From Side, Alanya: Scuba Diving With 2 Time Dive & Lunch

The best part of this Alanya boat outing is the gentle introduction to the Mediterranean below the surface. You receive instruction before entering the water, start at 3 to 5 meters, and later try a second session at 7 to 8 meters with an instructor beside you. That makes the day approachable if you are new to scuba.

I like the two-session format and the practical extras: lunch, equipment, insurance, snorkeling time, and hotel pickup are all included. The main caution is that this is built for beginners, not experienced certified divers looking for long underwater routes. The group can also be large, with up to 100 people allowed.

Key points to know

• Two 20-minute underwater sessions: The first is at 3 to 5 meters, followed by a second at 7 to 8 meters.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: You receive both classroom-style guidance and practical training before entering the water.
• A full boat day: Sailing, lunch, snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing fill out the roughly eight-hour schedule.
• Pickup from Side and Alanya: The vehicle takes you from your hotel to the suitable port, then returns you afterward.
• Best for first-timers: Certified divers should expect a simple introduction rather than a technical or extended underwater trip.
• Budget-friendly inclusions: At about $45.38 per person, the package covers equipment, lunch, insurance, transport, and both sessions.

A calm first look beneath the Mediterranean

This outing is designed to remove much of the worry that comes with trying scuba for the first time. You do not simply arrive at a boat and get sent into the sea. The schedule includes theoretical instruction, practical training, and an instructor-led first session in shallow water.

That matters if you feel nervous. One participant described being anxious before the first attempt, then feeling helped by an attentive instructor. Another praised the instructors for clear guidance and for making the underwater time feel safe. Those are the strongest reasons to consider this trip if you are curious but unsure.

You should still keep your expectations in check. The first 20-minute session takes place at 3 to 5 meters, and the second reaches 7 to 8 meters. Those depths are sensible for a first experience, but they will feel modest if you already have substantial scuba experience.

The operator explains that longer sessions are intended for certified professionals, and that the shallow route helps protect beginners. I think that is an important distinction. This is a discovery outing, not a serious expedition beneath the sea.

Morning pickup from Side or Alanya

The day begins around 8:00 a.m. with hotel pickup. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the route sends you to the port that fits your hotel location. The precise driving time depends on where you are staying, so you should allow for a long day from the start.

The boat departure is described as taking place from the Alanya, Okurcalar area. This creates two practical points to note. First, the tour is convenient if your hotel is in Side or Alanya because transport is arranged. Second, the transfer can add a fair amount of time, especially for hotels farther from the port.

The return drive is listed at about 1.5 hours, depending on your hotel area. You will want breakfast before pickup or something small to take along, since the first meal listed is lunch aboard the boat. The early start also leaves enough daylight for both water sessions and the return journey.

Pickup is a useful inclusion here. Finding a port on your own, arranging a taxi, and matching your arrival to a boat departure would add hassle and cost. The tradeoff is a less flexible morning, since you need to be ready at the stated start time and may spend time collecting other participants.

Sailing from the marina toward the activity area

Once you reach the port, the boat carries you out toward the activity area near Okurcalar. The sailing section is more than a transfer. It gives you time to settle in, look back toward the coast, and get used to the boat before the water work begins.

The trip is structured around two separate underwater stops. This is better than placing all the activity in one short session because you get a break between attempts. You can eat, swim, sit in the sun, or use the snorkeling option during that pause.

Do not expect a private charter atmosphere. The maximum group size is listed as 100 people, which is substantial. Even if the actual number on your departure is lower, the boat may feel organized around a large group, with fixed timing and several people sharing the same facilities.

That setup works well for an affordable introduction. It is less appealing if you value quiet, personal attention, or a highly tailored route. The instructors receive strong praise for care and responsibility, but a large operation naturally means that attention is shared.

Training before your first underwater session

The instruction has two parts: theory and practical training. You learn the basic points before entering the water, then work through the practical handling of the equipment. The supplied gear includes a wetsuit, fins, mask, and related equipment.

