Antalya/Kemer: Scuba Diving Experience with Lunch & Pick up

Kemer’s best underwater moments come in two short sessions: one in Aquarium Bay, then another in Kiris Bay, with the pine-backed coast and clear coves as your backdrop. You’ll get an instructor beside you, equipment and lunch, all within a seven-to-eight-hour boat outing.

I like two things in particular: beginners get calm, close guidance, and the day is more than time below the surface. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe or simply enjoy the view while other people take their turns. Instructors including Karim have been praised for patience, and some groups are organized by language.

One thing to weigh: the advertised underwater time is about 20 to 25 minutes per session, but some people have spent considerably less time below the surface. The boat can carry a large group, so the wait between turns may also be noticeable.

• Two bays, two sessions: Aquarium Bay comes first, followed by Kiris Bay, with the second session reaching about 10 to 15 meters.
• A gentle first try: Instruction covers equipment, basic technique, boat routines and safety before you enter the water.
• Non-swimmers can join: Swimming ability is not required for the guided scuba activity, though you should be comfortable following your instructor.
• Time on the boat matters: You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe or rest between turns, but the full trip lasts seven to eight hours.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: Expect a simple meal, and bring money if you want to buy drinks or crew photos and video.
• Personal cameras are not allowed: The crew offers paid photo and video services, but leave your own camera behind.

Leaving Kemer Marina for the bays

The day starts at Kemer Marina, unless you select the optional hotel pickup. The boat outing lasts seven to eight hours, so think of this as a full-day activity, not a quick excursion squeezed between breakfast and an afternoon appointment.

If you arrange pickup, wait outside your hotel’s security gate 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The driver may leave after five minutes, so be ready and keep your phone available. Pickup has generally been described as smooth, but transport can run late or feel uncomfortably warm, especially on the ride back. If you are meeting at the marina, allow time to find the boat: one practical point raised by a participant was that the meeting spot could be marked more clearly.

Once aboard, you’ll receive a briefing on using the equipment, basic scuba technique, boat routines and safety. English and Russian instruction is available. Some trips divide the boat into language groups, which helps you follow explanations, though the setup can feel busy when many people are aboard.

Getting comfortable before your first session

You do not need prior scuba experience. The instructors explain what to do before you enter the water, and the first session is the shallower of the two, at about five meters. If you are nervous, tell your instructor before getting in. People who have felt anxious describe being given time, reassurance and step-by-step help rather than being hurried.

Several instructors have been mentioned by name, including Karim, Marat and Dovi. Spellings vary, and you may have a different guide on your day, but the recurring strength of the operation is patient, personal support. Some participants describe a one-to-one instructor arrangement, particularly during the first session. That kind of close attention can make a big difference when you are managing a mask, regulator and unfamiliar sensations for the first time.

The tour information says non-swimmers can take part. That makes the experience more accessible than many water activities, but it does not mean you should hide your comfort level or any concern. Tell the instructor plainly what you can and cannot do, then follow their directions. People with high blood pressure should not take part.

Aquarium Bay: the shallower introduction

Aquarium Bay is the first stop and the shallower session, around five meters. This is where you can get used to breathing through the equipment and moving underwater with an instructor close by. You may see schools of fish, and the crew may offer the chance to feed them by hand. For a first-time scuba experience, watching fish gather at close range can be the moment that makes the whole outing click.

The session is described as lasting about 20 to 25 minutes, but treat that as a guide rather than a guarantee. Actual time can be shorter. Some people have reported being underwater for only five to ten minutes, and a large group can affect how the schedule unfolds. If you are booking mainly for extended underwater time, ask the operator about expected session length and group size before paying.

There is also a paid photo and video option, taken by the crew. It is separate from the tour price, and photos and video are not included. If you buy them, check that you have received the right files before leaving the boat. Personal cameras are not allowed, so do not plan to bring an underwater camera of your own.

Kiris Bay: a deeper second look

The second session takes place at Kiris Bay, at about 10 to 15 meters. It is deeper than the first, and the day’s briefing and initial session give you a chance to get more settled before trying it. If you find the first session difficult, tell your instructor rather than feeling obliged to continue at a depth that makes you uncomfortable.

