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

Clear water, calm nerves, great payoff. This seven-hour Side scuba tour gives you two guided underwater sessions in the Mediterranean, with a shallow 6-meter first session and a second descent to 12 meters. I like the friendly, patient instructors and the fact that lunch, hotel transfer, equipment, and travel insurance are included. I also like the chance to see marine life, underwater rock formations, and possible artifacts or wreck remains rather than spending the whole day on a crowded beach.

The main drawback is that conditions can change the plan. Strong waves have forced the crew to replace an intended site, and one passenger found the small boat hard on the stomach. Photo and video packages can also cost nearly as much as the tour itself, so you should decide your budget before stepping aboard.

The trip is aimed at beginners as well as experienced swimmers with prior scuba experience. The crew speaks English, German, and Russian, and the staff have earned strong praise for clear instruction, humor, and calm help when someone feels nervous. Still, this is not a casual boat ride. You need to be fit enough for the activity and comfortable in open water.

Key points to know before booking

• Two sessions at 6 and 12 meters: The first underwater session is a gentle introduction, while the second goes farther down.
• About five hours on the water: The full outing lasts seven hours, but hotel transfer time is included in that figure.
• Lunch comes with the trip: The captain prepares the meal, while drinks cost extra.
• Side and Alanya use different boats: Your departure area determines your boat and underwater locations.
• The crew handles beginners well: Clear instruction and patient encouragement are major strengths.
• Weather can change the route: Rough seas may lead to a substitute location or altered timing.

What your seven-hour day looks like from hotel pickup to lunch

The day begins with a hotel transfer from selected areas in Side or Alanya. Pickup is available from Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot. You should wait at the outer security booth, not inside the hotel lobby, and allow for a delay of up to 25 minutes.

Transfer times vary by hotel, so the advertised seven hours is not seven straight hours in the water. The actual sea portion lasts about five hours, excluding transport. One practical complaint was that the transfer vehicle lacked good air conditioning. In Antalya Province, that matters, especially after a morning in swimwear and full sun.

Alanya and Side departures use separate boats and different underwater sites. You cannot assume that the Alanya route will look exactly like the Side route, or that the two boats will follow the same schedule. Read the pickup details sent 24 hours before departure and keep your phone available in case the supplier needs to update you.

Once aboard, the crew prepares you for the first session. Beginners receive instruction from professional guides, including how to use the equipment and follow underwater directions. The exact group size is not provided, so I would not book this expecting a private lesson.

The first 6-meter session is the confidence builder

The first underwater session reaches 6 meters, making it the less demanding part of the day. This depth gives a beginner time to get used to breathing through the regulator, clearing any discomfort, and staying close to the instructor without immediately facing the deeper section.

This is where the crew earns its good reputation. One nervous passenger became seasick on the small boat and worried about taking part. A female instructor encouraged her to try, and she felt fine once underwater. That is useful advice, but do not treat it as a guarantee. If you are prone to seasickness, the activity is specifically listed as unsuitable for you.

The first site may offer rock formations, fish, and other Mediterranean marine life. The published description also refers to ancient artifacts, sunken ships, and coral areas, but the exact sightings depend on the location and sea conditions. Do not book this expecting a museum-like display below the surface. The appeal is the feeling of entering a different world a short distance from the coast.

One unusual account described a young participant sitting on the seabed and getting close to fish. The activity rules say not to feed animals or touch plants, so follow the crew’s current instructions and avoid handling marine life. The water may bring you close to fish, but observing them is the responsible choice.

Lunch and deck time between the two sessions

After the first session, you return to the boat for a break and lunch. The captain prepares the meal, and it is included in the $52 price. That helps the tour’s value because you do not need to find a waterfront restaurant during the middle of the day.

The exact lunch menu is not provided, so bring water and remember that drinks are charged separately. You should also bring a hat, towel, sunscreen, swimwear, spare clothes, and a camera if you want your own surface photos. A refillable bottle or extra drinking water is sensible, since water is listed among the recommended items.

The break is not just a meal stop. It gives you time to warm up or dry off, settle your breathing, and decide how you feel before the second session. For beginners, this pause can make the difference between a rushed experience and a comfortable one.

The boat ride itself may be the least comfortable part of the outing if you are sensitive to motion. One person had a difficult time with seasickness but felt much better once below the surface. That can happen, but I would still pack whatever normal motion-sickness remedy you are allowed to use and tell the crew if you feel unwell.

The 12-meter session offers more, but site quality can vary

The second session reaches 12 meters, giving experienced participants more room to explore and beginners a clear next step after the shallow introduction. At this depth, underwater formations, fish, artifacts, and wreck features may feel more substantial, though the exact experience depends on visibility, weather, and the assigned site.

The staff provide guides for experienced participants as well as instruction for first-timers. That split matters. A beginner needs close support and simple directions, while someone with prior training may want a little more freedom to look around. The supplied information does not promise advanced certification-level activities, so you should view this as a guided recreational outing rather than a technical expedition.

Site quality is not guaranteed to be equal between sessions. One local participant found the first location excellent but thought the second had a less interesting view. That is a fair warning. The sea decides much of the day, and the crew may choose a safer substitute if waves become too strong.

