Diving Tour from Alanya & Side with Lunch – 2 Dives Included

Clear water, simple logistics, real underwater time. This seven-hour scuba outing from Side or Alanya gives you two guided descents, lunch aboard, and a chance to see Mediterranean sea life without paying resort-level prices. I especially like the two different depths, 6 meters for the first session and 12 meters for the second, plus the friendly, reassuring instructors. The main drawback is that boat conditions can change the route, and drinks, photographs, and video cost extra.

I also like the way the crew works with first-time participants. One recent passenger was persuaded to try after becoming seasick, then felt fine underwater, which says a lot about the instructors’ patience. Still, the transfer vehicle may not have strong air conditioning, the smaller boat can feel rough in open water, and the second site may not be as attractive as the first.

Key points to know before booking

• Two guided underwater sessions: The first reaches 6 meters, while the second reaches 12 meters.
• About five hours on the water: The full outing lasts seven hours, including hotel transfers that vary by location.
• Lunch is included: The captain prepares a meal, but drinks are charged separately.
• Good support for beginners: Instructions are given in English, German, or Russian, with staff assisting first-time participants.
• Sites can change: Strong waves forced an alternative location on one outing, so the exact scenery is not guaranteed.
• Photos cost extra: The photo and video package can add a noticeable amount to the final bill.

What this Side and Alanya scuba outing is really like

This is a full morning and afternoon on the Mediterranean, not a quick resort-pool lesson. You are collected from selected areas, taken to the boat, given a safety briefing, and then assigned to one of two underwater sessions.

The advertised seven hours includes transport. Actual time connected to the scuba program is about five hours, though the exact schedule depends on your hotel and sea conditions. That distinction matters. If you are staying in Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Kızılağaç, or Kızılot, pickup is included when selected during booking. Alanya is also served, but people coming from Side and Alanya use separate boats and locations.

I like this arrangement because it keeps the operation focused rather than trying to put everyone into one oversized group. Still, you should read your pickup details carefully. You wait at the hotel’s outer security booth, and the vehicle can be up to 25 minutes late. Transfer times also vary by hotel, so do not schedule a tight afternoon appointment.

Getting from the hotel to the boat

The day begins early enough that you should have your swimwear on beneath loose clothing. Bring a hat, towel, sunscreen, water, and a dry change of clothes. A camera is allowed, but protect it from spray and remember that the crew’s own photo and video service is an extra purchase.

The transfer process is straightforward, though not luxurious. You show your ticket when the driver or guide arrives and then head toward the coast. One participant specifically found the vehicle’s air conditioning disappointing, so keep that in mind during hot weather. This is a practical transfer, not part of the sightseeing.

The boat is your base for the day. You spend time on deck between sessions, eat lunch there, and wait while the crew prepares each group. People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. A smaller boat was enough to make one participant very uncomfortable, although that person felt better soon after entering the water.

That detail is useful rather than alarming. Motion sickness can be worse on deck than below the surface, but you should not rely on that outcome. If you already know that boat trips are difficult for you, this may not be the right excursion.

The first session at 6 meters

The first underwater session reaches 6 meters, making it the gentler introduction. You receive instructions from a professional guide before entering the water, and the crew pays close attention to beginners. This is where you learn how the equipment feels, how to follow the guide, and how to stay calm underwater.

At this depth, the appeal is access. You do not need advanced certification to appreciate the setting, and first-time participants can concentrate on breathing and movement rather than worrying about great depth. The water is described as clear, with underwater formations and Mediterranean sea life visible around you.

You might see fish, reef areas, and other traces of life beneath the surface. The promotional description also refers to ancient artifacts and sunken ships, but you should not treat those as guaranteed sightings at every site. The exact underwater features depend on the location chosen that day.

One young participant described sitting on the seabed and interacting with fish, including touching and feeding them. That is a memorable part of the outing for some people, but you should follow the crew’s rules closely. Feeding animals is listed as not allowed in the general instructions, so do not assume that a single reported interaction means you may handle or feed marine life freely.

The first session is likely to be the highlight for many people. A later account specifically found the first location excellent, while the second site was less appealing. That difference is worth remembering if you are paying mainly for scenery rather than for the experience of learning to scuba.

Lunch, deck time, and the rhythm between sessions

After the first session, you return to the boat, dry off, and have lunch prepared by the captain. The meal is included in the price, which helps keep the outing’s overall cost reasonable. The supplied information calls it lunch, so do not expect a separate evening dinner despite some wording that refers to a meal prepared by the captain.

The break also gives you time to sit on deck and enjoy the coast from the water. This is not a luxury yacht cruise, and drinks are not included. Bring water, or budget for the onboard charges. That small extra cost is easy to overlook when comparing tour prices.

I like the pause because two underwater sessions can feel demanding for beginners. It gives you a chance to settle your breathing, eat, and listen to the next set of instructions. If you are sensitive to heat, use your sunscreen often and wear your hat while waiting.

The second session at 12 meters

The second session reaches 12 meters. It offers more depth and a different sense of scale, but it also requires you to pay even closer attention to the instructor. The crew gives directions in English, German, and Russian, and you should follow those instructions exactly rather than treating the session as casual swimming.

