City of Side: Sightseeing Cruise w/ Swim Stops & Foam Party

The best part of this Side boat trip is the mix of three proper swimming stops and a lively foam party. You are not stuck on a boat all day watching the coast slide past. You can swim from the beach, jump from the deck, sunbathe, eat lunch, and then join the dancing before heading home.

I like the large three-floor boat, which gives you shaded seating, a bar, showers, a dance floor, and a sun deck. I also like the setting of the second swim stop, with the ancient Apollo and Athena temples visible from the water. The main thing to consider is that drinks, photographs, JetSki rides, and gözleme cost extra, and the toilets may need better upkeep.

Key points at a glance

• Three swim stops: Swim at Cennet Play, jump from the boat near Side’s ancient peninsula, and take a final short break near the river mouth.
• A full eight-hour day: Hotel pickup runs roughly from 08:30 to 09:30, with return to Side hotels around 17:00 to 17:30.
• A spacious three-floor boat: Choose between shaded seating, the dance floor, or the upper sun terrace.
• Lunch is included: Expect a buffet meal prepared during the first swim stop, with chicken or fish choices noted on the day.
• Cem leads the fun: The foam party includes dancing, music, and simple choreography suitable for children and adults.
• Low starting price: At $16 per person, the cruise offers strong value, though drinks and optional extras raise the final cost.

A river, a sea, and a boat built for a full day

This is a long, cheerful day on the water rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. Your bus collects you from the main gate of your Side-area hotel, usually between 08:30 and 09:00, although the pickup window can run to 09:30. The drive to the pier takes about half an hour and passes through forested scenery.

The boat has three floors. On the first floor, you will find seating, a bar, and ten showers at the rear. The second floor has another bar, a dance area, and the main foam-party space. The third floor is an open sun terrace.

That layout matters. On a crowded boat, a day cruise can become a hunt for one chair in the sun. Here, you have several places to settle in, and the boat is described as spacious rather than tightly packed. If you want a sunbed or mat on the top deck, head there early. The upper spaces can fill within seconds.

You can also retreat from the noise. The dance floor is not the whole boat, so you can sit in the shade, watch the coast, or use one of the rear showers after swimming. The boat is designed for people who want different things from the same day, although the foam party and music will naturally make the second floor the loudest area.

Leaving Side through the Manavgat River

Once everyone is aboard, the cruise begins toward the Manavgat strait, where the river meets the Mediterranean. This first section gives you a pleasant change from Side’s resort streets. The river brings a cooler, greener setting, while the open sea adds the breeze and wider views promised by the trip.

The actual sightseeing is relaxed rather than heavily narrated. A live guide is available in English, German, and Russian, but this is not a lecture-style historical cruise. You are here mainly for the water, swimming, scenery, and entertainment.

Keep your camera ready as the boat heads toward the coast. Dolphins and caretta caretta sea turtles may be seen along the route. Sightings are never guaranteed, but dolphins were seen during several trips, and the captain reportedly slowed and circled so people could get a better look.

The river and sea also create a useful rhythm for the day. You start with a calm boat ride, stop for swimming, eat while the crew works, then continue toward Side’s ancient peninsula. That makes the eight hours feel like a series of short activities rather than one long stretch on deck.

First stop at Cennet Play

The first swimming break takes place at Cennet Play and lasts about one hour. You can swim from the beach, lie in the sun, or pay extra for a JetSki ride. This is the most flexible stop because you are not limited to jumping from the boat.

While you are ashore or in the water, the kitchen team prepares lunch. The meal is served as a buffet once you return to the boat. Chicken is described as the standard grilled choice, while another account notes chicken or fish options. Expect straightforward boat-trip food, not a restaurant meal, but the included lunch is a meaningful part of the value at this price.

The food has been praised for generous portions and good taste, though one important practical point is worth knowing. Lunch may be taken away soon after the first serving, so if you want more, do not wait too long before returning to the buffet.

The beach stop is also where optional spending can begin. JetSki rides cost extra, and local drinks are not included. That means beer, wine, cola, Fanta, Sprite, water, soda, tea, and coffee are paid for separately. Gözleme, the Turkish flatbread, is also not part of the package.

The ancient Side peninsula from the water

After leaving the strait, the boat takes about 45 minutes to reach the historic Side peninsula. This is the most memorable sightseeing section of the day because you see the ancient city from offshore, with the temples of Apollo and Athena forming the backdrop.

The second swimming stop lasts around 45 minutes. You can jump directly from the boat, use one of the ten swimming ladders at the rear, or stay on deck and look toward the ruins. The view gives the stop a stronger sense of place than a standard beach break. You are swimming in front of one of Side’s best-known archaeological areas rather than beside another resort hotel.

This is also a good time to bring a waterproof phone case or simply enjoy the view without trying to photograph every second. The boat’s position gives you an unusual angle on the peninsula, but the stop is still mainly for swimming. Do not expect a guided visit through the ruins or time ashore among the temples.

Water temperature can vary. One account describes the river water as about 10 degrees Celsius, which would feel very cold for many swimmers. The open sea may feel more comfortable, but you should be ready for a brisk first step into the water.

