Side: Scuba Diving Under Water Museum

The sea becomes your museum. This Side scuba tour takes you by boat to an underwater museum filled with artificial reefs and marine life, then gives you two underwater sessions in the same area. I like that no previous scuba experience is required, and I also like that the $50 price includes hotel transfers, equipment, lunch, and insurance. The main point to weigh is the long day: the trip lasts about seven hours, and much of that time is spent aboard the boat between water sessions.

You will be paired with a crew member while in the water, which makes this a useful choice if you are trying scuba for the first time. Still, the tour is not suitable for people with asthma or ear problems, and children under 16 may snorkel but cannot take part in the scuba sessions.

Key points before you book

• Two underwater sessions at the museum: The main activity takes place in the artificial reef area off Side, with two separate times in the water.
• Beginner-friendly setup: You do not need prior scuba experience, and a crew member stays in contact with you during the underwater portion.
• A full package for $50: The fee covers scuba and snorkeling equipment, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, and insurance during the tour.
• A large three-deck boat may be used: One reported schedule included a gear deck, an indoor seating area with tables and chairs, and a sun deck.
• Lunch is simple and fixed: You choose chicken or fish, served with rice and salad. Drinks cost extra.
• Plan around the restrictions: Children under 16 can snorkel only, and the trip is not recommended with asthma or ear problems.

Leaving Side Harbour around 8:30 am

The day begins at the Harbour of Side, with hotel pickup offered before the boat departure. The listed start time is 8:30 am, but your pickup time may be earlier. One recorded pickup was at 7:50 am, followed by a walk of about 15 minutes through Side’s old town before boarding.

That detail matters if you are staying outside the immediate harbour area. You should be ready early, wear comfortable shoes for the walk, and avoid assuming that the boat leaves from directly outside your hotel. The pickup and return service is a real part of the tour’s value, especially if you do not want to arrange taxis or find the harbour yourself.

Once aboard, you may find a large three-deck boat with separate areas for equipment, meals and seating, and sunbathing. This layout gives you options during the seven-hour outing. You can sit at a table, spend time outside, or find a place to rest between sessions.

The boat may also offer Wi-Fi for about €1. That is not part of the tour price, but it can be useful if you need to stay in touch. I would not make internet access a reason to book this trip, though. The point of the day is the water, not a floating office.

Getting ready with the supplied scuba gear

All necessary scuba equipment is included. Snorkeling equipment is included as well, so you can choose the lighter option if you do not want to use a full air tank or if you are under 16.

The crew gives you the equipment needed for the underwater sessions and keeps in contact with you while you are below the surface. That personal support is one of the strongest features for a beginner. You are not simply handed equipment and sent off alone.

The tour description does not provide a detailed lesson schedule, equipment brand, or exact length of each underwater session. You should therefore expect basic preparation and crew guidance rather than a full certification course. This is a one-day recreational experience, not a substitute for formal scuba training.

If you have never used scuba equipment, the pairing system should help you feel more secure. You still need to be comfortable following instructions and using the equipment properly. If you are unsure about your ability, tell the crew before entering the water.

Seeing the Side Underwater Museum

The first main stop is the underwater museum area. Here, artificial reefs provide places for marine species to live. The attraction is not only the act of swimming underwater. You are also looking at a human-made site that has become part of the marine environment.

The information provided describes hundreds of marine species living around the artificial reefs. That makes the area appealing for anyone who enjoys seeing sea life in its own setting rather than viewing it through an aquarium window.

You will take part in two underwater sessions in this same area. The split is helpful. A first session lets you get used to the mask, breathing equipment, water, and movement. After returning to the boat, you have time to rest before going back for a second look.

The exact visibility, water temperature, and species you see can change with weather and sea conditions. The tour requires good weather, so the operator may move the outing to another date or provide a full refund if conditions are poor. That policy protects the quality and safety of the experience, but it also means your plans need some flexibility.

Do not expect a museum visit in the usual sense. There are no galleries or dry exhibits described here. The museum is experienced from the water, with artificial reefs and marine life as the central focus. If that sounds exciting, the tour offers a clear purpose. If you prefer a relaxed boat trip with many different stops, the itinerary may feel focused.

Why two sessions are better than one

The two-session format gives the day a useful rhythm. You get one chance to become comfortable and another chance to enjoy the setting with less nervousness.

For a beginner, the first few minutes can be spent thinking about breathing and equipment. The second session may feel easier because you already know what to expect. This is especially valuable when you have paid for an introductory experience and want more than a brief look below the surface.

