City of Side: Sightseeing Cruise w/ Swim Stops & Foam Party

The best part of this Side boat trip is the variety. You start on the Manavgat River, reach the Mediterranean, swim from a beach and a boat, then return with a foam party and music on the upper deck. It is a full day on the water, not just a short scenic cruise.

I like the large three-level boat, which gives you shaded seating, a bar, showers, a dance floor, and a sun terrace. I also like the two main swim stops: one at Cennet Play, with time for the beach and a possible JetSki ride, and another beside Side’s ancient Apollo and Athena temples.

The main consideration is that drinks, JetSkis, photographs, and gözleme cost extra. The boat is spacious, but the top-deck sunbeds fill quickly, and the toilet hygiene could be better.

Key points to know before booking

• Three levels and plenty of room: Choose shaded seating on the first floor, dancing on the second, or the sun terrace above.
• Three water stops: Swim at Cennet Play, jump from the boat beside Side’s ancient peninsula, and stop again near the river mouth.
• Lunch is included: Expect a buffet with grilled chicken and a fish option, while local drinks are sold separately.
• Dolphin sightings are possible: The route may also bring views of Caretta caretta sea turtles.
• Cem leads the fun: Crew member Cem, pronounced Gem, is known for getting people involved in the foam-party choreography.
• Arrive early for the best sun spot: Mats and seats on the top deck can disappear within seconds.

A full day from Side to the Mediterranean

This is one of the more useful low-cost excursions in the Side area because it combines transport, a boat ride, lunch, swimming, and entertainment in one package. At $16 per person, the price is unusually low for an eight-hour outing, although you should budget separately for drinks and optional extras.

Pickup is from your hotel’s main gate, generally between 08:30 and 09:00. The wider operating information allows pickup as late as 09:30, so keep your morning flexible and wait at the main gate rather than inside the hotel. The bus ride to the pier takes about half an hour and passes through forested scenery before reaching the Manavgat River.

That transfer matters. You do not have to arrange a taxi to the harbor, and drop-off is included at the end of the day. The return to Side is scheduled for roughly 17:00 to 17:30, making this a genuine full-day activity rather than a quick morning outing.

The tour operates with live guiding in English, German, and Russian. The crew handles the practical side of the day, while the atmosphere is deliberately easygoing and social. You can sit quietly, sunbathe, swim, or join the dancing when the mood takes you.

Choosing your place on the three-level boat

The boat is built for a long day outside. On the first floor, you will find comfortable seating, a bar, and ten showers at the rear. This is the sensible place to retreat if the sun becomes too strong or if you want a calmer seat during the cruise.

The second floor has another bar, more seating, a dance floor, and the foam-party area. This is where the music and animations take over during the return journey. You can move between floors, so you do not have to commit to one style of day.

The third floor is the sun terrace. If tanning is your main goal, go there as soon as you board. Mats and seats can fill almost immediately, especially on a busy summer sailing. Bring sun protection, since an open upper deck gives you little shelter once the boat leaves the river.

The large size is a real advantage. Several people found the boat comfortable rather than cramped, with a mix of shaded and sunny areas. Still, this is a social party cruise, not a quiet private charter. Expect music, announcements, dancing, and plenty of movement once the foam party begins.

From Manavgat River to the open sea

Once everyone is aboard, the boat reaches the Manavgat strait, where the river meets the sea. This first stretch gives you changing views, from the calmer river to the open turquoise Mediterranean. The fresh air and river scenery are a pleasant part of the trip, especially if you sit along the sides rather than staying inside.

The route is designed around stops rather than constant sightseeing commentary. You will have time to look out across the water, enjoy the breeze, and watch for wildlife. Dolphins and Caretta caretta sea turtles have been seen along the route, but these are possible sightings, not guaranteed performances. Keep your phone ready, but do not expect the boat to find animals every time.

The boat then moors at a pier near Cennet Play for the first major stop. This is a one-hour break, giving you enough time to swim, lie on the beach, or pay extra for a JetSki ride. It is a good early pause because you can get active before lunch, then return to the boat for food.

Cennet Play works well for people who do not want to jump directly from the boat. You can use the beach instead, while stronger swimmers can spend the hour in the water. JetSki rides are not included, but one review noted that the price seemed lower than at beaches near the hotels. Treat that as a useful possibility, not a fixed rate, since prices can change.

Lunch on the boat after the first swim

While you are at the first stop, the kitchen team grills chicken and prepares the buffet. Once you return to the boat, lunch is served. The food has been described as tasty and generous for an excursion meal, with chicken and fish available as the main choices.

At this price, lunch adds real value. You do not have to leave the boat to search for food, and the timing makes sense: swim first, eat afterward, then settle in for the cruise toward Side. Drinks are not part of the package, so beer, wine, cola, Fanta, Sprite, water, soda, tea, and coffee must be paid for separately.

One practical point is worth knowing. Food may be cleared soon after people have been served. If you want a second portion, eat when the buffet opens rather than waiting too long. Gözleme, the Turkish flatbread, is also not included and is listed as an extra purchase.

The food is not the reason to book this trip, but it is more than a token snack. For $16, a cooked lunch, transport, and a full boat day make the overall package strong value. Just keep a little money available for drinks and personal purchases.

Side’s ancient peninsula from the water

After leaving the river mouth, the boat takes about 45 minutes to reach the historic Side peninsula. This is one of the most appealing parts of the route because you see the ancient city from the sea rather than from the usual land approach.

The second swim stop lasts about 45 minutes and takes place in front of the peninsula, with views toward the temples of Apollo and Athena. You can jump from the boat, swim using one of the ten ladders at the rear, or remain on deck and look toward the ancient ruins.

