Side’s sea day feels like a reset.

This tour is interesting because it’s built around two guided underwater sessions (6 meters, then 12 meters) with time on the boat in between, and because the crew handles the whole day from briefing to gear to sites. I also like that you get a proper meal on board prepared by the captain, so you’re not just snacking while the group swaps tanks. One consideration: you’ll likely spend extra for drinks and onboard photo/video, and the sea can be choppy on a small boat, so it’s smart to plan for motion sickness.

You’ll be in Antalya Province, typically leaving from the Side or Alanya area and heading out with a professional guide (English, German, Russian). The day runs about 7 hours total, with around 5 hours on the water excluding transfers, and weather can shorten or extend it.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Two guided underwater sessions with targets at 6m and 12m
• Pro team support for different skill levels, including try divers
• Meal on board by the captain and deck time between sessions
• Marine life plus man-made surprises like artifacts and sunken ship areas
• Weather-first flexibility, including alternate site planning if needed
• Value at $52, but with extras for drinks and photos/video

A Realistic Look at the 7-Hour Plan

This is a full-day boat trip, not a quick outing. Expect hotel pickup (if you selected it) from the Side/Alanya region areas listed, then a transfer to the marina area. The transfer can vary by hotel, and you should plan for a possible delay of up to 25 minutes while you wait at your hotel’s outer security booth.

Once you’re on the boat, the day moves in a simple rhythm: briefing and gear, underwater session #1, time to eat and reset on deck, underwater session #2, then return. The whole trip is about 7 hours, with roughly 5 hours of water time (excluding transfers). That’s important because it means you’re not spending the majority of your day in transit.

Weather matters. The tour notes that the schedule can shift based on conditions, and one big theme from real experiences is that the crew will adapt the plan if sea conditions make the original underwater spot unsafe.

Two Underwater Sessions at 6m and 12m: What That Means

The tour is built around two descents with different depth goals:

• Session 1: about 6 meters

This is usually the easier entry point, where you can focus on comfort, buoyancy control, and getting your bearings underwater. At this depth, you’re more likely to notice how the site feels—light changes, visibility, and how the marine life moves around structures—without having to fight your breathing and finning at the same time.

• Session 2: about 12 meters

This goes deeper, and that depth is often where you start seeing more variety in underwater features and the “story” of the site: the way sunken objects, wreck components, or bottom structures create a habitat. At 12 meters, you also want to take buoyancy and planning seriously—listen closely to the guide and keep your focus tight.

The tour is described as suitable for beginners and experienced divers, but I’d still treat it as a guided skill day, not just a sightseeing cruise. Your comfort at each depth will drive how much you enjoy the day.

Also note the operational detail that matters for your expectations: if you’re picked up from Side versus Alanya, you’ll dive from separate boats and at different locations. So don’t expect the exact same site or conditions as someone who booked from the other side of town.

What You’ll See Underwater: Marine Life, Artifacts, and Sunken Wreck Areas

The underwater experience here isn’t framed as one single “must-see” attraction. Instead, it’s about variety: Mediterranean marine life plus the chance to encounter underwater surprises such as ancient artifacts and sunken ships, along with coral areas where conditions allow.

Here’s how I’d think about it as a first-timer versus a more experienced scuba person:

• If you’re new:

Your win is confidence. You want to come up from the first session feeling calm and in control, then carry that into the second session so you can actually look around instead of just surviving the mechanics.

• If you’ve been underwater before:

You’ll likely enjoy the site variety—especially the mix of natural life and man-made objects. Even when one spot isn’t perfect, the second session can still deliver that “oh wow” moment if visibility and conditions cooperate.

One practical thing: visibility and site style can vary depending on the exact location the crew uses that day. That’s why it helps that the crew may switch sites when sea state is extreme.

Captain’s Meal on Deck: The Break That Keeps the Day Fun

Between the two underwater sessions, the plan includes a meal. The day is described as featuring a delicious meal prepared by the captain, plus time to relax on deck.

This is more than a nice-to-have. A real break matters when you’re alternating between water time and on-boat time. It helps you avoid the cranky, shaky feeling that can happen if you’re hungry or chilled.

A quick note on what’s included: lunch is included, while drinks are not. So if you tend to drink more when it’s hot, plan ahead. Bring water habits with you even though water is on your packing list.

Instructor Support: How Guidance Affects Your Experience

This tour runs with professional guides, and the listed instructor languages are English, German, and Russian. You’ll get instruction before going in the water, and the guides are described as clear and professional.

That matters a lot if you’re one of these cases:

• You’re nervous about being underwater
• You’re trying it for the first time
• You’re comfortable underwater but want tighter guidance and feedback

In one experience, an instructor encouraged a nervous participant to try and it clicked once they were actually underwater. That’s the kind of support you want from the start: calm reassurance paired with practical coaching, not just a rushed checklist.

The tour also notes a “non-participant” option exists, and people can be accepted in that group using a child option. But the rules around non-participant selection can be confusing, so treat this as a “ask and confirm” situation (more on that below).

Price and Extras: Is $52 Good Value?

At $52 per person, this is priced as a value-focused day trip because it includes:

• Two guided underwater sessions
• Hotel pickup and drop-off if selected
• Lunch
• Travel insurance

For many day boat activities around the Turkish Riviera, the base fee rarely covers everything. Here, the included insurance and the meal push it closer to “what you actually need to enjoy the day.”

