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

Suluada’s appeal is simple: clear Mediterranean water, white beaches, and a day spent moving from one beautiful bay to the next. This is a boat day rather than a guided history tour, with swimming, sun, lunch, and coastal scenery doing most of the work.

I like the freshly cooked lunch with a choice of fish or chicken, and I like that round-trip hotel transfer can remove the hassle of reaching the harbor. The modern boat has comfortable areas for sitting and sunbathing, while the three swimming breaks give the day a useful rhythm.

The main drawback is crowding. Boats arrive at Suluada at the same time, and the island can feel busy at the main stop. You should also skip this trip if you are prone to seasickness or if a long day on open water is not your idea of relaxation.

Key points to know before booking

• Suluada is the main attraction: Expect white shoreline, turquoise water, rocky cliffs, coves, and a small cave called Love Cave.
• Three swimming breaks: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes for moving around a wet boat.
• Lunch is better than a basic snack: The usual meal includes grilled fish or chicken, pasta, salad, and bread.
• The boat day lasts 5 to 7.5 hours: Timing depends on the selected option, starting time, route, and weather.
• Transfers are convenient but not exact: Hotel pickup can be delayed by up to 45 minutes, and Antalya’s Kaleiçi area has no transfer service.
• Expect other boats at Suluada: Go ashore or take photos promptly because several boats may dock together.

Why Suluada makes a good boat day

Suluada is often called the Maldives of Turkey because of its pale shore and bright blue water. That nickname sets the bar too high if you picture a quiet private island, but the scenery is still the real reason to book this trip.

You spend much of the day looking at the southern Antalya coast from the water. Rugged cliffs, small bays, sea caves, and clean stretches of shoreline replace the hotel strip and city traffic. The boat gives you a different view of the region, one that is harder to get from a beach resort.

I would think of this as a swimming and scenery cruise, not a serious sightseeing tour. You are not signing up for long explanations about archaeology or local culture. The value comes from time on the sea, several chances to swim, lunch with a view, and transport handled for you.

The tour is operated by Lft Travel Agency. The boat listed for the harbor meeting point is TROYS Suluada, although the name and exact location can change. You receive the current geographic meeting point within 24 hours of departure, so check your messages rather than relying on an older map pin.

Getting to the harbor from Side, Antalya, or Kemer

If you select the transfer option, pickup is provided from your hotel. You should wait at the outside security booth, not inside the lobby. The operator does not collect from villas, private apartments, or other non-hotel addresses, so anyone staying in those places needs to reach the nearest eligible hotel location.

The transfer may be delayed by as much as 45 minutes. That is worth taking seriously if you have a tight schedule later in the day. The drive itself can add to the outing, especially along the greener southern part of the region, where you may see local farms and the cable car near Olympos, depending on the route.

A roadside stop may be made in both directions. This can be useful for a quick breakfast or drink, and one stop has been described as a quirky café with fresh juice and inexpensive food. It is not part of the main island visit, but it makes an early pickup less awkward.

There is no hotel transfer from Antalya’s Kaleiçi district. If you are staying inside the old town, you must go to the specified meeting point yourself. The port meeting time given for the TROYS Suluada boat is 09:45, but confirm the final location and timing shortly before departure.

Boarding the TROYS Suluada boat

Once aboard, you can expect room to sit, move around, and find a place in the sun or shade. The boat has been described as modern, with padded loungers and headrests. That matters on a full day at sea, since comfort becomes just as important as the view after the first hour.

There is no assigned seating information, so arriving on time is sensible if you care about where you sit. The boat is designed for a relaxed day rather than a formal cruise. You can watch the coastline, take photographs, chat with your group, or prepare for the next swim.

Crew assistance is included throughout the outing. English, Russian, German, and Turkish are listed as available languages, and an audio guide may be offered depending on the conditions. Do not expect a full-time personal guide or constant commentary. One account describes the information as brief, with the driver providing the main explanation during the transfer.

That arrangement suits you if you mainly want sea time. If you want detailed narration at every stop, this may feel light on guiding. The boat and route, rather than a named guide, are the center of the day.

The coastal cruise and first swimming stop

The trip toward Suluada takes you along the Antalya coast, with views of cliffs, coves, and small openings in the rock. The exact order of stops can change with sea and weather conditions, but the day is planned around several calm-water breaks.

The first swim helps you settle into the boat routine. You can jump into the sea, float near the boat, or remain on deck if you would rather take photographs. The water is promoted for its clarity, but conditions can vary with wind and waves, so bring goggles only if you already like using them. Snorkeling is possible as a personal activity, though no snorkeling equipment is listed as included.

These stops are more about swimming than reaching a beach. You may enter directly from the boat, which is convenient for a quick dip but less suitable if you prefer a gradual, shallow shoreline. Take care on wet decks, and wear secure sandals or water-friendly shoes rather than loose footwear.

The boat may pause at more than one cove before or after reaching Suluada. This breaks up the trip and gives you several chances to swim in different settings. It also means the day does not depend entirely on one shore visit.

Suluada’s white shore and turquoise water

The island is the visual highlight. Its pale shoreline contrasts with the blue-green sea, and the surrounding rock gives the stop a more rugged feel than a resort beach. Bring your camera, but keep it protected from spray and splashes when you move between the boat and the water.

Suluada can look remarkably bright in good weather. The Maldives of Turkey label is useful as a quick picture of the color and pale sand, but it should not be read as a promise of an empty tropical island. Several boats may arrive together, and the main landing area can become crowded.

You should move quickly if you want photographs with fewer people in the frame. The boats are expected to dock at about the same time, so the quietest moment is likely early in the stop. After that, the appeal shifts from photography to swimming and enjoying the water.

