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

Three swimming stops, one ancient skyline. This eight-hour boat trip combines the Manavgat River with the Mediterranean, giving you plenty of time to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the view of Side’s ancient temples. I like the roomy three-level boat and the strong value at $16 per person, especially since hotel transfers, lunch, a guide, and the foam party are included. The main drawback is that drinks, JetSki rides, and photographs cost extra, and the boat’s toilets could use better cleaning.

This is a fun, social day rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. I especially like the long first swim stop at Cennet Play and the second stop opposite the Temple of Apollo and Temple of Athena. You should also know that the entertainment, music, foam, photographer, and parrot make this feel more like a family-friendly party boat than a serious archaeological tour.

Five things worth knowing before you book

• Three separate swim stops: You get about one hour at Cennet Play, 45 minutes opposite Side’s ancient peninsula, and about 20 minutes near the river mouth.
• A large three-level boat: The lower deck has seating, a bar, and 10 showers, the middle deck has music and foam, and the top deck is for sunbathing.
• Lunch is included: The onboard kitchen prepares grilled chicken and a buffet meal, with fish also reported as an option.
• Side’s temples provide the best view: The second sea stop lets you swim with the ancient peninsula and the Temple of Apollo and Temple of Athena in sight.
• Extra costs are easy to miss: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, JetSki rides, gözleme, and printed photographs are not included.
• Dolphins may appear: The route can offer sightings of dolphins and caretta caretta sea turtles, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

Getting from Side hotels to the Manavgat River

Pickup takes place from the main gate of your hotel, generally between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. The wider pickup window is listed as 8:30 to 9:30, so you should be ready early and allow a little patience if the bus is collecting people from several hotels.

The ride to the pier takes about 30 minutes. It is not just a transfer through town. The road follows attractive forest views on the way to the Manavgat River, giving you a pleasant start before the boat leaves the dock.

The buses are described as comfortable, and several people praised punctual pickup and safe return service. One of the more unusual touches came on the ride back, when a bus joined a playful water fight with other coaches. That is not something you should count on, but it shows the easygoing mood this trip aims for.

The operator is River Quad Safari, and live guiding is available in English, German, and Russian. The guide is useful for keeping the day moving and explaining what is happening, but this is not designed as a detailed history tour of Side.

Three decks, ten showers, and room to spread out

The boat is one of this trip’s strongest features. It has three floors, giving you several ways to spend the day rather than forcing everyone into one crowded seating area.

The first floor has comfortable seating groups, a bar, and 10 showers at the rear. This is the practical deck, especially when you want shade, a seat for lunch, or a quick rinse after swimming. The showers are a helpful feature after the sea stops, although cleanliness in the toilet area has been singled out as something that could be improved.

The second floor is the social center. It has another bar, a dance floor, music, and the foam party later in the day. You can sit here if you want to join the dancing, or move away when the music becomes too much.

The third floor is an open sun terrace. It is the best place for tanning and open views, but the available mats and seats can fill almost immediately. If sunbathing is important to you, head upstairs as soon as you board instead of assuming a spot will remain free.

The boat has enough space for people who want a lively day and people who prefer to sit quietly for a while. Several strong ratings focused on the fact that it did not feel packed, which matters on an eight-hour trip. Still, no boat has unlimited deck chairs, so families and sun worshippers should make an early choice about where they want to settle.

The river mouth and the first swim at Cennet Play

Once everyone is aboard, the boat reaches the river within about 20 minutes. It heads toward the Manavgat strait, where the river meets the sea. This change from river water to open Mediterranean scenery gives the trip its basic character: part river cruise, part beach day.

The first major stop is Cennet Play, where the boat moors for about one hour. You can swim from the beach, sunbathe, or pay extra for a JetSki ride. This is the most flexible stop because you are not limited to jumping straight from the boat.

While you are in the water or on the beach, the kitchen team prepares lunch. That timing works well. You are not sitting around waiting for food, and you return to the boat ready to eat.

The water temperature can vary. One person described a river swim as being around 10 degrees Celsius, so you might find some water noticeably cold, particularly outside the hottest summer weeks. The sea stops are likely to feel more inviting, but bring a towel and do not assume every swim will be warm.

Cennet Play is also where you should think about extra spending. JetSki rides are not included, and local drinks are sold separately. If you are trying to keep this trip close to the $16 price, stick with the included meal and budget only for the activities you really want.

Lunch on board, with simple holiday food

Lunch is served from a buffet after the first swim. The main meal is grilled chicken, according to the planned service, and fish has also been offered as an alternative. The food is simple rather than gourmet, but that is the right standard for a low-cost full-day boat trip.

The positive point is quantity and convenience. You eat on board, with no need to leave the route or buy a separate restaurant meal. Several people found the food tasty and generous, which adds real value to the low ticket price.

You should make your way to the buffet when it opens. One account reported that food was taken away soon after the first serving, leaving no second portion for someone who wanted more. That may not happen every day, but it is sensible not to wait if you are hungry.

Drinks are not included. Beer, wine, cola, Fanta, Sprite, water, soda, tea, and coffee are all listed as extra purchases. Turkish gözleme is also separate, so keep some cash or another accepted payment method available if you want more than lunch.

The best view arrives opposite ancient Side

After leaving the river mouth, the boat takes about 45 minutes to reach the historic Side peninsula. The ride itself can be pleasant, with open sea views and the possibility of seeing dolphins or caretta caretta sea turtles.

