Your first underwater experience starts at your hotel. This beginner-friendly Side outing bundles hotel transfers with two guided underwater sessions from a boat, plus lunch onboard.

I love that you get full scuba equipment and a safety briefing + basic training before you go in. I also like the pacing: about 20 minutes underwater the first time, then real downtime on the boat for swimming and a proper onboard meal.

One possible drawback: it runs on a good-weather schedule and you’re on the water for a full stretch, so motion-sickness prone people should plan ahead.

Key Highlights to Know Before You Go

• Hotel pickup and drop-off by A/C vehicle so you start and end easy
• Two guided underwater sessions in small groups, split by lunch
• First session around 5–12 meters with about 20 minutes underwater
• Snitzel & Pasta lunch onboard between the sessions
• Small max group size (up to 15 people) with a calm, personal feel
• Optional add-ons like snorkeling rental and a photo/video package (€40)

From Hotel Pickup to a 10:00 Boat Departure in Side

This trip is built around a simple rhythm: you get collected in the morning, you reach the marina, and the boat leaves at 10:00. Pickup typically starts around 08:00, depending on where your hotel is, and the marina arrival is around 09:30.

The transfer is by air-conditioned vehicle, and pickup is arranged from your hotel entrance. If a car can’t reach your exact hotel (common with pedestrian or restricted zones), you’ll get a nearby meeting point instead.

Two practical timing notes I’d take seriously: pickup time is confirmed the day before (message or phone), and vehicles can run 5–10 minutes late depending on traffic and routing. That’s normal on Mediterranean roads, but it’s still good to be ready on time and not schedule anything tight right before pickup.

Safety Briefing and Equipment Setup: How Beginners Get Started

Before anyone goes underwater, you’ll get a safety briefing and a basic training session, plus help preparing the gear. This matters for first-timers because you’re not just handed equipment and sent off. You’re guided through the basics so you know what to expect.

The best part for your convenience: full diving equipment is included. That means tank, mask, fins, regulator, and the suit if needed. You also don’t have to hunt down rental shops or worry about sizing problems right before you board.

From the way the day is described, your group stays small and the team keeps an eye on you during the process. That’s the key ingredient for comfort. When you’re new, what you really want is clear instructions, steady pacing, and someone checking that you’re doing okay.

The Main Event: Two Guided Underwater Sessions, Split by Lunch

The day is structured as two guided underwater experiences with lunch in the middle. The first one happens before lunch, and the second happens after.

First underwater session (before lunch)

You’ll go down to about 5–12 meters. Underwater time is around 20 minutes, which is long enough to feel like you’re doing something real, but short enough to keep energy and comfort high for a beginner.

The setup is also practical: while one group is underwater, the others stay on the boat. You can relax, swim, or just sit in the sun and enjoy the sea between turns. That boat time isn’t filler—it’s part of why this tour feels manageable.

Lunch onboard

Lunch happens onboard between the two underwater sessions. It’s Snitzel & Pasta, and it’s included in the price, not an extra you have to budget for.

Second underwater session (after lunch)

After lunch, you do the second guided underwater experience again in small groups. The second run is often where things feel easier, because you’ve already had your first taste and you know how the day flows.

Then the boat returns to the harbor, and you get transferred back to your hotel.

What the 5–12 Meter Plan Means for First-Timers

That 5–12 meter range is a big reason this works for beginners. It’s not trying to be an advanced training program. It’s meant to let you see underwater life without turning the day into a long, complicated ordeal.

And because the first session is about 20 minutes underwater, you get enough time to look around and feel comfortable with the gear and instructions. Then you come back up, reset, and eat. That pacing is one of the most beginner-friendly parts of the whole experience.

One thing to keep in mind: you’ll be going in with guided instruction, so what you’ll get out of the experience depends on listening carefully during the briefing and following your instructor’s guidance during setup.

Lunch on the Boat: Snitzel & Pasta Plus Real Downtime

This is one of those tours where lunch isn’t treated like a sad afterthought. It’s included onboard between the two underwater sessions, and it’s listed as Snitzel & Pasta.

In real-world terms, this solves a big problem. You don’t have to squeeze in a lunch stop on land while you’re on a schedule. You eat where you are, then you get back to the sea for the second session.

There’s also downtime built into the plan. Between dives, people can swim, relax, and enjoy the views. For a beginner, that matters because you’re not just racing from one moment to the next. You get a proper pause to cool down, change your pace, and reset.

