Side Green Canyon Boat Trip With Unlimited Drinks And Lunch

Green Canyon is the star here: emerald water, steep wooded slopes, and a long, easy boat ride through the Oymapınar reservoir. You get two swimming stops, an open-buffet lunch, and unlimited soft drinks, all without arranging your own transport from Side.

I especially like the calm pace and the chance to do more than sit on deck. You can swim, fish, and use canoes, while the lake restaurant gives you a proper break beside the water. The main caution is crowd size. Some departures feel relaxed, while others have packed boats, busy transfers, loud music, and limited equipment.

Key points at a glance

• A 14-kilometer cruise through Green Canyon: The long boat route gives you plenty of time for photos and quiet views.
• Two separate swimming stops: The lake water is refreshing, though access may involve steep stairs and uneven ground.
• Open-buffet lunch by the reservoir: Expect chicken, meatballs or fish, pasta, salad, and fruit, with soft drinks included.
• Hotel pickup from Side and Kizilagac: Meet at your hotel’s main entrance gate, not the reception desk.
• Fishing rods and canoes are included: Equipment can be limited when the boats and restaurant are busy.
• Good value at $50: Transfers, lunch, drinks, and the full-day outing make the price fair, provided you are comfortable with a large-group tour.

Why Green Canyon makes a good day away from Side

The Turkish Riviera is full of beach excursions, but Green Canyon offers a different kind of day. The focus is not ancient ruins or shopping. It is water, fresh air, swimming, and a slow cruise through the Oymapınar reservoir near Manavgat.

The scenery is the reason to book. The lake has a strong green-blue color, and the high sides of the canyon give the boat route a dramatic setting. You will have time to take photos without rushing from one short stop to the next. The main cruise covers about 14 kilometers, with roughly two hours spent moving through the lake.

I would describe this as a sightseeing and swimming day rather than a serious adventure tour. You can fish and use canoes, but the trip is built around a large boat, buffet lunch, and simple water activities. That makes it a good fit for families and mixed groups who want different options without splitting up.

The morning transfer from Side to Oymapınar Dam

Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m. and is offered from most hotels in the Side area, including Kizilagac. There is one important local detail: hotel privacy rules often prevent vehicles from entering the property, so you need to wait at the main entrance gate rather than inside at reception.

The drive takes you toward Oymapınar Dam, with the full outing lasting about eight hours. The transfer is part of the value at $50, since you do not need to arrange a taxi or find the pier yourself.

Transport quality can vary. Some departures have prompt pickup and a comfortable, modern vehicle. Other reports describe an old bus with poor air conditioning, or a disorganized loading process involving several buses. One particularly poor experience included a missed departure, a long wait, and repeated hotel stops. That does not appear to be every departure, but it is a fair warning that the organization can be uneven when demand is high.

A few reports also raised concerns about fast driving. If you are sensitive to road conditions, pay attention during the transfer and speak up if the driving feels unsafe. The operator has indicated that such complaints are taken seriously.

Oymapınar Dam and the Roman bridge

The dam lake is more than a launch point. Oymapınar Dam is described as the fifth-largest dam in Turkey and supplies water and electricity to the region. The surrounding views provide an attractive first stop before the boat portion begins.

You may also see an ancient bridge dating from the Roman period, said to be about 2,000 years old. This adds a useful historic note to what could otherwise be a purely scenic outing.

Set your expectations carefully, though. The planned time around the dam is described as about two hours in the schedule, but some departures have provided only a short photo stop before moving on. If you are booking mainly to study the dam and bridge, this uncertainty may bother you. If your main goal is the canyon cruise and swimming, the shorter stop matters less.

Guiding is another variable. The tour includes guiding service, and some guides speak several languages. Mete is praised by name in one account for clear communication and strong organization. On other departures, the guide has offered little information about the lake, dam, or bridge and has been hard to find during the restaurant stop. Ask questions when you first meet your guide, especially if you want facts rather than just directions.

The 14-kilometer boat ride through Green Canyon

Once aboard, the day improves when the boat moves into the canyon. The water is the star, with long views, quiet coves, and steep green sides. The route is made for sitting back and taking photos, not for constant commentary or sightseeing stops.

You should have plenty of time on the water. The scheduled cruise covers 14 kilometers, and the boat spends about two hours moving through the reservoir before a swimming break. This is one of the strongest parts of the excursion for anyone who enjoys an unhurried boat ride.

The boat itself is where the experience can change from one departure to another. A comfortable load makes the cruise peaceful. A full boat means close seating and poorer views for anyone stuck in the middle. Some departures also play loud music, which can work well for a cheerful group but spoil the quiet mood if you came for nature and silence. Cigarette smoke can be another annoyance on a crowded deck.

The maximum group size is 200 people, so this is not a private or small-boat outing. If solitude matters most to you, book a smaller cruise if one is available. If you mainly want an affordable day on the water with lunch and transport included, the group format keeps the price reasonable.

Swimming in the emerald lake

The tour includes two opportunities to swim. The lake water can feel cold, but that is welcome after a hot transfer and time in the sun. The swimming areas use platforms and boat access, so this is not a sandy beach experience.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes, a towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof bag for your phone. One of the strongest practical tips from the day is to use plenty of sunscreen. There is little point in having beautiful canyon scenery if you spend the return journey burned and uncomfortable.

