City of Side: Scuba Diving with Lunch

Side’s most unusual sightseeing stop is below the waterline. This six-hour boat trip combines two 30-minute scuba sessions with a visit to the underwater museum, where you can see submerged displays among Mediterranean fish and clear coastal water. You do not need previous experience, but you do need to be comfortable in the sea and able to manage the physical demands of scuba equipment.

I like the patient beginner instruction and the fact that an instructor stays with first-time participants. I also like the simple logistics: hotel pickup, full equipment, lunch, insurance, and two underwater sessions are included in the $42 price. The main consideration is that the sessions are short, and ear or sinus trouble can stop you from descending.

• The underwater museum gives the trip a clear purpose beyond swimming.
• Two 30-minute sessions let beginners try scuba without committing to a full certification day.
• Large boats offer shaded seating, sunny areas, loungers, and room to wait between water activities.
• Pickup runs from Side hotels between 8:30 and 9:30 AM.
• Lunch, equipment, training, insurance, and hotel transport are included.
• Sea conditions, waiting time at the harbor, and medical limits can affect the day.

What the $42 Side boat trip really offers

At $42 per person, this is priced as an introductory sea excursion rather than a serious technical scuba outing. You get transport, equipment, instruction, two 30-minute sessions, lunch, and a multilingual guide. That package gives you a fair amount for the money, especially if this will be your first time breathing underwater.

The trade-off is depth and independence. Experienced scuba participants may find the underwater time basic, with simple routes and short sessions. One experienced participant described a descent to about 23 meters on the first session, followed by a shallower visit around 12 meters near a small wreck and the underwater museum. The second session was calmer and less exciting, though there were still fish and more museum features to see.

For a beginner, that simplicity can be useful. You are not being asked to manage a complicated route or a demanding series of skills. You can focus on breathing, clearing your ears, moving slowly, and enjoying the view.

Meeting your driver in Side

Pickup takes place at the main gate of your hotel between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. The exact pickup time depends on your hotel and the day’s transport schedule, so be ready during that full window rather than planning a tight morning appointment.

The vehicle transfer is practical, not part of the sightseeing. One participant was picked up even though the hotel was close enough to walk, which shows that the operator tries to follow the arranged pickup system. It also suggests that communication about exact meeting points can sometimes be less clear than it should be. I would wait at the main gate, keep my phone available, and confirm the pickup point with the provider in advance.

The advertised duration is six hours, though the boat portion can feel longer if there is a delay before departure. One account describes waiting in the harbor for roughly an hour to an hour and a half. That is worth remembering if you are planning dinner, another tour, or an airport transfer later in the day.

Getting settled on the large boat

The boat is described as large and spacious, with seating in shade and sun, plus a deck with loungers. That matters because not everyone on board will be underwater at the same time. You can sit, rest, swim, or watch the instruction before your turn.

The boat also provides a useful setup for mixed groups. One person can try scuba while another stays on deck, and there are opportunities to swim when the boat stops. Snorkeling may be offered, but sea conditions can prevent it. Rough water also affects how comfortable you feel while waiting, climbing ladders, or preparing your equipment.

Bring modest expectations about onboard extras. Drinks and snacks are available to buy, and Wi-Fi has been offered for a small charge, but these are not central parts of the package. The important inclusions are the equipment, instruction, lunch, and two underwater sessions.

Learning the basics before your first descent

Beginners receive training before entering the water. The staff explain how to use the equipment and how to handle the key skills needed for a first underwater session. The strongest part of the day is the level of attention given to novices. Instructors have been described as patient, helpful, and careful, with first-time participants accompanied throughout both sessions.

That close supervision is especially valuable when you are nervous. Your first breath underwater can feel strange, and a calm instructor gives you time to adjust rather than pushing you along too quickly. The crew also appears willing to stop or change plans when someone cannot equalize or does not feel safe.

You should take the medical restrictions seriously. Ear and sinus problems are a common reason people cannot descend. Recent hay fever, blocked sinuses, respiratory issues, high blood pressure, and low fitness can all make scuba unsafe or uncomfortable. If pressure in your ears becomes painful, do not force it. One participant could not continue during the second session because of trouble releasing pressure from the ears.

The trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, children under 16, people with respiratory issues, people prone to seasickness, anyone over 150 kilograms, or people with high blood pressure. These rules are not minor fine print. Scuba requires you to manage equipment, water movement, and pressure changes at the same time.

The first 30-minute underwater session

The first session is likely to be the most important one for beginners because you are still learning how your body reacts underwater. Once you are equipped and ready, the instructor guides you into the Mediterranean and helps you settle into a steady breathing rhythm.

The water around Side is described as warm and clear, with fish and coral formations around the coastal sites. You may also see parts of the underwater museum during the session. The experience is less about covering a large area and more about noticing small details while staying close to your instructor.

Experienced participants should expect a controlled introductory route rather than a long independent swim. The underwater sites include a small wreck and museum displays, but the exact route and visibility depend on sea conditions. Some people will find the first session more than enough, particularly if they have never used a regulator before.

Do not measure the quality of the session only by depth. A shallower route can be the right choice when the group includes beginners. You will get more from the experience if you move slowly, watch your breathing, and leave time to look at the fish and underwater displays.

