Side Green Canyon Boat Trip With Unlimited Drinks And Lunch

Green water, high cliffs, and a full day out. This Green Canyon trip combines a 14-kilometer boat ride on the Oymapinar reservoir with swimming, lunch, and hotel transfers from Side or Kizilagac. I like the peaceful canyon scenery and the easy all-in-one format, especially at $36 per person. I also like that you can use kayaks and fishing rods rather than simply sit on the boat. The main concern is crowding, since the boat and restaurant can feel very busy on some departures.

The day begins around 8:30 am and lasts about eight hours, with transport, a guide, open-buffet lunch, fishing rods, and unlimited soft drinks included. The cruise itself is the star, but the guide service can vary. Some visitors had excellent communication with Mete, while others received little information about the dam or lake.

Key things to know before you book

• The 14-kilometer cruise is the main event: You get roughly two hours on the water, with steep canyon walls and emerald-colored reservoir water around you.
• Swimming is part of the day: There is a swim break in the lake, plus time to swim again near the restaurant.
• Lunch is included: Expect barbecue chicken, meatballs or fish, pasta, salad, and fruit, with unlimited soft drinks.
• Hotel pickup saves effort: Transfers are offered from Side and Kizilagac hotels, starting around 8:30 am.
• Crowds can affect the experience: The advertised maximum is 200 people, and packed boats, queues, and close seating have been reported.
• Bring sun protection and patience: You will spend much of the day outdoors, and organization between buses and boats may not always be smooth.

Why Green Canyon makes a good escape from Side

Side is best known for its Roman ruins, beach hotels, and busy resort streets. Green Canyon offers a very different day. Instead of ancient columns and seaside promenades, you get a broad reservoir, pine-covered slopes, rocky walls, and water that shifts between green and turquoise.

The reservoir was created by the Oymapinar Dam, one of Turkey’s major dams and an important source of regional water and electricity. The setting feels far removed from the hotel zone, even though it is close enough for a practical day trip.

I like the way this tour keeps the planning simple. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the dam, find a boat pier, or locate a lakeside restaurant. The transfer, boat ride, lunch, drinks, and swim stops come in one package.

The tradeoff is that this is not a quiet private outing. The maximum group size is listed as 200 people, and a full departure can mean a busy coach, a packed boat, and a restaurant serving many groups at once. If you want silence and plenty of space, look for a smaller boat option instead.

The morning drive from Side to Oymapinar Dam

Pickup starts around 8:30 am, although the exact timing depends on your hotel and the transfer schedule. The drive takes you away from Side toward the dam area, with a short stop at the reservoir before boarding the boat.

This first pause is mainly for getting your bearings and taking photographs. The dam is a useful reminder that Green Canyon is not a natural river canyon in the usual sense. It is part of a large man-made reservoir, shaped by the Oymapinar Dam and surrounded by dramatic natural scenery.

An ancient bridge from the Roman period can also be seen in the area. It is said to be about 2,000 years old, though the stop does not appear to be a full archaeological visit. Some descriptions indicate that the view is taken from the less impressive side of the dam, so do not expect a long sightseeing stop with access to every viewpoint.

The transport is an important part of your decision. Several people found the drivers and pickup staff friendly and punctual. Others found the coach old, uncomfortable, or poorly air-conditioned, and one account raised concerns about fast driving. That is not a reason to dismiss the whole excursion, but it is worth keeping in mind if you are sensitive to long vehicle rides.

The route includes around an hour each way by road for some departures, so a comfortable vehicle matters. If you are traveling with children, arrive ready for a full day rather than a short boat outing.

Boarding the boat for the first two hours

Once you reach the pier, you board the boat for the main cruise. The journey through the reservoir lasts about two hours before a swimming break, and this is where the trip earns most of its praise.

The water is the focus. Green Canyon’s color can look emerald or blue-green depending on the light, while the high sides of the reservoir create a striking frame for photographs. The boat moves slowly enough for you to watch the scenery, take pictures, or simply sit and enjoy the view.

I like that the cruise works for two different kinds of people. You can treat it as a relaxed sightseeing ride, or you can make it more active by swimming, kayaking, and fishing during the stops. Fishing rods are included, although the number of rods may be limited compared with the size of the group.

Choose your seat carefully if you can. A crowded boat means people may sit close together, and a middle seat can give you a poorer view. On busy departures, the boat may feel more like a group excursion than a calm outing on an empty lake.

Music is another variable. Some departures have a pleasant atmosphere, while one particularly critical account described loud disco music and cigarette smoke. If you are hoping for total quiet, this may not be the right boat trip. If you enjoy a social atmosphere, the onboard mood may suit you better.

The guide service also varies. Mete received specific praise for clear communication and useful guiding, but other accounts described little commentary about the dam, the lake, or the places visited. You should think of the guide as helpful for coordination, rather than guaranteed as a full history lecturer.

Swimming in the cold reservoir water

The first swim stop comes after around two hours of cruising. The lake water can feel cold, but that is welcome after sitting in the sun. You swim from a designated platform rather than from a quiet natural beach, so the experience depends heavily on how many boats arrive at the same time.

The water itself is one of the strongest parts of the day. It is clear-looking, refreshing, and surrounded by steep sides and trees. You do not need to swim for long to enjoy the contrast between the hot Turkish sun and the cool reservoir.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sandals, and sunscreen. One visitor specifically advised using plenty of sunscreen, and that is sensible because the boat deck and restaurant area offer limited shade depending on where you sit.

You should also be comfortable with organized swimming. This is not a secluded cove. Several boats may use the same platform, and the stop can feel crowded when the excursion is full. Still, it gives you a real chance to get into the water rather than merely admire it from the deck.

