City of Side: Scuba Diving with Lunch

Side’s best surprise may be below the surface. This boat trip takes you into the clear Mediterranean for two 30-minute scuba sessions, with beginner instruction and a chance to see the Undersea Museum, fish, a small wreck, and reef near the ancient town. I like the combination of hotel pickup and a full equipment package, since you do not need to arrange transport or rent gear separately.

I also like the patient instructors. First-time participants stay with an instructor, while stronger divers may receive more freedom if they are safe. The main drawback is that the underwater time can feel short, and delays at the harbor or rough seas can reduce the easygoing feel of the day.

Key points at a glance

• Two separate 30-minute underwater sessions: The first reaches about 23 meters for some participants, while the second is shallower and includes parts of the museum and a small wreck.
• A practical first scuba experience: Beginners receive training and stay with an instructor during the underwater sessions.
• The boat has room to spread out: You can find seating in sun or shade, with loungers on deck and space to swim when conditions allow.
• Lunch is included: Expect a simple meal such as chicken, tomato pasta, salad, and onboard drinks or snacks available to buy.
• Hotel pickup is included: Collection from Side hotels normally takes place between 8:30 and 9:30 AM at the main gate.
• Important health limits apply: The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, children under 16, pregnant women, or people with several listed medical conditions.

What the Side boat day is really like

This is a beginner-friendly boat outing rather than a specialist scuba expedition. You leave your Side hotel in the morning, travel to the harbor, receive equipment and instruction, and spend several hours around the boat and nearby underwater sites.

The advertised length is six hours. The operational schedule also shows roughly 4.5 hours connected with the boat portion, so allow most of the morning and afternoon for the full outing. The exact start time depends on availability, but hotel pickup is set for around 8:30 to 9:30 AM.

I would choose this trip if you want to try scuba without committing to a multi-day course. You get the basic training, equipment, insurance, lunch, and two attempts in the water for $42 per person. That is a strong price for a first experience, especially with transport included.

You should not book it expecting long, independent sessions over dramatic coral walls. The format is designed around instruction, safety, and giving beginners a controlled introduction. Experienced divers may find the underwater time simple and short, though one experienced participant still found the organization and value better than expected.

Pickup from Side and the wait at the harbor

Pickup takes place at your hotel’s main gate between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. Keep your phone nearby and make sure the operator has the correct hotel entrance. One issue worth knowing is that communication around pickup can be imperfect. A participant who was close enough to walk was still collected by bus, which was kind but unnecessary.

The bigger timing concern is the harbor wait. One account describes sitting there for about an hour to an hour and a half before the boat got moving. That may not happen every day, but it is sensible to expect some waiting while people arrive, equipment is prepared, and the group is organized.

This matters because the advertised six hours can feel longer if the harbor process drags. Bring patience, water, and something small to occupy you. The upside is that the boat itself is described as large and spacious, with shaded seating, sunny areas, and loungers on deck.

Training and equipment for first-time scuba users

You do not need previous scuba experience. The crew provides a basic lesson before taking beginners into the water, and instructors remain with first-time participants during both sessions.

That close supervision is the strongest part of the experience for nervous beginners. The staff are described as patient and helpful, including with people who found the water intimidating or could not continue. You are given time to put on the suit and equipment instead of being rushed straight overboard.

The package includes the diving equipment, training, a guide, and travel insurance. The guides speak English, German, Russian, and Turkish. No individual guide names are supplied, but the language range is useful for a mixed international group.

Equipment quality seems generally acceptable, though one experienced participant found some of it tired and said it was worth sorting through the available kit for a better-fitting set. Fit is not a minor detail. A mask that leaks, a suit that pinches, or a regulator that feels awkward can make a first underwater session much harder than it needs to be.

Take time to tell the crew if something does not fit. You are paying for equipment use, not for silently accepting uncomfortable gear.

The first underwater session near Side

The first session is the more interesting one for anyone who wants a sense of depth and a little underwater history. One experienced participant described a site reaching around 23 meters, along with fish, reef, a small wreck, and sections of the Undersea Museum.

The exact route and depth can change according to conditions and your ability. Beginners should not expect to reach the same depth as an experienced diver. Your instructor decides what is safe, and you may spend your time at a shallower level.

The water is described as clear and warm, which makes the Mediterranean a friendly place for a first attempt. You can expect fish and underwater structures rather than a highly technical site. The attraction is seeing a little of Side from below the surface and learning how your body responds to breathing underwater.

Equalizing pressure is the key skill. One participant had trouble getting air out of the ears during the second descent and had to stop. Recent sinus trouble and hay fever can make equalizing painful or impossible, even if you feel fine on land.

If you have a blocked nose, sinus problem, respiratory issue, high blood pressure, or low fitness level, take the restrictions seriously. The activity is not suitable for people with respiratory problems, high blood pressure, or other listed health concerns.

The Undersea Museum and the shallower second session

The Undersea Museum gives the trip its most distinctive feature. Instead of seeing only natural marine life, you also visit underwater displays in the waters around Side. The museum is paired with fish and reef, so the second session has more to look at than open water alone.

The second session is reported as shallower and less exciting by an experienced participant, though it still included fish and more museum pieces. That difference is useful to know. If you already have substantial scuba experience, the first session may be the highlight, while the second can feel like a relaxed repeat.

For a beginner, the second attempt has another value: you know what to expect. You have already handled the mask, breathing equipment, descent, and hand signals. If the first session felt strange, the second can be a chance to settle down and look around rather than simply concentrate on staying calm.

You may also be able to use a GoPro on the second session. One participant specifically suggested bringing one, but access to personal cameras can depend on the crew and conditions. The operator also takes underwater photos and videos for purchase. The price was described as very high, around €90, so decide in advance how much you want a souvenir.

