Side/Alanya: Green Canyon Boat Trip w/Unlimited Soft Drinks

Quiet water, big mountain views, and a long day out. The Green Canyon boat trip gives you a welcome break from Side’s busy resort streets, with a 14-kilometer cruise through Oymapinar Reservoir, swimming stops, lunch, and unlimited soft drinks. I especially like the calm setting and the chance to swim in clear turquoise water surrounded by steep hills. The $29 price is also attractive for a trip that includes transport, food, guiding, insurance, and drinks.

The main catch is time. Although the boat portion lasts about four and a half hours, hotel transfers can stretch the full outing to seven or even eight hours. Service can also be uneven, with reports of limited guiding, missing canoes, old equipment, and long waits while the vehicle collects other people.

Key points to know before booking

• The 14-kilometer cruise is the main event: Expect broad views of Oymapinar Reservoir, narrow sections called the Little Canyon, and plenty of time on the water.
• Swimming is part of the schedule: A break follows the first two hours of cruising, and another swimming stop may be added instead of the planned dam viewpoint.
• Lunch is simple and filling: You can expect grilled chicken, meatballs, or fish with pasta, salad, and fruit.
• Transfers take real time: The listed route includes about 75 minutes each way by van, and hotel pickups may take longer if the vehicle waits for additional passengers.
• The best feature is the scenery: The reservoir and surrounding mountains receive the strongest praise, even from people who disliked the organization.
• Expect a basic group excursion: This is not a quiet private cruise. Equipment, communication, and meal quality may vary.

Leaving Side for Oymapinar Reservoir

The morning begins with hotel pickup from Side, Alanya, Okurcalar, Avsallar, or Türkler, depending on the option you choose. You are asked to wait at your hotel’s main security gate about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Bring patience, because the vehicle may collect people from several hotels before reaching the reservoir.

The planned drive takes about 75 minutes. In practice, the total transfer can be longer if the van waits for late arrivals or makes several pickup stops. One recent account described waits of more than 25 minutes for additional passengers. That matters because the outing can feel much longer than the advertised four to seven and a half hours.

Pickup itself has often been punctual, which is a useful plus. Communication is less dependable. English, German, and Russian are offered as guide languages, but the actual guide available on a particular departure may speak only limited English or Russian. If you book in German, it is worth confirming the language at pickup rather than assuming a full German-speaking service.

The road ends near Oymapinar Dam Lake, one of the major water and electricity sources for the region. The dam is described as the fifth largest in Turkey, and the viewpoint gives you a first look at the scale of the reservoir. This opening stop is a good chance to take photographs before you board the boat.

You may also see an ancient bridge dating from the Roman period, said to be about 2,000 years old. The stop is brief, so do not expect an extended archaeological visit. It is best understood as a scenic pause with a small historical detail, not a full ruins tour.

Boarding the boat for the 14-kilometer cruise

Once you reach the pier, you board the boat for the central part of the outing. The cruise covers about 14 kilometers through the reservoir, with the Little Canyon and the Oymapinar Dam among the sights connected with the route.

This is where the trip earns its price. The water is described as emerald green or turquoise, and the surrounding hills give you a much stronger sense of open country than you get around the coast. I like that the boat lets you enjoy the area without hiking or arranging your own transport into the hills.

For the first two hours, the focus is simply on the view. You can sit back, take photos, and watch the shape of the reservoir change as the boat moves through wider and narrower sections. The scenery is the strongest reason to book this outing. Even poor experiences with food or transport have been offset by the beauty of the lake and mountains.

Do not expect a silent nature cruise. The excursion is arranged for a large group, and the atmosphere can feel organized around moving people through the same schedule. If you want privacy, a slow private boat, or detailed commentary about the geology and history, this is not the right product.

The guiding also deserves realistic expectations. A live guide is listed in English, German, and Russian, but some departures provide little information during the ride. You may get basic instructions rather than a steady explanation of the dam, the Roman bridge, or the local environment.

Swimming in the turquoise water

After about two hours of cruising, the boat stops for swimming. The water is one of the most appealing parts of the day, especially if you prefer a freshwater swim to the sea.

The swimming break is designed for a relaxed pause rather than a serious water sport session. You can get in, cool off, and return to the boat when the crew calls time. Some departures have included two swimming stops, particularly when the planned dam viewpoint was skipped.

That variation is worth noting. The stated plan includes a short stop at Oymapinar Dam Lake, but at least one departure did not include that stop and added swimming breaks instead. If seeing the viewpoint is important to you, ask the guide about the day’s schedule before boarding.

The swimming area is not presented as a supervised swimming lesson or a specialist water-sports venue. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and dry clothes. The supplied details confirm swimming but do not specify changing rooms, lockers, or shower facilities, so pack as if those services may not be available.

Lunch beside the lake

After the first cruise and swimming stop, the boat continues to a lakeside restaurant. Lunch is included, and the menu normally includes barbecued chicken, meatballs, or fish, along with pasta, salad, and fruit.

This is a practical meal rather than a culinary reason to book the outing. It should keep you going through the long afternoon, but the quality can vary. One account described the buffet as about what you would expect for a large group, while another called the food poor. I would treat lunch as a useful inclusion, not a special regional meal.

