Side-Turkey.

So you have never sat on a quad bike before, and you are wondering whether a quad safari is really something you can do on holiday in Side. The honest answer is yes — these tours are built for complete beginners, and most of the people roaring through the dust beside you have never ridden one either. A quad safari takes you off the smooth resort roads and onto dirt tracks in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains (Toros Dağları), the range that wraps around Antalya province behind Side, Manavgat and Kumköy. Below is a calm, practical guide to riding your first ATV well — and safely.

What a quad actually is, and why beginners cope fine

An ATV (all-terrain vehicle), or "quad", is a four-wheeled machine with motorbike-style handlebars and a twist-grip throttle. Unlike a motorbike, it does not fall over when you stop, which is exactly why nervous first-timers settle into it so quickly. You steer by turning the bars and leaning gently; you speed up by rolling the throttle with your right thumb or hand; you slow down with the brakes. That is genuinely the core of it.

Every reputable safari starts with a short briefing and a slow practice loop before anyone heads off-road. Take that loop seriously — it is your moment to find the throttle's bite point and to feel how the brakes grab. By the end of it, the controls stop feeling foreign.

Single or double riding

Many groups include couples or a parent and child sharing one quad. Whether you ride solo or two-up, and any minimum age or driving requirement, varies between operators — these are confirmed at booking, so ask when you reserve.

Your first-ride safety checklist

None of this is complicated, but doing it makes the difference between a great memory and a sore one.

• Wear the helmet properly. It should be snug, with the strap done up. A loose helmet protects nobody.
• Cover up. Long sleeves, long trousers and closed shoes. The Taurus tracks throw up dust and small stones, and trees brush past closer than you expect.
• Keep your distance. Leave a comfortable gap from the quad in front so its dust settles and you are not braking into a wall of it.
• Look where you want to go. Your hands follow your eyes. Stare at a rut and you will hit it; look past it and you will glide round.
• Brake before the bend, not in it. Slow on the straight, then steer through smoothly.
• Both thumbs and the brakes are yours alone. Never assume the guide can stop your quad for you.

Dust, mud and what to actually wear

This is an off-road experience, so you will get dusty — and on muddy sections, gloriously muddy. That is part of the fun, not a flaw. Bring clothes you do not mind ruining, or pack a change for afterwards. A buff or scarf over your mouth and nose helps with the dust, and sunglasses or the helmet visor protect your eyes. Most people leave looking like they earned it.

Quick Facts

• Duration: Full day — confirmed at booking.
• Pick-up: Hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat & nearby resorts; time confirmed at booking.
• Includes: Quad/ATV use, safety briefing, helmet, guided off-road route, hotel transfers.
• Excludes: Personal spending, photos/videos, tips, anything not listed — confirmed at booking.
• Family Friendly: Yes — child/double-riding and age rules confirmed at booking.
• Best Season: Spring to autumn, when the tracks are at their best.
• Difficulty: Beginner-friendly; designed for first-time riders with a practice loop first.

Related Excursions

• Tours & excursions from Side
• Things to do in Antalya
• Day trips from Alanya
• Adventures around Kemer
• Excursions from Belek
• More travel guides on our blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do a quad safari if I have never ridden anything before?

Yes. These safaris are aimed at beginners, and a short practice loop and briefing come first so you learn the controls before going off-road.

Is it dangerous?

Quad biking carries normal off-road risk, but riding at a sensible pace, keeping your distance and wearing your helmet keeps it well within reach of first-timers. The guide sets a manageable pace for the group.

Do I need a driving licence?

Licence and minimum-age requirements vary by operator and are confirmed at booking, so please ask when you reserve.

Can children join?

Often yes, frequently as a passenger sharing a quad with an adult. Exact age and double-riding rules are confirmed at booking.

What should I wear?

Long sleeves, long trousers, closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dusty or muddy. Bring sunglasses and consider a scarf for the dust.

How long is the tour?

Plan for a full day including hotel transfers; the exact schedule is confirmed at booking.

Will I really get muddy?

On muddy sections, yes — that is half the fun. Pack a change of clothes if you would rather travel back clean.

Is booking direct cheaper?

Booking direct with us cuts out agency and OTA commission, and we back it with a best-price guarantee — message us and we will sort the details.

Ready for your first ride? Book direct with the Murat Atalay team and skip the middleman. Message us on WhatsApp or email info@side-turkey.com — we will confirm pick-up, age rules and everything else, all backed by our best-price guarantee.