City of Side: Side & Caretta Bay Boat Trip w/ Lunch & Drinks

Foam, river, ruins, and sea. This six-hour boat trip combines a cruise along the Manavgat River with swimming in Caretta Bay, lunch, hotel transfers, and a lively foam party. I like the mix of water time and sightseeing, especially the chance to photograph Side’s Temple of Apollo from the boat. I also like the simple price of $25 per person, which covers transport, lunch, a guide, and insurance.

The main drawback is that this is a social party boat, not a quiet sightseeing cruise. Music, swimming breaks, and foam are central to the day, so anyone hoping for a calm, intimate outing should think twice. Also check the exact booking option carefully, since soft drinks are included only with the option that lists them.

The Four Details That Shape Your Day

• Hotel pickup from Side: A bus collects you from hotels across Side, making this easy to add to a beach holiday without arranging your own transport.
• Manavgat River cruise: You begin with a slower stretch of water and views of the surrounding area before reaching the open sea.
• Temple of Apollo views: The boat gives you a useful photo angle toward one of Side’s best-known ancient monuments.
• Caretta Bay swimming stop: Bring swimwear and a towel for time in the turquoise Mediterranean water.
• Foam party on board: The final mood is more playful than cultural, with foam, entertainment, and plenty of wet clothes.
• Lunch and optional drinks: Lunch is included, while cola, Fanta, Sprite, and water depend on the option you choose.

Hotel Pickup Makes This an Easy Half-Day Plan

The day starts with pickup from your Side hotel by bus. That matters in a resort area, where a boat departure point may not be close to your accommodation. You do not need to arrange a taxi or work out local transport before breakfast.

The tour lasts about six hours, so it takes up a good part of the day without swallowing your entire holiday. You can still keep an evening free for Side’s old town, a restaurant, or a quiet swim at your hotel.

Pickup is listed for all hotels in Side, and the experience is wheelchair accessible. Still, I would confirm the pickup details and boat access before booking if you use a wheelchair, since the listing does not explain the exact transfer setup from the bus to the boat.

The guide service is available in English and German. That is useful for basic instructions, meal arrangements, swimming breaks, and the day’s schedule. Do not expect a long archaeological lecture. This outing is built around scenery, swimming, food, and entertainment.

Cruising Along the Manavgat River

The first scenic section follows the Manavgat River. This gives you a change from Side’s resort streets and sandy beaches, with a chance to sit back and watch the banks pass by.

The river portion is also a good reason to bring a camera, though you should protect it from water during the later foam party. The contrast between the calm river and the open Mediterranean gives the day a natural rhythm: gentle sightseeing first, active swimming and entertainment later.

I like this structure because you are not asked to spend six straight hours in one mode. You get a cruise, a meal, a historic view, a swim stop, and a party. That variety makes the trip especially suitable for families with older children, couples who like a little activity, and groups of friends.

The tradeoff is that the boat is likely to feel more like a shared holiday outing than a private excursion. The exact group size is not provided, so you should expect a communal boat atmosphere rather than personal space throughout the day.

Seeing Side’s Ancient City From the Water

One of the most appealing parts of the route is the view toward Side’s ancient city. The highlight for photographs is the Temple of Apollo, a famous landmark on the Turkish Riviera.

Seeing the temple from a boat gives you a different angle than walking through Side’s archaeological area. You can frame the ruins with the water in front of them, which makes a good travel photograph and gives you a quick sense of how closely the ancient city sits beside the coast.

This is a sightseeing stop rather than a full archaeological visit. You will not be walking among the ruins or receiving a detailed site tour as part of the boat trip. If your main reason for visiting Side is its ancient theater, colonnaded streets, and temples, plan a separate visit on another day.

For a half-day cruise, though, the view is worthwhile. It adds a cultural note to what could otherwise be only a swimming and party excursion. I would keep your camera ready, but do not let the photo stop distract you from the boat’s main purpose: a relaxed day on the water.

Lunch on Board: Useful, Simple, and Included

Lunch is included, and you can choose from a variety of fresh dishes. That is a real advantage at this price. You do not need to leave the boat to find food, and you can spend the whole outing enjoying the route and swim breaks.

The supplied information does not give a fixed menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of lunch as a practical meal that keeps the day moving rather than a destination dining experience.

Food and drinks cannot be brought onto the boat. Keep that rule in mind when packing. Lunch is provided, but other drinks and extras are handled separately.

The soft drink details need special attention. The tour description refers to unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, while the inclusions explain that cola, Fanta, Sprite, and water are included only if you select the relevant drinks option. Alcohol, tea, coffee, and ice cream are not included.

