There are places you see on Instagram and immediately think: That can’t actually look like that.
Suluada was one of those places for us.
We had already explored quite a bit of the Turkish coast, from the family-friendly resort life of Belek to the beaches, old town and adventures of Antalya. Turkey had already surprised us with how much there is to do beyond the hotel pool. But then we heard about a little island called Suluada, somewhere off the coast of Adrasan.
The nickname was enough to make us curious.
The Maldives of Turkey.
That sounded like a pretty big promise.
And honestly? Once you see the water, you understand exactly where the nickname comes from.
The road to Suluada starts in Adrasan
Suluada isn’t somewhere you simply drive to, park the car and walk onto the beach. It is a tiny, uninhabited island off the coast of Adrasan, in Antalya Province, and you reach it by boat.
That is part of what makes the experience special.
The morning starts with a drive towards Adrasan. If you’re staying around Belek, Antalya, Kemer or even further along the coast, this is one of those days where you need to accept that the alarm clock is going to win.
But then you arrive at the harbour, see the boats waiting in the bay and suddenly the early start doesn’t seem quite so bad.
Well… at least until the kids remember how early they had to get up.
We always find that these are the days that become the best travel memories. Not necessarily because everything goes perfectly, but because the day feels like an adventure from the moment you leave the hotel.
And Suluada definitely has that feeling.
Then the Mediterranean starts showing off
The boat leaves Adrasan and slowly the coastline begins to change.
The familiar Turkish holiday landscape disappears behind you. No waterparks, no rows of resort hotels, no busy roads. Just cliffs, pine-covered mountains and the Mediterranean stretching out in front of you.
And then you see it.
That water.
Turquoise doesn’t quite seem like a strong enough word.
The shallow water around Suluada catches the sunlight and turns an almost impossible shade of blue, with pale sand beneath it. It is exactly the sort of view that makes everyone on the boat reach for their phone at the same time.
You know those moments when the children suddenly stop asking “How long until we get there?”
This is one of them.
Is Suluada really the Maldives of Turkey?
Well, let’s be realistic.
No, you haven’t suddenly landed in the Maldives.
There are no overwater villas, no luxury resorts and no beach club waiting for you with a cocktail.
And that’s actually what we loved about it.
Suluada is a wild, undeveloped island. There are no shops or rows of sunbeds, so everything you need for the day needs to come with you or stay on the boat.
The nickname is really about the water and the landscape.
And in that respect?
Yes.
We completely understand it.
The combination of bright turquoise water, pale sand, rocky cliffs and the feeling of being surrounded by nothing but the Mediterranean makes Suluada look almost tropical.
Except you’re still in Turkey.
And that’s quite a good travel hack if you ask us.
A day of swimming, jumping and doing absolutely nothing
The best thing about a Suluada boat trip is that there isn’t really a complicated itinerary.
You sail.
You stop.
You swim.
You get back on the boat.
You dry off.
Someone gets hungry.
You eat.
And then someone decides they absolutely have to jump into that ridiculously blue water one more time.
Repeat.
Boat trips to Suluada generally include several swimming stops around the island and nearby bays, with lunch often served on board.
For families, this makes the day surprisingly easy.
There isn’t a museum to drag the kids through, a historical site where everyone has to whisper or a long list of attractions you feel you need to tick off.
It’s just one big Mediterranean adventure.
And sometimes that’s exactly what a holiday needs.
Bring your own little piece of the Maldives
One thing we would definitely recommend is bringing your own snorkelling gear if you have it.
The water is incredibly clear, and swimming around the coves makes you realise that you don’t need a fancy excursion to entertain the kids. Give them goggles, a mask and a little time in the water and suddenly they are exploring their own underwater world.
Snorkelling gear for your next family adventure
And don’t forget the boring-but-important things: plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat and something to protect your feet if your children don’t enjoy rocky beaches. Suluada is undeveloped, so this isn’t the place to assume you’ll find a little shop when someone announces they are thirsty.
Our children have taught us one important rule over the years:
If you think you’ve packed enough snacks, pack two more.
