City of Side: Scuba Diving with Lunch

Side’s most unusual boat outing takes you to the Undersea Museum, where underwater sculptures join the Mediterranean fish and reefs. You get two 30-minute sessions, full equipment, beginner instruction, lunch, and hotel transport for $42.

I like the patient instructors and the roomy boat, with both sunny seats and shade. I also like that non-divers in your group can swim while others are underwater. The main catch is that the day can include a long wait at the harbor, and the sessions may feel short if you already have scuba experience.

Key points to know before booking

• Two 30-minute underwater sessions: The first reaches about 23 meters for qualified or suitable participants, while the second is shallower and includes more museum sights.
• Good setup for first-timers: You receive training, equipment, and close instructor support throughout the first underwater attempt.
• Side’s Undersea Museum: Sculptures and a small wreck add something different from a standard fish-watching trip.
• Large boat with swimming time: You can sit in the shade, stretch out on loungers, or swim when the boat is stopped.
• Lunch is included, but simple: Expect a basic meal such as chicken, tomato pasta, and salad, with drinks and snacks sold separately.
• Medical limits matter: You must be at least 16, able to swim, and free from major breathing, sinus, blood pressure, or seasickness problems.

What the Side boat day is really like

This is a straightforward introduction to scuba rather than a specialist expedition for experienced underwater enthusiasts. You leave Side in the morning, spend much of the day on a large boat, and make two supervised underwater attempts along the coast.

At $42 per person, the package includes hotel pickup and return, equipment, instruction, two 30-minute sessions, lunch, a guide, and travel insurance. That is strong value if you are starting from zero and would otherwise need to pay separately for gear and a short introductory lesson.

The experience is also built to work for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can try scuba, a partner can remain on deck, and people waiting for their turn can swim when conditions allow. That flexibility makes the outing more useful than a tightly scheduled pool-to-sea lesson.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The day is not designed around long independent exploration. Beginners stay with an instructor, and even experienced participants may find the underwater time brief. The boat schedule also includes preparation, equipment changes, lunch, and possible waiting at the harbor.

Morning pickup from Side

Pickup takes place at the main gate of your hotel between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. The transport covers hotels in Side, and the same service returns you afterward.

The exact pickup time is worth confirming carefully. A broad one-hour window is normal for a shared transfer, but it means you should be ready early and allow the morning to unfold gradually. One useful detail from the operating schedule is that even hotels close enough to walk from may still receive a bus pickup, so do not assume you need to make your own way to the port.

The bus ride is part of the day rather than a separate sightseeing stop. It gets you from your hotel area to the boat, then back again after the sea portion. Communication around pickup can sometimes be less clear than the boat service itself, so keep your phone available and wait at the stated main entrance.

Once aboard, the crew organizes the equipment and explains how the day will work. If this is your first time, tell the staff immediately. The instructors are used to beginners, and the strongest part of this experience is the calm, patient attention given during training and entry into the water.

Getting ready for your first underwater session

The introduction covers the basic skills needed for a first attempt, including how to use the mask, regulator, air supply, and other equipment. You receive a full set of gear, so you do not need to bring your own scuba kit.

The staff use English, German, Russian, and Turkish. This range is helpful on a boat carrying people with different levels of confidence and experience. Good instruction matters more here than fancy equipment because breathing underwater and equalizing pressure can feel strange during the first few minutes.

You should be honest about your fitness and medical history. The activity is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with respiratory problems, those prone to seasickness, or anyone weighing more than 150 kilograms. High blood pressure and a low level of fitness are also listed as reasons not to take part.

Sinus trouble deserves special attention. A recent cold, hay fever, or blocked sinuses can make it painful or impossible to equalize as you go lower. One participant with sinus problems could not continue, despite being otherwise keen to try. If you have had congestion recently, ask a medical professional before booking rather than hoping it will clear by the morning.

The crew will not force you to continue. If you cannot equalize or do not feel comfortable, you can stop and return to the boat. That is reassuring, though you should understand that the price is for the full outing and not a guarantee that every person will complete both underwater sessions.

The first session, fish, reef, and the museum

The first underwater session is normally the more interesting one for a capable participant. An experienced participant described reaching around 23 meters and seeing a small wreck along with parts of the Undersea Museum. The exact depth and route can depend on conditions, your training, and the instructor’s judgment.

The museum gives the session a clear purpose. Instead of only looking at fish over a natural reef, you have sculptures and underwater structures to find. The clear, warm Mediterranean water can make this a friendly place for a first breath below the surface, especially for someone who wants a gentle introduction rather than a demanding technical outing.

You should not expect a huge reef system or a long independent route. The appeal is the combination of simple sea life, clear water, a small wreck, and man-made exhibits. Colorful fish are part of the setting, but the exact number and visibility will change with weather and water conditions.

Beginners stay with an instructor. That can make the first session feel controlled and safe, but it also means you move at the group’s pace. Experienced participants may have more freedom if the staff judge them to be safe, although this is still a shared boat day rather than a private guide service.

