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

Underwater Turkey is a different world. This seven-hour trip gives you two guided scuba sessions in the Mediterranean, with equipment, instruction, lunch, and hotel transport included. It is aimed at first-timers as well as certified swimmers who want a simple day on the water.

I especially like the beginner-friendly instruction and the easy hotel pickup from towns across Antalya Province. The price also makes sense: at $44 per person, you get two underwater sessions, a meal, insurance, equipment, and transport. The main catch is that each session lasts only about 15 minutes, so this is an introduction rather than a full-day technical scuba outing.

The day has a pleasant rhythm. You ride to the port, spend about five hours around the boat, complete a shallow first session, eat lunch, then return to the water for a deeper second session. You should expect a shared boat, basic food, extra charges for drinks and photos, and a fair amount of waiting between activities.

Key points to know before booking

• Two short underwater sessions: The first reaches about 6 meters and the second about 12 meters, with each lasting roughly 15 minutes.
• Built for beginners: Instructors provide equipment, a safety talk, and basic training before you enter the water.
• Five hours at the port and on the boat: This includes swimming, sunbathing, lunch, free time, and the two sessions.
• Pickup covers many resort areas: Transport is offered from Side, Alanya, Manavgat, Belek, Kestel, Türkler, and other nearby towns.
• Lunch is simple and filling: The included meal is schnitzel and pasta. Drinks cost extra.
• Underwater media is optional: Photos and video are available for an additional €40.

What the $44 price really covers

At $44, this is one of the easier ways to try scuba without paying for a multi-day course. The price includes hotel pickup and return, full equipment, a certified instructor, a safety briefing, basic instruction, two guided sessions, lunch, and insurance. That combination is useful if you are staying in a resort and do not want to arrange separate transfers to a marina.

The equipment package includes a suit if needed, tank, mask, fins, regulator, and related gear. You do not need to bring your own scuba equipment. Snorkel equipment is not included, however, so bring your own if you want to use one or plan to rent or buy it at the port.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your goal is to try scuba for the first time, the price is attractive. If you already have plenty of experience and want long underwater sessions or a choice of specialist sites, the 15-minute sessions may feel brief.

The optional photo and video package costs €40. You can skip it, but the boat may be the only convenient way to get underwater images from the day. Bring cash for drinks, personal purchases, or other extras.

The hotel pickup from Side, Alanya, and nearby resorts

Pickup is available from a long list of towns and resort areas, including Side, Alanya, Manavgat, Belek, Avsallar, Konaklı, Mahmutlar, Okurcalar, Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Kızılağaç, Kızılot, Kestel, Türkler, Çenger, Oba, Çolaklı, Payallar, and others.

You need to wait at your hotel’s main security gate, not inside the lobby or at a private room entrance. The vehicle is shared, so the route can take time as it collects people from different hotels. A delay of 5 to 10 minutes is possible because of traffic. If the vehicle is more than 10 minutes late, use the contact details in your booking confirmation.

The road transfer takes about an hour each way. That means roughly two hours of the seven-hour day are spent in transport. This is important when planning other activities. You should not book a tightly timed afternoon excursion immediately afterward.

The transfer is practical, but it is not private. Pickup times can vary by hotel and resort, and the trip may feel long if you are staying far from the departure port. Still, door-to-door transport adds real value, especially for visitors without a rental car.

Reaching the boat and settling into the day

Once you reach the port area, the pace changes. The main boat portion lasts about five hours and combines instruction, swimming, meals, free time, and underwater activities.

Expect time to get fitted with equipment and listen to the safety briefing before the first session. The instructors explain basic underwater signals and safety rules, which matters when you are communicating without speech. If you are new to scuba, this early instruction is one of the most useful parts of the outing.

The boat also gives you room to pause. You can sit on deck, sunbathe, swim, or watch marine life from the surface while waiting for your turn. That makes the day less intense than a schedule packed with back-to-back underwater activity.

The boat is shared with other participants, so this is a social excursion rather than a private charter. One useful point from the customer feedback is that a solo woman felt safe and comfortable around the staff and other people onboard. Another first-time participant became nervous in the water but received patient help from the team and gained confidence.

That detail is worth keeping in mind. Beginners do not need to arrive feeling fearless. You should still be comfortable in the water, but a calm instructor can make a big difference when the mask, regulator, and unfamiliar breathing sensation feel strange at first.

The first session at approximately 6 meters

The first underwater session reaches about 6 meters, making it the gentler introduction to the day. You receive your equipment and basic training before entering the water, then descend under direct guidance.

