We run boat tours to Suluada from Adrasan harbour every week of the season. Guests ask about timing more than almost anything else. The best time to visit Suluada island depends on what matters more to you: warm water, fewer people, or the full summer experience. This guide gives you the honest breakdown by month.
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The Short Answer
The best months to visit Suluada are May, June, and September. The water is warm enough for comfortable swimming, the boat tours run on a full daily schedule, and the island itself is noticeably quieter than in July and August. If you are visiting in peak summer, book your tour early. The island stays uncrowded but the boats fill up fast.
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Month-by-Month Guide to Visiting Suluada
May and June: Best Balance of Weather and Quiet
May and June are the months we recommend most to guests who ask. Water temperatures are around 20-24 degrees Celsius by late May and climbing steadily through June. The weather is warm and stable, with little wind. Boat tours run daily.
The island in May and June looks its best. The water visibility is high, the surrounding hills are still green from spring rain, and the white pebble beach at Suluada has almost no other groups on it. For visitors who want the full Suluada experience without sharing it with fifty other boats, May and June are the window.
June tends to be slightly warmer than May. By late June, sea temperatures are approaching the summer peak and the days are long. It is busy enough to feel like a proper summer day, quiet enough that the island does not feel crowded.
July and August: Peak Season
July and August are the hottest months, with air temperatures regularly above 35 degrees Celsius at Adrasan. Sea temperatures reach 27-29 degrees Celsius and the water is as warm as it gets. If warmth is the priority, this is the season.
The trade-off is straightforward. More boats make the crossing from Adrasan during peak season, and the harbour is busier. The island itself remains far quieter than a resort beach because there are no facilities and access is by boat only. But the experience is different from May or September.
If July or August is your only option, book early. Tours fill up in peak season. A weekday departure is quieter than a weekend.
September: Quietest Good Month
September is the month locals recommend for a reason. Air temperatures drop slightly from the August peak, settling around 28-30 degrees during the day. Sea temperatures are still at their maximum, around 26-28 degrees Celsius, carrying the heat of the summer. Water visibility is excellent.
The crowds fall off sharply after the first week of September. Families with school-age children have returned home, and the island returns to something close to its spring character. September is the one month that combines genuinely warm water with a quiet island.
October: Late Season, Still Worth It
By October, air temperatures drop to around 22-26 degrees during the day. Sea temperatures cool to around 22-24 degrees. Swimming is comfortable for most adults, though children may find it cooler than summer.
Tour frequency reduces in October, and some operators finish their season before the end of the month. Check availability before planning an October visit. The island in October is very quiet, the water is clear, and the journey through the national park coastline is at its most scenic as the vegetation changes colour.
November to April: Off Season
Boat tours to Suluada do not operate in winter. The crossing from Adrasan to the island takes around 30-45 minutes on open water, and autumn and winter conditions on the southern Turkish coast make it unsuitable for day-trip boats. A small number of private yacht charters operate year-round with appropriate weather windows, but this is not a standard tour season.
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Water Temperature at Suluada by Month
| Month | Sea Temperature | Notes |
| May | 20-22°C | Comfortable for most swimmers by late May |
| June | 22-25°C | Good swimming, improving through the month |
| July | 26-28°C | Peak warmth, ideal conditions |
| August | 27-29°C | Warmest water of the year |
| September | 26-28°C | Still summer-warm, far quieter |
| October | 22-24°C | Cooling, still pleasant for most adults |
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The Freshwater Spring: When the Contrast Is Best
One of the stops on every Suluada boat tour is the freshwater spring on the sheltered side of the island. Cold mountain water flows directly from a spring into the sea. The contrast between the cold spring water and the warm surface sea is one of the more unusual things you will experience on the Turkish coast.
The contrast is strongest in July and August, when the sea surface reaches 28-29 degrees and the spring water remains cold year-round. In May, with sea temperatures around 20 degrees, the difference is less pronounced. If the freshwater spring is a priority for you, a midsummer visit makes the most of it.
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What to Expect on a Suluada Boat Tour
The tour runs as a full day from Adrasan harbour. There are three swimming stops: Suluada’s white pebble beach, the freshwater spring cove on the island’s sheltered side, and Porto Geneviz Bay on the return route. Lunch is included. The harbour at Adrasan is a small fishing village with no resort development, which is part of what makes the tour feel different from the beach-based boat trips around Antalya and Kemer.
See our [Suluada boat tour from Antalya] page for departure times, hotel pickup locations, and booking details. No deposit is required. You pay at the harbour on the day.
For a full overview of the island including what to see and how to get there, the [complete Suluada island guide] covers everything in one place.
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Sea Turtles at Suluada: What Visitors Should Know
Suluada and the surrounding Adrasan coastline are within the Olympos-Beydaglari National Park, which includes protected loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting beaches. The nesting season runs from May through October.
You may see sea turtles in the water around the island, particularly in the early morning before the boats arrive. The island itself is uninhabited and has no facilities, which is part of why it remains a viable nesting environment.
Nesting season does not restrict access to the island. No areas of Suluada’s beach are regularly cordoned off for turtle protection during standard touring hours. If you see turtles in the water, keep a distance and do not approach them.
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Getting to Suluada from Antalya, Kemer, and Belek
The boat for Suluada departs from Adrasan harbour. Adrasan is a small village on the coast, roughly 80 kilometres southwest of Antalya city centre.
Hotel pickup is included in our tour from the following areas:
– **Antalya city and Lara**: approximately 1.5 hours to Adrasan
– **Kemer and Beldibi**: approximately 40 minutes to Adrasan
– **Belek and Side**: approximately 2 hours to Adrasan
The transfer goes through the Taurus mountain foothills. It is a scenic road through the national park. Air-conditioned vehicle for the full journey.
For tours and excursions across the broader Adrasan area, see our [Adrasan excursions]page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Boat tours to Suluada operate from May through October, depending on weather. Winter conditions on the open Adrasan coast make day-trip operations impractical. The season runs approximately May to late October.
By late May, sea temperatures at Suluada reach 20-22 degrees Celsius. Most adults swim comfortably at this temperature. Early May can be cooler, closer to 18 degrees, which suits confident swimmers but may feel cold for children or those used to warmer water.
Adrasan harbour, where the boat departs, is approximately 80 kilometres from Antalya city centre. The transfer takes around 1.5 hours by road through the Taurus mountains. From Kemer, the journey is around 40 minutes.
Yes. The boat is stable and the swimming areas around the island are sheltered. Children who can swim manage the stops comfortably. Bring floats or a life vest for young children. There are no facilities on the island, so bring everything you need for the day.
The freshwater spring is a natural phenomenon on the sheltered side of the island. Cold mountain water from underground springs flows directly into the sea. The temperature contrast between the cold spring water and the warm seawater is noticeable and is one of the tour highlights. It is one of the few places on the Mediterranean coast where this occurs.
