A boat day in Side feels like a reset. You get sea time plus history on the same ticket, with stops for swimming, plus lunch and non-alcoholic drinks. It’s a simple plan that works well if you want a break from the heat without a ton of museum time.

I especially like the swimming break at the river meeting the sea. The water stays inviting and the scenery changes fast as the coast shifts from town harbor to calmer bays. I also enjoy the mix of sea stops and real land time, including 1.5 hours free time in Ancient Side.

The main thing to watch is the wording around included drinks. Soft drinks are part of the package, but the setup can feel limited, and extra cans or extras can add up fast.

Key things I’d plan around

• River-meets-sea swimming: a fun stop that breaks up the ride
• Turtle Bay stop: a calmer-feeling stretch that’s good for relaxing
• Side Harbor viewpoints: quick city-on-the-water energy
• Apollon Temple area: classic Side ruins in the mix
• Lunch onboard: you eat while the day stays moving
• Soft drinks expectations: treat them as limited, not unlimited

Getting to the Water: Pickup, Crew, and What You’ll Actually Feel

This tour is built around an easy start. You’ll get hotel pickup and drop-off and then head out from the Side area to the Mediterranean. That matters because Side traffic and resort distances can turn a “quick outing” into a long slog—pickup keeps the day sane.

Once onboard, you’re in good hands with a professional crew and a boat designed for comfort. You can expect large deck areas and comfortable seating, which is exactly what you want on a day that includes sun, swimming, and moving between stops. Even if your group is mixed ages and energy levels, the setup helps.

You also get a live tour guide. Languages listed are English, Russian, and German, so the experience should stay understandable even if you don’t speak Turkish.

Swimming Where the River Meets the Sea

One highlight is the swim at the confluence of the River and the sea. This is the kind of stop that feels different from a plain beach break because the water and coastline meet in a way that’s visually interesting and a little unusual.

Practical tip: bring swimwear you can quickly change into, and pack something for your towel situation. The tour includes a swimming break, but boats don’t run like a beach club with everything laid out for you. If you’re sensitive to sun, plan a quick reapply of sunscreen after the swim—sea days remove the protection fast.

This stop is also one of the best “day markers.” Even if you’re not a hardcore swimmer, you’ll want that one moment of full stop-and-splash during the ride. It breaks up the schedule and keeps the boat time from feeling like just sitting on water.

Side Harbor Views: Good Energy, Short and Worth It

Another named highlight is the Side Harbor. This is where the day starts to feel very Side—boats, town atmosphere, and coastal life. It’s not meant to be a long photo safari. It’s more like a “get your bearings fast” moment, with the harbor framing the town from the water.

If you like coastal towns, this is the part you’ll feel most. You see the mix of sea life and the built environment that makes Side such a popular base. If you’re the type who likes quiet scenes, you might find the harbor phase a little busier than later stops—but it’s usually short.

The upside is momentum. You’ll move from harbor energy to more relaxed water areas without the day bogging down.

Turtle Bay: The Relax-Mode Portion of the Trip

Turtle Bay is built into the route as another stop. The name alone suggests a more laid-back feel, and in practice, this is the part of the day where people tend to settle in—sitting back, enjoying the breeze, and treating the boat like a float.

Here’s what I think is smart about including a bay stop: it balances your day. You get your swimming moment earlier, then you shift into “hangout on the water” mode before the land portion. That rhythm helps if you get tired of constant moving.

Keep an eye on your timing for when the boat departs. With any multi-stop boat trip, the most annoying moments usually come from being a little slow back to your seat after a break.

Ancient Side and Apollon Temple: Turning Sea Time Into Real Sights

The tour includes Apollon Temple as a key highlight, plus 1.5 hours of free time in Ancient Side. That combination is valuable because it prevents the day from being purely “on the water.” You get at least a meaningful taste of Side’s ruins and the atmosphere around them.

The free time is also the part you can shape. If you like walking at your own pace, you can do that. If you prefer to focus on a couple of photo angles and then retreat to shade, you can do that too. You don’t have to “do everything” to feel like the land portion mattered.

What to expect on this side of the tour: sun and stone. Ancient Side is exactly the kind of area where the shade can be limited depending on the time of day, so wear good shoes and plan water. Even if you’re not doing a museum visit, you’ll likely walk more than you expect once you’re free.

