Diving Tour from Alanya & Side with Lunch – 2 Dives Included

The most memorable part of this Side scuba trip is the change from ordinary Mediterranean water to a quiet world below it, where fish, rock formations, and possible artifacts give the outing a real sense of discovery. You get two guided underwater sessions, first at about 6 meters and later at about 12 meters.

I like the patient instruction for first-time participants and the helpful crew, especially when sea conditions force a change of location. I also like the clear value at $52 per person, since lunch, equipment-related guidance, insurance, and transport from selected hotels are included. The main drawback is that boat rides can be rough, transport may lack strong air conditioning, and drinks plus photos cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater sessions at different depths: The first reaches about 6 meters, while the second goes to roughly 12 meters.
• Good support for beginners: Instructors explain the process carefully, and one participant was encouraged through seasickness before feeling better underwater.
• Side and Alanya use separate boats: Your departure area affects the boat, location, and exact schedule.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: Bring water or budget for onboard purchases.
• Weather can change the plan: Rough seas may mean a different site, shorter time, or a longer day.
• Photos can cost nearly as much as the tour: Treat the photo and video service as an optional extra, not part of the $52 price.

What the seven-hour day really includes

This is sold as a seven-hour activity, but the actual time connected with the scuba program is about five hours, not counting hotel transfers. That distinction matters in Side and Alanya, where hotel pickup times can vary widely by resort location.

Your day starts with a transfer from selected areas. Pickup is available from Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot, as well as from Alanya areas. You need to wait at your hotel’s outer security booth, not inside the lobby, and a delay of up to 25 minutes is possible.

Once you reach the boat, the crew gives instructions before anyone enters the water. English, German, and Russian support is available. The exact order of the sessions can change, but the plan includes one underwater visit at about 6 meters and a second at roughly 12 meters.

Between sessions, you can eat lunch prepared on board and spend time on the deck. The supplied information calls the meal lunch, so do not plan on this as an evening dinner excursion. Drinks are sold separately, and you should bring water if you prefer not to buy beverages on the boat.

At the end, the vehicle returns you to your hotel area. The day may be shorter or longer depending on weather and sea conditions. Build in some flexibility rather than scheduling a tight evening appointment.

The first 6-meter session is the easiest introduction

The first session reaches about 6 meters, making it the gentler part of the day for many first-time participants. This depth gives you a chance to get used to breathing underwater, following the instructor, and controlling your body before the route goes farther down.

The attraction is not only the depth. You may see small fish, rocky formations, plant life, and other signs of the Mediterranean seabed. The tour information refers to artifacts, sunken ships, and coral areas, but the exact sights depend on the selected site and the day’s conditions.

The first location appears to be the stronger of the two for scenery when conditions allow. One Turkish participant found the first site excellent but felt the second site offered less impressive views. That is useful context: the two sessions are not guaranteed to feel equally special.

The crew’s handling of first-time participants is one of the best reasons to consider this tour. A German participant became badly seasick on the small boat and worried about entering the water. The instructor offered reassurance, and the participant felt much better once underwater. That does not make seasickness harmless, but it shows why calm, clear instruction matters.

You should still take your own comfort seriously. Seasickness is specifically listed as a reason not to join, so this is not a promise that the water will solve the problem for everyone.

The 12-meter session adds depth, not a guarantee of better scenery

The second session reaches about 12 meters. At this depth, the sense of being below the surface is stronger, and you may have a better chance to notice underwater formations, fish, and possible remnants linked to the area’s maritime past.

The deeper session is suitable for people who can follow the instructor’s directions and remain comfortable underwater. It is not simply a free swim. The guides control the route and expect you to follow their safety instructions closely.

You should keep expectations measured. The second location may be less scenic than the first, and rough water can force the crew to abandon the planned site. On one trip, extreme sea conditions made the original locations unusable, but the crew found an alternative.

That flexibility is important. You are booking a guided day on the Mediterranean, not a fixed museum visit. Weather can change the route, the length of the session, and the overall timing.

The crew is most useful when you need reassurance

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the staff. The instructors are described as friendly, funny, professional, and helpful. They explain the process clearly, support beginners, and provide guidance for more experienced participants.

One participant who could not take part personally said their son had an exceptional day and enjoyed close encounters with fish, including touching, holding, and feeding them. You should not assume every outing will offer exactly the same interaction, and the rules clearly prohibit feeding animals, so the details of that report do not match the stated restrictions. Follow the crew’s current instructions rather than expecting hands-on contact.

For first-time scuba participants, the briefing is a key part of the value. You receive an explanation of how to use the equipment and how to behave underwater. Listen closely, especially if you are nervous, prone to ear pressure, or unsure about entering from the boat.

More experienced participants can use the guides to explore the site with greater independence, but this remains an organized group activity. Your freedom is shaped by safety instructions and the conditions at sea.

