Antalya, Side and Alanya: Scuba Diving with Lunch & 2 Dives

The most appealing part of this Mediterranean scuba tour is its gentle introduction to underwater exploration. You start with basic instruction and a short session at about 6 meters, then progress to roughly 12 meters if you are comfortable. That makes this a sensible first taste of scuba, not just a boat ride with a mask.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, especially when your base is in Side, Alanya, Manavgat, Belek, or one of the nearby resort areas. I also like the strong value at $44, since the price includes equipment, two guided sessions, lunch, insurance, and transport. The main consideration is time underwater: each session lasts about 15 minutes, so experienced divers may find the program brief.

Key points before you book

• Two short sessions at different depths: Begin at about 6 meters, then continue to approximately 12 meters on the second outing.
• A practical first scuba experience: Equipment, basic training, and a safety briefing are included, so previous experience is not required.
• A full day around Liman: About five hours are spent at the boat area, with time for swimming, sunbathing, lunch, and sea-life viewing.
• Hotel transfers cover many resort towns: Pickup is offered from areas including Side, Alanya, Manavgat, Belek, Kestel, and Okurcalar.
• Lunch is simple and filling: The included meal is schnitzel with pasta. Drinks cost extra.
• Underwater photos cost €40: This optional package can be useful if you want a record of your first session, but budget for it separately.

What this Antalya Province boat day really offers

This is best understood as a beginner-friendly boat excursion with two introductory scuba sessions, rather than a serious full-day program for trained divers. You spend about seven hours away from your hotel, including roughly one hour each way by coach and around five hours near the water.

The main attraction is the chance to try scuba without arranging a certification course or bringing your own equipment. A certified instructor fits you with the basic kit, explains underwater hand signals and safety rules, and stays with you during the guided sessions.

The advertised underwater sights include colorful fish, octopuses, monk seals, sea turtles, underwater caves, sunken ships, and ancient amphoras. Conditions and sightings can vary, so you should treat these as possible highlights rather than guaranteed encounters. The experience is still worthwhile if your main goal is to learn how breathing underwater feels and to see Mediterranean sea life from below.

Pickup from Side, Alanya, and the surrounding resorts

Pickup is available from a wide spread of locations: Kestel, Türkler, Çenger, Okurcalar, Evrenseki, Konaklı, Gündoğdu, Manavgat, Oba, Çolaklı, Side, Avsallar, Alanya, Mahmutlar, Payallar, Belek, Kızılot, and Kızılağaç.

You need to wait at your hotel’s main security gate at the scheduled time. This detail matters because resort hotels often have large grounds, several entrances, and limited vehicle access. The driver may arrive five to ten minutes late because of traffic. If the delay passes ten minutes, use the contact details in your booking confirmation.

The transfer is shared rather than private. That keeps the price low, but it also means the morning can include several hotel stops. For a relaxed start, have your towel, swimwear, and cash ready before pickup.

The coach ride takes about one hour each way. If you are staying in Alanya or farther along the coast, the transfer may feel like a noticeable part of the day. Still, having transport included is useful, since arranging your own way to the boat would add both cost and effort.

Arriving at Liman and getting ready

The main five-hour portion takes place at Liman, where you have time for the boat program, lunch, swimming, and the two underwater sessions. After arriving, you receive your equipment and a basic safety briefing.

The kit includes a suit if needed, tank, mask, fins, regulator, and other standard equipment. You do not need to own or bring scuba gear. Snorkel equipment is not included, however, and can be rented or purchased on site if you prefer surface swimming with a tube.

The briefing is especially important for first-time participants. You learn how to use the equipment, communicate underwater, and follow basic safety rules. Do not be shy about telling the instructor if you feel nervous. One first-time participant described panicking early on, then gaining confidence with careful support from the staff. That is a useful reminder that hesitation is normal and that the pace should be based on your comfort.

The instructors speak English, German, and Russian. The supplied information does not provide individual guide names, so you should not expect a particular instructor unless the operator confirms one before departure.

The first session at about 6 meters

Your first underwater session reaches approximately 6 meters and lasts around 15 minutes. This is the orientation stage, giving you time to get used to the regulator, breathing rhythm, water pressure, and hand signals.

For a beginner, those 15 minutes can feel longer than expected. You are concentrating on several new sensations at once, including breathing through the mouth, keeping the mask in place, and staying calm beneath the surface. The shallow depth is helpful because it provides a gradual start before the second session.

The advertised marine life includes fish and other Mediterranean creatures. You may also encounter underwater rock formations or other sights around the selected site. The exact location and visibility are not specified, so I would avoid booking this tour with one particular wreck or animal encounter as your sole reason.

The instructors accompany the group and provide guidance. That close supervision is one of the strongest reasons this works for a first attempt. You are not being sent off alone with unfamiliar equipment.

Lunch and a break on the boat

Between the two sessions, you return to the boat for a meal and downtime. Lunch is schnitzel with pasta, a straightforward combination that should provide enough energy for the rest of the afternoon. It is not presented as a special Turkish food experience, but it is included and practical.

Drinks are not included, so bring cash for water or other purchases on board. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. You should also bring a towel and beachwear, since swimming and sitting out on deck are part of the schedule.

