Düden Waterfalls and Lara Beach Boat Trip with Lunch Antalya

The Lower Düden Waterfall

The Düden River flows down from the Taurus Mountains, disappears underground, reappears at the Upper Düden falls in the north of the city and finally reaches the coast at Lara, where it drops about 40 metres from the cliff edge straight into the Mediterranean. The Lower Düden Waterfall is one of the few places in the world where a waterfall meets the sea this way, and from a boat you see it at its most impressive.

The boat anchors near the falls for lunch and a long break, so you have time for photos as the white water thunders into the turquoise sea and rainbows form in the spray. Anyone looking for a Düden Waterfalls boat trip wants exactly this view, which cannot be seen from the clifftop park above. Swimming is possible at a safe distance when the crew allows it.

Lara Beach

Lara Beach stretches for kilometres east of central Antalya, a long ribbon of golden sand backed by resorts and, in the distance, the blue line of the Taurus Mountains. The sea here is shallow near the shore and very clear, which makes it one of the most popular swimming areas around the city.

On this trip the boat anchors off the beach for a swim stop: you can jump from the deck into the clear water, swim, or simply relax in the sun and take photos. It is a calm break before the cliffs and waterfalls, and a good chance for children to enjoy the sea. Is Lara Beach worth visiting? From the water you see its full length and the mountains behind it, a view that many visitors never get from the sand.

Karpuzkaldıran Waterfall and the Antalya cliffs

West of Lara, the city stands on high cliffs of travertine, a porous limestone formed by the mineral-rich waters that flow from the mountains. Along this stretch, the Karpuzkaldıran Waterfall pours over the cliff edge into the sea, surrounded by green plants that cling to the rock. The boat sails close enough for you to feel the spray on your face.

From the sea you also see how the cliffs are hollowed by waves and dripping water, with overhangs, small grottoes and natural arches. Your host shares stories about the waterfalls and the coast. The light is best in the morning, when the sun lights the cliffs and the water below them turns deep turquoise.

The sea caves by speedboat

Along the cliffs, the sea has carved caves that a large boat cannot enter. In this option a speedboat takes you right into them: you glide out of the sunlight into cool, echoing chambers where the water glows blue and green and the walls are streaked with mineral colours.

It is a short but thrilling extra and a highlight for many travellers, especially children aged 4 and over who enjoy a little adventure. The speedboat follows the instructions of the crew and waits for calm sea; if the waves are too high, the ride may be shortened for safety. Life jackets are provided, and the main boat waits nearby so you can return to the deck for the rest of the trip.

Life on board: lunch, soft drinks and the open deck

The boat has several decks with open sun areas and shaded indoor spaces, so you can choose between sunbathing and cool shade during the trip. Lunch is prepared and served on board by the crew, and soft drinks are unlimited from morning until you return.

Between the stops there is plenty of time to relax, enjoy the music and the sea breeze, and take photos of the coast with the Taurus Mountains rising behind the city. Bring a towel and swimwear, and wear sunscreen and a hat in summer. The atmosphere is friendly and family-oriented, and the return transfer drops you back at your hotel in the afternoon.