Scuba Diving Tour with Transfer From Alanya and city of Side

The best part of this Alanya and Side boat trip is the gentle introduction to the Mediterranean below the surface. Beginners practice breathing, hand signals, and equipment use before entering the water, then descend slowly with an instructor, often pausing to help with ear pressure. I like the small maximum depth for beginners, about 6 meters, and the chance to feed fish while a second instructor takes photos and video. The crew also speaks four languages, which helps when you are nervous.

I also like the hotel pickup and drop-off, plus the option for non-divers to come along and enjoy the boat, swim, or relax. The main caution is timing: the advertised program lasts eight hours, but one account describes a much shorter day and only one quick session. Long hotel pickups, especially from Side, can also eat into your time on the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Two sessions of about 30 minutes: The plan includes a morning stop and a second afternoon stop at another site.
• A calm start for beginners: You receive theory, equipment instruction, surface breathing practice, and underwater hand signals before going down.
• Beginner depth of about 6 meters: You can remain shallower if you prefer, while certified participants may go deeper with the guide.
• Fish feeding and optional media: An instructor may photograph and film you underwater, but photos and videos cost extra.
• Transfers from both resorts: Pickup is offered from accommodation in Alanya and Side, though Side transfers can be lengthy.
• No sailing in poor weather: Storms and heavy rain can cancel the trip or cause some stops to be removed.

What the $59 price really covers

At $59 per person, this is priced as an accessible introduction rather than a private scuba charter. You receive hotel transport, equipment, beginner instruction, and two planned underwater sessions. For someone starting from zero, that package removes several costs and decisions that can make a first attempt feel complicated.

The value depends on how much time you actually spend on the boat. The full schedule is listed as eight hours, but pickup routes can be slow. A long collection run around the resorts may leave you sitting in a vehicle before reaching the harbor. If you are staying in Side, the boat operates from the Alanya area, so your road time may be noticeably longer than the underwater portion.

I would view the price as fair if both sessions run as planned and your main goal is to try scuba for the first time. It is less compelling for an experienced certified diver who wants long bottom time, quiet groups, or a highly specialized site. You are paying for instruction, transport, equipment, and a full-day boat outing, not an advanced technical program.

Lunch is not clearly listed among the included items in the main package details, although one account describes lunch being served. I would not book this expecting a specific meal unless the operator confirms it for your date. Drinks are not included, so bring money or your own permitted refreshments.

From hotel pickup to the harbor

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Alanya or Side. Confirm the hotel name and pickup point carefully. One scheduled pickup went wrong because the guide waited at the wrong hotel, and the delay lasted about an hour.

Side is the more important location to check. The boat leaves from the Alanya area, so Side participants can spend a substantial part of the day on the road. That can be useful if you want transport included and do not have your own way to the port, but it also means less freedom over your schedule.

The crew includes about ten people, with two dive masters and four instructors. The listed languages are English, German, Russian, and Turkish. That mix is useful during the safety briefing, especially when you need to explain discomfort, anxiety, or trouble clearing your ears.

The boat carries non-divers too. A friend or family member can join as a visitor and use the boat’s facilities without taking part in the scuba sessions. This makes the trip more practical for mixed groups, since nobody has to spend the day alone at the hotel.

Your first session at about 6 meters

Beginners start with a short theory lesson. You learn how the breathing equipment works, how to communicate underwater with hand signals, and what to do if you feel uneasy. You then practice breathing at the surface before moving down with an instructor.

That order matters. Breathing through a regulator can feel strange at first, and the pressure in your ears increases as you descend. The crew uses a gradual descent, pausing at each meter long enough for you to settle and clear your ears. If you feel uncomfortable, you can go back up or stop the session.

The first stop is designed to help you get comfortable rather than rush you toward a difficult route. At about 3 meters, you may reach the seabed and feed the fish. A second instructor may take photos and film you at this point, giving you a record of your first underwater attempt. Those images and videos are not part of the $59 price, so decide in advance if you want to buy them.

After the initial practice, the instructor can guide you around at roughly 6 meters. You can stay shallower if that feels better. The emphasis is on staying calm, controlling your breathing, and learning how your body moves with the equipment.

Some first-timers find the pressure uncomfortable, particularly in the ears or head. One beginner described ear pain and a headache at first but still found the activity enjoyable overall. Tell the instructor immediately if you need to rise, pause, or try again. Never push through pain just to keep up with a group.

What certified participants can expect

Certified divers are not limited to the beginner routine. One certified participant began the first session soon after the safety briefing while people without certification received their instruction later. Certified participants may also reach around 11 meters, depending on the guide, the site, and the conditions.

That depth is based on one account, not a guaranteed part of every departure. The program description sets the beginner session at no more than 6 meters, so experienced participants should ask the crew what depth and route are planned for the day.

The first stop may feel basic if you already have substantial experience. It gives you time to check the equipment and understand the boat’s system, but it is not presented as an advanced wreck or wall excursion. The second stop offers more exploration at a different location, which gives certified divers a better chance to see something new.

Equipment is supplied and described as well maintained. Still, check the fit of your wetsuit and other gear before entering the water. A poor fit can make you cold, uncomfortable, or less confident. If something pinches, leaks, or restricts movement, ask for a replacement before the boat leaves.

