Side family days compared
Pirate Ship or Horse Safari in Side? A Guide for Parents
A horse safari is a day in the saddle, close to an animal and the countryside. A pirate day is a day on deck with costumes and clues. For very young children, the gap between them is wide.
In short
A horse safari means riding on horseback through the countryside, which asks a child to sit, balance and follow instructions. Little Pirates asks only that a child dress up and join in: costumes, stories, a treasure hunt, a coastal cruise and a swim stop, with lunch on board, for €14 a child and free under 2. Whether a young child can ride is for the horse site to decide.
Saddle or deck
A horse day is built around the animal. Children who love horses may count it the highlight of the holiday; children who are nervous of them may not. It is a quieter, slower kind of adventure, out in the landscape.
Little Pirates is built around play. The crew is dressed as pirates, each child is handed a costume, stories of the high seas fill the gaps, and a treasure hunt sends the young crew searching the deck for clues and hidden loot. The ship follows the coastline, stops for a swim in clear water, and serves lunch of children's favourites on board.
The treasure hunt, the heart of the small day
For a small child, a map, a clue and a hidden prize can be the whole adventure. That is what Little Pirates is built on. Our treasure-hunt guide has more on it; the big day has a secret map of its own and the hunt for the pirate Ferhat.
With toddlers
Under 2, children ride free on both pirate days. You stay with your toddler throughout, because the crew runs games, not childcare. A carrier, a sun hat, swim nappies and a spare set of clothes go a long way. Our guide for babies and toddlers covers naps, food and the swim.
Who may ride on a horse safari, and from what age, is the horse site's rule rather than ours. If your youngest is very small, check there first.
What to pack for Little Pirates
- Swimwear, a towel each and a dry change of clothes for the children.
- High-SPF sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.
- A camera or phone for the pirate photos.
- Your child's own pirate costume, if they have one: it is welcome.
- Euros in cash for extra drinks and tips, which are not in the fare.
The full packing list covers both pirate days.
Choosing, and booking
If your child is horse-mad and old enough to ride, the horse day may be the one they remember. If they are at the dressing-up age, Little Pirates is made for them; book it here and pay in euros on the morning. For the horse day, our sister site sells it: the Side horse safari.
