Alanya: Relax Boat Trip With Lunch & Swimming

The best thing about this Alanya boat trip is what it leaves out: loud music, dancing, and party games. The small wooden boat carries up to about 80 to 90 people, giving you room to sit in sun or shade, stretch out, and enjoy the coast at a sensible pace. I especially like the quiet atmosphere and the chance to see Alanya Castle, the Red Tower, and its sea caves from the water.

I also like the three to four swimming stops, plus the included grilled chicken lunch, salads, rice, and soft drinks. The main point to consider is the road transfer. Several passengers found the minibus cramped, and one reported that it had no air-conditioning. The boat itself is relaxed, but the ride to and from the harbor may not be.

Key points at a glance

• Small wooden boat: A calmer setting than Alanya’s larger party boats, with a maximum capacity of roughly 80 to 90 passengers.
• Castle-side sightseeing: See the Red Tower, old shipyard, Alanya Castle walls, Pirates Cave, Lovers Cave, and Phosphorus Cave from the sea.
• Three to four swims: Stops include the shipyard area, Cleopatra Beach area, Ulas Beach, and other points along the coast.
• Lunch included: Grilled chicken, salads, rice, and soft drinks are provided. Alcohol, ice cream, and photographs cost extra.
• Hotel transfers: Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels and apartments in Alanya and nearby areas.
• Good value at $39: The price covers transport, a four-hour cruise, lunch, drinks, and several swimming breaks.

A quiet alternative to Alanya’s party boats

Alanya has no shortage of boat trips. Many use large wooden vessels with music, animation, and a holiday-club mood. This one takes a different approach. There is no planned partying or loud entertainment, and the boat is intended for people who want a peaceful half-day on the Mediterranean.

That difference matters. You can sit quietly while the boat passes the castle walls, read in the shade, or talk with your family without competing with a speaker system. A small amount of soft music may play, but the mood is easygoing rather than silent or formal.

The boat can carry approximately 80 to 90 people, so do not picture a private charter. Still, that is a modest group size for a popular Alanya excursion. The available space lets you sit on benches in the shade or find a sunny place to lie down. One especially positive report described enough room for people to move around without feeling packed onto the deck.

The activity receives a rating of 4.2 from 24 ratings, which fits the experience well. The boat, swimming, food, and calm pace earn the strongest praise. The weaker point is transportation, especially when the minibus is full.

From your hotel to Alanya Harbor

Pickup is available from hotels and apartments in Alanya, with drop-off options covering Alanya, Okurcalar, Avsallar, and the Harbour Kitchen & Bar area. The exact pickup time depends on your hotel location, and the operator confirms it after booking.

You are asked to provide your room number after checking in and wait at the hotel’s main entrance or security point five minutes before pickup. That is sensible advice, since the vehicle may not stop directly beside every hotel entrance.

The transfer is listed as about 40 minutes each way. The road time is worth considering when you judge the total value of the excursion. The boat portion lasts about four hours, while the full activity is listed as 4 to 4.5 hours, so actual timing can vary with pickup locations and the day’s schedule.

The transfer is the least predictable part of the experience. One person found the minibus extremely tight and uncomfortable, with no air-conditioning. Another described feeling packed in. If you have limited tolerance for cramped transport, ask about the pickup arrangement before booking. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm that the vehicle and boarding process suit your needs.

The Red Tower and old shipyard from the water

Once the boat leaves Alanya Harbor, the first views put the city into perspective. From the sea, you can see the Red Tower, known locally as Kızılkule, and the old shipyard beneath the historic castle area.

The Red Tower is one of Alanya’s most recognizable landmarks, but seeing it from the water gives you a different angle than a walk through town. The harbor, tower, shipyard, and castle slopes line up along the rocky coast, making this a useful sightseeing trip even if you have already explored Alanya on foot.

