Two calm underwater scuba sessions with easy pickup. I love how this Alanya trip starts with smooth hotel pickup and ends with the basics handled for you: a clear briefing and patient instruction before you go in.

The one thing I’d plan around is the optional extras—photos and video cost extra, and one review pegged pricing at a hefty level, so decide ahead of time what you want to keep.

Key highlights

• Hotel pickup plus a 1.5-hour transfer from Alanya to the Turkler area so you’re not figuring out transport
• Two underwater sessions (morning and afternoon) with lunch in the middle
• Full gear provided: wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and tank
• Instructor-led guidance paired with a briefing so first-timers aren’t thrown in
• Time to swim or relax on the boat between the two sessions
• Underwater canyon scenery and lots of marine life, with bread sometimes used to attract fish

From Alanya to Turkler: How the day starts and why it matters

This trip is built around a simple rhythm: early pickup, a ride out to the boat area, then two underwater sessions spaced across the day. It runs about 8 hours, starting at 8:00 am, and the transfer from Alanya to the Turkler diving spot is around 1.5 hours. That first chunk of time is worth knowing about, because it sets your whole pace: you’ll want water handy and something light to eat if your pickup is before breakfast.

Pickup is typically from your hotel in Alanya. The exact departure time can shift depending on where your hotel sits, so treat the confirmation message as your best clue for when the van shows up. The group size is capped at 50 people, which is big enough to be easy to organize, but not so huge that you feel lost the whole day.

If you like structure, this is a good sign. Your morning is not just a boat ride plus chaos. There’s a briefing, gear fitting, and a planned sequence for getting you into the water twice.

The briefing and scuba gear: What you’ll actually rely on

Before you go in, you get a thorough briefing from the scuba instructors. That matters more than people think, especially if you’re new or you’re nervous about the mechanics. One review highlighted that the first session felt challenging, but the instructors stayed calm and patient and made both sessions work.

You’ll also be outfitted with scuba equipment, including wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, and tank. The value here is practical: you don’t need to track down rental gear, and you’re not hunting for the right size in a foreign country while your timing slips. It’s also a safety advantage. You’re using equipment issued by the tour, not random rentals that might be a poor fit.

One small reality check: you still need to be comfortable wearing the wetsuit and managing your breathing and buoyancy. The tour expects moderate physical fitness, so choose it honestly if you know you struggle with stamina or if you have health limits you’d rather discuss first.

The boat ride and the underwater canyon routes you’ll see

Once you’re on the boat, you’re heading to the prime underwater locations off Alanya. The scenery above water is part of the experience: you get that Mediterranean feel as you travel from port to the chosen site. Then the focus turns underwater, where you can expect canyon-style formations and marine life.

One of the most memorable details from the reviews is how fish are handled during the first session. There’s mention of bread being offered in the water, and it can lead to close, surprising moments—like fish coming close enough that you feel it on your hands. That kind of contact doesn’t happen on every trip the same way, but it’s exactly the sort of thing you’d hope for on a first or beginner-friendly experience.

Also note the pattern of what you might see. Reviews described more fish during the first session, while the second spot had less fish but clearer, calmer conditions and greater depth. That’s not a guarantee, but it matches how many boat plans work: the route balances visibility, conditions, and depth so you get variety instead of just repeating the same scenery twice.

Two underwater sessions plus real downtime on the boat

This is a two-session format: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch comes between. In practice, that means you get a proper amount of water time without turning the day into a nonstop grind.

Between the two sessions, you’re not stuck doing something every minute. You can swim with a mask, relax on the boat, or simply rest while others are gearing up. One review specifically mentioned opportunities to swim or lounge while waiting. For many people, that downtime is the difference between a trip that feels like an all-day effort and one that feels fun and manageable.

Timing can vary by conditions and the group, but one review said the underwater portion was about 20 minutes per session. Treat that as a useful ballpark rather than a promise, since weather and site conditions can shift schedules. The key point is that the tour doesn’t sell this as a marathon. It’s paced for people who want to enjoy the underwater world without exhausting themselves.

Lunch between sessions: what you’re likely to eat and why it works

Lunch is included, and from the reviews it’s simple and filling. One described pasta, nuggets, salad, and bread. Another called it a simple but good lunch and said they were satisfied afterward.

Why I like this: after a wetsuit morning and an underwater session, you don’t want a heavy gourmet meal—but you also don’t want only a sad snack. Pasta and bread do the job. The fact that lunch sits between sessions also helps you avoid that mid-afternoon energy crash that can make the second session feel harder than it should.