Boat comfort, transfers, and the small practical annoyances

The transfer area is broad, and hotel locations can affect how long you spend on the road. People staying in Side resort areas have direct access to the listed pickup districts, while Alanya participants use a separate departure group and boat.

The Side and Alanya groups do not simply merge on one vessel. They use different boats and different locations, so your resort area affects more than the pickup time. It can shape the character of the day and the underwater site you visit.

The vehicle’s air conditioning deserves attention. One participant specifically wanted stronger cooling during transport. In Antalya Province, that can matter, especially after a warm wait outside the hotel.

At sea, the small boat can feel lively when the water is rough. If you are prone to seasickness, this is a serious consideration, not a minor inconvenience. Take the medical and comfort restrictions seriously, and do not treat the instructor’s kindness as a substitute for medical advice.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, a change of clothes, water, and a camera if you want your own above-water pictures. Smoking and feeding animals are not allowed, and you must not touch plants.

Is $52 good value?

At $52, the tour offers a solid bundle for a full day: two guided scuba sessions, lunch, hotel transfer when selected, and travel insurance. For someone who wants a first organized underwater outing without arranging separate instruction, transport, and a boat trip, the price is reasonable.

The value is strongest if you use both sessions and your hotel lies within the included transfer areas. You are paying not just for time in the water, but for supervision, equipment support, transport, and a meal.

The price becomes less attractive if you add several extras. Drinks are not included, and the optional photo and video service can be expensive. One participant felt the combined media price was nearly equal to the cost of the tour itself, even after a discount.

I would decide in advance how important underwater photos are to you. If you want them, ask about the full price before agreeing. If the tour price is already your limit, skip the media package and bring a camera only if it is suitable for use around water.

Who should book this scuba outing?

This is best for a reasonably fit adult or older teenager who can swim, follow instructions, tolerate a boat trip, and wants a structured introduction to the Mediterranean below the surface.

The published information says the activity is not suitable for children under 13, while another restriction mentions children under 14. Because those age limits conflict, confirm the current minimum age before booking. Children under 12 are clearly excluded.

The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, pregnant women, or people with heart, respiratory, kidney, or blood-pressure problems. Epilepsy, diabetes, low fitness, a body weight over 150 kilograms, and a tendency toward seasickness are also listed as exclusions. People over 95 are not accepted.

There is a no-diving option, but it cannot be purchased alone. The instructions say to select the child option for someone who wants to come without using the scuba equipment. That person may pay onboard to participate if they change their mind, but do not assume a non-participant ticket works as a stand-alone booking.

The tour is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. It is designed around two underwater sessions, with time on deck between them. If you want only a boat ride and lunch, confirm the available ticket option before paying.

Booking advice for Side and Alanya

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. Even so, check the pickup details carefully because your exact transfer information is provided 24 hours before the activity.

Wait at the outer security booth at the stated pickup time. If the vehicle is late by more than the expected 25-minute window, contact the supplier rather than leaving the hotel.

The supplier is Lft Travel Agency. The published rating is 4.4 from 23 reviews, with the most consistent praise directed at the friendly crew, clear instruction, and support for beginners. The weaker points are transport cooling, rough water, uneven scenery between sites, and high photo costs.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, guided first scuba experience from the Side or Alanya resort areas, and you can accept changing sea conditions. The two depths give you a useful progression, and the instructors appear particularly good at helping nervous beginners.

Skip it if you are a non-swimmer, have one of the listed medical restrictions, suffer badly from seasickness, or need guaranteed scenery and a fixed schedule. I would also budget for drinks and decide beforehand whether you are willing to pay extra for photographs.

For the right person, $52 is a fair price for two supervised underwater sessions, lunch, and transport. Just keep your expectations flexible: the sea makes part of the plan, and it does not always read the brochure.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is seven hours. About five hours are spent on the scuba program, excluding transfer time. The total day can be shorter or longer because of weather and hotel pickup times.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two guided scuba sessions are included. The first reaches about 6 meters, and the second reaches about 12 meters.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is prepared on the boat. Drinks are not included and cost extra.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel pickup and return are included if you select that option. Transfers cover listed areas in Side and Alanya, including Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot.

Which languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Russian.

Can a person come without scuba diving?

A no-diving option is available using the child option, but it cannot be purchased alone. The information says that a no-diving participant may pay onboard to take part in scuba activities if they wish.

Are drinks, photos, and videos included?

No. Drinks, personal expenses, and optional photo and video services cost extra.

Can beginners join?

The tour accepts all skill levels and provides instruction from professional guides. However, non-swimmers are not suitable for the activity, and every participant must follow the instructor’s directions.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, change of clothes, sunscreen, water, and a camera if desired.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.