The bays are part of the appeal even when you are waiting your turn. From the boat, you’ll see coves and mountain views, with time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe or rest. Some people have enjoyed jumping from rocks or swimming toward caves, but follow the crew’s instructions about where it is safe to go. You do not have to spend every minute in the water: a quiet spell on deck is a perfectly good use of the break.

A full boat can mean a long interval between sessions. That is the trade-off for a lower-cost group outing, and it is worth knowing before you book. Bring a change of pace: enjoy the scenery, stretch out in the sun if you like, or use the time to cool off in the sea. If you want a more private, tightly scheduled experience, this may not be the right format.

Lunch, drinks and the extras

Lunch is served aboard and is included in the $29 price. It is generally a straightforward meal, with pasta, chicken and vegetables among the foods described, plus bread and salad on some trips. Expect practical fuel rather than a restaurant meal. Portions have been enough for many people, though the food may not suit every taste or dietary need.

If you have dietary restrictions, do not assume the meal can be adapted. The menu is not guaranteed to be the same each day, and gluten-free options are not specified. Bring a suitable snack if you need a dependable alternative, and check with the operator about your needs before booking. Drinks are extra, and the onboard prices have been described as relatively inexpensive. You can also bring money for optional crew photos and video.

Is $29 good value?

At $29 per person, this is an inexpensive way to try scuba in two bays, with equipment, a licensed instructor and lunch included. Hotel transport is included only if you select that option. The price makes particular sense if you are curious about scuba but not ready to pay for a course or a private outing.

Value depends on what you expect from the underwater time. You are paying for a full boat day, instruction, equipment and two guided sessions, not two long, uninterrupted stretches below the surface. If your sessions are close to the advertised 20 to 25 minutes, the price is especially appealing. If they are much shorter, as has happened for some participants, the day’s value rests more on the introduction, scenery and time in the sea.

The photo and video service can add to the total, and it is optional. One participant who bought extras reported spending around £70 altogether, while another described a photo and video package costing about 20 euros or dollars. Prices may differ, so ask before agreeing. You can have a good day without buying the add-ons.

What to bring and what to expect

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothes, and bring a towel and sun protection for the time on the boat. A snorkel may be useful during the free swimming periods if you have your own, but the included equipment is listed as scuba gear. Personal cameras are not allowed, even though crew-shot images can be purchased.

Keep your expectations practical. This is a group boat trip, so you may spend time waiting while other people complete their sessions. The boat offers a scenic place to wait, and you can use the breaks to swim or rest, but the schedule is not a private charter. The ride back to the hotels can also be hot, so take water for the transfer if you have it and be prepared for a warm bus.

The tour suits first-timers, couples, families with older children who meet the operator’s requirements, and anyone who wants a first taste of scuba without committing to a course. It can also work for experienced scuba participants who are content with a supervised introductory-style outing. The provided information does not specify a minimum age, so check directly before booking for children.

Should you book this Kemer boat trip?

Book it if you want a low-cost first scuba experience, patient instruction and a full day in the coves around Kemer. The combination of two guided sessions, lunch and free time for swimming makes it a useful outing even if someone in your party chooses not to go underwater.

Think twice if your priority is long, technical underwater sessions or a quiet, small-group trip. Session length can vary, and a busy boat may mean waiting. If you are happy to treat the day as an introduction to scuba, with beautiful sea time around it, the price is hard to argue with. If underwater minutes are your main measure of value, ask about group size and likely time below the surface before you reserve.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

Plan on seven to eight hours, including the boat trip, two guided sessions, lunch and time to swim or relax.

Where does the trip leave from?

The meeting point is Kemer Marina. Optional hotel pickup is available if you select that option.

How deep are the two sessions?

The first is about five meters deep. The second reaches approximately 10 to 15 meters.

How long are the sessions underwater?

The stated duration is about 20 to 25 minutes per session. Actual time may be shorter.

Can I join if I cannot swim?

Yes. The activity information says non-swimmers can join, with instruction and supervision from a licensed instructor.

What is included in the price?

The package includes scuba equipment, a licensed instructor and lunch. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the pickup option.

Are drinks, photos and video included?

No. Drinks and crew photos or video are extra. Personal cameras are not allowed.