Antalya Suluada Boat Trip w/Lunch & Pickup (Maldives of Turkey)

Suluada is the star here: a small island with white sand and clear turquoise water, reached by boat from Adrasan. The day also includes Akseki Bay, Love Island, the Love Cave, lunch, and several chances to swim.

I like the low price, about $25, and the easy hotel pickup. I also like the mix of sea time and swimming stops, with guide Aliyaah frequently praised for her humor and care. The catch is the long road transfer from Antalya, which can swallow much of your day and may be uncomfortable if the vehicle’s air-conditioning or seating falls short.

Key points to know before booking

• Suluada’s water is the main attraction: Expect bright, clear water and a sandy shore at the island’s swimming stop.
• The day begins on the road: Antalya to Adrasan is advertised at about 90 minutes, but actual reports range from roughly two to four hours each way.
• Several swimming breaks are included: Suluada, Akseki Bay, and Love Island are the main water stops.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: You choose fish or chicken, while soft drinks and alcohol cost extra onboard.
• The boat can feel busy: Capacity is listed at up to 60 people, and some departures have felt crowded with loud music.
• This is strong value for a beach day: It suits you if you want scenery and swimming at a low price, but less so if you dislike long bus rides.

Suluada, the reason to make the journey

Suluada is a small island off the coast near Adrasan, and its appeal is simple. You get pale sand, clear water, and a striking contrast with the darker Mediterranean coast around it. The name Maldives of Turkey sets a high bar, but the water and beach can make the comparison feel understandable on a good-weather day.

The island stop is built around swimming rather than sightseeing. You’ll have time to get into the sea, sit on the sand, and take photographs, though the exact length of the stop can vary. Some schedules describe several hours around the Suluada and nearby bays area, while several accounts describe individual swimming breaks of about an hour.

The setting is especially valuable because this is not a city beach beside Antalya. You reach it by boat, with open water and protected bays along the way. The unspoiled coves are also noted as areas where Caretta turtles live, so the ride offers more than a single beach stop.

I would set your expectations correctly. This is not a quiet private cruise. Boats gather around popular swimming areas, and the shore can become busy. If you want a secluded island with no other boats in sight, this trip may disappoint. If you want a low-cost day on beautiful water, it has a lot going for it.

The road from Antalya to Adrasan

The first part of the day is a pickup from your hotel or a nearby meeting point, followed by the drive to Adrasan Coast in Kumluca. The planned transfer is described as about 90 minutes, but that figure should not be treated as fixed. Actual accounts report drives of about two hours, three hours, and in the most difficult cases close to four hours each way.

That difference matters. The full experience is listed at around 11 to 13 hours, and a large part of it may be spent in the vehicle. One departure left around 7:40 in the morning and included a short toilet and food stop. Other departures involved long waits, altered pickup times, or a pickup a few minutes away from the hotel on a main road.

The transport quality appears to vary. Some people had an on-time, helpful driver and a smooth return. Others dealt with weak air-conditioning, limited seats, uncomfortable vehicles, or a driver who spoke little English. There are also accounts of delayed pickup, though one report describes a driver arriving 30 to 35 minutes late, while another describes a driver arriving early and expecting passengers to be ready.

My advice is practical: confirm the exact pickup location and time before departure, and plan for a long day. If you can reach Adrasan yourself, that may remove the most uncertain part of the experience, but the listed service is designed to include transport from Antalya. Bring water, a small snack, and patience for the road.

Boarding at Adrasan Coast

At Adrasan, you board the boat and begin the sea portion of the day. The boat is described as spacious and fully equipped, though the real comfort depends on how many people are aboard. The maximum group size is 60, and some departures have felt overcrowded, with limited room to sit.

The onboard mood also varies. Some departures feature music and a DJ, which can add energy to a day with friends. Other accounts describe music as excessively loud. Smoking by crew members has also been a complaint on at least one departure, so this may not be the best choice if you want a calm, quiet boat ride.

The crew is often described as friendly, and Aliyaah receives particular praise for being helpful, cheerful, and good at managing the group. Still, English-language support may be limited beyond the main guide. One account describes difficulty communicating with hosts, while another praises the driver’s clear updates and good communication.

The boat includes bathrooms, according to one detailed account, and they were described as clean. That is useful on a full-day outing, especially with the long transfer before and after the cruise.

Swimming at Suluada and Akseki Bay

The first major stop is Suluada. This is where you’ll see the trip’s best-known scenery: light water, white sand, and a small island that feels far removed from Antalya’s hotels and traffic.

The swimming time is the heart of the trip, so pack for the water. The supplied information does not specify equipment rental or water sports, so do not book this expecting organized activities beyond swimming and sightseeing. You’ll get the most from it if you are happy to swim, sit by the shore, and enjoy the view without a packed schedule of attractions.

After Suluada, the boat moves to another point, with Akseki Bay listed as a further swimming break. The timing is not perfectly consistent across the available descriptions. Some schedules allow around an hour at two separate swimming points, while others describe a longer block around Suluada and the bays.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you pay. The operators may adjust the order or length of stops based on timing, conditions, and the day’s schedule. The upside is variety. You are not stuck at one beach all day. The downside is that you may receive less shore time than expected after the long drive.