You should also be comfortable with stairs. Getting on and off the boat or reaching the swimming areas can involve steep steps and uneven surfaces. This may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility, although the crew has been attentive when assistance was needed.

Separate changing rooms and a clean toilet have been reported at the restaurant area, which makes the swimming stops easier to manage. Still, facilities are shared and can become busy when several boats arrive together.

Lunch beside the reservoir

Lunch takes place at a lake-side restaurant. The usual buffet includes barbecued chicken, meatballs or fish, pasta, salad, and fruit. Soft drinks are included without a set limit, which is useful on a warm day when you need to keep drinking water or soda instead of paying each time.

Food quality is not perfectly consistent. Some meals are described as delicious or better than expected, while others are called plain, bland, or poorly prepared. Fish, especially trout when available, may be the best choice. The buffet is designed to feed a large group efficiently, not to deliver a refined Turkish meal.

Timing can also affect your view of lunch. The swimming stop may come before the meal, and some people find they are very hungry by the time food is served. When you reach the buffet, choose carefully on the first pass. Portions may be controlled, and seconds are not always easy to get when the restaurant is busy.

The restaurant setting is a real advantage. You are eating beside the water rather than in a roadside dining room. However, cleanliness and organization may vary when multiple boats arrive at once. Treat the meal as practical fuel in a beautiful place, not as the main culinary reason to book.

Fishing, canoes, and free time

After lunch, you get free time for lake activities. Fishing rods are included, and canoes may be available through the restaurant. This gives the day a useful choice: swim again, sit in the shade, fish, or paddle.

Do not assume there will be one piece of equipment per person. Reports describe only a small number of fishing rods for a large group, and some departures have had no rods or canoes available at the expected time. Equipment seems to depend on the crowd and the day’s organization.

This is still a nice extra, especially for families. Children who tire of the boat ride can look forward to swimming or trying to fish. Adults can use the free period to slow down instead of following another fixed sightseeing stop.

Drinks, music, and the feel onboard

Unlimited soft drinks are part of the price, and drinks are generally offered on request. That is a useful inclusion because the full outing lasts about eight hours and includes time in direct sun.

Alcohol is not included. You can buy alcoholic drinks separately if available, but they are listed as an extra cost. Personal purchases are also your responsibility.

The onboard mood depends heavily on the group and crew. Some departures have friendly staff, multilingual service, and music that adds energy. Others have loud disco-style music that makes it difficult to enjoy the natural setting. If you prefer a quiet cruise, sit away from the main speakers when possible and bring realistic expectations about the atmosphere.

Is $50 a fair price?

At $50 per person, this is a reasonable package if you use most of what is included. You receive hotel transfers, a long boat ride, two swim stops, lunch, soft drinks, a guide, and access to fishing equipment. A self-organized day would require transport to the reservoir, boat tickets, food, and drinks, so the package is convenient.

The value drops if your departure is badly organized, your bus is uncomfortable, or the boat is filled beyond your comfort level. It also drops if you expect a small group, detailed commentary, plentiful fishing gear, or a quiet nature cruise.

I would compare the price with other Green Canyon trips before booking. Similar outings may sell for less, sometimes around 25 to 35 euros, although the exact inclusions and pickup arrangements can differ. The best reason to pay $50 is convenience and a clear package, not luxury.

Who should book this Green Canyon trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A full day outside Side without planning transport
• Swimming in a striking freshwater setting
• A relaxed boat trip with plenty of photo time
• Lunch and unlimited soft drinks included
• A family-friendly outing with optional fishing and canoeing
• A group activity where different people can choose different ways to spend their free time

I would be more cautious if you want a small boat, quiet nature, serious fishing, excellent food, or detailed history from the guide. You should also think twice if steep stairs, uneven ground, crowded platforms, or long bus transfers will cause problems.

Book at least 24 hours before departure if you want the option of a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The tour is offered in English, though guides and crew may speak several languages on some departures.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if Green Canyon’s water and scenery matter more to you than polished organization. The long cruise, two swims, lake-side lunch, and included drinks make it a solid day out at a fair price.

Go in knowing that this is a large-group excursion, not a private escape. Ask about the day’s boat capacity, swimming access, and equipment when you meet the guide. If you are lucky enough to have a well-run departure, the canyon views and cool green water can make this one of the most pleasant ways to leave Side for a day.

FAQ

How long does the Green Canyon boat trip last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, the transfer to Oymapınar Dam, the boat ride, lunch, swimming, and the return transfer.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m. Pickup timing can vary by hotel. Meet at the main entrance gate rather than the reception desk.

Does the tour pick up from Side hotels?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered in the Side region, including Kizilagac hotels.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel transfers, an open-buffet lunch, guiding service, soft drinks, fishing rods, and the boat trip.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and personal purchases are also excluded.

How far does the boat travel?

The main Green Canyon route covers about 14 kilometers, or roughly 9 miles.

How many times can you swim?

The itinerary includes two swimming opportunities in the lake.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is an open buffet with chicken, meatballs or fish, pasta, salad, and fruit.

Can you fish or use a canoe?

Fishing rods are included, and canoes are provided for lake activities when available. Equipment may be limited during busy departures.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.