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

The real appeal here is simple: you get a gentle introduction to the Mediterranean underwater world without needing previous scuba experience. The first session reaches about 6 meters, and the second goes to roughly 12 meters, with an instructor beside you throughout.

I like the hotel pickup and full equipment, especially if you are staying around Side, Alanya, Manavgat, or Belek and do not want to arrange transport. I also like the calm rhythm of the day: a short first session, lunch and rest on deck, then a second chance below the surface.

The main catch is that each underwater session lasts only about 15 minutes. This is an introduction to scuba, not a full-length training day, and the shared transfer can take an hour each way.

Key points to know

• Two short underwater sessions: Reach approximately 6 meters first, then 12 meters, with each session lasting about 15 minutes.
• Good for first-timers: Equipment, basic instruction, safety rules, and underwater hand signals are provided.
• Boat time matters: The Liman stop lasts about five hours, including meals, swimming, free time, and both sessions.
• Useful inclusions: Hotel transfers, equipment, instructors, lunch, and insurance are included in the $44 price.
• Lunch is practical rather than fancy: Expect schnitzel and pasta, with drinks sold separately.
• Check the age rule carefully: The information says 13 and older in one place, but also says under 14s cannot scuba. Confirm this for a 13-year-old before booking.

What the $44 day actually gives you

At $44 per person, this is priced as an easy introduction rather than a serious scuba course. You are paying for transport, boat time, two supervised underwater sessions, all standard equipment, lunch, and insurance.

That package makes sense if you are staying inland or in a resort area and would otherwise need to arrange a taxi to the coast. It also removes the usual first-timer worry about renting a mask, fins, tank, regulator, and exposure suit separately.

The price is especially fair for someone who wants to try scuba once without committing to certification. You get enough time underwater to decide if you enjoy the sensation of breathing below the surface, moving slowly, and communicating with hand signals.

Still, keep your expectations in line. Two 15-minute sessions are brief. If you already have substantial scuba experience, the schedule may feel more like a refresher or a sightseeing outing than a serious underwater expedition.

Optional underwater photographs and video cost €40. Drinks are not included, so bring cash for the boat if you want something beyond the meal.

The pickup from Side, Alanya, and nearby resorts

The day begins with hotel pickup from a long list of resort areas, including Side, Alanya, Manavgat, Belek, Kestel, Mahmutlar, Avsallar, Konaklı, Okurcalar, and several villages along the coast.

You need to wait at your hotel’s main security gate at the scheduled time. The vehicle may arrive 5 to 10 minutes late because of traffic. If the delay exceeds 10 minutes, use the contact information in your booking confirmation.

The transfer is shared, not private. The ride to the coast is listed at about one hour, followed by another hour on the way back. That means a substantial part of the seven-hour day takes place on the road.

I would choose a hotel pickup over trying to find the boat yourself, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the resort roads. The tradeoff is less control over the schedule. You will be collecting and returning people from different hotels, so this is not a quick trip straight from your room to the water.

Bring a towel, beachwear, and cash. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Arriving at Liman and boarding the boat

The main part of the outing takes place around Liman. Once you reach the boat, the pace changes from road transfer to a relaxed half-day on the sea.

You receive your equipment and take part in a basic training session before entering the water. The instructors explain safety rules and the hand signals used below the surface. This briefing matters, especially if you have never worn scuba equipment before or feel uneasy about breathing through a regulator.

The supplied equipment includes a tank, mask, fins, regulator, and a suit if needed. Snorkel equipment is not included, although it can be rented or purchased on site. If you mainly want to float and watch the surface, ask about that before boarding rather than assuming a snorkel will be waiting for you.

The boat also provides space to sit, sunbathe, swim, and spend time with the crew and other people on board. A solo participant can join the shared setting without needing to organize a private group. The atmosphere is social, but you should expect a group outing rather than quiet personal service.

The first session at approximately 6 meters

The first underwater session reaches about 6 meters. That is a sensible depth for getting comfortable with the equipment, clearing your ears, and learning how your body moves underwater.

Your instructor guides you through the basic process step by step. If you panic or feel uncertain, the best approach is to signal clearly and slow down. The instructor team is there to supervise and help you regain confidence, not to push you onward at all costs.

At this depth, the focus is less on distance and more on getting your bearings. You may see fish and other Mediterranean marine life, depending on the conditions at the site. The tour information also refers to underwater caves, sunken ships, ancient amphoras, octopuses, monk seals, and sea turtles as possible sights, but no particular animal or object can be guaranteed.

The session lasts around 15 minutes. That is enough for a first taste, though it may feel short once you have finally become comfortable. Beginners should treat it as a controlled introduction, not a test of endurance.

Lunch, swimming, and a useful break between sessions

After the first session, you return to the boat for lunch and free time. The included meal is schnitzel and pasta, a filling combination after getting in and out of the water.

