Scuba Diving Experience in Alanya With Lunch and 2 Dives

Alanya’s best feature here is that you get two chances to see the underwater world from a fully equipped boat, not just a quick shoreline lesson. No previous scuba experience is required, and non-divers can come along for the boat ride, swimming, and sunbathing.

I like the simple all-in-one setup: hotel transfer, equipment, training, lunch, and insurance are included in the $40 price. I also like the friendly human touch reported from the crew, especially lead diver Barış and İslam, who helps collect and share photos and videos.

The main caution is consistency. One very unhappy family account describes little instruction, a heavy tank, being pulled around underwater, and a shallow, rocky site near Manavgat rather than the Alanya experience expected. With only 20 ratings and a 4.2 average, I would confirm the exact departure point, training plan, and photo costs before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater stops: The day includes two separate chances to enter the water from the boat.
• Suitable for beginners: Training is included, and no previous scuba experience is required.
• Non-divers can join: Family or friends who do not want to scuba can swim and sunbathe.
• The price covers the basics: At $40, you get equipment, lunch, insurance, training, and hotel transfer.
• Pickup starts around 8:00 am: Meet at your hotel’s main entrance gate, not the reception desk.
• Check the operator details: The advertised location is Alanya, but one serious complaint describes a site outside Manavgat.

Two underwater stops from Alanya

This is an eight-hour boat day built around two underwater stops along the Alanya coast. The plan is straightforward: morning pickup, boat departure, instruction, a first underwater session, lunch, and a second stop before returning.

The itinerary lists only Alanya, so you should not expect a long series of coastal attractions or a detailed sightseeing route. The point is the water itself. You get time on the boat, two opportunities to try scuba, and a full day away from the hotel.

I like the two-stop format for a first attempt. Your first session gives you time to get used to breathing through the regulator and moving with the equipment. A second session can feel less strange because you have already learned how the mask, tank, and other gear work.

The tradeoff is that the description does not give exact site names, depths, underwater visibility, or the length of each session. Those details matter, especially if you already have scuba experience and want more than a brief introduction. Ask the operator for them before booking.

One complaint raises a location concern. The activity is presented as an Alanya experience, but that account describes a site a few clicks outside Manavgat, close to shore and focused on rocks. That may reflect a different day, a different arrangement, or a genuine mismatch. Either way, confirm the actual launch point and underwater sites.

What the beginner instruction means

You do not need a scuba certificate or previous experience for this outing. Training service is included, which makes the trip accessible to someone who wants to try scuba without committing to a full certification course.

That does not mean the day is a substitute for formal scuba training. You are booking a single recreational introduction, not a qualification program. The supplied information does not state how long the briefing lasts, what skills are practiced, or how many participants each instructor supervises.

This is where the crew makes a real difference. Barış is identified as the lead diver, and positive accounts describe him as calm, informative, and good at helping a family feel comfortable. The same account describes plenty of humor and encouragement, which can matter when you are nervous about breathing underwater.

At the same time, the serious complaint says the instruction was inadequate and that a participant was pulled around rather than allowed to swim independently. I cannot resolve that conflict from the available information, so you should ask direct questions at booking:

• How long is the safety briefing?
• Will I practice basic skills before leaving the surface?
• How deep are the two sessions?
• Can I stop at any time?
• Will an instructor stay with me throughout?
• Is the photo and video package optional, and what does it cost?

Clear answers will tell you more than the headline promise of beginner-friendly scuba.

A boat day for non-divers too

You do not have to enter the water to join this experience. Non-divers are welcome to spend the day on the boat, swim, or sunbathe while others take part in the underwater sessions.

That makes the trip useful for mixed groups. One person can try scuba, another can relax on deck, and the group can still share the boat ride and lunch. Families should note that children under 14 cannot scuba, but they can swim and sunbathe.

The description does not list a separate non-diver price, age range for children who remain on the boat, or specific onboard activities. If your group includes young children, ask what supervision is expected and whether the boat has shade and suitable seating. Do not assume that every child-friendly feature is available simply because non-divers may join.

The maximum group size is 40 people. That is not a tiny private boat, but it is also not an enormous cruise vessel. The number matters because a full group may mean more waiting during equipment fitting, instruction, and entry into the water.

If you want personal attention, ask how many scuba participants are expected on your date. A group of 40 total people could include many non-divers, or it could be a busy day with numerous beginners.

The boat, lunch, and included gear

The price includes scuba equipment, lunch, insurance, training, and hotel transfer. At $40 per person, that is a strong package on paper. You are not paying separately for the main practical parts of the day.

Lunch is included, but the food itself is not described. You should not book this expecting a particular menu, special diet, or restaurant-style meal. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before departure and bring any personal snacks or drinks you may need.

The equipment is also listed in broad terms only. The information does not identify brands, suit sizes, tank capacity, or whether prescription masks are available. A beginner usually benefits more from a good fit and patient instruction than from premium equipment, so check how fitting is handled if you are concerned.

The full insurance inclusion is reassuring, but it does not remove the need to disclose relevant health issues. The activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness and is not suitable for people with physical difficulties. You should treat that wording seriously and ask the provider if you are unsure about your ability to climb aboard, manage equipment, swim, or remain comfortable in the water.

Personal spending is not included. The most obvious possible extra is photo or video. One positive account praises İslam for gathering and sharing images quickly, while the negative account says photos cost a bundle. Treat underwater media as an optional add-on and ask for the price before anyone takes your picture.

Morning pickup at 8:00

The listed start time is 8:00 am. Free hotel transfer is offered across the Alanya region, but the pickup instruction is specific: meet at the main entrance gate of your hotel, not at reception.

