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

The Mediterranean looks different from below. This seven-hour boat trip gives you two guided scuba sessions off Side, one reaching 6 meters and the second going to 12 meters, with lunch and hotel transfers available. I like the friendly, patient instructors and the chance to try scuba without committing to a multi-day course. I also like the useful two-stage format, with a shallower first session before the deeper descent. The main drawback is that small boats can feel rough, and drinks, photographs, and videos cost extra.

The tour costs $52 per person, which is a fair price if you need equipment, instruction, two sessions, lunch, and transport. Your time in the water is about five hours, not counting transfers, but the full day can run shorter or longer when sea conditions change.

Key points to know before you book

• Two underwater sessions: The first reaches 6 meters, while the second goes to 12 meters.
• Good for first-timers: Professional instructors explain the basics and stay with you during the sessions.
• Rough water is possible: Sea conditions can force the boat to use an alternative site, and the ride may be uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.
• Lunch is included: You can eat on board and rest on deck between sessions, but drinks are charged separately.
• Transfers cover major resort areas: Pickups are available in Alanya and Side, including Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot.
• Extras add up: Photo and video packages can cost nearly as much as the tour itself, so decide in advance if you really want them.

Leaving Side or Alanya for the Mediterranean

Your day begins with a hotel pickup if you select the transfer option. The service covers a wide stretch of the Antalya coast, but the ride length depends on your hotel and pickup area. You need to wait at the outer security booth, not inside the hotel lobby, and a delay of up to 25 minutes is possible.

That small detail matters. Resort security points can be busy, and drivers may not be able to enter hotel grounds. Have your ticket ready on your phone and give the transfer a little patience before calling the supplier.

The Side and Alanya groups use separate boats and different underwater locations. That means you should not assume that a friend booked from another resort area will be on the same vessel. It also means the exact scenery depends partly on your departure zone and the day’s sea conditions.

The transfer vehicle may not have strong air conditioning. That became a clear irritation during one hot July trip, so carry water and keep your towel handy. You will be happier arriving at the boat cool, dry, and ready to listen.

The safety briefing sets the tone

Once on board, the professional guide explains how the equipment works and what you need to do underwater. Instruction is available in English, German, and Russian, which helps if you are nervous or unfamiliar with scuba terms.

The first session reaches 6 meters. That is shallow enough to give beginners time to settle their breathing, clear their ears, and learn how the regulator feels. You can focus on staying calm and following hand signals instead of worrying about a long descent.

This is where the crew earns much of its praise. The instructors are described as clear, encouraging, friendly, and good-humored. One instructor persuaded a nervous participant to try the session after seasickness caused doubts, and the person felt much better once underwater. That is a useful reminder that nerves and motion sickness do not always feel the same below the surface, although you should not force yourself if you feel unwell.

The guides also work with more experienced scuba participants. If you already have experience, you can expect more independence than a complete beginner, but you still need to follow the instructor’s directions closely. The tour is built around supervised outings, not a private technical session.

What you can see at 6 meters

The shallow session is the best place to get comfortable and enjoy the Mediterranean setting without rushing. The water is presented as clear, and you might see fish, rocky formations, and other underwater features close to the boat.

The supplied information also points to ancient artifacts, coral reefs, and sunken ships as possible sights. Treat those descriptions as possibilities rather than a guarantee. Underwater visibility, weather, and the chosen site all affect what you actually see.

One unusual detail from the experience is the close presence of fish. Fish may approach the group, giving you a memorable look at local marine life. The rules clearly forbid feeding animals and touching plants, so observe rather than handle anything. Even if a fish comes close enough to seem tame, it is best to keep your hands to yourself and protect the site.

The first location has been praised as especially scenic. If the water is calm and visibility is good, this initial stop may be the visual high point of the day. It is also the session where first-timers are most likely to enjoy the experience without feeling overloaded by equipment, depth, and new surroundings.

Lunch and a pause on the boat

After the first session, you return to the boat for lunch. The captain prepares the meal, and you can rest on deck before the second underwater outing.

This break is more important than it sounds. Two scuba sessions require attention and energy, especially if you are learning. A meal, shade, and time to dry off give you a chance to regain your balance before putting the equipment on again.

Lunch is included in the $52 price, but drinks are not. Bring water, especially in hot weather, and budget separately for anything you buy on board. Personal expenses are also excluded.

The boat itself is part of the experience. You will spend time sitting, eating, waiting, and watching the sea, not only underwater. If you enjoy a relaxed boat day with a scheduled activity, this rhythm works well. If you want nonstop action, the breaks may feel long.

The 12-meter descent brings a new challenge

The second session reaches 12 meters, twice the depth of the first. It gives you a stronger sense of open-water scuba and more time to look for underwater features that may not be visible in the shallows.