Now for the extras you should expect:

• Drinks are extra
• Photo/video service is extra
• Any onboard purchases will add up fast, especially if you buy the whole set of media.

One caution I’d listen to: photos and videos can be pricey, and at least one person felt the total cost was too close to the amount you pay for the underwater portion itself. If you want photos, decide on a budget before you’re on the boat and emotionally invested.

Also: a small detail that can change comfort. Someone noted that transportation could use air conditioning. If you’re heading out in hot months, bring your own comfort tools—water, sunscreen, and a hat help a lot.

Getting There from Side and Alanya: Pickup, Waiting, and Timing

Transfers are included from multiple areas in the Side and Alanya region, including Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot. Pickup details come to you about 24 hours in advance.

Plan to wait at your hotel’s outer security booth. That’s not just bureaucracy—it affects whether you miss the group. The tour notes a possible delay of up to 25 minutes, so don’t panic if the bus doesn’t appear the minute you step outside.

If the driver or guide arrives, you’ll show your ticket. That’s simple, but it’s also easy to forget when you’re packing gear, sunglasses, and sunscreen at the last second.

Who This Tour Suits (and Who Should Skip It)

This is not a “try it and see” activity for everyone. The tour lists a long set of restrictions for safety, including:

• Not suitable for pregnant women
• Not suitable for heart problems, respiratory issues, epilepsy
• Not suitable for people with limited mobility or wheelchair users
• Not suitable for non-swimmers
• Not suitable for people prone to seasickness
• Not suitable for kidney problems, high blood pressure
• Not suitable for diabetes and lactose intolerance (listed)
• Weight limit: over 331 lbs (150 kg) not recommended
• Age: not suitable for people over 95 years
• Children rules are inconsistent in the info (it mentions under 12 as not suitable, and also lists under 13 and under 14). In practical terms, this is clearly aimed at older kids/teens rather than small children.

If you’re healthy and comfortable with boats, you’ll likely enjoy the structured guidance and the two depth levels. If you’re sensitive to motion, I’d take that seriously—choppy water plus a small boat can turn the day into a struggle.

Non-Participant Option: What’s Allowed and What to Confirm

There is a non-participant concept on this trip. The info says:

• A Non-Diver ticket cannot be purchased alone.
• Those with a Non-Diver ticket can pay onboard if they want to participate later.
• Anyone who wants to come as non-participant can select the child option, and this group will be accepted as non-participant.
• The activity involves two underwater options, and if you cannot participate in the water activity, the info says you cannot join as a non-participant option.

That last point is the one you should treat as a “confirm first” situation. Before you book, message the supplier and ask which option you should pick if your plan is: no water time. The goal is simple—avoid arriving and having someone explain that your ticket type doesn’t match how the boat handles the non-participant group.

What to Bring (So You’re Not Miserable)

Bring practical sun and comfort items. The tour lists:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Water

I’d add one more mindset: pack for sun and for getting chilled between sessions. Even in summer, water time and shade can make you feel cold once you’re wet.

Rules That Keep the Day Smooth

The tour lists simple “do not” items:

• No smoking
• No feeding animals
• No touching plants

I like clear rules like this. They protect marine life and keep the crew from spending time correcting behavior mid-day.

Should You Book This Side and Alanya Two-Stop Sea Day?

Book it if you want a straightforward, guided day with two chances to get underwater at 6 meters and 12 meters, plus a real meal on board and pickup options from the Side/Alanya area. The price looks like good value for what’s included—especially the insurance and the two guided sessions.

Skip it (or at least confirm carefully) if you’re seasick-prone, have respiratory or heart issues, or you’re relying on the non-participant ticket option without being sure how it applies to your exact situation. Also think twice if buying photos/video is a concern, because those costs are extra and can add up quickly.

If you’re the kind of person who likes a well-run day—clear instruction, professional guides, and a plan that adapts when conditions change—this trip fits your style.

FAQ

How many underwater sessions are included?

You get 2 scuba sessions with a professional guide.

What depths does the tour go to?

The first session is described at 6 meters, and the second session is described at 12 meters.

What’s the total duration and how much time is on the water?

The tour lasts about 7 hours total. Diving time excluding transfer is listed as 5 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Included are 2 scuba sessions with a professional guide, hotel pickup/drop-off if selected, lunch, and travel insurance.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included and are charged extra on the boat.

What languages are the instructors/guides?

The instructor languages listed are English, German, and Russian.

Do I get hotel pickup from the Side and Alanya areas?

Pickup is included from several areas such as Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot (with details provided to you about 24 hours in advance).

Is there a non-participant option?

A non-participant option is referenced, and it notes that you can select the child option for a non-participant group. It also says the Non-Diver ticket cannot be purchased alone, and non-divers can pay onboard if they want to participate in the water activity.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a hat, swimwear, change of clothes, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and water.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

The tour is listed as not suitable for children under the stated age limits, pregnant women, people with heart or respiratory issues, people with limited mobility or wheelchair users, non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, and several medical conditions including epilepsy, diabetes, kidney problems, and high blood pressure. It also lists a weight limit over 150 kg.