City of Side: Sightseeing Cruise w/ Swim Stops & Foam Party

A foam party at sea hits different. I love the setup here, three swimming breaks plus a big 3-floor boat means you can alternate between chilling, swimming, and getting in on the chaos, all while cruising the Manavgat River and out to the Mediterranean. You also get lunch onboard, so you are not racing around for food between swims. One heads up, the cost can creep up if you buy extra drinks and onboard photos.

What you really notice is how the day is built for time in the water without feeling rushed. You will be shuttled from Side to the pier, spend hours on deck, then head back before evening, typically landing at your hotel around 17:00 to 17:30. The main drawback to plan for is that drinks and optional add-ons are not included, so the base price is only part of the real budget.

Key things to know before you go

• Pickup from Side hotels with bus service running in the morning, then a smooth return to your hotel near late afternoon
• 3-floor boat layout with a bar and seating on lower levels plus a sun terrace on top
• Swim stops you can actually use at Cennet Play, near Side’s historic area, and again at the river mouth
• Foam party on the dance floor during the cruise back, aimed at pretty much every age
• Lunch onboard with a simple menu built around grilled chicken and buffet service
• Extra costs to watch like jet ski, drinks, and photo packages

Getting on the Boat in Side, and Why the 3-Floor Layout Works

This day trip is all about convenience. You get picked up from your Side hotel by bus, usually in the morning window (about 08:30 to 09:30 depending on where you start), then you roll out toward the pier on the Manavgat River. On the drive, you get that quick hit of green country views before you reach the water.

Then comes the part that makes a big difference on a boat trip: the vessel is built with space in mind. It has three floors, and that means you are not stuck in one hot, crowded zone all day. On the first floor, you have a bar, plenty of comfortable seating areas, and shower access at the back of the boat. On the second floor, there is another bar, more seating, and the dance floor where the foam party happens. On the third floor, you can claim sunbathing spots on the sun terrace.

If you care about shade, you can choose where you hang out instead of just accepting whatever you find. If you want to avoid the party noise between foam bursts, you can head upward and keep your day calmer. This is the kind of planning that matters when the whole tour rhythm is: cruise, swim, repeat.

Cruising Out to the Manavgat Strait Before Your First Swim at Cennet Play

Once the group is aboard, the tour moves quickly. After you board, the cruise starts, and you head toward the Manavgat strait, where the river meets the sea. This part is a nice change of pace, because it is less about jumping and more about the boat ride itself, the breeze, and watching the coast shift from riverbanks to open water.

The first mooring is at Cennet Play for about one hour. This is your main “freshen up and go” swim block. Here is where you can do the classic combo:

• swim right off the boat
• soak up sun on the beach areas
• lounge and reset before lunch

You might see people jump in immediately, or take it slower and treat it like a beach stop. If you want jet ski time, that is available too, but it is extra. (Jet skis can be a fun splurge if you are comfortable spending more for the activity.)

What I like about this first stop is the timing. It is early enough that you feel like you accomplished something right away, and long enough that you can actually get a proper swim session instead of a quick photo moment.

Lunch On Board: What You Eat, How It’s Served, and How to Handle It

Lunch is built right into the schedule, which is exactly what you want on a sea day. Around the time you return to the boat after the swim break, you grab your meal from the buffet.

The kitchen team grills chicken and prepares a buffet-style spread. Several people note that the menu is simple, with two main choices such as chicken or fish. That is not a restaurant, but for a cruise day price, it tends to hit the sweet spot: filling, quick to serve, and easy while you still want energy for the next swim.

Practical tip: if you are the type who likes your food without stress, keep an eye on timing when lunch is served and do not let it drift too long. On a few days, people have felt that the food service could be tighter, so eating earlier in the window can save you from the “what is left” moment.

Also, remember that lunch is included, but drinks are not. You can buy local drinks like beer, wine, cola, fanta, sprite, water, soda, tea, and coffee. Budget for it if you plan to stay hydrated while swimming and out in the sun.

The Historical Side Peninsula Swim Stop, with Dolphins and Sea Turtles

After the first swim and lunch, the boat heads onward. There is a travel segment of about 45 minutes to reach the historic Side peninsula area. On the way, you may get lucky with wildlife spotting, with chances to see dolphins and caretta caretta sea turtles.

Let’s be real: you cannot force wildlife sightings. But when the captain can turn the boat to keep things visible, those moments can become the highlight of your day. Some days include dolphins sightings and even playful extra cruising circles to give more people a view.

