Scuba Diving Tour with Transfer From Alanya and city of Side

The best part of this Alanya and Side outing is the gentle introduction to the Mediterranean underwater world. You make two guided descents, watch fish at close range, and get time to settle into the water instead of being rushed through one short attempt.

I like the beginner-friendly training and the chance to have photos and video taken while you feed fish. I also like that certified participants can receive a more suitable experience, while friends and family who do not want to go underwater can still come aboard. The main concern is the long pickup route, especially from Side, plus some reports of late transfers and a shorter-than-planned program.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater sessions: Each is described as about 30 minutes, with a second location used in the afternoon.
• Good support for first-timers: You receive a briefing, equipment practice, breathing exercises, and hand-signal instruction before entering the water.
• Maximum beginner depth of about 6 meters: You can remain shallower if you prefer, while certified participants may go farther down.
• A multilingual crew of ten: The team includes two dive masters and four instructors, with English, German, Russian, and Turkish spoken.
• Hotel pickup from Alanya and Side: Side departures can take longer because the boat and activity area are in or near Alanya.
• Bring only the basics: Pack swimwear and a towel. Drinks, photos, and videos cost extra.

What the $59 price really covers

At $59 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to try scuba equipment and guided underwater swimming without arranging a separate certification course. The fee includes hotel pickup and return, the equipment, beginner instruction, and two planned sessions in the sea.

That price is strongest for a first-time participant. You get the main pieces that usually make an introductory outing expensive: staff, boat access, equipment, instruction, and supervision. If you already hold a full certificate, the value depends more on how much freedom and underwater time you want. This is a guided recreational outing, not a serious training day or a specialist trip to advanced sites.

Photos and videos are not included. An instructor may take pictures and film you underwater, including during fish feeding, but you decide later if you want to buy them. Drinks are also extra, so bring money if you do not want to rely on what is available aboard.

The tour has a current rating of 3.7 from 37 ratings, which fits the overall picture: many people enjoy the staff and the underwater experience, while transport and timing can be uneven. I would book it for the low entry price, but I would not choose it if an exact schedule is essential.

Pickup from Side can take much of the morning

The stated duration is eight hours, but your day begins with hotel collection and may include several stops for other participants. From Alanya, the transfer should be more direct. From Side, expect a longer ride because the boat and activity area are based closer to Alanya.

That longer transfer is the biggest practical issue for Side visitors. One five-star account still described the ride as lengthy, but considered it a chance to see more of the coast. That is a fair way to view it if you are relaxed about timing. If you are staying in Side and want a short activity close to your hotel, this is not the best match.

Pickup instructions deserve care. There has been a case where the vehicle arrived at the wrong hotel, followed by about an hour of waiting. Confirm your accommodation name, entrance, and pickup time clearly before the morning of the outing. Keep your phone available, and do not plan another fixed activity immediately afterward.

The vehicle may also spend time collecting staff and other participants. One particularly poor experience involved a long collection route and a program that ended before midday. That appears to be a scheduling risk rather than the promised plan, but it is worth allowing extra time.

The boat ride and first water session

Once you reach the boat, the crew gives you an introduction to the equipment, safety steps, and underwater hand signals. First-timers then practice breathing at the surface before going farther down. This matters because breathing through a regulator feels strange for many people at first, and a calm start can make the difference between enjoying the activity and giving up.

Your instructor guides the descent slowly, pausing along the way so you can adjust to the pressure. The planned beginner depth is no more than about 6 meters, though you can remain shallower. One account described a first session that reached about 11 meters, but the main program information sets about 6 meters as the expected level for beginners. Certified participants may have more flexibility, depending on the instructor and sea conditions.

The first session is partly about getting comfortable. You may surface if you feel unwell or stop altogether. That is not a failure. Ear pressure, a headache, or a sudden feeling of panic can occur when you first go below the surface. Tell the instructor at once, rise slowly, and do not try to force yourself lower.

The team may take photos and video during this session. Fish feeding is part of the advertised experience, giving you something to focus on while you learn to control your breathing and position. The photography can be fun, but it also means the activity is not a quiet wildlife encounter. You are part of a supervised commercial outing, with other people waiting their turn.

The second session gives you another chance

After the first underwater session, the boat moves to another spot for the afternoon outing. This change gives certified participants a different area to explore and gives beginners a chance to try again with a better sense of how the equipment works.

The second session can feel easier because you already know how the mask, regulator, and buoyancy equipment behave. The instructor adjusts the air in your suit so you remain suspended at the planned depth. You should not expect advanced wreck exploration or technical work. The attraction is the simple sensation of floating above the seabed and watching Mediterranean fish move around you.

The timing is not always as orderly as the written plan suggests. Certified participants may go earlier, while beginners are handled in pairs or small groups later. One person with a certificate reported completing the first session quickly, then having time to swim while other participants received their introduction. That arrangement can work well for mixed groups, but it means not everyone follows the same sequence.

A nervous participant may need another attempt. One first-timer came back to the surface after panicking, then was allowed to try again with extra time. That is the sort of patient response you want from an instructor. Still, you should understand that your personal underwater time can be shorter if you need repeated breaks or cannot equalize your ears.

