Pirates and foam on the Alanya coast. If you want a sea day that feels more like a party than a cruise, this Side Big Kral pirate boat trip hits the key ingredients: four anchor stops for swimming and an onboard foam party with a disco-style setup and upbeat music. It’s the kind of day that moves fast—morning pickup, hours on the water, then back to your hotel with sand-in-your-shoes memories.

I also like the way the day is packaged for convenience. You get hotel transfer both ways and a guided, family-friendly pirate program for kids, so you’re not stuck doing all the entertaining yourself. The main drawback to plan around is drinks: you get unlimited soft drinks, but other drinks (including alcohol, plus coffee/tea) can cost extra, and the onboard bar is pricey.

Key things to know before you go

• Hotel pickup is from the main entrance gate (not the reception), since many Side hotels have strict privacy rules
• A 45 km drive brings you to the pier at Türkler shore before you start sailing
• The boat anchors at four swimming stops along Alanya’s coastline
• Foam party + disco area are a big part of the entertainment
• Kids can get pirate-style games like a treasure hunt, puzzles, and games
• Unlimited soft drinks are included, but other drinks aren’t

Big Kral style day at sea: what you’re paying for

At $75 per person for an 8–9 hour outing, this trip is really about “one ticket, no stress, lots of fun.” You’re paying for a full day structure: transportation, a guided boat day, lunch, and a packaged entertainment set that’s designed to get people moving, splashing, and taking photos.

What makes it especially good value is that the big items are included. You get lunch, hotel transfer (both ways), full insurance, a foam party, and unlimited soft drinks. Once you’re on board, the day doesn’t rely on you making decisions every hour. That matters if you’re on a tight vacation schedule or you just don’t want to think.

That said, the “pirate boat” pitch can set high expectations. One key consideration: the promotion calls it the biggest pirate boat ever, but at least one person felt the boat wasn’t actually the biggest option in the Big Kral line. If size is your top priority, treat the marketing as a vibe indicator, not a measurable guarantee.

Side pickup and the Türkler pier: logistics that can make or break the morning

Start time is 9:00 am, but plan like the day begins earlier than that. You’re picked up from Side area hotels in the morning, and a comfortable vehicle drives about 45 km toward Türkler shore for the pier.

Here’s the practical bit: your pickup point is often not the reception. Many hotels in Side have high privacy rules, so you need to meet at the main entrance gate, not the front desk. This one detail can save you a lot of waiting.

Also, if you’re staying in Side, expect an early wake-up. One schedule example shared with the operator was a very early pickup around 7:00 am, explained by the fact that the boat is operating out of Alanya. That doesn’t mean every day is the same, but it’s a realistic signal: don’t plan a leisurely morning before pickup.

If you want to reduce stress, keep your phone charged and watch for the mobile ticket instructions. This tour uses mobile tickets, and confirmation is provided at booking. The goal is simple: show up where they expect you, when they expect you.

The drive to the pier: what 45 km usually feels like

That 45 km transfer isn’t long in travel terms, but it’s long enough that you’ll feel it if you’re already tired. The ride is part of the package, though, and it has one benefit: it keeps you from hunting for meeting points on your own.

Because the tour moves you from Side toward the Türkler shore pier, this is a day trip that’s organized as a loop: hotel → pier → Alanya coast → pier → hotel. The flip side is that it’s less ideal if you want to skip the pickup or arrive late. This is built for one schedule.

Alanya coastline cruise: four swim stops and calm-water breaks

The heart of the day is the sailing along Alanya’s coastline. The trip is designed around downtime where you can actually do something: the boat anchors at four different places for swimming and time in the water.

Why that matters: on a lot of boat days, you get one stop and the rest is just “watching the sea go by.” Here, the structure gives you multiple chances to swim, float, and grab photos from slightly different angles of coastline. You’ll also get breaks where the water is described as clear and the bays as calm, with picture-perfect backdrops.

Realistic expectation check: you’re on a shared boat day, and the anchors mean the group will move as one. If you like “quiet, slow, and private,” you may find it more upbeat than tranquil. But if you want variety—more than one swim moment—this format does the job.

The total time on the sea segment is about 6 hours, which is a healthy chunk. It’s long enough that lunch won’t feel rushed, and the day doesn’t turn into just a single splash-and-go.

Foam party disco: how the entertainment plays on deck

This is where the tour leans hardest into being a party. During the sailing portion, you’re part of an ultra-fun foam party, and there’s a fully equipped disco area on board. Expect upbeat international music while foam covers parts of the deck and you end up getting splashed whether you want to or not.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes movement—dancing, laughing, and letting the day go a little silly—this is the highlight. If you’re hoping for a quiet sightseeing cruise with soft background music, the foam party is probably not your style.