At this depth, the purpose is to help you adjust. You can practice breathing through the regulator, use hand signals, and learn how your body responds underwater. The session lasts about 15 minutes, so it is short enough for a first attempt but long enough to give you a real sense of scuba.

The advertised sights may include fish, underwater caves, ancient amphoras, and other remains. Exact conditions and sightings can change, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed wreck or a particular animal. Octopuses, monk seals, and sea turtles are listed among possible marine life, but wildlife is never a promise.

The first session is also where nerves tend to appear. If you panic, stop and communicate with the instructor rather than forcing yourself onward. The staff are there to guide you step by step, and the strongest customer feedback praises their patience and professionalism.

Lunch, swimming, and deck time

After the first session, you return to the boat for food and a break. Lunch consists of schnitzel and pasta. It is not a fine-dining meal, but it is designed to fill you up before the second session.

Drinks are not included, so carry cash if you want something from the onboard service. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted. A towel, beachwear, and cash are the main items to bring.

This pause is more than a meal stop. You can swim before, between, or after the underwater sessions, and you have time to relax on deck. If you are joining as a family, this is also when a non-diving member can enjoy the boat and water without taking part in the main activity.

Children under 14 cannot take part in the scuba sessions according to the practical instructions. They may join the boat trip and swim with family. The general description refers to participants aged 13 and older, so families with a 13-year-old should confirm the exact age rule before booking.

The second session at approximately 12 meters

The second session reaches around 12 meters, giving you a little more depth and a different feel from the first. By this stage, you have already handled the equipment and basic signals, so you can focus more on the underwater setting.

The possible sights include unusual rock formations, caves, sunken ships, amphoras, and Mediterranean sea life. The tour is designed to show you more than an empty stretch of water, though visibility and sightings can vary with conditions.

The 15-minute duration remains the main limitation. You will not have the time of a certified multi-session scuba program. Instead, the two short sessions work as a sampler: shallow practice first, then a somewhat deeper guided outing.

For a beginner, this format can be just right. It offers enough time to decide if scuba appeals to you without committing to a course. For an experienced diver, it may feel more like a quick recreational stop than a serious underwater expedition.

What the strongest feedback tells you

The most praised part of this outing is the staff. The instructors are repeatedly described as professional, supportive, and careful with beginners. That matters more than fancy boat facilities when you are learning to control your breathing underwater.

The food also receives good marks for being tasty and filling. Do not expect a broad menu, but schnitzel and pasta provide a useful meal during a long day in the sun.

The value of the package comes up again and again. Hotel transport and lunch are already covered, which keeps the advertised price close to the actual cost. The main extras are drinks, personal expenses, and the optional €40 photo and video package.

The day also works well for a solo participant. You are not left to manage the activity alone, and the shared boat creates a natural setting for meeting other people. Still, the group format means you should be comfortable with a schedule set by the crew.

Who should book this Antalya scuba trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time scuba participants who want instruction and a gentle introduction.
• Resort visitors in Side, Alanya, Manavgat, Belek, or nearby towns.
• Solo visitors who want a guided activity with transport included.
• Couples and families who want boat time, swimming, lunch, and underwater activity in one day.
• Experienced divers who are content with short, guided sessions rather than a full technical outing.

I would be more cautious if you want long underwater periods, a private boat, specialist wreck exploration, or a quiet small-group setting. The two 15-minute sessions are the key limitation, and the shared transfer adds travel time.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also bring beachwear and a towel, and be ready to wait at the hotel security gate at the scheduled pickup time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable first taste of scuba with the practical pieces handled for you. The staff support, included equipment, lunch, insurance, and hotel transfers make the $44 price easy to justify.

Skip it if you already have strong scuba experience and expect extended sessions or highly specific underwater sites. For everyone else, this is a friendly, straightforward day on the Mediterranean, with enough structure to help a nervous beginner feel safe and enough free time to enjoy the boat.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The total duration is about seven hours, including approximately one hour of transport each way and around five hours at the port and on the boat.

How many underwater sessions are included?

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

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. No previous experience is required. The team provides full equipment, basic training, and a safety briefing before the first session.

What equipment is included?

The package includes a suit if needed, tank, mask, fins, regulator, and other standard scuba equipment. Snorkel gear is not included.

What food is provided?

Lunch is included and consists of schnitzel and pasta. Drinks are available to buy onboard and are not included in the price.

Can children join the boat trip?

Children under 14 cannot take part in the scuba sessions, but they may join the boat trip and swim with family. Because the general age information is not fully consistent, confirm the rule for a 13-year-old before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, beachwear, and cash. Cash is useful for drinks, personal purchases, and the optional €40 underwater photo and video package.