The boat carries enough equipment and instructors to handle first-time participants. You may spend time waiting while other people prepare or finish their session. That is one reason the six-hour duration can feel longer than the actual underwater time.

The second session and a quieter look below

The second 30-minute session is generally shallower, around 12 meters in one account, and includes more fish and additional parts of the Undersea Museum. It may feel less dramatic than the first, particularly if you already have scuba experience and were hoping for a longer route.

For a beginner, though, the second attempt has real value. After the first session, you know how the mask and regulator feel, how to control your breathing, and how to equalize. The second entry gives you another chance to settle down and enjoy the surroundings instead of using the entire session simply to get comfortable.

The timing is not generous. One experienced participant felt the underwater sessions were shorter than hoped, while another found the simple format useful after time away from scuba. I would treat the two sessions as brief introductions, not as a full day of serious underwater exploration.

If you cannot continue below the surface, the boat may still offer a swimming stop when conditions permit. Rough sea conditions can cancel or limit swimming and snorkeling, so that option is not guaranteed. On a calm day, it gives non-participants and nervous beginners something to do while the instructors work with others.

Life on the boat between sessions

The boat is one of the more comfortable parts of the outing. It is described as large and spacious, with seating in sun and shade and a deck with loungers. That matters because you will spend more time aboard than underwater.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and something warm if you tend to feel chilled after swimming. The supplied information does not promise specific onboard comforts beyond seating, lunch, and available equipment, so keep your packing practical rather than treating this as a luxury cruise.

The waiting period can be the weak point. One account describes sitting in the harbor for roughly one to one and a half hours before the main activity moved ahead. That delay can be frustrating, especially when you have paid for a six-hour outing and know the actual underwater sessions total only one hour.

On the other hand, the boat gives you room to spread out, talk with the crew, and watch the rest of the group. If you are traveling with someone who does not want to scuba, this is much easier than waiting on a small vessel with nowhere to sit.

Underwater photos and videos are offered for purchase. They can be a fun record of a first scuba attempt, but the quoted price has been described as about €90, which is a steep extra cost compared with the $42 tour price. If you own a suitable action camera, one participant suggested bringing it, although personal cameras may only be usable during the second session.

Lunch and the extra costs

Lunch is served onboard and is included in the price. The meal has been described as chicken fillet, tomato pasta, and salad, though the quality can vary. Some people find it perfectly adequate after swimming, while others find the food bland.

Drinks and snacks cost extra. Wi-Fi has also been available for a small charge, reported as €1, but it should not be a deciding reason to book. The useful value is in the transport, gear, instruction, boat, and meal.

There is one poor practice worth noting. Leftover pasta was reportedly thrown overboard, leaving food floating near the underwater area. That is not pleasant to encounter, and it is reasonable to expect better handling of waste on a marine activity. The meal itself is simple and edible, but do not book this for culinary appeal.

At $42, the overall package remains inexpensive for a six-hour outing. The value is strongest for first-timers who need equipment and instruction. If you already own gear and regularly scuba, the short underwater sessions and basic lunch make the deal less compelling, though the museum and easy transport may still appeal.

Safety, weather, and who should book

The operator presents Turkish rules for underwater activities as strict and emphasizes instructor supervision. The crew’s patient approach is especially useful when someone has trouble equalizing or decides not to continue.

You should also respect the physical demands. Getting into and out of equipment, moving around a boat, swimming, and managing pressure changes all require a reasonable level of fitness. Seasickness can turn a long boat day into an uncomfortable one, so people who are prone to it should think carefully before booking.

This outing suits you best if:

• You are at least 16 and can swim.
• You want a first taste of scuba rather than an advanced certification session.
• You like the idea of an Undersea Museum and a small wreck.
• You are comfortable spending several hours on a shared boat.
• You are traveling with people who may prefer swimming or sunbathing.
• You value included transport and equipment.

It is less suitable if you want long, independent underwater time, premium food, a private guide, or a highly polished schedule. Experienced participants may enjoy the simple first session, but the second can feel repetitive or too short.

Should you book the Side scuba outing?

I would book it as a low-cost first scuba experience, especially if you are staying in Side and want hotel pickup, instruction, equipment, lunch, and two supervised attempts in one package. The instructors and roomy boat are the strongest reasons to go, and the Undersea Museum gives the outing more character than a basic swim stop.

I would not book it expecting a serious underwater expedition. Allow for delays, keep lunch expectations modest, and check your sinuses and general fitness before paying. If you are new to scuba and accept those limits, this is a practical way to see how you feel below the Mediterranean surface without committing to a longer course.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup is arranged from the main gate of your Side hotel between 8:30 and 9:30 AM.

FAQ

How long does the Side scuba activity last?

The activity lasts six hours, including hotel pickup, transport, preparation, boat time, lunch, and the two underwater sessions.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You receive two sessions, each lasting 30 minutes.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginner training, full equipment, and instructor support are included. First-timers remain with an instructor during the underwater activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard. Drinks and snacks are available to purchase separately.

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in English, German, Russian, and Turkish.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with respiratory problems, people prone to seasickness, people over 150 kilograms, people with high 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. You can also reserve now and pay later.