A morning that starts on dry land, then drops below the surface. This Kemer-area scuba try-out gives you two guided underwater sessions in Aquarium Bay and Kiris Bay, plus time to swim, snorkel, and soak in the coastline views. I also like how the team builds confidence fast, with instructors described as patient and reassuring for first-timers.

The second thing I really like is the value of the full-day format, lunch included, so you are not just paying for gear and a quick splash. The main consideration is that your time underwater is limited, about 20 to 25 minutes total, and cameras are not allowed, so if you want photos you will likely need the paid photo and video option.

Key Highlights You Should Actually Care About

• Two separate underwater sessions: first around 5 meters, second around 10 to 15 meters, with a guided rhythm that works for beginners
• Confidence-first coaching: instructors are repeatedly praised for staying calm and step-by-step teaching, including for nervous first-timers
• Hands-on marine moments: you may get the chance to feed fish from your hands in the Aquarium Bay area
• Real boat time, not just underwater time: snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing between sessions, with beautiful views off the Turkish coast
• Lunch onboard: included meal that is basic but filling, so you can keep energy for the rest of the day

Kemer to the Bays: Pickup, Meeting Point, and Timing

This outing is based around the Kemer Marina area in Antalya Province. If you choose hotel pickup, plan to be ready right on time. You will wait outside your hotel security gate about 10 minutes before your pickup window, because drivers reportedly do not wait long after the scheduled time.

If you opt out of pickup, the meeting point is listed as Kemer Marina. Either way, aim to arrive a little early, because boats and groups depend on clean timing. One small snag that comes up in real-world logistics is that the return ride can feel hot, and in rare cases timing can slip. That is not the core experience, but it is worth knowing if you are sensitive to discomfort after a long day.

The schedule is set for a full-day block, about 7 to 8 hours. Expect a mix of gear time, boat boarding, briefings, underwater sessions, and plenty of onboard downtime while other groups rotate.

The Training That Gets You Ready Fast (Even If You Are New)

This is set up as a beginner-friendly “try this” experience, but it is not watered down. Before you go below the surface, you get instruction on how to use the equipment, what the boat routine looks like, and the basics of safety.

A useful detail here is that the first underwater session is planned to be shallow, around 5 meters. That matters for first-timers because you get a feel for breathing and control without immediately going deep. The team also explains what to do if something feels off. Several people describe instructors who stay calm if you get nervous, and they do not rush you through steps.

Language is also a practical factor. The instructors are listed as English, Russian, and on the boat the crew organizes people by language groups. That helps you understand what is happening when you are wearing gear and trying to focus.

One-on-one attention is another recurring theme. Some people mention that their instructor stayed close during both sessions. Even if your group is not one instructor per person for the entire day, you should still expect hands-on supervision during the underwater parts.

Aquarium Bay: Shallow First Session Around 5 Meters

Aquarium Bay is the first stop, and it sets the tone for the day. You get a shallow session designed for comfort and technique, roughly 20 to 25 minutes total underwater for the full outing, but in practice that time is split between your first and second sessions.

Why that shallow start matters:

• You can focus on breathing and buoyancy rather than depth
• You learn boat entry and exit motions with less pressure and less stress
• You see plenty of fish before the day gets more adventurous

A standout moment is the marine-life interaction. This trip advertises the chance to feed fish directly from your hands, and that is exactly the kind of experience that makes people remember their first day underwater. Even if you are not the type who cares about “marine facts,” feeding fish turns the underwater time into an active moment, not a passive one.

The fish life in this area is also a reason the first session is often described as a confidence builder. You are not just trying to survive the gear, you are actually watching things happen, right near where you descend.

Kiris Bay: Second Session at 10 to 15 Meters

After the first rotation, you head to the second location, Kiris Bay. This session is deeper, listed around 10 to 15 meters. If the first stop is about learning control, the second one is about expanding your comfort zone.

In a lot of beginner situations, “deeper” feels scary on paper. Here, the practical approach is that you are guided with the basics already in your body memory from the first session. You know how it feels when your breathing rhythm locks in. You know what your instructor will ask you to do.

If you are a nervous first-timer, this is where the good instructors make the difference. People mention instructors who explained clearly and stayed reassuring. Names you might hear include Kirim, Karim, Marat, and Dovi. If one of these instructors is paired with your group, take it as a good sign for calm, structured teaching.

Also, keep expectations realistic. The underwater time is not long. Some people report time under the surface feeling closer to minutes per round rather than a long sit-down swim. The upside is you are not likely to get tired or overwhelmed. You do the technique, you see the life, you come back up feeling proud.

Boat Time Between Sessions: Snorkeling, Swimming, and Quiet Views

One of the best parts of this outing is the non-scuba time. Between the underwater rotations, you get downtime on the boat and in the water. You can swim, snorkel, and relax while others are doing their turn.

Several practical positives show up in real-world experience:

• The scenery is described as stunning, with coastlines and mountains from the water
• People enjoy resting on the boat between rounds
• There is also a chance for more adventurous water play, like jumping from rocks or swimming toward caves, depending on conditions

This is where your day becomes more than a single “check the box” moment. If you are comfortable in open water, you can still enjoy the sea without worrying about every instruction. If you are not the strongest swimmer, you can still participate, since the tour states it can be suitable for those who do not know how to swim.

