Adrasan & Suluada Boat Tour from Side – Turquoise Bays of the ‘Turkish Maldives’

Suluada is an island you can only reach by boat. It is known as the Maldives of Turkey, and its name – “watery island” – comes from the freshwater springs that rise on it. There is no direct sea route from Side, so this Adrasan and Suluada boat tour from Side starts on the road: early in the morning a minibus takes you west past Antalya and Kemer to the bay of Adrasan, where the excursion boats are moored. From there it is about 15 km, or roughly 45 minutes, across the water to the island.

Swim stops around Suluada

• The front beach of Suluada: the first swim and snorkel of the day
• Lunch on board as the boat moves on
• The west beach of the island, another stop for swimming and snorkelling
• Spring Water Beach as the third stop
• Hacivat Bay, named after a character of the traditional Turkish shadow play
• Cennet and Amerikan Bay – Paradise and American Bay – before the return to Adrasan

A long day on the coast

The tour takes about twelve hours, so the pickup is early and you are back at your hotel in the early evening. The drive to Adrasan is around 170 km each way – a good time to doze or to watch the mountains and the sea go by. On board there are a toilet, a shower and changing rooms, and the guide stays with the group all day. Lunch, fruit and tea are included; drinks and photos are paid separately. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.

What to pack

Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen – you will spend most of the day in and around the water. A hat and sunglasses help on deck, and a light layer is useful for the early start. If a shorter day on the water suits you better, the Side boat tour stays close to home, and the Demre, Myra and Kekova tour combines another long coastal day with ancient sites.