City of Side: Scuba Diving with Lunch

Side’s most unusual museum sits below the Mediterranean, where you can see underwater sculptures alongside fish and rocky seabed. This six-hour outing gives you two 30-minute scuba sessions, with instructors close by for beginners and a boat deck for swimming and sun.

I like the hotel pickup and the fact that equipment, training, lunch, and insurance are included in the $42 price. I also like the patient staff, spacious boat, and choice of English, German, Russian, or Turkish guidance. The main catch is that harbor waiting can eat into the day, and the second session may feel brief if you already have plenty of scuba experience.

Key points to know before booking

• Two 30-minute underwater sessions: The first includes a depth of roughly 23 meters for experienced participants, while beginner groups stay closely supervised.
• An underwater museum in Side: Sculptures and a small wreck give the first session more interest than a simple swim around open water.
• A good first attempt: Training is included, and instructors stay with beginners throughout both sessions.
• Large boat with useful deck space: You’ll find shaded seating, sunny areas, loungers, and room to wait between sessions.
• Simple onboard lunch: Expect food such as chicken fillet, tomato pasta, and salad, with drinks and snacks sold separately.
• Medical limits matter: Sinus trouble, breathing problems, heart or blood-pressure concerns, poor fitness, and seasickness can make the experience unsuitable.

Two short underwater sessions near Side

The appeal here is simple: you get to try scuba in warm Mediterranean water without committing to a full certification course. The two sessions are designed to introduce you to the equipment, breathing underwater, basic movement, and the feeling of descending below the surface.

Each session lasts 30 minutes. That is enough time for a memorable first look, but it is not a long expedition. If you already hold scuba experience, you may find the schedule modest, especially because the underwater time can be shortened by training, equipment checks, group movement, or trouble equalizing your ears.

The first session is usually the more interesting one. It includes views of the Undersea Museum, fish, and a small wreck. One experienced participant described the route as reaching about 23 meters before moving to a shallower area around 12 meters. The exact route depends on your ability and the conditions, so beginners should not expect to visit every point seen by experienced participants.

The second session offers more fish and additional museum views, but it may feel less dramatic than the first. Think of this as an introduction to scuba rather than a specialist underwater photography trip or a serious exploration day.

What the underwater museum adds

Side is best known for ancient ruins on land, so the underwater museum provides a pleasant change of scene. Instead of only looking at seabed, rocks, and fish, you have sculptures to examine as you move through the water.

That matters for first-time scuba users. The equipment and new breathing pattern can take up much of your attention. Having clear objects to look at gives the session a focus and makes the experience easier to remember.

You may also see a small wreck and schools of fish around the site. The water is described as clear, warm, and clean, although visibility and sea conditions can change. A rough sea has sometimes prevented snorkeling, so you should not treat the swimming stop as guaranteed calm water.

The museum is not a replacement for Side’s land-based ancient ruins. It is a short underwater attraction viewed during a guided boat outing. Still, the combination of sculptures, fish, and a wreck gives the $42 price more value than a basic boat trip with a quick swim.

Morning pickup and the boat ride

Pickup takes place at the main gate of your hotel between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. Stay near the entrance and keep your phone available, since the pickup window covers an hour rather than a single fixed minute. Hotel transport is included both ways, which saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi to the harbor.

The ride to the boat is practical rather than scenic in any detailed sense. Once onboard, you’ll have space to sit in shade or sun, and the larger boat includes a deck with loungers. That gives non-swimmers and friends who are not taking part in the underwater sessions somewhere comfortable to spend the day.

One point needs honest attention: the schedule can include a long wait at the harbor. A wait of one to one and a half hours has occurred before the boat got moving. That is frustrating when the advertised outing lasts six hours, so bring patience and do not plan another tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

The transport service has generally been punctual, but communication about pickup can be imperfect. One person was collected even though the hotel was close enough to walk. That is not a serious problem, but it shows why you should confirm the pickup point clearly.

Training for beginners and the role of the instructors

You do not need previous scuba experience. The staff provide training before you enter the water, explain the equipment, and guide beginners during both sessions. The strongest part of the experience is the close supervision, especially for people taking their first underwater breath.

Several participants have found the instructors patient and reassuring. Staff have also allowed hesitant people to test their limits without pressuring them to continue. If you are nervous, tell the instructor exactly how you feel before entering the water. The team can respond better when they know whether your concern is fear, ear pressure, equipment fit, or low confidence.

The experience still requires a basic level of fitness. You need to handle the equipment, move around the boat, and remain comfortable in the water. Non-swimmers are not accepted, and children under 16 cannot take part.

An important practical issue is equalizing ear pressure. If you have sinus trouble, a recent blocked nose, or hay fever that has affected your sinuses, descending may cause pain or prevent you from continuing. This is one of the most useful things to consider before paying for the trip. Being able to swim does not guarantee that your ears will equalize comfortably.

