The Manchester Airport destination with a ‘hidden gem’ island that’s ‘like the Maldives’

Thanks to its gorgeous beaches, sunny weather and luxurious all-inclusive resorts, Turkey is one of the most popular destinations among UK holidaymakers. With temperatures still reaching the mid 20s even in October, it’s the perfect place to head to for a half term holiday.

Dalaman, Bodrum and Marmais are just a few of the go-to destinations along its stunning Mediterranean coast, often referred to as the Turkish Riviera. Further south along the coast, the city of Antalya and the surrounding province is one of the top destinations from Manchester Airport.

The city itself is packed full of things to do from ancient ruins which hark back to its days as a Roman port to bustling markets where you can buy everything from herbs and spices to handmade gifts. If a relaxed holiday spent sunbathing on the sand is what you’re after, then Antalya’s beaches do not disappoint, with many resort hotels right by the ocean.

READ MORE: Manchester Airport announces direct £19 flights to Europe’s ‘last real hidden gem’

While Antalya is a well-known holiday spot, it still holds some surprises. Travellers have taken to Tik Tok to share an island near the city which has been hailed the ‘Maldives of Turkey’.

The uninhabited island lies in the south-west end of the Gulf of Antalya and you can book boat excursions which take you from Antalya to the island. Suluada in Turkish means ‘watery island’ and it’s known for its crystal clear waters which are ideal for snorkelling.

One video showing the gorgeous blue waters of Suluada shared by Tik Tok user @rs_living has amassed 75.5k likes. The caption reads: “One of the wonders of Turkey! This location is a hidden gem in Antalya, Turkey, They call it the Maldives of Turkey as the water and beaches resemble similar to the Atols of Maldives.”

Another user, @michellejw, shared a video of her boat trip to the island. She said: “Antalya Turkey is known to have the most incredible resorts that have everything you could ever want and you would have no reason to leave, so let me give you a reason. Let me show you how beautiful Antalya is. I booked a full day boat trip to Suluada Island, which is known as the Maldives of Turkey.”

Sharing clips of her trip which stopped off at three different swimming points, showing how blue the water was, she said: “At the second is this super super turquoise blue water, it was just incredible, I’ve never seen water this colour.”

You can still bag last minute flights to Antalya in time for October half term, with Skyscanner showing direct flights one-way from Manchester Airport to Antalya from £95 on the 20th, with returns on the 25 for £151. Although it’s important to note that this does not include luggage allowance and seat allocation.

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