City of Side Boat Tour With Lunch And Soft Drinks

The best part of this Side boat tour is the mix of open-water swimming and ancient ruins. You get time in the Mediterranean, a meal on board, and a stop in Ancient Side, where the harbor and Temple of Apollon give the day more substance than a simple beach outing.

I like the included hotel pickup and drop-off, especially if you are staying around Side and do not want to sort out transport. I also like the practical package: lunch, water, and soft drinks are included, along with several swimming breaks. The main concern is timing. The tour is sold as five hours, but one account puts it at 7.5 hours, while another describes nearly 11 hours including pickup and return.

Key points to know before you book

• Swimming at the river and sea meeting point: This is one of the tour’s most unusual water stops and gives you a change from an ordinary beach swim.
• 1.5 hours in Ancient Side: You have time to explore the old town and see the harbor and Temple of Apollon rather than viewing them only from the boat.
• Lunch and basic drinks included: Food, water, and soft drinks are part of the package, but canned drinks and other purchases may cost extra.
• Hotel pickup around Side: Wait at your hotel’s entrance security gate, not somewhere farther inside the property.
• Guiding in three languages: Tours are offered with English, Russian, or German guidance.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund and reserve now while paying later.

A boat day that adds Ancient Side to the swimming

Side is well suited to a boat outing. Its historic center sits beside the Mediterranean, so a short trip on the water can show you both the coast and the town’s old stone remains. This excursion uses that setting well, combining swimming, lunch, and a visit to Ancient Side.

The tour leaves from the Side area and heads out on comfortable boats with broad deck areas and ordinary seating. You should expect a relaxed group outing rather than a private cruise. The point is to spend a day outside, cool off in clear water, eat a simple Turkish-style lunch, and return with some time among Side’s major sights.

The listed price is $23 per person, which is attractive if the included lunch, basic drinks, transportation, and guide all matter to you. It is less attractive if you expect a short five-hour trip with unlimited drinks or a quiet, premium boat setting. This is a value-focused excursion, not a luxury yacht charter.

Getting from your hotel to Side’s harbor

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodation in the Side region. The key instruction is simple: wait at the entrance security gate. That small detail matters at large resort properties, where a vehicle may not drive to every lobby or internal building.

Allow extra room in your day. The official duration is five hours, but the actual schedule can run much longer once pickup and return are added. One account recorded 7.5 hours overall. Another described nearly 11 hours from pickup to return, with transport taking a large share of the day.

I would not book this on a day when you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another timed activity. Keep the whole day flexible, even though the advertised boat portion is only five hours. Pickup routes can change the total considerably.

Side Harbor and the view from the water

Side Harbor is one of the natural focal points of the trip. From the sea, you see the town from a different angle, with its old waterfront and the nearby remains of Ancient Side. The view helps connect the modern resort area with the older settlement.

This is not a dedicated history tour, so do not expect long archaeological explanations at every site. The guide can provide assistance in English, Russian, or German, but the day is built around a balance of sightseeing and swimming.

The harbor setting also gives you a useful sense of Side’s geography. The ancient town was not placed beside the sea by accident. Its waterfront shaped trade, travel, and daily life, and today it gives boat passengers one of the most recognizable views in the area.

Swimming where river water meets the sea

The stop at the meeting point of the river and the sea is the tour’s most distinctive swimming break. It offers something different from a standard stop beside an open beach, and the change in water and surroundings makes this part especially memorable.

You will have a chance to cool off in the Mediterranean and enjoy time away from the boat deck. Swimming stops are a major part of the day, with several breaks mentioned in the tour information. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and anything you need to feel comfortable getting back on board.

The practical drawback is that a water stop is never equally appealing to everyone. If you prefer sightseeing with little time in the water, this tour may feel swim-heavy. If you want a calm day at sea with repeated chances to get wet, the schedule should suit you well.

Turtle Bay and the Mediterranean coast

Turtle Bay adds another coastal stop to the route. The name suggests a natural setting associated with turtles, but the available information does not promise a guaranteed wildlife sighting. Treat it as a scenic swimming and viewing stop rather than a wildlife tour.

The clear Mediterranean water and clean sea air are central to the experience. You can spend time on deck between stops, watch the shoreline, and enjoy the sun without having to organize a separate beach transfer.

Boat tours can be a good choice when you want to see several coastal areas without moving hotels or arranging taxis. You trade some control over the schedule for convenience. The crew sets the pace, and you follow the group’s swimming, lunch, and sightseeing timetable.

Lunch on board and what soft drinks really include

Lunch is included, and the description presents it as Turkish cuisine served during the boat trip. It is best viewed as practical tour food that keeps you going between swimming stops, not as a restaurant meal. The information does not provide a fixed menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish.

Water and soft drinks are included, but you need to pay close attention to what you take from the service trays. The package appears to cover basic soft drinks served in a small disposable cup. Canned drinks placed around the boat may be sold separately.

