Boat Trips for Grandparents and Grandkids Together

For a day that works for grandparents and grandkids at once, we point most families to our calm Green Canyon boat tour on cool freshwater, or a private VIP boat where you set the pace. Both handle boarding, shade and quiet time better than a busy sea day. If the kids are young, our Little Pirates trip is built around them. Compare the family boat trips in Side and pick by need.

Why a multigenerational boat day needs a different plan

A boat trip that thrills a nine-year-old can be a long, hot, wobbly day for a grandparent, and the opposite is true too. When three generations sail together, the deciding factors are rarely the scenery. They are pace, shade, seating, how easy it is to get on and off the boat, and whether there is somewhere calm to sit when the little ones need a nap. We run these boats every week through the season, so the advice below comes from what actually works on deck.

The good news is you do not have to compromise everyone into a bland middle. You match the boat to the group. A slower freshwater trip suits mixed ages far better than a fast, animated party boat, and a private hire removes almost every friction point at once.

Our top pick for mixed ages: Green Canyon

The Green Canyon boat tour is the one we recommend most for grandparents and grandkids together. It runs on the freshwater reservoir behind the Oymapınar dam rather than the open sea, so the water is flat and there is no swell to worry about. That matters for anyone prone to seasickness, and it means non-swimmers and cautious grandparents feel settled from the moment they board. Prices start from EUR28, with higher bands depending on the option you choose.

One honest caution: the water in the canyon is cold, because it is deep freshwater. Grandkids often still want to swim, and that is fine with supervision, but grandparents may prefer to stay aboard and enjoy the calm. Shade varies from boat to boat, so if a shaded seat matters for older guests, ask us when you book and we will confirm what that day's boat offers.

When the kids are the whole point: pirate and Little Pirates trips

If the grandkids are the ones who will remember this day, lean into that. Our Little Pirates boat trip from Side is built specifically for young children, from EUR20, with a pace and atmosphere aimed at small ones rather than a general crowd. It is the gentlest of our lively options and the easiest for a grandparent to enjoy alongside a toddler.

For older children who want animation and energy, the Side pirate boat tour from EUR23 is the livelier choice. It is a fun, noisy day, so weigh that against how much bustle the grandparents want. If the group leans older-kid and everyone is happy with a bit of chaos, this is a strong pick. If you have a mix of a baby and a teenager, the calmer boats usually keep everyone happier.

Shorter days and quiet days

Not every group wants a full day at sea. The Side dolphin island boat tour from EUR21 is a shorter sea day, which suits older guests and younger children who tire early. If your priority is peace rather than activity, the Side relax boat trip with waterfall is the quiet option in our range, designed to be gentle and unhurried.

Both of these are good "insurance" choices when you are unsure how the group's energy will hold up. A shorter or calmer day almost never disappoints a multigenerational group, whereas a long, loud day sometimes does. When you are booking from this departure point, browse the full list of trips from Side to see start points and options side by side.

The stress-free option: a private boat

If budget allows, the simplest way to make everyone comfortable is to take the group out of the shared-boat equation entirely. Our private VIP boat from Side is hired per boat, priced on request, and it solves most multigenerational problems in one move. You control the pace, you stop when the baby needs a break, you choose how long you stay out, and there is no crowd to work around. For a milestone family occasion, this is what we would book ourselves. Tell us your group's ages and needs and we will price it for you.

Comparison table: need versus choice

Use this to match your group's biggest concern to the right boat. These are approximate 2026 starting bands per person; the live price sits on each tour page.

Your main need	Best boat	From (per person)	Why it fits
No seasickness, cautious grandparents, non-swimmers	Green Canyon boat tour	EUR28–54	Flat freshwater, no swell, calm all day (water is cold)
Very young children as the focus	Little Pirates boat trip	EUR20	Built for small children, gentlest lively option
Older kids who want animation and energy	Side pirate boat tour	EUR23	Lively, animated, fun day out
A shorter sea day for guests who tire early	Side dolphin island boat tour	EUR21	Less time on the water, easier on all ages
Full control of pace, shade and stops	Private VIP boat	Per boat, on request	Your own boat, your own schedule, no crowd

Comfort details we get asked about most

A few practical points make or break a mixed-age day, so here is the honest picture. Life jackets are carried on our boats, including child sizes. Parents and grandparents must supervise children in and around the water at all times; our crew is there to help, but children are your responsibility on deck and in the sea. Shade differs from boat to boat, so if an older guest needs to stay out of the sun, ask us before you book and we will confirm the shaded seating on that day's vessel.

For dietary needs or anything to do with a baby, tell us when you book and we will do what we can, but please check the specifics on the tour page rather than assuming a facility is there. We would rather set the right expectation than promise something the boat cannot deliver. If a particular need is a deal-breaker, ask us directly and we will be straight with you.

Getting to the boat and how booking works

Transfers are arranged for you. Guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel, so you are not left guessing on the day. That takes one more worry off the plate when you are travelling with children and older relatives.

Booking is simple: you reserve online and pay on the tour day. That means you can lock in your date now and settle up when you meet the boat. Ready to sort it out? Reserve your family's date on the Green Canyon tour page or ask us about a private hire, and we will handle the rest.

Frequently asked questions

Which boat trip is best for grandparents and grandkids together?

For most mixed-age groups we recommend the Green Canyon boat tour, because the freshwater is flat and calm with no seasickness, so cautious grandparents and non-swimmers feel settled while the grandkids still get to swim. If budget allows, a private VIP boat is the most comfortable of all because you control the pace and stops.

Is the boat safe for young children and older people?

Our boats carry life jackets, including child sizes. Boarding is easier on the calmer trips, which is why we steer mixed-age groups towards them. Adults must supervise children in and around the water at all times. If mobility or a specific health concern is a factor, tell us when you book so we can advise on the most suitable boat.

Will there be shade for the grandparents?

Shade varies from boat to boat rather than being identical across the fleet. If a shaded seat is important for an older guest, ask us when you book and we will confirm what that day's boat offers. We would rather be accurate than promise a covered deck we cannot guarantee.

Can everyone swim, including non-swimmers?

Non-swimmers are welcome, and life jackets are available. On the Green Canyon trip the water is cold freshwater, so some grandparents prefer to stay aboard while the grandkids swim, which is completely fine. Supervision by an adult is required for children in the water. Check the individual tour page for what each trip includes.

How do the transfer and payment work?

We arrange your hotel transfer. Guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel. You book online and pay on the tour day, so you can secure your date now and settle up when you meet the boat.

Ready to book your family day out?

The best multigenerational boat day is the one matched to your group's biggest need, whether that is calm water, a boat built for little ones, or your own private hire. Have a look through all the family boat trips in Side, pick the one that fits your ages and pace, and reserve online today; you pay on the tour day and we will confirm your morning pickup the evening before.