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

The foam party is the big hook here. After cruising the Manavgat River, you head out toward the Mediterranean for swimming, lunch, and a boat deck covered in suds. It is less a quiet sightseeing cruise than a cheerful half-day outing built around water, music, and easy fun.

I like the river-to-sea route, which gives you more variety than a simple coastal boat ride. I also like the $25 price, especially with hotel pickup, lunch, a guide, insurance, and the Caretta Bay swim stop included.

The main thing to check is the drinks option. Some booking choices include cola, Fanta, Sprite, and water, while the basic terms list soft drinks as extra. Alcohol, tea, coffee, ice cream, and photos are not included.

Key points to know before you book

• The foam party is the tour’s main event, so expect a lively, playful atmosphere rather than a quiet cruise.
• You see Side from the water, including views toward the ancient city and the Temple of Apollo.
• Caretta Bay provides a proper swim break in the turquoise Mediterranean water.
• Lunch is included, with a choice of fresh dishes served on board.
• Hotel pickup covers all hotels in Side, making this easy to add to a beach holiday.
• Recent ratings are mixed but generally positive, with a 3.7 out of 5 score from 52 reviews and recent 4 and 5-star bookings praising the fun, friendly day.

From your Side hotel to the Manavgat River

Your day begins with pickup by bus from your hotel in Side. The exact pickup time depends on the departure selected, so I would keep the morning free and watch for the confirmed details after booking.

That transfer is a real part of the value. At $25 per person, you do not have to arrange your own way to the boat, and pickup is available from all hotels in Side. For a short holiday, that makes the trip simple: you leave from your hotel, spend the day on the water, and return to the same area.

The tour lasts six hours, which is long enough to include several stops without taking up your entire day. You still have room in your holiday for a beach afternoon, an evening in Side, or another activity.

A German or English-speaking guide accompanies the tour. No individual guide name is provided, so if having a particular guide matters to you, confirm that before booking.

Cruising the Manavgat River

The first scenic part of the trip follows the Manavgat River. This gives you a change from the open sea and lets you see the green river surroundings from the boat before the route reaches the coast.

I like this part because it breaks the day into clear stages. You begin with a gentle cruise, then move toward swimming and open-water views, and later return to the social side of the boat with food and entertainment.

The river section is also useful for anyone who wants more than a standard beach transfer. You are not simply taken from a harbor to a swim stop. The route includes a distinct inland waterway and a look back toward Side from a different angle.

Do not expect a long history lesson during this portion. The tour is built around scenery, swimming, food, and entertainment. If your main goal is detailed archaeology, Side’s land-based ruins deserve a separate visit.

Seeing Side and the Temple of Apollo from the boat

As the boat reaches the coast, you get views of Side’s ancient city. The most recognizable sight is the Temple of Apollo, one of the area’s best-known landmarks and a strong photo subject from the water.

This view gives you useful context. Side is not only a resort town with beaches and hotels. Its ancient remains sit directly beside the modern coastal setting, and seeing them from a boat helps you understand how closely the old city and the sea are connected.

Bring your camera, but protect it from water during the foam party and swim stops. The boat provides a different angle than walking around the ruins, though it will not replace time on land if you want to study the columns or explore the ancient streets.

Photography is not included as part of the tour. Any official photos offered during the day cost extra, so your own camera or phone is the practical choice.

Lunch on board and the question of drinks

Lunch is included, and you can choose from a variety of fresh dishes. The supplied details do not give a fixed menu, so you should think of this as a convenient boat meal rather than a carefully planned food experience.

That distinction matters. The lunch keeps you from having to leave the boat or find food during a six-hour outing, and it is a useful part of the $25 value. But if you have strict dietary needs, confirm the available dishes before booking because no special menu information is provided.

The drinks policy needs a close look. One option includes unlimited non-alcoholic drinks such as cola, Fanta, Sprite, and water. Elsewhere, soft drinks are listed as not included unless that option is selected.

I would not assume unlimited drinks are part of every $25 booking. Check the exact package at checkout, since that small difference can affect the final value, especially on a hot day.

Alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, and ice cream are not included. You also cannot bring your own food and drinks on board, so plan around the available purchase or package options.

Swimming at Caretta Bay

The main water stop is Caretta Bay, where you can swim in the turquoise Mediterranean. This is the part of the trip that gives you a proper break from the boat deck.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sandals. You will also want a change of clothes, especially because the foam party can leave you soaked even if you only planned to swim once.