The break gives you a chance to sunbathe, swim, watch the water, and talk with the instructors or other people on the boat. One solo participant found the atmosphere easy and comfortable, which suggests this can work well if you are arriving alone and want a social but structured day.

There is a useful balance here. You get an active morning on the water, but you are not underwater for hours. If you want a quiet holiday day with some activity mixed in, the boat break helps. If you want continuous scuba training, the long surface interval and short sessions may feel slow.

The second session at about 12 meters

The second session reaches approximately 12 meters and lasts another 15 minutes. By this point, you have already handled the basic equipment and should have a better feel for breathing underwater.

This session is where the tour may become more interesting for people who already have some experience. The possible sights include exotic fish, octopuses, monk seals, sea turtles, caves, sunken ships, and ancient amphoras. Again, sightings depend on the site and conditions, and the program does not guarantee a specific wreck, animal, or artifact.

The move from 6 to 12 meters is modest, but it gives beginners a sense of progression. You are not simply repeating the same shallow practice. You can apply what you learned in the first session and focus more on looking around.

At the same time, experienced certified divers should set expectations carefully. Two sessions of about 15 minutes each are short by normal recreational scuba standards. This is a sampler, not a substitute for a full certification day or a specialized wreck trip.

Swimming, sea life, and time above water

You can swim before, between, or after the two scuba sessions. That flexibility helps if you want more water time but do not want to spend it all using a tank.

Swimming also gives non-divers in your party something to do. People under the stated diving age may join the boat trip and swim with family, though they cannot take part in the scuba sessions. The information gives two age notes: participants must be at least 13, while another instruction says under-14s cannot scuba. Because of that difference, I would confirm the exact minimum age at booking, particularly for a 13-year-old.

The boat setting lets you enjoy the Mediterranean even if you decide not to continue after the first session. Tell the staff if you feel uncomfortable. The trip is designed to include swimming and free time, so you are not locked into spending every minute below the surface.

Is $44 a good price?

At $44 per person, the package offers solid value for a first-time participant. You receive hotel transport, a suit if needed, tank, mask, fins, regulator, instruction, two guided sessions, lunch, and insurance.

The price is especially attractive if you are staying outside the immediate boat area. A separate taxi or transfer could quickly reduce the savings. The included meal also means you do not need to arrange lunch during a day away from the hotel.

There are extra costs to keep in mind. Drinks must be bought separately, and the optional underwater photo and video package costs €40. That package may appeal to families or first-time divers who want proof of the experience, but it is not necessary for enjoying the day.

For a certified diver seeking longer sessions, varied sites, or more bottom time, the value is less clear. You are paying for convenience, instruction, and a low-risk introduction. The real bargain is for someone who wants to try scuba without committing to a longer course.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this tour to:

• First-time divers who want instruction and close supervision
• Couples or families looking for a full day on the water
• Solo visitors who prefer an organized activity with staff nearby
• People staying in the listed resort towns
• Anyone who wants scuba combined with swimming, lunch, and deck time

It may not suit wheelchair users, as the activity is specifically listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users. It is also not the best match for advanced divers who want demanding sites or long underwater sessions.

You should be comfortable with a shared transfer and a group boat setting. The program is not private, and the coach may collect people from several hotels before reaching Liman.

Practical preparation for the day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. Cash is useful for drinks and personal expenses, and you may want to budget separately for the photo and video option.

Do not plan another fixed appointment immediately after the advertised seven-hour duration. Pickup times can vary with hotel stops and traffic, and the return coach takes about one hour. Keep the day open so you can enjoy the trip without watching the clock.

If you wear contact lenses or have any concern about breathing, motion, or water pressure, raise it with the staff before the first session. The briefing is the right moment to ask questions, not after you are already in the water.

The activity can be canceled up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your coastal plans are still shifting.

Should you book this scuba tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, guided first step into Mediterranean scuba, with hotel transport and lunch taking care of the practical details. The staff support, simple training, and shallow first session make it approachable, while the second session gives you a little more depth and variety.

Think twice if you are an experienced diver who expects long underwater time, guaranteed wreck access, or a specialized marine-life trip. With two sessions of about 15 minutes, the program is short.

For most beginners in Side, Alanya, or nearby resorts, I see this as a convenient and reasonably priced introduction. Bring a towel, reserve extra time for the shared transfer, and confirm the age rule if a 13-year-old plans to take part.

FAQ

How long does the scuba tour last?

The full activity lasts about seven hours, including approximately one hour of coach travel each way and about five hours at Liman.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two guided sessions are included. The first reaches about 6 meters and the second reaches about 12 meters. Each lasts around 15 minutes.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The tour is suitable for beginners, and basic training, a safety briefing, equipment, and professional instruction are included.

What does lunch include?

Lunch includes schnitzel and pasta. Drinks are not included but can be purchased on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from listed resort areas including Side, Alanya, Manavgat, Belek, Kestel, Okurcalar, and several nearby towns. You should wait at your hotel’s main security gate.

Can children take part in the scuba sessions?

The information states that participants must be at least 13, while another note says children under 14 cannot scuba. Children who cannot take part may join the boat trip and swim with family. Confirm the exact minimum age before booking.