A full-on boat day, but with training wheels. This Alanya-and-Side tour is set up for both new and experienced scuba folks, with structured beginner coaching and two guided underwater sessions in the Mediterranean.

I especially like the calm, step-by-step way they teach you how to breathe, communicate, and control your buoyancy—starting with theory, then surface breathing drills, then short practical moments at a safe depth. The other big win is the attention to comfort and confidence: you get pauses building up meter-by-meter, and the guides keep you steady while you explore up to six meters.

One consideration: sea conditions and visibility can affect the experience. The program can change if the weather turns rough, and one past guest noted the timing felt long at sea and that motion made people feel sick.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Beginners get real instruction first: equipment basics, safety procedures, and underwater hand signals before you go down.
• Two underwater sessions, each about 30 minutes: enough time to feel the magic without a marathon schedule.
• Meter-by-meter confidence building: guided pauses help you get used to depth changes.
• Up to six meters with buoyancy support: your instructor helps you stay suspended at the right depth.
• Fish-feeding moment at around three meters: a hands-on wildlife encounter with a second instructor documenting it.
• Multilingual crew (English, German, Russian, Turkish): you’re less likely to get lost in translation.

Price and what you actually get for $67

At about $67 per person for an 8-hour outing, this tour is priced like a practical, “do it once the right way” experience. You’re not just paying for time underwater—you’re paying for coaching, safety, and equipment, plus the hassle-free hotel transfer from Alanya and Side.

The “value math” is solid if you fall into one of these groups:

• You’re a beginner and want instruction you can repeat in your head later.
• You want two separate underwater experiences in a single day rather than one long session.
• You’d rather not sort out gear rental, timing, and local logistics on your own.

The tradeoff is what you’d expect at this price level: drinks aren’t included, and photos/videos are available only if you buy them. If you’re expecting a premium photo package included, you’ll want to budget for that separately.

Getting to the boat: Alanya and Side hotel pickup that matters

This is a transfer-based day, not a “find your own way” operation. You can get pickup and drop-off from your accommodation in the Alanya and Side area.

A couple of details that help the day run smoothly:

• You’re asked for your room number after you check in.
• Pickup times can shift depending on your hotel location, and they’ll message you after booking.
• You should wait at the main entrance/security point about 5 minutes before the scheduled pickup.
• It’s a good idea to share a WhatsApp number since they recommend contact through it.

Why this matters: when you’re doing a water activity, a late pickup can domino into lost training time, a rushed first session, or worse, getting stressed before you even gear up. Here, the system is clearly built around keeping you on schedule.

The crew and safety vibe on board

The tour runs with a multi-lingual crew of ten. The setup includes two senior underwater leaders plus instructors to guide you through training and the underwater part of the day. They work with different skill levels, so the group isn’t forced into one “either you can do this or you can’t” rhythm.

Two things I like about this kind of crew ratio and structure:

• You can usually find someone to explain gear and procedures in a language you understand without feeling singled out.
• You’re not left floating alone. The tour is built for guidance, from beginner instruction all the way to depth control.

Also, the tour is clear about limits. It’s not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. If that’s you, don’t try to “power through”—this is about safety and comfort, not hero moments.

Training for first-timers: theory, hand signals, and surface breathing

If you’re new to scuba, the morning starts with the stuff that makes the rest of the day feel doable:

• Equipment explanation
• Safety procedures
• Underwater hand signals

Then you move into practical prep:

• Breathing exercises on the surface
• Getting comfortable with the idea of controlled descent and proper buoyancy

After that, you don’t get dumped straight into the deep end. You descend gradually, and there are pauses at each meter to help you build confidence. For your brain, that “stop and reset” rhythm is huge. Instead of feeling like you’re constantly reacting, you learn the sequence.

And yes—there’s a moment that turns practice into a memory: at around three meters, you’ll feed the fish while an instructor can capture photos/videos for purchase.

What your underwater sessions look like (and why the depth plan works)

You’ll have two underwater sessions, each about 30 minutes. The tour typically goes up to six meters, and the afternoon repeats that six-meter experience at a different spot.

Here’s what that means in real terms:

Session 1: Confidence + a guided wildlife moment

• Gradual descent with meter-by-meter pauses
• You reach about three meters
• You feed fish during that time
• A second instructor is on photo/video capture duty

This part is ideal if you’re nervous. You’re not just learning gear—you’re learning how it feels to be calm underwater while someone actively monitors your air and buoyancy.

Session 2: Up to six meters, more exploration

Once you’ve had the “new-to-water” nerves handled, you get a more relaxed swim around an island area. Your instructor adjusts the air in your suit so you can stay at the required depth—meaning you’re not fighting your body the whole time.

