Antalya/Kemer: Suluada & Adrasan Boat Trip with Lunch

Suluada is the star here: a bright, rocky island reached by boat from Adrasan, with white beaches and water so clear that you can see why people call it the Turkish Maldives. I like the three swimming stops and the chance to see cliffs, caves, turtles, or dolphins along the route.

I also like the relaxed boat setup, with sun mattresses, life vests for children and adults, and a surprisingly decent toilet. The main drawback is the long road journey from some Antalya-area hotels. One passenger spent about three hours each way in a cramped minibus, and you should also bring cash for drinks.

Key points before you book

• Suluada has bright white beaches and remarkably clear water, but the busiest swimming areas can feel crowded.
• Three main stops give the day a good rhythm: Suluada, Akseki Bay, and Hacivat Karagoz Bay, also called Pirates Bay.
• Lunch is included, though the quality can vary from good to merely adequate.
• The day can last 12 to 13 hours, with hotel transport adding several hours for some pickup routes.
• The boat has adult and child life vests, sun mattresses, and a toilet, useful details for families.
• Bring cash and your own water, since drinks cost extra and card payment may not be accepted onboard.

Why Suluada is worth the long day

This is a full-day sea outing, not a quick coastal cruise. You leave the Antalya area, reach Adrasan Bay, board the boat, and spend the day moving between rocky coves and swimming spots before returning to your hotel. The total duration is listed as 12 to 13 hours, so you need to treat it as one of your main holiday days.

The reward is access to a part of the coast that is much easier to reach by boat than by road. Suluada has pale beaches, steep rock, caves, and exceptionally clear water. The island is not a quiet private beach, though. Several tour boats can anchor in the same area, especially in the warmer months, so the famous scenery comes with company.

I would choose this trip for the water rather than for a long island walk. The day is built around swimming, sunbathing, and looking at the coast from the boat. If you want a historical tour or a guided nature walk, this is not the right outing.

The road to Adrasan matters

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you choose that option. The drive can be a major part of your day, depending on where your hotel sits in the pickup order. One passenger described a three-hour ride each way, with air conditioning that was not ideal and a minibus that felt cramped.

That does not make the trip a poor choice, but it changes the value calculation. At $50 per person, the price is reasonable for transport, a full boat day, lunch, and a guide. Yet you are paying with time as well as money. If you are staying far from Adrasan, ask yourself if a beautiful day on the water is worth a very early start and a late return.

The transport has worked well for other departures, with pickup arriving on time. Still, comfort can vary. Bring a small cushion if long minibus rides bother you, and keep your swimsuit, towel, water, and sun protection in a small day bag rather than buried in luggage.

Leaving Adrasan Bay by yacht

The boat trip begins in Adrasan Bay. From there, the route follows a dramatic stretch of coast with high cliffs and sea caves. The view is best from the open deck, where you can watch the rock formations change as the boat moves away from shore.

The crew provides life vests for adults and children. That is reassuring for families, particularly during the swimming stops. Sun mattresses also make the long periods between beaches more comfortable, and one passenger found the boat good enough for several naps.

This is not a silent sailing trip. You are on a day boat with other people, and the mood is usually social. The atmosphere has been described as friendly, with staff working hard in hot weather. You can expect time to sit in the sun, rest in the shade if available, and watch the coastline pass.

Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised. Keep an eye out for dolphins and turtles as the boat travels along the cliffs. The route itself is scenic even if the animals stay out of sight.

Suluada: white beaches and cool water

The first major stop is Suluada, the part of the trip most people are waiting for. Its beaches are described as bright white and largely untouched, with clear water that catches the sunlight. From the boat, the contrast between pale shore, dark rock, and blue-green water makes this the strongest photo stop of the day.

You can swim, sunbathe, and explore the water around the island. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Love Cave, where the water is notably cold. That cool water can be welcome after sitting in the Mediterranean sun, although it may be a shock when you first enter.

One practical point matters here: Suluada can be busy. Tour boats use the available anchorages, and some people wished they had more time on the island. One beach is particularly useful for people who are not confident swimmers, while other stops focus more on swimming and snorkeling.

If you are not a strong swimmer, ask the guide where the shallowest area is and stay close to the boat or shore. The boat carries life vests, but you should still be honest about your comfort in open water. The clearest water is not always the calmest or shallowest water.

Akseki Bay and the cold Love Cave

The second stop is Akseki Bay, also known as Love Island. Its main feature is a small cave with cold water inside. A local story says the water comes from a girl’s tears, which gives the stop a small piece of folklore without turning the day into a formal history lesson.

Akseki Bay is best for a short swim and a look inside the cave. The water is described as consistently cold, so this is a refreshing stop rather than a place to linger in warm shallows. If you enjoy snorkeling, this may be one of the more interesting sections of the route.