That distinction is important. One account describes canned soft drinks costing €5 each, with beer at €7 and ice cream at €5. The concern was not simply the price, but that the difference between included drinks and paid drinks was not made clear enough.

My advice is direct: ask before accepting a can or other item. Confirm which drinks are included and which have a charge. Carry some spending money for personal purchases, but do not assume every drink handed to you is part of the package.

At $23, lunch and basic drinks add real value. Unexpected onboard charges can quickly weaken that value, so a little caution at the start of the sailing will help you keep the cost under control.

Ancient Side, the harbor, and the Temple of Apollon

The 1.5 hours of free time in Ancient Side gives the trip a welcome change of pace. After time on the water, you can walk through the old town, see the harbor, and visit the Temple of Apollon area at your own speed.

The Temple of Apollon is especially striking because of its seaside position. Its surviving columns and stonework make a strong view from the waterfront, even if you are not an archaeology specialist. The location also makes clear how closely Side’s ancient buildings were tied to the coast.

Your free time is limited, so plan what you want to see before you leave the boat. The information does not state whether entrance fees to any attractions are included, so budget for personal expenses if a site charges separately. It is also wise to keep an eye on the meeting time. A boat cannot wait indefinitely for a late return.

This stop is valuable because it gives the tour a cultural layer. You are not only looking at the coast from a deck. You also have time to walk through part of Side’s historic center and form your own impression of the town.

Boat comfort, crew, and the feel of the day

The boats are described as safe and comfortable, with large deck areas and seating. That setup suits a day built around sun, swimming, and open views. You should still expect a shared boat atmosphere, with other people moving between the deck, meal area, and swimming points.

The professional crew handles the sailing and the service, while the guide provides information in English, Russian, or German. No individual guide names are provided, so you will be assigned to the language service available for your departure.

The strongest part of the experience is its simple rhythm: sail, swim, eat, view the coast, swim again, and spend time in Ancient Side. It is easy to understand and easy to enjoy if you come prepared for a full day outdoors.

The weaker part is the lack of precise timing. The five-hour label does not tell you how long pickup, return, loading, and road transfers may take. If you value an exact schedule, ask for the expected pickup and return times before booking.

Who will get the most from this Side boat tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several holiday activities in one package. It works particularly well for families, couples, and groups who want swimming time but also want to see Side’s historic center.

It should suit you if you value:

• A low listed price
• Hotel transportation
• Several swimming breaks
• Lunch included in the fare
• A short visit to Ancient Side
• Guidance in English, Russian, or German

It may not suit you if you want a quiet private boat, a carefully timed half-day, or full control over food and drinks. It is also not suitable for people over 95, according to the activity information.

Because the experience includes swimming and time on deck, you should be comfortable with a day centered on the sea. The tour information does not give detailed mobility guidance, so anyone with specific access needs should confirm arrangements before paying.

How the price compares with the experience

At $23, this is a strong price for a package that includes lunch, basic soft drinks, hotel pickup and return, a guide, swimming breaks, insurance, and 1.5 hours in Ancient Side. Even if you value only the transport and meal, the price can make sense compared with arranging a boat outing and historic-site visit separately.

The value depends on keeping extra spending under control. Paid canned drinks, beer, ice cream, photographs, DVDs, and personal purchases are not included. The photo and DVD service is optional, and there is no need to buy it to enjoy the day.

I would treat the $23 as the starting cost, not necessarily the final cost. Ask clearly about drink prices before the boat leaves, and do not accept paid items by mistake. That single step addresses the most serious complaint connected with the experience.

Booking advice, timing, and cancellation

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Side plans may change. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The activity lasts five hours according to the main description, but you should plan for considerably longer once transfers are counted. The conflicting duration reports make it sensible to check the starting time and expected return when you select your date.

Pickup is included, but you must wait at the entrance security gate of your hotel. Have your booking details ready and avoid wandering away from the pickup point. Since the activity leaves from the Side region, confirm that your accommodation falls within the included pickup area.

Should you book the Side Boat Tour?

Book it if you want a budget-friendly sea day with history added in. The combination of swimming, lunch, Side Harbor, Turtle Bay, and 1.5 hours in Ancient Side gives you more variety than a basic boat ride.

Skip it if you need firm timing or dislike shared excursions with extra onboard charges. The biggest practical warnings are the uncertain total duration and the difference between included cup drinks and separately sold cans.

For the best value, keep the day open, pack swimming gear and sun protection, ask which drinks are free, and bring modest spending money. With those expectations, this can be an enjoyable way to see Side from the water without paying much for a full day of coast and culture.

FAQ

Where does the Side Boat Tour take place?

The tour takes place in the Side region of Antalya Province, Turkey, using the Mediterranean coast near Side.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is five hours. Actual accounts indicate that the full outing can take 7.5 hours or, including pickup and return, nearly 11 hours, so keep your schedule open.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You should wait at your hotel’s entrance security gate.

What languages are available for the guide?

Guiding is available in English, Russian, and German.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price, along with soft drinks and water.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.