For me, the best way to handle it is to plan your comfort. Bring swimwear you don’t mind getting wet, and wear something you can rinse off easily. Even if you’re not dancing, the boat is designed to be wet and playful.

Lunch, soft drinks, and the bar reality check

Lunch is included, and unlimited soft drinks are included too. That’s a big deal, because it helps you stay hydrated without paying for every bottle.

But here’s the money pit you should know about: other drinks aren’t included. That includes alcohol, and coffee/tea can cost extra as well. One person noted that the information about included drinks didn’t match what happened in practice, and the result was extra payments for alcoholic drinks plus coffee and tea.

You should also assume the onboard bar is expensive. Another comment put it bluntly: everything on the boat is expensive, so bring your budget mindset with you.

Practical takeaway: if you’re trying to keep the trip within a set budget, stick to the included soft drinks and plan lunch as your main meal. If you do want alcohol or coffee/tea, decide ahead of time if you want those costs to be part of your $75 total.

Pirate games for kids: fun with structure, not chaos

One of the strongest reasons to choose this kind of pirate boat day is that it’s built to entertain kids while adults can breathe. The crew runs pirite-themed activities for small kids, including a treasure hunt, puzzles, and various games.

That matters because you’re not just “passing time” with children. The tour gives them a reason to stay engaged on the boat, and it reduces the odds you’ll be stuck managing boredom for hours.

Even if you’re traveling without kids, this kind of structured entertainment tends to make the atmosphere livelier. Just remember: the kids-focused games and the foam party both point to an energetic, family-oriented vibe.

Group size and the feel of the day: up to 600 people

This tour has a maximum capacity of 600 travelers. That’s a lot. In practice, it can still feel fun and organized, but you should expect a busy atmosphere at key moments—boarding, the foam party, and when everyone returns to the pier.

If crowds make you cranky, you can still make it work. You’ll have four swim stops to spread out your attention, and there’s plenty of time onboard. Just don’t expect empty deck space everywhere.

The real question: reliability on the day you book

Most of the trip is straightforward: confirmed booking, guided service, hotel transfer, and a weather-dependent sea day. But I want you to know about the human side of operations.

There’s been at least one serious instance of poor organization, with a Sunday trip canceled after a postponement message, then a confusing call about pickup, and another cancellation shortly after. In that situation, the operator’s manager (John of Hektor Travel) reached out afterward with an apology and an offer to compensate for inconvenience.

I’m not saying that’s the norm. I am saying you should treat this like any popular boat trip: keep an eye on day-of messages and don’t assume the first message you see will match the final schedule.

Also note the weather requirement. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you should expect a different date or a full refund.

Quick value check: who this tour suits best

I think this trip is a strong match if you want:

• a single-ticket sea day with hotel pickup and a set schedule
• swimming time in multiple bays instead of one stop
• a loud, playful vibe with foam party + disco
• activities that keep kids entertained without you building the whole plan

It may be less ideal if you want:

• a quiet, adults-only sightseeing cruise
• all drinks included (it’s really unlimited soft drinks, with other drinks likely extra)
• certainty that the trip will always run on the exact date without any last-minute changes (it’s weather-dependent, and at least one cancellation story has happened)

Should you book Side Big Kral Pirate Boat Trip?

If you’re looking for a fun, action-heavy boat day with transfers and a ready-made entertainment package, this is worth considering. The combination of four swim stops, included lunch, and the foam party disco is the kind of “vacation energy” that many people come to Turkey for.

But if you’re budget-sensitive about drinks, go in with your eyes open: the included soft drinks are the safety net, while alcohol and coffee/tea can add up fast. And if you hate surprises, plan to stay flexible because it’s a weather-based sea outing, and operations can occasionally hiccup.

If that sounds like you, book it—and then pack like you’re going to get wet.

FAQ

How much does the Side Big Kral Pirate Boat Trip cost?

The price is listed as $75.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Do you get hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel transfer is included for both ways, and you’re picked up from the Side region hotels.

Where should you meet for pickup?

Because many hotels have privacy rules, you should meet at the main entrance gate of your hotel, not the reception.

What’s included in the price?

The trip includes lunch, full insurance, hotel transfer (both ways), the foam party, unlimited soft drinks, and guiding service.

Are drinks other than soft drinks included?

Unlimited soft drinks are included. Other drinks and personal spendings are not included, so you should expect additional costs for items beyond soft drinks.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

How far in advance can you cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Are there any weather-related schedule changes?

Yes. The tour requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll get either another date or a full refund.

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