Then you reach the second swimming break, about 45 minutes, right in front of the historic area with views tied to the temples of Apollo and Athena. This is a different vibe than Cennet Play. You are still swimming, but you are doing it with ancient scenery in the background, which makes the stop feel like more than a beach break.

During this stop, you can jump from the boat into the sea. There are also 10 swimming ladders behind the boat, which is great if you want easier entry and exit. It is also a nice safety feature on a busy swim spot, since not everyone wants to jump from height.

If you like taking in the view, even staying near the ladder area gives you a steady perspective of Side’s historic skyline and the sea meeting the shore.

Foam Party and the Dance Floor, Plus the Best Way to Time Your Day

The return journey builds in fun. During the cruise back toward the river mouth, the second floor becomes the party zone with foam party activities and dance-floor animations. The idea is big-group fun, and it is aimed at a wide age range (from about 7 to 70, based on the tour description). That usually means it is more playful than polished, which can be exactly right if you want to laugh and move a bit.

One detail I really like is that the party is not the whole day. The swim stops are the main event, and the foam party is a highlight during the return cruise. That structure is what keeps the day from feeling like a nonstop nightclub.

If you are sensitive to noise, you can manage your experience by choosing your floor. The sun terrace is a good escape, and lower levels can be calmer, depending on how energetic the second floor gets. The boat is big, and people spread out if you let them.

Then you have a third swimming break when you return near the mouth of the river. It is about 20 minutes, a quick reset for those who want one last splash before the bus home.

Costs and Small Add-Ons That Can Change Your Total Spend

The base price for this tour is about $16 per person, and that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat trip, a tour guide, lunch, the foam party, and tips. For a full-day activity with multiple swims, that is strong value on paper.

But the “real budget” picture depends on what you add. Drinks are not included, and they can add up quickly if you buy cocktails, beer, wine, or you go through multiple water refills. Also:

• Jet ski is extra
• A Turkish option like gözleme is listed as not included
• A photo/photographer setup exists with a parrot experience, and people report that photos are expensive (example: about €5 per picture)

The parrot moment can be fun, but the sales push for photos is something to know. If you want only a couple shots, decide your limit before you get swept up. You can also say no if you do not want to buy.

One more practical note from feedback: toilet cleanliness can be hit or miss on any boat day. If that matters to you, consider limiting liquids right before you board or plan to use facilities before you hit a swim stop. It is not a dealbreaker for most people, but it is worth being realistic.

Who Should Book This Side Cruise, and Who Should Skip It

This is a great fit if you want a lazy-but-fun sea day. I would point you toward it if you:

• want multiple swimming opportunities (not just one quick stop)
• like a big boat with space to spread out
• enjoy social energy, including a foam party and dance-floor moments
• value included lunch and the convenience of pickup and drop-off

It is also a solid choice for families, since the foam party is built for mixed ages, and the schedule gives you quiet time too, if you avoid the dance floor.

I would skip it, or at least go in with eyes open, if you:

• want a quiet, culture-first tour with minimal party energy
• have a strict “no extras” budget, because drinks, photos, and jet ski all cost extra
• dislike the idea of boat toilets being a bit of a weak point

Should You Book It? My Straight Answer

Book it if you want a great value full-day swim and cruise with a fun atmosphere and an easy logistics setup from your Side hotel. The combination of three swim breaks, onboard lunch, and the foam party is exactly the recipe for a low-stress vacation day.

Skip it if you mainly came for museum-level history and quiet. This trip is built around water time first, ancient scenery second, and entertainment third. If that matches your mood, you will likely have a memorable day.

FAQ

How long is the cruise tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

Do you get hotel pickup and drop-off in Side?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, with pickup between about 08:30 and 09:00 from the main gate of your hotel, and return typically arriving around 17:00 to 17:30.

Where are the swimming stops?

There are three swimming breaks: at Cennet Play for about 1 hour, another stop near the historical Side peninsula for about 45 minutes, and a final stop near the river mouth for about 20 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and served as a buffet onboard, with grilled chicken prepared by the kitchen team.

Is the foam party included?

Yes. The foam party takes place onboard on the second floor during the return journey, and it is included in the tour.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included. You can purchase local drinks such as beer, wine, cola, fanta, sprite, water, soda, tea, and coffee.

Is the jet ski included?

No. Jet ski is not included and is available as an extra.