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

Trade Side’s busy resort streets for emerald water. This Green Canyon boat trip gives you a calm change of pace, with a 14-kilometre cruise, a swim stop, lunch, and views of Oymapinar Dam. At about $21 per person, it packs a lot into one day.

I like the beautiful setting and the simple rhythm of the trip: cruise, swim, eat, then cruise again. I also like that transport, insurance, lunch, soft drinks, canoes, and fishing rods are included. The main drawback is that the tour offers only limited information about the dam and canyon, and the restaurant involves uneven stairs that may trouble anyone with mobility issues.

Key points to know before booking

• The 14-kilometre boat route gives you a long, restful stretch on Green Canyon’s emerald water.
• Oymapinar Dam and its Roman bridge add an unusual sightseeing stop before the cruise begins.
• Swimming is part of the plan, with a break after roughly two hours on the lake.
• Lunch includes a choice of chicken, meatballs, or fish, plus pasta, salad, and fruit.
• Soft drinks are available throughout the boat ride, though the glasses may be small and lunch drinks cost extra.
• The $21 price is strong value, especially with hotel transport, insurance, food, and activities included.

Why Green Canyon makes a good escape from Side

Side is known for its ancient ruins, beaches, hotels, and busy holiday streets. This trip gives you a different view of Antalya Province. Instead of spending another day beside a pool or on a crowded beach, you head inland toward Oymapinar, where forested hills and still water replace the resort scene.

I like this contrast. The Green Canyon outing is not a rushed sightseeing circuit with one photo stop after another. Most of the day is spent on the lake, where the pace is slow and the main attraction is the setting around you.

The excursion usually begins in the morning with hotel pickup in a comfortable vehicle. Your exact pickup time depends on availability and your hotel location, so you should check the schedule carefully. You are asked to wait at your hotel’s main security gate 10 minutes before the arranged time.

The total duration is listed as four to nine hours. That is a wide range, but it reflects the pickup area, departure time, and time spent at the lake. You should treat this as a substantial half-day or full-day outing rather than a quick boat ride.

Oymapinar Dam and the old Roman bridge

The first stop is Oymapinar Dam Lake. The dam is the fifth largest in Turkey and supplies water and electricity to the region. That gives the lake a practical role beyond its good looks, and it helps explain why this large body of water exists in such a dramatic setting.

The stop also includes a view of an ancient bridge dating from the Roman period, around 2,000 years old. This is a useful detail because it connects the modern dam area with the older story of movement and engineering in the region.

You will have time to take photographs before continuing. I would use this pause to get your bearings and take wide shots of the water, hills, and bridge. The exact amount of time at the stop is not specified, so do not plan on a long archaeological visit. The bridge is a scenic point rather than a full Roman site tour.

The trip’s guiding is offered in English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Italian. That is helpful for basic explanations and group instructions. Still, you should keep your expectations modest. The commentary is described as limited, and you may want to read about the dam and canyon later if you want details such as the lake’s depth or how the canyon formed.

The 14-kilometre Green Canyon cruise

Once you board, the main part of the day begins. The boat follows a 14-kilometre route through Green Canyon, with the water shifting between green and turquoise tones depending on the light.

This is the part I would value most. You get time to sit, look around, take photographs, and let the scenery come to you. There is no need to keep checking a list of sights. The pleasure is in the long, quiet ride.

The boat usually spends about two hours cruising before the swimming stop. That makes the experience suitable for you if you enjoy slow sightseeing. If you need constant activity, the first part may feel too relaxed.

Soft drinks are included during the boat trip, and you can expect them to be available throughout the day on board. One practical point matters here: the glasses may be quite small. You get the benefit of unlimited service, but do not expect large restaurant-sized drinks each time.

Outside drinks are listed as not allowed. Alcoholic drinks are not included. At lunch, drinks are also not part of the meal, so you should expect to pay normal bar prices if you want something there.

Swimming in the turquoise water

After the long cruise, the boat stops for swimming. The lake’s clear turquoise water and the surrounding hills make this a memorable part of the outing.

You can swim directly in the lake, but you should bring suitable swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The tour information confirms the swimming break but does not specify changing facilities, so it is wise to keep your packing simple and practical.

This stop also breaks up the cruise. Two hours on a boat can feel lengthy, especially for children, but the chance to get into the water gives the day a better rhythm. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay on board and enjoy the view, though the exact onboard arrangements are not detailed.

The lake is the focus here, not a sandy beach. You should expect a natural swimming stop rather than a developed resort beach with a full range of facilities.

Lunch beside the lake

After swimming, the boat continues to a lakeside restaurant for a long lunch break. The meal includes barbecued chicken, meatballs, or fish, along with pasta, salad, and fruit.

That menu is straightforward and sensible for a day tour. You get a choice of main course and a buffet-style selection of familiar side dishes. The food is not presented as a gourmet meal, but it is better than the bare-bones picnic you sometimes find on low-cost excursions.

I would choose this trip partly because lunch is included. At $21, adding a substantial meal makes the price easier to justify. The meal also gives you a proper break after the boat ride and swimming.

