Diving Tour from Alanya & Side with Lunch – 2 Dives Included

That first look at the water feels like a dare.

This 7-hour 2-tank scuba outing from Side turns an ordinary day on the coast into a real underwater mission, with stops planned at 6 meters and 12 meters, plus lunch and time to relax on deck. Two things I like a lot: the tour is built around guided sessions for different experience levels, and you get a simple, value-focused package (guides, lunch, transfers, and travel insurance). One drawback to think about up front is that the boat ride and small-boat conditions can be rough for people prone to motion sickness, and extras like photos and drinks cost extra.

Here’s another practical reason it works for many people: the crew is set up to support first-timers and to handle plan changes if the sea gets tricky. In one case, the team adjusted when conditions made the original underwater spot not workable, and still got people into the water. The catch is that if you want to join as a non-diver, you cannot just buy that option on its own, and age and health rules are strict.

Quick takeaways (before you go)

• 6m and 12m underwater stops, planned for two separate sessions with a guide
• Lunch included, eaten onboard between the two underwater periods
• Professional instruction in English, German, and Russian for different comfort levels
• Weather can change the plan, including shortening or extending the day and changing sites
• Extras add up fast, mainly drinks plus optional photo and video
• Small-boat reality matters, especially if you are sensitive to choppy water

Side to the boat, and how the day really runs (7 hours total)

This is a half-day style experience stretched into a full 7 hours because of transfers and the turnaround between the two underwater sessions. The actual underwater time, not counting travel, is about 5 hours, so you are not stuck watching others for the entire day.

If you picked hotel pickup, you’ll be told the exact pickup details about a day in advance. Transfers are available from a long list of areas around Side and Alanya, including places like Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot. When the driver arrives, you meet them at the outer security booth at your hotel, and yes, there can be a delay of up to 25 minutes, so build in patience.

One important note: if you are coming from Side versus Alanya, you may end up on separate boats and different underwater locations. It’s not a big deal, but it does explain why friends staying in nearby towns might have a slightly different schedule.

Setting up on board: instruction, safety, and group pace

Before anyone goes down, the team runs the usual setup and guidance so you know what to do and how the day will flow. The instruction is offered in English, German, and Russian, which is helpful if you want to understand safety and technique clearly.

What I like here is that the crew aims to get you comfortable, not just check a box. In real life, that means they actively support try-divers and newer scuba participants. One diver described feeling unsure at first on the boat, then getting reassured by the instructor, and feeling noticeably better once they were underwater.

That comfort factor matters because the Mediterranean boat portion can be bouncy. If you tend to get seasick, consider bringing motion-sickness medication before you leave (and talk to your doctor if needed). The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, but even fit people can have a rough moment if the water is choppy.

First underwater stop at 6 meters: what you’ll actually see

Your first underwater session takes you down to about 6 meters. That depth is usually a sweet spot for many people: it’s deep enough to feel like you’ve changed worlds, but it’s still manageable for a first taste of scuba procedures and buoyancy.

At this level, you can expect guided exploration of underwater features and wildlife, with the goal of helping you understand basic underwater control while still seeing cool things. The tour description points to impressive underwater landscapes and marine life, and the key value is that you get to experience them with a guide, not just float around hoping you notice something.

One standout detail from a personal-experience review: a child on the trip had a memorable time with fish interaction activities, including moments like touching and holding fish, plus feeding fish. Those activities are not the same thing as scuba technique, so don’t assume it will happen for everyone. But it does tell you the crew may build in kid-friendly or experience-focused moments when conditions allow.

Second underwater stop at 12 meters: deeper structure and more variety

After the first session, you regroup, take a break, and get ready for the second underwater period. The second stop goes down to around 12 meters, which typically means more variety and more of the underwater “layering” you don’t see in very shallow water.

The tour highlights include uncovering hidden treasures of the sea, and the general theme across both sessions is discovering underwater life and features. You may also encounter underwater artifacts or sunken-ship type stories, plus coral reefs and other marine life. You won’t control what you see, but with two different depths, your odds improve for spotting something interesting.

One realistic caution: conditions can change. If the sea state makes a planned underwater spot unsafe or impractical, the crew may search for an alternative. In one case, extreme rough water prevented the original plan, but the team still found another option and kept the day moving. That ability to adapt is one of the strongest “quiet wins” of this kind of tour.

Lunch and time on deck between sessions

Between the two underwater sessions, you get a meal included in the price. The lunch is served onboard, and the tour description also mentions a dinner prepared by the captain and the chance to relax on deck between dives.

This onboard break is not just about food. It’s when you catch your breath, warm up if the air is cool, and reset your mind for the second underwater period. If you’re sensitive to motion, you may feel more comfortable during this time, especially if the sea calms down.

For practical packing, have a change of clothes ready. You’ll want something dry for after the sessions and for the ride back. A towel helps a lot too.