If you’re traveling with someone who finds museums boring, this is a good compromise: ruins are often easier to enjoy than a full indoor program, and the sea ride keeps the day from feeling like a long history lecture.

Lunch Onboard: Turkish Flavors Without Interrupting the Day

Lunch is included, served during the tour. The idea is simple: eat while the day continues, so you don’t lose hours to searching for food or waiting for a restaurant table.

This is where the value often shines. $23 per person may sound like “just a boat,” but the package includes lunch and non-alcoholic drinks, which is one of the most expensive parts of a day trip when you’re on the coast and deciding between cafés.

What I’d do: treat lunch as fuel, not as a full gourmet event. The goal is to keep your energy up for swimming and walking in Ancient Side. Also, since lunch timing is tied to the boat schedule, you’ll want to stay flexible and not plan a big appetite around a specific hour.

Soft Drinks and the Extra-Cost Reality

Soft drinks are listed as included, alongside water. That’s the headline. The practical reality can be more complicated than you expect.

Here’s the approach I recommend: plan as if the included drinks are limited. In one of the main complaints from prior groups, the soft drinks package turned into confusion, with extra cans later requiring extra payment. If you want unlimited soda or you’re traveling with kids who go through drinks quickly, you’ll want to be ready for spending beyond the base price.

Alcoholic beverages are not included. That part is clear, and it should stay clear in your budgeting.

Budget hack that stays honest: bring extra cash or a card reserved specifically for drinks and snacks that aren’t part of the lunch. You don’t have to overspend—this just protects you from getting surprised mid-day when you’re already on the boat and want something cold.

Timing Reality: Why 5 Hours Can Feel Longer

The duration is listed at 5 hours, and starting times depend on availability. That’s the official number. In real life, door-to-door time can stretch because you have pickup and drop-off.

One reason is simple: hotels aren’t all the same distance from the meeting point, and pickup can take time with different guests. Another reason is that boat time includes stops for swimming and land time in Ancient Side.

So my advice is boring but useful: don’t plan a strict dinner reservation right afterward. If you like a smooth travel day, treat this as half-day to almost-full-day depending on where you’re staying and how long the route takes that day.

Price and Value: When $23 Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)

At about $23 per person, this tour can be a strong value because it bundles a lot together:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• a live tour guide
• lunch
• swimming break
• soft drinks
• time to explore Ancient Side

If you were to pay separately for a boat, a meal, and transport, it usually costs more than people expect. This package is priced like a practical day-out, not a luxury sailing experience.

Where the value can dip is if you end up paying extra for drinks during the day. If you’re a light drinker and you’re happy with what’s included with lunch, you’ll probably feel the deal more than a person who wants constant refills.

My rule: If you’re going mostly for sea views, the swimming break, and a quick ruin walk, the price fits the plan. If your day trip expectations include lots of extra onboard purchases, you’ll want to plan that spend ahead of time.

Who This Boat Tour Fits Best

This is a great fit if:

• you want a sea day without complicated planning
• you like short, organized outings with free time built in
• you’re happy mixing swimming, lunch, and a land stroll
• your group ranges in age and you want something that works for different energy levels

It’s also a good option if you don’t want a full-day bus tour. The boat format keeps things moving, and the schedule gives you a taste of what Side feels like from two angles: water and ruins.

One caution: it’s not suitable for people over 95, based on the tour’s rules.

Should You Book the City of Side Boat Tour?

I’d book this if you want a straightforward, good-value day built around the coast—swimming at the river-sea meeting point, a Turtle Bay stretch to relax, lunch onboard, and enough time in Ancient Side to feel like you actually did something on land.

Skip or rethink if you know you’ll want lots of extra drinks beyond what’s included, or you dislike the idea that onboard purchases may be a bigger part of the cost than you expected. In that case, either budget for extra spending or choose a different style of tour where drinks are clearly unlimited in advance.

FAQ

FAQ

What is included in the City of Side Boat Tour?

The tour includes lunch, soft drinks, a swimming break, a tour guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, 1.5 hours of free time in Ancient Side, and insurance.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 5 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll need to check availability for the specific departures.

Where does the tour include a visit on land?

You’ll have 1.5 hours free time in Ancient Side, and the route highlights include Apollon Temple.

What languages is the tour guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English, Russian, and German.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Where should I wait for pickup?

You should wait at your hotel’s entrance security gate.