Our Suluada tour from Side is a day on a yacht in the clear water off the Adrasan coast. Suluada’s turquoise sea is the reason people call it the Turkish Maldives. You swim in sheltered bays, relax on deck in the warm southern sun and stop for photos at the Lovers’ Cave.
We pick up guests from hotels in Gündoğdu, Çolaklı, Evrenseki, Kumköy, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç and Kızılot.
Book your seat online with no prepayment — you pay on the bus on the day of the tour.
Suluada tour from Side at a glance
- Hotel pickup: 05:00–06:00
- Departure port: Adrasan
- Yacht departs: around 10:00
- Back in port: 15:15–15:45
- Back at your hotel: 19:00–20:00
- Itinerary: yacht trip, swimming at Suluada and in nearby bays, lunch on board
- Payment: cash on the bus ($, €, ₺)
Tour programme
- 05:00–06:00 | Hotel pickup
Your exact pickup time will be on your e-ticket once your booking is confirmed.
- Stop on the way — about 15–20 minutes
Time for the toilet, a tea or coffee and pastries from the café. If you’d like breakfast, ask hotel reception in advance for a packed breakfast.
- Arrival at Adrasan port
You board the yacht, and the sea part of the day begins.
- 10:00 | Departure for Suluada
The time is approximate. Suluada is often called the Turkish Maldives.
- Swimming at Suluada
Two main stops in bays on different sides of the island. Close to the shore the water is almost transparent; further out it turns pale turquoise.
- Lovers’ Cave
The captain slows down at the mouth of the cave so you can get a good look at the rocks and take photos.
- Lunch on board
Fish or chicken, spaghetti, salad and seasonal fruit. Lunch and a cup of tea are included in the price; other drinks are extra.
- Swim in Fener Bay or American Bay
Quiet Adrasan bays that are usually reached by sea. Good for swimming and snorkelling.
- 15:15–15:45 | Back in Adrasan port
At the port the group transfers to the bus.
- 19:00–20:00 | Back to your hotel
The time depends on where your hotel is, traffic and the pace of the group.
The captain may change the order of the stops or swap one of the bays for another because of the weather or sea conditions. This doesn’t shorten your time on the yacht.
How does the Suluada (Turkish Maldives) tour from Side work?
Morning pickup, exact time on your e-ticket
In the morning our bus picks you up from your hotel in Side or a nearby resort area. Pickup is usually between 05:00 and 06:00. Your exact time will be on your e-ticket once your booking is confirmed.
The drive to Adrasan is a good start to a lazy day. You leave the town behind, and the road opens up to mountains, greenery and views of the southern coast.
Coffee and fresh pastries before the sea
On the way we stop for 15–20 minutes. You can use the toilet, have a tea or coffee, buy fresh pastries at the café and stretch your legs before boarding the yacht.
Want to bring breakfast with you? Ask at reception in advance whether they can prepare a packed breakfast for you.
Boarding the yacht at Adrasan
At Adrasan port you board the yacht, and the sea part of the tour begins. With a fresh breeze, views of the coast and a relaxed mood on deck, the holiday feeling sets in quickly.
We head for Suluada, the island often called the Turkish Maldives.
Two swim stops on different sides of Suluada
The sea around Suluada is especially beautiful. Near the island the water is almost transparent, then it turns pale turquoise and further out deepens into a rich blue.
The yacht makes two main swim stops, on different sides of the island. You can swim, relax and sunbathe on deck, and take photos against the turquoise water.
Suluada is an uninhabited island not far from Adrasan. Its name is linked to fresh water and translates as “water island”. We kindly ask all guests to look after the island and take their rubbish with them.
Photo stop at the Lovers’ Cave
Not far from the island, the yacht approaches the Lovers’ Cave. The captain slows down at the entrance so you can see the rocks, the dark vault of the cave and the sunlight glinting on the water.
This is the moment to have your camera ready.
Lunch on board: fish or chicken, spaghetti and salad
After the swim, lunch is served on the yacht. It’s usually fish or chicken, spaghetti, salad and seasonal fruit.
You eat while the yacht is out at sea, with water all around, a light breeze and a calm, quiet deck.
American Bay or Fener Bay: swimming and snorkelling
After lunch the yacht stops in one of the Adrasan bays, such as American Bay or Fener Bay. These are quiet places with no noise, no roads and no beach facilities. They are usually reached by sea, which makes them feel wild and unspoilt.
American Bay is known for its clear water, golden sand and an interesting history. Its name is linked to American archaeologists who carried out underwater research in the area in the 1960s. It’s a lovely spot for swimming, relaxing near the shore and snorkelling.
Fener Bay is named after the small lighthouse on its shore. It is surrounded by rocks, green slopes and clear turquoise sea. The water gets deeper gradually, so the bay is comfortable both for an easy swim and for snorkelling.
Back to Adrasan port and on to your hotel
The yacht returns to Adrasan port between about 15:15 and 15:45. There you get back on the bus and head back towards Side and the other resort areas.
Guests are usually back at their hotels between 19:00 and 20:00. The time depends on where your hotel is, traffic and the pace of the group.
Book your Suluada tour online with no prepayment and pay on the bus on the day of the trip.
Video of our Suluada tour
See what the day looks like
Press Play twice to start the video.
