City of Side: Green Canyon Boat Trip w/Unlimited Soft Drinks

The best thing about this Green Canyon boat trip is the change of scene. In the morning, you leave Side’s busy resort strip and head inland to a broad mountain lake, where emerald water, steep rocky shores, and the Oymapinar Dam replace hotels and beach umbrellas. I like the two-hour cruise most, followed by a swimming stop in the lake. The views do the talking.

I also like the price. At about $21 per person, hotel transport, lunch, guiding, insurance, fishing rods, canoes, and soft drinks are included. The main drawback is that the trip is not ideal for everyone: the restaurant is reached by uneven stairs from the pontoon, and the guide commentary may feel brief if you want a detailed explanation of the dam and canyon.

Key points at a glance

• A 14-kilometre lake cruise: You spend much of the day on the water, with views of the Green Canyon from a calm boat rather than from a crowded road.
• Oymapinar Dam and a Roman bridge: The first stop adds a useful bit of local context and a good photo opportunity.
• Swimming in turquoise water: A short swim follows roughly two hours of cruising, so bring swimwear and a towel.
• Lunch beside the lake: Choose barbecue chicken, meatballs, or fish, with pasta, salad, and fruit.
• Unlimited soft drinks on the boat: These are included during the cruise, though the glasses may be small and drinks at lunch cost extra.
• Useful hotel pickup: Vehicles collect you from your hotel, but you need to wait at the main security gate 10 minutes before pickup.

Leaving Side for Oymapinar Dam

This is a morning excursion from Side into the hills above Manavgat. The exact length can range from four to nine hours, depending on your pickup point, departure time, and how the day runs. That wide time range matters: it is not a quick boat ride squeezed between beach visits. Plan on giving the outing most of your day.

Pickup is by vehicle from your hotel. The practical instruction is simple but important: wait at the main security gate 10 minutes before the scheduled time. If your hotel is large, this can save you from wandering around the grounds while the vehicle is waiting.

The ride takes you away from the resort area toward Oymapinar Dam. The transport is part of the value here. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a remote pier, and the included return transfer means you can enjoy the boat, lunch, and drinks without worrying about getting back to Side.

The vehicles may stop at a few points for photographs on the way. These stops help break up the journey, especially if your pickup is early or your hotel is farther along the coast. Still, the exact road time is not fixed, so I would avoid booking another timed activity immediately afterward.

Oymapinar Dam and the old Roman bridge

The first planned stop is at Oymapinar Dam Lake. The dam is described as the fifth largest in Turkey and supplies water and electricity for the surrounding area. You do not need to be an engineering enthusiast to appreciate the scale of the place. The water reaches far beyond the immediate viewing point, framed by rocky hills and wooded slopes.

A particularly good detail here is the ancient bridge. It dates from the Roman period and is around 2,000 years old. This gives the morning a useful contrast: the modern dam serves present-day needs, while the bridge recalls the roads and infrastructure of Roman times.

I would keep expectations realistic about the commentary. Guiding is available in English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Italian, but the explanation may be fairly short. If you want to know how deep the canyon is, how the rock formations developed, or how the dam was built, you may need to ask direct questions or read up afterward.

The stop is mainly for views and photographs. It is not presented as a long archaeological visit, and the ancient bridge is something you see as part of the wider setting rather than a full ruins tour. That is fine if you want a scenic start, but less satisfying if Roman history is your main reason for booking.

Cruising 14 kilometres through the Green Canyon

Once you board, the central part of the day begins. The boat follows a route of about 14 kilometres through the Green Canyon, with the pace set for looking, taking photographs, and relaxing rather than racing from one stop to another.

The water is the star. Its green and turquoise shades change with the light, and the rocky sides of the canyon give the cruise a sense of enclosure. From the deck, you get a better feel for the scale than you would from a roadside viewpoint. Bring a camera, but also leave time to put it down. The scenery is easiest to enjoy when you are not watching the screen.

This is a good choice for you if you prefer a calm day outdoors. There is no complicated activity schedule to manage, and you can spend much of the cruise seated, looking across the water. The boat staff are described as friendly and attentive, which helps on a full-day outing.

Soft drinks are available throughout the boat trip. That is a useful inclusion in the warm Antalya climate, especially when you are spending hours in the sun. The practical catch is that the drinks may be served in very small glasses, so you may need to ask for refills often. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

The boat may be shared with people from more than one coach. That can affect the feel of the trip. You may hear several languages during the day, and the guide may provide commentary in more than one language. It is efficient, but it is not the same as having a private guide focused only on your group.

The swimming stop in clear lake water

After about two hours of cruising, the boat stops for swimming. The lake’s turquoise water makes this one of the more memorable parts of the outing, especially if you have spent the morning sitting on deck.

You should treat this as a proper swim stop, not just a quick chance to dip your feet. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied details do not promise changing facilities, so it is sensible to wear swimwear under your clothes or pack items in a waterproof bag.

The swim is also a welcome break from the boat. A long cruise can feel repetitive if you only sit and watch the shore, while the water gives the day some movement. If you do not want to swim, you can stay aboard and enjoy the views, but the stop is built into the rhythm of the excursion.