Lunch at the lakeside restaurant

After the cruise and swim, the group goes to a lakeside restaurant for a longer break. Lunch is served as an open buffet and includes barbecue chicken, meatballs or fish, pasta, salad, and fruit. Unlimited soft drinks are included, while alcoholic drinks cost extra and are not part of the package.

The setting helps the meal. Eating near the reservoir gives you another chance to enjoy the water and relax before returning to the boat or coach. There is also free time for swimming, fishing, and using the kayaks.

The food receives mixed but generally fair impressions. Some people found the lunch delicious or better than expected. Others described it as basic, bland, or limited, with simple chicken and rice rather than the generous buffet suggested by the description.

There may also be a queue. On a busy day, you might have to collect your food with a large group, and some departures have limited the amount served or made second helpings difficult. I would take your first opportunity to fill a plate rather than assume you can return later.

Standards at the restaurant can also vary. One account raised concerns about cleanliness, while others found the meal perfectly acceptable for the price. The sensible approach is to see lunch as convenient fuel in a beautiful setting, not as a special Turkish food experience.

The kayaks are a useful extra. They give you something to do beyond sitting at a table, though the available equipment may be shared among many people. Fishing is also included in principle, but the rods may be in short supply during a large departure.

Cruising deeper into the Green Canyon

The 14-kilometer route is the part you will remember most. The boat passes through narrower sections where the emerald water sits between steep rocky sides. These stretches offer the best photographs and make the trip feel more special than an ordinary reservoir cruise.

The boat ride is slow and easy. You can watch the changing views, take photographs, or find a quiet place on deck if one is available. The scenery is especially good for people who enjoy natural settings but do not want a demanding hike.

Do not expect a long series of guided sightseeing stops. The published timing describes extended cruising rather than frequent shore visits. That is good for anyone who wants to relax, but less satisfying if you want to get off the boat and explore viewpoints on foot.

After the longer cruise, another short swimming break is scheduled. This gives you a second chance to get into the water if you skipped the first stop or simply want to cool off again.

The cruise can feel peaceful, but the atmosphere depends on the group. A full boat, loud music, smoking, or limited seating can take away from the calm. For the best chance of enjoying the setting, travel outside the busiest period if your schedule allows, and arrive early enough to have some choice about where you sit.

How the $36 price holds up

At $36 per person, the package offers solid value if you use its main inclusions. You are paying for hotel transfers, a full-day outing, a 14-kilometer cruise, swimming stops, lunch, unlimited soft drinks, a guide, and access to fishing rods. Organizing all of those pieces separately would take more time and could cost more.

The value is strongest for families and couples staying in Side or Kizilagac who want an easy day away from the coast. You do not need to negotiate transport or worry about getting back to the hotel after a long day.

Price-sensitive shoppers should compare options before booking. Similar Green Canyon trips may be available for around 25 to 35 euros elsewhere, so $36 is not automatically the cheapest deal. Check whether cheaper options include hotel transfer, lunch, drinks, and the same length of cruise.

The group size matters more than a small price difference. A slightly cheaper tour may have the same crowding problem, while a more expensive small-group trip could offer a better experience. Here, you are buying convenience and a full itinerary, not privacy.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want:

• A full day in the countryside without arranging transport
• Big views and photography opportunities
• Swimming in cool reservoir water
• A family-friendly activity with lunch included
• A social boat atmosphere
• A straightforward package at a moderate price

You may want to skip it if you need a quiet, uncrowded boat, a gourmet meal, or detailed commentary throughout the day. It is also not ideal if you dislike long coach transfers, shared swimming platforms, or waiting in lines.

The activity suits people with average mobility, since most participants can take part, but the information does not describe special accessibility arrangements. Ask the operator before booking if you need specific assistance with the coach, pier, boat, or swimming areas.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, so check your plans before that deadline.

Practical ways to enjoy the day

Wear swimwear under your clothes so you can use the swimming stops without a scramble. Pack sunscreen, a towel, dry clothes, and a waterproof phone case if you want photographs from the water.

Keep some flexibility around the schedule. The stated duration is about eight hours, and transfer arrangements between buses, the pier, and the restaurant can take time when several groups arrive together.

At lunch, collect your food early if the restaurant looks busy. If you want to fish or use a kayak, ask where the equipment is located as soon as you arrive rather than waiting until the end of the break.

If the guide is not giving much commentary, ask direct questions about the dam, Roman bridge, and reservoir. When Mete is guiding, the experience may include stronger communication and more useful information, but guide assignments are not guaranteed.

Should you book the Green Canyon boat trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, convenient day of scenery, swimming, and lunch from Side. The Green Canyon cruise and cool-water swim are the clear highlights, and the included transfers make the outing easy for families and couples.

Book with realistic expectations. This is a popular shared excursion, not a private nature trip. Crowding, basic food, variable vehicles, loud music, and uneven guiding can affect the day. At $36, it is good value when the organization runs well, but compare cheaper alternatives and ask about group size if peace and space matter to you.

FAQ

What time does the Green Canyon trip start?

The listed start time is 8:30 am. Hotel pickup is offered from Side and Kizilagac hotels.

How long does the excursion last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours, including hotel transfers, stops, the boat cruise, lunch, and swimming time.

How long is the Green Canyon boat cruise?

The route is approximately 14 kilometers, or 9 miles. The cruise section is described as lasting about two hours before a swimming break, followed by additional time on the water.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open-buffet lunch is included, with barbecue chicken, meatballs or fish, pasta, salad, and fruit. Unlimited soft drinks are also included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses are not included in the listed price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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