Drinks cost extra, so keep cash handy. You can spend the break on deck, sunbathe, swim, or simply watch the sea. Swimming is possible before, between, or after the underwater sessions, which gives non-diving family members something to do while others are in the water.

This break is one of the practical strengths of the outing. New scuba participants often need time to warm up, settle their breathing, and think about what they have just done. A meal and a quiet pause make the second session less rushed.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a polished resort lunch. The food is straightforward boat fare. Its value is that it is included, filling, and timed around the activity.

The second session at approximately 12 meters

The second session reaches about 12 meters, giving you a different feel from the first descent. By then, you have already handled the equipment once, practiced the basic signals, and learned how the instructor expects you to move.

This deeper session is where the tour promises its more memorable underwater sights. You might encounter unusual fish, an octopus, or other marine creatures. The advertised possibilities also include caves, shipwrecks, amphoras, monk seals, and sea turtles.

It is important to read that list as possible marine viewing rather than a guarantee. Wildlife changes with location, weather, water clarity, and simple luck. The tour delivers the chance to explore underwater, but it cannot promise a turtle or a historic object on a particular day.

Again, the session lasts around 15 minutes. You will get a short guided look rather than the long bottom time associated with a full scuba excursion. If you want a souvenir, the optional €40 photo and video package may be available, but ask what it includes before paying.

What the instructors add for beginners

The instructors are certified and provide the briefing, equipment guidance, and supervision for both sessions. That support is the heart of the outing.

A first-time participant may feel anxious before entering the water. One particularly useful pattern from the feedback is that the staff handled a nervous beginner patiently and helped her regain confidence. That is exactly the kind of attention you need in a first scuba session.

You should still be comfortable in the water and able to follow basic instructions. The tour is suitable for beginners, but it is not a substitute for a full certification course. The team provides basic training for this activity, not an extensive classroom or pool program.

The available host languages are English, German, and Russian. No guide names are supplied, so you cannot request a specific instructor in advance based on the booking information.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time scuba participants who want a supervised introduction
• Couples or friends looking for an active day from a beach resort
• Solo participants who are comfortable joining a shared boat
• Families with older children who meet the age requirement
• Experienced scuba participants who want a short, easy outing rather than a full technical session

It also works for mixed groups. Someone who does not scuba can join the boat trip, swim, and spend time on deck. That makes it more flexible than a trip built only around underwater activity.

I would think twice if you want long underwater sessions, a quiet private boat, guaranteed wildlife, or a formal scuba qualification. You may also find the long shared transfer tiring if your hotel is far from Liman.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. That is worth checking before you pay, since the day involves a coach transfer, boat access, and movement around the equipment area.

Age, timing, and practical concerns

The information contains two age notes that do not match perfectly. One says participants must be 13 or older to join the scuba activity, while another says under 14s cannot scuba and may join the boat and swim with family.

If you are booking for a 13-year-old, confirm the rule directly before reserving. Do not assume that being old enough to join the boat means being permitted to use scuba equipment.

The total outing lasts about seven hours, including roughly one hour of travel each way. The Liman portion is scheduled for around five hours, covering the briefing, first session, lunch, free time, second session, and swimming.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the service is not private and traffic can affect the schedule.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your coastal plans depend on weather or hotel arrangements.

My verdict: a good first try at scuba

You should book this tour if you want an affordable, supervised first taste of scuba with transport and lunch handled for you. The instructors, included equipment, clear beginner briefing, and patient support are the strongest reasons to choose it.

The value is good at $44, especially for resort visitors who would otherwise pay separately for transfers, boat access, gear, and food. Just remember that the underwater time is limited to two sessions of about 15 minutes each.

For a first encounter with the Mediterranean below the surface, that may be exactly enough. For experienced scuba participants or anyone seeking long underwater exploration, choose a longer and more specialized outing instead.

FAQ

How long does the scuba activity last?

The full outing lasts about seven hours, including transport. The main boat portion at Liman lasts around five hours.

How long is each underwater session?

There are two guided sessions, each lasting approximately 15 minutes. The first reaches about 6 meters, and the second reaches about 12 meters.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The activity is suitable for beginners. Basic training, a safety briefing, equipment, and instructor supervision are provided.

What equipment is included?

The package includes a tank, mask, fins, regulator, and a suit if needed. Snorkel equipment is not included, but it can be rented or purchased on site.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch consists of schnitzel and pasta. Drinks are available for purchase and are not included.

Can children join the boat?

Children who cannot scuba may join the boat and swim with family. The age information differs between 13 and 14 for scuba participation, so confirm the rule for a 13-year-old before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from listed areas around Antalya Province, including Side, Alanya, Manavgat, Belek, and nearby resort towns. You should wait at your hotel’s main security gate, and traffic may cause a 5 to 10 minute delay.