Every week our WhatsApp fills up with the same questions about boat trips in Side: what time does the boat leave, is lunch included, can I bring a toddler, what happens if the sea gets rough? This guide answers the questions we hear most often — short, honest answers from the local operator who actually runs the boats.
What time do Side boat trips start, and how long do they last?
Most group tours are day trips. The Dolphin Island cruise is the longest at around 8 hours, with hotel pickup between 08:30 and 09:25 and return to your hotel at roughly 17:30. The pirate galleon casts off at 10:00 on selected days of the week and sails for about 7 hours. The Green Canyon lake tour also runs about 7 hours, bringing you back around 17:00. Private options are more flexible: the luxury yacht sails around 6 hours (a sunset departure is possible) and the private gulet around 7. Your exact pickup time is confirmed the day before the tour.
Is food included? What about drinks?
- Lunch: included on Dolphin Island, Suluada and the pirate ship (which also has a children's menu). On the Green Canyon tour you eat a freshly prepared meal at a lakeside restaurant.
- Drinks: on Green Canyon, soft drinks on the boat are included. On Dolphin Island drinks are sold on board, and on the pirate ship all drinks are available at the bar. Alcohol is not permitted on the Green Canyon tour.
- Private charters: on the gulet the menu is tailored to your group, and on the luxury yacht we agree the menu with you in advance.
Can children and babies join? Is it safe?
Yes — these are family tours. On group trips children aged 0–2 travel free, and child price tiers are listed on each tour page. The pirate boat is the kids' favourite thanks to the treasure hunt and face painting, while the calm Green Canyon lake suits families with very small children. Life jackets are available on board, swimming stops are always optional — you can simply stay on deck — and tours such as the pirate ship, Green Canyon and the luxury yacht include marine insurance. One honest note: the luxury yacht is not wheelchair accessible.
Booking, payment, cancellation and bad weather
Booking works the way holidays should: you reserve online or via WhatsApp, get instant confirmation, and pay nothing in advance. Payment is made on the day of the tour, on the boat, in cash or by card. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure. If the weather turns bad, we rearrange — the luxury yacht, for example, is postponed free of charge. Because we are the local operator, with no middlemen and no commission, the current price on each tour page is the final one, and the included-services list shows exactly what you get. Offers that look cheaper elsewhere often exclude transfer, lunch or drinks.
Which hotels do you pick up from, and what should I bring?
Hotel transfer from the Side–Manavgat area is included in most group tours; for private charters we arrange it on request. Pack light: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, your camera and cash or a card for extras. For Suluada bring extra sun protection — natural shade on the island is limited.
Quick FAQ
Do you guarantee dolphin sightings?
No — and we never will. Dolphins are wild animals, and we would rather be honest than sell a promise nobody can keep.
Can I pay by card on the boat?
Yes. There is no prepayment; on the tour day you pay in cash or by card, whichever you prefer.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel up to 24 hours before departure and you pay nothing — since there is no deposit, there is nothing to refund.
How do I know my pickup time?
We send your exact hotel pickup time the day before the tour, usually via WhatsApp.
Still have a question we missed? Browse all Side boat tours and message us on WhatsApp — a real person answers, fast.
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