City of Side: Scuba Diving with Lunch

Side’s ancient shoreline has another story below the surface. This six-hour boat trip takes you into the warm Mediterranean for two 30-minute scuba sessions, with fish, a small wreck, coral, and parts of the Underwater Museum around Side.

I like the patient instructors, especially for first-timers, and the large boat, which gives you shade, sun, loungers, and room to wait between sessions. Lunch is included, and hotel pickup makes this an easy add-on to a Side beach holiday. The main catch is that the underwater time is basic, and waiting at the harbor can stretch the day.

Key points to know

• Two short underwater sessions: Each lasts about 30 minutes, with a first session reaching roughly 23 meters for some qualified participants and a shallower second session.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: You receive training and stay with an instructor if this is your first time using scuba equipment.
• Underwater Museum sights: You may see museum pieces, a small wreck, fish, and reef areas near Side.
• Large boat setup: Expect seating in sun and shade, deck loungers, swimming time, and drinks or snacks available to buy.
• Lunch is simple: Meals have included chicken, tomato pasta, salad, and onboard food, though quality can vary.
• Good value at $42: Equipment, instruction, transport, lunch, insurance, and both sessions are included, but underwater photographs can cost extra.

What the Side scuba day is really like

This is not a specialist expedition for serious scuba enthusiasts. It is a friendly introduction to breathing underwater, with a holiday boat trip wrapped around it.

That distinction matters. If you have never tried scuba before, the format gives you a safe way to test it without booking a full certification course. You receive basic instruction, equipment, and direct help from a guide. If you already have experience, you may find the sessions short and the sites modest, but the price can still make this a useful, low-effort day on the coast.

The advertised duration is six hours. Pickup takes place at the main gate of your hotel between 8:30 and 9:30 in the morning. The schedule also allows around 4.5 hours for the boat and water program, so expect transport, harbor organization, equipment preparation, lunch, and swimming to fill out the day.

Do not plan a tightly timed afternoon appointment. Harbor delays are possible, and waiting around for an hour or more before departure has happened. Bring patience, a book, or simply accept that this is a relaxed Turkish beach-day rhythm rather than a minute-by-minute operation.

Morning pickup and the boat ride from Side

Hotel pickup is included for accommodations in Side, with the driver meeting you at the main gate. That detail is useful if your hotel sits behind a resort driveway where a minibus cannot enter. Keep your phone available and wait at the stated meeting point, since the pickup window runs from 8:30 to 9:30.

The transport itself is functional rather than part of the attraction. One useful point is that the pickup service has collected people staying close enough to walk, so it is worth confirming the meeting spot rather than assuming you should make your own way to the harbor.

The boat is one of the better features of the outing. It is described as large and spacious, with seating in both shade and sun, plus a deck with loungers. That gives non-divers something to do and makes the gaps between water sessions more comfortable.

The boat also serves as your base for lunch. Drinks and snacks can be purchased onboard, and Wi-Fi has been available for a small extra charge. Those details are not essential, but they help if you want to stay on deck, swim, or wait while another group is in the water.

Beginner training before you enter the water

If this is your first scuba experience, the crew gives you basic training before the first session. You learn how to use the mask, regulator, tank, and other equipment, then receive direct help as you enter the water.

The strongest part of the operation is the human support. Instructors have been patient with beginners, including people who became uncertain once they reached the water. The crew also appears willing to stop, explain, and let you try again instead of pushing you through the activity.

You still need to be reasonably fit. This is not a passive boat ride. You must handle equipment, enter the water, manage your breathing, and stay calm while adjusting to pressure. Even people who are comfortable swimming can find the first underwater breath strange.

The rules exclude non-swimmers, children under 16, pregnant women, people with respiratory issues, high or low blood pressure, a low level of fitness, or a body weight above 150 kilograms. People prone to seasickness are also advised not to take part.

The pressure issue deserves special attention. If you have sinus trouble, a recent blocked nose, or difficulty equalizing your ears, scuba may become painful or impossible. Hay fever and sinus congestion have prevented participants from completing the session. Do not treat that as a minor nuisance, and speak with a medical professional if you have any doubt about your fitness for scuba.

First session: fish, reef, wreck, and museum pieces

The first underwater session is the main attraction. Around Side, the clear Mediterranean water can give you good visibility, with fish, reef areas, and underwater displays connected to the Submarine Museum.

The exact experience depends on sea conditions, your certification, and your comfort in the water. A qualified or experienced person may reach around 23 meters at one point, while a beginner stays with an instructor at a suitable depth. You should not expect every participant to follow the same route.

A small wreck may be included in the first descent. It is not presented as a major wreck exploration, but it adds interest to a beginner-level site. The underwater museum is the more unusual feature, since you are not only looking at natural sea life. You may also see installed objects and displays beneath the surface.

For a first attempt, the session length is sensible. Thirty minutes is enough to experience the equipment, watch fish, and get a taste of underwater sightseeing without turning the day into an exhausting technical exercise. If you already hold a certification, it may feel brief, particularly if you are used to longer sessions and more varied sites.

One practical point: the water may feel calm from the beach but rougher once the boat moves offshore. Sea conditions can affect visibility and may cancel snorkeling or make swimming between sessions less pleasant. Scuba may still go ahead, but the day will feel less comfortable when the sea is unsettled.

Lunch and the long pause between sessions

Lunch is served onboard, usually in a simple style. Chicken, tomato pasta, and salad have been part of the meal, and the food is generally adequate rather than a reason to book the trip.

