Side has six very different boat tours, and picking the wrong one is the fastest way to lose a holiday day. The good news: each tour has a clear personality, so once you know what kind of day you want, the choice almost makes itself. Here is the honest breakdown we give our own guests.
Travelling with kids? Take the pirate ship
The Pirate Boat Adventure is a multi-deck wooden galleon built for families. Kids get a treasure hunt, tug-of-war and free face painting for every child, while the boat anchors at a shallow spot where the river meets the sea — river and sea swimming in one calm, safe place. Add a foam party, live music all day and a kid-friendly menu, and you have roughly seven hours of entertainment. Best for: families with children aged 3 and up (activities are designed for 3+; the tour runs on certain days of the week).
Want nature and calm? Green Canyon is your day
The Green Canyon boat tour swaps the open sea for an emerald mountain lake behind the Oymapınar dam, framed by pine-covered slopes. You swim in cool mountain water, can try fishing from the boat (equipment provided) and have lunch at a lakeside restaurant. Soft drinks on the boat are included, the guide speaks English, German and Russian, and alcohol is not allowed — which keeps the atmosphere genuinely peaceful. Best for: couples, photographers and anyone who prefers scenery to party music. Not suitable for guests with limited mobility.
Dreaming of an island beach? Choose Suluada
Nicknamed the "Maldives of Turkey", Suluada is a full-day trip to a white pebble beach and glassy turquoise coves. You swim in the coves, lunch is served on the boat, and the day follows a simple rhythm: morning pickup, afternoon return. Best for: beach lovers and anyone chasing that one postcard photo. Pack sunscreen and a hat — there is little shade on the island.
Dolphins, foam and a full fun day
The dolphin watching cruise blends a Manavgat River cruise (watch for turtles resting on the branches) with about 1.5 hours of swimming where the river meets the sea, extra open-sea stops, a grilled chicken lunch on board and a foam party on the way towards Dolphin Island. One honest note: dolphins are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed — on lucky days you see them. Best for: mixed groups who want a bit of everything in one day. Life jackets are available for all ages.
Private groups, couples and celebrations
If you want the boat all to yourselves, there are two options:
- Private gulet charter — fully private for up to about 50 guests, around seven hours, flexible route with a delta swim and views of the Side peninsula and the Temple of Apollo from the sea. Your own playlist, a lunch menu tailored to your group, crew and insurance included. Ideal for birthdays and big families (decoration requests need 2–3 days' notice).
- Luxury motor yacht — captain and crew, up to about 25 guests, roughly six hours in quiet bays with lunch or dinner planned together in advance. The sunset option makes it the obvious pick for couples and proposals. Fuel, port fees and insurance are included, and in bad weather the trip is rescheduled free of charge. Boarding is via steps, so it is not wheelchair accessible.
FAQ
Which tour is best with small children?
The pirate ship: activities are designed for ages 3+, every child gets free face painting, and swimming happens at a shallow, calm spot. Children aged 0–2 join all group tours free of charge.
Are dolphin sightings guaranteed?
No. Dolphins are wild animals, so no serious operator can promise them. On lucky days they appear — and the rest of the tour is a full day out either way.
How do booking and payment work?
Bookings are confirmed instantly, you pay on the day of the tour on board by cash or card, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Your hotel pickup time is confirmed the day before.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and spare clothes — plus some cash for drinks (drinks are sold on board on the group boats; on the Green Canyon boat soft drinks are included).
Still unsure? Message Side Boat Trips, tell us who is travelling, and we will point you to the right boat.