Side: All Inclusive Luxury Boat Trip & Free Time in Alanya

The main attraction here is not a quiet yacht ride. It is a full day on a large pirate-themed ship, with three swimming stops, cave views, lunch, music, games, and a foam party. You also get one useful hour in Alanya, enough for the harbor and Red Tower area without turning the trip into a rushed city tour.

I like the mix of sea time and town time, and I like that the buffet lunch and soft drinks are included. The biggest caution is the pace: the ship is built for lively group fun, not peaceful sailing, and the transfer from Side can take about 1.5 hours each way. Beer and wine are included only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so check your date before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming breaks: You get a 20 to 25 minute stop at Ulas Beach, another near Kleopatra Beach, and a final 10 to 15 minute swim before returning.
• One hour in Alanya: Use it for the Red Tower, harbor, shops, or a quick walk through the center.
• Food and drinks included: Buffet lunch and soft drinks are included, while unlimited beer and wine are available only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• A party-first boat: Music, contests, a children’s mini disco, dancing, and a large foam party shape the second half of the cruise.
• Three famous caves: The route passes Pirate’s Cave, Phosphorus Cave, and Lover’s Cave from the water.
• A quieter deck is available: If you want less music, use the first deck, where the sound is kept lower.

What kind of day this really is

This is best understood as a floating day club with a short Alanya stop. The pirate decoration gives the boat a playful theme, but the real appeal is the combination of swimming, food, music, and a little sightseeing.

The ship is promoted as the biggest pirate ship in Turkey, with a luxury interior. The exact design matters less than the amount of space and the range of activities. You can join the party, watch the entertainment, sit with your family, or retreat to the first deck when the music gets too strong.

That flexibility makes the trip suitable for mixed groups. Children have a mini disco, adults have contests and dancing, and anyone who prefers a slower hour can sit away from the main action. Still, this is not a small-group sailing trip. You should expect a shared boat atmosphere with scheduled stops and organized entertainment.

The advertised price is $65 per person. For that amount, you get hotel pickup and return, the boat trip, buffet lunch, soft drinks, Wi-Fi, and one hour in Alanya. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, beer and wine are also included. That is solid value if you plan to use the swimming stops, eat on board, and enjoy the entertainment.

If your main goal is private boating, long time in Alanya, or a quiet coast cruise, the price may feel less attractive. Much of the day is taken up by the organized boat program, and the free time in town is limited.

The early transfer from Side to Türkler

The day begins with pickup in Side. You should wait outside your hotel’s main entrance about five minutes before the scheduled time. The pickup time is approximate because it changes with your location, and the stated seven-hour duration includes the transfer.

The coach ride to Türkler is listed at about 1.5 hours. That is an important part of the calculation. You are not getting seven hours on the water. The boat portion itself lasts about six hours, while the full outing can vary depending on your hotel and road conditions.

A verified booking described the pickup as punctual after the operator sent a message the day before. That kind of advance contact is useful, since hotel pickup times are not identical across Side. The same account also described the minibus as very full, so you should be ready for a practical group transfer rather than a roomy private ride.

The transport is offered with English, Russian, and Turkish support. The driver language information does not promise a full guided commentary, so think of the boat crew as activity hosts rather than city guides.

First swim at Ulas Beach

Once you board at Türkler, the cruise heads toward Ulas Beach for the first swim. The stop lasts about 20 to 25 minutes, which is long enough for a quick swim and a rinse of sea air, but not enough for a leisurely beach visit.

This first stop is a good way to settle into the day. You can get into the open sea early, before lunch and before the main entertainment begins. Bring your swimwear under your clothes and keep anything you need for the water easy to reach.

The schedule is fairly tight, so do not treat this as a shore excursion at Ulas Beach. You are stopping to swim from the boat, not spending a full morning on land. If you dislike jumping into open water or need a long, calm swim, this short timing is worth considering.

One hour in Alanya

The boat then reaches Alanya, where you get one hour of free time in the center. This is the sightseeing part of the day, but it is deliberately brief.

You can walk around the harbor, look toward the Red Tower, browse shops and markets, or simply get off the boat and stretch your legs. The Red Tower is one of Alanya’s best-known landmarks, and its position near the harbor makes it a sensible target during a short visit.

One hour is enough to choose one small goal. I would pick the harbor and Red Tower area rather than trying to cover several parts of Alanya. You will not have time for a long museum visit, a full castle visit, and shopping. Keep an eye on the meeting time, since the ship cannot wait for a late return.

This stop adds real value to the cruise. Without it, the day would be almost entirely a boat party. With it, you get a quick look at one of the region’s main coastal towns. The tradeoff is that you only get a taste of Alanya, not a proper city tour.

Buffet lunch back on the ship

After the Alanya stop, everyone returns to the boat for a buffet lunch. The meal is served on board and lasts about 30 minutes according to the scheduled program.

The food received especially strong praise in the supplied booking feedback. One diner described the meat as well cooked and the meal as a highlight of the day. That gives you a useful expectation: this is not just a token sandwich between swims. The lunch is intended to feed the full group before the afternoon activities.

Even so, a buffet on a large excursion boat is about convenience rather than a long restaurant meal. You eat within the timetable, then get back to the cruise. Soft drinks are included throughout the trip.

