Alanya/Side: Starcraft Boat Trip w/ Unlimited Beer and Wine

Alanya’s Starcraft trip is less a quiet sail and more a full day of sea, music, swimming, and social energy. The six-deck white yacht cruises past Alanya Castle and the Pirate, Lovers, and Phosphorus caves before stopping at Cleopatra Beach, Ulas Beach, and the open sea. The boat itself is the main attraction, with plenty of space, restrooms, showers, and changing cabins.

I like the easy mix of sightseeing and swimming, and I like that lunch is included rather than left to chance. The price of about $29 is strong value if you want a long boat day with entertainment. My main caution is the party atmosphere: music can lean heavily toward Russian songs, beer and soft-drink cups may be small, and the steep stairs between decks are not ideal for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points to know before you book

• Six-deck Starcraft yacht: You get a modern fiberglass boat with several decks, rather than a smaller traditional wooden vessel.
• Three main swimming areas: Stops include Cleopatra Beach, Ulas Beach, and an open-sea swimming break.
• Sea caves by Alanya Castle: The cruise passes the Pirate, Lovers, and Phosphorus caves, with photo opportunities from the water.
• Food and drinks: Barbecue chicken, salad, pasta, seasonal fruit, and soft drinks are included. Unlimited beer and wine apply only to the correct package.
• Party-led entertainment: Expect a DJ, live music, dance shows, and a foam party, not a silent sightseeing cruise.
• Pickup can cover a wide area: Transfers are available from many Alanya and Side-area locations when selected, but the exact hotel pickup time comes after booking.

A big yacht day from Alanya Harbor

The day begins at Alanya Harbor, where you meet the Starcraft boat. If you select hotel pickup, the service covers a wide group of resorts and towns, including Alanya, Side, Konaklı, Avsallar, Mahmutlar, Kestel, Okurcalar, Ilıca, Kızılağaç, and several others.

The pickup time printed on your ticket is only a general guide. You receive the specific time for your hotel after booking, and you should wait at the assigned meeting point exactly on time. One useful detail from the operating pattern is that pickups may arrive on time or a little early, so this is not the morning to linger over a second cup of coffee.

At the harbor, you meet the crew at the Starcraft boat. The yacht is described as Alanya’s biggest and most luxurious boat, and its size is important to understand. This is not an intimate sailing trip with a handful of passengers. It is a high-capacity excursion built to combine open-water views with food, music, dancing, and a large social crowd.

I like this setup if you want a lively day without having to arrange separate transport, meals, and beach stops. If you prefer a quiet boat with long stretches of silence, the Starcraft format may feel busy.

Cruising beneath Alanya Castle

The first part of the cruise gives you a fine view of Alanya’s waterfront and castle area from the sea. From this angle, the coastline becomes the backdrop for the entire day, and the boat gives you room to move between decks to find sun or shade.

The Starcraft is made of modern fiberglass and has six decks. That gives you several ways to spend your time. You can sit and watch the coast, use the upper areas for sunbathing, or find a lower spot when the sun gets strong. The boat also has restrooms, showers, changing cabins, and rest areas, which make a long day at sea much easier.

The tradeoff is the size. With a high passenger capacity and a full entertainment program, you should expect movement and noise. The stairs between floors are reported to be fairly steep, so take care when carrying drinks, cameras, or wet towels. The boat is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Pirate, Lovers, and Phosphorus caves

The route includes three well-known sea caves: Pirate Cave, Lovers Cave, and Phosphorus Cave. These are viewed from the boat as part of the coastal cruise, and the names help explain the character of the stops.

Pirate Cave adds a little storytelling flavor to the coastline. Lovers Cave is the more romantic-sounding stop, while Phosphorus Cave is known for its name and color associations. The supplied tour details do not promise a landing inside the caves, so think of these as coastal viewing and photo stops rather than a cave exploration program.

I would keep your camera ready here, but protect it from spray and foam later in the day. The boat offers attractive views of the cliffs, caves, castle, and open water, though the exact time spent at each point is not specified.

Swimming at Cleopatra Beach and Ulas Beach

Swimming is one of the strongest parts of this trip. You get a stop near Cleopatra Beach, another at Ulas Beach, and a further break in the open sea. These pauses give the day a useful rhythm: cruise for a while, get wet, eat, listen to music, and then stop again.

Cleopatra Beach is one of Alanya’s best-known shorelines, and seeing it from the water gives you a different view than a normal beach day. Ulas Beach adds another coastal setting, while the open-sea stop offers the clearest sense that you are away from shore.

Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. You will need them. The water may look inviting, but remember that every swimming break involves getting back onto a large boat, so keep track of your belongings and use the changing cabins if you want dry clothes later.

The tour description calls the water crystal-clear, but sea conditions and visibility can change. Swimming time is also subject to the day’s operating schedule. I would choose this trip for the chance to swim in several places, not for guaranteed long sessions at one beach.

Lunch with barbecue chicken and seasonal fruit

Lunch is served onboard and includes barbecue chicken, salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit. That is a practical meal for a day when you are moving between swimming and entertainment. You do not need to leave the boat or hunt for food during the main cruise.

The food received positive marks in the available feedback, and the menu should suit people who want a straightforward midday meal rather than a formal dining service. Do not expect a restaurant-style spread. This is boat-trip food designed to be served efficiently to a large group.

Soft drinks are included. Beer and wine are included only if you select the package that says so. That distinction matters because the basic option may not cover alcohol. Check the package details before you pay if unlimited beer and wine are part of your reason for booking.