Why six meters is a sweet spot for many beginners:

• It’s deep enough to feel truly underwater and different from snorkeling.
• It’s still shallow enough that the experience stays controlled and coach-led.
• You get that weightless, floaty sensation without it turning into an endurance event.

Also note: the second location is different, so you’re not doing a copy-paste experience back-to-back.

Visibility and sea conditions: the realistic part of the plan

The Mediterranean can be incredible, but it isn’t a lab. This tour explicitly notes that the program is subject to change due to sea conditions, and some stopping points may be omitted for safety.

What you can take from that:

• If the sea is rough, expect alterations, not perfection.
• Even on calmer days, visibility can vary. One past guest wanted slightly better sight at their time of year.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, take it seriously. One review mentioned being out at sea for a long stretch and feeling that many people got seasick on the ship. You can’t control the weather, but you can decide in advance whether you should bring motion sickness medication or plan for it.

Non-divers can join as visitors

If you’re traveling with friends or family who don’t want to do the scuba part, you don’t have to split the group. The tour allows visitors who can join the boat and enjoy the onboard facilities, just not the scuba session itself.

This is a practical feature for couples too—someone can wait onboard while the other person gets the underwater experience, and you’re not stuck doing separate tours with separate transfer costs.

Photos and videos: what’s included vs. what costs extra

The tour includes the capture process as part of the experience, but not the final products. That means:

• Photos/videos can be taken during key moments (like the fish-feeding)
• They’re not included
• You can purchase the media if you want

If you care about keeping a souvenir, I’d plan for this cost ahead of time. It’s the kind of thing that turns out to be worth it later—especially if you’re a beginner who wants proof you actually did it.

Equipment: the “confidence gear” you’re really paying for

Your scuba equipment is included. The big point here isn’t the brand—it’s the fact that the tour provides gear that’s meant to work smoothly for the group.

In a beginner setup, the difference between good and average equipment handling shows up fast:

• You waste less time troubleshooting
• You spend more time learning the flow of breathing and buoyancy
• You don’t feel like you’re guessing underwater

If you’ve ever tried to self-learn gear adjustments on your own, you already know why a structured guide makes this feel safer.

Food and downtime: what the 8 hours feels like

This is an 8-hour day, so it’s not just “gear, go down, done.” You have transfer time, onboard time, training time, and two separate underwater sessions.

One review specifically noted that the onboard lunch was sufficient and tasty. Even though drinks aren’t included, the existence of a decent meal break is a plus for a full-day schedule—especially if you’re doing a beginner course and need your energy steady.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This tour is set up for a wide range of skill levels. It’s a strong fit if you:

• Want beginner coaching with clear safety instruction and hand signals
• Want to learn in a controlled way with pauses at each meter
• Like the idea of two sessions in one day instead of a single shot

It’s not a fit if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have mobility impairments
• Are hoping for a completely private experience (this is a guided group day)

And if you’re sensitive to motion: it might still work, but plan ahead. Sea sickness isn’t a moral failure—it’s a body thing. Bring what you need.

Practical tips so you get the most from your day

These aren’t “extras.” They’re the small moves that help your underwater session feel smoother.

• Bring swimwear and a towel. That’s all they request for clothing-side essentials.
• Keep your WhatsApp ready. Pickup timing and contact help reduce stress.
• If you’re a first-timer, listen closely during the sign language and breathing drills. That groundwork controls the entire experience.
• Budget for photos/videos if you want them. The fish-feeding moment is exactly the kind of thing you’ll want to keep.

Should you book this Alanya scuba tour?

I’d book it if you want a guided, beginner-friendly underwater day with real instruction and a sensible depth plan. The combination of hotel transfers, two sessions, and the step-by-step coaching structure makes it a solid value choice—especially if you don’t want to manage gear and logistics by yourself.

I would hesitate if you:

• Get motion sick easily and have no plan for it
• Are going in rough-season weather and need a day with zero uncertainty
• Need full accessibility accommodations (since it’s not suitable for mobility impairments)

If you’re somewhere in the middle—nervous but curious, or experienced but want a guided, confidence-first setup—this is the kind of tour that can turn “maybe someday” into a skill you actually learned.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, diving equipment, training for beginners, and two underwater sessions.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours, with the exact starting time depending on availability.

Are two sessions included or just one?

You get two underwater sessions, each around 30 minutes.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. First-time participants receive theory on equipment and safety, learn underwater hand signals, then do surface breathing exercises before going underwater with an instructor.

Can non-divers come on the boat?

Yes. People who don’t want to do scuba can join as visitors and enjoy the boat facilities, but they won’t do the underwater sessions.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Drinks aren’t included, and photos/videos are not included (they’re available for purchase).