Side Scuba Diving for Beginners with Lunch and Transfers

Your first breath underwater changes the day. This Side scuba trip makes that first step easy with hotel pickup and calm, patient instruction. I like the two guided sessions, which give you a real taste of life below the surface rather than a quick swim with a tank. I also like the relaxed boat time, onboard lunch, and small-group setup.

The main consideration is the early start and long transfer window. Pickup can begin around 08:00, while the boat leaves the marina at 10:00, and each underwater session lasts about 20 minutes. If you want hours below the surface, this is not that kind of trip. It is a gentle introduction for beginners.

Key points to know before booking

• Two beginner-friendly scuba sessions: Each session reaches roughly 5 to 12 meters, with about 20 minutes underwater.
• Hotel pickup and return included: Pickup is arranged at your hotel entrance, with a nearby meeting point used in restricted areas.
• Small groups, maximum 15 people: The overall group is limited, while the underwater sessions are organized in smaller groups.
• Lunch is served on the boat: The included meal is schnitzel and pasta, with drinks available to buy.
• Plenty of time above water: You can swim, sunbathe, and relax while other groups use the equipment.
• Optional extras cost more: Snorkel equipment and an underwater photo or video package are not included.

A gentle way to try scuba in Side

This is a beginner introduction to scuba, not a certification course. You receive a safety briefing, basic instruction, full equipment, and guidance during two short underwater sessions. That makes it a good choice if you want to see fish and experience breathing underwater without committing to a multi-day course.

The price is $49.21 per person. For a six-hour outing that includes hotel transport, equipment, two guided sessions, and lunch, that is a fair package. You are paying for a full morning and afternoon on the water, not just the time spent below it.

I especially like the way the schedule allows you to ease into the activity. You do not spend the entire day in the water. You learn the basic rules, try the first session, eat lunch, rest or swim, then return for the second session. That rhythm helps if you feel nervous at first.

The trade-off is clear. The actual underwater time is modest, about 40 minutes in total if both sessions last the expected 20 minutes. The rest of the six hours covers transfers, preparation, lunch, waiting for your group, and time on the boat.

From your hotel to the marina around 09:30

Pickup begins at about 08:00, though the exact time depends on where you stay in Side. Your pickup time is confirmed one day before the activity by message or phone. Allow for a 5 to 10 minute delay caused by traffic and the order of hotel stops.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and hotel return is included. This matters in Side, where arranging your own taxi to the marina would add cost and one more thing to manage. If your hotel sits in a pedestrian zone or another area where vehicles cannot enter, you receive a nearby meeting point instead of a pickup directly at the entrance.

The boat is due to leave around 10:00. With arrival at the marina around 09:30, you have time for equipment preparation and the safety talk. Do not treat the 10:00 start as your hotel pickup time. The morning has a transfer stage first.

This is also a good point to keep your phone handy. The operator is Sommer Tour, and the final pickup details arrive shortly before the activity. Wear something easy to change out of and bring whatever you need for a day in the sun, though the provided information does not specify a required packing list.

The safety briefing makes the first session less daunting

Once you reach the boat, the instructors explain the basic rules and help prepare the equipment. A full set is supplied, including a suit if needed, tank, mask, fins, and regulator.

For a first-time participant, this preparation is one of the most important parts of the day. You need time to understand how the equipment feels before entering the water. The instruction is described as clear and patient, with the team checking that beginners feel safe and confident.

You should expect to follow directions closely. Scuba requires more attention than simply putting on a mask and swimming. The staff guide you in small groups, which helps keep the instruction personal rather than turning the boat into a noisy free-for-all.

The overall limit is 15 people, although the actual underwater sessions are arranged in smaller groups. That means you may wait while another group uses the equipment. This is not wasted time, since you can swim, sunbathe, or sit back and watch the sea.

One practical point: children under 10 can join the boat trip, but not the scuba activity. The provided information says most people can participate, but it does not give medical requirements or certification details. If you have a health concern, ask the operator before booking.

The first 5 to 12-meter session

The first guided session takes place before lunch. The planned depth is around 5 to 12 meters, with about 20 minutes underwater. For a newcomer, that is enough time to practice the basic feeling of moving slowly, breathing through the regulator, and looking around instead of rushing.

The underwater setting is the main reason to book. Participants have seen fish, and some have described the peaceful feeling of being below the surface as the highlight of the day. You may find the sea life more interesting than expected, but conditions, visibility, and the exact route can affect what you see.

One unusual detail associated with this experience is the possibility of an underwater museum or submerged Roman-era features. The available information does not promise this as a fixed stop, so I would not book solely for ancient remains. Still, the possibility adds an extra layer to the setting if the route and conditions allow it.

The first group enters the water while the others remain on the boat. If you are placed in a later group, you get extra time to watch the process and settle your nerves. If you are among the first, you finish early and have more time to swim before lunch.

That staggered approach has both a benefit and a drawback. It avoids putting everyone underwater at once, but it means the day does not move at the same pace for every person. Couples and families should be prepared for one person to wait while another group has its turn.

