From Antalya/Kemer: Suluada Boat Trip w/Lunch & Snorkeling

White sand, real quiet, and boat snacks. That is the core idea of this Suluada day trip from Antalya or Kemer: you ride out from the city, spend real time on an island made for swimming, and come back with a full belly from a Turkish lunch served on board.

I especially like the Suluada Island time on powdery sand and crystal-clear water. I also like that you get a second chance to swim at a more secluded bay after lunch. The one thing to think about is timing: the day can feel long, and your time in the water may be split into shorter swim turns depending on sea conditions and how the crew runs the stops.

Key Things That Matter on the Suluada Boat Trip

• Suluada Island, nicknamed the Turkish Maldives for its white sand and clear water
• Two swim opportunities, first on Suluada (about 2 hours) and then at another secluded bay (about 1.5 hours)
• Lunch onboard with a choice of chicken or fish, so you do not have to hunt for food at the coast
• Round-trip transfers from Antalya or Kemer included, which saves time and hassle
• Moderate activity level, so pack for walking on and off the boat and time in the sun

Suluada, the Turkish Maldives, and Why This Day Feels Different

If you want the classic Antalya coast day, this tour gives you something more memorable than just a drive and a beach stop. The “big draw” is Suluada Island, often called the Turkish Maldives because of the way the sand and water look together. You are not just visiting a beach, you are spending enough time there to actually enjoy it, swim, and take photos that do not look like the same postcard shot everyone else gets.

I also like how the itinerary tries to avoid a one-stop, do-it-all-in-30-minutes rhythm. You get a first main stop on Suluada, then you move on to a quieter bay for another swim break. That second water stop matters because it changes the mood of the day. After lunch, you are not rushing through everything again. You can settle in, cool off, and enjoy the coastline from the boat as you travel between stops.

One practical consideration: this is a boat day with sun, water, and some walking. If you are sensitive to motion, heat, or prolonged time outdoors, you will want to manage expectations. And if the sea is rough, schedules can shift, which can affect exact timing at each stop.

The Route From Antalya or Kemer: Long Drive, Scenic Payoff

The day starts with hotel pickup (optional) from Antalya or Kemer. Then you head inland by van for about 2.5 hours to reach Adrasan harbor, the departure point for the boat. Yes, it is a long ride. But this is one of the reasons the experience feels like a real escape rather than a quick shoreline hop.

Once you reach the harbor, you switch gears from road views to open water views. Expect the trip to be run by a local crew, with English, Russian, and German support depending on your group. The overall tone is practical and safety-minded, so the day moves in a straightforward way: drive, boat, swim, lunch, boat back, van home.

If you are staying in or near Old Town hotels, there is no transfer in that area. A meeting point close to Old Town will be announced. That is manageable, but plan to confirm the exact location when you get your details.

Step-by-Step Itinerary: What Happens, What You Get, and What to Watch

1) Van ride to Adrasan harbor (about 2.5 hours)

This is mostly about getting out of the city and into the quieter coast area where the boat tour starts. Use the time to set yourself up for the day: sunscreen early, hat ready, swimsuit easy to access, towel packed. Once you are on the water, you will be glad you prepared.

This also helps explain the “full-day” feeling. Even if you love boats, you will still spend a chunk of the day on land and then a chunk on water.

2) Cruise to Suluada: first big water time

After boarding, you cruise along the Mediterranean coastline. Your first major destination is Suluada Island, the one people talk about when they say Turkish Maldives.

You spend about 2 hours there, with time for:

• Photo stops
• Swimming
• Relaxing on the beach

This is the part of the day where the island actually earns its nickname. The combination of white sand and clear water makes it easy to forget you are on a scheduled tour. You can slow down, find a spot near the shoreline, and spend time in the water at your own pace.

A note on timing: one real-world detail is that swim time can end up feeling more “split into turns” than one long uninterrupted stretch, depending on how the crew handles the stop. So even though the island stop is listed as about 2 hours, I would plan mentally like you might get shorter swim windows. That makes packing gear and staying alert for boat calls more important.

3) Secret stop and lunch onboard (about 1 hour lunch)

After Suluada, the boat heads toward a secluded area for a quieter break. You will have a “secret stop” phase, which includes a lunch break onboard. Lunch is served after the stop break time, and you choose between chicken or fish.

What this adds for you: you are not paying extra for lunch or trying to find a restaurant mid-tour. For many day trips around Antalya, food is the missing piece. Here, lunch is built into the schedule, and it is served while you are still on the boat, which keeps things simple.

One practical watch-out: drinks are not included. Also, the tour states food and drinks are not allowed. There is a bit of a gray area in practice, because at least one booking reported that bringing their own water worked. The safest approach is this: follow crew instructions on the day. If water is allowed, great. If it is not, at least you will not lose time arguing in the moment.

4) Hidden bay swim stop after lunch (about 1.5 hours)

Next comes another break at a quieter bay, away from the crowds. You get about 1.5 hours here, including:

• Photo stop
• Swimming time
• Free time to relax

This is the “second wind” part of the day. The light after lunch can be different, and the mood shifts because you have already done the main Suluada highlight. If you want to snorkel, this is likely the moment people try it, but snorkeling gear is not listed as included. If you plan to use a mask, bring your own so you are not stuck improvising.

