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

The best part of this Side excursion is simple: you trade busy resort streets for a quiet lake framed by steep, pine-covered hills. The boat cruises through the Green Canyon for about 14 kilometers, with a swimming stop and time to enjoy the water at your own pace.

I like the low price of $21, especially since hotel transport, lunch, insurance, soft drinks, and guide service are included. I also like the chance to see Oymapinar Dam and a 2,000-year-old Roman bridge before settling into a slow day on the lake.

The main drawback is that the day can run from four to nine hours, depending on the departure time and schedule. Lunch drinks cost extra, the complimentary drinks are served in small glasses, and the restaurant is reached by uneven stairs from the pontoon.

Key points to know before booking

• A 14-kilometer boat ride carries you through Green Canyon, with long stretches for photos and quiet viewing.
• Oymapinar Dam provides the first scenic stop, including a view of an ancient Roman bridge.
• Swimming takes place in the lake, usually after about two hours of cruising.
• Lunch includes a choice of chicken, meatballs, or fish, with pasta, salad, and fruit.
• Soft drinks are unlimited on the boat, but drinks with lunch are not included.
• Canoes and fishing rods are available, making the restaurant stop more than just a meal break.

Leaving Side for Oymapinar Dam

The trip begins with hotel pickup in the morning. You are asked to wait at your hotel’s main security gate about 10 minutes before the scheduled time, so allow a little room in your morning plans. The transfer is made in a comfortable, modern vehicle, though the total pickup period can vary because several hotels may be served.

This first part matters because Green Canyon is away from Side’s main resort strip. You get a change of pace almost at once. Instead of spending the day around pools, shops, and beaches, you head inland toward the Manavgat area and the Oymapinar water system.

The tour is aimed at people who want a relaxed outing rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. You will have some driving, photo stops, a long boat ride, swimming, and lunch. It is not a fast-moving attraction where every minute is filled with commentary.

Oymapinar Dam and the old Roman bridge

The first stop is at Oymapinar Dam Lake. Oymapinar Dam is the fifth-largest dam in Turkey and helps supply water and electricity to the surrounding region. That gives the stop more substance than a simple photo break: you are looking at an important part of local infrastructure as well as a striking natural setting.

An especially good detail is the ancient bridge nearby. It dates from the Roman period and is about 2,000 years old. You may not spend long at this stop, but it gives the morning a useful connection to the area’s past before the boat ride begins.

Bring your phone or camera here. The dam and lake provide some of the best wide views on the route, and the vehicle may stop at additional points for photos. The amount of explanation can be limited, so do not expect a full history lesson about the dam, the bridge, or the formation of the canyon.

That gap is worth noting. The English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Italian guide service helps with basic organization and information, but the commentary may be brief. If you want details such as the lake’s depth or how the canyon was formed, you may need to ask questions directly or do some reading afterward.

Cruising 14 kilometers through Green Canyon

Once you reach the boat, the main part of the day begins. The route through Green Canyon covers about 14 kilometers, giving you plenty of time to sit back and watch the scenery change around the lake.

The water is known for its emerald and turquoise tones. That color is the visual reason to book this trip, but the pace is just as important. The boat gives you a long, easy stretch to take photos, talk, or simply sit in the shade and watch the hills slide past.

You should not expect a private cruise. The boat can be shared with other groups, and one vehicle’s passengers may be combined with another group. That means the atmosphere depends partly on the day’s numbers. Still, the trip is built around open water and scenery, so it does not feel like a crowded city attraction.

Complimentary soft drinks are available throughout the boat ride. This is a useful inclusion on a warm day, but keep your expectations realistic. The servings may come in small glasses, so you might need to ask for refills. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

The transport information also says drinks are not allowed, which refers to bringing your own drinks. The supplied soft drinks are part of the tour service. If you want something different, alcoholic drinks are available at your own cost where offered, but they are specifically excluded from the package.

Swimming in the turquoise water

After roughly two hours of cruising, the boat makes a swimming stop. This is one of the most appealing parts of the day because you are not only looking at the water from the deck. You get a chance to cool off in the lake and enjoy the setting from a different angle.

The swimming stop is not presented as a guided water activity. You choose how long to swim and can stay on the boat if you prefer to keep dry. The lake setting is the attraction, so this break works best for people who enjoy unhurried outdoor time.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, and sun protection. These are practical essentials for any boat trip with a lake swimming stop. The supplied information does not specify changing facilities, so it is wise to wear swimwear under your clothes or bring something easy to change into.

The water may look inviting, but take care around the boat and the pontoon. Follow the crew’s instructions, especially when entering and leaving the water. The experience is relaxed, but it is still a working boat excursion rather than a supervised pool session.

Lunch beside the lake

After swimming, the boat continues to a lakeside restaurant for a longer meal break. The setting is a strong part of the experience. You are eating beside the same water and hills you have been viewing from the boat, rather than stopping at a standard roadside restaurant.

The meal includes a choice of barbecued chicken, meatballs, or fish. Pasta, salad, and fruit are also provided. It is a straightforward group lunch, not a special dining event, but the menu offers enough choice for most people who want a filling midday meal.