There are a few practical points to keep in mind. Drinks at lunch are not included, even though soft drinks are offered on the boat. Also, the restaurant is reached by uneven stairs from the pontoon. If you have mobility problems, this may be the most difficult part of the day. Ask the operator about access before booking if stairs are a concern.

Canoes, fishing rods, and free time

After lunch, you can use your free time as you wish. You may swim again, sit by the water, or simply enjoy the setting. Fishing rods and canoes are included, giving you more to do than just eat and return to the boat.

The information does not promise a specific fishing program or guided canoe session, so think of these as available equipment rather than a separate organized activity. You may find the equipment especially useful if you are travelling with children or want a break from sitting on the boat.

This open period is one of the better features of the schedule. Not every minute is controlled by a guide. You get a little space to choose your own pace, which helps the trip feel less like a tightly packed package.

The return journey and transport

After the restaurant stop, the boat sails back to the starting pier. Your vehicle then takes you to your hotel, completing the excursion.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which is important in this part of Antalya Province. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a remote pier or work out local transport after a day in the sun. The vehicles are described as comfortable and modern, though the exact vehicle type and group size can vary.

The tour may share a boat with another coach group. That can mean a larger mix of people on board and more than one language being used for instructions. If you want a private or quiet boat experience, this is not the right product. If you mainly want access to the canyon at a low price, sharing is a reasonable trade-off.

The guides can provide service in English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Italian. Eric handled one booking efficiently and kept in touch before and after the outing, which is a reassuring sign for anyone who wants clear communication. He is associated with the booking process rather than identified as the boat guide, so I would not assume he will personally accompany you.

What the $21 price really includes

At $21, this is one of those excursions where the included extras matter more than the headline activity. You receive:

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

The boat ride alone might justify part of the price, but transport and lunch add real value. You also avoid arranging several separate pieces yourself. For a low-cost day out from Side, that is a strong package.

Still, the low price comes with limits. The group may be shared, the commentary may be brief, and the schedule is not designed for a private or highly customized experience. Lunch is functional rather than special, and you need to pay for drinks at the restaurant.

I would also allow for optional charges such as photos or a DVD. Those items are not included, and you do not need to buy them to enjoy the day.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I think this excursion suits you if you want:

• A break from Side’s resort crowds
• A low-cost day surrounded by water and hills
• A relaxed boat ride rather than an intense activity
• Swimming in a natural lake
• Included hotel transport and lunch
• A family-friendly outing with canoes and fishing rods available
• A multilingual group tour rather than a private charter

It is less suitable if you want detailed cultural interpretation, a serious archaeological visit, or a luxury boat experience. The Roman bridge and dam are interesting additions, but they are not explored in depth.

You should also think carefully about mobility. The uneven stairs to the lakeside restaurant may be awkward, and the experience includes boarding a boat, walking around a pier, and using a restaurant reached from the pontoon. The activity is not suitable for people over 95 years old, according to the supplied information.

Small details that can improve your day

Wear shoes with a secure grip. You may need them on the pier and on the uneven route to the restaurant.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. A waterproof phone pouch can also help if you want photographs near the water.

Keep some cash or another payment method for lunch drinks and optional photos. Do not assume the unlimited soft drinks on the boat cover the restaurant stop.

If you want the best photographs, use the first dam stop for wide views and save some phone battery for the long cruise. The boat ride gives you plenty of chances to photograph the canyon from changing angles.

Arrive at the hotel’s main security gate 10 minutes before pickup. Resort properties can be spread out, and waiting inside your room or at a distant lobby may cause confusion.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Side plans depend on weather or other bookings.

Green Canyon or another Side day trip?

Choose Green Canyon if you want nature, water, and rest. The schedule gives you a long cruise, a swim, a meal, and free time, with only a small amount of formal sightseeing.

Choose another excursion if you want ruins, markets, or a more active program. This trip’s appeal comes from the setting and the slow pace. Its value falls if you are mainly looking for extensive guiding or nonstop attractions.

The rating of 4.3 from 43 ratings fits that balance. The strongest points are the scenery, friendly boat staff, included soft drinks, good value, and better-than-expected lunch. The main weaknesses are limited information, small drink glasses, extra charges for lunch drinks, and awkward stairs at the restaurant.

Should you book the Green Canyon boat trip?

I would book it if you want an affordable, easy day away from Side and you are happy with a shared group tour. The combination of the 14-kilometre cruise, swimming stop, lakeside meal, hotel transport, and included soft drinks is hard to fault at $21.

I would skip it if you need step-free access, detailed history, or a private boat. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Oymapinar Dam and Green Canyon without spending much or organizing transport yourself. Pack for swimming, bring money for lunch drinks, and treat the commentary as a useful extra rather than the main reason to go.

FAQ

How long does the Green Canyon boat trip take?

The stated duration is four to nine hours. The exact length depends on the available departure time, pickup arrangements, and the time spent at the lake.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off 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 food is included at lunch?

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

Are soft drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks are included on the boat and are available throughout the boat trip. Drinks at the lakeside restaurant are not included, and alcoholic drinks are excluded.

Can I swim during the excursion?

Yes. A swimming break takes place after approximately two hours of cruising on the lake.

Which languages are available for the guiding?

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