Swimming and lunch between the two sessions

After the first underwater session, the boat becomes a simple seaside rest stop. You can swim, sunbathe, or sit with the group while the remaining participants finish their turn. This break keeps the outing from feeling like a strict lesson.

Lunch is served onboard between the two sessions. The included meal is schnitzel and pasta. It is not presented as a fine-dining experience, but it gives you a proper meal without needing to leave the boat or buy food at the marina.

The food received particularly warm praise, including comments about tasty portions and a surprisingly good burger on one occasion. The standard inclusion listed for this package is schnitzel and pasta, so do not assume the burger is always available. Drinks are sold separately, and alcoholic beverages are not included.

You may rent snorkel equipment if you want another way to use the break, but it is not part of the package. That is worth noting if a member of your group does not want scuba but still hopes to look into the water. Bringing your own snorkel may be more convenient, though the supplied details do not state that personal equipment is required or guaranteed to be accepted.

The second session gives the day more value

The second guided session takes place after lunch, again in a small group. This is where the package earns much of its value. If the first attempt feels awkward, you have another chance after learning how the equipment works and what to expect underwater.

The two sessions may feel different because you are more settled the second time. You already know the basic routine, and you can spend more attention looking around. Some accounts describe the two underwater areas as different, with fish visible during both.

Still, keep expectations sensible. These are short guided sessions at beginner depths, not extended exploration. The purpose is to introduce you to scuba in a controlled, friendly setting. If you already have substantial experience, the limited time and shallow range may feel basic.

After the second session, you have more time for swimming and rest before the boat returns to the harbor. The return transfer then takes you back to your hotel. The exact arrival time is not supplied, so avoid scheduling an important evening activity too tightly.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $49.21, the package is good value for a first try. You receive an air-conditioned transfer both ways, a boat trip, equipment, a briefing, two guided sessions, and lunch. Buying those elements separately would usually make the day less simple, even before adding transport.

The price does not include personal expenses, alcoholic drinks, snorkel equipment, or underwater photos and video. The photo and video package costs €40. That is a notable extra, especially for couples or families who want a permanent record of the experience.

You can enjoy the day without buying any extras. The included equipment covers the core activity, and the boat provides space to relax between sessions. If photographs matter to you, ask about the €40 package before committing rather than assuming images are included.

The price also compares well for a family or pair looking for a shared activity. Several people have found the outing comfortable for couples, siblings, and groups of relatives. The limited group size helps, although each person still needs to be comfortable following the safety instructions.

Who will enjoy this Side boat trip most

I would recommend it first to adults and older children who are curious about scuba but do not yet want a certification course. It also suits couples who want an activity they can try together, provided both people understand that the underwater sessions may happen at different times.

Families can make it work, especially if children under 10 are happy to join as boat passengers rather than scuba participants. The boat, lunch, swimming time, and sea views give non-divers something to do, but the experience is centered on the people taking part in the guided sessions.

It is also a good fit if you value convenience. Hotel pickup removes the need to find the marina, and the return transfer means you can relax after the activity. The patient instruction is especially useful if you feel nervous about wearing a tank for the first time.

I would look elsewhere if you want a full certification program, long underwater routes, advanced instruction, or guaranteed ancient sites. I would also think twice if you dislike waiting on a boat while other groups take their turn.

Booking details worth keeping in mind

You receive confirmation when you book. Pickup details are confirmed one day before the activity, and the meeting point may change if your hotel is in a restricted vehicle area. Keep an eye on messages and arrive ready at the hotel entrance or agreed meeting point.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can take part, but the supplied information does not list detailed medical or swimming conditions. If you have a health issue that could affect scuba, contact Sommer Tour before paying.

Should you book this Side scuba experience?

Book it if you want a low-stress first scuba experience with transport, equipment, lunch, and two chances to get comfortable underwater. The strongest points are the patient teaching, the calm pace, the chance to see fish, and the good value at $49.21.

Do not book it expecting a full day below the surface or an advanced marine expedition. You will spend plenty of time on the boat, and each underwater session is short. For most beginners, that is a sensible design rather than a weakness. It gives you room to learn, rest, swim, and enjoy the Turkish sun without turning the day into hard work.

FAQ

How long does the Side scuba experience last?

The activity lasts approximately six hours, including hotel transfers, preparation, two guided underwater sessions, lunch, and free time on the boat.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup starts around 08:00, depending on your hotel location. Your exact time is confirmed one day before the activity.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat is scheduled to leave the marina at 10:00 after the safety briefing and equipment preparation.

How deep are the guided sessions?

The planned depth is approximately 5 to 12 meters.

How long is each underwater session?

Each guided session lasts around 20 minutes underwater.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. The package includes a suit if needed, tank, mask, fins, regulator, and other required diving equipment.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard between the two sessions and includes schnitzel and pasta.

Can children under 10 take part?

Children under 10 can join the boat trip, but they cannot take part in the scuba activity.

Are photos and drinks included?

No. Underwater photos and video cost €40, and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase onboard. Snorkel equipment is also optional and not included.