Antalya Scuba Diving Tour, With Lunch & Return Transfers

Antalya’s Mediterranean coast offers a fine first taste of scuba diving, with two short underwater sessions at different sites and a swimming stop between them. You do not need prior training, and the instructors handle the equipment and basic safety work while you enjoy the sea at a modest depth of 5 to 10 metres.

I like the simple structure: two 20-minute sessions give beginners enough time to get comfortable without turning the day into a long technical exercise. I also like the price, $38 per person, which covers transport, equipment, insurance, instruction, and lunch.

The main drawback is the transfer. One recent customer found the vehicle stuffy and uncomfortable, and underwater visibility can vary. This is best viewed as an accessible amateur outing, not a serious certification course or a guaranteed wildlife spectacle.

Key points to know before booking

• Two beginner sessions: Spend about 40 minutes underwater in total, at depths of roughly 5 to 10 metres.
• Two coastal locations: The first session takes place off Çaltıcak, followed by a second near Marti Island.
• No prior experience required: An instructor provides guidance and selects the activity according to your experience.
• Lunch is included: Expect schnitzel, pasta, and salad after the first session.
• Non-swimmers can still join: Basic swimming instruction is offered, while non-divers can remain on the boat.
• Transfers are practical but basic: Pickup runs from hotel security gates, not from lobbies or reception areas.

What this Antalya sea day is really like

This is a beginner-friendly day on the water rather than a demanding athletic outing. You travel from Antalya to Setur Marina, board the boat, receive instruction, and spend time below the surface at two separate coastal spots.

The program runs for about seven hours. Hotel pickups take place between 9:00 and 10:15 in the morning, the boat leaves the marina around 10:30, and you return to Setur Marina near 16:30. After that, the shuttle returns you to the same meeting stops.

I see the appeal for a first underwater outing. The sessions are short, the maximum depth is limited, and the instruction is available in English, Russian, and Turkish. You can enjoy the novelty without committing to a full training course.

Still, this is a shared boat day. Timing depends on the group, the boat schedule, and the conditions at sea. If you want a private instructor, long underwater sessions, or advanced technical work, this is not the right product.

Morning pickup and the ride to Setur Marina

Your pickup point is the main security gate of your hotel. The vehicle does not enter the hotel grounds, and you should not wait inside the lobby or at reception.

That small detail matters. Antalya hotels can be large, and walking to the correct gate with your swim bag may take a few minutes. Confirm the meeting point before departure and arrive early, especially if your hotel has more than one entrance.

The transfer is included in the $38 price, which helps the overall value. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina or find your own way back at the end of the day.

Comfort is less certain. One customer described the vehicle as too stuffy and uncomfortable. I would bring only what you need, keep water handy, and treat the ride as basic transport rather than part of the holiday pampering.

Leaving Setur Marina around 10:30

At the marina, you board the boat and prepare for the day’s sea activities. The exact boat size and group capacity are not specified, so you should expect a shared setting rather than an intimate private charter.

The boat serves several purposes. It carries the equipment, provides a place for non-divers to relax, and gives you a base between the two sessions. If someone in your party does not want to go below the surface, that person can remain aboard and spend the day swimming or sunbathing.

This makes the outing useful for mixed groups. A committed beginner can take part, while a friend or family member who prefers the surface is not forced to book a separate activity.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, sunglasses, and a hat. Cash is also recommended for personal expenses, drinks, photographs, or other items not included in the price.

First underwater session off Çaltıcak

The first session takes place off the coast of Çaltıcak. Before entering the water, the instructor helps with the equipment and explains the basic procedure. The trip is designed for amateurs, so no previous certification or special skill is required.

You spend about 20 minutes underwater at a depth of approximately 5 to 10 metres. That depth is suitable for a first attempt because it offers a real sense of being below the surface without taking you into the conditions of advanced exploration.

The short time limit is both a benefit and a limitation. Beginners often need several minutes to settle their breathing, clear their ears, and feel comfortable with the mask and regulator. Once you are ready, the remaining time can pass quickly.

The instructors work in English, Russian, or Turkish. The information provided does not name individual guides, but the instructor’s role is central: assessing your experience, helping you use the equipment, and selecting the appropriate session.

One customer specifically praised the teacher’s professionalism. That is important here. Good instruction matters more than fancy equipment for a first underwater outing, because calm guidance can make the difference between an enjoyable introduction and an anxious one.

Lunch and swimming around Marti Island

After the first session, the boat pauses for lunch and a swimming break before the second underwater session. The meal consists of schnitzel, pasta, and salad.

This is straightforward boat food, not a restaurant meal. I would judge it as useful fuel for a full day in the sun rather than a reason to book the excursion. Drinks are not included, so bring money for purchases and confirm what is available on board.

The swimming stop gives you time to relax after the first session. If you are new to the water, the tour also offers free basic swimming instruction for people who do not know how to swim. That does not turn the excursion into a swimming course, but it may help someone who wants to take part cautiously.

Non-divers can use this portion of the day as their main activity. They can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the boat while the participants prepare for the next session.

The second session near Marti Island

The second session takes place near Marti Island after lunch. Like the first, it lasts about 20 minutes, bringing the total underwater time to around 40 minutes.