I would keep expectations modest. Some meals have been described as pleasant, while others have been bland. There has also been an unfortunate report of leftover pasta being thrown overboard, which is poor practice around a swimming and scuba area. It is a small part of the day, but it is worth noting if environmental standards matter strongly to you.

Use the lunch break to rest, drink water, and let your ears and body recover. You can often swim from the boat when conditions permit, although rough water may prevent snorkeling. The boat offers a useful split for mixed groups: one person can sit in the shade or use a lounger while another takes part in the water program.

The harbor wait is the biggest time issue. The boat and staff can be well organized once the program begins, but departure may not be immediate. This can be frustrating when you have been picked up early and are ready to start. I would regard the total schedule as flexible, not a precise six-hour promise from hotel door to hotel door.

Second session: shallower, calmer, and less dramatic

The second session gives you another chance to practice. For a beginner, this is valuable because the first session often goes by in a blur of new sensations. You may feel more comfortable handling the regulator, clearing your mask, and looking around instead of concentrating on every breath.

The second site has been described as shallower and less exciting than the first. You can still see plenty of fish and more museum material, but experienced scuba users may find it plain. That is not necessarily a weakness for a new participant. A simple second session gives you room to build confidence rather than deal with difficult conditions or complex navigation.

Ear equalization can become harder on the second descent. If you feel pain, signal your instructor and stop going down. Do not force it. Several people have found that sinus or ear problems prevented them from continuing, even when the crew was supportive.

The staff also keeps an eye on experienced participants. Once they are satisfied that you are safe, you may have more freedom to look around. The trip therefore works best for a mixed boat of beginners and qualified scuba users when everyone understands that the overall pace is set by the first-timers.

Equipment, staff, and underwater photographs

All standard scuba equipment is included, along with beginner training, an instructor, travel insurance, and guides who can work in English, German, Russian, and Turkish. The range of languages is useful on a boat where instructions must be clear and immediate.

Equipment quality appears serviceable, though not uniformly new. An experienced participant found some items tired and had to sort through the available gear to find a better-fitting set. That is a reason to arrive prepared to check your mask, fins, suit, and regulator before leaving the dock.

Tell the staff promptly if a mask leaks, a suit feels wrong, or a regulator is uncomfortable. The instructors are reported to be attentive, but you should still take responsibility for speaking up. Good fit matters more than appearance, particularly when you are learning.

The crew takes underwater photos and videos that you can buy afterward. This can be a nice reminder of your first scuba session, but the extra price has been described as very high, around €90. If you own an action camera, you may be able to use it during the second session, although this is not guaranteed for the first one. Ask before the boat leaves if personal cameras are permitted and when they can be used.

Is $42 good value for Side?

At $42 per person, this is a strong price for a six-hour activity that includes hotel transport, equipment, instruction, lunch, two 30-minute sessions, a multilingual guide, and travel insurance.

The value is best for a first-timer. A beginner normally needs equipment, supervision, and a controlled setting, and those costs are built into the booking. You also get a full boat day rather than paying only for a short pool lesson.

For an experienced scuba user, the value is more conditional. The two sessions may feel short, the second site may be ordinary, and equipment may show wear. Still, the low price and inclusion of lunch and transport make it reasonable if you want a casual outing rather than a serious underwater program.

Budget separately for drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, and photographs. The photo package is the one extra that can change your sense of value. You can enjoy the trip without buying it.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to adults and older teenagers aged 16 or above who can swim, have reasonable fitness, and want to try scuba without committing to certification training.

It also suits couples or families where only some people want to go underwater. The boat has space to sit, sunbathe, swim, or wait, and the included lunch keeps the day simple.

I would be more cautious if you have sinus problems, recent congestion, respiratory trouble, blood pressure concerns, or a tendency toward seasickness. Those issues are not merely technical restrictions. They can stop you from descending or make the boat ride unpleasant.

Experienced scuba users should book only if they are comfortable with a beginner-led pace. The first site may offer a small wreck, fish, reef, and museum objects, but the sessions are not designed as an advanced exploration trip.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. The pickup window begins at 8:30 in the morning, so check the exact start time before arranging another activity.

FAQ

How long does the Side scuba activity last?

The stated duration is six hours. Hotel pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:30 AM, and the boat program includes transport, training, two underwater sessions, lunch, and time on the boat.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two sessions are included. Each is listed as lasting 30 minutes.

Is scuba training included for beginners?

Yes. Beginner training, full scuba equipment, and instructor support are included.

What can I see underwater?

You may see colorful fish, reef areas, a small wreck, and displays connected with the Underwater Museum around Side. The exact sights depend on sea conditions and the site used.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard. Meals have included chicken, tomato pasta, and salad. Drinks and snacks are available to purchase separately.

Who can take part?

Participants must be at least 16 and able to swim. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with respiratory problems, high or low blood pressure, low fitness, seasickness, or body weight above 150 kilograms.

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in English, German, Russian, and Turkish.

Should you book it?

Book this Side scuba outing if you want a well-priced first underwater experience with transport, lunch, equipment, and kind instructor support all handled in one day. The Underwater Museum gives it more character than a simple swim-and-fish trip.

Skip it if you want long sessions, pristine specialist equipment, or advanced sites. For most suitable beginners, though, $42 buys a generous, practical introduction. Just allow extra time for harbor delays, check your sinuses before booking, and treat the paid photo package as optional rather than part of the bargain.