Diving Tour from Alanya & Side with Lunch – 2 Dives Included

The best part of this Side scuba tour is the chance to see the Mediterranean from below the surface, where rock formations, fish, and possible wreck or artifact sites replace the usual beach view. Newcomers receive instruction before entering the water, while certified or more experienced participants can follow a guide at the deeper 12-meter site.

I like the practical format: two separate sessions give you a gentle first look at 6 meters before the second descent, and the price includes lunch, insurance, and selected hotel transfers. I also like the crew’s reported patience with beginners. The main caution is the sea itself. Rough water can force a change of site, and the small boat may be hard on anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points before you book

• Two underwater sessions: The first reaches about 6 meters, followed by a second descent to around 12 meters.
• Five hours on the water: The full outing lasts about seven hours, with hotel transport taking up part of the day.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: Professional guides explain the process and assist first-time participants in English, German, or Russian.
• Lunch is included: The captain prepares a meal onboard, but drinks cost extra.
• Side and Alanya use different boats: Your departure area determines the boat and underwater sites.
• Conditions can change the plan: Rough seas may lead the crew to use an alternative site or adjust the tour length.

From your hotel to the Side marina

This is a full-day outing, though the actual time on the boat and in the water is about five hours. The complete schedule runs close to seven hours, depending on your hotel and the transfer route.

Pickups are available in Side, Alanya, Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot. You wait at the outer security booth of your hotel, not inside the lobby. That small detail matters in resort areas, where a driver may not be allowed to enter the grounds.

Allow for a delay of up to 25 minutes. If the vehicle has not arrived after that, contact the local operator rather than wandering off to look for it. Your ticket should be ready to show when the driver or guide arrives.

The transfer time varies by hotel. This is not a quick two-hour activity you can squeeze between breakfast and an evening meal. Plan for most of the day, and avoid booking anything tight afterward.

Side and Alanya departures operate on separate boats and visit different sites. You cannot choose between them once you have selected your pickup area. If underwater scenery matters greatly to you, this is worth asking about before booking.

One practical weakness is transport comfort. A complaint about a lack of air conditioning in the vehicle is worth taking seriously during the hot Antalya summer. Bring water, and expect the road portion to feel less polished than the time spent with the crew on the boat.

The first session at 6 meters

The first underwater session reaches approximately 6 meters, a sensible depth for getting used to breathing equipment, pressure, and the feel of moving underwater. It also gives beginners a chance to settle down before attempting the deeper section.

You receive an explanation from a professional instructor before entering the water. The staff work with first-time participants, and the available languages are English, German, and Russian. The beginner support is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing if you have never used scuba equipment before.

Do not expect a private lesson. The exact amount of individual attention depends on the group and the crew, but the tour is designed to accommodate different skill levels. You need to listen carefully, follow instructions, and tell the instructor if you feel nervous or unwell.

The water is described as clear, with underwater rock scenery and marine life. You might see fish, reef areas, ancient objects, or traces of a sunken vessel, but the exact sightings depend on the site and the day. This is not an archaeological expedition, and the advertised references to artifacts and ships should be treated as possible features rather than guaranteed finds.

The first site may be the visual highlight of your day. One participant specifically found the first location excellent but felt the second site was less impressive. That makes the gradual format useful: you get the strongest initial chance to enjoy the sea before the deeper descent.

Lunch and a rest on deck

Between the two sessions, the boat becomes your floating base. You can dry off, eat lunch, and rest on deck while the crew prepares the next part of the outing.

Lunch is included in the price, and the captain prepares the meal onboard. The information uses both lunch and dinner in describing the meal, but you should plan on a daytime lunch rather than a separate evening dinner.

Drinks are not included. Bring water, since the packing advice specifically recommends it, and budget for any other beverages purchased onboard. Photos and videos are also extra, which can change the final cost more than you might expect.

The break is not just filler. For beginners, time in the sun and fresh air can help you regain confidence before the second session. For experienced participants, it is a chance to discuss the first location with the guide and prepare for the deeper water.

Keep an eye on sun exposure. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel, swimwear, and dry clothes. The deck may feel relaxing, but several hours around open water can leave you exposed to strong sunlight and wind.

The 12-meter descent

The second session reaches roughly 12 meters. At this depth, you may see more dramatic rock formations and a different selection of sea life than during the first session.

The contrast between the two sessions is part of the value. The 6-meter descent serves as an introduction, while the 12-meter outing feels like a more serious underwater excursion. Experienced participants can make better use of the deeper location, though the instructor remains in charge of the route and safety procedure.

Conditions can affect this part of the trip. Rough seas have caused crews to abandon an intended site and select an alternative. That is a sensible safety decision, but it means the final scenery may not match your expectations.

You should also expect the two locations to vary in quality. One account described the first site as excellent and the second as less attractive. If you are booking mainly for underwater scenery, keep your expectations flexible. The crew can control safety and organization, but not the weather or the exact condition of the seabed.

The water itself may feel easier than the boat. One participant who became badly seasick on the small vessel felt much better after getting below the surface. That is not a promise that scuba activity will solve seasickness, but it is a useful reminder that the roughest part of your day may happen during the ride, not underwater.

How beginner-friendly is the instruction?

This tour is aimed at a mixed audience. You do not need to be an experienced scuba participant, and the first session is limited to about 6 meters. The guides provide instructions and explain the basics before you enter the sea.

