How this shortlist was made — and what it is not
One honest thing first: this is our own curation. We sell every trip on this page, nobody voted, and no jury handed out stars. We simply know these boats, their crews and the guests each one suits — and we would rather match you with the right deck than sell you the wrong one.
Side's fleet splits cleanly by mood rather than by quality: loud or silent, salt water or emerald reservoir, six hours or a whole expedition. So instead of a ranking from one to ten, here is the honest answer to the only question that matters — who is on board with you?
Use this page like a menu, not a verdict. Open the tour page behind each pick, compare the included lists, then reserve the day that fits — reservation is free, you pay in euros on the day itself, and cancelling stays free up to 24 hours before departure, so a change of heart costs nothing.
For families with kids: the pirate ships
The Side Pirate Boat Tour is the flagship family day out: a themed galleon with a foam party on the open deck, free face painting, a treasure hunt, and a kids' lunch of spaghetti, chicken fingers and fish fingers — plus a swim break at the spot where the river meets the sea.
For smaller children there is a gentler take on the same idea: the Little Pirates day, six hours of pirate costumes, deck games and a treasure hunt, with lunch and soft drinks served on board. Both days include round-trip hotel transfer in air-conditioned vehicles, which matters more than it sounds with tired kids at the end.
For calm-seekers: the relax boats
At the opposite end of the pier, the Side Relax Boat Tour bans the party altogether: no loud music, a reserved sunbed for every guest, an open-buffet lunch, and soft and alcoholic drinks included while you cruise past Dolphin Island and the Caretta bays to the point where the Manavgat River meets the sea.
Its sister trip trades a little silence for scenery: the relax cruise with waterfall views pairs unlimited soft drinks and a freshly cooked lunch with the sight of the Manavgat waterfall. Couples and solo travellers book these two more than anyone else, and neither is a good fit if your group wants a dance floor.
For big-boat fans and party nights: the Starcraft
If you want size, animation and a deck built for daylight dancing, the Starcraft day tour delivers: live music, several swimming and snorkelling stops in clear bays, lunch and unlimited soft drinks on one of the most recognisable ships on this coast. Families are welcome — it is lively, not wild.
After dark the same name turns strictly adult: the Starcraft disco-yacht night packs a live DJ, dance shows, snacks and unlimited drinks into four hours under the stars. It is an 18-and-over experience and the only entry on this list that sails at night.
For emerald water: Green Canyon from Side
One boat day here never touches the sea at all. The Green Canyon catamaran cruise from Side sails an emerald mountain reservoir behind Oymapınar, deep into the Grand and the Small canyon, with two swim stops in cool, crystal-clear water that feels nothing like the Mediterranean.
It is also the quietest deck in the whole catalog by design — a strict no-music policy protects the canyon, so what you hear is water and birdsong. Lunch, unlimited soft drinks and free fishing gear are part of the day, which makes it the pick for nature lovers and photographers.
For an island day: Suluada from Side
The most ambitious day on this list is the boat trip to Suluada, the island guests like to call the Turkish Maldives for its white sand and turquoise shallows. Expect a genuinely long day out with extended swimming stops, the Love Cave and the coves around Adrasan, and a cooked lunch with Turkish mezes, salad, fruit and tea on board.
Small tender boats shuttle you between the anchored ship and the bay, and the island has no shop — pack what you need. Choose this one when the beach itself is the point of your holiday; check how the booking works and reserve a date early in high season.