The water here is described as crystal-clear too, so even if you swim rather than snorkel, it still works. You are looking for that same bright-water feeling, just with a more secluded setup.

5) Return cruise to Adrasan (about 45 minutes)

After the second swim stop, you cruise back toward Adrasan for about 45 minutes. This is a good time to sit, cool down a bit, and take in the coastline from the boat. If you spent your first swim stop focused on photos, this return cruise helps you enjoy the views without juggling time pressure.

Also, it gives you a buffer before the drive home, which is helpful if you are tired from sun and water.

6) Van back to drop-off locations

You then transfer back by van, with drop-offs in Antalya, Kemer, and Belek. The exact drop you get depends on your booking option.

Expect the day to end feeling like a reset: sun, swim time, a proper meal, and a boat ride that breaks up the time from the city.

Price and Value: Is $19 Worth It?

At around $19 per person, this tour can be a strong value if you care most about the core experience: Suluada time, swimming, and lunch, plus transfers that take the stress out of getting to Adrasan.

Here is what you are getting for the price:

• Two boat-based swimming opportunities
• A full-day outing length, not just a quick half-day
• Lunch onboard (chicken or fish)
• Optional round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Antalya or Kemer

What you might pay separately on other tours, you largely avoid here. Food is included, the boat is included, and the transfer is included when you choose the Antalya or Kemer pickup option.

Two things can change the “value feeling” for you:

• Drinks are not included, so you might still want to budget for water and other beverages.
• If you are expecting a long, continuous snorkel session or lots of extra stops, this tour is more about swimming breaks and beach time than a gear-heavy adventure.

Still, for the combination of Suluada and the onboard lunch, the price makes sense.

What It’s Like On Board: Crew, Comfort, and the Day’s Pace

The boat and crew are a big part of making this day work smoothly. A common theme from solid feedback is that the team and captain feel friendly and organized. That matters because it influences how quickly you board, how they manage safety, and how they call the group back to the boat.

In day tours like this, the pace is usually “steady, not rushed.” You swim, you get a lunch break, you swim again, then you return. The most important thing for you is to stay alert during changeovers, especially between the island and the bay, because the boat schedule keeps moving.

You also want to respect the practical rules. The tour notes that food and drinks are not allowed, and the biggest comfort upgrade you can make is bringing the right swim essentials so you are not uncomfortable once you hit the water.

Packing Smart: What To Bring for a Smooth Suluada Day

Use the tour’s packing list and you’ll be set:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

I also recommend thinking about “dry to wet” logistics. You will likely change from sun to water to back to sun again. A towel is essential, and sunscreen helps because you spend time outdoors.

For snorkeling, since gear is not listed as included, bring your own if you have it. And if drinks are not included, plan how you will handle hydration during the van ride and boat time.

When This Tour Is a Great Fit, and When It Is Not

This trip is ideal if you want:

• A classic “Turkish Maldives” type beach day
• Clear-water swimming and relaxed downtime
• Lunch taken care of onboard
• Transfers from Antalya or Kemer to keep things easy

It is less ideal if you:

• Have serious health conditions or mobility limitations, because the day includes moderate physical activity like walking and swimming
• Suffer altitude sickness, since the tour is listed as not suitable for that
• Hate boats or motion, because it involves multiple cruises and time on the water

Also, since schedules can change based on weather and sea conditions, you should be flexible. If the sea is rough, you might get different timing at the water stops.

Ratings and What They Signal About Quality

This tour has an average rating around 4.3 out of 5, with a good number of ratings. The strongest praise tends to focus on punctual, smooth pickup, a clean and comfortable boat, and the friendly energy of the crew and captain.

The most useful “watch-out” feedback is about time on the water. Even when a stop is listed with a certain duration, your actual swim time can feel shorter if the crew runs shorter swim turns. Plan your expectations around that, not around one neat timeline.

Should You Book This Suluada Boat Trip?

Book it if Suluada is on your must-do list and you want the day handled for you, with round-trip transfers and lunch onboard. For the price range, it is one of the more straightforward ways to reach the island and enjoy real beach time without extra planning.

Skip or choose another option if you are strict about long uninterrupted water time, need guaranteed drink availability, or are dealing with mobility or health limits. Also, if you know you get seasick, take that seriously. This tour is not listed as tailored for that, and the day does involve cruises.

If you want my simple rule: if you can handle a full day of sun and swimming, and you want Suluada plus a second secluded bay stop, this one is a solid match.

FAQ

How long is the Suluada boat trip?

The duration is listed as 6 to 10 hours, depending on starting times and the day’s schedule.

Where does the tour start and is pickup included?

Pickup is optional. You can be picked up from Antalya or Kemer. Old Town hotels do not have a transfer, and a meeting point close to Old Town is announced.

How long do you spend on Suluada Island?

You get about 2 hours on Suluada, with time for photos, free time, and swimming.

Is lunch included, and what choices are available?

Yes. Lunch is included onboard, with a choice of chicken or fish.

Is snorkeling equipment or drinks included?

Drinks are not included. Snorkeling equipment is not listed as included.

Are food and drinks allowed on the tour?

Food and drinks are listed as not allowed.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

What languages are available for the guide or host?

The host or greeter is listed in English, Russian, and German.