What is included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Yacht trip
- Lunch on board: fish or chicken, spaghetti, salad
- Seasonal fruit
- Tea (one cup)
- Insurance
What is not included
- Drinks other than tea
- Personal expenses: photos, souvenirs and other purchases
What to bring
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
- Drinking water and, if you like, a light snack such as biscuits or pastries
- Camera or phone
- Cash for drinks and personal expenses
- Optional: a light jumper or windbreaker in case it’s cool or windy at sea
Distance to Adrasan
- Gündoğdu to Adrasan: 170 km, about 2 hours 40 minutes
- Çolaklı to Adrasan: 172 km, about 2 hours 40 minutes
- Evrenseki to Adrasan: 173 km, about 2 hours 45 minutes
- Side to Adrasan: 173 km, about 2 hours 45 minutes
- Kumköy to Adrasan: 175 km, about 2 hours 45 minutes
- Sorgun to Adrasan: 177 km, about 2 hours 50 minutes
- Titreyengöl to Adrasan: 178 km, about 2 hours 50 minutes
- Kızılağaç to Adrasan: 182 km, about 2 hours 55 minutes
- Kızılot to Adrasan: 185 km, about 3 hours
Distances and travel times are based on Google Maps and are intended as a guide. The actual journey time depends on traffic and on how long it takes to pick up guests from other hotels.
Discounts
- Book at least 7 days in advance — 4% off
- Book at least 30 days in advance — 5% off
- $1 off for each person in your booking who follows our Instagram (@goldwaytravel)
- Discounts can’t be combined: choose either the early booking discount or the follower discount, whichever saves you more
FAQ about the Suluada tour from Side
How much does the Turkish Maldives trip from Side cost?
Adults 9+ $40, children 4–8 $30, children 0–3 free. The price includes the yacht trip, lunch, fruit, a cup of tea and hotel transfer.
How do I book the Turkish Maldives trip from Side?
Choose the date and the number of adults and children in the “Online Booking” form; the total is worked out automatically. In the form that opens, enter your full name, hotel, WhatsApp number and email, then send it. No prepayment: you pay on the bus on the day of the tour. Once your booking is confirmed, we email you an e-ticket with the exact pickup time. For step-by-step instructions with pictures, see
“How to book and pay on the bus”.
Will my child have their own seat on the bus?
Children with a paid ticket get their own seat. Children who travel free sit on an adult’s lap. If you want your little one to have their own seat on the bus, book a paid child ticket for them.
What time does the Suluada tour start?
We pick up guests from their hotels in the morning, usually between 05:00 and 06:00.
Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive an e-ticket with the exact pickup time for your hotel.
How long is the drive to Adrasan?
The journey time depends on your resort and the pickup route.
From Gündoğdu to Adrasan port it takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. From Side the drive takes about 2 hours 45 minutes, and from Kızılot about 3 hours.
Sometimes it can take a little longer because of traffic or the number of hotels on the route.
Is there a break before we board the yacht?
Yes, before the yacht trip we make a short stop of 15–20 minutes.
You can use the toilet, rest for a while, have a tea or coffee and buy fresh pastries. If you’d like to bring breakfast from your hotel, ask at reception in advance whether they can prepare a packed breakfast for you.
Why is Suluada called the Turkish Maldives?
People love Suluada for its clear water, light-coloured shoreline and bright turquoise sea.
In good weather the island is a beautiful sight, with rocks, small coves, clear water and a scenic coastline all around. That’s why visitors so often compare it to the Maldives.
Where are the swim stops?
The main stops are at Suluada: the yacht calls at two bays on different sides of the island.
The captain makes one more stop near Adrasan, usually in Fener Bay or American Bay.
On the day of the tour the captain picks the most convenient and safest option, depending on the weather, the state of the sea and how many yachts are in the bays.
How many times can we go in the water?
The trip usually includes three swim stops.
The two main ones are at Suluada, and the third is in one of the Adrasan bays. You’ll have time to swim, take photos and relax on board between stops.
Can we swim in the Lovers’ Cave?
No, guests don’t swim in the Lovers’ Cave.
The yacht comes up to the cave and the captain slows down so you can see it from the water and take photos. Swimming takes place in the other bays on the route.
What happens if the weather stops us from entering one of the bays?
At sea, safety comes first. The captain always plans the route around the weather and sea conditions.
If the yacht can’t go into one bay, the captain finds another suitable stop. The trip doesn’t get any shorter: your time at sea and the length of the tour stay the same.
What is served for lunch on the yacht?
Lunch is included in the price of the tour.
Fish or chicken, spaghetti and salad are served on board. During the trip you’re also offered seasonal fruit.
Can I bring my own snacks?
Yes, you can bring a small snack, such as biscuits, a bun or something light for yourself.
You can bring water too. Other drinks are not allowed on the yacht, as there is a bar on board where you can buy drinks throughout the day.
Is this trip suitable for children?
Yes, it’s a good trip for families.
The day is relaxed: the yacht, the sea, swimming, lunch and time on deck. Children usually enjoy it. Parents need to keep a close eye on them on board and at the swim stops.
Do I have to swim at the stops?
Not at all. Nobody has to go in the water.
You can stay on the yacht, sunbathe, sit in the shade, watch the sea and simply enjoy the trip.
Is there a toilet and somewhere to change on the yacht?
Yes, the yacht has a toilet and a changing cabin.
You can change in comfort before you swim or after you come out of the water.
When will we be back at the hotel?
Guests are usually back at their hotels between 19:00 and 20:00.
The exact time depends on your resort, the roads and the pace of the group on the day.