There is also a small-cup issue worth knowing. Beer cups have been described as around 250 milliliters, with soft-drink cups even smaller. Unlimited does not necessarily mean large servings, and you may need to make repeated trips to the drinks area. Carrying a full cup down steep stairs is awkward, so use care.

A DJ, dance shows, and the foam party

The entertainment program keeps this from being an ordinary sightseeing cruise. A professional animation team provides live music, dance shows, a DJ performance, and a foam party. The result is a day that shifts from coastal sightseeing to open-air party once the swimming and lunch schedule gets going.

The foam party is likely to be the most memorable part for families with older children, groups of friends, and anyone who enjoys organized fun. It also changes what you should bring. Keep phones and cameras protected, and do not wear anything you would hate to get wet or covered in foam.

Music is a point to consider. The available feedback found that much of the music was in Russian, with fewer English songs than expected. English, Russian, and Turkish hosts are available, but that does not mean the full entertainment program uses all three languages equally.

I would book this boat if music and group energy sound like a bonus. I would choose another type of cruise if you want quiet conversation, a calm romantic setting, or a focus on natural scenery without announcements and dancing.

What the $29 price really includes

At around $29 per person, this is a good-value outing when the price includes the boat, lunch, several swimming stops, entertainment, and insurance. You are paying for a full half-day or longer, not just a short coastal ride.

The value improves if you also need transport from a hotel. A selected pickup package can save you the trouble of reaching Alanya Harbor on your own, especially if you are staying in Side or one of the resort towns along the coast. The trip can last from five to eight hours, depending on the selected option and schedule, so it fills much of a holiday day.

Still, compare the package carefully. Hotel transfer is optional, and unlimited beer and wine are optional as well. A low base price can look different once you add the services you actually want.

The cost also reflects a shared group format. You are not hiring a private yacht, and you should not expect a custom route or personal service. For a large public boat with a meal, swimming stops, and shows, the price is attractive. For a peaceful private cruise, it is the wrong comparison.

Who will enjoy this Starcraft trip

I think this tour suits you best if you want several holiday ingredients in one booking:

• You want to swim at more than one point along the coast.
• You enjoy music, dancing, and a foam party.
• You want a large, modern boat with toilets, showers, and changing cabins.
• You are staying outside central Alanya and value optional hotel pickup.
• You prefer an organized day with lunch included.
• You are happy sharing the boat with a high number of passengers.

Families can enjoy the swimming and foam party, but parents should consider the music, wet decks, steep stairs, and busy atmosphere. Couples may like the cave and castle views, but this is not a quiet sunset cruise.

People with mobility limitations should not book this activity. The steep stairs and multi-level boat make it a poor fit, and the activity specifically excludes people with mobility impairments.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Keep your packing simple, but do not leave out the basics:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Comfortable shoes
• Camera or phone in a waterproof case

Comfortable shoes matter because you will move around a large boat and use stairs between decks. A hat and sunscreen are especially useful during the cruising and swimming sections, when shade may not be available exactly where you want it.

Pets are not allowed. Personal expenses are not included, so bring money for anything beyond the stated meal, drinks, and selected package benefits.

Booking details that affect your decision

The experience lasts between five and eight hours, and starting times vary. Hotel pickup is available only when you select the relevant option. If you meet at the harbor yourself, the stated meeting point is the Starcraft boat at Alanya Harbor.

The host or greeter may speak English, Russian, or Turkish. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. These terms help if your coastal plans are still changing, but you should still confirm the selected package and pickup details before departure.

The operating provider is EKM Seyahat Turizm Otelcilik. The overall rating supplied for the activity is 4.7 from four reviews, with especially strong praise for the clean yacht, friendly crew, swimming locations, foam party, and food. The lower-scoring feedback focused on music language and small drink cups rather than the route or boat itself.

Should you book the Starcraft boat trip?

Book it if you want a busy, good-value sea day with multiple swimming stops, Alanya Castle and cave views, lunch, and built-in entertainment. The clean modern boat, helpful crew, and practical facilities make it easier than piecing together a beach day and a separate cruise.

Skip it if you want a small, quiet vessel, a private route, or a calm cultural outing. Also think twice if steep stairs are difficult for you, or if Russian-heavy music would frustrate you.

For most visitors staying in Alanya or the Side area, the decision comes down to mood. Choose the Starcraft for swimming, foam, music, and a large-boat party. Choose another cruise for peace and quiet.

FAQ

How long does the Starcraft boat trip last?

The activity lasts between five and eight hours. The exact duration and starting time depend on the selected option and availability.

Where does the boat trip start?

You meet at Alanya Harbor, at the Starcraft boat. Hotel pickup is available when you choose an option that includes it.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip hotel transfer is included only with selected options. The pickup area covers many locations around Alanya and Side, including Side, Alanya, Konaklı, Avsallar, Mahmutlar, Kestel, Okurcalar, Ilıca, and Kızılağaç.

Are beer and wine included?

Unlimited beer and wine are included only if you select the package that covers them. Soft drinks are included with the boat trip.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes barbecue chicken, salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit.

Which languages are available onboard?

The host or greeter may speak English, Russian, or Turkish. The entertainment music may not use all three languages equally.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. The route includes swimming breaks near Cleopatra Beach, Ulas Beach, and in the open sea.

Does the boat have changing facilities?

Yes. The Starcraft has showers, restrooms, changing cabins, and rest areas.

Is the boat suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the stairs between the decks can be steep.