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

The Green Canyon trip swaps Side’s busy resort streets for emerald water and steep canyon scenery. You travel by coach to Oymapinar Dam, pause for photos near an ancient Roman bridge, then spend about two hours on the lake before a swim stop and lunch.

I like the generous package for $21: hotel pickup, lunch, insurance, guiding, canoes, fishing rods, and unlimited soft drinks are included. I also like the easy pace, since the boat ride gives you time to sit back rather than race from one attraction to another. The main drawback is that the included drinks come in very small glasses, and the restaurant is reached by uneven stairs from the pontoon.

Key points to know before booking

• A 14-kilometre boat ride: Most of the day centers on a calm cruise through Green Canyon and Oymapinar Lake.
• A Roman bridge by the dam: Your first photo stop includes a bridge dating from the Roman period, said to be about 2,000 years old.
• A proper swim stop: After roughly two hours on the water, you can swim in the turquoise lake.
• Simple barbecue lunch: Choose chicken, meatballs, or fish, with pasta, salad, and fruit.
• Soft drinks are included: Drinks are available throughout the boat ride, but expect small servings and separate charges for drinks at lunch.
• Good value with a few rough edges: The low price covers much of the day, though guiding and access around the restaurant can be basic.

Leaving Side for Oymapinar Dam

Your day begins with hotel pickup in a comfortable modern vehicle. The exact start time changes by date, and the whole experience can last from four to nine hours, so check the schedule carefully before booking.

You should wait at your hotel’s main security gate at least 10 minutes before pickup. This matters in Side, where large resort properties can have long driveways, several entrances, or internal shuttle systems. Being at the gate saves you and the driver a needless hunt.

The drive takes you away from the coast toward the Manavgat area and Oymapinar Dam. Side is known for its ancient ruins and beach resorts, but this trip shows you a quieter side of the region, with pine-covered hills, rock walls, and broad lake views.

The vehicle may stop at a few scenic points on the way. Bring your phone or camera where you can reach it, since the first part of the day gives you several chances to photograph the dam and surrounding countryside before you board the boat.

Oymapinar Lake and the Roman bridge

Oymapinar Dam is a major hydroelectric and water-supply project for the region. It is described as Turkey’s fifth-largest dam, so this is not a small local pond tucked into the hills. The lake spreads through narrow sections of the Green Canyon, creating the striking green and turquoise water that gives the trip its name.

Your first stop includes a view of an ancient bridge from the Roman period. The bridge is about 2,000 years old, which adds a useful historical note to what could otherwise be only a scenic outing.

This is a photo stop, not a long archaeological visit. You should not expect a museum, a formal excavation site, or a detailed history lecture. The bridge is valuable because it connects the modern dam area with the much older routes and settlements that existed here long before today’s power infrastructure.

The guide languages offered are English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Italian. The amount of information can vary, and the commentary may be brief, so this tour works better for people who want a relaxed day outdoors than for anyone seeking a detailed study of Roman engineering or dam construction.

A 14-kilometre cruise through Green Canyon

Once you board, the boat takes you along a route of about 14 kilometres. This is the heart of the outing, and the best part for anyone who likes slow travel and open views.

You pass between the lake’s rocky sides while the boat moves at an easy pace. The water can look especially bright in the narrow canyon sections, and the contrast between the green lake and the surrounding hills gives you plenty to watch without a packed sightseeing schedule.

I like that the cruise lasts long enough to feel like the main event rather than a short boat transfer. You have time to sit, take photographs, and enjoy the change from Side’s hotels and traffic to a quiet body of water.

Soft drinks are available on the boat at no extra charge. Keep your expectations practical: one detailed account described the glasses as very small, even though drinks were available throughout the cruise. If you want a large drink, you may need to ask for another serving rather than expect a full-size bottle or glass.

Outside drinks are listed as not allowed, so do not plan to bring your own beverages aboard. Alcoholic drinks are not included. The supplied information also says drinks at lunch are not included, with normal bar prices applying at the restaurant.

Swimming in turquoise water

After about two hours of cruising, the boat stops for swimming. This gives the day a welcome change of pace. Instead of simply looking at the lake from the deck, you can get into the water and enjoy the setting from below.

The water is described as turquoise, and you swim surrounded by the canyon’s natural scenery. You should follow the crew’s instructions and use the stop as a chance to cool off rather than assume it is a supervised water-sports session.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a way to keep your phone dry. Those items are not listed among the inclusions, but they are sensible for a boat trip with a scheduled swim stop.

If you prefer not to swim, you can remain on the boat and enjoy the views. The trip does not force every part of the experience into an active format, which is one reason it suits couples, families, and people who simply want a peaceful day outside Side.

Lunch beside the lake

After the swimming stop, the boat heads to a lakeside restaurant for a longer lunch break. The meal includes a choice of barbecued chicken, meatballs, or fish, along with pasta, salad, and fruit.

This is straightforward excursion food, not a destination meal. I would choose it for convenience and value rather than culinary ambition. You can eat, rest, and spend time beside the lake without paying for a separate restaurant during the day.

The lunch setup includes a buffet element, and the food has been described as better than expected for this type of excursion. Still, keep your expectations in the right place. The menu is limited, and the main course choice may depend on what is available on the day.