I would not book this trip if you dislike being around water or want a land-based sightseeing day. The boat ride is the main event, and swimming is a key part of the schedule.

Lunch at the lakeside restaurant

After the swim, the boat heads to a lakeside restaurant for a longer lunch break. The setting is one of the meal’s main advantages. You are eating beside the water, with the canyon and hills still part of the view.

The meal includes a choice of barbecued chicken, meatballs, or fish. Pasta, salad, and fruit accompany the main dish. This is a straightforward group excursion lunch, not a food tour, but the selection gives you a little choice and should suit different tastes.

The food has been described as better than expected, though you should keep your expectations sensible. At this price, the value comes from the whole package rather than from a special culinary experience. You get fed in a scenic location, with the meal included in the fare.

Drinks at lunch are not included. The unlimited soft drinks apply to the boat, while beverages bought at the restaurant bar cost extra. I would carry some cash or be ready to pay for a drink separately if you do not want to eat without one.

There is one practical issue for anyone with mobility concerns. The restaurant is reached by uneven stairs from the pontoon. That can make the lunch stop awkward if stairs are difficult for you. The activity is not described as suitable for people over 95, and the uneven access is worth considering for anyone with limited mobility, even if they fall below that age.

Free time for swimming, fishing, and canoes

After lunch, you get free time before the return cruise. You can relax, swim again, or use the available equipment for lake activities. Fishing rods and canoes are included, giving the break a little more variety than simply sitting at the restaurant.

The information does not give a detailed schedule for the equipment or explain how long each person may use it. Think of these as added options rather than a guaranteed private activity. If your main goal is fishing or canoeing, ask the guide or boat staff how the equipment is organized once you arrive.

For families and mixed-age groups, this flexible break is useful. One person can swim while another rests, and someone else can try a canoe. It also helps balance the day for people who do not want to spend every minute on the watercraft.

You should still bring sun protection. The excursion combines open water, swimming, and outdoor dining, so a hat and sunscreen are practical choices. The boat provides soft drinks, but that does not replace protection from the sun.

The return cruise and transfer to Side

When the free time ends, the boat returns to the pier. The return section gives you another chance to photograph the canyon from a different angle, though the excitement may fade if you are tired after swimming and lunch.

Your vehicle waits at the pier for the ride back to your hotel. This door-to-door arrangement is one of the strongest practical features of the trip. You do not have to find the pier again, negotiate a taxi, or arrange transport after a full day outside.

The end time can vary, which explains the four-to-nine-hour duration range. Pickup location, traffic, time spent at stops, and the shared transport setup all affect the schedule. I would leave your evening open rather than planning a fixed dinner reservation in Side.

What the $21 price really covers

At $21, the Green Canyon outing offers strong value for a full day. The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• The boat cruise
• A guide
• Full insurance
• Lunch
• Soft drinks during the boat trip
• Fishing rods and canoes

Many boat trips charge separately for transport, lunch, or drinks, so this package keeps the final cost fairly clear. The included meal is basic, and lunch drinks are extra, but the major costs are covered.

The price also makes this a good alternative to a beach club day if you want to see more of the area. You trade resort convenience for a longer outing, but you gain the dam, the old bridge, the canyon cruise, and time in the lake.

The tradeoff is group-tour simplicity. You may share the boat with another coach, the guide commentary may be limited, and the soft drinks may come in small glasses. If you want private attention, gourmet food, or a detailed nature lecture, this is not the right product. If you want a low-cost day with transport, scenery, lunch, and swimming, it is a sensible buy.

Who should book this Green Canyon trip?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Side and want a break from the resort strip. It suits couples, families, and anyone who enjoys calm scenery more than high-speed water sports. The short swimming stop and optional canoes add enough activity to keep the day from feeling like a simple sightseeing bus ride.

It is also a good fit if you prefer an organized excursion. The transport, food, drinks, and return journey are arranged for you, and multilingual guiding is available. You can book now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

I would think twice if stairs are difficult, if you need a highly detailed guide, or if you dislike shared group tours. Also remember that outside drinks are not allowed, alcohol is not included, and the exact duration can vary considerably.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want good scenery at a low price, with the convenience of hotel transport and lunch included. The Green Canyon cruise, swimming stop, old bridge, and lakeside meal create a full day away from Side’s crowded resort areas.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a serious history tour, or a meal with drinks included at the restaurant. For most people who want an affordable nature outing, though, this is an easy day to recommend. Pack swimwear, expect a simple group setup, and treat the limited commentary as a minor weakness in an otherwise well-priced excursion.

FAQ

How long does the Green Canyon boat trip take?

The activity lasts between four and nine hours. The exact duration depends on the available starting time, pickup location, and the day’s schedule.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You should wait at your hotel’s main security gate 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Are soft drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks are included during the boat trip and are available on an unlimited basis. The drinks may be served in small glasses. Drinks at the lunch restaurant are not included.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes a choice of barbecued chicken, meatballs, or fish, along with pasta, salad, and fruit.

Can I swim during the excursion?

Yes. A swimming stop takes place after about two hours of cruising, and you can also swim during the free-time stop after lunch.

Which languages are available for the guide?

Guiding is available in English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Italian.