REVIEW · SIDE
From Alanya: Scuba Diving Tour with Hotel Transfers
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by SENCAP İRFAN TURİZM · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Eight hours, and you’ll forget the land. This is an easy-to-follow guided underwater outing with two separate water sessions, designed for both first-timers and certified divers. I love how the team teaches you step-by-step with friendly, calm instruction, and I also like that you get solid guidance on depth and buoyancy up to around six meters. One consideration: sea and visibility can change, and a long boat day can feel tough if you get motion sickness.
The day starts with pickup from hotels in Alanya and Side and ends back at your accommodation, which matters when you’re trying to enjoy vacation instead of running around. You’re traveling with a crew of about ten people, including two lead scuba professionals and several instructors, and the group stays supported with multiple languages (English, German, Russian, Turkish).
Because the program depends on conditions, the exact stops can shift, and the timing may feel longer than you expect once you’re out on the water. If you’re prone to nausea, plan for that in advance, and don’t assume you’ll always get perfect visibility.
In This Review
- Key things I’d watch for before you book
- Two Underwater Sessions Off Alanya and Side
- What You Actually Do: From Gear Basics to Around Six Meters
- Why the Crew Size and Multi-Language Team Matters
- Price and Value: What $67 Really Buys You
- Boat Day Reality: Timing, Waiting, and Motion Sickness Risk
- Transfers in Turkey: Pickup That Can Vary by Hotel
- Equipment and Training: Confidence Comes From Practice
- Underwater Photos and Video: Plan for the Extra Spend
- Lunch and Comfort on Board
- Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)
- Should You Book This Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- Are there two underwater sessions?
- Is this suitable for beginners?
- What is included in the price?
- Are drinks included?
- Are photos and videos included?
- Who should not book?
Key things I’d watch for before you book

- Two underwater sessions of about 30 minutes each, with guidance for your comfort and control
- Beginner coaching: equipment theory, safety, underwater hand signals, and surface breathing practice
- Depth plan with support: gradual descent and pauses as you build confidence, up to around six meters
- Fish-feeding moment at about 3 meters, plus a second instructor who documents underwater photos/video for purchase
- Sea-condition flexibility: stops can be skipped, and the day can stretch if weather or timing shifts
Two Underwater Sessions Off Alanya and Side

This is built for people who want a clear, guided experience rather than a self-planned swim. You’ll go out from the Antalya Province coast, with pickups covering hotels around Alanya and Side, then spend the day focused on two separate underwater experiences.
What makes this format work is the pacing. Instead of one long, stressful push, you get a first session to get your bearings, then a second session in the afternoon at a different spot (weather permitting). That variety helps, because underwater conditions can look very different even along the same stretch of coastline.
You should also know the tour isn’t just for people who want to be underwater. If someone in your group doesn’t want to participate, they can join as visitors and stay on board for the facilities—just without doing the scuba part.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Side.
What You Actually Do: From Gear Basics to Around Six Meters

The tour is structured like a confidence-builder. For first-time divers and beginners, you start with theory on the gear and safety rules, plus underwater sign language so you can communicate without talking.
After that, you do practical basics on the surface, including breathing exercises. This is the step that usually makes or breaks the experience for newcomers, because it turns “scary unknown” into something your body can repeat.
Then you go down slowly. You’re guided to descend gradually with pauses at each meter to build comfort. At around three meters, you reach the bottom and get to do a fish-feeding moment. It’s brief, but it’s memorable—and it gives you a simple task to focus on while you enjoy the view.
For the main water time, you stay relaxed while swimming around an island at up to about six meters. The instructor helps manage your buoyancy by adjusting the air in your suit so you can hold the right depth without fighting the water. That weightless feel is the payoff, but it only happens if you can stay calm, so the coaching style matters.
In the afternoon, the setup repeats at another location, giving you a second chance to feel more comfortable and move more freely underwater.
Why the Crew Size and Multi-Language Team Matters

This tour runs with a team of around ten, including instructors and lead scuba professionals. For you, the practical benefit is simple: there’s usually someone close by to help when you need it.
The instruction is also multi-lingual: English, German, Russian, and Turkish. That matters more than people think. When you’re learning safety procedures and hand signals, understanding every step reduces stress—and stress is what makes buoyancy control harder.
One of the most praised parts of the experience is how personable and supportive the instructors are. The teaching approach tends to be friendly and clear, and that shows up in how confident people feel once they’re in the water. If you’re nervous about equipment or coordination, this style is exactly what you want.
Price and Value: What $67 Really Buys You

At about $67 per person, the value is strongest because several major costs are bundled in. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, diving equipment, beginner training, and two underwater sessions (each around 30 minutes). For a full-day activity that includes instruction and logistics, that’s a decent package.
What’s not included is also clear. You’ll need to handle your own drinks, and the underwater photo/video package is extra. In other words, the cost covers the core experience and safety support, not the add-ons people usually impulse-buy after a memorable moment.
If you want the most cost-effective setup, bring what you need to stay comfortable on a boat day (like a towel and swimwear, since those are the listed items). Then decide about photos/videos after you see what the documentation looks like.
Boat Day Reality: Timing, Waiting, and Motion Sickness Risk