For certified or more experienced participants, the guides can provide a more satisfying outing than a basic first-timer lesson. For beginners, the second descent is a chance to build on the first session without having to arrange a separate training day.

The second location may not match the first. One direct account found the first site excellent but the second less scenic. Another outing had to change locations because of extreme sea conditions, and the replacement site allowed the program to continue safely. This is a sensible tradeoff: the crew can protect the schedule and participants by changing sites, but you cannot book this tour expecting a particular reef, wreck, or view.

Do not confuse the advertised marine-life possibilities with a guarantee of dramatic ruins or a large shipwreck. You may encounter fish, underwater formations, and other sea life, but nature and weather control the result. The strongest reason to book is the guided experience and two chances to get underwater, not a promised checklist of sights.

Safety, instructions, and who should avoid it

The crew’s approach appears especially helpful for beginners. The safety briefing is described as professional and clear, and instructors assist participants who are nervous. One instructor encouraged a seasick participant to try, and the person reported feeling much better below the surface. That is encouraging, but you should never feel pressured to continue if you feel unwell.

This outing is not suitable for children under 13, and the information also separately lists children under 14, so families should confirm the exact age rule before booking. It is not suitable for pregnant women, non-swimmers, wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, or anyone with heart, respiratory, kidney, or blood pressure problems.

It is also unsuitable for people with epilepsy, diabetes, low fitness, serious seasickness, or a body weight over 150 kilograms. People over 95 are excluded as well. These limits are not minor paperwork. Scuba places real demands on breathing, movement, and pressure changes.

Smoking, feeding animals, and touching plants are not allowed. The simplest approach is to treat the underwater area with care and keep your hands to yourself unless an instructor clearly tells you otherwise.

What the $52 price includes

At $52 per person, this is a fair price if you use both underwater sessions. The package includes two guided scuba sessions, lunch, travel insurance, and hotel transfer when you select that option. You are paying for equipment, instruction, boat time, and a full day rather than for a brief introductory swim.

The value is strongest for first-time participants who want support without arranging a private lesson. The instructor is present, the first session is relatively shallow, and the second reaches 12 meters. More experienced divers may still find the price attractive, though they should understand that the sites and schedule are organized by the operator rather than chosen personally.

The extra charges matter. Drinks, personal spending, and the optional photo and video service are excluded. One local participant felt the photo and video price was almost as high as the scuba fee itself, even after a discount. I would decide before boarding whether you truly want the package, rather than agreeing automatically at the end of an exciting day.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve without immediate payment. Those terms are useful when your holiday plans may change, but they do not remove the need to check the pickup area and medical restrictions carefully.

Side or Alanya: choosing the right version

The Side and Alanya programs are not simply one shared boat route. The two areas use separate boats and different sites. That means you should judge the tour by the departure area you actually book, not by another person’s description of a location.

For Side-area hotels, the listed transfer zone is broad, covering resorts from Gündoğdu and Evrenseki through Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot. If you stay outside those areas, confirm pickup before paying.

For Alanya, transfer details also depend on the hotel. The information provided is less specific about individual Alanya neighborhoods, so ask for the exact pickup point if it is not clearly shown. In both areas, wait at the outer security booth and allow for a delay.

If you do not want to scuba, a no-diving participant can be registered using the child option, but that ticket cannot be purchased alone. A non-diver may be able to pay onboard to participate later, though anyone who cannot scuba should understand that the regular tour is built around the two underwater sessions.

Is this a good choice for your holiday?

I would recommend it to a healthy adult or teenager within the stated age limits who wants a supported first scuba experience, two sessions, and a full day at sea for a reasonable price. The instructors receive the strongest praise, especially for clear explanations, humor, and patience with nervous beginners.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is a specific wreck, a famous reef, or guaranteed perfect water. Weather can force a site change, and the second location may be less impressive than the first. I would also skip it if you are prone to seasickness, uncomfortable on smaller boats, or likely to resent paying extra for drinks and media.

For the best value, bring your own water, pack dry clothes, expect a basic transfer, and decide in advance about photographs. Book this tour if you want practical instruction and two chances to experience the Mediterranean underwater. Skip it if you want a calm sightseeing cruise or a precisely controlled scuba itinerary.

FAQ

How long does the full scuba tour last?

The advertised duration is seven hours, including transportation. The scuba portion and time on the boat are about five hours, excluding transfers.

How deep are the two underwater sessions?

The first session reaches 6 meters. The second reaches 12 meters.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and return are included when that option is selected. Transfers are available from listed areas around Side and from Alanya, with exact timing dependent on your hotel.

Which languages are spoken by the instructors?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is prepared by the captain. Drinks are not included and cost extra.

Can a person come without scuba diving?

A no-diving participant can select the child option, but that ticket cannot be purchased alone. A non-diver may pay onboard to participate if they later wish to scuba.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Photo and video service is optional and charged separately. The price can be substantial, so ask about the cost before agreeing.

Who should not take this tour?

It is not suitable for children under the stated age limits, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with limited mobility, wheelchair users, or people with heart, respiratory, kidney, blood pressure, epilepsy, diabetes, fitness, or serious seasickness concerns. People over 150 kilograms or over 95 years old should also not book it.