Equipment, comfort, and safety

Full scuba equipment is included, along with training and travel insurance. The equipment is sufficient for the activity, though an experienced participant found some items tired and had to sort through the available gear to find the best-fitting pieces.

For a first attempt, fit matters more than having premium equipment. Check your mask, fins, suit, and regulator before leaving the boat. If anything feels wrong, tell the crew at once. A small adjustment on deck is easier than trying to solve a problem underwater.

Turkey has strict rules for underwater activities, and the staff operate with instructors assigned to the groups. The guides speak English, German, Russian, and Turkish, which helps when a group includes people with different languages.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with respiratory conditions, high or low blood pressure, severe seasickness, low fitness, or a body weight above 150 kilograms. These restrictions are not minor fine print. Scuba places unusual demands on breathing, pressure equalization, and movement in water, so take them seriously.

Lunch on the boat

Lunch is included and is served onboard. The meal has been described as chicken fillet, tomato pasta, and salad, though the quality can vary. Some people find it perfectly adequate after a morning in the water, while others find it bland.

That is a fair expectation to set. This is boat-trip food, not a restaurant meal. It fills the gap between underwater sessions and keeps the price low. Drinks and snacks are available to buy, so carry extra money if you want something beyond the included meal.

There is also an environmental point worth noting. Leftover pasta has reportedly been thrown overboard, leaving food floating near the underwater area. That is poor practice and can spoil the view as you enter the water. It is reasonable to expect the crew to keep food waste on the boat and dispose of it properly.

What non-scuba companions can do

You do not have to spend every minute underwater. When groups are taking their sessions, you can sit on the boat, use the shaded areas, stretch out on a lounger, or swim when conditions allow.

Snorkeling may be available, but rough seas can remove that option. The boat usually gives you a place to enjoy the water without scuba equipment, yet this is not a dedicated beach day. If your main aim is relaxed swimming, a coastal boat cruise may suit you better.

For a mixed group, though, this arrangement works well. One person can try scuba while another waits comfortably on deck. The large boat is a real advantage here, since a cramped vessel would make the waiting periods much less pleasant.

The real value of the $42 price

At $42 per person, the package is inexpensive for two guided 30-minute sessions. You also receive hotel transport, equipment, beginner instruction, lunch, multiple-language guidance, and insurance. Paying separately for those parts would usually make a simple first attempt more complicated and costly.

The price looks strongest for beginners who want to try scuba once. You get a controlled introduction, professional supervision, and a memorable setting without paying for a certification course.

Experienced scuba users may see less value. The sessions are short, the equipment may be basic, and the underwater route can feel simple after previous experience. Still, the museum, wreck, fish, lunch, and transport make it a reasonable low-cost day when you want an easy outing rather than demanding technical scuba.

Photos and videos taken underwater cost extra, and the price has been criticized as high. If you want personal footage, ask about the charge before you enter the water. Bringing a GoPro may be useful, though it has reportedly been allowed only during the second session.

Who should book this Side excursion

I would recommend it to a confident swimmer who has never tried scuba, couples who want a shared activity, and mixed groups where some people want underwater time while others prefer the boat. The patient instruction and close supervision make the experience approachable.

It also works for an experienced scuba user who is happy with short, straightforward sessions and wants to see Side’s underwater museum. Do not book it expecting long independent exploration, advanced sites, or a full day of serious scuba.

I would be cautious if you have sinus problems, recent congestion, breathing trouble, blood-pressure concerns, poor fitness, or a strong tendency toward seasickness. You may be able to sit on the boat, but the main reason to book is the underwater activity, so medical suitability matters.

Pickup is included, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the available start time before booking, then leave a little room around the six-hour schedule because harbor delays can happen.

Should you book this experience?

Book it if you want an affordable first taste of scuba, like the idea of viewing sculptures underwater, and value having transport, gear, training, lunch, and supervision bundled together. The instructors and spacious boat are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you need long underwater sessions, high-end equipment, quiet seas, or a refined meal. For most beginners who meet the health requirements, this is a practical and memorable introduction, with the right expectations: two short sessions, a simple lunch, possible waiting, and a good chance to see Side from an entirely different angle.

FAQ

How long does the Side scuba activity last?

The stated duration is six hours. Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:30 AM, and the day includes transport, boat time, lunch, training, and two underwater sessions.

How long is each scuba session?

You receive two sessions of 30 minutes each.

Is training included for beginners?

Yes. Beginner training and instructor support are included, and instructors stay with first-time participants during the sessions.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included. You should meet the driver at the main gate of your hotel between 8:30 and 9:30 AM.

What languages are available?

Guides are available in English, German, Russian, and Turkish.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard. Drinks and snacks are available to purchase separately.

Can children join the activity?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 16.

Can non-swimmers take part?

No. Non-swimmers are listed as unsuitable for this activity. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with respiratory issues, blood-pressure problems, strong seasickness, low fitness, or a body weight above 150 kilograms.