It applies everywhere.
Especially on boats.
Suluada with kids: yes or no?
For us, absolutely yes.
But there is one thing to understand before you book.
This is a long day.
Depending on where you’re staying, getting to Adrasan can take some time, and the boat trip itself is a full-day experience. Some tours from Antalya and Belek areas run around 10–13 hours including transfers.
That sounds like a lot.
And it is.
But the day doesn’t feel like a sightseeing marathon. Once you’re on the boat, everything slows down.
Which is probably why we enjoyed it so much.
If your children are happy on boats and love swimming, this can easily become one of the highlights of your Turkey trip.
If they get seasick after ten minutes or would rather spend the day at the waterpark, you might want to think twice.
Know your kids.
And bring seasickness tablets if you already know the Mediterranean doesn’t always agree with them.
The downside nobody puts on the Instagram photo
There is one little reality check worth mentioning.
Suluada is popular.
Very popular.
So although the photographs can make it look like you’ve discovered a completely deserted island, you may not be the only boat arriving. The famous swimming areas can get busy, particularly during the peak summer months.
That doesn’t make the water any less beautiful.
But it does mean you shouldn’t arrive expecting your own private Maldives island.
And actually, we think that makes the experience better when you know it beforehand.
You aren’t booking a private island.
You’re booking a family day on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Turkish Mediterranean.
That’s a pretty good deal.
What to bring to Suluada
This is one of those trips where a small day bag is much better than dragging half your suitcase onto a boat.
We would pack:
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Plenty of sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Snacks for the kids
- Snorkelling gear
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case
- A dry change of clothes
- A small bag for rubbish
And if you’re travelling around Turkey with kids, we found our Travelicious packing cubes incredibly useful for keeping everyone’s swimwear, towels and spare clothes organised. Because when four people need to change on a boat, the last thing you want is to empty an entire suitcase looking for one pair of dry shorts.
Travelicious Packing Cubes – keep the family luggage organised, https://www.travel-icious.com/product/travel-storage-bag-compressible-packaging-cube-copy/
Where Suluada fits into your Turkey family adventure
Suluada isn’t really a destination you visit instead of Antalya or Belek.
It’s something you add to the story.
If you’ve read our Belek with Kids: The Ultimate Family Resort Escape in Turkey, you’ll know that Belek is perfect when you want that classic family holiday feeling: a great resort, beaches, pools and plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Then there’s Antalya with Kids: Beaches, Old Town & Family Adventures, where Turkey feels much more like a place to explore. You can wander through the old town, discover the coastline and mix beach time with a little history and culture.
And if you’re staying around Side, don’t miss our Side with Kids: Ancient Ruins, Beaches & Hidden Gems. Side gives you that wonderful combination we love about Turkey: you can spend the morning wandering between ancient ruins and the afternoon with your feet in the Mediterranean. It is exactly the kind of place where a day trip like Suluada fits beautifully into the itinerary.
And if you’re still deciding where to go and how to put everything together, our Ultimate Turkey Travel Guide – Beaches, History & Family Adventures is the place to start.
Suluada adds something completely different.
It gives you that one day where you leave the roads behind, climb onto a boat and spend hours surrounded by nothing but blue water, cliffs and sunshine.
Would we do Suluada again?
Absolutely.
Not because it is the biggest attraction in Turkey.
Not because there is a long list of things to see.
Actually, quite the opposite.
Suluada is memorable because there isn’t much to do.
You simply have to be there.
You sit on the edge of the boat with your feet dangling over the water. The kids jump in. Someone shouts because they’ve spotted a fish. The sun is warm, the sea is impossibly blue and lunch is waiting somewhere on the boat.
And for a few hours, nobody is checking the time.
That’s the Turkey we love.
The Turkey beyond the all-inclusive wristband.
The Turkey where you turn a corner and discover a little bay that looks like it belongs on the other side of the world.
Only this one is just off the coast of Antalya.
And maybe that’s why the nickname “Maldives of Turkey” works so well.
You don’t need a long-haul flight.
You just need to get on a boat.
And let Suluada do the rest.