SIDE DIVING 2026

Side Diving Tour: An Underwater Adventure

Side, with its rich history, stunning beaches, and crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, has become one of Turkey’s most sought-after destinations for both relaxation and adventure. One of the most thrilling ways to explore the beauty of this region is through a Side diving tour. Whether you’re a certified diver or a complete beginner, Side’s vibrant underwater world offers an unforgettable experience. From colorful marine life to historical shipwrecks, the region’s waters are filled with surprises for divers of all levels.

What is the Side Diving Tour?

The Side diving tour is an organized activity that allows participants to explore the underwater world of the Mediterranean. It offers a unique opportunity to discover the rich marine biodiversity of the region, with clear visibility and calm waters that make it ideal for diving. These tours are led by experienced and professional dive instructors who guide participants through the experience, ensuring both safety and enjoyment.

Diving tours typically start with a briefing, where divers learn about the equipment, safety protocols, and the marine life they may encounter during the dive. For beginners, these tours offer an introduction to scuba diving, providing a basic understanding of how to operate diving gear and communicate underwater. For certified divers, the tours offer the chance to explore deeper parts of the Mediterranean and even discover underwater historical ruins and shipwrecks.

The Diving Experience in Side

Side is known for its warm, clear waters that are perfect for diving. The visibility often exceeds 20 meters, allowing divers to fully appreciate the colorful underwater landscape. During a typical diving tour, divers are taken to specific dive sites around the coastline, which are selected based on the diving skill level of the group. These dive sites can range from shallow areas with coral reefs and small fish to deeper locations with larger marine species and fascinating underwater topography.

Beginner Divers:
For first-time divers or those with limited experience, Side diving tours offer a safe and educational experience. Most operators provide an introductory dive (often referred to as a “try dive”), where participants dive to a depth of around 6 to 10 meters with a professional guide. During these sessions, the instructors guide divers step by step, ensuring they are comfortable with the equipment and their surroundings. In these shallow areas, divers are often able to see various species of fish, starfish, and sometimes even sea turtles, making it a truly magical first diving experience.

Certified Divers:
For more experienced divers, Side offers plenty of exciting opportunities. There are deeper dives in locations such as underwater caves, submerged ruins, and even shipwrecks from historical times. These dives are typically done at depths ranging from 10 to 30 meters, where divers can encounter larger marine life, including groupers, moray eels, and schools of various fish. Shipwrecks in the area also provide a unique and thrilling experience, as divers get to explore ancient vessels that have become artificial reefs over time, teeming with marine life.

Marine Life and Underwater Beauty

One of the most alluring aspects of the Side diving tour is the incredible marine life that divers can encounter. The Mediterranean Sea, with its temperate climate and rich ecosystem, is home to a wide variety of marine creatures. Divers can expect to see a colorful array of fish species such as:

• Damselfish

• Parrotfish

• Sea bream

• Sea bass

• Moray eels

• Octopuses

• Squid

• Turtles

The underwater scenery itself is equally captivating, with vibrant coral reefs, rocky formations, and an abundance of marine flora. The region’s underwater topography includes caves, drop-offs, and sandy sea beds, which provide habitats for various species. Divers often have the opportunity to explore these unique features, making each dive a distinct experience.

Moreover, the chance to discover sunken ships, old anchors, or even ancient ruins adds an extra layer of excitement for divers. These historical sites tell the story of the region’s past and offer a fascinating glimpse into what lies beneath the surface of the Mediterranean.

What’s Included in the Side Diving Tour?

Most diving tours in Side include everything a participant needs for a safe and enjoyable experience. This typically includes:

• SİDE Diving equipment: All necessary diving gear, such as masks, fins, snorkels, regulators, tanks, and wetsuits, is provided. For beginner divers, the gear is fitted to ensure comfort and safety.

• Transportation: Many diving companies offer transportation from hotels in the Side area to the dive site, which ensures a hassle-free experience for participants.

• Guides and instructors: Certified diving instructors or guides lead the tour, offering assistance and ensuring safety throughout the dive.

• Safety protocols: Diving companies follow strict safety protocols, including providing briefings on dive safety, handling emergencies, and teaching underwater communication signals.

• Meals and refreshments: Some tours also offer meals, such as lunch, along with soft drinks or water to keep divers hydrated throughout the day.

Why Choose a Diving Tour in Side?

There are several reasons why a diving tour in Side should be on the top of your list of activities when visiting the region:

1. Perfect Diving Conditions: The Mediterranean waters around Side offer excellent visibility, calm seas, and moderate temperatures year-round, making it an ideal destination for diving.

2. Variety of Dive Sites: Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, there’s a dive site in Side for you. From shallow coral gardens to deeper wreck sites, there’s something for every skill level.

3. Rich Marine Life and History: Side is home to a wide range of marine life, including both tropical and temperate species, and the chance to explore underwater ruins and shipwrecks adds a historical element to the experience.

4. Professional Guides and Safety: The side diving companies in Side employ experienced guides who are trained to ensure the safety and comfort of all participants, creating a worry-free environment for you to enjoy your dive.

Conclusion

Side diving tours offer an unparalleled opportunity to discover the Mediterranean’s magical underwater world. Whether you’re a beginner eager to try scuba diving for the first time or an experienced diver looking for adventure, Side’s clear, warm waters and diverse marine life are sure to provide an unforgettable experience. Diving in Side isn’t just about the thrill of the dive—it’s about immersing yourself in an ecosystem rich with beauty, history, and adventure. If you’re visiting Side, don’t miss the chance to dive into its depths and experience the Mediterranean in a whole new way.