An 8-hour day sounds simple on paper. On the water, it can feel different. One thing to expect is that schedules don’t always run to the minute, especially when you’re coordinating multiple groups and responding to sea conditions.
There’s also a real possibility of waiting before you get into the water. If you’re the type who hates long stretches with no action, mentally prepare for it. Once you’re finally down, the underwater sessions are relatively short, so you don’t want the day’s waiting time to steal your energy.
And yes—if you get motion sickness, take it seriously. The experience can involve time on a boat where some people feel sick. You’ll have better chances of enjoying the day if you plan ahead with the strategies that work for you (hydration, sitting where you feel steadier, and any remedy you trust).
Transfers in Turkey: Pickup That Can Vary by Hotel

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and pickup is offered from accommodations in Alanya and Side. You’ll need to provide your room number after you check in, and pickup hours can shift based on where your hotel is located.
Here’s what helps: arrive a bit early at the main entrance or security point, and follow the guidance to be at the meeting spot about five minutes before pickup. If you can, share a WhatsApp number. That’s recommended because pickup times may change, and quick contact prevents the stress of wandering around looking for a bus.
This kind of transfer system is one of the biggest value points. It saves you the hassle of arranging local transport to a coastal departure point, and it keeps the day simple for beginners.
Equipment and Training: Confidence Comes From Practice

You get the diving equipment as part of the tour, and you also get training specifically for beginners. That combination matters. If you’re trying scuba for the first time, it’s not just about having gear—it’s about knowing how it works for your body and learning safety steps in a supportive way.
The coaching approach is built around repeatable fundamentals. You practice breathing on the surface, then learn the underwater communication method so you can respond to the instructor instead of guessing. The gradual descent with pauses at each meter also gives you time to settle rather than pushing through discomfort.
One subtle thing I like about this setup is the structure of tasks. There’s a fish-feeding moment at about three meters, and there’s ongoing instruction as you learn buoyancy and staying at depth around six meters. You’re not just hovering and hoping for the best—you’re doing guided actions that keep your attention in the right place.
Underwater Photos and Video: Plan for the Extra Spend

At least one instructor captures photos and videos during part of the underwater experience, and those images are available for purchase. That’s common on many scuba-style tours, but it’s still useful to know what you’re paying for and when.
If you’re on the fence about buying, decide based on what you want from the day. If you’re mainly there for the experience and not the keepsake, you can skip. If this is a once-in-a-while trip, you might consider it, because underwater results can be hard to replicate on your own.
Either way, keep the focus on the water session first. The best photos usually come from relaxed divers who are stable and calm—so your comfort is what creates good images, not fancy equipment.
Lunch and Comfort on Board

Food and comfort can make a long boat day feel manageable. In at least some cases, the included lunch has been described as sufficient and tasty, which is a good sign if you don’t want to scramble for snacks while everyone else is waiting.
That said, the bigger factor is overall comfort. Bring swimwear and a towel (these are the listed items), and think about layering if the wind picks up during the boat ride. Even when the water is the main attraction, the ride still affects how you feel for the afternoon session.
If visibility is less than ideal, good lunch and friendly instruction can help you still enjoy the day. You’re going to judge the experience by how supported you felt—not just by how clear the water looked.
Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)
This is a smart fit if you want guided support, especially if you’re new. The training starts with theory, then surface practice, then underwater coaching, so you’re not thrown into the deep end of knowledge—just into the deep end of the sea.
It also works for certified divers who want an organized day with two underwater sessions. The structure gives you a plan and safety support, even if you’re experienced enough to handle more complexity.
Who should skip it:
- Pregnant women, as it’s not suitable
- People with mobility impairments, because it’s not suitable
Also, if you’re hoping for a guaranteed schedule, remember that the tour won’t operate in stormy or heavy-rain conditions, and stops may be omitted for safety. That’s not a problem with your attitude; it’s just how coastal conditions work.
Should You Book This Tour?
I think this one is worth booking if you want an organized underwater day with hotel transfers, equipment, and real beginner coaching. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes clear instructions and friendly guidance, this tour’s teaching style is likely to work in your favor—and the format of two shorter sessions can help you feel less overwhelmed.
Skip or reconsider if you know you get motion sickness easily, because the boat day can include waiting and can feel long. Also, be flexible about conditions. Visibility can be better or worse depending on the day, and that affects how “wow” the underwater view feels.
If you’re going to do it, do it with the right mindset: plan for a full day, stay calm during the training steps, and let the buoyancy coaching do its job. That’s when the experience turns from effort into fun.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The total duration is listed as 8 hours.
Are there two underwater sessions?
Yes. You do two underwater sessions, each about 30 minutes.
Is this suitable for beginners?
Yes. The tour includes theory, safety procedures, underwater sign language, and practical training for beginners before you go underwater.
What is included in the price?
Included: hotel pickup and drop-off, diving equipment, beginner training, and 2 underwater sessions.
Are drinks included?
No. Drinks are not included.
Are photos and videos included?
No. Photos and videos are available but not included in the price.
Who should not book?
It’s not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. The tour also won’t run in storm or heavy rain conditions.
















