There is no bad month for a boat tour in Side, which is exactly what makes the question hard: the season here is long and generous. Our boat tour schedule is listed as all-year, with departures available every day of the week, so the real question is rarely "can I go?": it is "what kind of day do I want?" Having run these boats through every stretch of the season, here is how each part of it actually feels from the deck.
Early summer: the coast easing into its rhythm
Early in the summer the coast feels fresh and unhurried. Decks are noticeably quieter, the bays are at their clearest before the busiest weeks, and swim stops feel invigorating rather than merely cooling. If you like having space at the rail and first pick of the sunbeds, this is your window.
It is also the easiest time to book. Even our bestselling Pirate Boat Tour — €23 per adult, €16 per child — usually has room at shorter notice than it will a few weeks later. For couples, the Relax Boat Tour in early summer is close to having the Caretta Caretta bays to yourselves.
July and August: the peak, and how to enjoy it well
Peak season is when Side is at its liveliest, and the boats carry that energy: foam parties at full tilt, decks full of holiday spirits, children everywhere on the pirate ship, which, if you are travelling with your own children, is exactly what you want. Playmates are guaranteed.
These are also the hottest weeks of the year, and the sea is honestly the smartest place to spend them. A boat gives you what the beach cannot: constant breeze on the move, shade when you want it, and a swim stop every time the anchor drops. A few local habits help:
- Pack high-SPF sunscreen, hats, towels and swimwear for everyone: the deck sun is stronger than it feels in the breeze.
- Favour the water over the sunbed in the middle of the day; the swim stops exist for a reason.
- On the Relax Boat Tour (€70 per adult, €49 per child), soft and alcoholic drinks are included, staying refreshed all day is part of the ticket.
- The pirate ship casts off mid-morning, so the most energetic games happen before the fiercest part of the afternoon.
Booking in peak weeks: this is the one time of year we push guests to reserve early. The Pirate Boat Tour fills fast in high season — its own small print says so — and since reservation with us is free and you pay on the tour day anyway, booking the moment your plans firm up costs you nothing and can save your preferred date.
September and October: the local favourite
Ask the crews when they would take their own families out and most will say this stretch. The sea holds its summer warmth long after the busiest crowds have flown home, the light turns soft and golden, and the pace of the whole coast slows down a notch.
This is couples' season. The Relax Boat Tour is at its absolute best, quiet by design, on a coast that has gone quiet around it. The classic Side Boat Tour, still €20 per adult and €14 per child with lunch on board, feels roomier, and families with children not yet in school get the pirate deck at its calmest. Availability is generally easier, though we would still not leave a fixed-date plan to the last evening.
So when is the best time?
- Easiest booking and freshest bays: early summer.
- Maximum atmosphere, foam parties and fellow kids on deck: July and August, just book ahead.
- Warm sea, golden light, quiet decks: September and October, the local pick.
- All of them: fine. The schedule runs daily; the boats do not have a bad month, they have different moods.
How far ahead to book
Because reservation is free, payment happens on the tour day, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before, there is no downside to booking early: you are holding a place, not risking money. Hotel pickup is arranged for you and the exact time is confirmed personally the evening before, so all you decide is the date. If you have not yet picked your boat, our comparison of all three tours settles it in a few minutes, the prices guide and FAQ answer the practical questions, and the full line-up lives on our boat tours collection page. Planning the rest of the week too? Start with the complete local guide to Side excursions.