A swimming stop near the shipyard is part of the route. The water is described as clear and cool, and you can get in from the boat rather than walking onto a beach. The first stop may feel less exciting than the later ones, particularly if you are hoping for a dramatic cove or a long swim. Still, it breaks up the sightseeing and lets you cool off early in the trip.

Bring a towel and secure your sunglasses, hat, and other loose items. There is sun on the open deck, while shaded benches offer a better option if you prefer not to spend the whole morning exposed.

Sea caves beneath Alanya Castle

The boat then follows the coast past three named caves: Pirates Cave, Lovers Cave, and Phosphorus Cave. These openings sit along the castle walls and are best appreciated from the water, where the rock face rises directly above you.

The caves are a scenic part of the cruise rather than a full cave expedition. You view them from the boat, and the exact time spent near each one can depend on the conditions and the captain’s schedule. The names add a little local color, but the real appeal is the combination of dark openings, rough stone, and the historic walls overhead.

This is also a good point to have your camera ready. Photographs are not included as a service, so you need to take your own pictures if you want a record of the route. The boat gives you several useful angles of the coast, but keep your phone protected from spray and wet hands.

You may be offered alcohol or other paid drinks during the day. Soft drinks such as water, Coke, Fanta, and mineral water are included, while alcoholic drinks and ice cream are not. Prices for extra drinks were described as high, so check the cost before ordering and carry suitable payment.

Cleopatra Beach from offshore

The boat passes Cleopatra Beach and views it from the sea rather than stopping on the sand. That distinction is important. If your main goal is a long beach session, this is not a replacement for visiting Cleopatra Beach directly. The stop gives you a coastal view and a chance to swim, but you will not be settling under an umbrella or walking the shoreline.

Cleopatra Beach is one of Alanya’s best-known stretches of coast, and the offshore view shows how the beach sits below the castle area. You get a broad look at the shoreline that is difficult to capture from street level.

The listed swimming stop near Cleopatra Beach lasts about 40 minutes. That is long enough for a proper swim, a little sun, or a jump from the boat. Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to look below the surface. The operator does not provide masks or fins, and sightings of small fish are possible but not guaranteed.

Lunch at Ulas Beach

Lunch is served during the stop at Ulas Mesire Piknik Alanı, a picnic area associated with Ulas Beach. The listed lunch includes grilled chicken, salads, and rice, with soft drinks included.

This is straightforward excursion food, not a restaurant meal, but it suits the day. A grilled chicken plate with rice and salad gives you something more substantial than a snack before the remaining swims. One person found the lunch very tasty, and another noted that second servings were available if you wanted more.

The schedule lists about 1.5 hours for lunch at Ulas. That makes this more than a quick plate handed to you between two stops. You have time to eat, sit, and enjoy the shore before returning to the water. Keep in mind that the full day still moves on a group timetable, so the exact length of the meal may vary.

Alcohol is not included, and paid drinks or ice cream are separate. If you are trying to keep the cost close to the $39 tour price, stick with the included soft drinks and bring your own towel, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear.

Three to four chances to swim

Swimming is the heart of this excursion. The schedule includes a stop near the shipyard, a Cleopatra Beach area swim, a stop at Ulas Beach, and additional swimming breaks in attractive coastal locations.

That gives you several chances to get into the water, rather than one short stop that feels over before you have adjusted to the temperature. You can swim from the boat, enjoy the sun, and return to the deck when you have had enough.

The water is described as crystal clear, but the tour does not promise a formal snorkeling program. You must bring your own equipment. If you bring a mask, you may see small fish around the swimming areas, as one person did, but conditions and visibility can change.

The boat also offers the possibility of spotting dolphins. Treat that as luck, not part of the guaranteed itinerary. The reliable attractions are the views, the swimming, and the slower pace.

A practical tip: apply sunscreen before boarding and reapply during the day. The Mediterranean sun can feel mild when you are sitting in a breeze, but the deck offers little protection outside the shaded benches. A sun hat, sunglasses, swimwear, towel, and water-resistant bag are useful additions.