The supplied information refers to crystal or turquoise water, but conditions can vary by day. The important point is that swimming is built into the itinerary, not an optional extra.

Showers are available on the boat, and you can change clothes at the end of the tour. That is helpful if you have dinner plans or want to continue sightseeing in Side after returning.

The boat format also means you should think about comfort. If you prefer calm sightseeing with very little activity, repeated swim stops and a wet deck may feel less relaxing. If you like getting in the water and do not mind carrying wet clothes, this part should fit well.

The foam party: fun, noise, and wet clothes

The foam party is the tour’s defining feature. It turns the boat from a transport platform into a small floating party, with foam, entertainment, and plenty of chances to get wet.

I would describe it as playful rather than sophisticated. This is a good choice for friends, couples who enjoy silly holiday activities, and families with older children who are comfortable around water and music.

It may not suit anyone looking for a peaceful cruise. The party is central to the experience, so you should not book this expecting a quiet afternoon of reading or birdwatching.

Keep your phone and camera protected. The tour specifically recommends bringing a camera, but foam and water are obvious hazards for electronics. A waterproof case is a sensible extra, even though it is not listed as included.

The timing of the foam party is not specified, so you should expect the schedule to depend on the boat’s running order and the crew. The key point is that it is not a minor add-on. It is the feature most likely to shape your memory of the day.

What the $25 price really gives you

At $25 per person, the tour offers strong basic value. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, a six-hour outing, lunch, a guide, insurance during the tour, the river cruise, the Caretta Bay swim stop, views of Side, and the foam party.

That package is especially useful if you would otherwise pay separately for transport and a boat trip. The included meal also helps keep the day’s spending under control.

The value becomes less clear if your booking does not include soft drinks. You may need to budget for cola, water, or other refreshments, along with any alcoholic drinks, coffee, ice cream, or official photos.

The rating is 3.7 out of 5 from 52 reviews, so I would not present this as a flawless premium cruise. Recent verified bookings in August 2025 gave it five stars, describing the day as very fun and enjoyable. A June 2025 booking gave four stars and also called it very enjoyable.

That pattern suggests the tour works best when you want exactly what it offers: a social, inexpensive boat day with swimming and entertainment. It is less suitable if you expect luxury service, a detailed cultural tour, or a carefully designed dining experience.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend it to you if you want a low-cost day on the water and enjoy mixing sightseeing with swimming. The combination of Side views, Caretta Bay, lunch, and the foam party gives you several different activities in one booking.

It also fits well into a short Side holiday. You do not need to spend a full day organizing transport, finding a boat, and locating a swim stop. Pickup is included, and the six-hour length leaves time for other plans.

The tour should appeal to groups of friends and couples who enjoy a cheerful atmosphere. It may also suit families, but check that everyone is comfortable with a foam party and a busy boat setting.

I would choose something else if your priority is archaeology. The view of the Temple of Apollo is worthwhile, but this is not a guided visit to the ancient city. For that, plan separate time on land.

I would also look elsewhere if you want a quiet, high-end cruise or a meal with a known menu. The tour’s strengths are price, movement, swimming, and entertainment, not privacy or fine dining.

What to pack for a smoother day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that matter around water:

• Swimsuit or bikini
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Sandals
• Sunscreen
• Camera or waterproof phone case

The change of clothes is especially useful because you have both swimming and a foam party. Showers are available, so you do not have to remain wet for the ride back.

Pets are not allowed, and you cannot bring your own food or drinks. Soft drinks, alcohol, tea, coffee, ice cream, and photos are handled separately from the included tour features.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Side plans are still changing.

Should you book the Side and Caretta Bay boat trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, active half-day with a real swim stop, lunch, river scenery, views of Side, and a foam party. The $25 starting price is good for a package that includes hotel transport and several activities, though you should confirm whether your selected option includes soft drinks.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat ride, a serious archaeological tour, or a more polished food-and-drink experience. The best reason to book is simple: you want a fun day in the sun, with plenty of water and a little harmless chaos.

FAQ

How long is the Side and Caretta Bay boat trip?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

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

Is lunch included?

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

Are soft drinks included?

Soft drinks depend on the booking option selected. The drinks option includes cola, Fanta, Sprite, and water. Alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, and ice cream are not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and German.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.