One practical point matters here: the restaurant is reached by uneven stairs from the pontoon. If you have mobility problems, this can be uncomfortable or difficult. The boat portion may feel easy, but getting on and off the boat and reaching the restaurant requires more care.

Lunch drinks are a separate expense, despite the included soft drinks on the boat. Budget a little extra if you want a drink from the restaurant bar. The bar prices have been described as normal, but the exact cost is not provided.

Free time for swimming, canoes, and fishing

After lunch, you have free time. You can swim again, sit by the water, or use the restaurant’s equipment for lake activities.

Canoes and fishing rods are included. That is a useful addition at this price, though the available time and exact use of the equipment can depend on the day’s schedule and the restaurant’s arrangements.

The equipment makes the lunch stop more than a simple meal break. If you are with children or a group that wants a little activity, the canoes and fishing rods give you something to do after eating. If you prefer a quiet afternoon, you can simply enjoy the water and scenery.

The outing remains fairly flexible here. You do not need to join every activity, and the free time lets you choose between motion and rest. That balance is better suited to a mixed group than a tightly managed adventure tour.

Returning to Side after the boat ride

When the break ends, the boat sails back to the starting pier. Your vehicle waits there to take you back to your hotel.

The return transfer is useful because you do not need to arrange a taxi to a remote lake pier. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with full insurance and guiding service.

The duration is listed as four to nine hours. That is a wide range, so you should check the selected date and starting time rather than build a fixed evening plan around the shortest estimate. Traffic, pickup routes, and the length of the restaurant stop can all affect your return time.

The trip is sold with skip-the-ticket-line access, which should make boarding simpler. It does not mean the day is private. You may share the boat with other coach groups, and commentary may be given in several languages.

What the $21 price really covers

At $21 per person, this is one of those excursions where the included transport matters as much as the boat ride. A separate taxi to Oymapinar, a boat ticket, lunch, drinks, and insurance could quickly cost more than the tour price.

The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• The guided boat excursion
• Lunch
• Soft drinks
• Fishing rods and canoes
• Full insurance
• Access to multilingual guiding

That makes the price strong for a full outdoor day, especially if you value convenience. You are paying for a shared excursion, not a private cruise, and the low cost shows in some details: small drink glasses, limited information about the canyon, and basic restaurant access.

The strongest value comes from the combination of transport, food, and a long boat ride. If you only want a short scenic cruise, there may be cheaper local options, but this package gives you a full itinerary from your hotel and brings you back afterward.

DVDs and photos are not included. Be careful about buying any photo package at the end unless you genuinely want it, since it is an optional extra rather than part of the advertised price.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend the Green Canyon trip if you want a break from Side’s beaches, shops, and resort crowds. It is a good fit for you if your ideal day includes lake views, a gentle cruise, a swim, a simple meal, and some unhurried free time.

It also works well for a mixed-age group, provided everyone can manage the boat access and the uneven stairs to the restaurant. The activity is not listed as suitable for people over 95, and anyone with significant mobility concerns should ask for more detail before paying.

You will probably enjoy it less if you want a demanding outdoor adventure, a private boat, or a long, detailed lecture about the dam and canyon. The trip offers pleasant guiding in several languages, but the commentary may be limited. One useful option is to read a little about Oymapinar Dam before you go, since that will give the scenery more context.

The boat trip also suits photographers. The dam, Roman bridge, canyon walls, and bright lake water create plenty of natural subjects. Just remember that the day is shared and relaxed, so you may not always have the exact angle or amount of quiet you want for careful photography.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which helps if your Side plans are still changing.

Pickup is optional, so check the booking choice carefully. If you use hotel pickup, wait by the main security gate 10 minutes early.

The available guiding languages are English, Russian, German, Turkish, and Italian. The trip is operated by Payless Turizm. Eric handled booking communication for at least one booking and was described as efficient and responsive before and after the outing, but the actual boat guide may vary.

Do not assume every part of the day is accessible. Uneven stairs connect the pontoon and lakeside restaurant, and the supplied information does not promise wheelchair access or special assistance.

Should you book the Green Canyon boat trip?

Book it if you want a low-cost nature day from Side with hotel transfers, a substantial cruise, swimming, lunch, and drinks included. The Green Canyon scenery is the main reason to go, and the Roman bridge gives the route a welcome touch of history.

Skip it if you need a private, highly educational, or fully accessible experience. The guiding can be brief, the drinks are served in small glasses, lunch drinks cost extra, and the restaurant stairs may cause trouble.

For most people comparing day trips around Side, the $21 price makes this an easy value choice. Go for the lake, the long boat ride, and the chance to leave the resort zone behind. Treat the meal and commentary as useful extras, not the main event.

FAQ

How much does the Green Canyon boat trip cost?

The listed price is $21 per person.

How long does the excursion last?

The duration is between four and nine hours. Starting times and the exact length depend on availability and the selected date.

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.

What food is included?

Lunch includes barbecued chicken, meatballs, or fish, with pasta, salad, and fruit.

Are soft drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks are included on the boat. The glasses may be small, and drinks at the lunch restaurant are not included.

Is swimming part of the itinerary?

Yes. After about two hours of cruising, the boat makes a swimming stop in the lake.

What activities are included besides the boat ride?

Fishing rods and canoes are included. You can also spend free time swimming or relaxing by the lake.

Which languages are available for the guide?

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