Side Scuba Diving for Beginners with Lunch and Transfers

Side’s beginner scuba trip gives you a simple way to try the underwater world without arranging transport, equipment, lessons, or lunch separately. After hotel pickup, you travel to the marina, learn the basic rules, and take part in two guided underwater sessions at roughly 5 to 12 meters.

I like the calm pace and the small-group setup. You are not sent into the sea with a quick briefing and a wave goodbye. The instructors explain each step, check that you are comfortable, and guide you underwater. I also like the value: at $49.21, the price includes transfers, equipment, two sessions, and lunch on the boat.

The main thing to consider is the waiting time. Groups enter the water in turns, so you may spend part of the day swimming, sunbathing, or sitting on the boat while others are underwater. That is pleasant for many people, but it may feel slow if you want nonstop activity.

Key points to know before booking

• Two guided sessions at 5 to 12 meters: You get a proper first taste of scuba rather than a single short swim.
• Pickup from your hotel: Collection usually starts around 8:00 a.m., with the exact time confirmed the day before.
• Small groups, up to 15 people: The limited group size helps keep the instruction personal.
• Lunch between the sessions: Snitzel and pasta are included, with drinks available to buy onboard.
• Time for swimming and sunbathing: The boat day is not only about being underwater.
• Suitable for beginners: Basic training and full equipment are included, but children under 10 may join only as boat passengers.

From Side hotels to the marina by 9:30 a.m.

The day begins early. Pickup starts at about 8:00 a.m., although your exact time depends on where your hotel sits in the Side area. The air-conditioned vehicle collects you at the hotel entrance when access is possible.

Some hotels sit in pedestrian areas or on roads where tour vehicles cannot enter. In that case, you receive a nearby meeting point instead. Your pickup time is confirmed by message or phone one day before the trip, and a delay of five to ten minutes can occur because of traffic and the collection route.

The drive leads to the marina, where arrival is expected around 9:30 a.m. The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. This gap gives the crew time to organize equipment and gives you a chance to get settled before the boat moves away from shore.

I appreciate that the transfer is part of the package. You do not need to find a taxi to the marina or carry bulky equipment through Side. The return transfer is also included, which makes the $49.21 price easier to judge.

A clear lesson before your first underwater session

Before entering the water, you attend a safety briefing and basic training session. You learn how the equipment works and what to do underwater. This matters far more than a long speech about marine life. First-time scuba participants need simple instructions, calm guidance, and time to ask questions.

The crew provides the full kit: wetsuit if needed, tank, mask, fins, regulator, and related equipment. You do not need to arrange your own scuba gear. Snorkeling equipment is not included, though optional rental is available if you want to spend surface time looking down from the boat.

The strongest part of this experience is the attention given to nervous beginners. The instructors are described as patient and encouraging, with repeated checks that participants feel safe. That makes a real difference. A first underwater session can feel strange at the start, especially when breathing through a regulator, so a patient instructor is worth more than fancy extras.

The group limit is 15 people. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to avoid the feel of a large party boat. The actual underwater groups are organized in smaller units, allowing the instructors to focus on each person rather than moving a large line through the water.

The first session: 5 to 12 meters below Side

The first guided session takes place before lunch. The stated depth is approximately 5 to 12 meters, with about 20 minutes of underwater time. For a first experience, that is a sensible range. You go far enough below the surface to feel that you are truly scuba diving, but the program remains aimed at beginners.

You may see fish and underwater scenery, though the exact marine life and visibility depend on the day. One account describes seeing many fish, while another refers to an underwater museum area and Roman remains. The route and conditions can vary, so treat those sights as possible highlights rather than guaranteed stops.

The session is guided, not independent. You do not need a scuba qualification for this introductory activity, and the crew leads you through the experience after the basic lesson. Still, you should be comfortable following instructions and communicating with the instructor underwater.

The 20-minute underwater period may sound short, but it is enough for a first attempt. New participants often spend part of the time adjusting to breathing, body position, and the sensation of moving underwater. A shorter, guided session can be more enjoyable than a long one that leaves you tired or uneasy.

If you are in the first group, you enter the water sooner. If not, you can use the waiting period to sit on deck, swim, or sunbathe. Bring patience and think of this as a boat day with two scuba sessions, not a nonstop underwater course.

Lunch on the boat, plus swimming time

Lunch is served between the two sessions. The included meal is listed as Snitzel and pasta. Accounts of the food also mention fresh boat meals and a burger, but the published meal description is the safer guide when planning what to expect.

The food is practical rather than gourmet. That is fine here. You are spending much of the day on a boat, and a hot, filling meal between sessions is useful. You can buy drinks onboard, including alcoholic beverages, but those are not included in the tour price.