The lunch is included in the $21 cost, which helps make the excursion good value. Keep in mind that drinks served at the restaurant are not included. They are available from the bar at normal prices, so carry some money if you want a drink with your food.

The restaurant has uneven stairs leading up from the pontoon. This is the clearest practical concern for people with mobility issues. The stairs may be difficult if you use a cane, have trouble with balance, or need step-free access. Ask the tour team before booking if this is important for you, as the supplied details do not promise an accessible route.

Canoes, fishing rods, and free time

The restaurant stop is not only for lunch. You also have free time to swim, sit by the lake, or use the available canoes and fishing rods. These extras give the break some flexibility, especially if people in your group want different things.

I like this arrangement because it avoids forcing everyone into the same activity. You can treat the stop as a quiet rest period, while more active members of your group use the equipment. The details do not say how long each activity lasts or whether special instruction is provided, so ask the staff before setting off in a canoe or using a fishing rod.

There is no need to fill every minute. Green Canyon is best appreciated at a slow pace, and sitting near the water with a soft drink may be just as worthwhile as taking part in an extra activity. The outing works for families, couples, and groups of friends who are happy to share a timetable but want some personal choice during the breaks.

The return ride and total timing

After lunch and free time, the boat returns to the starting pier. Your vehicle then takes you back to your hotel, ending the excursion there.

The published duration is four to nine hours. That is a wide range, so check the available starting time and expected return when you book. The length may depend on hotel pickups, the boat schedule, swimming and lunch breaks, and the time needed for the return transfer.

This is not the right choice if you need to be back at a precise hour for another booking. It is better suited to a free day in Side, when you can let the schedule unfold. A morning departure is useful because it gives you the full outing during daylight, but the exact pickup time must be confirmed at booking.

What the $21 price really covers

At $21 per person, this is one of the more affordable full-day-style outings in the Side area. The value comes from the number of basics bundled together:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Guide service
• Full insurance
• Boat transportation
• Lunch
• Unlimited soft drinks on the boat
• Fishing rods and canoes

You still need to budget for drinks at lunch, alcoholic drinks, and optional photos or a DVD. Those extras are not included. The complimentary boat drinks also come in small servings, so do not view them as a substitute for carrying any personal supplies, especially since outside drinks are not allowed by the activity rules.

The value is strongest if you want scenery, transport, and a simple meal without arranging several separate activities. It is less compelling if you want detailed cultural interpretation, a small private group, or a refined dining experience.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 43 reviews, which fits the character of the trip: strong scenery, friendly boat service, and good value, balanced by basic food, brief commentary, and some practical limits.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend it to you if you want a calm day away from Side’s resort crowds. The lake views, swimming break, and slow cruise offer a clear change from the coast. You do not need to be a keen boater to enjoy it.

It is also a good fit for families and mixed-age groups because you can choose between swimming, canoeing, fishing, and resting. The age guidance says the activity is not suitable for people over 95, and the uneven stairs at the restaurant are a more immediate concern for anyone with limited mobility.

You should think twice if you dislike shared tours or need extensive historical information. The guide may provide useful basic information, but the commentary can be limited. You may also find the lunch plain, and the small soft-drink glasses may test your patience on a hot day.

The experience provider is Payless Turizm. Booking support is handled by the tour team, and Eric is named as a particularly efficient contact who kept in touch before and after the trip. That can be helpful if you want confirmation of pickup details or need to clarify the schedule.

Should you book the Green Canyon trip?

Book this excursion if your ideal Side day includes green water, mountain views, a boat deck, a swim, and a low-cost lunch rather than museums or busy attractions. At $21, the combination of transport, food, soft drinks, and a long cruise is hard to fault.

Go in with sensible expectations. You are buying a well-priced shared boat day, not a private yacht charter or a specialist history tour. Expect basic food, short commentary, extra charges for lunch drinks and photos, and uneven stairs at the restaurant.

If those limits are acceptable, I would make this a strong pick for a free day in Side. The best reason to go is not any single activity. It is the chance to spend several hours beside Oymapinar Dam and Green Canyon, with enough time to swim, eat, and enjoy the water without rushing.

FAQ

Where does the Green Canyon boat trip take place?

The excursion takes place in Antalya Province, near Side and Manavgat. It includes Oymapinar Dam Lake and a boat route through Green Canyon.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is four to nine hours. Check the available starting times when booking because the exact length can vary.

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.

What is included in the price?

The package includes hotel transport, guiding service, full insurance, lunch, soft drinks, fishing rods, and canoes.

Are soft drinks included all day?

Unlimited soft drinks are included on the boat. Drinks at the lakeside restaurant are not included, and alcoholic drinks are excluded.

What food is served at lunch?

You can choose barbecued chicken, meatballs, or fish. Pasta, salad, and fruit are also included.

Is swimming part of the trip?

Yes. A swimming break follows about two hours of cruising, and you can swim in the lake.

What languages are available for the guide service?

Guide service is available in English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Italian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.