Side Boat Tour – From the Manavgat River to Turtle Bay with Lunch & Foam Party
Sail down the green Manavgat River to the Mediterranean, swim where fresh and salt water meet, look out for loggerhead turtles and see Side’s Temple of Apollo from the sea – lunch and soft drinks included.
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Operating days
- Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Pickup
- 09:00 → 15:00
- Destination
- Side & Manavgat
A Side boat tour that starts on a river and ends at sea: the pirate-style boat leaves its private pier on the bank of the Manavgat River, glides downstream to the river mouth and then turns west along the coast of Side. Three swim stops, a grilled lunch on the beach at the river mouth, and music, games and a foam party on deck fill the six hours – an easy, sociable day on the water for couples, friends and families.
Route of the Side boat tour
The first stop is the sandy spit at the mouth of the Manavgat (Boğaz), where the river flows into the sea: swim in fresh water on one side and in the salty Mediterranean on the other, stretch out on the sand or rent a jet ski (paid on site). Lunch is served here. Back on board, the boat heads out to Turtle Bay, where loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) often come up close to the boat – with a bit of luck you swim right next to one. On the way back you glide past the columns of the Temple of Apollo and the walls of ancient Side, the finest view of the old town there is, before a last swim in a bay near the ancient harbour.
Included on board
- Grilled chicken, three salads and rice for lunch
- Soft drinks all day
- Animation team, games and a foam party
- Changing cabins, toilets, showers and life jackets for every guest
Pickup in the Side area
Transfers are included for hotels across the Side area – from the old town and Manavgat to the resorts of Kumkoy, Sorgun, Titreyengol and Colakli: the minibus drops you at the river pier and collects you there after the cruise. Fancy a longer day at sea? The Side Dolphin Island boat tour sails east as far as Karaburun. For lakes and canyons instead, take the Green Canyon boat trip. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.
Highlights
- Cruise down the Manavgat River to the open sea
- Swim in fresh and salt water at the river mouth
- Turtle Bay – a chance to see loggerhead turtles
- Side’s Temple of Apollo and old town seen from the sea
- Grilled lunch and soft drinks included
- Animation, games and foam party on deck
Itinerary
-
09:00
Hotel pickup
Minibus from your hotel in the Side area to the private pier on the Manavgat River.
-
Morning
Down the river
The boat glides down the Manavgat River towards the sea.
-
Midday
River mouth beach
First swim stop where the river meets the sea; lunch is served here.
-
Afternoon
Turtle Bay
Swim in clear water and look out for loggerhead turtles.
-
Afternoon
Ancient Side from the sea
Sail past the Temple of Apollo and the old town.
-
Afternoon
Last swim
Swim stop in a bay near the ancient harbour, then back up the river.
-
15:00
Back at the hotel
Transfer from the pier to your hotel.
Included / Not included
Included
- Hotel transfer from the Side and Manavgat area
- Boat tour with three swim stops
- Lunch: grilled chicken, three salads and rice
- Soft drinks
- Guide, animation and foam party
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Ice cream and snacks
- Photos
- Jet ski and other water sports
Packages & options
Side boat tour
Boat tour with lunch, soft drinks and hotel transfer
Good to know
Good to know
- The order of the stops can change with wind and sea conditions.
- Turtles are wild animals – sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Life jackets are on board for every guest, including children.
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Shorts or light clothes
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Cash for drinks, ice cream or photos
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Side boat tour start?
From a private pier on the bank of the Manavgat River. The minibus takes you there from your hotel and back again after the tour.
Will we really see turtles?
Loggerhead turtles live in this bay and are often seen, but they are wild animals, so no one can promise an encounter.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. There are life jackets for every guest, toilets and showers on board, and the animation team keeps younger guests busy. Non-swimmers simply stay on deck at the swim stops.
What is the difference to the Dolphin Island tour?
Both start on the Manavgat River. This tour turns west to Turtle Bay and ancient Side and takes six hours; the Dolphin Island tour heads east to Karaburun near Okurcalar and lasts about seven hours.
Can I buy drinks on board?
Soft drinks are included; alcoholic drinks, ice cream and snacks are sold on board.
