The quad track outside Side is not the same experience in June as it is in August or late October. The forest changes, the mud changes, the crowds change: the machines and the safety briefing stay the same. As the team that runs the Side Quad ATV Safari every day of the year, here is our honest read of the season, and how to book smart for each part of it.
The availability facts first
The quad safari runs all year, seven days a week, with three daily sessions, morning, late morning and early afternoon, priced from €25 per adult and €15 per child. Riding time is one and a half to two hours whichever date you choose, always preceded by a safety briefing and a supervised test drive. So “when should I go?” is never a question of whether the tour operates; it is a question of what kind of day you want.
Early summer: the green window
Late spring and early summer are the connoisseur’s weeks. The forest is at its greenest, the trails still hold moisture from spring, so the mud sections are generous without the track turning to pure dust, and the water crossings run full. Sessions fill more gently than in the peak weeks, which means more space on the trail and a more relaxed pace at the base. If you like the idea of a quad safari but not the idea of riding it at the busiest time of year, this is your window, and any session of the day works well.
July and August: peak season, played right
Peak summer is when most of our riders come and the track is at its liveliest: which is also when playing it smart matters most. Three rules from us:
- Take the morning session. The earliest departure gets the freshest part of the day; the middle of the day is better spent at the pool, and the early-afternoon session suits guests who want the ride toward the day’s end instead.
- Embrace the water. In high summer the mud and river splashes stop being an obstacle and become the reward. This is also when guests most often ask about the River Side Track, the alternative route built around water crossings: it runs at a different price, so ask us on WhatsApp when you reserve.
- Plan for dust. Peak-season trails are at their dustiest. Old dark clothes and fully closed shoes are non-negotiable, protective goggles and bandanas are sold at the facility, and the showers and changing cabins at the base earn their keep before the ride back to your hotel.
Book a little ahead in these weeks: sessions are capped and the morning slots go first. Since reservation is free and you pay on the tour day, holding your slot a day or two early costs you nothing. For the full packing list, see what to bring and wear.
September and October: the sweet spot
Once the school-holiday crowds go home, the track exhales. September keeps summer’s dry, fast trails with softer light and quieter sessions; October gradually brings moisture back to the forest, and with it the beginning of the season’s best mud. Couples and returning riders often tell us this is their favourite version of the tour: the same one and a half to two hours of riding, with more of the trail to yourself. Sessions that feel demanding in the peak-summer heat become comfortable options again, so the late-morning slot comes back into play.
Winter and early spring: yes, it still runs
The tour operates all year, and off-season riding has a character of its own: the emptiest trails, the deepest mud, the forest at its rawest. Come dressed for dirt: a complete change of clothes is essential, and the showers at the base go from convenience to necessity. If you are in Side outside the summer months and want the track practically to yourself, this is when that happens.
Booking-ahead advice, season by season
- July–August: reserve a day or two ahead and take the morning session: it fills first.
- June and September–October: booking the day before is usually comfortable.
- Winter: short-notice reservations are rarely a problem.
Whatever the season: reservation is free, you pay on the tour day, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before, so booking early never traps you. Hotel pickup is included, arranged for morning or afternoon and confirmed with you personally: we never leave you guessing at the kerb. If you are still deciding which machine or combo fits your group, our tour comparison and prices guide lay the options out, the quad safari FAQ covers the rest, and the wider area picture is in our complete local guide to Side excursions.