Antalya Scuba Diving Tour, With Lunch & Return Transfers

Antalya’s Mediterranean coast looks best from below the surface. This seven-hour boat trip pairs two short, instructor-led scuba sessions with a swim stop, lunch, and a ride back to your hotel pickup point. You do not need prior experience for the amateur program.

I like that beginners get a clear plan: two sessions of about 20 minutes each, at a stated depth of 5 to 10 metres. I also like that non-divers can come along and enjoy the boat, swimming, and sunbathing, so the day can work for a mixed group.

The trade-off is that visibility can vary, and the included lunch is simple rather than a meal to plan your day around. One person also found the transfer van stuffy and uncomfortable, so bring water for the ride and do not expect luxury transport.

• Two beginner sessions: Each lasts about 20 minutes and reaches roughly 5 to 10 metres.
• Two coastal locations: The first underwater session is off Çaltıcak; the second is near Marti Island.
• Lunch on board: Expect schnitzel, pasta, and salad. Drinks cost extra.
• Non-divers are welcome: You can stay on the boat, swim, or sunbathe.
• Hotel pickup has a precise meeting point: Wait at your hotel’s main security gate, not the lobby or reception.
• A full outing for $38: Equipment, individual insurance, English guidance, lunch, and transfers are included.

From the hotel gate to Setur Marina

Pickup runs between 09:00 and 10:15 from scheduled meeting points. If you are staying at a hotel, make your way to its main security gate. The tour vehicle does not enter the hotel grounds, and the pickup is not at the lobby or reception. That small distinction matters: confirm the exact meeting point before the morning rush, and be ready on time.

The transfer is described as a short journey to Setur Marina, where the boat is due to leave around 10:30. The trip is listed as seven hours, with the boat returning to the marina at about 16:30 before the shuttle takes you back to the original stops. Your morning begins earlier than the boat departure, so allow for the pickup window when planning the rest of your day.

Transport comfort may be the least polished part of the outing. A past passenger found the transfer too stuffy and uncomfortable. There is no promise of a particular vehicle or extra space, so pack lightly and keep any water you need close at hand.

Two short sessions in Antalya’s coastal water

Once the boat leaves Setur Marina, the day turns to the sea. The first session takes place off the coast of Çaltıcak. The second is scheduled near Marti Island after lunch and a swimming break. These are the two named locations, but the exact underwater conditions can change. One person found visibility less than ideal, a useful reminder that clear water is not guaranteed every day.

The amateur program is designed for people without prior scuba experience. An instructor guides you, and equipment is included. You spend about 20 minutes underwater on each session, for roughly 40 minutes in total, at a stated depth of around 5 to 10 metres. That gives you a taste of the underwater world without making the outing an advanced technical course.

The tour also offers professional-level options, such as wreck or deeper exploration sessions, depending on your certification badge. If you have prior training and want something more demanding, contact the provider in advance to discuss what is available for your experience level. The standard amateur plan is the clearest fit for first-timers.

An instructor is available in English, Russian, or Turkish. The information provided does not name a specific instructor, so you should not expect to request someone by name. English guidance is included, which is useful if you are new to the equipment and want instructions you can follow clearly.

What a first-time underwater session involves

No special scuba skills are required for the amateur program, but that does not mean you should treat it as a casual swim. Listen to the instructor’s directions, follow the group’s pace, and speak up if you feel uneasy. The water portion is short, and the stated depth is modest, but comfort and safety still depend on following the guidance you receive.

The operator describes the activity as suitable for almost every age group, with an important limit: children under 14 cannot take part in the scuba sessions. They can still come on the boat to swim and sunbathe. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or people with physical difficulties.

If you cannot swim, the program says basic swimming instruction is available at the swimming break. That does not replace the instructor’s assessment or mean that every non-swimmer can join an underwater session. If you have any doubt about your ability or health, check directly with the provider before booking.

For certified participants, the provider says the instructor will choose an appropriate session based on experience and certification. Because professional options depend on your badge, share your qualification details ahead of time rather than assuming that a deeper or wreck session will be available on the day.

