REVIEW · ALANYA
From Side, Alanya: Scuba Diving With 2 Time Dive & Lunch
Book on Viator →Operated by Alanya Best Trips · Bookable on Viator
A morning boat ride in Alanya can turn into a real confidence boost fast. This Side to Alanya tour mixes calm classroom training with two short, instructor-led underwater stops, plus an on-water break for lunch, swimming, and sun time. If you want the day to feel structured, not chaotic, this one is pretty clear about the flow.
I especially like the beginner-friendly setup: you start at 3–5 meters after theory and practice, so you’re not thrown into the deep end. I also like that the day includes snorkeling for non-scuba participants, so everyone can still enjoy the water without feeling left out.
The main thing to consider is that this is built for safe, controlled experiences, not long solo underwater time. If you’re already a certified, experienced diver, you may find it a bit short and not going too deep.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Notice
- From Side To Okurcalar: Pickup, Timing, And First Impressions
- What to expect from the group size vibe
- Gear, Safety, And The Instructor-Led Training Flow
- A quick note if you have breathing concerns
- Your First Underwater Stop: 3–5 Meters for Real Beginners
- What makes this first stop good value
- How to get the best from that 20 minutes
- Snorkeling, Lunch, And The In-Water Break That Makes the Day Feel Complete
- Bring what makes the break better
- The Second Underwater Stop At 7–8 Meters: More Challenge, Still Controlled
- If you’re an experienced diver
- Boat Ride In The Mediterranean: The Part You Might Underestimate
- Why this pacing works for many people
- Price And Value: Is $45.38 A Fair Deal?
- My value read
- Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Should Think Twice)
- Practical Tips That Make the Day Easier
- Should You Book It?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- Are non-scuba participants able to join?
- How deep are the underwater sessions?
- Is lunch included?
- What if the weather is bad?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Notice
- Hotel pickup + air-conditioned transport to reduce stress before you even reach the marina
- Two guided underwater sessions at 3–5m and 7–8m, each planned for about 20 minutes
- Theory + practical training before you get your mask on underwater
- Snorkeling option if you don’t do the scuba portion
- Onboard lunch + swimming and sunbathing break for a full day, not just a quick check-in
- Limited day format (max 100 participants) that tends to feel organized, especially in busy season
From Side To Okurcalar: Pickup, Timing, And First Impressions
The day starts early—8:00 am—with a hotel pickup option that takes the edge off travel. You’ll be loaded into an air-conditioned vehicle, then transferred toward the port area, with the route adjusted based on where your hotel sits (so timing can be slightly variable).
Once you reach the marina area, you sail by boat from the Alanya Okurcalar region. This matters more than it sounds. Getting out on the water early helps you feel like you’re doing an actual sea day, not just sitting on a dock for hours.
Also, it’s a mobile-ticket experience, which is handy if you don’t want to hunt for paper confirmations. I’d still take a screenshot as a backup, just in case your phone battery has an off day.
A few more Alanya tours and experiences worth a look
What to expect from the group size vibe
The tour format caps overall participation at 100 people. That doesn’t mean everyone is in your exact group unit at once, but in high season you should plan for a busier feel than you’d get on a quiet off-week day. If you’re the type who hates crowds, go in with calm expectations.
Gear, Safety, And The Instructor-Led Training Flow
Before you do anything underwater, you get theoretical diving training and practical training. That combination is the sweet spot for most first-timers: you learn what to do, then you practice the movements so it doesn’t feel like guessing once you’re in the water.
The tour includes gear such as a diving suit and items like mask/glasses and related equipment (the exact kit is described as suit, pallet, glasses, etc.). You won’t be showing up with a full kit bag, which is a real value add if you’re traveling light.
Your instructors also accompany you during both underwater stops. That’s key for first-time comfort. Even if you’re physically fine, nerves can hit fast once you’re submerged. A structured lead-in helps you get your bearings quickly.
A quick note if you have breathing concerns
The tour info flags that people who have problems with breathing should think carefully. I’d take that seriously and check with the operator and, if needed, a medical professional. Scuba uses controlled breathing, and you don’t want uncertainty to become a stress spiral once you’re out there.
Your First Underwater Stop: 3–5 Meters for Real Beginners
The first underwater session is set at 3–5 meters, with about 20 minutes underwater time. That depth choice is intentional: it’s shallow enough for most beginners to adapt to buoyancy and breathing without feeling overwhelmed.
You’ll do a guided arrival to the first point, then instructors stay close while you handle the basics. You’re not racing to see the most stuff; the goal is comfort and control. For people who feel nervous on day one, that matters. Getting calm underwater tends to be easier when you’re not constantly thinking about whether you’re in over your head.
You can also read our reviews of more scuba diving tours in Alanya
What makes this first stop good value
You’re paying for a two-step experience, not just one random underwater event. If you’re brand new, that structure turns the day into a progression: you start smaller, you build confidence, then you move to the next stage later.
How to get the best from that 20 minutes
Your 20 minutes will go by quickly. To make it worthwhile, focus on these basics:
- Stay relaxed when you descend
- Breathe steadily (don’t hold your breath)
- Keep your hands and body movements gentle so you don’t fight buoyancy
If you’re tense, it can feel harder than it should. If you’re calm, you’ll feel like you’re moving with the water instead of against it.