At $25, the base package already offers good value because it includes hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, the boat trip, a guide, the foam party, and tour insurance. If you want drinks throughout the day, compare the booking options before paying rather than assuming every fare includes them.

Caretta Bay Is the Main Swimming Break

The boat stops at Caretta Bay for swimming in the turquoise Mediterranean water. This is the part of the day when you will want your swimsuit, sunscreen, towel, and sandals close at hand.

The water break gives you time to cool down after sitting in the sun and before the foam party. It also keeps the trip from becoming a sightseeing cruise where you only look at the sea from the deck.

You should bring a change of clothes. Showers are available, which makes it easier to rinse off salt water and foam before returning to the bus. Pack your dry clothes in a bag that can stay protected from splashes.

The swim stop is a strong reason to choose this excursion over a simple city tour. However, the schedule may not suit someone who wants a long, unhurried swim, since the trip also has to fit in lunch, the river cruise, sightseeing, and entertainment. Treat it as a refreshing stop within a busy half-day program.

The Foam Party Sets the Tone

The foam party is the defining feature of this boat trip. Foam is added on board, turning the final part of the outing into a playful group event rather than a quiet cruise.

I can see why this receives the strongest praise in the available feedback. Recent bookings describe the day as very enjoyable, with one person saying the outing was so good they would happily book it again. That lines up with the tour’s design: it offers a clear activity, not just a boat ride with scenery.

Bring swimwear you are comfortable wearing in a public setting, plus dry clothes for afterward. Sandals are more useful than delicate shoes, and sunscreen remains important even when you are spending time in the foam.

If you dislike loud entertainment, getting wet, or group party activities, the foam party may be a deal breaker. You can still enjoy the river, ruins, lunch, and bay, but the boat’s overall character is clearly fun and energetic.

What the $25 Price Really Buys

The $25 price is strong value for a six-hour outing in the Side area. Hotel transportation alone can add cost and effort, while lunch and the boat ride make the day easy to plan.

You are also paying for convenience. One booking links together pickup, a guide, food, a river cruise, a coastal swim, and entertainment. That makes sense for a holidaymaker who wants a ready-made day without comparing separate transport and boat operators.

The price does not cover everything. Alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, ice cream, and photos cost extra. Soft drinks are included only in the option that specifically lists them, so check the fare before you reserve.

The overall rating is 3.7 out of 5 from 52 ratings, which suggests a generally positive but not universally perfect experience. I would read that as a sign to choose it for the atmosphere and variety, not for luxury service or a carefully paced cultural tour.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Trip Most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several holiday pleasures in one package:

• You like swimming, music, and group entertainment.
• You want hotel pickup and a fixed six-hour schedule.
• You would enjoy seeing the Temple of Apollo from the water.
• You prefer a reasonably priced day with lunch included.
• You are traveling with friends, family, or older children who enjoy active outings.

I would be more cautious if you want silence, a private boat, detailed archaeology, or a gourmet meal. The tour gives you a taste of Side’s ancient setting, but it does not replace a walking visit to the ruins.

It also suits warm-weather packing. Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals, sunscreen, a camera, and a full change of clothes. Do not bring pets, outside food, or drinks.

Booking Advice for a Smoother Day

Choose the drink option carefully. The wording separates the basic tour from the package that includes cola, Fanta, Sprite, and water.

Reserve at least one day before your planned outing if you want the reassurance of flexible cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Keep your phone or camera protected during both the swim stop and foam party. The boat has showers, so you can rinse off before returning to the bus, but a waterproof pouch is still a sensible choice.

Finally, remember that the most popular parts of the day are also the wettest and liveliest. Wear practical clothes, avoid bringing anything fragile, and keep your expectations focused on simple fun rather than polished luxury.

Should You Book the Side and Caretta Bay Boat Trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, easy half-day built around swimming, lunch, river scenery, a glimpse of the Temple of Apollo, and a foam party. The $25 price gives you a lot of practical value, especially with hotel transfers included.

Skip it if your ideal boat trip means peace and quiet, private space, or serious archaeological guiding. For the right mood, this is a cheerful addition to a Side holiday, with the foam party and Caretta Bay swim providing the strongest reasons to go.

FAQ

How long is the Side and Caretta Bay boat trip?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided from all hotels in Side, Turkey.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with a selection of fresh dishes available on board.

Are soft drinks included?

Soft drinks are included only if you select the option that lists them. That option includes cola, Fanta, Sprite, and water.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and German.

Does the tour include a foam party?

Yes. A foam party takes place on board and is one of the main features of the outing.

Where can I swim?

The tour includes a swim break at Caretta Bay in the Mediterranean Sea.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sandals, a camera, and sunscreen.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.