Mediterranean Discovery & An Australian Dinner with a Wink

Day 2 of 10Full dayDeparts Mira Palace Side

Photography is illustrative, licensed under the Unsplash Licence: Sebastian Pena Lambarri · Pascal van de Vendel · Hiroko Yoshii · Vitaliy Zamedyanskiy · Sixteen Miles Out · Max Griss. Actual programme imagery will follow.

A morning beneath the Mediterranean, an evening beneath the Southern Cross.

Highlights

  • First-time divers receive personalised instruction from PADI-certified professionals — no experience needed
  • Certified divers head to sites matched to their experience and certification level
  • Warm, calm, remarkably clear late-summer water: colourful reefs, rock formations, small caverns, octopus and grouper
  • A deliciously prepared lunch on board while cruising the coastline
  • A complimentary aromatherapy massage at the hotel spa on your return
  • An Australian-themed dinner on the terrace to close the day

Your day, in full

The day begins with a light breakfast at the hotel before departing on a comfortable 30-minute transfer to the marina, where our experienced dive partners welcome the group.

Before entering the water, every guest participates in a comprehensive safety briefing covering equipment, procedures and what to expect throughout the experience. Guests experiencing scuba diving for the first time receive personalised instruction from PADI-certified professionals, while certified divers complete a short refresher before heading to dive sites suited to their experience and certification level.

The Mediterranean waters along Türkiye's southern coast are renowned for their warmth, calm conditions and remarkable clarity throughout late summer. Beneath the surface lies a fascinating underwater world of colourful reefs, dramatic rock formations, small caverns and an abundance of marine life, including octopus, grouper, sea bream and countless other Mediterranean species waiting to be discovered.

Following the morning's adventure, guests enjoy a deliciously prepared lunch on board while cruising the spectacular coastline, with plenty of time to relax, take in the scenery and share stories with fellow travellers before returning to the marina.

Back at the hotel, the pace gently slows. Enjoy a complimentary aromatherapy massage in our spa, unwind beside the pool, or simply take time to relax before the evening's celebrations.

As the sun sets, CONNECT adds a distinctly Australian touch. Our terrace transforms into a warm and welcoming Australian-themed dinner, celebrating the flavours, hospitality and relaxed spirit Australia is renowned for. It's an evening of exceptional food, genuine conversation and shared laughter, where friendships continue to grow and every guest feels part of the CONNECT family.

The day’s itinerary

  1. Depart Mira Palace SideAfter a light breakfast at the hotel
  2. Coach to the marina30 minutes
  3. Welcome aboard — safety briefing and equipment fitting45 minutesEquipment, procedures, underwater signals; refresher for certified divers
  4. Guided dives — Mediterranean reefs and caverns3 hoursScuba diving, Swimming, Snorkelling for non-divers
  5. Lunch on board, cruising the coastline90 minutesLunch, Scenic views, Free time on deck
  6. Return coach from the marina30 minutes
  7. Arrive back at Mira Palace SideComplimentary aromatherapy massage in the spa, then the Australian-themed dinner on the terrace

Timings are indicative and confirmed by your host the evening before. Itineraries flex gently around weather and the group’s own pace.

Meeting point

Mira Palace Hotel lobby, Side, Antalya — your host confirms the departure time the evening before.

Mira Palace SideThe marina, Side coast
Open route in OpenStreetMap

What to bring

  • Swimwear (worn or packed) and a towel
  • Reef-friendly sunscreen and a sun hat for the deck
  • A dry change of clothes for the cruise home
  • Your certification card, if you are a qualified diver

The full concierge packing guide lives at What to Bring.

Know before you go

  • No diving experience is required — first-timers are guided one-to-one and non-divers are welcome to swim or snorkel from the boat
  • Diving is not suitable for guests with certain heart or respiratory conditions, epilepsy, or during pregnancy — mention anything relevant to our concierge team in advance and we will quietly arrange the perfect alternative on the water
  • Sea temperature runs 25–28°C in season, with minimal chop — conditions are at their gentlest in late summer
  • There is no flying within 24 hours of diving to think about — your departure is eight days away