Included vs Optional Costs: What You Pay and What You Can Add

Here’s what’s clearly included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off by A/C vehicle
• Full scuba equipment (including suit if needed)
• Safety briefing + basic training
• Two guided underwater sessions
• Lunch: Snitzel & Pasta

Here’s what costs extra:

• Snorkeling equipment rental, optional
• Underwater photos and video package for €40 (optional)
• Alcoholic drinks, available for purchase onboard

If you’re budget-focused, the big win is that the price covers the essentials: transport, equipment, guidance, and lunch. Most of the extras are genuinely optional, so you can decide based on your style.

Transfers, Small Groups, and How the Day Feels on the Water

The day is designed to stay calm. The whole activity caps at 15 participants, and the underwater work happens in small groups. In practice, that usually means more attention than the big-mass style tours.

Timing-wise, plan for the full 6 hours approx. You start with pickup around 08:00, you’re on the boat by 10:00, and you’ll be back for the return transfer after the second session.

The marina arrival is around 09:30, which gives time for safety briefing and gear prep before departure. Also, the itinerary is paced so you’re not underwater back-to-back. You have lunch and a break.

If you’re sensitive to motion, this type of boat schedule can be a lot. The tour doesn’t mention anything special for seasickness, so I’d treat it like a normal boat day and plan accordingly (light snacks beforehand can also help, as long as you follow your instructor’s guidance on timing).

Value Check: Why $49.21 Can Make Sense in Side

At $49.21 per person, the value comes from what’s bundled. You’re not just buying entry and a general activity. You’re paying for:

• transport to and from your hotel
• full equipment
• training and guidance
• two guided underwater sessions
• lunch onboard (Snitzel & Pasta)

That’s why people tend to feel it’s fair. Especially for first-timers, the hidden costs of scuba days add up fast if you have to rent gear or find separate transport. This package gives you one bill and one schedule.

Also, it’s common for this style of tour to fill up, and the average booking pattern is about 15 days in advance. So if your dates are fixed, I’d book ahead instead of hoping the week of.

Who Should Book This Beginner Scuba Starter in Side

This tour fits a few clear types of travelers.

Best for couples and friends: The small-group setup and two separate underwater sessions make it feel shared, but not chaotic. You also get time to relax on the boat between turns.

Best for families with older kids (with limits): Children under 10 can join as part of a boat trip, but not for the scuba part. If your group includes kids over 10, they can participate as the tour states most travelers can join, but it’s still worth checking your family situation against the tour’s participation rules.

Best for absolute beginners: The day includes a safety briefing and basic training, and the instructors are built into the structure. If you want a first experience where someone takes your nervous energy and turns it into clear steps, this is the style that tends to work.

One extra detail from real experiences: on at least one outing, the underwater route included an underwater museum area with Roman-era features. That kind of site can make the underwater look feel extra special. You can ask what location you’ll visit when you check in, since the exact underwater spot can vary.

Possible Gotchas: Weather Timing and Optional Extras

This experience depends on good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Because it’s a boat day, the schedule is also affected by real-world timing like marina loading and transfer routes. Pickup may be 5–10 minutes late, and the whole day hangs together around the 10:00 departure.

If you want photos, remember the €40 underwater photo/video package is optional. And if you want snorkel time without switching to other activities, snorkeling equipment is available as an optional rental.

Should You Book This Side Beginner Scuba Package?

I’d book this if you want a first-time scuba experience that stays organized: hotel pickup, full equipment, a briefing plus basic training, two guided underwater sessions, and lunch onboard. The small max group size also helps you feel like you’re getting real attention instead of being one face in a crowd.

I wouldn’t book it if you strongly prefer to avoid boat time or if weather disruptions would ruin your day. Since it’s weather-dependent and about a 6-hour block, plan it when your schedule has some cushion.

If you fit the beginner-friendly and comfort-focused style, this is a solid way to try scuba in Side without turning the day into a logistics project.

FAQ

What time does pickup happen, and when does the boat leave?

Pickup usually starts around 08:00 depending on your hotel. The boat leaves at 10:00, and you typically arrive at the marina around 09:30 for the briefing and equipment setup.

What’s included for the scuba equipment?

The tour includes full scuba equipment such as a tank, mask, fins, regulator, and a suit if needed. You also get a safety briefing and basic training before going in.

How long are the underwater sessions?

The first underwater session is about 20 minutes at roughly 5–12 meters. You’ll do a second guided underwater session after lunch.

Is lunch included, and what is it?

Yes. Lunch onboard is included and listed as Snitzel & Pasta between the two underwater sessions.

Can children join?

Children under 10 can join as part of the boat trip, but not for the scuba part. Most other participants can join, as stated by the tour information.

What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled because of poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.