This is a small detail that can save you a missed pickup. Hotels in the area may limit access to tour vehicles, so the driver may not be allowed to enter the property or wait at the front desk. Be outside and ready at the main gate.

The information does not give a precise return time, only an approximate duration of eight hours. Plan on losing most of the day. That is fine if you want a sea-based activity, but it is not a good fit if you have afternoon plans, a flight, or a fixed dinner reservation.

Pickup is offered in English. The material does not promise other languages or describe the level of English spoken by each crew member. If safety explanations are important to you, make sure you can understand the briefing clearly before entering the water.

A closer look at the $40 value

The $40 price is appealing because it includes nearly everything needed for the basic outing. Equipment alone, transport, lunch, instruction, and insurance can add up quickly when booked separately, so this is a convenient low-cost way to try scuba.

The value is strongest for a first-timer who wants a one-day taste of the activity. You get two sessions rather than one, and a non-diving companion can join the same boat day. That combination makes the price easier to justify for couples and families with mixed interests.

The value is weaker if you expect a serious scuba program. There is no promise of certification, advanced instruction, named dive sites, long underwater sessions, or detailed marine-life interpretation. The description also does not state whether photos are included in the $40.

I would budget for possible extras without assuming they are required. Personal spending is excluded, and the conflicting account about photo charges is enough reason to ask for a full price list. A cheap base price is only a bargain when you know what happens after you arrive.

The overall rating of 4.2 from 20 ratings suggests a generally positive but not flawless record. That is a small sample, and the range is wide, from enthusiastic praise to a serious safety complaint. I would not ignore either side.

What the positive accounts tell you

The strongest praise centers on the staff, not on elaborate underwater features. Barış is described as friendly, clear, and reassuring, with enough humor to keep a family relaxed. That is exactly the kind of support a beginner needs.

The crew’s upbeat style also appears to be part of the appeal. A separate account praises the instructor, the atmosphere, the transfer, the underwater world, and fish feeding. Fish feeding is specifically mentioned, but the description does not guarantee it on every departure, so ask if that is part of the current plan.

İslam receives a special mention for helping gather photos and videos and sharing them quickly. If keeping a visual souvenir matters to you, that is useful. Just confirm whether the service is included or charged separately.

These details point to an experience that can be social and lighthearted rather than formal and technical. That suits people who want a memorable holiday activity. It may not suit experienced scuba enthusiasts searching for independent movement, substantial depth, or carefully selected sites.

The safety concern you should take seriously

One account describes the activity as unsafe, with little training, a heavy 40-kilogram tank, limited movement, and participants being pulled underwater for photographs. It also says the session stayed within about five meters of the coast and lasted roughly 20 minutes while focusing on rocks.

That is a serious allegation, especially because the complaint involved a young son who was left distressed by the experience. You should not brush it aside simply because other accounts are positive.

The supplied information does not confirm the tank weight, the five-meter depth, the 20-minute duration, or the exact site. It also does not explain the disagreement over the location. The right response is not to assume the worst, but to verify the operating details in advance.

Ask for the name of the actual boat and departure point, the maximum instructor-to-participant ratio, the planned depth, the length of each session, and the procedure for a nervous beginner. If the answers are vague, choose a different operator.

You can also make your own boundaries clear. Tell the instructor that you want a proper briefing, gradual entry, and the ability to stop. Never allow pressure to continue if you feel frightened, uncomfortable, or unable to control your breathing.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would put this experience high on the list for a healthy beginner who wants a low-cost introduction and likes the idea of a full boat day. It is also a good match for a group where only some people want to scuba, since non-divers can swim and sunbathe.

The trip may suit families with teenagers, but remember that children under 14 cannot scuba. The minimum age for joining the boat without scuba is not provided, so confirm that directly if you are traveling with younger children.

It is less suitable for anyone with physical difficulties, anyone uncomfortable carrying or wearing heavy equipment, or anyone expecting a formal course. Experienced scuba participants may find the lack of site, depth, and session details frustrating.

I would also think about your tolerance for group logistics. A maximum of 40 people means this is a shared excursion. If you prefer a quiet, private boat and one-to-one instruction, this probably is not the right format.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Alanya scuba trip?

Book it if you want an affordable first try, a boat day with lunch and transfer included, and the flexibility for non-divers to join. The positive accounts give real reason to hope for a warm crew, especially with Barış leading the instruction and İslam helping with media.

Before booking, contact Payless and confirm the exact launch location, session length, depth, safety briefing, instructor coverage, and photo charges. That step is especially important because the advertised Alanya location does not match one serious account describing a site near Manavgat.

My call is cautious but positive for beginners who verify the details first. The $40 package offers good potential value, but the safety and location questions are too important to leave unanswered.

FAQ

Where does the scuba experience take place?

The experience is listed for Alanya, Turkey. One account describes an underwater site a few clicks outside Manavgat, so confirm the exact departure and water locations before booking.

How long does the activity last?

The approximate duration is eight hours.

What time does pickup begin?

The listed start time is 8:00 am.

Where should I wait for hotel pickup?

Meet at the main entrance gate of your hotel, not at the reception desk.

Is hotel transfer included?

Yes. Free hotel transfer is included for most hotels in the Alanya region.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. Previous experience is not required, and training service is included.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The experience includes two sessions at different underwater spots.

Can non-divers join the boat?

Yes. Non-divers can join and spend the day swimming and sunbathing.

Can children under 14 scuba?

No. Children under 14 are not allowed to scuba, but they can swim and sunbathe.

What is included in the price?

The $40 price includes scuba equipment, lunch, full insurance, hotel transfer, and training. Personal spending is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.