What happens on the boat between sessions

The boat is not just a platform for the scuba groups. When conditions allow, you can swim while other people are in the water. Snorkeling may also be offered, although rough seas prevented it on one outing.

That weather point matters. The Mediterranean may be warm and clear, but the sea is not always calm. Rough water can make the boat roll, limit snorkeling, and make the day harder for anyone prone to seasickness. Seasickness is listed as a reason not to take this activity, so do not treat that warning lightly.

The large boat helps. You can move between sun and shade, sit on the deck, or use a lounger while waiting. Still, you should bring practical beach-day items such as swimwear, sun protection, and a towel if the operator has not already told you otherwise. The supplied information confirms swimming opportunities, but it does not specify towel provision.

The crew may also sell drinks and snacks. Wi-Fi has been available on the boat for a small charge, reported as €1, but that detail may change. I would treat it as optional rather than part of the reason to book.

Lunch: useful, included, and not gourmet

Lunch is included, which helps keep the $42 price under control. The meal has been described as chicken fillet, tomato pasta, and salad, with another account calling it pleasant and another finding it bland but edible.

That sounds about right for a shared boat meal. It should fill you after time in the water, but you are not booking a food tour. Drinks and snacks may be available to purchase, so carry some extra money if you want more than the included meal.

One unpleasant detail deserves mention. Leftover macaroni was reportedly thrown overboard, leaving food floating near the area used for scuba. That is not a good practice, either for the appearance of the water or for the marine environment. It may have been an isolated occurrence, but it is fair to say the meal service is basic and not especially polished.

Safety, health, and the limits of the experience

Turkey has strict rules for underwater activities, and the operator supplies instructors, equipment, and travel insurance. The crew is also described as attentive when people struggle with the water or decide they cannot continue.

You must be a swimmer, at least 16 years old, and physically able to manage the activity. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with respiratory issues, people prone to seasickness, people over 150 kilograms, or those with high or low blood pressure. A low fitness level is also listed as a reason not to participate.

The most useful personal warning concerns your sinuses. Even recent hay fever can leave enough congestion to make pressure equalization painful. Do not assume you can simply push through ear pain. Tell the operator about any health concern before the boat leaves.

If you cannot complete a session, the crew may still let you swim or remain on the boat, but the supplied information does not promise a partial refund or an alternative activity. Book this only if you are comfortable with the possibility that medical or sea conditions may keep you above water.

Is $42 good value for Side?

At $42, the package offers a lot: hotel transfer, boat access, equipment, beginner training, two 30-minute sessions, lunch, multilingual guidance, and travel insurance. If you would otherwise pay separately for transport and equipment, the price looks especially good.

The value is strongest for a first-time participant. You receive a structured introduction without paying for a full certification course. The instructors, rather than the underwater sites alone, are the main reason the activity works for beginners.

Experienced divers should judge the price differently. You may find the equipment basic, the sessions short, and the sites too simple for your level. One experienced participant described the first session as around 23 meters and the second as less exciting, but still considered the day worthwhile after not diving for some time.

The extra cost to watch is the photo package. Underwater pictures and videos can cost about €90, which several people considered excessive. Bring your own camera if allowed, and decide before departure if you are willing to pay for the operator’s images.

Who should book this Side scuba outing?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time scuba users who can swim confidently
• Couples or friends who want a shared boat day
• People staying in Side who value hotel pickup
• Visitors interested in seeing the Undersea Museum
• Divers who have not been underwater for a while and want a simple refresher
• Anyone looking for a low-cost introduction rather than formal certification

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced diver seeking long sessions, advanced sites, or well-maintained technical equipment. You may still enjoy the boat, fish, wreck, and museum, but the underwater portions could feel limited.

I would also skip it if you have sinus congestion, respiratory trouble, high blood pressure, poor fitness, or a strong tendency toward seasickness. The health restrictions are not fine print to ignore. They directly affect your comfort and ability to descend safely.

Final decision: book it for the introduction, not the expertise

Book this trip if you want an affordable first look at scuba around Side, with patient supervision and a clear point of interest in the Undersea Museum. The friendly crew, spacious boat, included lunch, and hotel transfer make it easy to fit into a holiday.

Do not book it expecting a luxury yacht, gourmet lunch, long independent sessions, or premium photo service. Allow for possible harbor delays, accept that the second session may be less exciting, and prepare for the chance that rough seas or ear pressure will change the plan.

For a confident swimmer aged 16 or over, $42 is a fair price for a guided introduction. I would call it a good-value first experience, with the strongest marks going to the instructors and the weakest to timing, basic food, and the possible cost of photos.

FAQ

How long does the Side scuba activity last?

The stated duration is six hours. Pickup takes place in the morning, usually between 8:30 and 9:30 AM, and the boat portion includes training, two underwater sessions, lunch, and time on the water.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two sessions are included, each planned for 30 minutes. The depth and route can vary according to conditions, experience, and the instructor’s safety decision.

Is scuba experience required?

No. Beginner training is included, and first-time participants remain with an instructor during the underwater sessions.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guides are available in English, German, Russian, and Turkish.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off in Side are included. You should meet the driver at your hotel’s main gate between 8:30 and 9:30 AM.

Is lunch included?

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

What is the Undersea Museum?

It is an underwater museum visited during the scuba sessions in the waters around Side. The trip also includes chances to see fish, reef, and a small wreck.

Who cannot take this activity?

It is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with respiratory issues, people prone to seasickness, people over 150 kilograms, people with high or low blood pressure, or people with a low level of fitness.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.