Cruises in Alanya

Boat trips in Alanya follow two different lines. The first circles the rocky peninsula with the fortress on it: the boat rounds the headland, passes the Pirates' Cave and the Lovers' Cave, stops to swim off Cleopatra beach and returns to the harbour. These runs last five to seven hours, usually on an all-inclusive basis with lunch and soft drinks, and pirate ships such as the Legend Big Kral add games, music and a foam party on top.

The second line leaves the sea for fresh water: the Green Canyon on the Oymapınar reservoir and the Manavgat river, both about an hour from town. The tempo changes there — the water stands still between wooded slopes, the boat moves slowly, swimming in the reservoir is cold even in July, and the return usually calls at the Manavgat market. Catamarans and smaller yachts take fewer people than the big double-deckers, and it shows in how much deck space is left.

Points worth checking before booking. All-inclusive packages differ mainly in whether alcohol is covered and how many swim stops are made; lunch is nearly always cooked on board. Day sailings call for a hat and sun cream, since shade on the upper deck is scarce. Evening departures with dinner and a city drive suit anyone who spends the daylight on the beach. The season holds from April to late October, and winter thins the schedule to occasional dates.