Reviewed · SIDE TOURS
Diving Tour from Alanya & Side with Lunch – 2 Dives Included
The best part of this Side scuba trip is the quick change from ordinary holiday beach to open-water adventure. You make two descents in the Mediterranean, first to about 6 meters, then to 12 meters, with time on deck between sessions for lunch and sea air.
I like the patient instruction for first-time divers and the chance to see marine life, underwater rock formations, and possibly artifacts or wreck remains. I also like that hotel transfers and travel insurance are included in the $52 price. The main caution is the boat ride: rough water can force a change of site, and one passenger found the small boat made them very seasick.
- Two underwater sessions: A shallow first descent at 6 meters is followed by a deeper 12-meter session.
- Beginner-friendly instruction: Professional staff explain the equipment and safety steps before you enter the water.
- Hotel pickup from many resort areas: Transfers cover Side, Alanya, Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot.
- Lunch served onboard: You can eat and rest on the deck between sessions, while drinks cost extra.
- Separate boats for Side and Alanya: Your departure area determines the boat and underwater sites.
- Weather affects the plan: Rough seas may shorten the day or send the boat to an alternative site.
Two Mediterranean Descents in One Seven-Hour Trip

This is a full-day sea outing rather than a quick introductory swim. The advertised duration is about seven hours, although transfer time is included in that broad figure and the actual time connected to the underwater program is about five hours.
The day centers on two separate descents. The first reaches roughly 6 meters, a sensible depth for learning the basic rhythm of breathing, clearing your ears, and moving calmly with the instructor. The second reaches about 12 meters and offers a more substantial look at the seabed.
I like this progression. A shallow first session gives you a chance to settle down before the deeper one. If you are new to scuba, the first descent is not just an attraction. It is your practical test of how comfortable you feel underwater.
The scenery may include rock formations, marine life, old objects, and possibly wreck-related sights. The exact view depends on the boat’s location and sea conditions. One scheduled site may be excellent while the second feels less impressive, so I would not book this expecting two identical underwater settings.
What the First 6-Meter Session Feels Like

Before entering the sea, you receive an equipment briefing and instructions from a professional guide. The listed teaching languages are English, German, and Russian, which is useful if you need clear help with breathing, hand signals, or basic underwater movement.
At 6 meters, the aim is to keep things manageable. You can focus on staying calm and following the instructor rather than worrying about great depth. First-time participants should pay close attention to ear pressure. The staff are there to guide you, but you still need to tell them if something feels wrong.
The strongest part of this arrangement is the direct support underwater. A first-time son on one trip reportedly enjoyed close contact with fish and even sat on the seabed under staff supervision. That is a useful clue about the hands-on nature of the experience, although marine life encounters are never guaranteed and touching animals should not be treated as a normal goal.
The sea itself can be more rewarding than the advertised objects. Small fish, changing light, rocks, and the quiet of being below the surface can make a short session memorable. If you want a calm introduction rather than a technical scuba course, this first descent is likely to be the most comfortable part of the day.
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The 12-Meter Session Offers More, But Not Always Better Views

The second session reaches approximately 12 meters. That gives you more time and space to see the Mediterranean seabed, but it also requires more comfort with the equipment and the water.
If your first session went well, the deeper outing can feel like a real step forward. You may encounter more underwater features, fish, or man-made remains. The program describes possible sights ranging from ancient artifacts to sunken ships and coral areas, but you should treat those as possible attractions rather than guaranteed finds.
The quality of the second location can vary. One participant found the first site excellent but felt the second had weaker scenery. That is normal on a weather-dependent boat trip, especially when the crew must adjust the plan for waves, visibility, or safety.
I would judge the second session by the overall experience, not by whether it produces a dramatic wreck. You are paying for guided access to the sea, equipment, instruction, and two attempts to see underwater life. The exact view is partly beyond the operator’s control.
A Practical Boat Day, With Lunch Between Sessions

Between the two sessions, you can return to the boat, dry off, eat lunch, and rest on the deck. The information also describes a meal prepared by the captain, though the included item is listed as lunch. Either way, you should expect a straightforward onboard meal, not a restaurant-style dining experience.
Bring water because drinks are not included. All beverages purchased on the boat cost extra, as do the optional photo and video packages. Those add-ons can become expensive. One local participant felt that the combined photo and video charge was nearly as high as the scuba fee itself, even after a discount.
I recommend deciding in advance how much you value underwater pictures. If you want a record of your first scuba experience, the package may be worthwhile. If the price feels too high, bring your own camera only if it is suitable for water use and does not interfere with safety instructions. The supplied information lists a camera among the items to bring, but it does not promise that personal cameras can be used during every session.
The deck break is also where you will notice the sea conditions most. One German participant became very seasick on the small boat but felt much better once underwater. That does not make seasickness harmless. If you are prone to it, this may not be the right outing, and the restrictions specifically exclude people prone to seasickness.
Transfers From Side and Alanya Resort Areas
Hotel pickup is included if you select that option. Transfers cover a long stretch of the Antalya coast, including the main Side resort zones and Alanya. The listed areas include Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot.
Your pickup is at the hotel’s outer security booth, not necessarily at the lobby. You should wait there, allow for a delay of up to 25 minutes, and contact the supplier if the vehicle does not arrive. Transfer times vary by hotel, so the seven-hour duration should not be read as seven hours of uninterrupted time on the water.
Side and Alanya departures use separate boats and different underwater locations. This matters if you are meeting friends based in another resort area. You will not necessarily share the same boat or see the same seabed.
Transport comfort may be uneven. One passenger specifically wished the vehicle had air conditioning. In the hot Antalya season, that is a fair concern, especially after a long day at sea. Keep your towel and change of clothes easy to reach rather than buried in luggage.
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Is $52 Good Value for Two Sessions?