The goal is not to turn you into an independent certified scuba user in one morning. It is to give you enough guidance to manage the equipment and follow the instructor during a short, controlled session. That is a useful difference for families, couples, and first-timers deciding if they like the activity.

If you are nervous, pay close attention during this stage and tell the instructor when something feels wrong. The strongest feedback about the outing centers on instructors being attentive, experienced, and safety-minded. You should make use of that support rather than trying to appear confident.

The information provided specifically flags people with breathing problems. If that applies to you, do not treat this as a casual booking. Ask the operator for clarification before paying, since the supplied details do not explain the medical rules or screening process.

The first 20-minute session at 3 to 5 meters

The first underwater stop is deliberately shallow, at 3 to 5 meters. You spend about 20 minutes in the water accompanied by instructors. For a beginner, this is the right point in the day to get used to breathing through the equipment, moving with fins, and managing the feeling of being below the surface.

This section is likely to feel more like an orientation than a long exploration. That is not a weakness if you have never tried scuba. The shallow depth leaves room to focus on comfort and basic technique instead of worrying about a demanding descent.

You should not book this expecting a huge variety of underwater sights. The supplied information promises marine life and an opportunity to explore below the surface, but it does not name particular fish, reefs, wrecks, or other features. Conditions can also affect what you see.

The session lasts 20 minutes, so the schedule is controlled. That helps the boat maintain its timetable and gives beginners a manageable first attempt. For certified scuba users, the short duration may feel disappointing. One experienced participant found the outing underwhelming, particularly in light of the shallow and limited nature of the sessions. That criticism is fair for the wrong audience, but less relevant for someone trying scuba for the first time.

Snorkeling for anyone staying above the surface

You do not have to take part in the underwater sessions to enjoy the day. Non-participants can snorkel and spend time looking at marine life from the surface. This makes the outing easier to recommend to mixed groups, where one person wants scuba and another prefers not to use an air tank.

The snorkeling option also gives you something to do during the first session. You are not simply waiting on the boat while the scuba participants go into the water. You can use the break to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the open sea.

The details do not promise a guide-led snorkeling route or special equipment beyond the listed mask and related gear. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask what equipment is supplied and how much time is set aside for it. Based on the schedule, it is a supporting activity rather than the central focus.

Still, this flexibility is one of the outing’s practical strengths. A non-diver can join without paying for a separate boat trip, while the scuba participant gets two supervised sessions.

Lunch, swimming, and sunbathing between sessions

After the first water stop, lunch is served aboard the boat. Lunch is included in the price, while beverages are not, so you should budget separately for drinks. The menu is not specified, and the supplied details do not indicate whether special diets can be accommodated.

The meal marks the middle of the day and gives you a chance to relax before the second session. You can swim or sunbathe during the break, which keeps the day from feeling like back-to-back instruction and timed water work.

A boat lunch is rarely the reason to book an excursion, but it improves the value here. You are paying for transport, instruction, equipment, and two water sessions, then receiving a meal rather than needing to arrange food on shore. Just remember that drinks cost extra.

Bring practical beach-day items if they are not already supplied by your hotel: sun protection, a towel, and spending money for beverages. The exact onboard facilities are not stated, so it is best not to assume more than the listed inclusions.

The second session at 7 to 8 meters

The second underwater stop reaches 7 to 8 meters and lasts another 20 minutes. By this point, you have already handled the equipment and experienced the first session, so the second attempt should feel more familiar.

The increase in depth gives you a different view of the sea without moving into the demanding conditions associated with advanced scuba. You remain accompanied by instructors, and the route is still set up for people at the beginning level.

This progression is the main educational feature of the day. You start shallow, take a break, then go somewhat farther down. If your first attempt leaves you uncertain, you can use the interval to ask questions before deciding how you feel about the second.