The timing may feel early. A scheduled meal around 11:45 can come soon after a hotel breakfast, so you might not be hungry when food is served. If you prefer to eat later, take the morning schedule into account. The package includes soft drinks, which is helpful during a warm day on the water.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. The information also says drinks are not allowed, so do not assume you can bring your own beverages aboard. The safest plan is to rely on the included soft drinks and confirm any questions about personal bottles before departure.

Canoes, fishing rods, and free time

The lunch stop also provides free time. You can swim again, sit near the lake, or use the listed fishing rods and canoes if they are available.

This is one area where expectations should stay modest. Fishing rods and canoes are included in the advertised package, but equipment has not always been available or in good condition. One account specifically reported that canoes were missing, while another mentioned broken fishing rods.

If these activities are important to you, do not book the trip solely for them. Think of them as possible extras during the restaurant break. The dependable parts are the boat cruise, swimming, lunch, and scenery.

The free-time stop is still useful because it breaks up the long ride. You are not confined to your seat for the whole excursion, and families or mixed-age groups can choose between swimming and resting. People over 95 are listed as unsuitable for the activity, and the pier access includes stairs, so anyone with mobility concerns should consider the physical demands carefully.

The excursion is not described as wheelchair accessible. The stairway to the landing can be difficult, and boarding a boat adds another practical obstacle. If you need step-free access, this trip is unlikely to be a comfortable choice.

The return to your hotel

After lunch and free time, the boat returns to the pier. Your vehicle then takes you back toward your hotel, with drop-off locations in Okurcalar, Side, Avsallar, Alanya, and Türkler.

The return transfer is straightforward but can again be slow if several hotels are involved. From a Side hotel, a day of roughly seven hours is a reasonable expectation, though some schedules can run closer to eight or nine hours once all pickup and drop-off time is counted.

That makes this a full-day outing, even though the core boat experience lasts about four and a half hours. If you have evening plans, a domestic flight, or a dinner reservation, leave plenty of room. The stated duration varies from four to seven and a half hours because pickup points and departure times differ.

A positive point is that hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You do not need to find the pier yourself or arrange a separate taxi into the interior. For $29, that transport adds real value, even if the shared vehicle makes the day less efficient.

What the $29 price really gets you

At $29 per person, this is an inexpensive way to reach a scenic reservoir from the coast. The price includes hotel transport, lunch, soft drinks, a live guide, insurance, the boat ride, and access to fishing rods and canoes.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to hire a car or taxi to reach Oymapinar. The drive inland is long enough that transport can quickly become the expensive part of an independent visit. Here, the shared van removes that problem.

The price also explains some of the compromises. You are buying a mass-market day trip, not a private nature outing. Pickup delays, basic food, inconsistent commentary, and worn equipment are possible. If you judge the tour mainly by its scenery and included transport, it can be a good deal. If you expect polished service at every step, the low price may feel less impressive.

The overall rating is 3.9 from 186 ratings, which fits the experience described by the available details. The views receive the warmest response. Organization, communication, food, and equipment create the main complaints.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend the Green Canyon outing to you if you want a simple way to escape the resort coast and spend a day around mountains and freshwater. It suits people who enjoy boat rides, swimming, casual group excursions, and photo stops more than detailed sightseeing.

It also works well for budget-conscious families and couples who want several activities in one package. You get transport, lunch, soft drinks, and time to swim without having to plan each part separately.

You may want to skip it if you dislike long shared transfers or large group outings. The trip can feel like a conveyor belt when pickup waits, limited commentary, basic meals, and equipment problems pile up. It is also a poor fit if you need step-free access or want a private boat.

For the best experience, wear shoes that are easy to remove near the boat, pack swimwear and a towel, and keep your expectations focused on the water and scenery. Ask at the start whether the dam viewpoint, swimming stops, canoes, and fishing rods are all available that day.

Should you book the Green Canyon trip?

Book it if your priority is beautiful inland scenery at a low price, with swimming and transport handled for you. The emerald water, mountain views, and 14-kilometer cruise are the heart of the day, and they are the parts most likely to make the trip worthwhile.

Think twice if you need reliable language support, high-quality food, working activity equipment, or a tightly timed schedule. My practical verdict is simple: choose this as a scenic group day out, not as a polished cultural tour. At $29, the setting and inclusions offer good value, but you are paying with some comfort and consistency.

FAQ

Where does the Green Canyon boat trip take place?

The trip takes place at Oymapinar Reservoir in Antalya Province, inland from Side and the Alanya resort area.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $29 per person.

How long does the trip last?

The stated duration ranges from four to seven and a half hours. The route includes about 75 minutes by van each way and approximately four and a half hours at Green Canyon.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Which languages are available?

Guiding is offered in English, German, and Russian.

What is included with lunch?

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

Are soft drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and the information says drinks are not allowed, so check before bringing your own beverage.

Can you swim during the trip?

Yes. A swimming stop follows the first part of the cruise, and some departures include two swimming breaks.

Can you cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.