At $52 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a guided first scuba experience and need transport. The package includes two sessions, an instructor, lunch, hotel transfers when selected, and travel insurance. Buying those elements separately would usually make the day less simple, though no separate local prices are provided here.
The value is strongest for beginners. You receive instruction, a shallow introduction, a deeper second attempt, and a full boat outing without having to arrange equipment or find a certified guide yourself.
The value is less clear if your main goal is high-end underwater photography or a guaranteed wreck site. Photos and videos cost extra, and the second location may be less attractive than the first. You are also paying for a weather-dependent experience, so the scenery cannot be promised in the same way as a museum exhibit or a historic building.
I would think of the fee as payment for access and support, not a guarantee of spectacular marine sights. The crew’s professional approach is an important part of the price. Several comments praise the staff for being friendly, clear, helpful, and encouraging with beginners. That can make the difference between quitting after the briefing and enjoying your first underwater session.
Weather, Safety, and Who Should Skip It
Weather can alter the plan. Heavy waves have already caused a scheduled site to be abandoned in favor of an alternative. The operator may shorten or extend the outing depending on conditions, so keep the rest of your day flexible.
You must follow the instructor’s directions carefully. Do not smoke, feed animals, or touch plants. Those rules protect both you and the marine environment, and they are especially important when you are close to fish or seabed life.
The activity is not suitable for people with heart, respiratory, kidney, or blood-pressure problems. The restrictions also list epilepsy, diabetes, pregnancy, limited mobility, wheelchair use, low fitness, a body weight over 150 kilograms, and age over 95.
Non-swimmers are not accepted for the scuba option. The minimum age is unclear in the supplied information, which gives both under 12 and under 13 as exclusions. If your child is close to that cutoff, confirm the exact rule before paying.
A no-scuba participant can come along by selecting the child option, but that person cannot buy the no-scuba ticket alone according to the conditions provided. The no-scuba participant may pay onboard to take part in scuba, if appropriate. I would confirm this arrangement carefully when booking, since the wording is unusual.
What to Pack for the Boat

Pack lightly, but bring the things that make a wet day easier:
- Swimwear and a towel
- A change of clothes
- Hat and sunscreen
- Drinking water
- Camera, if suitable for the conditions
- Any personal items you need for the transfer
A towel and dry clothes matter more than they sound. After two sessions, lunch, and a boat ride, sitting in wet swimwear can make the return trip uncomfortable.
Use sunscreen before boarding and reapply as needed, but follow crew instructions around equipment and water entry. Keep valuables to a minimum. The operator does not include personal expenses, and the supplied information gives no details about secure storage onboard.
Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this outing to a first-time scuba participant who wants a guided introduction without committing to a full certification course. The shallow first session, multilingual instruction, and supportive staff make it easier to try the activity in measured steps.
It also suits an experienced recreational diver who wants two easy holiday sessions and does not need a highly specialized site. The professional guides can assist more confident participants, but the exact sites and conditions remain flexible.
I would be cautious if you dislike small boats, get seasick, or need a guaranteed schedule. The day can be affected by waves, pickup delays, and site changes. It is also a poor fit if you want a quiet beach day, since the trip occupies most of seven hours.
The strongest praise goes to the crew. Clear explanations, friendly help, and encouragement for beginners appear repeatedly in the available feedback. The biggest complaints concern transport air conditioning, the cost of photos and video, and an uneven second site. Those are practical issues, not small details, so include them in your decision.
Should You Book This Side or Alanya Scuba Trip?

I would book it if you want two guided Mediterranean sessions for a moderate price, especially if you are trying scuba for the first time. The 6-meter session lets you get comfortable, while the 12-meter session gives you a chance to go farther once you understand the basics.
I would skip it if you are prone to seasickness, have any listed medical restriction, or care more about a guaranteed wreck and premium photography than about the full boat day. Bring water, wait at the outer hotel security point, expect possible transport delays, and budget extra for drinks and pictures.
With realistic expectations, this is a practical, friendly introduction to underwater sightseeing from the Side and Alanya coast.
FAQ
How long does the scuba trip last?
The advertised duration is about seven hours. Transfer time is included in the overall day, while the scuba portion excluding transfers is about five hours.
How many underwater sessions are included?
Two scuba sessions are included. The first reaches about 6 meters and the second reaches about 12 meters.
Is hotel pickup included?
Hotel pickup and return are included if you select that option. Transfers are available from listed areas around Side and Alanya, including Side, Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot.
Where should I wait for the transfer?
Wait at your hotel’s outer security booth. The vehicle may be delayed by up to 25 minutes.
Which languages do the instructors speak?
Instruction is available in English, German, and Russian.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included. Drinks are not included and cost extra onboard.
Are photos and videos included?
No. Photo and video services are optional extras and are charged separately.
Can someone come along without scuba?
A no-scuba participant can select the child option, but the no-scuba ticket cannot be purchased alone. The conditions also say that a no-scuba participant may pay onboard to take part in scuba if they wish.
Can the underwater locations change?
Yes. Weather and sea conditions can cause the boat to use an alternative location. The tour may also be shortened or extended depending on the weather.
Who should not take part?
The activity is not suitable for young children, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with mobility limitations, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, or people with listed heart, respiratory, kidney, blood-pressure, neurological, or other medical conditions. The supplied information gives both under 12 and under 13 as age exclusions, so confirm the exact minimum age before booking.
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