City of Side: Sightseeing Cruise w/ Swim Stops & Foam Party

Big boats make for easygoing days. This Side cruise combines the Manavgat River, the Mediterranean, several swimming breaks, lunch, and a foam party in one long outing. I especially like the generous swimming time and the chance to view Apollo and Athena temples from the water. The spacious three-floor boat is another strong point, though drinks, JetSki rides, and photographs cost extra.

You should also know that this is not a quiet sightseeing cruise from start to finish. Music, dancing, animation, and foam take over during the return journey. That makes it a good pick for families, couples, and mixed-age groups who want both rest and fun, but less suitable if you want a calm boat ride with little sales activity.

Key points at a glance

• Three swimming stops: Swim at Cennet Play, jump from the boat near Side’s ancient peninsula, and take a final short swim near the river mouth.
• A three-floor boat: Choose shaded seating, indoor-style seating near the bars, the dance floor, or the top sun terrace.
• Ancient Side from the water: The second sea stop gives you a fine view toward the temples of Apollo and Athena.
• Lunch is included: Expect a buffet with grilled chicken and, according to the food choice offered on board, sometimes fish as the alternative.
• A real party finish: The return trip features music, dancing, animation, and a foam party suitable for children and adults.
• Good value at $16: Hotel transfers, the cruise, guide, lunch, foam party, and tips are included, but drinks and extras are not.

From your Side hotel to the Manavgat River

Pickup takes place in the morning, usually between 8:30 and 9:30, with the more specific guidance indicating roughly 8:30 to 9:00 from your hotel’s main gate. Keep your phone handy and wait at the main entrance rather than inside the hotel grounds.

The transfer uses a large bus and takes about 30 minutes in the usual description. You pass forested scenery on the way to the pier at Manavgat River. That short ride matters because it gets you from the resort zone to the working riverfront without asking you to arrange a taxi.

Once at the pier, you board a large three-floor boat. The size helps spread people out. You can sit in a shaded area on the first floor, find seating near the second-floor bar and dance floor, or head upstairs to the sun terrace.

If you want a place to lie in the sun, go up early. The top floor can fill quickly, with mats and seats taken soon after boarding. If shade matters more to you, stay on the first floor, where you also find comfortable seating, a bar, and 10 showers at the rear.

Sailing from river water to the Mediterranean

The cruise begins with the boat moving through the Manavgat strait toward the point where the river meets the sea. This is one of the more interesting parts of the day because the trip is not simply a loop along the open coast. You get a change from river scenery to broad Mediterranean views.

The boat reaches its first swimming area at Cennet Play. The first stop lasts about one hour, giving you enough time to choose how active you want to be. You can swim from the beach, sunbathe, stay on the boat, or pay extra for a JetSki ride.

That flexibility is useful for a mixed group. One person can swim while another stays dry, and children can enjoy the beach rather than relying only on the boat ladders. The main drawback is that JetSki use is not part of the $16 price, so set aside extra money if that is important to you.

While you are at the first stop, the kitchen prepares lunch. The meal is served buffet-style after the boat returns to the water. Grilled chicken is prepared on board, and food choices have included chicken or fish. This is simple excursion food, not a restaurant meal, but it gives the day a proper break and saves you from buying lunch elsewhere.

One practical point came up about timing. Food may be cleared soon after the main serving, so take your portion when the buffet opens. You should not count on returning much later for a second helping.

Lunch on board, with drinks sold separately

Lunch is included, which helps explain the strong value at this price. You receive the boat ride, transfers, guide, lunch, foam party, and tips for $16 per person. For a full day out, that is unusually low, especially when the transport alone would otherwise add to the cost.

Drinks are a separate expense. Beer, wine, cola, Fanta, Sprite, water, soda, tea, and coffee are not included. The boat has bars on the first and second floors, so you can buy refreshments during the day, but bring enough spending money if you expect to drink regularly.

Turkish gözleme is also not included. That is a filled flatbread often sold as a snack, so treat it as an optional extra rather than part of the lunch service.

The boat has showers at the back, which are handy after saltwater swimming. The toilet hygiene has received some criticism, so I would keep expectations practical rather than resort-like. This is a busy excursion boat, not a polished yacht.

The second stop, ancient Side seen from the sea

After leaving the river mouth area, the boat takes about 45 minutes to reach the historical Side peninsula. Along the way, you may see dolphins and Caretta caretta sea turtles. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but they add real excitement when they happen.

The boat stops in front of the ancient peninsula for the second swimming break. This stop lasts about 45 minutes, and the view is the main prize. From the water, you can look toward the remains of Side and the temples of Apollo and Athena.

This is a smart use of the boat. You get a swim with an ancient setting behind you, rather than visiting the ruins only from land. You can jump directly from the boat, climb down using one of the 10 swimming ladders at the back, or simply stay on deck and take in the view.

The water entry is best for confident swimmers and people comfortable with boat ladders. If you prefer a beach, the first stop at Cennet Play is the easier choice. At the Side peninsula, the appeal comes from swimming beside the boat and seeing the old city from offshore.

Take care with valuables here. The day includes repeated swims, so keep phones and cameras in a secure dry bag or leave them with someone staying on board. The supplied information does not specify lockers, so do not assume one will be available.

The return trip turns into a foam party

After the Side swimming stop, the boat heads back toward the river mouth. The return journey takes about 45 minutes, and this is when the second floor becomes the center of activity.