If you’re picky about food, keep expectations realistic: this isn’t a craft-food experience. It’s fuel, served in a straightforward way. The value is that it’s included, so you’re not searching for lunch while everyone’s waiting for the next round of equipment checks.

Photos and video: the one cost to think about early

Here’s the practical heads-up: photos can be pricey. One review mentioned expensive photos around $70, and another mentioned €35 for an action-camera photo opportunity. They also said there was no pressure to buy, which is a good vibe, but the pricing still matters.

If you care about souvenirs, decide what you want before you’re tired and excited. It’s easier to make a calm choice right after the second session than when you’re already feeling that trip adrenaline. If you’re fine with just the memories, you can usually pass without ruining the experience.

Also, photos can be taken by an action camera. One review said photos were on an action camera during the first session. That suggests you might not have the option to choose lots of different shots on your own—you might see what they offer after.

Who should book this Alanya scuba session format

This tour is a solid match for beginners and people who want guidance without mystery. The briefing, the step-by-step setup, and the calm teaching style called out in reviews all point to a beginner-friendly setup.

It can also fit active families or couples where one person is eager to do the underwater sessions and another wants to enjoy the boat day. The tour notes that participants under age 14 cannot join the underwater activity, but they can still come along for the boat trip. So the day can work even when not everyone is doing the scuba portion.

Who might want a rethink:

• If you know you get anxious in the water, you should go in with a clear mindset and be honest with the instructors during the briefing.
• If photo pricing is a deal-breaker for you, plan for that cost—or plan to skip it.
• If you struggle with moderate physical demands, this might not be the best use of your time.

One review also mentioned that if someone doesn’t want the session, there’s an option to use a mask and swim, plus some sort of entry from the boat. The boat entry can feel high for some people, so if that’s a concern for you, bring it up early so you can choose what’s comfortable.

Price and value: Is $39 a fair deal?

At $39 per person, this is priced like an approachable, no-frills day trip—especially because it includes:

• two underwater sessions
• hotel pickup and drop-off
• lunch
• scuba equipment
• an English-speaking setup (as offered)

Value is not just the sticker price. It’s what you don’t have to do. You’re not paying separately for gear rental, not coordinating transport, and not booking separate experiences to fill the day. Two sessions plus lunch is a lot of output for the cost.

Could there be hidden costs? Potentially, but they’re not required—mostly photos and personal spending. The photos are optional. The main “extra” factor is your own comfort level and whether you want to spend on souvenirs.

If you’re comparing this to other water activities in the region, the big difference is that you’re getting structured coaching plus included gear. That’s usually where beginner-friendly experiences earn their keep.

Practical tips for your exact day in Alanya

You’ll enjoy this tour more if you prepare like the day is mostly about water time and waiting time in between.

A few smart moves:

• Wear easy clothes for the pickup. You’ll change into wetsuit gear later.
• Bring a small towel and flip-flops if you have them. Gear up and down can get wet.
• Plan for sun. Even if you’re not in the water continuously, you’ll be on the boat.
• Don’t overpack your day before the 8:00 am start. Your energy needs to last through both sessions.

Also, keep your expectations grounded. This is a guided experience, not an endless underwater roam. The instructors guide you for safety and comfort, and the schedule is designed around doing it twice—not staying underwater for hours.

Weather matters too. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions are poor, you may be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s common for boat-based water activities, but it’s still something to remember when you’re planning a tight itinerary.

Weather, group size, and the age rule you should note

The maximum group size is 50 travelers, and the tour is set up to run within that limit. That helps with organization, but it still means you’ll move as a group—so be ready for some waiting during gearing and transfers between sessions.

The age rule is clear: under 14 can’t do the underwater activity, but they can join the boat trip. If you’re traveling with kids, this is a big deciding factor. Make sure everyone understands the difference between coming along on the boat and actually doing the scuba portion.

You’ll also want to be mindful of the moderate physical fitness expectation. Nothing about this sounds extreme, but scuba does require basic comfort with the equipment and the water environment.

Should you book this Alanya underwater scuba tour?

If you want an organized, beginner-friendly way to do two underwater sessions with pickup, gear, and lunch included, this is an easy yes. The reviews back up the idea that instructions are calm and that the day stays smooth from hotel pickup to the second session.

Book it if:

• you’re new to scuba and want a structured briefing
• you like the idea of time on the boat between sessions
• you want a straightforward $39-value experience with minimal planning

Think twice if:

• you’re very price-sensitive about photos and souvenirs (optional, but can be expensive)
• you don’t meet the moderate fitness expectation
• your schedule can’t flex if weather forces a change

If you go with the right expectations—two guided sessions, included gear, lunch in the middle—you should have a fun, memorable day on the Mediterranean without the stress.

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