Marine life you might see, including artifacts and shipwreck stories

The big promise here is variety: marine life plus underwater history-style moments. The tour description explicitly mentions a mix of wildlife and themes like ancient artifacts and sunken ships, alongside coral reefs.

In plain terms, that means your guide is likely to point out things you might miss on your own. You’ll hear what you are looking at, why it matters, and how to keep your distance from things you shouldn’t touch.

Also, a friendly reminder: the tour rules say not to feed animals and not to touch plants. That matters even if the crew does some special fish interaction moments. Follow the guide’s instructions, because the exact approach depends on the site and conditions.

Transfers, timing, and what to do if the sea gets rough

The tour is weather-dependent. The total time can be shortened or extended based on conditions, and the schedule needs flexibility. This is especially true because the underwater sessions happen in a working sea environment, not a swimming pool.

Plan for a bit of waiting. You’ll wait for pickup at the hotel’s outer security booth, and there can be a delay up to 25 minutes. If something is delayed, the supplier expects you to contact them rather than guess.

If the sea is rough, don’t panic if you hear the word alternative. One diver shared that extreme conditions prevented the original underwater site, and the crew found another option. It’s a good sign of competence when the team can make a call quickly and keep the trip productive.

What to bring, and the small rules that keep it smooth

Bring practical items. You’ll want:

• Hat
• Swimsuit
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Camera (if you have a waterproof plan)
• Sunscreen
• Water

The tour rules also clearly state what’s not allowed: smoking, feeding animals, and touching plants. I also recommend you skip anything that encourages grabbing or handling marine life. Even when some interaction happens, you do it only the way your guide explains.

And read the fine print mindset: drinks are not included, and photo and video services are optional extras. If you want memories, decide in advance what you’re comfortable spending.

Price and value: what you get for about $52

At around $52 per person, this tour can feel like a bargain compared to piecing together separate transport, instruction, and an onboard meal. Here’s why it adds up well:

• Two guided scuba sessions (not just one)
• Lunch included
• Hotel pickup and drop-off if you selected it
• Travel insurance included

The trade-off is that the extras are real. Drinks are charged separately, and photos and videos are additional. One review called out that the photo and video fee can come out surprisingly high, basically approaching the cost of a diving session itself. So if you love documenting everything, factor that into your budget before you get onboard.

Also note that transportation quality depends on the vehicle. One reviewer wished the transportation had air conditioning. That’s not a deal-breaker for everyone, but it’s a real comfort factor in summer.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This tour is not for every body or every comfort level. It’s not suitable for:

• Children under 13 (and also noted as not suitable for children under 12 elsewhere)
• Pregnant women
• People with heart or respiratory issues
• People with limited mobility or wheelchair users
• People prone to seasickness
• People with epilepsy, kidney problems, high blood pressure, lactose intolerance
• People with diabetes
• People over 150 kg (331 lbs)
• People over 95 years

If any of those apply, you should not force it. Underwater activity is unforgiving if your health situation makes it unsafe.

There’s also the “non-diver” angle. The tour states that a Non-Diver ticket cannot be purchased alone. Instead, anyone who wants to come without diving can select the child option, and that group is accepted as no diving. If you’re trying to do this as an adult non-diver, your best move is to confirm the setup with the operator before you pay. And if you select no diving, you still have to follow the tour rules and meet the trip requirements.

So who fits best? First-timers who want a guided experience, and experienced divers who enjoy a structured two-depth plan with a professional guide. Families may also like it when the age requirements are met, since the tour can include special moments around fish interaction and fun onboard time.

Should you book the Side and Alanya 2-tank tour?

I’d book it if you want a straightforward package and you like the idea of two underwater sessions at 6m and 12m with guided support, plus lunch and transfers handled for you. For the money, the “included” list is strong, and the crew’s ability to adapt when conditions change is reassuring.

I’d think twice if you are sensitive to motion, because even competent crews cannot erase the physics of choppy water. Also, if you know you’ll buy the photo and video package, budget extra ahead of time so the final total feels comfortable.

If you want a day that feels like a real experience, not a vague sightseeing stop, this is a solid pick from Side. Just go in prepared, listen carefully to instructions, and plan for the sea to have a vote.

FAQ

How many scuba sessions are included?

The tour includes 2 scuba sessions with a professional guide.

What depths do you go to?

You go to about 6 meters for the first session and about 12 meters for the second session.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, served onboard between the sessions.

Are hotel transfers included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option. Transfer is offered from multiple Side and Alanya areas, and you meet the driver at the hotel outer security booth.

Can I join if I do not want to dive?

A Non-Diver ticket cannot be purchased alone. If you want to come without diving, you must select the child option, and that group is accepted as no diving. If you are not able to dive, you cannot participate as a non-diver option in the standard way.

What is not included in the price?

Drinks are not included, and photo and video service is available as an optional extra. Personal expenses are also not included.