Music, dancing, animation, and foam fill the dance-floor area. Cem, whose name is pronounced Gem, was singled out for leading choreography and getting people involved. You do not need to be a strong dancer. The appeal is the easy group atmosphere, with guests from children around age seven to adults in their seventies joining in.

You can take part or stay away from the foam. The boat’s three floors make that choice easier than on a small party vessel. Head to the upper sun terrace for a quieter place, or remain on the first floor if you want shade and distance from the music.

This is the part that divides the experience into two clear moods. Earlier, you can swim, eat, sunbathe, and watch the coast. Later, the outing feels more like a floating family party. If you want a peaceful cruise throughout, this may feel too loud. If your group includes people who want entertainment, the mix works well.

A final 20-minute swim near the river mouth

The third swimming stop takes place when the boat reaches the river mouth again. It lasts about 20 minutes, so think of it as a final chance to cool off rather than a full beach visit.

After three swim breaks, many people are ready for a shower and a seat. The rear showers are useful at this point, especially if you plan to return to your hotel for dinner or evening plans. The boat then returns to the pier, where buses take you back to your hotel.

Drop-off is expected between 5:00 and 5:30 in the afternoon. The long day can leave you tired, but that is part of the appeal. You receive a full schedule without needing to book several separate activities.

What makes the $16 price so strong

The price is the clearest reason to consider this outing. At $16, you receive:

• Hotel pickup and return transfer
• An eight-hour boat trip
• A live guide in English, German, or Russian
• Lunch
• Three swimming opportunities
• Foam party and onboard entertainment
• Tips

That package makes the trip especially useful for families and groups watching their budget. You can spend a full day out without paying separate entrance fees for a major attraction.

Still, $16 does not mean everything is covered. Budget for drinks, a JetSki, photographs, souvenirs, and gözleme if you want them. An onboard photographer may take pictures with a colorful parrot and around the boat. Several people enjoyed the photos, but printed images cost about €5 each, and you may feel some pressure to buy. You can say no.

The low price also comes with the feel of a mass-market excursion. The boat is large, the schedule is fixed, and the atmosphere becomes lively. You are paying for a lot of activity and transport, not for a private charter or a quiet small-group cruise.

Who should book this Side cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families wanting swimming, lunch, and entertainment in one day
• Couples who enjoy a relaxed party atmosphere
• Budget-conscious visitors staying in Side
• Groups with different interests, since people can swim, sunbathe, dance, or stay in the shade
• Anyone who wants to see Side’s ancient peninsula from the water
• Visitors who like a long, social day rather than a private boat trip

I would be more cautious if you dislike loud music, foam, organized animation, or photographers selling prints. You may still enjoy the river and sea stops, but the party section is a major part of the return journey.

The boat is described as spacious rather than crowded, which is one of its best practical features. Even so, the sun terrace can fill fast, and the food service may not last long. Arrive ready to claim your preferred spot and collect lunch when it is served.

Small details that can improve your day

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, since the first stop comes after the river and sea crossing. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and a waterproof pouch for your phone. You will have several chances to swim, and the Mediterranean sun is strong even when the breeze feels cool.

If you want a quiet seat, use the first floor. If you want the main action, choose the second floor. If you want maximum sun, head straight to the third floor after boarding.

Do not confuse this outing with a dolphin-island cruise. The boat visits the Manavgat River, the Mediterranean, Cennet Play, and the historic Side peninsula. One booking problem reported by a customer involved expecting a different route, so check the exact tour name and destination before paying.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup is from the main hotel gate, and the available guide languages are English, German, and Russian.

Should you book the Side sightseeing cruise?

Yes, if you want a low-cost full-day outing with plenty of water time and a playful party finish. The three swim breaks, spacious boat, included lunch, ancient Side views, and possible dolphin sightings give you a lot for $16.

I would not choose it for a silent, intimate cruise or a carefully paced cultural tour. Choose it for the combination: river scenery in the morning, swimming and lunch in the middle, then dancing and foam on the way home. For many people staying in Side, that mix makes this one of the easiest ways to fill a summer day without spending much.

FAQ

How long is the Side sightseeing cruise?

The experience lasts about eight hours. Hotel pickup is in the morning, and return drop-off is expected between 5:00 and 5:30 in the afternoon.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is from the main gate of your hotel in the Side area. Pickup times are generally between 8:30 and 9:00, with the wider stated window running to 9:30.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served from a buffet after the first swimming stop. The meal includes grilled chicken, and food choices have also included fish.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Beer, wine, cola, Fanta, Sprite, water, soda, tea, and coffee cost extra on the boat.

How many swimming stops are there?

There are three swimming breaks. The first lasts about one hour at Cennet Play, the second lasts about 45 minutes near the historic Side peninsula, and the third lasts about 20 minutes near the river mouth.

Can I use a JetSki during the tour?

Yes, JetSki rides are available at an additional cost during the first swimming stop. The JetSki is not included in the tour price.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live guide service is available in English, German, and Russian.

Is the foam party included?

Yes. The foam party, dancing, and onboard animation are included. They take place mainly on the second floor during the return journey.

Are photographs included?

No. An onboard photographer may take photographs, including pictures with a parrot, but personal photographs and printed images cost extra. Print prices have been about €5 per picture.