Bateau pirate ou bateau privé à Side : lequel choisir ?

Stand on the quay at Side Harbour on a July morning and you will see two very different boats waiting for you. One is a big wooden galleon with a painted dragon on the bow, cannons that fire foam, a thumping sound system and a hundred sunburned holidaymakers already singing along. The other is a quiet eight-metre boat with a captain coiling a rope, two sun mattresses on the bow and nobody on board but the family who booked it. Same sea, same dolphins, same Temple of Apollo on the horizon. Completely different day out.

After years of running and recommending boats out of Side and the Manavgat River, the question I get asked more than any other is exactly this one: should we do the famous pirate boat, or pay a bit more for a private boat? There is no single right answer, but there is a right answer for you, and it depends on who is travelling, what you want from the day, and how much you care about quiet versus party. This guide breaks down the real differences in price, atmosphere, route, food, crowd and comfort, so you can book the boat that suits your group rather than the one that suited someone else's review.

The two boats in one sentence each

A pirate boat is a large shared excursion: you buy individual seats on a themed galleon alongside 60 to 120 other guests, you follow a fixed route and timetable, and the price is low because everyone splits the cost of the boat. A private boat is the whole vessel hired just for your group: you set the pace, choose the swim stops, and pay per boat (or, on smaller private trips, a low per-person rate) for total privacy. One is a social event; the other is your own floating villa for the day.

Aboard the Side Pirates galleon — foam parties and treasure hunts.

Good to know: "Pirate boat" is mostly a marketing costume. Underneath the cannons and the skull flag it is a standard large shared sea tour from Side Harbour, doing the same Dolphin Island and Apollo Temple loop as the other day boats. The theme is the entertainment, not the destination.

Price: where the real gap is

This is usually the deciding factor, so let us be concrete. Shared pirate-style boat trips from Side run roughly EUR 20 to 25 per person, and most include round-trip hotel transfer and an on-board lunch, with drinks charged separately at the bar. Private boat rental starts from around EUR 45 per person on the smaller shared-private trips, and a luxury yacht charter for the whole boat starts at around EUR 600 regardless of how many of you come. Children are usually discounted on both, and there are no hidden costs either way.

Option	Typical price	How it is priced	Best for
Pirate / shared boat	EUR 20-25 pp	Per person	Couples, solo, budget, party mood
Small private boat	From EUR 45 pp	Per person, small group	Families, friends wanting calm
Whole private boat / yacht	From ~EUR 600	Per boat, not per head	Groups of 6+, celebrations

Here is the part most people miss. Because a private boat is priced per boat, the more of you there are, the closer the per-head cost gets to the pirate boat. Two people on a EUR 600 yacht is EUR 300 each, which is a clear splurge. Ten people on the same boat is EUR 60 each, which is suddenly in the same conversation as a shared ticket, except you get the entire boat to yourselves. Do the maths for your actual group before you assume private is out of reach. I break the numbers down further in my Side boat tour prices guide and compare the two formats head to head in private vs group boat trips in Side.

Atmosphere: party deck or your own deck

This is the difference you will feel within ten minutes of leaving the harbour, and it matters more than price for a lot of people.

What the pirate boat feels like

Loud, lively and sociable. Expect music, a host on the microphone, foam parties for the kids, a rope swing or water slide off the back, animation games and the kind of holiday buzz where strangers end up dancing together. If your idea of a great sea day involves a cold drink, a singalong and not having to organise anything yourself, this is genuinely brilliant fun and the low price makes it easy to say yes.

What the private boat feels like

Calm and yours. No microphone, no schedule pressure, no queue for the ladder. You can swim when you want, eat when you are hungry, anchor in a quiet cove the big boats skip, and actually hear each other talk. The captain follows your mood rather than a timetable. It is the difference between a busy beach club and a private terrace.

Route and swim stops

Both formats generally cover the headline sights leaving from Side Harbour: the open-sea swimming spots, the area around Dolphin Island and the sea-side view of the Temple of Apollo. The difference is control. The pirate boat hits set stops for a set number of minutes, often the same crowded swim spot as five other day boats. A private boat can linger at a quieter bay, move on early if it is busy, and tailor the loop, including more snorkelling time if that is what you came for. If wildlife is your priority, mornings are calmest and best for spotting dolphins, and a private boat lets the captain chase the calm water rather than the clock; see my dolphin boat tour guide for timing tips.

Good to know: Neither boat sails to the Manavgat Waterfall. The waterfall is a land attraction upstream; the river boats go downstream to the two-waters delta where the river meets the sea. If a calm-water family cruise appeals more than the open sea, read about the Manavgat River boat tour and the difference between Side Harbour and the Manavgat River.

Food and drinks

On a pirate boat, lunch is usually included: a simple, generous buffet or plated meal served to the whole boat at once, with cold drinks and alcohol bought separately at the on-board bar. It is fine, filling and exactly what you would expect when one kitchen feeds a hundred people.

On a private charter the food is part of the luxury. A fresh BBQ lunch cooked on board, soft drinks and snorkelling gear are typically included in the price, and the whole boat, captain and crew are yours. Because the crew is only looking after your group, the pace and the plate both feel more personal. Every rental, by the way, comes with a professional captain, so you never need a licence or any boating experience.

