Snorkeling in Side: Traditional Gulet Boat with Lunch

A traditional gulet boat means you're not crammed onto a modern catamaran—the crew cooks lunch while you're still in the water.

A seven-hour snorkeling boat trip from Side departs the ancient harbor aboard a traditional Turkish gulet, stopping to swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean before returning with lunch and drinks on board. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available as an add-on option; a live English or German-speaking guide is included. Dolphin and turtle sightings are possible but not guaranteed, as they are wild animals.

The Experience

You board a traditional gulet—a wooden sailing boat built the way Turkish fishermen have built them for generations—and leave from Side's ancient harbor. The boat carries an open bar, so you grab a drink and settle in as the crew sets the course along Turkey's Mediterranean coast. The pace is deliberate: no rushing between stops, no schedule that feels tight. You sit back, watch the shoreline pass, and the water gets progressively clearer the farther out you go.

When the boat drops anchor, you slip into turquoise water that's warm enough to stay in for hours. Snorkeling gear is on board, and the depth and visibility mean you can see the seafloor without fighting current or cold. While you're swimming, the crew works below deck preparing a local lunch—by the time you climb back aboard, food is ready. The meal is substantial enough that you're not hungry again by the end of the day, and vegetarian options are available if you request them when you book.

After lunch, there's no agenda. Some people nap on deck, some swim again, some nurse a drink and watch the water. The sail back to Side takes the same unhurried route, and you arrive back at the harbor in the late afternoon. If you've booked the transfer option, a driver meets you and takes you back to your hotel; otherwise, you make your own way back into town.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear.
• open bar with drinks.
• local lunch.
• live guide in English or German.
• hotel pickup and drop-off (available as an add-on option).

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tourmania

Is this one for you?Choose the option with hotel transfer if you're arriving by rental car or prefer not to navigate back to your accommodation after a full day on the water; book without transfer if you're staying within walking distance of Side's harbor or want to explore the town afterward.

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Top questions

Can I snorkel if I've never done it before?

Yes. The water is calm, shallow enough to stand in, and the crew can show you how the gear works before you go in. Snorkeling requires no certification or prior experience, and you can stay in the water as long as you're comfortable.

Will I definitely see dolphins on this boat trip?

Dolphins and sea turtles live in these waters, but sightings are not guaranteed—they are wild animals in their natural habitat and move freely. The boat travels the routes where they are most often spotted, but their presence depends on the day and the season.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Lunch, an open bar with drinks, snorkeling gear, and the guide are all included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available as an add-on option at checkout. Souvenir photos taken during the trip are available to purchase separately.

Is this boat trip suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and the boat is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of time to rest between swimming and meals, so children can move at their own speed.