What to bring for this in-between time:

• Beach shoes or water shoes (entries can involve rocky steps)
• A snorkel if you have one you like
• Sunscreen, even if you plan to wear swimwear only
• A towel and a change of clothes for after

One caution: the rules say cameras are not allowed. That means you cannot rely on using your own camera during the underwater parts. If you want photos, you will likely need to buy the onboard photo and video package.

Lunch Onboard: Simple, Filling, and Built for a Full Day

Lunch is included, and it is intentionally practical rather than fancy. What people report is mostly basic food that you can eat quickly and still feel good on the way back.

You might see items like pasta, chicken, bread, salad, and similar straightforward lunch components. A few people call it “basic but filling,” and one person even offered the food breakdown as bread roll, salad, tomato pasta, and breaded chicken.

Is it Michelin-level? No. But for this kind of day, that is not the goal. The goal is that you get calories, not a culinary seminar. If you are picky, just be ready for simple flavors and standard buffet style.

Drinks are not included. You can typically buy drinks on board, and one review mentions that drinks were cheap to purchase. If you have a specific beverage you rely on, pack a plan in your head, because you will be in boat mode.

Gear, Safety, and the Equipment Quality Question

The tour includes diving equipment, and it is described as new and high quality. That matters because beginner experiences are heavily affected by comfort and fit. If the gear works properly, you spend less energy fighting your equipment and more energy focusing on technique.

Safety is repeatedly emphasized in the way instructors teach. People describe instructors who take safety seriously and reassure nervous participants. Several people mention that if you get anxious or panic, the instructor will handle the situation and you can restart the process.

Also pay attention to who should skip this trip. It is listed as not suitable for people with high blood pressure. If that applies to you, ask your doctor first, and consider an alternative day on land.

Price and Value Around $29, Plus Photo Add-Ons

At about $29 per person, this is priced as an entry-level scuba try-out. The big value driver is that you get:

• two guided underwater sessions
• equipment
• a licensed instructor
• and lunch
• plus optional hotel pickup

Then you get the “real life” add-ons:

• drinks are not included
• photos and videos are not included and are sold separately

The total cost can climb if you buy photos and video. One person mentioned paying extra for photos and a video, around 20 USD or euro. Another described adding photo and video and a course-like extra, bringing the total higher, though the exact final price varies by what you purchase.

So here is how I think about value:

• If you want a guided first experience with lunch included, $29 looks like a solid deal.
• If you want underwater photos, budget an extra amount for that, because cameras are not allowed and the tour is set up to sell the media you want later.

Also, the shallow-first design reduces risk for beginners, and that coaching has real worth. This is not a solo stunt. You are paying for guidance plus safety plus the chance to see fish and coral life in a structured way.

What Might Be a Letdown: Limited Underwater Time and Camera Rules

If you are expecting long underwater swims, adjust your mindset. The tour states the time underwater is about 20 to 25 minutes total. Some people describe it as closer to short segments per session, especially when boats are carrying a bigger group and rotation takes time.

The other hard reality is the camera policy. Cameras are listed as not allowed. That means:

• you should not plan to document the experience with your own camera underwater
• you should plan to purchase the onboard photo and video service if you care about memories

If you want to capture the day, bring a plan for land photos on deck and accept that underwater media will come from the crew’s service.

Finally, group size can affect the pace. On the boat, people are split into language groups, and you may wait for your turn depending on how many participants are on board. The good part is that you can use that wait time to swim, snorkel, and relax.

Who Should Book This (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• want a first scuba experience with professional instructors
• are nervous but want a calm step-by-step setup
• enjoy boat days, swimming, and snorkeling, not just the underwater part
• want lunch included without hunting for food afterward

It is also suitable if you do not know how to swim, since the tour explicitly states that you can still join. The key is that you follow instructions closely and stay near the group when asked.

This might not be the best choice if you:

• need a lot more underwater time than what the schedule allows
• want to bring your own camera for underwater use, because cameras are not allowed
• have high blood pressure, since the tour is listed as not suitable

Should You Book This Kemer Scuba Try-Out?

I would book it if your goal is simple: get guided underwater experience in two beautiful bays, enjoy snorkeling and swimming between sessions, and avoid the hassle of planning gear and instruction yourself. At around $29 with equipment and lunch included, it is strong value for a structured first step.

You should think twice if your main goal is long underwater sessions or personal underwater photography. In this format, you are trading time and camera control for safety, coaching, and a full-day boat vibe.

If you do book, I suggest you:

• plan to rely on the onboard photo and video option
• bring water shoes and sunscreen
• go in expecting short underwater time, not a long swim party

If that matches your expectations, this is the kind of day you remember when the rest of your holiday turns into photos on a beach towel.

FAQ

How many underwater sessions are included?

You get two underwater sessions during the day.

How deep are the two sessions?

The first session is around 5 meters. The second session is about 10 to 15 meters deep.

How long will I be underwater?

The tour states your total underwater time is about 20 to 25 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional. If you select it, you meet outside your hotel security gate about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time, and the driver waits no longer than 5 minutes.

Where do I meet if I do not use pickup?

The meeting point is Kemer Marina.

Are cameras allowed during the activity?

No, cameras are listed as not allowed.

Is lunch included, and what about drinks?

Lunch is included. Drinks are not included, and you can buy them on board.