Quick answer
A practical, honest guide to child life jackets on Side boat trips: the sizes our boats carry, how a jacket should fit, when children should wear one, and what non-swimming kids need. Includes a child age/size guidance table and our family-friendly boat options.
Yes — every boat we run carries child life jackets alongside adult sizes, and our captains fit one to your child before we cast off. A jacket should sit snug at the shoulders without riding up over the chin, with the crotch strap done up where fitted. Tell us your child's age and weight when booking so we can confirm sizes for your family boat trips in Side.
What we carry on board
We run these boats as family trips, so child-sized buoyancy aids are standard kit on every departure, not something you have to request in advance. That said, the exact size range varies from boat to boat. Very small children — toddlers and infants — need a specific fit that snaps around the chest and, ideally, has a crotch strap and a grab handle. If your child is under about three years old, or unusually small or large for their age, message us the age and weight before the day so we can confirm the right size is on your boat.
We won't pretend to a precision we can't guarantee across a whole fleet. What we can promise is that a child jacket will be available and that our crew will fit it properly. If sizing matters to you, ask on the tour page or drop us a line and we'll check the specific vessel.
How a child life jacket should fit
A jacket that's too big is almost as much of a problem as no jacket at all — it rides up over the face in the water. Here's what our crew look for when they fit one:
- Snug at the shoulders. Once all straps are done up, lift the jacket at the shoulders. If it slides up past your child's ears or chin, it's too loose or too big.
- Chest and waist secured. Every buckle fastened, straps pulled firm but not cutting in.
- Crotch strap done up where the jacket has one — this is what keeps it from floating off a smaller child.
- Head supported. For infants and toddlers, look for a design with a head/neck support and a grab handle.
- Comfort for the day. A jacket a child will keep on beats a "perfect" one they wriggle out of the moment you look away.
Child age and size guidance
Marine buoyancy aids are usually sold by weight, not age, and the bands below are general marine guidance to help you picture the fit — not a promise of a specific stock item on a specific boat. Confirm the exact size for your vessel with us before you travel.
| Approx. age | Typical weight band | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Baby / infant | Under ~15 kg | Chest fastening, head/neck support, crotch strap, grab handle. Tell us in advance. |
| Toddler | ~15–20 kg | Crotch strap essential; check it doesn't ride up when lifted at the shoulders. |
| Young child | ~20–30 kg | Snug shoulder fit; child version, never an adult jacket sized down. |
| Older child | ~30–40 kg | Junior/child jacket; confirm size band with us if near the upper limit. |
| Teen / adult-size | ~40 kg and up | May take a small adult size — our crew will check the fit on the day. |
If your child sits on the edge of two bands, tell us the exact weight and we'll advise. Sizes are carried on all departures from our Side departure point, and the crew confirm the fit before we leave the harbour.
When children should wear one
Turkish waters are warm and inviting, which is exactly why we're strict about this. Our rule of thumb for families:
- Non-swimmers and young children: wear a jacket whenever they're near the rail, on the swim platform, or in the water.
- Confident older swimmers: a jacket for any open-sea swim stop is sensible, and it's your call as the parent — our crew will always have one ready.
- Moving around the boat: keep little ones seated and supervised when we're under way.
One thing we can't do is watch your child for you. Our captains keep an eye on the whole boat and manage the swim stops, but parents must supervise their own children in and around the water at all times. A life jacket is a safety aid, not a substitute for a watchful adult.
Non-swimming children: which trips suit best
If your child can't swim or is nervous on the open sea, the type of trip matters as much as the jacket. Our calmest family option is the Green Canyon boat tour (from EUR28): it runs on flat freshwater behind the Oymapınar dam, so there's no swell and no seasickness — genuinely reassuring for first-timers. One honest caveat: the freshwater there is cold, so it's more about the scenery and a quick dip than a long swim.
For younger children who want fun over open water, the Little Pirates boat trip (from EUR20) is built around them. If you'd rather a shorter time on the sea, the Side dolphin island boat tour (from EUR21) keeps the day compact. Whichever you pick, child jackets are on board.
Our family boat trips at a glance
All of these carry child life jackets and welcome families. Prices are approximate 2026 per-person starting bands — the live price is always on each tour page.
| Trip | From (per person) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Little Pirates boat trip | EUR20 | Young children; fun, pirate-themed day |
| Side dolphin island boat tour | EUR21 | A shorter sea day |
| Side pirate boat tour | EUR23 | Lively, with animation; older kids |
| Green Canyon boat tour | EUR28–54 | Calm freshwater, no seasickness; non-swimmers (water is cold) |
| Side relax boat trip with waterfall | See tour page | A quieter day on the water |
| Private VIP boat | Per boat on request | A private family day at your own pace |
Want a boat all to yourselves for total control over the day? Ask us about the Private VIP boat and we'll quote per boat for your group.
Babies, diets and telling us in advance
Travelling with a baby or a child with specific needs? Tell us when you book. We'd rather set honest expectations than overpromise: shade varies from boat to boat, so if you need a shaded spot for a little one, ask us which vessel suits and confirm on the tour page. For dietary or feeding needs, let us know the details and we'll tell you plainly what's possible on that boat — we won't invent changing tables or a specific baby menu we can't guarantee.
The more you tell us up front, the better we can match you to the right trip. That's the whole point of asking.
How pickup and booking works
Getting there is straightforward. 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 now and pay on the tour day, so nothing is locked in until you're happy. If you're weighing up options for the family, our full list of boat trips from Side is the place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Do your boats carry child life jackets, or should I bring my own?
We carry child sizes on every departure, so you don't need to bring one. If your child is very small, very large for their age, or under about three, message us the age and weight beforehand and we'll confirm the right size is on your specific boat.
How should I check my child's life jacket fits?
Do up every strap, including the crotch strap if the jacket has one, then lift the jacket at the shoulders. If it slides up past the ears or chin, it's too big or too loose. Our crew will fit and check it before we leave the harbour.
My child can't swim — which trip is safest?
The Green Canyon boat tour runs on calm freshwater with no swell, which suits non-swimmers and nervous first-timers, though the water is cold. Little Pirates is built for young children. Whichever you choose, a child jacket and adult supervision are the two essentials.
Can I leave my child with the crew while I swim?
No. Our captains manage the boat and the swim stops, but parents must supervise their own children in and around the water at all times. A life jacket helps, but it doesn't replace a watchful adult.
We're travelling with a baby — what should I tell you?
Let us know when you book. Shade varies by boat, so ask which vessel suits a baby and confirm details on the tour page. Share any dietary or feeding needs too, and we'll tell you honestly what that boat can and can't offer.
Ready to book a family day on the water?
Child jackets are on board, our crew fit them before we leave, and you only pay on the tour day. Tell us your children's ages and any needs, and we'll point you to the right boat. Browse all our family boat trips in Side and choose your day out.