The crew has received especially strong praise for being friendly, clear, and helpful. A German participant described the briefing as professional and said the instructor offered reassurance before the first attempt. That kind of calm support matters more than fancy boat features when you are anxious about breathing underwater.

At the same time, you need to be honest about your health and ability. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, people with heart or respiratory conditions, pregnant women, those with epilepsy, diabetes, kidney problems, high or low blood pressure, limited mobility, or a low level of fitness. Wheelchair users cannot take part.

The stated age information is not perfectly consistent. Some details place the minimum at 12, while the suitability section refers to children under 13 and under 14. Treat this as an activity for older teenagers and adults, and confirm the exact minimum age before paying.

The tour also excludes people over 150 kilograms and people over 95 years old. These limits may seem unusually specific, but they are part of the supplied safety guidance and should not be ignored.

What non-participants can and cannot do

A non-diving companion may be able to ride along, but the non-diver ticket cannot be purchased by itself. The child option is used for someone who wants to come aboard without participating in the underwater sessions.

The wording here needs care. A non-diver may pay onboard to participate if they later choose to, but the activity is not suitable for someone who is unable to scuba safely. The child option is therefore not a workaround for medical restrictions or a lack of swimming ability.

If you are booking for a family or a mixed group, clarify the arrangement in advance. The non-diver ticket is for accompanying someone, not a substitute for the required health and activity standards.

What the $52 price really covers

At $52 per person, the tour offers reasonable value if you want a guided introduction rather than a simple boat ride. The price includes two scuba sessions, professional supervision, lunch, travel insurance, and hotel transport where selected.

That package is stronger than the headline price first suggests. You are paying for equipment and instruction as part of a structured half-day at sea, not merely access to a beach and a boat.

The extra charges matter, though. Drinks, personal spending, and the optional photo and video service are not included. One Turkish participant felt the photo and video cost was nearly as high as the scuba price itself, even after a discount. I would decide before boarding if underwater media is important to you, and ask for the total price rather than agreeing casually in the excitement of the day.

Hotel transfer is included only from the listed Side and Alanya areas, so check your accommodation before assuming pickup is available. Transfer time varies, and transport comfort may be basic.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your holiday schedule depends on weather.

Weather, safety, and the small-boat factor

The sea sets the pace. Bad conditions can shorten or extend the tour, change the location, or alter the schedule. The crew has used alternative sites when heavy waves made the planned location unsuitable, which is the right approach even if the replacement is less scenic.

A small boat can feel lively in rough water. If you are prone to seasickness, this outing is specifically listed as unsuitable for you. Even if you usually manage boat trips, bring water, stay mindful of the conditions, and tell the crew early if you feel ill.

Smoking, feeding animals, and touching plants are not allowed. These rules protect the marine setting and reduce the risk of careless contact with underwater life. Keep your hands to yourself around fish, coral areas, and objects on the seabed, even if something looks harmless.

The trip includes travel insurance, but you should still follow every medical and safety instruction. Scuba activity is not the place to hide a heart, breathing, blood pressure, or other health concern.

What to pack for a better day

Keep your packing simple:

• Swimwear and a towel
• A change of clothes
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water
• A camera, if you want photos from the boat
• Any personal items you need for the transfer

Do not assume drinks, photos, or videos are part of the deal. Bring enough water for the day or budget for purchases onboard.

Your camera may be useful above the surface, but an underwater photo or video service is an optional extra. Ask about the price before accepting it.

Who should book this Side scuba tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time participant who wants an organized introduction, as well as to a more experienced diver who is happy to let the crew choose the safest site. The two-session setup gives beginners a useful progression, and the 12-meter visit adds interest for people who already feel comfortable underwater.

It also suits couples or families where one person wants to take part and another prefers to stay on the boat, provided the non-diver arrangement is booked correctly. The captain-prepared lunch and deck break make the day more than a short underwater lesson.

I would be cautious if your main goal is a guaranteed wreck, artifact, or exceptional reef. Those features may be present, but weather and site changes can alter what you see. I would also reconsider if you dislike small boats, need cool vehicle transfers, or want all drinks and media included in the headline price.

FAQ

How long does the Side scuba tour last?

The full activity lasts about seven hours, including hotel transfers. The time spent on the boat and around the scuba sessions is about five hours, excluding transfer time.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two guided scuba sessions are included. The first reaches about 6 meters and the second reaches about 12 meters.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return are included if selected, with transfers available from listed areas in Side and Alanya. You should wait at your hotel’s outer security booth.

Which languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and the captain prepares the meal onboard. Drinks are charged separately.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Photo and video services are optional extras, and you should ask about their price before purchasing.

Can someone come without scuba participation?

A non-diver can accompany the group using the child option, but the non-diver ticket cannot be purchased alone. Someone who cannot safely participate because of health or ability restrictions should not use this option to join the underwater activity.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for young children, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with limited mobility, wheelchair users, people with heart or respiratory problems, epilepsy, diabetes, kidney problems, blood pressure issues, low fitness, or a tendency toward seasickness. The stated age limit varies between under 12, under 13, and under 14 in the supplied information, so confirm the exact minimum age before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fairly priced, guided introduction to the Mediterranean with two chances to enter the water, lunch, and transfers from much of the Side and Alanya resort area. The friendly crew, clear instruction, and patient help for beginners are its strongest points.

Go in with flexible expectations about the sites. Rough seas may change the plan, the second location may be less striking than the first, and drinks and underwater media cost extra. For a first scuba experience at around $52, those are manageable compromises, as long as you are comfortable on a small boat and meet the health requirements.