The same limitation applies here as at the first stop: 20 minutes is not a long underwater session. Certified divers seeking extended bottom time, deeper sites, or a more specialized route should choose an outing aimed specifically at their level. This tour is better viewed as a safe trial and a pleasant boat day.

What the $45.38 price really covers

At approximately $45.38 per person, the price is attractive for a full day that includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, insurance, equipment, and two 20-minute underwater sessions. You would otherwise need to pay separately for transportation, boat access, equipment, instruction, and food.

The value is strongest for a first-time participant. You are not merely paying for 40 minutes in the water. You are also paying for the training, the boat ride, the practical support, and the chance to spend the rest of the day swimming or resting at sea.

The value is weaker for an experienced certified diver. The shallow depths and fixed session lengths may leave you wanting more, and drinks, photos, and video cost extra. The operator also explains that longer underwater time requires professional certification, so you should not assume your past casual experience will lead to a private or extended route.

Photos and video are not included. If you want a record of the day, expect that to be an additional purchase, though the exact price is not provided. I would treat any photo package as optional rather than part of the basic bargain.

Group size, comfort, and the honest drawbacks

The maximum capacity is 100 people. That is the most important practical warning in the booking information. A group of that size can mean a lively boat, shared equipment areas, and less personal space during the busiest parts of the schedule.

The positive side is that the activity has a clear system. Participants are taught the basics, organized into the water sessions, and accompanied by instructors. The strongest comments focus on feeling safe and well supported, which matters more than a quiet boat if you are trying scuba for the first time.

The negative side is that high-season departures may feel crowded. One experienced participant specifically criticized the crowded nature of the trip and found the overall program disappointing. The operator responded that the boat remains within capacity limits set by authorized institutions, but capacity compliance does not guarantee a spacious or intimate atmosphere.

I would book this with the right mental picture: an affordable group excursion, not a boutique marine outing. You get a structured day and a beginner-friendly introduction, but not a private instructor or a custom schedule.

Who should book this Alanya boat outing?

I would recommend it to you if you are new to scuba, staying in Side or Alanya, and want a low-cost way to try it without arranging transport or equipment. It also works well for groups with mixed interests because non-participants can snorkel, swim, or sunbathe.

It suits people who like a full day at sea and do not mind a set schedule. The 8:00 a.m. start, hotel pickup, boat ride, lunch, two water stops, and return transfer create a long day, but the program is easy to follow.

I would be cautious if you have breathing problems, since the supplied information specifically raises that concern without explaining the medical requirements. Contact the operator before booking and do not assume the instructor can make the activity suitable for every condition.

Certified scuba users should also read the description carefully. The 3 to 5 meter and 7 to 8 meter sessions are intended to keep first-timers comfortable. If you want deeper water, longer bottom time, or a site chosen for experienced divers, this is probably not the right product.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is a friendly first taste of scuba at a reasonable price. The attentive instruction, two-stage depth plan, included equipment, lunch, insurance, and transport make it a strong package for beginners.

Skip it if you are seeking serious scuba mileage or a small, quiet boat. The sessions are short, the depths are modest, the group may be large, and drinks, photos, and video cost extra. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time, while poor weather may lead to another date or a full refund, so the booking carries some useful flexibility.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels in Side and Alanya, with transport to the appropriate port for your hotel location.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two sessions are included. The first lasts about 20 minutes at 3 to 5 meters, and the second lasts about 20 minutes at 7 to 8 meters.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served aboard the boat. Beverages are not included.

Can I join if I do not want to scuba?

Yes. Non-participants can snorkel and enjoy the sea during the underwater sessions, as well as swim and sunbathe during the break.

What equipment is provided?

The included equipment is listed as a scuba suit, fins, glasses, and related gear. Insurance is also included.

Can people with breathing problems participate?

The additional information specifically mentions people who have problems with breathing, but it does not state the participation requirements. Contact the operator before booking if this applies to you.