The tradeoff is time. The day includes several swimming locations, but the schedule does not guarantee a long stay at each one. If Suluada is your priority, you may wish the boat stayed there longer. If you enjoy variety, the shorter stops keep the day moving and give you different rock formations and water conditions.

Bring goggles if you have them. The clear water is one of the main reasons to book this outing, and your own equipment means you do not have to depend on what is available onboard.

Lunch on the boat

Lunch is included, which helps the $50 price feel fair. You return to the boat after time at the island and eat before the next swimming stop. The meal provides a useful break from the sun and gives you energy for the afternoon.

Food quality seems less consistent than the scenery. Some passengers found it great, while another called it below average. I would think of lunch as practical included food rather than a reason to choose this tour. It should keep you going, but do not book the trip expecting a special meal.

Drinks are not included. More importantly, one passenger found that the boat did not accept card payments and had no easy way to buy water. That is the most useful packing warning for this trip: bring enough cash and carry drinking water from the start.

Do not assume that a beautiful day beside the sea means you will have easy access to refreshments. Sun, salt water, and a long boat ride can leave you thirsty quickly. A refillable bottle is especially useful if you already have one.

Pirates Bay and the final swim

The last named stop is Hacivat Karagoz Bay, also called Pirates Bay. It is linked with an old pirate settlement, giving the cove a little character beyond its swimming water. The stop may feel different from Suluada because the focus is more on the bay and the surrounding rock than on a broad white beach.

Accounts of the schedule describe three stops, with the final pause sometimes taking place in open water rather than at a beach. That means you should be ready for a ladder or direct entry from the boat and for deeper water. This is enjoyable for confident swimmers, but less useful if you are hoping for another shallow shoreline.

The sequence works well for a hot day. You can cool off several times, return to the boat for lunch and rest, then take another swim before sailing back to Adrasan. The crew has to keep the boat moving on schedule, so do not expect unlimited time at the prettiest cove.

What the crew and guide add

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, but the amount of explanation may vary. One passenger felt there was not enough information about the places or the route, while others appreciated the staff and the way the boat was run.

That distinction is important. This is primarily a boat and swimming trip with guiding, not a lecture-heavy sightseeing excursion. You will likely get help with the schedule and stops, but you should not expect detailed commentary at every cliff and cave.

A guide named Fatima has worked on at least one departure and was especially helpful with passengers. Guide assignments can change, so do not book on the assumption that she will be onboard. The crew has generally been described as friendly and hard-working, which matters when staff are handling meals, safety equipment, boarding, and several swimming stops in hot weather.

Is the $50 price good value?

At $50, this trip offers a fair package if you want a full day on the water. The price includes the boat outing, lunch, an English-speaking guide, and hotel transport if that option is selected. It also saves you the trouble of arranging your own way to Adrasan.

The value is strongest for families, couples, and groups who want several swimming opportunities in one day. You are paying for access to Suluada and nearby bays, not just for a short boat ride. The boat’s sun mattresses, toilet, and child and adult life vests also make the day easier.

The value is weaker if your hotel is far from Adrasan and the minibus ride is uncomfortable. Add the cost of drinks, and perhaps your own swimming equipment, and the real expense is a little higher than the headline price. Still, comparable coastal days often require separate transport and food, so this remains a sensible choice for many visitors.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Check the available start time carefully, since the length of the day and pickup route can vary.

Who should book this boat trip?

You should consider it if you want clear water, coastal scenery, several chances to swim, and a simple organized day from Antalya or Kemer. It suits people who are happy to spend long stretches on a boat and who enjoy a lively shared excursion.

Families can benefit from the life vests, toilet, lunch, and regular breaks. Strong swimmers will enjoy the open-water stops, the Love Cave, and the chance to see the coast from the sea. People who get seasick may find this route manageable, though nobody can promise how your body will react.

I would think twice if you dislike crowded beaches, long road transfers, or basic included meals. You should also avoid treating the word island as a promise of a long, peaceful island visit. Much of your time is spent swimming from or near the boat, with limited time ashore.

Should you book the Suluada and Adrasan boat trip?

Book it if the main goal is a bright, active day in clear Mediterranean water. Suluada, the cliffs, the caves, and the repeated swimming stops offer plenty for the $50 price, and the crew has shown a strong record of friendly service and on-time pickup.

Before you commit, check your hotel’s distance from Adrasan, bring cash and water, and accept that the best bays may be busy. If you can handle the long day and shared-boat format, this is one of the better ways to reach Suluada without arranging a private boat.

FAQ

How long does the Suluada boat trip take?

The experience lasts about 12 to 13 hours, including the boat outing and transport arrangements.

Where does the boat trip begin?

The boat trip begins in Adrasan Bay in Antalya Province.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes Suluada Island, Akseki Bay, also called Love Island, and Hacivat Karagoz Bay, also called Pirates Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the activity price.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, so you should bring money for them. Card payment may not be available on the boat.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option when booking.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.