Alcohol is the detail many people will want to check carefully. Unlimited beer and wine are included only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On other days, the included drinks are soft drinks. The wording does not list spirits or cocktails, so do not book this expecting a full open bar.

Caves, cliffs, and the Kleopatra Beach coast

After lunch, the ship continues along the coast near Kleopatra Beach. You pass three named caves: Pirate’s Cave, Phosphorus Cave, and Lover’s Cave.

These are viewed from the boat, so the experience is about coastal scenery and photographs rather than entering every cave. The names give the route some character, and the changing rock formations break up the long stretch of open water.

The program also includes a cliff-jump performance by the professional animators. The jump is described as coming from a 30-meter-high rock. It is a show to watch, not an activity you are required to join. If you prefer to keep both feet on the deck, you can simply enjoy the spectacle from the boat.

The area near Kleopatra Beach provides another 20 to 25 minute swimming stop. This is likely the main open-sea swim of the afternoon, after you have had time to settle into the boat and eat lunch. Again, the stop is short, so you should return to the boat promptly when called.

Music, games, and the foam party

The final part of the cruise turns up the energy. The animation program includes a mini disco for children, contests for adults, dancing, and a large foam party.

This is where the trip will appeal most to families and groups looking for a fun day rather than a formal sightseeing tour. One booking described the music as a good mix of children’s animation and adult party entertainment. Another praised the foam party and called the overall day very entertaining.

The program is not only for children, but it is not an adults-only party either. The mixed format is useful if you are traveling with several age groups. Children get their own activity, while adults can join the contests or dance.

The first deck offers a quieter alternative, with minimal music. That is one of the most practical details on the trip. If you want to read, rest, avoid the foam, or simply lower the volume, move to that deck. Passengers prone to seasickness can request motion sickness tablets at the bar, though you may prefer to bring your usual medicine if you already know what works for you.

The final swim and return to Side

Before the ship heads back to port, there is one last 10 to 15 minute swimming stop. It is short, but it gives you one more chance to get into the water before the return journey.

After docking, your transfer takes you back to your hotel in Side. Since the stated duration includes transport and pickup times vary, the seven-hour figure should be treated as an estimate. Your exact day may run differently depending on where your hotel sits in the pickup area.

The boat itself lasts about six hours, which makes the $65 price easier to assess. You are paying for a substantial cruise with several scheduled activities, not simply a short harbor ride.

What is included and what costs extra

The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Boat cruise
• Buffet lunch
• Soft drinks
• Free Wi-Fi
• One hour of free time in Alanya
• Unlimited beer and wine on Wednesdays and Saturdays

Photos and videos are not included. The crew may offer them for purchase, but the supplied details do not state the prices. Personal expenses in Alanya are also separate, so bring money if you want to shop, buy snacks, or visit anything beyond the free walk.

The value is strongest for people who want a packed day with few extra decisions. You do not need to arrange transport to Türkler, find lunch, or plan how to reach Alanya. The weak point is the limited control over timing. You follow the boat’s schedule, and your time in town is fixed at about one hour.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, which is useful to know before booking. You should still confirm any specific mobility needs when reserving, since the available information does not explain how every part of the swimming program works for wheelchair users.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A family-friendly day with children’s entertainment
• Several chances to swim in the open sea
• A buffet meal and included soft drinks
• A party atmosphere with music and foam
• A quick look at Alanya without arranging a separate visit
• A large boat rather than a small, quiet vessel

I would think twice if you want:

• A peaceful sailing day with little music
• Several hours to explore Alanya independently
• A small boat with personal attention
• Alcohol included on every departure day
• A long, unhurried beach stop

The best booking tip is simple: check the day of the week. Wednesday and Saturday departures include unlimited beer and wine. If that matters to you, it changes the value of the $65 price.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Side plans are not settled, but the pickup and cancellation conditions should still be checked at booking.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a lively, all-day boat outing with swimming, food, caves, a short Alanya visit, and organized entertainment. The buffet lunch, strong family program, and three swimming stops make the price reasonable, especially on Wednesday or Saturday when beer and wine are included.

Skip it if your picture of a luxury boat trip is silent water, a small group, and flexible time ashore. This is a scheduled group cruise with a party finish. Choose the first deck for a quieter ride, plan one clear target in Alanya, and treat the trip as a fun coastal day rather than a serious city tour.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is seven hours, including transfers. The boat trip itself lasts about six hours, and the total time can change depending on your hotel location and pickup schedule.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is from your hotel in Side. Wait outside the main entrance five minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Where does the boat depart from?

The ship departs from the port of Türkler, after the transfer from Side.

How much free time do I get in Alanya?

You get about one hour of free time in Alanya. You can use it to visit the harbor area, see the Red Tower from outside, browse shops and markets, or walk through the center.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served on the boat after the Alanya stop.

Are drinks included?

Soft drinks are included throughout the trip. Unlimited beer and wine are included only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How many swimming stops are there?

There are three swimming stops. The first lasts about 20 to 25 minutes at Ulas Beach, another lasts about 20 to 25 minutes near Kleopatra Beach, and the final stop lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.

Are the caves visited from inside?

The ship passes Pirate’s Cave, Phosphorus Cave, and Lover’s Cave. The provided tour details describe viewing them from the boat, not entering them.

Is the cruise suitable for families and wheelchair users?

The activity is described as suitable for all ages and is wheelchair accessible. It includes a children’s mini disco, adult contests, dancing, and a foam party.