Side Underwater Museum Travel Guide: Dive into History Under the Sea

In the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, a unique blend of history and art awaits you: the Side Underwater Museum. This unique structure, which holds the title of Turkey's first underwater museum, is not just a diving spot, but also a unique cultural hub where art, history and nature enthusiasts come together. In this article, we offer a comprehensive travel guide for anyone considering a visit to the Side Underwater Museum: you will find everything from the museum's history to transportation information, sculpture themes to environmental tours.

Image Source: Ataman Dervişoğlu

General Information About the Side Underwater Museum Görseli — The Side Underwater Museum, located off the coast of Side, famous for its history, in the Manavgat district of Antalya, opened to visitors in 2015. This project, implemented by the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation (TSSF), was designed to breathe new life into marine tourism in Turkey.
Consisting of approximately 117 sculptures and compositions, this museum is not only an aesthetic presentation but also an environmentally friendly project aimed at protecting marine life. Each sculpture serves as an artificial reef where marine creatures can take shelter, contributing to the enrichment of the ecosystem in the region. It also offers visitors a visual narrative of underwater archaeology and Anatolian cultural history.

Sculptures and Thematic Areas Görseli — The Side Underwater Museum features sculptures located in five main thematic areas where art and history converge. Each one refers to different periods, symbols or mythological elements of Anatolia.
**Mevlana and Semazenler:** Sculptures depicting the culture of dervishes and Mevlana's philosophy, along with dancing semazen figures, allow you to witness a spiritual ceremony underwater.
**The Battle of Çanakkale Theme:** Soldier figures symbolising the Turkish nation's struggle for independence, the Turkish flag, and depictions of the battlefield create a meaningful visual presentation.
**Camel Caravan:** This composition, which bears traces of the historic Silk Road and nomadic lifestyle in Anatolia, is arranged to evoke a sense of movement underwater.
**Poseidon Statue and Mythological Elements:** The massive statue of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, represents the mythological heritage of the Mediterranean.
**Map of Turkey and Flag:** In this area, which emphasises national identity, a large map of Turkey and the Turkish flag is located underwater.
These sculptures are specially made of durable and environmentally friendly concrete materials. The aim is for marine life to settle on these structures over time, and positive developments have been observed in this direction. The sculptures are located at depths ranging from 5 to 24 metres, making them suitable for both amateur and professional divers.

Location and Transportation Information

The Side Underwater Museum is located off the coast of Side, approximately 1.5–2.5 kilometres from the shore. The museum can be visited by special diving boats departing from Side Port. Access to the museum is only possible by sea, and individual swimming/snorkelling is not permitted. It can be visited through tours organised by professional diving centres.

How to Get There?

The journey from Antalya city centre to Side by road takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
You can reach Side in a short time by minibus or bus via Manavgat.
Many hotels in Side provide hotel transfers to diving centres.

Diving Details and Entry Requirements

A diving certificate is required to visit the Side Underwater Museum. While some shallow areas of the museum are suitable for beginners, you must have a CMAS 1-star or PADI Open Water Diver certification to dive into the deeper thematic areas.

Diving Packages:

Daily packages typically include 2 dives.
Each dive lasts approximately 20–30 minutes.
A short briefing, provision of necessary equipment, and safety checks are conducted before diving.
Tours usually take place between 06:00–14:00 or 10:00–17:00.

For beginners, there are also experience dives called ‘Discovery Dives.’ In these packages, you can experience your first underwater experience in controlled areas accompanied by trained diving guides.

Entrance Fees and Pricing

Since individual entry to the Side Underwater Museum is not possible, fees are charged through tours organised by diving centres. Prices may vary depending on the diving centre, package scope, and whether transfer and lunch are included.

Average Prices:

For licensed divers: 45–65 €
Experience dive (unlicensed): 55–75 €
Prices generally include diving equipment, guidance, insurance, and boat use.
Some tours offer lunch or snacks.
Photography/video recording is subject to an additional fee.

Other Places to See Nearby

Side is a region renowned not only for its underwater beauty but also for its historical and natural riches. After visiting the underwater museum, we strongly recommend exploring the following areas:

Side Ancient City: The theatre, agora, bath ruins from the Roman period and the fascinating Temple of Apollo, especially at sunset, must be seen.

Manavgat Waterfall: 15-20 minutes from the city centre, a break area intertwined with nature.

Aspendos Ancient Theatre: Famous for its excellent acoustics and preserved structure.

Titreyengöl: Perfect for natural walking routes and bird watching.

Green Canyon: Offers boat trips and breathtaking views of the lake.

Other Activities in the Region

Side and its surroundings offer alternative tourism options that appeal to all types of travellers. Other activities frequently preferred by visitors to Side Underwater Museum are as follows:

Rafting tours (Köprülü Canyon)
Buggy and ATV safari tours
Yacht and boat trips
Fishing trips
Dolphin watching
Daily tours to Pamukkale and Termessos

Advice and Tips for Visitors

Always sleep well and avoid alcohol before diving.
It is useful to carry sun cream, a spare swimsuit, a towel and a waterproof phone case.
Pay attention to ear pressure after diving and avoid rapid altitude changes (e.g. mountain journeys).
Ask about photo/video packages before the tour; some tours offer professional shooting services.