boat would offer more control, more room, and a quieter setting, but it would cost far more. At this price, the shared format is part of the bargain. You trade privacy for access.

The value is strongest for couples, families, and groups of friends who want a low-cost day outside Antalya. Children can enjoy the swimming and boat ride, and the trip has attracted a wide age range. You should be comfortable with boat music, set departure times, and sharing the vessel with many other people.

What to pack for a better day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make water time easier:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Water shoes or secure flip-flops
• Your own snorkeling mask if you have one
• A waterproof phone pouch
• Drinking water and cash
• Breathable clothing and a dry change of clothes
• Comfortable shoes for the transfer and port
• A camera, if you want coastal photos

A card game or small book can help during the road journey and quieter stretches on the boat. The tour is active in short bursts, but there is also plenty of sitting around while the boat moves or lunch is prepared.

Who will enjoy this Suluada tour most?

I would recommend it to you if your ideal holiday day means warm water, sun, simple food, music, and several chances to swim. It is especially practical if you are staying in Antalya or Kemer and do not want to arrange transport to Adrasan on your own.

Families can benefit from the organized schedule and friendly crew, though parents should bring sun protection, drinking water, and secure footwear for children. Friends and couples who enjoy a social atmosphere will probably have the most fun.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet sailing experience, an empty beach, or a carefully paced luxury meal. The boat can be full, the popular coves can be crowded, and the swim periods may feel short to strong swimmers. The long transfer also makes this less appealing if you dislike road travel.

Should you book the Suluada boat tour?

Book it if you want the best amount of sea time for a low price and can accept a shared boat. The clear water, three stops, lunch, and optional pickup create a strong package, and the guides often add real personality to the day.

Choose the fish at lunch if given the option, bring water shoes, and carry cash for drinks. If you want a quieter experience, ask about the expected boat and departure conditions before confirming, but remember that capacity can reach 65 people.

For a budget-friendly day around Antalya, this is an easy choice. Just set your expectations correctly: it is a lively group cruise to beautiful bays, not a private escape.

FAQ

Where does the Suluada boat tour take place?

The tour operates in Antalya Province, traveling by road to Adrasan and then by boat around Suluada Island.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 7 to 12 hours. The road transfer can take about two hours each way from Antalya.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only with the option that specifically includes transportation. Pickup is available from areas including Antalya, Konyaaltı, Lara Beach, Belek, and Kemer.

Where is the meeting point?

The host waits at Kooperatif Cafe. The provided map link identifies the meeting location.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 65 passengers.

Which places does the boat visit?

The main stops are Paradise Bay, Waterfall Bay, and Maldives Beach around Suluada Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch is included and commonly offers fish or chicken as the main choice.

Are drinks included?

No. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase aboard the boat.

Which languages are spoken by the host or guide?

The listed guide languages are English and Russian.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, water shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, water, breathable clothes, a camera, and cash. A snorkeling mask is also useful.