Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch Alanya

Alanya Harbour and the Red Tower

The trip begins in Alanya harbour, at the foot of the rocky peninsula that shelters the old town. Guarding the quay is the Red Tower, an octagonal red-brick tower about 33 metres high, built by the Seljuk Turks in 1226 to defend the port and the shipyard. Today it is the symbol of the city and houses a small ethnographic museum, and seeing it from the deck is the perfect start to an Alanya boat trip.

As the boat leaves the quay you also pass the old Seljuk shipyard, whose vaulted arches open directly onto the sea and once sheltered the sultan's ships. From the water you understand why the harbour was so important: the peninsula forms a natural breakwater, and the tower controls every approach. Have your camera ready, as the morning light on the red bricks is beautiful.

Alanya Castle and the peninsula cliffs

The cruise follows the southern side of the peninsula, where the walls of Alanya Castle climb the cliffs almost 250 metres above the sea. The fortress was rebuilt by the Seljuks in the thirteenth century, and its walls, towers, cisterns and old houses still crown the headland. From the boat you see the whole length of the fortifications rising out of the rock, a view that visitors on land rarely get.

Many guests ask whether Alanya Castle is worth visiting on foot as well; it is, and our team can arrange a separate trip for another day. On this cruise you enjoy it the relaxed way, from a sun lounger on the upper deck, while the crew points out the landmarks and the steep cliffs drop straight into deep blue water.

Lovers' Cave and the sea caves

At the rocky tip of the peninsula the limestone is full of caves carved by the waves. The boat slows down near Lovers' Cave, one of the best-known caves on the Alanya coast, and other openings where the water glows in shades of emerald and turquoise. The captain brings the boat as close as the sea allows, so you can admire the arches and the colours of the water.

Visiting the Alanya sea caves by boat is the only practical way to see them, as most are cut directly into sheer cliffs. The stop is short but memorable, and the stories the crew tells about the caves add to the pirate atmosphere. On calm days the light inside the caves reflects beautifully off the water and makes for great photos.

Swimming bays along the Alanya coast

Several times during the day the boat anchors in a sheltered bay so you can jump into the sea. The water around Alanya is famously clear, and you can swim from the lower deck or the ladder and snorkel among small fish over rocky seabeds. Snorkelling equipment is available on board, and the crew keeps an eye on swimmers at every stop.

These swim breaks are the reason many travellers rank this among the best boat trips in Alanya for families. Children love jumping from the boat, while others prefer to stay on deck and enjoy the sun. Bring swimwear, a towel and biodegradable sunscreen to protect the marine life in these beautiful bays.

Life on board: lunch, music and the foam party

Between the stops, life on board is lively. The crew in pirate costumes plays music, runs games for children and adults and, in the afternoon, fills the deck with a foam party that everyone remembers. Those who prefer calm can relax on the upper decks, which offer plenty of space in the sun or the shade.

Lunch is served on board as a buffet of freshly prepared local dishes, and unlimited soft drinks and water keep you refreshed throughout the day. Other options on this page include a classic version, a trip without hotel transfer and sunset cruises with a meal on board, so you can choose the style and time that suit you best.