Crowds, comfort and seasickness

A busy boat is a busy boat. On a packed pirate galleon you share the deck, the toilets, the ladder and the shade with everyone else, and on a peak-summer day that is a lot of people. For some that is the fun; for others, especially with very young children, elderly relatives or anyone prone to seasickness, the crowd and the noise are the downside. A private boat gives you space to spread out, claim the shade, and keep an eye on your own kids without losing them in a crowd. On the seasickness point, both leave from the same sheltered harbour and the crews keep swim stops in calm, protected water; mornings are smoother than blustery afternoons whichever you choose.

Who should book which

The pirate boat is for you if

You want the cheapest fun day on the water and the lowest commitment.
You like a party atmosphere, music and animation.
You are a couple, a pair of friends or a solo traveller happy to share.
You have older kids who will love the foam, the slide and the games.

The private boat is for you if

You are a family or a group of six or more, where per-head cost drops fast.
You want quiet, space and your own swim stops.
You are celebrating something, or you want a romantic trip.
You have toddlers, older relatives, or anyone who needs a calmer day. See best family boat tours.

Safety on both

Whichever you choose, the safety basics are the same on a properly run boat: life jackets in adult and child sizes, an experienced crew, and swim stops chosen in calm, sheltered water. Wild dolphins and loggerhead turtles are often seen but never guaranteed, so treat any sighting as a bonus rather than a promise. For a fuller rundown read are Side boat tours safe, and for the whole region start with the ultimate guide to boat trips in Side.

Watching for wild dolphins on the Manavgat delta cruise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a pirate boat the same as an ordinary shared boat tour?

Essentially yes. The pirate theme adds costumes, foam parties and animation, but underneath it is a standard large shared sea tour from Side Harbour following the same Dolphin Island and Apollo Temple route.

How much does a pirate boat trip cost in Side?

Shared pirate-style trips run about EUR 20 to 25 per person, usually including round-trip hotel transfer and an on-board lunch. Drinks at the bar are charged separately.

How much is a private boat compared with a pirate boat?

Private boat rental starts from around EUR 45 per person on smaller trips, while a whole private boat or yacht starts at around EUR 600 for the boat regardless of group size.

Is a private boat ever cheaper per person than a pirate boat?

Not usually, but the gap closes fast with numbers. Because a private boat is priced per boat, a larger group of eight or ten can bring the per-head cost down close to a shared ticket while keeping the whole boat to themselves.

Which is better for young children?

A private boat is generally calmer and safer-feeling for toddlers, with space to spread out and a crew looking after only your group. Older children often love the slide and foam of a pirate boat. See the family boat tours guide for more.

Do both boats see dolphins?

Both cruise the same waters near Dolphin Island, so the chance is similar. Wild dolphins are often seen but never guaranteed. Mornings are calmest and the best time to spot them, and a private boat can follow the calm water more freely.

Is lunch included on a pirate boat?

Most shared pirate-style tours include an on-board lunch, typically a buffet or plated meal, plus hotel transfer. Drinks are usually extra and bought at the bar.

What is included on a private charter?

A private charter usually includes the whole boat, a professional captain and crew, a fresh BBQ lunch, soft drinks and snorkelling gear, with no hidden costs.

Do I need a licence to hire a private boat?

No. Every rental comes with a professional captain, so no licence or boating experience is needed. You just relax and enjoy the day.

Which boat is better for a couple?

It depends on mood. A pirate boat is the cheap, lively choice; a private boat is the quiet, romantic choice. For a special occasion, read the romantic boat trip guide.

Can a private boat go to quieter swim spots?

Yes. That is one of the main advantages. The captain follows your pace and can anchor in calmer coves the big boats skip, with more time for snorkelling if you want it.

Are both types safe?

On a properly run boat, yes. Both carry life jackets in adult and child sizes, use experienced crews and choose calm, sheltered swim stops. Mornings are usually smoother than windy afternoons.

Does either boat sail to the Manavgat Waterfall?

No. The waterfall is a land attraction upstream. Sea tours from Side Harbour head out toward Dolphin Island and the Apollo Temple, while river tours go downstream to the delta.

How long does each trip last?

Both come in half-day formats of about three to four hours and full-day formats of about six to eight hours. Private charters can be tailored to your preferred length.

When is the best season for either boat?

The season runs roughly from May to October. Mornings are calmest and best for dolphins, while sunset cruises are the romantic option on a private boat.

So, which should you book?

If you want the cheapest, liveliest day on the water and you do not mind sharing it with a crowd, the pirate boat is unbeatable value and a guaranteed good time. If you are travelling as a family or a group, want quiet and space, or are marking a special occasion, a private boat turns the same coastline into something far more personal, and with enough people on board the per-head price is closer than you think. Decide what kind of day you actually want first, then pick the boat that delivers it.

Ready to choose your boat?

Compare lively shared trips and private charters from Side Harbour and the Manavgat River, all with hotel transfer and a professional captain.

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Bateau pirate ou bateau privé à Side : quel est le meilleur pour vous ?