The afternoon stop and second underwater session

After the first session, the boat moves to another location for the afternoon. The second underwater period repeats the beginner depth of about 6 meters, though you may remain shallower if needed. For a first-timer, this second attempt can feel much easier because you already know how the mask, regulator, and buoyancy feel.

The second stop is also where the day can become more enjoyable for people who were nervous at the start. One participant who initially panicked managed to try again and spend extra minutes underwater with family members. That is a useful sign of the crew’s flexible approach, though you should still expect each instructor to set limits based on safety.

Certified participants may find the second site more interesting because it offers a different setting. However, the exact stop can change with sea conditions. Heavy rain or storms can cancel the trip, and some planned points may be removed if the crew considers them unsafe.

Between sessions, you can sit or lie on the boat and, according to the activity details, use the facilities and swim. Non-divers can spend this time enjoying the sea without scuba equipment. Bring a towel, since you will be moving between water and boat several times.

The crew and how much support you receive

The crew structure is one of the stronger features of the trip. Two dive masters and four instructors are listed among a multilingual team of ten. That allows the company to separate beginners from certified participants and give new divers closer attention.

The instruction is particularly important for people who are unsure about breathing underwater. You do not simply receive equipment and jump in. You get a basic explanation, surface exercises, and underwater guidance. The slow descent also gives the instructor a chance to notice problems early.

Still, group operations can vary from one day to another. The size of your group and the pace of the boat schedule may affect how long you wait for your turn. During those pauses, you can swim, sit, or relax, but you may not be underwater for the entire eight-hour period.

If you have trouble with your ears, tell the instructor before the first descent. The program includes pauses as you go down, but the staff cannot remove normal pressure changes. Move slowly, clear your ears early, and stop if you feel pain.

Underwater photos, fish feeding, and extra costs

The fish-feeding moment is aimed at giving beginners something memorable to do while they get used to the equipment. It also creates the most likely point for underwater photos and video. A second instructor may record you while you feed the fish or pose near the seabed.

Photos and videos cost extra. You do not need to buy them to take part, and the included package does not list a media service. If you want a record of the day, ask about the price before agreeing to purchase anything.

The fish are a pleasant bonus, but the central value is learning to stay relaxed underwater. Do not book this only for a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The amount of marine life, visibility, and the exact site can change with conditions.

The Mediterranean around Antalya generally offers clear blue water and good visibility, which helps you see the rock formations and fish around you. Water clarity is never fully guaranteed, though, and the crew may alter the route if the sea turns rough.

Safety, weather, and who should skip it

The crew provides the basic safety support expected for a beginner program, including instruction, surface breathing practice, hand signals, and guided underwater movement. The controlled depth also makes the first experience less intimidating than a program that begins in deeper water.

This is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. The activity also will not run during storms or heavy rain. Sea conditions can force the crew to remove certain stops, so keep your schedule flexible and avoid placing an important evening appointment immediately after the trip.

You should bring swimwear and a towel. Drinks are not included. Wear practical swim clothing and expect to spend time waiting between sessions as other participants take their turns.

The rating of 3.7 from 37 bookings suggests a mixed, not uniformly dependable, experience. Several people found the staff kind, felt safe with the instructor, and enjoyed the chance to try again after nerves or ear pressure. The weaker account raises serious concerns about wetsuit fit, transport delays, and receiving only one short session. I would treat that variation as a reason to confirm the day’s plan rather than ignore it.

Is this Alanya scuba tour right for you?

I would book this tour if you are staying in Alanya or Side, want a first taste of scuba, and value hotel transport and instruction more than a long, highly technical underwater route. It suits families and couples particularly well when some people want to scuba and others prefer to swim or relax on the boat.

It is also a reasonable choice for certified divers who are happy with a recreational outing and possible depths around 11 meters. Ask about the planned sites and bottom time first if you have specific expectations.

I would hesitate if you are staying in Side and dislike long road transfers, need a tightly timed day, or want guaranteed two full sessions. Confirm your hotel, pickup time, lunch arrangements, equipment sizes, and the expected number of underwater periods before paying.

The best approach is to see this as an affordable, guided introduction with a friendly multilingual crew, not as a premium expedition. If the weather is good and both sessions operate, $59 offers solid value. If transport runs late or the schedule is cut short, the value drops quickly.

FAQ

How long does the scuba tour last?

The advertised duration is eight hours, including hotel transfers, instruction, time on the boat, and two underwater sessions. The actual day can vary because of pickup delays and sea conditions.

How long are the underwater sessions?

Each of the two planned sessions lasts about 30 minutes. The exact time may change based on your certification, comfort, safety limits, and the conditions at the site.

Can a beginner join without a scuba certificate?

Yes. Beginners receive theoretical instruction, equipment guidance, safety information, breathing practice at the surface, and underwater support from an instructor.

How deep do beginners go?

The beginner program is described at about 6 meters, and you can remain shallower if you prefer. One certified participant reached 11 meters, but that depth is not guaranteed for every departure.

Is hotel pickup included from Side and Alanya?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodation in Alanya and Side. Side pickups may involve a long transfer because the boat operates from the Alanya area.

Are photos, videos, drinks, and equipment included?

Diving equipment and the two planned sessions are included, along with beginner training and transfers. Drinks, photos, and videos are not included.