Suluada Island Boat Trip with Lunch from Kemer

Suluada Island, the Maldives of Turkey

Suluada lies off the Adrasan coast in the Kumluca district of Antalya. It is a long, narrow, uninhabited island, and its name means 'the island with water' because of the freshwater spring that rises on it, a rare thing on a Mediterranean islet. Along its sheltered side runs a pale beach where the sea shifts from glassy shallows to deep blue in a few metres.

That colour is why Suluada is called the Maldives of Turkey, and why this Suluada boat trip from Kemer is so popular in summer. The boat anchors close to the shore so you can swim, snorkel with your own mask or simply float in water clear enough to see the stones on the seabed. Is Suluada worth visiting? If you love clean water and a coastline without buildings, it is one of the most beautiful swimming spots on the Turkish Riviera.

Adrasan Bay, Where the Boat Day Begins

Adrasan is a quiet bay village south-west of Kemer, at the edge of the Beydağları coastal mountains. A long beach of sand and pebbles curves around the bay, with pine-covered slopes behind it and a small river reaching the sea at one end. Wooden excursion boats moor along the beach and leave from here every morning in season.

From Kemer the drive to Adrasan takes about an hour through pine forest and mountain roads, so many travellers ask how to get to Suluada without a car. With the hotel pickup options we drive you there and back; with the meeting point options you go to Sahil Caddesi on the Adrasan seafront yourself. The sail from Adrasan to Suluada takes a little over an hour, with views of cliffs and empty coves all the way.

The Hidden Bay Swimming Stop

Besides Suluada, the boat makes a second swimming stop in a sheltered bay along the Adrasan coast, chosen by the captain according to the wind and the sea. These coves are reachable only by boat, framed by rocks and wild pines, with water that is calm and very clear.

It is a relaxed stop of around 45 minutes to an hour: you can jump from the boat, use the ladder to slip into the water or stay on deck in the sun. Families often find this bay the easiest place for children to swim because the water is so calm. The route is part of what makes this trip special, as you see a stretch of the Lycian coast that has no roads and very few buildings.

Life on Board and Lunch

The boats on this route are traditional wooden excursion boats with a shaded deck, sun cushions and a ladder for swimming. A friendly English-speaking host and crew look after you all day, point out the bays on the way and help with swimming stops.

Lunch is cooked and served on board, usually a simple Turkish meal with salad, rice or pasta and a main dish, and vegetarian options are available on request. As in most of Türkiye, the meat served is generally halal. Drinks are not included, so you can buy water, juice, tea or soft drinks on board, or bring your own water. Photos and videos taken by the crew are optional and paid separately.

The Suluada Sunset Cruise

For travellers who prefer a later start, the sunset options leave in the afternoon and stay out on the water until the sun goes down behind the mountains of the Adrasan coast. The light at this hour turns the sea gold and the cliffs warm orange, and the bays are usually quieter than at midday.

The sunset cruise also includes lunch and the swim stops, with hotel pickup from Kemer or from Antalya and Belek, or a meeting point in Adrasan. It is a lovely choice for couples and for anyone who does not want an early morning. The best time to visit Suluada is from late May to early October, when the sea is warm and the boats run every day; sunset departures run mainly in the summer months.