An alternative site is not necessarily a failure. A professional crew that changes location rather than forcing a risky plan is doing the right thing. Still, you should book for the overall experience, not for one exact wreck, reef, or underwater feature.

What is included for $52, and where extra costs appear

At $52 per person, the package includes two guided scuba sessions, lunch, travel insurance, and hotel pickup and return if you select the transfer option. For a full day with equipment and professional supervision, that is a competitive price, especially for someone trying scuba for the first time.

The biggest extra charge is the optional photo and video service. One person found the combined cost close to the price of the entire tour, even after a discount. I would ask about the full price before agreeing to any package. Underwater photos can be a nice souvenir, but they are not part of the $52 deal.

Drinks are also extra, as are personal expenses. Bring your own water if permitted, and do not assume that lunch includes soft drinks or bottled water. The captain’s meal is included, but the details of the menu are not specified.

Travel insurance is included, which adds some value, but it does not remove the need to disclose health concerns or follow the operator’s safety rules. The activity is not suitable for people with heart, respiratory, kidney, or blood-pressure problems, epilepsy, diabetes, limited mobility, or low fitness. It is also unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, people over 150 kilograms, and people over 95 years old.

The age information is inconsistent in the supplied restrictions, which refer to both under 13 and under 14. To avoid an unpleasant surprise, I would treat the practical minimum as 14 unless the provider confirms otherwise.

Transport, languages, and the small details that affect comfort

The instruction is available in English, German, and Russian. That is useful for a mixed group, especially during equipment training and safety directions. Listen closely even if you have scuba experience, because each boat and site may use its own procedures.

The transfer vehicle may be shared, and the duration depends on your hotel. Waiting at the correct outer security point is important. If the vehicle is more than 25 minutes late, contact the supplier instead of leaving the pickup area.

The boat can be affected by wind and waves. The outing may be shortened or extended depending on conditions, and the route can change. This flexibility is good for safety, but it means you should not schedule a tight evening flight, restaurant booking, or other fixed activity immediately afterward.

Smoking, feeding animals, and touching plants are not allowed. Pack light, keep your towel and dry clothes easy to reach, and protect your phone from water. The recommended list includes a camera, but a camera does not mean you receive professional underwater images.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This tour suits you if you want a first taste of Mediterranean scuba without committing to a multi-day course. The 6-meter opening session gives you a manageable start, while the 12-meter session adds a stronger sense of adventure.

It also works for people who already have basic experience and want a guided day from a resort area. Experienced participants benefit from separate guides, though the exact level of independence is not stated.

You should skip it if you are a non-swimmer, prone to seasickness, pregnant, under the stated age limit, or dealing with one of the listed medical conditions. It is also a poor fit if you dislike boats, hot transfers, or changing plans.

A non-diver option exists using the child ticket, but that ticket cannot be purchased alone. The supplied information also says someone who cannot take part in the underwater activity cannot simply participate as a no-diver option, so confirm the arrangement before booking. A no-diver companion may be able to pay onboard to participate, but the rules around this should be checked in advance.

How this compares with a simple boat day

A standard boat excursion usually asks less of you physically. You can sit on deck, swim, eat, and enjoy the coast without equipment training or a health screening concern.

This tour gives you a more active experience. You spend less time simply looking at the Mediterranean and more time beneath it, with professional guidance and two different depths. The tradeoff is that your enjoyment depends more on weather, comfort on the boat, and your ability to handle the equipment.

I especially like that the crew has shown patience with nervous beginners. Clear explanations and calm encouragement are worth more than flashy promises. The staff also appear willing to find another site when sea conditions make the original plan unsafe.

The weaker points are practical rather than dramatic: possible air-conditioning problems during transfer, extra charges for drinks and media, a small boat that may bother people prone to seasickness, and a second site that may not match the first.

Should you book the Side scuba tour?

Book it if you want an affordable introduction to Mediterranean scuba and value friendly instruction, lunch, hotel transfer, and two guided sessions in one day. The $52 price is good when you use the included services and skip expensive photo packages.

Before paying, check your pickup point, confirm the age rule, ask about the no-diver arrangement, and decide how you will handle seasickness. Keep your expectations flexible about the exact underwater locations. If you can accept changing sites and a possibly basic transfer vehicle, this is a strong choice for beginners and casual certified participants who want more than a day on deck.

FAQ

How long does the Side scuba tour last?

The full activity lasts about seven hours, including hotel transfers. The time spent on the water and taking part in the underwater sessions is about five hours, excluding transfer time.

How deep are the two underwater sessions?

The first session reaches 6 meters. The second reaches 12 meters.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and return are included if you select the transfer option. Transfers serve Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot, as well as departure areas in Alanya and Side.

Where should I wait for the transfer?

Wait at your hotel’s outer security booth. The vehicle may be delayed by up to 25 minutes. If it does not arrive, contact the supplier company.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors provide service in English, German, and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it is prepared by the captain. Drinks are not included and cost extra.

Can I bring a non-diving companion?

A no-diving participant can select the child option, but the non-diver ticket cannot be purchased alone. The supplied rules also say that someone unable to take part cannot simply join under the no-diver option, so confirm the arrangement before booking.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.