THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board a comfortable boat in Side for two guided 20‑minute dives among submerged ruins, with hotel transfer and a Mediterranean lunch included. Perfect for first‑time divers and non‑diving companions who want a day on clear, historic waters.
Board a comfortable boat in Side for two guided 20‑minute dives among submerged ruins, with hotel transfer and a Mediterranean lunch included. Perfect for first‑time divers and non‑diving companions who want a day on clear, historic waters.
The boat slips away from Side’s stone quay and the town’s ancient theater slides aft, small at first and then lost to the line of the horizon. Salt and diesel mix with the clean, green scent of pine as the captain points toward the first dive site — a scatter of submerged walls and columns where history and reef converge.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Arbek Travel · Side, Antalya Province
The boat slips away from Side’s stone quay and the town’s ancient theater slides aft, small at first and then lost to the line of the horizon. Salt and diesel mix with the clean, green scent of pine as the captain points toward the first dive site — a scatter of submerged walls and columns where history and reef converge.
This stretch of the Turkish Mediterranean was a Phoenician and Roman trading corridor; today shallow ruins, breaks of carved stone and a handful of shipwreck fragments sit within seagrass beds. Geologically the coast is limestone escarpment and pebble beaches, dropping quickly to clear water that often yields visibility of 10–20 meters. Local fishermen still work these coves, and lunch on the boat usually includes regional staples — fresh salad, grilled fish or mezze — served while the crew prepares cylinders and checks weights.
Practical note: the trip includes hotel transfers from Side, a brief theory session, full equipment and two roughly 20‑minute guided dives suitable for first-timers (minimum age 14). Expect shallow reef dives in the 6–12 m range, simple hand signals, and surface intervals back on the boat. Non‑divers can snorkel, swim or sunbathe between dives.
Plan for sun and wind: reef‑safe sunscreen, a light windbreaker for the return, and a towel. If you have cardiovascular issues or pregnancy, skip diving and enjoy the boat cruise instead. For photographers, a small underwater camera will capture the columns and schools of wrasse that dart through the ruins. Timing early in the day often means calmer seas and better visibility.
moderate.
6 hours.
Basic fitness; able to swim and climb steps on/off a boat. No prior dive certification required for introductory dives.
No—this is an introductory experience; instructors provide a brief training session and guide you through two shallow 20‑minute dives.
Minimum age is 14 for diving; younger children can usually join the boat as non‑diving guests.
Yes — round‑trip hotel transfer within Side is typically included in the price.
Not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with serious cardiovascular or respiratory conditions; disclose any medical issues at booking.
Side was a major ancient port with visible ruins both ashore and underwater; many coastal features are remnants of Roman and Hellenistic harbor structures.
The area contains seagrass meadows (Posidonia) important for biodiversity—use reef‑safe products and avoid touching or standing on the seabed.
Arbek Travel operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The boat slips away from Side’s stone quay and the town’s ancient theater slides aft, small at first and then lost to the line of the horizon. Salt and diesel mix with the clean, green scent of pine as the captain points toward the first dive site — a scatter of submerged walls and columns where history and reef converge.
The boat slips away from Side’s stone quay and the town’s ancient theater slides aft, small at first and then lost to the line of the horizon. Salt and diesel mix with the clean, green scent of pine as the captain points toward the first dive site — a scatter of submerged walls and columns where history and reef converge.
This stretch of the Turkish Mediterranean was a Phoenician and Roman trading corridor; today shallow ruins, breaks of carved stone and a handful of shipwreck fragments sit within seagrass beds. Geologically the coast is limestone escarpment and pebble beaches, dropping quickly to clear water that often yields visibility of 10–20 meters. Local fishermen still work these coves, and lunch on the boat usually includes regional staples — fresh salad, grilled fish or mezze — served while the crew prepares cylinders and checks weights.
Practical note: the trip includes hotel transfers from Side, a brief theory session, full equipment and two roughly 20‑minute guided dives suitable for first-timers (minimum age 14). Expect shallow reef dives in the 6–12 m range, simple hand signals, and surface intervals back on the boat. Non‑divers can snorkel, swim or sunbathe between dives.
Plan for sun and wind: reef‑safe sunscreen, a light windbreaker for the return, and a towel. If you have cardiovascular issues or pregnancy, skip diving and enjoy the boat cruise instead. For photographers, a small underwater camera will capture the columns and schools of wrasse that dart through the ruins. Timing early in the day often means calmer seas and better visibility.