What beginners should know about pressure and breathing

The most important skill is equalizing your ears as you descend. Water pressure can cause ear pain or a headache, especially if you go down too fast. Start early, descend slowly, and tell your instructor immediately if your ears do not clear.

You also need to become comfortable breathing through the regulator. Practice at the surface before going down, and keep your breathing steady. Do not hold your breath. The staff provides the basic training and underwater signals, but you remain responsible for speaking up when you feel uncomfortable.

The program is well suited to someone who is curious but cautious. You do not need a certificate for the beginner route, and you are not expected to reach the full planned depth. You can stay shallower, return to the surface, or stop the session if it does not feel right.

This is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. The activity also stops on days with storms or heavy rain. Sea conditions can alter the route and may lead the crew to skip planned stopping points for safety.

Certified participants may want to set expectations

If you already hold a scuba certificate, this outing can provide two simple recreational sessions, but it may not satisfy a highly experienced diver looking for a demanding site. The program is built around mixed ability levels, so instructors must give beginners careful attention.

The clearest advantage is flexibility within a shared trip. Certified participants can start earlier, go farther down when permitted, and use spare time for swimming while beginners receive instruction. One certified participant reported two sessions after a prompt start, with lunch and swimming time included in the day.

The main limitation is control. You do not choose the exact site, depth, or pace, and the crew can change the route because of weather and sea conditions. Ask about the planned depth and underwater location before entering the water if you have specific aims.

Non-participants can come along

Friends and family who do not want to go underwater can join as visitors. They may use the facilities aboard the boat, sit or lie down, and jump into the sea. This makes the trip more practical for a mixed group than booking a separate boat day and scuba outing.

Do not assume that a non-diving visitor receives a full snorkeling program. Snorkeling is not listed as an included activity, and one poor experience specifically noted that there was no snorkeling. If that is important to your group, ask before booking rather than treating it as part of the package.

The boat may also be a pleasant place to wait between groups, but the amount of free time depends on the running order and the number of beginners. A certified participant could have more time to swim, while a first-timer may spend much of the day in instruction, preparation, and recovery between sessions.

Lunch, photos, and what to pack

One account included lunch, but the formal inclusions list names only hotel transfers, equipment, beginner instruction, and two sessions. Treat food as uncertain unless your booking confirmation specifically includes it. Drinks are not included.

Bring swimwear and a towel. I would also pack a dry change of clothes, though only swimwear and a towel are specifically required. Keep valuables to a minimum, since you will spend much of the day on a boat and in the water.

Photos and video are optional purchases. The crew may record you feeding fish or swimming underwater, which can be a useful souvenir from a first attempt. Check the price before agreeing, since these media files are not part of the $59 cost.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would recommend this trip to:

• First-time participants who want a supervised introduction without committing to a course
• Couples or families with mixed interest in scuba and swimming
• Certified participants who are happy with a guided recreational outing
• Visitors staying in Alanya who want hotel pickup and a full day on the Mediterranean
• Anyone who values a low upfront price and flexible cancellation

I would be more cautious if you are staying in Side and dislike long transfers, if you need an exact return time, or if you expect two long sessions with no delays. The trip also may not suit people with limited mobility, pregnant women, or anyone who strongly dislikes enclosed equipment and underwater pressure.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. Those terms help if your weather plans are uncertain, though a storm or heavy rain can cancel the activity as well.

Should you book the Alanya and Side scuba tour?

Book it if your goal is to try scuba in a friendly, controlled setting for a modest price. The strongest parts are the patient beginner process, the chance to try again after a nervous first attempt, the multilingual crew, and the option for certified participants to have a more active session.

Think twice if transport matters more to you than the water time. From Side, the road journey may take a large part of the day, and pickup problems or a shortened schedule are possible. You should also budget for drinks and any photos or video you want to keep.

My practical choice would be to book from Alanya, confirm the hotel pickup in writing, arrive ready for a flexible day, and treat the two underwater sessions as the main event rather than expecting a tightly timed cruise. For a first taste of the Mediterranean below the surface, that is a fair deal at $59.

FAQ

How long does the scuba tour last?

The advertised duration is eight hours, including hotel pickup, the boat program, two underwater sessions, and the return transfer.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two guided sessions are included. Each is planned to last about 30 minutes, with the second session taking place at another location in the afternoon.

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No. Beginners can join after receiving theory instruction, equipment guidance, breathing practice, and basic underwater hand signals. Certified participants can also take part.

How deep do beginners go?

The beginner program goes to about 6 meters, and you can remain shallower if you prefer. One account described a deeper session, but the stated beginner limit is about 6 meters.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The crew provides instruction in English, German, Russian, and Turkish.

Are hotel transfers included from Side and Alanya?

Yes. Pickup and return to your accommodation are included in both Alanya and Side. The transfer from Side may take longer because the activity area is closer to Alanya.

What should I bring, and are photos included?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Drinks, photos, and video are not included in the price. Photos and video may be available to purchase separately.