Having two sessions is a smart format for beginners. The first gives you a chance to learn how the equipment feels. The second lets you apply what you learned, often with less nervousness and a better sense of how to move and breathe.

The two locations also add some variety, though you should not assume that each site will offer the same visibility or marine life. Conditions can change with weather, water movement, and the time of year. One customer enjoyed the day but found underwater visibility poor, so clear water is not guaranteed.

That point is worth keeping in mind if your main goal is photographing fish or seeing a particular creature. The tour promises access to Antalya’s underwater environment, not a fixed wildlife display. Bring realistic expectations, and you will be more likely to appreciate the calm, blue-water setting even if visibility is only moderate.

The boat crew, safety, and overall comfort

Safety is built into the price through individual insurance, equipment, and instructor guidance. The tour is intended for amateur participants, and the instructor chooses the session based on your experience.

You should still take the medical restrictions seriously. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or people with physical difficulties. Children under 14 cannot take part in the underwater sessions, though they can swim and sunbathe on the boat.

The information does not give a detailed medical questionnaire or explain the exact equipment brands. If you have a health concern, ask the provider before booking rather than relying on a general assumption that beginner-level activity is suitable.

The boat crew received positive feedback for being friendly, while the instructor was praised for professionalism. Those are the qualities I would want most on this kind of day: clear directions, patient help, and a relaxed manner when someone needs extra time with the equipment.

The boat itself can be sunny and exposed. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and water are not optional extras in practice. You may also want a dry bag for small personal items, though one is not listed as included.

What the $38 price covers

At $38 per person, this is a strong-value day if you plan to use the main inclusions. The price covers return transfers, insurance, equipment, English guidance, two underwater sessions, and lunch.

Comparable costs can add up quickly if you pay separately for transport, boat access, equipment rental, and instruction. Here, those pieces are bundled into a single half-day-plus outing.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long boat cruise. Non-divers are welcome, but the heart of the program is the two amateur sessions. If you have no interest in going below the surface, you may find a dedicated swimming cruise more satisfying.

Extra costs include personal purchases, all drinks, and optional DVDs or photographs. The photo and video offer may appeal to families who want a record of the day, but it is not part of the advertised package, so budget for it only if you choose to buy it.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option also reduce the financial risk. These policies are useful if your Antalya schedule is still changing.

Who should book this activity

I would recommend this for adults and older teenagers who want a first taste of scuba without taking a certification course. It also suits couples and families with mixed interests because non-participants can stay on the boat.

You are a good match if you:

• Want a guided introduction with no previous experience
• Like a full day on the sea rather than a short pool lesson
• Are comfortable with about 40 minutes underwater in total
• Appreciate transport and lunch being included
• Can manage a basic shared transfer and boat environment

I would think twice if you need step-free access, have a heart condition, are pregnant, or have significant physical limitations. Children under 14 can join the boat activities but cannot take part in the underwater sessions.

Experienced scuba participants may also find the program too limited. The available information describes professional options such as wreck exploration or deeper sessions according to certification, but this particular outing is aimed at amateurs.

Practical packing advice for Antalya

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Wear something comfortable for the transfer and bring cash for drinks, photos, DVDs, and personal spending.

You do not need to bring scuba equipment because it is supplied. You also do not need prior skills, though you should be ready to listen carefully to the instructor and follow the safety directions.

Keep your expectations flexible on visibility. Antalya can offer clear blue water, but conditions are not fixed. A cloudy view does not necessarily ruin the day, especially if you enjoy the boat, swimming, and the novelty of the activity itself.

The tour has an average rating of 4.3 from eight ratings, with especially strong praise for the instructor and boat crew. The positive feedback is balanced by the practical complaints about a stuffy transfer and limited visibility, so I would book it for the structure and value, not for a guaranteed perfect underwater view.

Should you book the Antalya scuba tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, guided first experience with equipment, lunch, insurance, and transport already arranged. The two-session format is sensible, the depth is modest, and the option for non-divers makes it easy to include a friend or relative.

Skip it if you want advanced underwater work, a private boat, guaranteed clear visibility, or a highly comfortable transfer. For most beginners staying in Antalya, though, $38 is a fair price for a complete day by the sea, provided you accept the basic transport and variable conditions.

FAQ

Is prior scuba experience required?

No. The activity is designed for amateurs, and no special skills are required. An instructor provides guidance and selects the appropriate session according to your experience.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two sessions are included. Each lasts about 20 minutes, for approximately 40 minutes underwater in total.

How deep do the sessions go?

The amateur sessions take place at depths of about 5 to 10 metres.

Where does the first session take place?

The first session takes place off the coast of Çaltıcak.

Where does the second session take place?

The second session takes place near Marti Island, after lunch and a swimming break.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes schnitzel, pasta, and salad. Drinks are not included.

Can non-divers join the boat?

Yes. Non-divers can stay on the boat, swim, and sunbathe during the day.

Can children take part?

Children under 14 are not allowed to take part in the underwater sessions. They can enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the boat.

Where is hotel pickup?

Pickup takes place at the main security gate of the hotel, not inside the lobby or at reception.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, Russian, and Turkish.