Snorkeling, Lunch, And The In-Water Break That Makes the Day Feel Complete
Not everyone will do the scuba portion, and that’s handled well. For people who don’t do the underwater sessions, there’s snorkeling built into the day so you still get the marine-life experience.
After the first underwater stop, you’ll have lunch onboard. Food onboard doesn’t always sound exciting until you realize you’re not hungry, you’re not stuck searching for a café, and you get to keep the day moving. This is one of those “small” inclusions that makes the full-day feel worth it.
Then there’s a swimming and sunbathing break. This is where the tour stops feeling like a schedule-only activity. You can take it easy, float, and enjoy the sea air.
Bring what makes the break better
Even though the tour provides scuba gear for the underwater parts, you’ll still want essentials for the surface time:
- Swimsuit and towel plan (some people forget the towel)
- Sunscreen you’re comfortable reapplying
- Water shoes if you’re worried about boat steps or rocky edges at the marina
The point of this break is to let you enjoy the day beyond the underwater moments.
The Second Underwater Stop At 7–8 Meters: More Challenge, Still Controlled
The second underwater point is deeper: 7–8 meters, again for about 20 minutes, accompanied by instructors. If the first stop was about confidence, this one is where you may start noticing more variation in the underwater experience as you go a bit deeper.
It’s still controlled. The tour format is designed so it doesn’t turn into a random advanced technical excursion. In practice, that means you’re not chasing long bottom time.
If you’re an experienced diver
If you’re already certified and have logged dives elsewhere, you may want to manage expectations. The experience is structured for beginners and mixed-skill days. That means:
- Underwater time is limited (about 20 minutes each session)
- Depth stays within a planned range
- You’re not getting a long, free-style session designed around your personal dive plan
That’s not a dealbreaker—just be honest with yourself about what you’re paying for.
Boat Ride In The Mediterranean: The Part You Might Underestimate
It’s easy to focus only on the underwater stops, but the boat time is a big part of why this tour feels like a real excursion.
You sail from the Alanya Okurcalar marina area and spend the middle of the day on the water, with lunch and surface time in between. Even if you’re nervous at first, the pacing often helps: you’re transitioning from learning to doing, with breaks that keep the day comfortable instead of nonstop stress.
Why this pacing works for many people
Most first-timers don’t struggle underwater because the ocean is scary. They struggle because it’s unfamiliar. Training, close instruction, short sessions, and a break for food and floating give you recovery time between stages.
Price And Value: Is $45.38 A Fair Deal?
At $45.38 per person, this tour is priced like a solid budget-friendly excursion—especially since it includes multiple big items.
Here’s what you get that usually costs extra on many sea tours:
- Two instructor-led underwater sessions (both are included)
- Training before the first underwater point
- Lunch onboard
- Insurance
- Scuba gear basics like suit and related equipment
- Pickup by air-conditioned vehicle
- Snorkeling option for non-scuba participants
What’s not included: beverages and photo/video. If you want photos, you’ll need to purchase them separately if available.
My value read
If you’re a first-timer, this is strong value because you’re paying for structure and support—not just access to water. If you’re an experienced diver looking for lots of bottom time and deeper exploration, this may feel more like a “short guided experience” than a “serious dive day.”
So the price is fair; the question is whether the format matches your scuba goals.
Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Should Think Twice)
This experience fits best if you:
- Want a guided first underwater experience
- Prefer clear steps: training, then first shallow stop, then second deeper stop
- Like the idea of snorkeling as an included option if you’re not the only one in your group
- Appreciate that the day includes lunch and a surface break
You might think twice if you:
- Have serious breathing issues (the tour specifically flags this)
- Are strongly sensitive to crowded conditions in peak season
- Are already an experienced certified diver and want long underwater time or deeper exploration beyond the planned range
Practical Tips That Make the Day Easier
A good day at sea is partly luck, and partly preparation. Since this tour requires good weather, build flexibility into your travel schedule.
A few practical things that help:
- Sleep and hydrate before pickup. You’ll feel better during training and the boat portions.
- Arrive with a calm mindset for the first underwater stop. Confidence comes from following instructions, not from rushing.
- Ask questions during training—especially about what to do if you feel uncomfortable.
- Plan for sun: you’ll have sunbathing time, and you’ll also be out in open air between boat segments.
If you’re the type who likes control, this tour gives you a plan—stick to it and you’ll enjoy the day more.
Should You Book It?
Book this if you want a structured, beginner-friendly scuba day from Side to Alanya with two guided underwater sessions, snorkeling for non-scuba participants, and lunch plus a real break on the water. At $45.38, the included training, gear basics, insurance, and transportation make it a practical value choice.
Skip it (or at least re-check your expectations) if you’re hoping for long solo underwater time, very deep exploration, or a totally quiet boat day in peak season. This is an organized experience designed for safety and progression—not a custom hardcore dive plan.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 8:00 am.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 8 hours.
Are non-scuba participants able to join?
Yes. If you don’t do the underwater sessions, you can enjoy snorkeling and marine life during the water time.
How deep are the underwater sessions?
The first underwater point is 3–5 meters, and the second is 7–8 meters.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included, and it’s provided onboard.
What if the weather is bad?
The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
If you want, tell me your group’s ages and whether anyone is a first-timer, and I’ll suggest the best way to time the day (and what to pack) for your exact comfort level.
