Quick answer
Quick, honest answers to the small practical questions we get asked most about boat trips in Side, Manavgat and Antalya — towels, toilets, shade, phone charging, seasickness, cash and kids. Written by the team that runs the boats.
Yes — bring your own towel on a boat trip. The boats don't hand them out, and after a swim in Green Canyon's cold freshwater or the warmer sea you'll want to dry off. Pack a towel, swimwear, sun cream, a hat and a little cash, and you're set for the day. The other small questions we get asked are answered below.
The one-line packing answer
We run shared and private boats out of Side, Manavgat, Antalya, Alanya, Belek and Kemer, and the same short list covers almost every trip. Bring a towel, swimwear (wear it under your clothes to save changing time), sun cream, a hat or cap, sunglasses and a little cash for drinks and extras. Everything else is optional. If you're still deciding which trip to take, browse our boat trips in Side and the surrounding resorts first, then pack for the one you choose.
Towel, sun and shade
Towels aren't provided, so bring one — a normal beach towel is fine. Sun cream matters more on the water than on land, because you catch the glare off the surface as well as the direct sun. Reapply after each swim. Most of our boats have a covered area as well as open sun decks, so you can usually move out of the heat when you need to, but layouts differ from boat to boat. If sun is a real concern for you or the kids, ask us about the specific boat when you book and we'll tell you honestly what shade it has.
Toilets, changing and phone charging
Most of our day boats have an onboard toilet, though facilities vary by vessel — if it matters for your day, ask us about the specific boat when you book and we'll confirm. There's usually a small space to change, but it's quicker to arrive in your swimwear under your clothes. Don't count on phone charging: some boats have a socket, many don't, so start the day with a full battery and bring a power bank if you rely on your phone for photos. Keep phones and valuables in a dry bag or a sealed pouch, because splashes happen.
Seasickness — how likely is it?
On the freshwater lake cruises at Green Canyon the water is flat and calm, so seasickness is rare. On sea trips it depends on the day and the route — closer coastal cruises are gentler, and open-water runs like the island trips can have more movement. If you know you're sensitive, take a travel-sickness tablet about an hour before departure, sit low and central on the boat, and keep your eyes on the horizon. It settles for most people within the first half hour.
Cash, drinks and paying
You book online and pay for the trip itself on the tour day, so you don't need the full fare in your pocket in advance. Drinks on board are usually pay-as-you-go, so bring a little cash for soft drinks, water, tea, snacks or a beer. Card machines aren't guaranteed on every boat. A modest amount of Turkish lira or euros covers the day comfortably — you won't need much. Ready to lock in a date? Check live availability on any tour page and reserve your spot.
Kids, food and getting there
Families are welcome on our shared trips, and the calm freshwater cruises tend to suit younger children best. For a quieter day with your own group, a private boat gives you space and flexibility. On food and dietary needs — vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free or an allergy — tell us when you book and we pass it straight to the specific boat. We won't promise you a set menu here, because it varies by trip; confirm the details on the tour page or with us directly. As for getting there, guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel.
Quick answers at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Do I bring a towel? | Yes — not provided on board. |
| Is there a toilet? | Most day boats have one; ask us about your boat. |
| Is there shade? | Most boats have a covered area plus sun decks. |
| Can I charge my phone? | Don't rely on it — bring a power bank. |
| Will I get seasick? | Rare on the lake; possible on open-water sea trips. |
| Do I need cash? | A little, for drinks and extras. |
| When do I pay for the trip? | Book online, pay on the tour day. |
| How do I get to the boat? | Morning hotel pickup, time confirmed the day before. |
What each type of trip is like
The details differ by trip, so match your packing to the one you pick. If you're staying in the resorts east of us, the boat trips from Alanya hub is a good starting point. A few honest pointers on the popular ones:
- Green Canyon — a freshwater lake cruise; the water is cold and clear, so it's a bracing swim rather than a warm-sea float. Calm and family-friendly. See the Green Canyon boat tour.
- Sea and pirate trips — warmer salt water, more of a fun, lively day out on the coast, good for a mixed group.
- Suluada island trips — a longer day to bright turquoise water; more open sea, so pack for sun and take a tablet if you're sensitive to motion.
- Private yachts and gulets — your own boat, your own pace, priced per boat on request.
Roughly what it costs
Prices depend on the trip, the season and the boat, so treat these as approximate 2026 starting bands per person — always check the live price on the tour page before you book.
| Trip type | Approx. from (per person) |
|---|---|
| Sea trips (pirate, coastal, dolphin) | EUR 20–25 |
| Green Canyon lake cruise | EUR 28–54 |
| Suluada island trip | EUR 42–68 |
| Private yacht / gulet | Per boat, on request |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring my own towel on the boat trip?
Yes. Towels are not provided on our shared boats, so pack a standard beach towel. You'll want it after swimming — the freshwater at Green Canyon is cold, and even the warmer sea leaves you wanting to dry off before you sit back down.
Is there a toilet on board?
Most of our day boats have an onboard toilet, though it varies by vessel, so ask us about the specific boat when you book if it matters for your day. There's usually a small area to change too, but arriving in your swimwear under your clothes saves time and hassle.
What about food and dietary needs like vegetarian or halal?
Tell us your requirement — vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free or a specific allergy — when you book, and we pass it to the specific boat running your trip. We don't promise a fixed menu on this page because it varies by trip, so confirm the details on the tour page or with us directly.
How do I get to the boat from my hotel?
A hotel transfer is arranged. 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 we'll give you your pickup time once your booking is set.
Do I pay in advance or on the day?
You book online to hold your place and pay for the trip on the tour day. Drinks and extras on board are usually pay-as-you-go, so bring a little cash for those. For a specific trip like the Side pirate boat tour, the current price is on the tour page.
Ready when you are
That's the whole small-questions list: towel yes, toilet on most boats, shade mostly, cash a little, seasickness rarely, kids welcome. Pack light, arrive in your swimwear and let us handle the rest. When you've picked your day, browse and book your boat trip in Side and the surrounding resorts, and we'll see you on the water.