Suluada Boat Tour from Side: A Day Trip to the Turkish Maldives

Suluada is a small, uninhabited island off Adrasan, on the western side of Antalya province. Its pale shoreline and shallow, very clear water have earned it the nickname "the Turkish Maldives". Visitors staying in Side can reach it on a guided day trip: a transfer to Adrasan Harbour, a boat day with swim stops around the island, and lunch on board.

This guide walks through the day step by step: how the transfer works, what you do at each stop, what is and isn't included, and whether a long day like this suits you.

Suluada Boat Tour from Side at a Glance

What Is Suluada?

Suluada is a protected island a short boat ride from Adrasan Bay, on a stretch of coast backed by pine-covered mountains. No one lives there, and there are no shops, cafés or buildings on the island. The only way to visit is by boat.

The name means "island with water" in Turkish. It comes from the freshwater spring that rises into the sea beside the island. One of the tour's stops is at a spot where you can swim over and feel the cold spring water rising into the sea.

Why Is Suluada Called the Turkish Maldives?

The nickname comes from the colour of the water. Along Suluada's shore, the seabed is pale and the water is shallow for a long way out, so the sea turns a bright turquoise that looks more tropical than the Mediterranean usually does. On a calm, sunny day, the clarity is what most people notice first.

It is worth keeping expectations realistic: Suluada is a rocky Mediterranean island, not a palm-fringed atoll. The beach area is small, there is no shade on land, and you visit from the boat. What makes it special is the water itself.

How the Transfer from Side Works

Adrasan is on the far side of Antalya, so the Suluada trip from Side starts with a long drive. The boat programme starts at 09:30, and the drive to Adrasan Harbour usually takes two and a half to three hours in each direction, depending on traffic.

• Pickup: from hotels in Side and the surrounding resort areas. Expect a very early start. Your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking and depends on where you are staying.

• The drive: the road runs west past Antalya and along the Kemer coast before reaching Adrasan. It is a good chance to catch up on sleep.

• Return: the boat programme ends at around 15:00. The drive back follows, so you are usually at your hotel in the early evening. The exact drop-off time depends on traffic and your hotel's location.

In practice, this is a full day of around 11–12 hours door to door, with about 6 of those hours on the boat.

What Happens During the Day

The programme below is the published itinerary for the Suluada Boat Tour from Side. The order of stops can change on the day depending on sea conditions and the captain's decision.

1. Boarding at Adrasan Harbour (about 30 minutes)

The crew welcomes you on board in the sheltered bay of Adrasan. Take a moment to choose your spot, either in the sun on deck or in the shade.

2. Cruise along the national park coast (about 45 minutes)

The boat heads out to Suluada along a wild, forested stretch of shoreline with almost no buildings on it. It is a good time for photos, and a chance to put on sunscreen before the first swim.

3. Suluada swim stop (about 1 hour 15 minutes)

This is the longest stop and the reason most people book the trip. The boat anchors by the island's pale shore, and you can swim, float in the shallows or sunbathe on deck. The water is clearest here, and the colour looks best when the sun is high.

4. Freshwater spring (about 15 minutes)

A short stop where you can swim over to the point where cold spring water rises into the sea. You will feel the temperature change clearly. This is the spring that gives Suluada its name.

5. Lunch on deck (about 45 minutes)

A hot Mediterranean lunch is served while the boat is at anchor. The menu usually includes fish or chicken, pasta and seasonal salads. Drinks are sold on board at extra cost.

6. Love Cave (about 20 minutes)

The captain takes the boat close to a natural sea cave, a popular photo stop along this coast.

7. American Bay swim (about 1 hour)

The last long swim is in American Bay, a sheltered inlet with calm and very clear water. It is often the more peaceful of the two main swim stops.

8. Fruit and return cruise (about 40 minutes)

Seasonal fruit is served as the boat sails back to Adrasan. The boat programme ends at around 15:00, and then the drive back to Side begins.

Swimming and Snorkelling

There are about two and a half hours of swimming time across the day, split between Suluada, the freshwater spring and American Bay. The water around the island is clear enough that you can often see the seabed from the boat.

• Snorkelling: the water is good for it, but snorkelling equipment is not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to explore underwater.

• Non-swimmers: can join. The boat carries life jackets, and you are free to stay on deck at any stop.

• Children: the shallow, calm water around the island is well suited to families, but children should always be supervised when swimming from the boat.

