Turkish Maldives Suluada Boat Trip

Suluada Island, the Turkish Maldives

Suluada is a small, uninhabited limestone island off Adrasan in the Kumluca district of Antalya province. Its name means water island, after the fresh water that seeps from its rocks, a rare thing on this dry coast. What draws people is the long strip of white sand and pebbles on its sheltered side, where the sea turns shades of turquoise and pale blue so bright that the place is nicknamed the Turkish Maldives.

Is Suluada worth visiting? If you love clear water, yes: the shallows are calm and the sea floor is easy to see. The boat anchors close to the beach so you can swim ashore or simply float around the boat. You usually spend about an hour here, which is enough for swimming, photos from the rocks and a walk along the sand.

Adrasan, the starting point of the boat

Adrasan is a peaceful bay village south-west of Antalya, wrapped by pine-covered mountains that belong to the wider Olympos and Beydağları protected area. Its long beach and calm harbour make it the natural base for boats to Suluada, which lies a short cruise away around the cape. The village keeps a slow pace, with a few family guesthouses, citrus gardens and a river that meets the sea at the end of the beach.

How to get to Suluada from Antalya? The drive to Adrasan takes around two hours along the coast road, then the boat does the rest. With this option we collect you early in the morning from Antalya hotels so you reach the boat in time for departure, and we bring you back to your hotel in the evening after the cruise.

The secluded bay swim break

After Suluada the boat follows the rugged coastline to a quieter cove for a second swimming stop. Steep cliffs, pine trees reaching down to the water and caves cut into the rock are typical of this stretch of coast, and the water is just as clear as at the island, often deep blue close to the rocks.

This break is a good time to snorkel if you bring a mask, or to jump from the boat's deck. The exact bay depends on the wind and sea on the day; the captain chooses the calmest spot so that everyone, including children, can swim comfortably. Life on board is relaxed between stops, with shade and seats on deck to rest and dry off.

Lunch and life on board

Lunch is served on the boat, usually while anchored in calm water, with a choice of chicken or fish and the usual sides. Snacks and drinks are not included, but they can be bought on board, so bring some cash for water and soft drinks during the hot hours.

The boat day lasts most of the day from the late morning, with time on deck to sunbathe and watch the coastline go by. A local guide and the crew explain the stops and help with swimming ladders and safety. It is a shared trip, so you meet other travellers on board while enjoying one of the most beautiful sea days on the Antalya coast.

Best time to visit Suluada

The boat season runs from spring to autumn, and the best time to visit Suluada for swimming is from June to September, when the sea is warmest and the light makes the turquoise colours glow. May and October are quieter and still pleasant for those who do not mind cooler water.

Because of the long drive from the city, the day starts early and ends in the evening, so plan a calm day before or after. The sea can be choppy on windy days, and the captain may change the order of the stops for safety. Sunscreen, a hat and a towel make the day far more comfortable, as there is little shade on the island itself.