Suluada Boat Tour from Side, Antalya & Kemer: Swim & Lunch

Turquoise water is only part of the appeal. This Suluada cruise combines three swimming stops, a freshly cooked lunch, and dramatic Mediterranean views in one inexpensive day out. I especially like the comfortable boat setup and the friendly crew, plus the chance to visit Love Island and its small Love Cave. The main drawback is simple: Suluada is popular, and several boats may arrive together, so the island can feel crowded at the busiest moments.

At about $29 per person, the value is hard to ignore when hotel transfer, lunch, insurance, and the boat ride are included. I also like that you can choose fish or chicken for lunch, a useful touch after a morning in the sun. Just remember that drinks cost extra, transfer timing can shift by up to 45 minutes, and this is not a good match if you are prone to seasickness.

Key Points Before You Book

• Suluada’s white shore and clear water: The island is the visual prize of the day, with bright sand, pale rock, and sea in several shades of blue.
• Three swimming breaks: You get repeated chances to swim from the boat, rather than one rushed stop.
• Fresh lunch at sea: The usual meal includes grilled fish or chicken, pasta, salad, and bread.
• Love Island and Love Cave: These small coastal sights add variety to a day that could otherwise become just sun and swimming.
• A very strong price: At the advertised $29, the package includes more than many short coastal cruises.
• Crowds are part of the deal: Boats dock at the same time at Suluada, so move quickly if you want clear photographs.

Setting Out From Antalya Province

The tour serves visitors staying around Side, Antalya, and Kemer, with pickup available from participating hotels. If you select the transfer option, wait outside your hotel’s security booth. Pickup is not provided from villas, apartments, or other private addresses, and hotels in Antalya’s Kaleiçi district do not receive the transfer service.

The scheduled meeting point is the port, where you are asked to be at the TROYS Suluada boat at 09:45. That boat name and location can change, so check the geographic pin sent within 24 hours of departure. This is one detail I would take seriously. Do not rely only on an old screenshot or a general port name.

The drive to the harbor is part of the day. One account describes a comfortable minibus and a roadside stop at a quirky café on the way there and back. Another notes that the route through the southern part of the area is unusually green, with views toward the Olympos cable car and local farm produce. These stops are not the main attraction, but they make the transfer less of a dead stretch.

The tradeoff is timing. If you are among the last pickups, the minibus may be less comfortable, with a tighter rear seat. The transfer can also run late by up to 45 minutes. Bring patience, especially during a busy hotel pickup round.

A Boat Built for Swimming and Sun

Once aboard, you can settle into a day of slow coastal sailing. The boat provides room to relax and move around, and one particularly positive account describes modern seating with mattresses and headrests. That matters more than it may sound. A full day on a hard deck can turn a pleasant cruise into a tiring one.

You will pass rugged cliffs, small coves, and coastal caves as the boat heads toward Suluada. The route is designed around swimming, so the cruise is not only a scenic ride from one point to another. It gives you time to watch the shoreline, take photographs, and then get into the water at several calm-looking spots.

The exact duration is listed as five to seven and a half hours. That range reflects pickup arrangements and weather conditions. You should expect a full day rather than a tightly timed city excursion, but the amount of time on the boat can vary.

The crew provides assistance throughout the trip, with support in English, Russian, German, and Turkish. An audio guide may be available, though it is not guaranteed. This means you should not book the cruise expecting a detailed historical tour with constant narration. The strength here is the sea, the scenery, and the swimming.

Swimming Stops Around Suluada

Swimming is the heart of the outing. The boat makes several stops in scenic bays, giving you time to swim, sunbathe, snorkel, and take photographs. The water is described as exceptionally clear, with the bright blue color that gives Suluada its Maldives of Turkey nickname.

I like the repeated-stop format. If the first swim feels chilly, crowded, or too short for your taste, another chance comes later. You are not forced to make the whole day depend on one swim from the boat.

These are boat swimming stops, not long beach visits. You should be comfortable climbing into and out of the water from the vessel. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes suitable for water activities. A hat is also important because much of the day is spent under strong Mediterranean sun.

Snorkeling is listed as an option, but snorkeling equipment is not listed among the inclusions. If you care about seeing below the surface, ask what is available before departure or bring suitable gear if practical. A camera is worth carrying, though you should protect it carefully around the water.

The sea is weather dependent. Poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled or canceled trip. Even on a good day, people prone to seasickness should think twice. A boat that feels comfortable in the harbor can move quite differently once it reaches open water.

Suluada Island, White Shore, and Shared Anchoring

Suluada is the scenic centerpiece. Its pale shoreline and clear water create the contrast that makes photographs so appealing. From the boat, you get views of the island’s white edges, rocky sections, and open Mediterranean surroundings.

There is a practical catch. All boats dock at Suluada at the same time, so the island does not feel private or untouched during the main arrival period. If you want photographs without many people in the frame, have your camera ready and move promptly when the boat arrives.

This is also why I would set realistic expectations about the Maldives of Turkey label. The color of the water and the pale shore can look wonderfully tropical, but the setting is still a popular Turkish boat stop. One account put it plainly: the real Maldives are far away. That is not a criticism of Suluada, only a useful correction to the nickname.