Lunch on the boat

Lunch is included, with a choice of fish or chicken. Detailed descriptions also refer to spaghetti and bread, so expect a straightforward group meal rather than a special seafood lunch.

Food quality is the most mixed part of the day. Some people found it tasty or satisfactory, while others found it oily, limited, or unpleasant in smell. A few accounts say the meal was good, but the repeated concern is that lunch can feel basic.

At $25, including transport, boat travel, swimming stops, guiding, insurance, and lunch, the meal is still a useful part of the value. I would simply avoid booking this for the food. Think of lunch as fuel between swims, not a reason to choose this particular trip.

Drinks are extra. Several accounts say beer and soft drinks can be expensive, with one report giving prices of 250 Turkish lira for beer and 100 Turkish lira for a small can of cola. Prices can change, but the lesson is clear: bring money for drinks and check the onboard prices before ordering.

Love Cave and Love Island

The route includes the Love Cave and a final swimming stop at Love Island, also described as the island of love. The cave is a sightseeing point, while Love Island is presented as a place for clear water and a more romantic atmosphere.

Love Island gets about an hour in the stated plan. This is a pleasant final stop because you can swim again after lunch and spend time in the Mediterranean before the return journey. The name invites grand expectations, but the appeal is mainly the water and scenery, not a large attraction with facilities or a formal tour.

The sequence can be a little confusing in the published timing. The itinerary mentions Suluada, a lunch break, Akseki Bay, then Love Island, followed by a one-hour return boat ride to Adrasan. In practice, the order and duration may shift. Ask the guide for the day’s plan once onboard so you know when to be back at the boat.

The ride back can be one of the nicest parts of the day. A sunset return has been described as a highlight, with the changing light over the sea adding something special to the otherwise simple boat journey. Do not book it specifically for a sunset, since the schedule is not presented as a sunset cruise, but keep your camera ready on the way back.

How much value do you get for $25?

At roughly $25 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive way to reach Suluada from Antalya. You are paying for a long transfer, boat transport, lunch, insurance, and guiding, not just a short cruise. If everything runs close to schedule and the vehicle is comfortable, the price is very good.

The value drops if the trip becomes an eight-hour round trip by bus with only limited time in the water. That is the central calculation. You are trading comfort and control for convenience and a low price.

A private taxi or self-arranged trip to Adrasan might give you more control over departure and return, but it would not offer the same all-in package at this price. On the other hand, a more expensive small-group or private boat could be a better fit if space, quiet, and flexible timing matter most to you.

I would call this a budget excursion with a potentially excellent sea day, not a premium tour. The best departures have friendly staff, clean water, good music, attractive scenery, and enough time at the stops. The weaker departures suffer from poor vehicles, communication problems, crowding, and a basic lunch.

Who should book it?

I think this trip suits families, couples, and groups of friends who want an easy day by the water and do not mind a long transfer. Most people can participate, and the swimming stops are simple enough for a broad range of ages, though the information provided does not describe special accessibility arrangements.

It is also a good match for budget-conscious visitors staying in Antalya. You get a full day out of the city without arranging separate transport, and the scenery around Suluada is the kind of experience that is difficult to reproduce from an urban beach.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, dislike long vehicle rides, need firm schedules, or expect polished English service. The transport reports are too inconsistent for me to promise a comfortable ride. The same applies if you want a peaceful cruise, since music and crowding may be part of the day.

The tour is generally given a rating around 4.3 out of 5 from 67 ratings, which fits the overall picture: very good scenery and strong value, with uneven transport and food.

Practical details before you reserve

Pickup is offered, but the exact arrangement may be at your hotel, across the road, or at a nearby main-road point. Confirm this in advance so you are not waiting in the wrong place.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and enough cash for drinks or personal spending. Lunch and the air-conditioned vehicle are included in the advertised package, but conditions in the vehicle can vary, so a light layer and water are sensible.

The activity ends back at the Adrasan meeting point before the transfer returns you to the original pickup area. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the maximum group size is 60.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may lead to a new date, an alternative experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Suluada boat trip?

Book it if clear water, island swimming, and a low price matter more to you than a short journey or polished service. Suluada, Akseki Bay, and Love Island offer a strong day of Mediterranean scenery, and the package includes the basics you need.

Skip it if the idea of several hours in a bus makes you miserable, or if you expect a quiet, spacious boat and a memorable meal. My best advice is to confirm the pickup time, ask how long the transfer is expected to take, and go in prepared for a simple lunch and possible crowds. With realistic expectations, this can be one of Antalya’s better budget days on the sea.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart?

The boat departs from Adrasan Coast in Adrasan, Kumluca, Antalya. Pickup from Antalya accommodation is offered before the drive to the port.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately 11 to 13 hours. The drive from Antalya to Adrasan is listed at about 90 minutes, but actual journey times can vary considerably.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Suluada, Akseki Bay, Love Island, and the Love Cave. The schedule includes several swimming breaks.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with a choice of fish or chicken. Drinks and personal spending are not included.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks must be purchased separately, and onboard drink prices may be higher than you expect.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 60 people. The boat may feel crowded on some departures.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient numbers cause cancellation, you’ll be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.