Foam, dancing, and the ride back

After the second swim, the boat returns toward the river mouth. The journey back takes about 45 minutes, and this is when the second-floor dance area becomes the center of the day.

The foam party is simple, good-natured entertainment. Crew members lead dancing and easy choreography, with Cem, pronounced Gem, singled out as a particularly fun member of the team. The activity is intended for a broad age range, from children around seven to older adults, so you do not need to be a serious party person to take part.

You can join the foam, watch from nearby, or stay on another level. The boat’s size makes that choice easier than it would be on a small vessel. Families and mixed-age groups can split up for a while and meet again later.

The dancing is one of the more praised parts of the day, but it is worth setting expectations correctly. This is a family-friendly boat party, not a nightclub cruise. The appeal is the cheerful crew, music, foam, and the novelty of dancing at sea.

Some trips have also included a parrot on board and a photographer offering posed pictures. The parrot can be a hit with children, while the photographs may be a nice souvenir. The cost is separate, with printed images reported at about €5 each. You can decline them, so avoid feeling pressured into buying a full set.

The final swim near the river mouth

Before the boat returns to the pier, there is a third swimming stop near the mouth of the river. This one lasts about 20 minutes, so it is more of a final splash than a full beach visit.

It works well at the end of a hot day. You can cool off, rinse away some of the foam and salt, and take one last swim before the return bus. If you have spent most of the day sunbathing, remember that this last stop is short. Use the earlier breaks for a proper swim or JetSki ride.

After docking, the buses take you back to your hotel. Return times are generally between 17:00 and 17:30. One unusual report describes a water fight between buses on the way home, but treat that as a lucky extra rather than a planned feature.

What the $16 price really gives you

At $16 per person, the package is unusually inexpensive for an eight-hour outing that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat ride, a guide, lunch, and the foam party. The strongest value comes from the amount of time on the water and the number of swim breaks.

You are also getting transport from your hotel, which saves you the trouble of finding the pier near Manavgat. The boat has food service, showers, several decks, and enough room to avoid spending every hour shoulder to shoulder.

The low headline price does not mean the day is completely free once you board. Budget for drinks if you do not bring enough money, and remember that JetSki rides, photographs, and gözleme are extras. A camera crew may encourage you to pose with the parrot or in front of the scenery. You can say no.

The price is best for a relaxed day out, not for a private or highly personal cruise. You will share the boat with other groups, follow a fixed schedule, and spend part of the day around music and foam. For families, couples, and friends who want several activities without paying for separate excursions, the value is strong.

Comfort, food, and small drawbacks

The boat offers shaded and sunny seating, and the upper sun terrace is the place to go if tanning is your main goal. The first floor provides a calmer option, while the second floor is best for the party.

Ten rear showers are a useful touch after swimming. However, toilet hygiene has been identified as an area that could improve. This is not a dealbreaker for most people, but it is worth knowing before committing to a full day aboard.

Lunch is one of the better practical features. You do not need to leave the boat to find food, and the buffet is prepared while you swim. The meal has been described as tasty and generous, though choices may be limited and food may not remain available long after serving begins.

The bus transfer is another strong point. Pickup is included, and the buses are described as large and comfortable, with open windows on at least some trips. Communication and timing have generally been good, but the early pickup window means you should be ready at your hotel’s main gate before the stated time.

Who will enjoy this Side cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a low-cost full-day activity with swimming, scenery, lunch, and easy entertainment. It suits families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a break from the pool or hotel complex.

It is especially good for you if:

• You enjoy switching between sunbathing, swimming, music, and sightseeing.
• You want to see the Side temples from the sea without booking a separate archaeology tour.
• You like a social atmosphere but still want shaded seating or a quieter deck.
• You want hotel transport included.
• You are happy to pay separately for drinks and optional activities.

I would look elsewhere if you want silence, a small group, a serious history tour, or a carefully planned gourmet lunch. The boat party is part of the point here. If music, foam, posed photographs, and crew-led dancing sound tiring rather than fun, the long day may feel too busy.

The tour is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes cold water, since the river can be surprisingly chilly. You can stay on deck during any swim stop, but swimming is the main reason to book.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want maximum activity for minimum cost. The combination of three swimming breaks, a view of Apollo and Athena, lunch, hotel transfers, a large boat, and the foam party makes this one of the better-value casual days from Side.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and money for drinks. Arrive early if you want a top-deck spot, and return promptly for lunch before the buffet is cleared. Say no to photographs if you do not want them, and save your energy for the final foam party.

I would not book it for quiet sightseeing or detailed ancient-history commentary. For a social, sunny, slightly silly day on the Manavgat River and Mediterranean, though, the $16 price is hard to argue with.

FAQ

How long does the Side boat trip last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. Pickup is generally between 08:30 and 09:30, and hotel drop-off is expected between 17:00 and 17:30.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is included from the main gate of your hotel in the Side area. The usual pickup window is between 08:30 and 09:00.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, German, and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and served buffet-style after the first swimming stop. Chicken is available, and fish may also be offered. Gözleme is not included.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, soda, tea, and coffee cost extra.

Are JetSki rides and photographs included?

No. JetSki rides, photographs, souvenirs, and the parrot pictures cost extra. Printed photographs have been priced at about €5 each on the boat.