Seeing Side’s underwater museum

The submerged museum is the feature that makes this trip different from a standard boat-and-swim outing. Instead of viewing Side only from land, you see an arranged underwater collection while wearing scuba equipment. It gives the session a point of focus and makes the descent feel like sightseeing rather than simply floating offshore.

The museum is not presented as a vast archaeological site, so keep your expectations sensible. You may see several underwater displays along with fish, a small wreck, and coral areas. The attraction is the combination of objects, marine life, and the unusual setting.

The visibility can change with weather and water movement. On a clear day, the Mediterranean setting should help you see colorful fish and museum features without needing advanced scuba skills. On a rougher day, the water may feel less comfortable, and snorkeling or casual swimming may be limited.

Lunch and time on deck

Lunch is served onboard and is included in the price. The meal has been described as a basic plate with chicken fillet, tomato pasta, and salad. It is suitable for refueling between water activities, but it is not a culinary highlight. Another meal description found the food edible but bland.

There is one environmental point worth noting. Leftover pasta was reportedly thrown overboard, leaving food floating near the water during a later session. That is poor practice, and it can spoil an otherwise pleasant part of the day. I would hope the operator addresses this directly.

Use lunch as a break rather than a reason to book the excursion. The real value comes from the transport, boat access, instruction, equipment, and two sessions. If you have special dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm alternative meals, so ask before booking.

The second 30-minute underwater session

The second session gives you a chance to correct the small problems that often appear during the first. You may feel more relaxed with the regulator, more confident with your mask, and better able to keep your body stable in the water.

For beginners, this second opportunity is a strong part of the package. A single session can end just as you begin to feel comfortable. The second lets you apply what you learned, even if you remain with an instructor throughout.

For experienced scuba participants, the second session may seem modest. The routes are designed for a mixed group, and one account found the second session less interesting than the first. Still, you can see more fish and additional underwater museum elements, and the straightforward format may suit someone returning to scuba after a break.

Do not assume you must complete both sessions if your ears, sinuses, or comfort level say otherwise. Staff have been described as supportive when people could not continue. That is more important than forcing a second descent.

Equipment, photos, and the small extra costs

Full scuba equipment is included, and the staff provide suits and the gear needed for the sessions. Equipment has generally been considered good enough for the activity, though one experienced participant found some of it tired and had to sort through the available pieces to find the best fit.

Take time to check your mask, fins, suit, and regulator before entering the water. If something feels wrong on deck, tell the crew immediately. Good fit matters more than appearance, especially when you are learning.

The boat crew takes underwater photographs and videos that you can buy afterward. Several people felt the photo price was excessive, with one report putting it at around 90 euros. I would treat the images as an optional extra, not part of the value calculation. If you own a small waterproof camera, bring it only if the crew allows it. One participant noted that a personal camera could be used on the second session, but policies may vary.

Who will enjoy this most

This is best for a first scuba experience, a casual holiday activity, or a mixed group where some people want underwater time and others prefer to stay on the boat. The included instruction and close supervision make it approachable for people who are curious but not ready for a certification course.

You will probably enjoy it if you:

• Are at least 16 and comfortable swimming
• Have no current ear, sinus, respiratory, or blood pressure problems
• Can handle a boat day and possible seasickness
• Want to see an underwater museum without taking a full scuba course
• Value an all-in package with transport and lunch
• Accept that each underwater session lasts only 30 minutes

It is less suitable for certified scuba participants seeking long, independent routes, unusual marine habitats, or advanced instruction. The trip is designed around safety and beginner access, so experienced participants may find the pace slow.

Booking details that matter

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and allows you to reserve now and pay later. These terms are useful if your Side plans depend on weather, health, or changing holiday schedules.

Guides can assist in English, German, Russian, and Turkish. Pickup is included from Side hotels, with the main gate used as the meeting point. The tour provider is identified as River Quad Safari, although the activity itself is a boat-based Side excursion.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 189 ratings, which fits the experience: strong staff and good value, balanced by basic food, occasional waiting, short underwater sessions, and expensive optional photographs.

Should you book the Side scuba trip?

Book it if you want a low-cost introduction to scuba with a clear sightseeing feature and plenty of support. The underwater museum, two supervised sessions, large boat, lunch, and hotel transfer make $42 a reasonable price for a six-hour outing.

Skip it if you have blocked sinuses, respiratory problems, high blood pressure, poor fitness, or a strong tendency toward seasickness. Experienced scuba participants should also book only if they are happy with simple routes and a group-focused pace. For everyone else, especially first-timers, this is a practical way to try underwater sightseeing without signing up for a full training course.

FAQ

How long does the Side scuba activity last?

The activity lasts six hours. Pickup from Side hotels is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:30 AM, though waiting at the harbor can sometimes add time.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You receive two scuba sessions, each lasting 30 minutes.

Is training provided for beginners?

Yes. Beginner training is included, and instructors accompany first-time participants during the underwater sessions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard. The meal may include chicken fillet, tomato pasta, and salad. Drinks and snacks are available to purchase.

Who provides the guide service?

Guides can speak English, German, Russian, and Turkish.

Who should not take this activity?

It is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people with respiratory issues, people prone to seasickness, people over 150 kilograms, people with high blood pressure, or people with a low level of fitness.