The best approach is to enjoy the island for what it offers: a striking coastal stop, good swimming water, and a memorable setting without the cost of an international island holiday. If you need solitude, this is probably not the right excursion.

Love Island and the Small Love Cave

The cruise also includes a visit to Love Island and the tiny cave known as Love Cave. These stops break up the swimming and give you a few more landmarks to photograph.

Do not expect a large cavern or a long walking visit. The cave is described as tiny, and the island itself is a short coastal attraction within the boat route. Its appeal comes from the setting and the name, not from a major archaeological or historical presentation.

I see this as a pleasant bonus rather than the reason to book. If you enjoy unusual little stops and coastal photography, you will appreciate it. If you want long time ashore, extensive exploration, or a guided cultural tour, the cruise may feel light on content.

The schedule can also depend on sea conditions. The crew may adjust stops to keep the day safe and comfortable, so the order and exact length of each visit can change.

Lunch With a Mediterranean View

Lunch is served aboard the boat, usually with a choice of grilled fish or chicken, pasta, seasonal salad, and bread. Several accounts praise the meal, with one especially positive description mentioning fresh sea bream and salmon, while another reports chicken legs as the alternative.

That choice is useful for mixed groups. You do not have to accept a fish-only menu, and the meal is substantial enough to reset your energy after swimming. Tea may also be available, but drinks are not generally included, so budget for anything beyond the stated meal.

Eating at sea is part of the pleasure. You can sit down with the coast around you rather than losing time at a separate restaurant. It is not fine dining, and you should not expect an elaborate menu. The value comes from fresh preparation, a choice of main dish, and the fact that lunch is already built into the low tour price.

At $29, the meal alone helps explain why this works well for budget-conscious visitors. Some booking accounts record prices as low as 15 euros, suggesting that promotional rates may appear. Check the final price for your date and selected pickup option rather than assuming every departure costs the same.

What the Day Really Costs

The advertised price is $29 per person. Included are the full-day Suluada cruise, multiple swimming stops, lunch, professional crew assistance, marine and travel insurance, and round-trip hotel transfer if you select that option.

That is a strong package for a full day on the Mediterranean. You are paying one modest amount for transport to the harbor, the boat, a cooked meal, and several scenic stops. The value becomes even better for families or couples who would otherwise need to arrange transport and food separately.

Still, the low price tells you what kind of tour this is. It is a shared boat outing, not a private yacht charter. The experience may include a full boat, shared anchorage, a variable transfer schedule, and limited guiding. Personal expenses and drinks are extra.

I would also check the booking option carefully. The transfer service is not universal, and you need the correct pickup or meeting-point selection. A small mistake here can create a very avoidable morning problem.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple, scenic day on the water without spending heavily. It suits couples, families, and anyone who values swimming time more than formal sightseeing.

You will likely enjoy it most if you:

• Like swimming from a boat in clear water
• Want lunch and transport handled in one booking
• Enjoy coastal views, caves, and short scenic stops
• Prefer a relaxed group outing to a private charter
• Are happy with a flexible schedule affected by weather and hotel pickups

I would be more cautious if you get seasick, dislike crowded boat stops, or need a precise return time. The day can last anywhere from five to seven and a half hours, and the transfer may be delayed. It is also not designed for visitors who want a long guided explanation of local history.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, camera, and comfortable shoes and clothes for water activities. Keep valuable electronics secure, and remember that the sun can feel intense even when the breeze makes the boat seem cool.

Booking, Cancellation, and Weather Details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The trip may be rescheduled or canceled if weather conditions are poor.

Pickup guests should wait at the outside security booth of the hotel. If you are staying in Kaleiçi, plan to reach the specified meeting point yourself. Confirm the boat name and location within 24 hours, since both may change.

One final practical tip: when you arrive at Suluada, boats dock together. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches shore, and do not spend the first few minutes searching through your bag.

Should You Book the Suluada Boat Tour?

I think you should book it if your ideal holiday day includes clear water, a warm deck, a good-value lunch, and several chances to swim. The crew, food, boat comfort, and scenery receive the strongest praise, and the price makes the outing unusually accessible.

I would skip it if you need peace and quiet, dislike shared excursions, or are prone to seasickness. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Suluada and the Antalya coast without arranging every detail yourself. Just accept the crowds, pack for the sun, and treat the Maldives of Turkey nickname as a colorful comparison, not a promise of an empty island.

FAQ

What is included in the Suluada boat tour?

The tour includes the full-day boat cruise, multiple swimming stops, lunch, professional crew assistance, travel and marine insurance, and round-trip hotel transfer if you choose the transfer option.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $29 per person. Some booking options may show different promotional prices, so check the final amount for your date and selected option.

Where does the tour meet?

The scheduled meeting point is the port at the TROYS Suluada boat at 09:45. The boat name and exact location may change, so check the location sent within 24 hours before departure.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup is available when you select the transfer option. You should wait outside your hotel’s security booth. Transfers are not provided from villas, apartments, or non-hotel addresses.

Is pickup available from Antalya Kaleiçi?

No. Hotels in Antalya Kaleiçi do not receive the transfer service. You must go to the specified meeting location.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch typically includes grilled fish or chicken, pasta, fresh seasonal salad, and bread. Drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and clothing suitable for water activities.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The trip depends on weather and sea conditions and may be rescheduled or canceled in poor weather.