The break also gives you time to enjoy the boat without an instructor asking you to prepare for the next activity. Swim if conditions suit you, sit in the sun, or stay in the shade if you need a rest. This unhurried middle section is especially useful for families and couples who want a shared day at sea, even if not everyone wants to enter the water at the same time.

If you are booking for a group with mixed interests, this format works well. The people who scuba can take part in both sessions, while others can enjoy the boat and swimming periods. Children under 10 may join the boat trip, but they cannot take part in the scuba activity.

The second session gives you time to settle in

After lunch, you return to the water for the second guided session. This is often the more enjoyable part for beginners because you already know how the mask, fins, tank, and regulator feel. You have had time to ask questions and adjust after the first attempt.

The second session is again organized in small groups. The supplied details do not specify a different depth or duration, so you should expect another beginner-level guided experience rather than an advanced route. Conditions, visibility, and marine life can change from one session to the next.

Some accounts describe the two sessions as different from each other, with fish visible in both areas. An underwater museum or Roman remains may be part of the route on some outings, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed feature of every booking.

Between and after the sessions, you have more free time to swim and relax. The boat returns to the marina after the program, followed by transport back to your hotel. The full day lasts about six hours, though the early pickup and return timing depend on your hotel location and traffic.

What the $49.21 price really covers

At $49.21 per person, this is a strong package for someone starting from zero. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, equipment, instruction, two guided sessions, and lunch. Booking these pieces separately would usually be less convenient, even before you consider the time spent arranging them.

The value is strongest for first-timers. You are paying for a managed introduction, not simply boat access. Equipment is supplied, the crew handles the basic training, and transport removes one more holiday-planning chore.

There are extra costs to watch for. Personal spending is not included, and drinks are sold separately. Underwater photos and video cost €40 if you choose that package. Snorkeling equipment is also not part of the standard inclusion, although optional rental is available.

I would not buy the photo package automatically. First, decide if you care about having proof of the experience. If you do, ask about the €40 option before the boat leaves so you understand exactly what it includes.

Who will enjoy this Side boat trip most

This is a good fit if you are a first-time scuba participant who wants an easy introduction rather than a qualification course. The calm instruction, shallow beginner range, and two-session format give you time to get used to the equipment.

It also suits couples, friends, and families with older children. The boat creates a shared outing even when some people prefer not to enter the water. Families should remember the age rule: children under 10 can join the boat trip but not the scuba sessions.

I would also consider it for a mixed-ability group. Someone who has already tried scuba can still enjoy the two guided sessions, while a beginner receives the same basic support. The program is not designed for advanced scuba specialists seeking technical routes or long underwater time.

You should think twice if you dislike waiting, have no interest in swimming or sunbathing, or want a private instructor. The group limit is modest, but this is still a shared excursion. You may spend time on deck while another group is in the water.

Practical details that can make the day easier

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection, although the supplied information does not specify what shade or onboard facilities are available. Keep valuables to a minimum because personal expenses and belongings are your responsibility.

Your pickup time is confirmed the day before. Check your messages or phone, and be ready at the hotel entrance or stated nearby meeting point. Allow a little flexibility because the vehicle may arrive five to ten minutes later than planned.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but you should be ready to follow safety instructions and basic training. If you have health concerns that could affect scuba participation, clarify them before booking.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Side beginner scuba experience?

I would book this if you want your first scuba outing to be simple, affordable, and well supported. The best features are the two guided sessions, patient instruction, included transfers, and the chance to relax on the boat between activities.

The price is particularly good for couples and families because lunch and transport are already covered. Just set your expectations correctly: this is a six-hour boat excursion with beginner scuba sessions, not a full certification course or a private marine expedition.

Book it if you are happy with a shared group, a short underwater period of about 20 minutes for the first session, and the possibility of waiting your turn. Skip it if you want guaranteed museum sights, a private guide, or uninterrupted time underwater.

FAQ

What time does the Side scuba tour start?

The boat activity starts at 10:00 a.m. Hotel pickup usually begins around 8:00 a.m., depending on your hotel location. Your exact pickup time is confirmed one day before the activity.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle are included. If a vehicle cannot reach your hotel entrance because of a pedestrian zone or restricted road, you receive a nearby meeting point.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The program includes two guided scuba sessions. The first takes place before lunch, and the second follows lunch.

How deep are the sessions?

The first session takes place at approximately 5 to 12 meters. Underwater time for the first session is around 20 minutes. The supplied details do not give a separate depth or duration for the second session.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. The package includes the main equipment, including a suit if needed, tank, mask, fins, regulator, and related gear.

Can children join the activity?

Children under 10 can join the boat trip but cannot take part in the scuba sessions. The activity information states that most participants can take part, but the scuba activity requires following the safety briefing and basic training.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather. For your own cancellation, a full refund is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.