This stop combines sightseeing and swimming without forcing you to choose one. If you have already visited Side’s ruins on foot, the water-level view gives you a different angle. If you have not yet explored the peninsula, the sight of the temples helps you understand the city’s position beside the sea.

The jump from the boat is optional, of course. The ladders make reboarding easier, but you should be comfortable in open water before leaving the deck. If you prefer not to swim, the boat offers plenty of space for sitting and taking in the view.

The return trip brings the foam party

The cruise back toward the river takes around 45 minutes. This is when the second floor becomes the center of the action, with dancing, foam, music, and organized animation.

Cem, pronounced Gem, is one of the crew members who helps lead the choreography. The entertainment is aimed at a broad age range, and the activities are designed so you can join in without being a serious dancer. You can stay back and watch from a dry spot, or step into the foam when the party reaches your part of the deck.

Bring a swimsuit and assume that anything near the dance floor may get wet. Keep phones and cameras protected. The boat’s ten showers are helpful after swimming and foam, although waiting may be necessary if many people use them at once.

A photographer also works on board, sometimes with a colorful parrot for photographs. The printed pictures can be a fun souvenir, but they are optional and cost about €5 each according to the experience details provided by one recent customer. You can decline the photos if they are not worth the extra cost.

The foam party is a strong fit for families with older children, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants more than a quiet boat ride. It is less suitable if you want uninterrupted peace or a serious historical tour. The ancient sights are part of the setting, but the entertainment remains the main event.

The final swim near the river mouth

Before returning to the pier, the boat makes a third swimming stop near the mouth of the river. This break lasts about 20 minutes, so it is shorter than the stops at Cennet Play and the Side peninsula.

The final pause gives you one last chance to cool off before the bus ride. It also breaks up the return journey after the foam party. You can swim, use the ladders, or stay on deck and watch the meeting point of river and sea.

The water conditions can vary by location. One person described the river water as very cold, around 10 degrees Celsius, so be ready for a sharp change if you swim where fresh river water mixes with the sea. You do not need to use every stop. The boat has enough seating and sun space for a relaxed finish.

After the third swim, the boat returns to the pier and buses take you back to your hotel. Some return transfers have included playful water fights between coaches, but that is not listed as a standard part of the tour, so do not book expecting it.

What the $16 price really covers

The price is the clearest reason to consider this excursion. For $16, you receive hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat trip, a guide, lunch, the foam party, and tips. That is a lot of included time and transport for the money.

The low price does not mean every part is free. Local drinks are extra, as are JetSki rides, photographs, souvenirs, and gözleme. If you buy several drinks and pictures, your final cost can rise well above the advertised amount.

I would bring cash or a payment method for those extras, but I would not feel pressured to buy them. The core day works without JetSkis, photos, or special food. The parrot pictures and professional photographs are optional add-ons, not hidden requirements.

The boat’s space also improves the value. You are not paying for a short ride in a crowded vessel. The schedule includes three swim breaks, lunch, the Side views, and a full return-party session. For a family or group that wants an inexpensive day outside the hotel, it is hard to match the number of included activities.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a relaxed day with several different activities and do not need a detailed archaeological tour. Families, couples, groups of friends, and mixed-age parties can all find something to enjoy.

It suits you particularly well if you like:

• Swimming from both a beach and a boat
• A large vessel with shaded and sunny seating
• Casual food and drinks rather than a formal meal
• Music, dancing, foam, and crew-led games
• A low-cost excursion with hotel transport included
• Seeing Side’s ancient temples from the water

You may want a different outing if you dislike loud music, want a small boat, or prefer a quiet nature cruise. The historic sights are viewed from offshore, not explored on foot, and wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to carry your phone. If you want a place on the top deck, board promptly. If shade matters more than sun, claim a first-floor seat early and use the showers after swimming.

Should you book the Side boat cruise?

You should book it if value, swimming, and a cheerful party atmosphere matter more to you than polished luxury. The strongest features are the roomy three-level boat, three water stops, included lunch, hotel transfers, and the view of Apollo and Athena temples from the sea.

You should skip it if you want a silent cruise, a private group, or a focused history lesson. Also remember that the $16 headline price does not include local drinks, JetSkis, photographs, or gözleme.

For most people planning an inexpensive day away from the resort, I think this is a smart choice. Go in expecting a lively family-friendly boat party with sightseeing around the edges, not a formal cultural excursion, and the day should deliver plenty for the price.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip take place?

The excursion begins near the Manavgat River in Antalya Province and continues to the river mouth and the turquoise Mediterranean. It also visits the waters in front of Side’s historic peninsula.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts about eight hours. Hotel pickup is in the morning, and return to hotels is planned for approximately 17:00 to 17:30.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in the Side area. Pickup is generally between 08:30 and 09:00 from the main hotel gate, with some operating information allowing pickup until 09:30.

Which languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English, German, and Russian.

How many swimming stops are included?

There are three swimming breaks. The first lasts about one hour at Cennet Play, the second lasts about 45 minutes near Side’s ancient peninsula, and the final stop lasts about 20 minutes near the river mouth.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served from a buffet after the first swimming stop. Grilled chicken is prepared on board, and fish is also listed as a meal option.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Beer, wine, cola, Fanta, Sprite, water, soda, tea, and coffee are listed as extra purchases.

Is the JetSki ride included?

No. JetSki rides are optional and cost extra during the stop at Cennet Play.

Is the foam party included?

Yes. The foam party is included and takes place on the second floor during the return journey. Dancing and animations are part of the entertainment.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, according to the booking terms.