The island’s untouched appearance is one of the strongest parts of the trip. There are no major town sights or shopping streets to distract you. You get cliffs, open water, bright shoreline, and the sound of boats. For a day away from the hotel pool, that is a fair trade.

Love Island and the small Love Cave

The route also includes Love Island and a tiny cave known as Love Cave. These are short scenic visits rather than long walks or formal attractions. The cave gives you a useful photograph and a change of mood from the open swimming bays.

Do not expect a large cavern or a long exploration. The information describes it as a small cave, so its interest comes from its position along the coast and its romantic name, not from an extensive underground visit. If you enjoy taking pictures of rock formations and sea openings, keep your camera ready.

Love Island adds another named point to the route, but the day remains centered on the water. The stops are best understood as scenic pauses between swims. That keeps the itinerary easygoing, though some visitors may wish for more time on land.

Lunch on board with fish or chicken

Lunch is one of the better value points. The usual meal includes grilled fish or chicken, pasta, seasonal salad, and bread. A choice of fish or chicken has been offered, with sea bream, salmon, or chicken described on recent departures. Exact choices can vary, so do not assume a particular fish will be available.

Eating on board saves you from buying a separate meal at the island or port. It also keeps the day moving. You eat surrounded by the coast rather than losing time in a restaurant, and the meal arrives at a useful pause between swimming stops.

The food is simple, filling, and appropriate for a boat excursion. This is not a fine-dining cruise, but it is more substantial than a sandwich and crisps. Tea may also be available, though drinks are generally not included in the listed price. Bring extra money for beverages and personal purchases.

If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not promise special menus. Ask before booking if this matters to you. The safest assumption is that the standard choices are fish or chicken with side dishes.

Caretta Caretta turtles and coastal nature

The tour highlights the chance to admire local nature, including Caretta Caretta turtles. These sea turtles are part of the region’s coastal wildlife, but sightings are not guaranteed. Treat any wildlife encounter as a bonus rather than a scheduled stop.

The coastline is the real natural setting throughout the day. From the deck, you can see clear bays, steep rock, and stretches of shore that look far removed from the main resort areas. The trip gives you time to notice the coast at a slower pace, especially when the boat is anchored for swimming.

Keep your expectations practical. This is not a wildlife expedition, and the crew cannot promise turtles, dolphins, or any other animal. The route is designed for swimming and scenery, with nature as part of the setting.

Price, comfort, and what the $29 buys you

At $29 per person, the package offers strong value if your selected option includes hotel transfer. You are paying for the boat cruise, several swimming breaks, lunch, crew support, marine and travel insurance, and return transport when transfer is selected.

That price also covers the convenience of putting the day together in one booking. You do not need to arrange a harbor transfer, find a boat independently, or locate lunch during the cruise. For families and couples, those small savings in time and planning can matter as much as the ticket price.

The tradeoff is a shared boat day. You are not paying for a private charter or a quiet, exclusive island visit. Other boats use the same popular route, and the harbor transfer may involve a crowded minibus. One account described the last passenger’s seat as cramped, so seat comfort during transport can depend on pickup order.

The value is strongest if you want a full day outdoors at a modest cost. It is weaker if your priority is privacy, a small group, a quiet beach, or a highly detailed guided program.

Who should book this Suluada cruise

I would recommend this trip to:

• Families who want swimming and lunch without planning a day at sea themselves
• Couples looking for coastal views and a relaxed outing
• People staying in Side, Antalya, or Kemer who want to see more of the coast
• Budget-minded visitors who value transport and food included in one price
• Anyone comfortable spending several hours on a shared boat

You should think twice if you suffer from seasickness. The tour spends much of the day on the water, and the information specifically warns that it is not suitable for people prone to motion sickness.

It is also less suitable if you want a quiet, uncrowded island. Boats arrive together at Suluada, and the shore may feel busy during the main stop. Families with young children should also be comfortable with boat boarding, wet decks, open-water swimming, and a long day away from the hotel.

What to bring for a better day

Pack a hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, camera, and comfortable clothing. Shoes suitable for water activities are a smart choice, since you will be moving around a boat after swimming.

Bring money for drinks and personal expenses. Drinks are not included, and the roadside stop may offer food or fresh juice if you want it. Keep valuables protected from water, especially when taking photographs near the railings or swimming platform.

Weather can change the schedule. The trip may be rescheduled or canceled in bad conditions, and the total duration can vary from 5 to 7.5 hours. Keep the rest of your day flexible rather than booking an important evening activity immediately after the scheduled return.

Should you book the Suluada boat tour?

Book it if you want good-value sea time, several swims, a proper lunch, and striking coastal views without arranging the details yourself. The modern boat, helpful crew, and transfer option make this an easy choice for a relaxed day away from the resort.

Do not book it expecting an empty island, a private yacht, or a lecture-heavy sightseeing tour. The real strengths are the water, the scenery, the meal, and the price. If those are your priorities, Suluada gives you a memorable slice of the Antalya coast for relatively little money.

FAQ

Where does the Suluada boat tour depart?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included only when you select the transfer option. You must wait at your hotel’s outside security booth. Transfers are not provided from villas, apartments, or other non-hotel locations.

Is transfer available from Antalya Kaleiçi?

No. There is no transfer service for hotels in Antalya Kaleiçi. If you stay there, you must travel to the specified meeting location yourself.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 5 to 7.5 hours. The exact length depends on the selected starting time, route, and weather conditions.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch typically includes grilled fish or chicken, pasta, fresh seasonal salad, and bread. Fish choices can include sea bream or salmon, while chicken is also available. Drinks are not included.

What languages are available?

The listed languages are English, Russian, German, and Turkish. Depending on conditions, an audio guide may be available on the boat.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The trip depends on sea and weather conditions and may be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, according to the stated booking terms.