REVIEW · SIDE
From City of Side and Alanya: Legends and Pirates Yacht Tour
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Sea foam and pirate stories keep this day light. You cruise the Mediterranean from Side or Alanya on a big yacht with a full-on party vibe, and I like the foam party because it actually turns the trip into an event, not just a sightseeing cruise. I also love the kids-first energy: face painting turns children into mini pirates, bandannas are handed out, and there’s a team focused on keeping kids entertained while adults can relax.
The only real catch is that this is a family-style schedule. If you’re traveling without kids, the mini-disco and frequent animation can feel a bit repetitive, and the music can run loud during the party parts.
In This Review
- Key Points to Know Before You Go
- A Full Pirate-Day at Sea From Side or Alanya
- Pickup Timing and What That Morning Feels Like
- First Swim Stop: Alanya Castle Shores and Cleopatra Beach
- The 1.5-Hour Harbor Break: Alanya Castle, Red Tower, and Bazaar Time
- Lunch on Board: Buffet Food and Easy Satisfaction
- Passing Legends: Lovers Cave View and the High-Jumping Show
- The Main Event: Foam Party and On-Board Disco Energy
- Final Swim Break and Return to Hotels
- What’s Included, What’s Not, and Where Extra Costs Can Pop Up
- The Best Fit: Who Should Book This Yacht Tour
- Practical Tips So You Enjoy It More
- Should You Book the Legends and Pirates Yacht Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Legends and Pirates Yacht Tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- Are alcoholic drinks included?
- What swim stops are part of the tour?
- What do I need to bring?
- Is there a cancellation policy?
Key Points to Know Before You Go

- Pirate-themed fun for families with face painting, bandannas, and a dedicated kids team
- Two big swimming stretches plus a final swim, with stops near Alanya Castle and Cleopatra Beach
- A full 1.5-hour harbor break to explore Alanya’s sights by land
- Foam party and on-board shows that keep the energy high through the afternoon
- Lunch + drinks included (open buffet lunch, unlimited cold soft drinks, plus unlimited beer and wine)
- Expect extra-pay add-ons like photos or shirt painting, even though the core tour is good value
A Full Pirate-Day at Sea From Side or Alanya

This is the kind of tour that works because it’s built like a day at a water park, not a quiet boat ride. You’re on the Mediterranean all day, you get multiple chances to swim, and the pirate legends theme shows up in what the crew does on board—especially for children. The result: most people end up treating the trip like a playful break from sightseeing, with just enough structure to keep everyone moving.
The setting matters too. Cruising along the Alanya coastline gives you plenty of sea views, and the route is designed so you’re close enough to landmarks to make sightseeing time worth it. You’re not stuck staring at the horizon the whole day.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Side.
Pickup Timing and What That Morning Feels Like

Your day starts with hotel pickup in the Side and Alanya-area hotels. The pickup covers a wide list of neighborhoods and towns including Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Çolaklı, Evrenseki, Kumköy, Türkler, Avsallar, Payallar, İncekum, and more. In practice, that usually means you’ll be gathered up early, then transferred to the departure port.
From there, boarding happens at Alanya/Türkler port and departure is around 09:00. Expect a morning that feels organized but a bit rushed if you’re not used to early tours. One thing to plan for: the transport can feel hot before you reach the boat, so I’d rather you bring some water and dress smartly for the wait.
First Swim Stop: Alanya Castle Shores and Cleopatra Beach

Your first swim break is short and sweet: about 30 minutes around the shores of Alanya Castle and Cleopatra Beach. This is a great setup because it gets you into the water while the day is still fresh, and it also serves as a scenic intro to the coastline.
What I like about this arrangement is that you don’t need to commit to a long first swim. You can dip in, snap a few photos, then settle back in for the next phase of the day.
Practical note: bring a towel so you’re not stuck drying off with whatever you can find on board. If you want to snorkel, you can bring your own snorkeling gear for the swim portions where the boat anchors.
The 1.5-Hour Harbor Break: Alanya Castle, Red Tower, and Bazaar Time

After the first swim, the yacht anchors near Alanya Harbor and you get around 1.5 hours on land. This is the part of the tour where you can trade saltwater time for quick history and a bite of local life.
You’ll be positioned well for a mini hit list:
- Alanya Castle and Red Tower views in the area
- The chance to wander the Alanya Historical Bazaar
This window is long enough to do something real, but short enough that you won’t feel like you missed the boat. My advice: don’t try to see everything. Pick one direction, grab a snack or a drink if you want, and focus on getting back before the pickup bell starts to ring in your head.
One small tip I picked up from the experience: if you time it right, stepping off near the port area can be a good way to browse. There’s a shopping strip close by, and it can feel more like a normal day out than a tourist-only zone.
Lunch on Board: Buffet Food and Easy Satisfaction