What the $39 price really covers

At $39 per person, this is a good-value half-day outing if you want several services bundled together. The price includes hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off, the boat cruise, lunch, and soft drinks. You also receive a calmer setting than many standard Alanya boat excursions.

The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise need to arrange transport to the harbor, pay for lunch, and find their own way to several coastal swimming spots. Families and couples can keep the day simple: get picked up, board the boat, eat, swim, and return to the hotel.

The price is less attractive if you want a private boat, a long beach stay, or a full snorkeling excursion with equipment and instruction. It is also worth leaving room in your budget for optional purchases. Alcohol, ice cream, photographs, and snorkeling equipment are not included, and paid drinks may be expensive.

The limited group size adds value, but the boat is not empty. If you expect a private experience, choose a smaller charter instead. If you simply want to avoid the largest, loudest vessels, this trip fits that need much better.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, solo visitors, and friends who want a low-key day on the water. It is especially suitable if you prefer conversation and scenery to music and organized entertainment.

It also works well for anyone who wants a simple introduction to Alanya’s coast. You see several major sights from the sea, stop for swims, and receive lunch without having to plan each part yourself. The multilingual service is offered in English, German, Russian, and Turkish.

You may want to reconsider if a cramped minibus ride would spoil the day, or if you need a long, comfortable transfer from a distant hotel. The boat itself receives the better feedback, while the road portion is where the main complaints appear.

The tour is also not ideal for someone focused on serious snorkeling. Equipment is not included, and the main purpose is relaxation, sightseeing, and swimming rather than marine exploration.

Booking and preparation tips

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, and pickup details are confirmed according to your hotel location.

For a comfortable day, bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Your own snorkeling equipment
• A secure bag for phones and valuables

Wait at the hotel’s main entrance or security point five minutes before the confirmed pickup time. Since the transfer can be tight, travel light and avoid bringing bulky beach equipment.

The boat is reported to have clean facilities, including the toilets, which matters on a four-hour cruise. Soft drinks are available, and the included meal removes the need to carry a full picnic.

Should you book the Alanya Relax Boat Trip?

Book this excursion if your ideal boat day means quiet music, open views, repeated swims, and a cooked lunch rather than a floating party. The Red Tower, shipyard, castle caves, and Cleopatra Beach give the cruise a strong sightseeing element, while the three to four swimming stops keep it active.

At $39, the package is fairly priced, particularly with hotel transport, lunch, and drinks included. The main warning is the minibus. Ask about the transfer if comfort is important to you, and bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to see fish.

For a peaceful family outing or an easy half-day by the Mediterranean, this is a sensible choice. For private space, premium food, or a serious snorkeling experience, spend more on a specialized trip.

FAQ

How long does the Alanya Relax Boat Trip last?

The activity lasts about 4 to 4.5 hours. The boat cruise itself is listed as approximately four hours, with transfer times depending on your hotel location.

What is included in the price?

The $39 price includes hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off in Alanya, the boat trip, lunch, and soft drinks such as water, Coke, Fanta, and mineral water.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes grilled chicken, salads, and rice. Second servings may be available. Alcohol and ice cream are not included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks must be purchased separately, and extra drinks may be expensive.

How many swimming stops are there?

You can expect three to four swimming breaks at locations along the coast. Stops include the shipyard area, the Cleopatra Beach area, Ulas Beach, and other coastal points.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to explore the water. Small fish may be visible, but snorkeling conditions are not guaranteed.

Can I see Alanya’s historic sights from the boat?

Yes. The route provides views of the Red Tower, old shipyard, Alanya Castle walls, Pirates Cave, Lovers Cave, Phosphorus Cave, and Cleopatra Beach.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels and apartments in Alanya and surrounding areas. The exact time depends on your hotel location.

What languages are available?

Service is offered in English, German, Russian, and Turkish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.