Lunch, swimming, and time on the boat

After the first session, the boat day continues with lunch and a swimming break before the second underwater session near Marti Island. Lunch is schnitzel, pasta, and salad. It is a straightforward included meal, useful for keeping the day moving, but not a reason on its own to book. Drinks are not included, so budget separately and bring cash for personal spending.

The swimming break gives non-divers a proper way to enjoy the trip rather than wait through the whole program. You can stay on board, swim, or sunbathe. If you are travelling with someone who wants to go underwater while you would rather stay dry, this is one of the tour’s more practical features.

There is also an entertaining certificate ceremony toward the end of the outing. Treat it as a light finish to a beginner activity, not as a professional qualification. The information provided does not describe what the certificate certifies, so it should not be taken as a substitute for formal scuba credentials.

A DVD and photographs are not included. If you want pictures of the day, ask about the cost before agreeing to buy them. The tour includes the equipment needed for the sessions, but all drinks and personal expenses are extra.

Is $38 good value?

At $38 per person, this is a fairly complete day out if you want a guided introduction to Antalya’s underwater scenery. The price includes return transfers, individual insurance, equipment, English guidance, two amateur sessions, and lunch. Paying separately for a boat outing, gear, and instruction could add up, though the exact comparison depends on local alternatives and what they include.

The value is strongest for a first-timer who wants the logistics handled and is happy with a short, supervised introduction. You get two chances to see how you feel underwater rather than one brief try, plus time for swimming and a meal. If you are already an experienced scuba participant, the value depends on whether the operator can offer a suitable session for your certification.

Keep a little extra money aside for drinks, photos or a DVD, and personal purchases. The lunch is basic, and visibility may not be perfect, so book for the guided boat day and a chance to explore underwater, not for a guaranteed encounter with particular marine life or picture-perfect conditions.

What to bring and what to check

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. Cash is also on the suggested packing list, especially because drinks, photos, and personal expenses are not covered. Keep sunscreen and any other essentials easy to reach, rather than buried in a bag you cannot access during the boat day.

Before you leave your hotel, confirm that you know which gate serves as the pickup point. The vehicles do not enter hotel grounds, so waiting inside the lobby could mean missing the shuttle. The pickup window is 09:00 to 10:15, while the boat departs at about 10:30.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the available start times when booking, since the pickup schedule depends on the selected departure.

Who should book this Antalya boat trip?

This is a sensible choice if you are curious about scuba but do not want to arrange equipment, instruction, lunch, and transport separately. Beginners get a short, clearly defined underwater program, while non-divers can still enjoy the boat and swimming. It also suits families or couples with different levels of interest, provided children under 14 stay out of the scuba sessions.

I would look elsewhere if you need step-free access, have a physical difficulty that affects participation, are pregnant, or have heart problems. It may also disappoint if you expect a long underwater session, a guaranteed clear view, or a polished meal. The transport comfort is another practical question to weigh.

Book it for an accessible first taste of scuba and a full day on the Mediterranean, especially if the $38 fare fits your budget. Before you confirm, check your pickup gate, any health or mobility concerns, and whether the standard amateur sessions match what you want from the water.

FAQ

How long is the Antalya scuba tour?

The activity lasts about seven hours. Pickup runs from 09:00 to 10:15, the boat leaves Setur Marina around 10:30, and it returns at about 16:30 before the return transfer.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The amateur program includes two sessions, each lasting about 20 minutes. The stated depth is roughly 5 to 10 metres.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No special skills or prior experience are required for the amateur program. An instructor provides guidance, and equipment is included.

Can non-divers join the boat?

Yes. Non-divers can come along, swim, and sunbathe rather than take part in the scuba sessions.

What does lunch include?

Lunch consists of schnitzel, pasta, and salad. Drinks are not included.

Where is hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup is at the main security gate, not the lobby or reception. Tour vehicles do not enter the hotel grounds.