Food, Drinks and Facilities on Board

• Lunch: included. A hot Mediterranean meal is served on deck, usually fish or chicken with pasta and salads. If you have dietary requirements, mention them when you book.

• Fruit: seasonal fruit is served in the afternoon.

• Drinks: not included. All drinks on board, including water and soft drinks, are paid for separately, so bring some cash.

• Toilets: available on the boat. This matters, because Suluada has no facilities of any kind.

What Is Included and What Is Not

What to Bring

• Swimsuit (wear it under your clothes to save time)

• Towel

• High-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses; there is little shade on the water

• Cash in Turkish lira for drinks on board

• Your own mask and snorkel, if you want to snorkel

• A light layer for the early-morning drive and the air-conditioned vehicle

• Something to do on the long transfer: headphones, a book or a neck pillow

• A waterproof phone pouch (optional)

• Seasickness tablets if you are prone to motion sickness, both for the drive and the boat

Who Is the Suluada Trip Suitable For?

A good fit if you:

• Want the clearest, most colourful water you can reach on a day trip from Side

• Enjoy long, unhurried swim stops more than a packed sightseeing schedule

• Are travelling as a couple, with friends, or with children who are comfortable with an early start

• Have already done the boat trips closer to Side and want something different

Think twice if you:

• Don't like long drives. Around 5–6 hours of your day is spent on the road.

• Are travelling with very young children who struggle with early mornings or long car journeys

• Want a short, half-day outing. A Manavgat boat tour is much closer to Side.

Best Time to Visit Suluada

Boat trips to Suluada run from spring to late autumn. For swimming, June to September is the best period, when the sea is warmest. July and August are the busiest and hottest months, so sun protection is essential. May, early June and October are quieter, and the water is still pleasant for most swimmers in October. Check the calendar on the tour page for available dates. For month-by-month sea temperatures, see our guide to the best time to visit Antalya.

Good to Know Before You Book

• Pickup time: the 09:30 time shown on the tour page is when the boat programme starts, not your pickup time. Your pickup is earlier and is confirmed after booking.

• Payment: no prepayment; you pay on the day of the tour.

• Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before the tour.

• Age policy: adults 12+, children 6–11, infants 0–5. Infants join for free and children pay a reduced price.

• Weather: the route and stop order can change with sea conditions.

• Protected area: Suluada is a protected island. Take all your rubbish back to the boat.

• Staying elsewhere? There are also Suluada tours departing from Antalya, Kemer and Alanya. Kemer and Antalya are much closer to Adrasan, so the drive is shorter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Suluada boat tour from Side?

The boat programme is about 6 hours, from 09:30 to 15:00. With the 2.5–3 hour drive each way, the whole day is usually around 11–12 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.

How far is Suluada from Side?

The boat trip leaves from Adrasan Harbour, which is about two and a half to three hours by road from Side, depending on traffic. The return transfer is included in the tour.

What time is hotel pickup?

Pickup is early in the morning, because the boat programme starts at 09:30 in Adrasan. Your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking and depends on your hotel's location.

Is lunch included on the Suluada boat trip?

Yes. A hot Mediterranean lunch is served on board, and seasonal fruit follows in the afternoon. All drinks are paid for separately.

Can I snorkel at Suluada?

Yes, the water is very clear, but snorkelling equipment is not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel.

Can non-swimmers join?

Yes. The boat has life jackets, and you can stay on deck at any stop.

Are there toilets or shops on Suluada?

No. Suluada is a protected, uninhabited island without facilities. The boat has toilets on board.

Is the Suluada tour suitable for children?

Yes. The calm, shallow water suits families, and infants aged 0–5 join for free. The main thing to consider with small children is the early start and the long drive.

Do I need to pay in advance?

No. You pay on the day of the tour, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.

Can I visit Suluada from Antalya, Kemer or Alanya instead?

Yes. Suluada tours also run from Antalya, Kemer and Alanya. If you are staying in Kemer or Antalya, the drive to Adrasan is considerably shorter than from Side.

Book Your Suluada Day Trip

If clear water and long swim stops are what you want from a day on the Mediterranean, Suluada is worth the early start. Check dates and current prices, and book your place here:

• Suluada Boat Tour from Side

Looking for something closer to your hotel? See our overview of boat tours in Side and Manavgat, or browse all activities in Side.