You’ll likely work up an appetite after swimming and walking. Lunch is an open buffet on board, included in the tour. From what I gathered, the buffet is straightforward—think chicken and salad as a common base—so don’t expect a gourmet menu. The upside is that it’s filling and easy, and most people can find something that works.
What makes lunch valuable here isn’t the food itself. It’s that you don’t have to hunt for a restaurant with limited time. You’re already on the water, already in tour mode, and lunch keeps the day flowing without a logistics headache.
Passing Legends: Lovers Cave View and the High-Jumping Show

After lunch, you continue the cruise and get more scenery from the boat. You’ll pass by the Lovers Cave, which is known as part of the Alanya Castle coastline, so you get that legend connection without needing extra travel time.
Then the show part kicks in with high jumping and on-board entertainment. This is one of those moments where the pirate theme stops being just a label and becomes something you feel on the deck. Kids tend to eat it up, and adults often enjoy it because it’s immediate and theatrical rather than just another narration.
The Main Event: Foam Party and On-Board Disco Energy

This is the heart of the tour. After the cruising and shows, you’ll get a foam party and a swim break that pairs with it. It’s set up like a music-and-foam session, with popular music playing while the deck turns into a party zone.
If you’re traveling with kids, this is usually the highlight. The whole tour builds toward this kind of pay-off: pirate face painting earlier, swims along the way, then the foam party when everyone’s warmed up and ready to go all-in.
If you’re traveling without kids, I’d still frame it this way: you’re signing up for a lively boat party. If you prefer quiet views and softer music, you’ll likely find the daytime energy more intense than you expected.
Final Swim Break and Return to Hotels

After the foam party, there’s a last chance to swim. This is usually your best moment to enjoy the sea without rushing through new activities—just take a final dip, rinse off if you can, then settle in.
Then the boat returns to Alanya Türkler port, and you’re taken back to your hotel in Side and Alanya-area neighborhoods. The full day runs about 7 hours, depending on the exact start time.
One more practical thought: keep your towel accessible so the end-of-day swim doesn’t leave you improvising.
What’s Included, What’s Not, and Where Extra Costs Can Pop Up

At about $45 per person, this can feel like solid value because the big essentials are covered. Here’s what you get:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Open buffet lunch
- Unlimited cold soft drinks
- Unlimited beer and wine
- Foam party
- Swimming breaks
- Insurance coverage
Not included:
- Other alcoholic beverages
- Personal spending
- Photos and DVD options
Also, expect that some on-board activities are priced separately even if the pirate theme is part of the fun. For example, things like photos or shirt painting may cost extra. If you want to keep spending predictable, decide ahead of time what you’re comfortable adding.
The Best Fit: Who Should Book This Yacht Tour
This tour is a great match if you want one of these:
- A kids-friendly day where entertainment is planned, not improvised
- A full-day sea outing with swims and a foam party as the centerpiece
- A low-stress way to see a few Alanya landmarks without switching between vehicles all day
It’s also a smart choice if you’re traveling as a mixed group. Parents get included drinks and on-board comfort; kids get face painting, games, and shows.
But if you’re an adult couple seeking quiet and romance, the daytime party rhythm may not be your ideal pace. I’d steer you toward a quieter boat option instead, because this schedule leans family and high-energy.
Practical Tips So You Enjoy It More
A few small moves can make the difference between fun and frustration:
- Bring a towel so you can dry off comfortably after each swim.
- Consider your music tolerance. If loud sound bothers you, bring earplugs.
- Pack for sun and warmth. The morning pickup can be hot before you reach the boat deck.
- Wear swim-friendly clothes and bring something easy to change into after foam.
- If you’re bringing kids, embrace the theme. Face painting and mini-pirate bandannas are part of the fun, not an optional extra.
- Bring basic cash or a card for optional add-ons like photos or souvenir-style extras.
Should You Book the Legends and Pirates Yacht Tour?
Book it if you want a value-priced full day on the water where the entertainment is built in, not left to chance. The included lunch and unlimited cold drinks, plus the foam party, make it feel like more than a simple boat trip. Add the kids team, face painting, and multiple swim breaks, and it becomes an easy choice for families.
Skip it if your vacation style is quieter. This is a daytime party cruise with repeated kid-focused moments, and the music can be loud when the foam party ramps up.
If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys motion, games, and a “let the day happen” attitude, this tour is a very workable pick.
FAQ
How long is the Legends and Pirates Yacht Tour?
The tour duration is listed as 7 hours, with starting times depending on availability.
What’s included in the price?
Included: open buffet lunch, foam party, swimming breaks, hotel pickup and drop-off, full insurance, unlimited cold soft drinks, and unlimited beer and wine.
Are alcoholic drinks included?
Unlimited beer and wine are included. Other alcoholic beverages are not included.
What swim stops are part of the tour?
There’s a swim break at the shores near Alanya Castle and Cleopatra Beach (about 30 minutes), and additional swimming breaks later, including time around the foam party and a final swim.
What do I need to bring?
You should bring a towel.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.