Wildlife sightings depend on luck and conditions. The crew has sometimes circled around dolphins so people could get a better look, but you should treat this as a bonus, not a promised part of the day. Bring your phone or camera ready, but keep your expectations sensible.

The second swim stop lasts about 45 minutes and takes place opposite the ancient peninsula. This is the most scenic pause because you can swim with the Temple of Apollo and Temple of Athena in view. From the water, Side’s old stone remains have a different feel than they do from a street or museum path.

You can jump from the boat, use one of the 10 swimming ladders at the back, or simply stay on deck and look toward the ruins. The ladders are useful for people who do not want to make a high jump, while confident swimmers can make the jump directly from the boat.

This stop is a good example of the trip’s limits. You see Side from the water, but you do not go ashore to explore the temples. If you want close views, archaeological details, or time among the ruins, book a separate Side walking tour. If you want to combine ancient views with a swim, this cruise gives you a memorable version of the peninsula without adding another land excursion.

The return run brings music, foam, and a parrot

After the second swim, the boat returns toward the Manavgat strait. The trip back takes around 45 minutes, and this is when the middle deck turns into the main entertainment area.

The foam party includes dancing, music, and organized moves from the crew. A crew member named Cem, pronounced like Jem, received particular praise for leading the choreography and getting people involved. The activity is aimed at all ages, from children around seven to older adults, although younger children should stay close to their adults around wet decks and swimming areas.

The party is playful rather than polished. You may enjoy it a lot if you like group dancing, music, and a little harmless chaos. If you want a peaceful return journey, use the first or third deck instead of remaining beside the dance floor.

A parrot is also on board for photographs. The bird is an unusual extra and has become part of the boat’s character, but the photo team can be persistent. You are not required to buy anything. Printed photographs have been priced at about €5 each, so decide in advance if you want a souvenir or prefer to take your own pictures.

The same applies to the onboard photographer. Several people praised the quality of the images, while others felt the sales approach was pushy or the prices high. Enjoy the photos if you want them, but do not feel obliged to purchase a full set.

The final swim near the river mouth

The third swim stop happens near the mouth of the river on the return journey. It lasts about 20 minutes, making it shorter than the other breaks.

This is a useful final chance to cool off before the boat returns to the pier. It is also the stop most likely to feel rushed, since the boat still needs to dock and begin the hotel transfers. You may prefer to stay on board, dry off, and prepare for the ride back.

Once the boat reaches the pier, buses return you to your hotel. Expected arrival is between 17:00 and 17:30, making this a full day rather than a short morning outing. You will probably be ready for a shower and a quiet meal afterward, especially if you swim at every stop and join the foam party.

Is $16 really good value?

At $16 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for an eight-hour outing that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a boat trip, a guide, lunch, and entertainment. Even after allowing for the fact that local drinks are extra, the package gives you a full day of activity for less than many short excursions.

The value comes from the amount of time on the water. You get three swim stops, a beach stop, access to the Side view, lunch, and a party atmosphere. You are not paying only for transport from one photo stop to another.

The price also explains some of the compromises. The lunch is straightforward, the entertainment is broad and commercial, and extras such as JetSkis and photos can quickly add to the bill. The toilet hygiene issue is worth keeping in mind, too.

I would bring swimwear under your clothes, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a small amount of spending money. A waterproof phone pouch would be useful if you want pictures from the swimming stops, though you should take care around the boat’s wet surfaces.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 203 ratings, and the most consistent praise centers on the spacious boat, friendly crew, good organization, swim time, and excellent price. Those are the areas where this trip earns its money.

Who should book this Side boat trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy an easy day with plenty of swimming and light entertainment. It works especially well if you want to see the Side peninsula without spending a full day walking in the heat.

You will probably be happy here if you want:

• A low-cost full-day activity
• Several chances to swim
• A large boat with shaded and sunny seating
• Lunch included in the ticket
• Music, dancing, and a foam party
• A relaxed way to see Side’s temples from offshore

I would choose something else if you want a quiet sailing trip, a small boat, fine dining, or a serious guided explanation of ancient Side. The music, photographer, parrot, and foam make this a cheerful excursion, not a calm wildlife cruise.

It is also not ideal if you dislike paying extra for drinks and optional activities. At this price, the basic package is strong, but your final spend depends on how many add-ons you choose.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your perfect Side day includes swimming, sun, a simple lunch, friendly crew, and a foam party with the ancient peninsula in the background. The long duration, spacious boat, and three water stops make $16 excellent value.

Skip it if your priority is archaeological detail, silence, or a small-group experience. For everyone else, this is a practical and entertaining way to mix Manavgat River scenery, Mediterranean swimming, and Side’s famous temples in one easy day.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. Hotel pickup is scheduled in the morning, and return to hotels is expected between 17:00 and 17:30.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included. Pickup is from the main gate of your hotel in the Side area.

What time is pickup?

Pickup is generally between 08:30 and 09:00, with the wider stated window running until 09:30. You should be ready at the hotel’s main gate before the earlier time.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is available in English, German, and Russian.

How many swimming stops are included?

There are three swimming stops. The first lasts about one hour at Cennet Play, the second lasts about 45 minutes opposite Side’s historic peninsula, and the last lasts about 20 minutes near the river mouth.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served as a buffet after the first swimming stop. Grilled chicken is part of the planned meal, and fish has also been offered.

Are drinks included?

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

Is the JetSki ride included?

No. JetSki rides are available at an additional cost during the first swimming stop.

Is the foam party included?

Yes. The foam party takes place during the return journey on the second floor of the boat and is included in the activity.