For someone new to scuba, the deeper session can feel like a real achievement. Your instructor remains central here, particularly when you need help equalizing your ears, controlling your breathing, or staying with the group. Listen carefully during the briefing and signal early if you feel discomfort.

The underwater scenery is not equally strong at both locations. One account of the day praised the first site but found the second less attractive. That is a fair expectation to carry into the tour: you may get one excellent site and one more ordinary one, rather than two equally memorable stops.

Weather can change the plan. Rough seas once made the intended site unusable, so the crew found an alternative. That flexibility is a positive sign, but it also means the exact route and scenery are not fixed. The tour may be shortened or extended depending on conditions.

Is $52 good value?

For $52, you receive two guided underwater sessions, lunch, travel insurance, and hotel transportation if you choose a pickup area covered by the service. You also get access to instruction and scuba equipment, although the supplied details do not break out equipment as a separate charge.

That is solid value for a beginner who wants to try scuba during a beach holiday. A single introductory session can cost a meaningful portion of this amount in many resort areas, while this tour gives you a second chance to settle in and reach 12 meters.

The value is less clear if you already own equipment or have substantial scuba experience. You may prefer a smaller group, a specialist boat, or a trip focused on a particular wreck or reef. This outing is better understood as an accessible day activity than as a serious exploration trip.

Watch the optional costs. Drinks are extra, and the photo and video service is not included. One local participant found the image and video price nearly as high as the scuba tour itself, even after a discount. I would ask for the full price before agreeing, then decide if the memory is worth the surcharge.

Who should book this Side scuba trip?

I would recommend it to adults and older teenagers who can swim, meet the health requirements, and want a guided introduction to underwater sightseeing. The two-session structure is especially useful if you are curious about scuba but do not want to spend several days training.

It also works for a mixed group, but the booking rules need care. A person who does not want to participate can use the child option as a no-scuba ticket, and that option cannot be purchased alone. The no-scuba participant may be able to pay on board to take part later, but you should not treat that as a guaranteed arrangement.

The activity is not suitable for children under the stated age limits, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, or non-swimmers. It is also unsuitable for people with heart, respiratory, kidney, or blood pressure problems, epilepsy, diabetes, low fitness, a tendency toward seasickness, or a body weight over 150 kilograms. Anyone over 95 is excluded as well.

The age information is inconsistent, listing both under 12 and under 13 in different places. I would confirm the exact minimum age before booking a child. People with lactose intolerance are also listed as unsuitable, so ask the supplier about the lunch rather than assuming dietary needs can be handled.

Practical packing advice for a hot boat day

Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunscreen, water, and dry clothes. A camera is allowed, but protect it from salt water and remember that the boat’s official photo and video service costs extra.

Do not smoke, feed animals, or touch plants. These rules protect the sea and keep the boat comfortable for everyone. You should also follow the guide’s instructions carefully, especially during entry, descent, and the return to the boat.

If you get seasick, think hard before booking. The boat can be uncomfortable in rough water, and one participant became quite ill before entering the sea. Motion sickness medication may be worth discussing with a medical professional, but the activity is specifically unsuitable for people prone to seasickness.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your weather plans are uncertain, but they do not remove the need to meet the health and mobility requirements.

My verdict on this two-session Mediterranean tour

I would book this tour if I wanted a reasonably priced first taste of scuba from Side or Alanya, especially because the crew receives strong praise for clear instruction and kind support. The 6-meter session eases you in, the 12-meter session gives you a satisfying second goal, and lunch keeps the day simple.

I would hesitate if you are very prone to seasickness, need wheelchair access, or want guaranteed wrecks, reefs, and premium underwater photography. The second site may be less impressive than the first, weather can change the plan, and onboard extras can push up the final cost.

For the best experience, bring water, wait at the correct hotel security point, ask about photo prices before the boat leaves, and treat the underwater sights as weather-dependent. If you accept those limits, this is a friendly and practical way to see the Mediterranean from a very different angle.

FAQ

How long does the scuba tour from Side and Alanya last?

The full activity lasts about seven hours, including transfers. The time spent on the boat and in the water is about five hours, excluding hotel transportation.

How deep are the two scuba sessions?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch prepared by the captain is included. Drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option. Transfers cover Alanya and Side areas, including Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Russian.

Can someone join without scuba participation?

Yes, a no-scuba participant can select the child option, but that ticket cannot be purchased alone. A person who changes their mind may be able to pay on board to participate.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under the stated minimum age, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with mobility limitations, wheelchair users, or people with heart, respiratory, kidney, blood pressure, neurological, or diabetes-related conditions. It is also unsuitable for people prone to seasickness, people over 150 kilograms, people with low fitness, and people over 95.