The crew’s continued contact adds another layer of reassurance. The tour says each participant is paired with a crew member, and the expert team remains in touch throughout the underwater time. That arrangement does not remove the need to pay attention, but it does make the experience more approachable for someone who has never tried scuba before.

The drawback is that the supplied information does not state how long each session lasts. You should judge the $50 price based on the complete package, not on a guaranteed number of minutes underwater.

Lunch with chicken or fish

Lunch is a fixed menu with a choice of chicken or fish, plus rice and salad. It is the kind of straightforward meal that suits a busy day at sea. You are not choosing from a long restaurant menu, but you do get a filling plate included in the cost.

The lunch helps make the $50 price easier to justify. Transfers, equipment, insurance, two underwater sessions, and food can add up quickly if arranged separately. Here, those elements are combined into one booking.

Drinks are not included, so bring money for them. A simple lunch also means you should not book this expecting a food-focused Turkish meal. The food is there to refuel between activities, not to be the main cultural event of the day.

Boat time, seating, and the pace of the outing

A seven-hour excursion requires some patience. The underwater museum is the star, but the boat ride, equipment setup, meals, and waiting between sessions make up a large part of the schedule.

The reported three-deck layout is useful for a full day. The gear area keeps equipment organized, the deck with tables and chairs gives you somewhere to eat and sit, and the sun deck offers an open place to relax. You might want a hat, sun protection, and a light cover-up, though the supplied tour information does not list personal items that you should bring.

I would also plan for a wet day. Even if you spend only part of the outing below the surface, you are taking part in a sea-based activity. Keep valuable electronics protected and do not count on Wi-Fi unless you are prepared to pay the extra €1 mentioned in the boat report.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not a private outing, but it is also not an enormous shipload. The actual feel will depend on how many people book that day and how the crew organizes the water sessions.

What the $50 price really covers

At $50 per person, this is a reasonably complete package for a first scuba experience near Side. The value comes from what is bundled into the fee:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Scuba equipment
• Snorkeling equipment
• Two underwater sessions
• Lunch with chicken or fish, rice, and salad
• Insurance during the tour
• Crew support in the water

The price does not include drinks, photos, or a DVD. Those extras are common add-ons on activity tours, so decide before departure if you want a photo package. Do not assume underwater pictures are included just because the tour is designed around an unusual marine site.

The strongest value is for someone who wants to try scuba without buying equipment, arranging transport, or planning a separate meal. It is less compelling if you already own gear and mainly want a short, independent session.

Who should book this Side experience?

I would recommend this tour to a first-time scuba participant who wants structure and support. You get equipment, a crew member, and a clear destination rather than having to organize every part yourself.

It also suits couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where some people want scuba and others prefer snorkeling. Children under 16 cannot take part in the scuba activity, but they can snorkel, giving younger family members a way to enjoy the day.

The tour may also work well for people who want a full day on the sea with more than one chance to enter the water. The boat’s seating and sun deck give non-scuba participants somewhere to spend the time.

I would think twice if you have asthma or ear problems, since the activity is specifically not recommended in those cases. You should also be cautious if you dislike group outings, fixed meals, or long boat-based schedules. This is not a quick one-hour introduction.

Small practical details that matter

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience has free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The weather rule is important. Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. The tour also needs a minimum number of participants, so a low booking count may result in a new date, another experience, or a refund.

The overall rating is 4 out of 5 from 21 ratings, which suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The most praised elements are the kind, funny staff and the sense of having a memorable day at sea. The boat layout and prompt pickup also help the outing run smoothly, though the long schedule will not suit everyone.

My verdict: a good first underwater experience

I would book this Side scuba tour if I wanted an affordable introduction with transport, gear, food, and crew support already arranged. The underwater museum gives the outing a clear purpose, while the two sessions give beginners a second chance after they get used to the equipment.

I would skip it if I wanted a private trip, a short activity, detailed control over the schedule, or a meal with more choice. For most first-timers, though, the $50 cost is sensible, especially when you count the included transfers, equipment, lunch, and insurance. Pack patience for the boat time, confirm your pickup hour, and treat the underwater museum as the main event.

FAQ

Where does the scuba tour depart from?

The tour departs from the Harbour of Side, Turkey. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:30 am. Hotel pickup can be earlier, with one pickup time recorded as 7:50 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

How many times do I enter the water?

The itinerary includes two underwater sessions in the Underwater Museum area.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. Previous scuba experience is not required, and the crew stays in contact with you during the underwater activity.

Are scuba and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes scuba equipment and snorkeling equipment.

Can children join the scuba activity?

Children under 16 cannot take part in the scuba sessions. They can snorkel instead.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. A different date, another experience, or a full refund may also be offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached.