Antalya Scuba Diving Tour, With Lunch & Return Transfers

Antalya’s best surprise may be below the surface. This seven-hour boat trip takes you from Setur Marina to the coast of Çaltıcak and Marti Island for two beginner-friendly underwater sessions in the Mediterranean, each lasting about 20 minutes.

I like the no-experience-needed format and the fact that an instructor stays with you. I also like the simple all-in price, which includes transfers, equipment, insurance, lunch, and two sessions. The main drawback is the transport: one recent guest found the shuttle stuffy and uncomfortable, so the ride may not be the relaxing part of your day.

The underwater views can change with weather and sea conditions. One guest enjoyed the full day but found visibility less impressive than expected, while the boat crew and instructor earned strong praise. At $38 per person, this is a good-value introduction to the Mediterranean, provided you are comfortable with a busy boat day and basic facilities.

What makes this Antalya boat day worth considering

• Two 20-minute underwater sessions: Spend about 40 minutes below the surface, usually at depths of 5 to 10 metres.
• A first stop near Çaltıcak: Begin with a supervised session along Antalya’s coast before lunch.
• A second session at Marti Island: Return to the water after eating and taking a swim break.
• Instruction in three languages: English, Russian, and Turkish guidance is available.
• Non-swimmers can come along: They can enjoy the boat, swimming, and sunbathing, while children under 14 may not take part in the underwater sessions.
• Lunch and transfers are included: You get a basic meal, hotel pickup from the main security gate, and return transport.

From the hotel gate to Setur Marina

Your morning begins with pickup between 9:00 and 10:15. The exact time depends on your meeting point, so keep your phone nearby and be ready at the hotel’s main security gate. The vehicle does not enter the hotel grounds, and pickup is not from the lobby or reception desk.

That detail matters in Antalya, where hotel compounds can be large. Give yourself extra time to reach the correct gate, especially if your hotel has more than one entrance. A missed pickup would be a poor start to a day that depends on a fixed boat departure.

The short transfer brings you to Setur Marina, with departure planned for about 10:30. Transport is included in the price, which helps keep the total cost down. Still, do not expect a private luxury car. The shuttle serves the tour schedule, and one guest specifically found the vehicle too stuffy and uncomfortable. If you are sensitive to heat or cramped seating, dress lightly and carry water for the road.

Getting ready for your first underwater session

Once the boat leaves the marina, the crew prepares you for the first session near Çaltıcak. This is designed for amateurs, so you do not need a certificate or previous experience. An instructor explains how to use the equipment and how to stay safe below the surface.

The supplied information does not give the instructors’ names, but instruction is available in English, Russian, and Turkish. That language choice is useful when you are learning unfamiliar equipment and basic underwater signals. Ask questions before entering the water, particularly if you feel nervous or have never used breathing equipment before.

The first session lasts about 20 minutes at a depth of roughly 5 to 10 metres. That is shallow enough for an introductory outing, but it is still a real underwater activity. You need to be comfortable following instructions and managing the physical demands of entering the sea with equipment.

The tour includes individual insurance and the necessary equipment. Personal spending, drinks, photos, and DVD packages cost extra. Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat. Cash is also recommended for anything not covered by the tour.

What you may see near Çaltıcak

Çaltıcak provides the first chance to see the Mediterranean from below. The attraction here is not a guaranteed list of fish or a fixed underwater show. Conditions can change, and visibility is not always perfect. One guest enjoyed the day but found the water less clear than hoped.

That is useful advice. Do not book this as a controlled aquarium visit. You are entering a natural sea environment, where weather, light, water movement, and visibility affect what you see. On a clear day, the clean water and marine life can make the short session feel like a genuine window into Antalya’s underwater world. On another day, the scenery may be more muted.

The 20-minute limit suits beginners. You get enough time to look around without committing to a long session that could leave you tired or uneasy. If your main goal is serious underwater photography or extensive marine observation, this amateur program may feel limited. If you want a first taste without taking a formal course, the length is sensible.

Lunch, swimming, and a second session at Marti Island

After the first session, the boat continues toward Marti Island. Lunch is included and consists of schnitzel, pasta, and salad. It is a practical meal rather than a culinary event, but it gives you a chance to recharge before returning to the water.

Drinks are not included, so bring cash and be prepared to pay separately. The tour also includes a swimming break. If you do not know how to swim, basic swimming instruction is offered free of charge, though that should not be confused with full swimming lessons.

Marti Island is the setting for the second 20-minute session. You will already have had time to get used to the equipment and the instructor’s directions, which can make this part feel easier than the morning session. The total time underwater is about 40 minutes, with the two stops separated by lunch and swimming.

Non-swimmers are welcome on the boat. They can sunbathe and enjoy the swimming break, although the supplied information does not promise a separate sightseeing program for them. Children under 14 cannot take part in the underwater sessions, but they can swim and sunbathe. This makes the boat suitable for a mixed group only if everyone accepts that some people will remain above the water.

A relaxed finish at sea and back in Antalya

After the second session, the tour includes an entertaining certificate ceremony. The details of the certificate are not specified, so treat it as a small souvenir of your first amateur underwater outing rather than a professional qualification.

The boat returns to Setur Marina at about 16:30. From there, the shuttle takes you back to the same meeting stops. In total, plan on about seven hours from pickup to return. This is a full day, not a quick activity you can squeeze between a morning at the beach and an evening reservation.

The schedule works well if you want a complete outing with transport handled for you. It works less well if you prefer to set your own pace or leave the coast early. Boat schedules are fixed, and the two sessions, lunch, swimming break, and return journey fill most of the day.

How much value do you get for $38?

At $38 per person, the price is appealing for a seven-hour program. You receive return transfers, insurance, equipment, instruction, lunch, and two supervised underwater sessions. Booking these elements separately would usually require more planning, even without assuming any extra local prices.

The value is strongest for first-time participants. You do not have to buy or rent equipment independently, arrange transport to the marina, or find a separate instructor. The price also lets a non-diving companion join the boat, although the same rate may still apply because the person uses the boat, transport, and lunch services.

There are extra costs. Drinks are not included, and personal spending, photos, and DVD packages cost more. If you want a visual record, ask about the photo and video prices before purchasing. That way, the final bill will not surprise you.

The low price also tells you what kind of product this is. Expect a straightforward group boat outing, not a private charter or a specialist expedition. The itinerary is built around accessibility and volume, with a simple lunch and scheduled stops. For a casual introduction to the Mediterranean, that is a fair trade.

Safety, fitness, and who should skip it

You need to follow the instructor’s directions and be able to manage the physical demands of the activity. The tour is not suitable for people with physical difficulties, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or wheelchair users.

Children under 14 are not allowed to take part in the underwater sessions. They may still come on the boat for swimming and sunbathing. That distinction is important for families. A child may be welcome on the boat without being able to join the main activity.

You should also think honestly about your comfort in open water. The tour says no special skills are needed, but that does not mean no physical effort is involved. If you have a medical concern, check with a medical professional before booking. The crew can provide instruction, but they cannot remove every risk associated with sea activity.

What the strongest praise tells you

The clearest positive pattern is the staff. One guest described the boat crew as friendly, and another singled out the instructor as professional. That matters here because a calm explanation and patient supervision can make the difference between enjoying your first session and spending it worrying about the equipment.

The full-day format also received positive feedback. One person liked the whole outing and said they would go again, even while noting that visibility was not perfect and lunch was only okay. That is a realistic endorsement. The day appears to work best as a complete boat adventure, not as a luxury meal or guaranteed wildlife encounter.

The main criticism concerns the transfer, not the sea activity itself. If you can tolerate a less comfortable shuttle, the low price and included services remain attractive. If comfortable transport is a priority, ask for details before booking.

Practical packing advice for the boat

Pack light, but bring the items that make a long day at sea easier:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Cash for drinks and personal purchases
• Any required personal medical items

Your sunscreen should be easy to reach before and after the water sessions. A hat is useful during the surface portions of the day, and sunglasses will help during the boat ride. Since lunch is provided, you do not need to plan a full packed meal, but drinks are your responsibility.

The activity takes place in open water, so expect sun exposure even when the boat is moving. The description does not specify changing-room arrangements, storage, or the size of the boat. Avoid bringing valuables that you do not need.

Should you book this Antalya scuba tour?

Book it if you want an affordable first underwater experience, need transport from Antalya, and like the idea of combining instruction, lunch, swimming, and two short sea sessions in one day. The $38 price is particularly strong for someone who would otherwise need to arrange equipment, transport, and a guide separately.

I would be more cautious if you want guaranteed clear visibility, a quiet private boat, high-end food, or serious underwater exploration. Conditions can affect what you see, the lunch is basic, and the shuttle may feel uncomfortable. This is a practical introduction for amateurs, not a specialist program.

For most suitable participants, the strongest reasons to go are the professional instruction, friendly crew, shallow 5 to 10 metre sessions, and simple all-inclusive structure. Bring the right expectations, and this can be an enjoyable way to see a different side of the Antalya coast.

FAQ

How long is the Antalya scuba tour?

The activity lasts about seven hours, including hotel pickup, the boat trip, two underwater sessions, lunch, swimming, and return transport.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two sessions are included. Each lasts about 20 minutes, for roughly 40 minutes underwater in total.

How deep are the sessions?

Amateur sessions take place at depths of about 5 to 10 metres.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The activity is designed for amateurs, and an expert instructor provides guidance and equipment.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English, Russian, and Turkish.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes schnitzel, pasta, and salad. Drinks are not included.

Can non-swimmers join the boat?

Yes. Non-swimmers can spend the day on the boat, swimming, or sunbathing. Basic swimming instruction is offered free of charge during the swimming break.

Can children take part?

Children under 14 cannot join the underwater sessions. They can enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash for drinks or personal expenses.