City of Side: Green Canyon Tour w/ Boat, Lunch & Fishing

Green Canyon is the star here: turquoise lake water, steep mountain scenery, and a long boat ride make this one of the most pleasant ways to escape Side’s busy resort strip. I like the chance to swim from the boat and the simple lakeside lunch, both included in the $41 price.

I also like the Oymapınar Dam photo stop and the fishing break, which give the day more variety than a ride-and-lunch outing. The main caution is organization: pickup and bus arrangements have not always been smooth, and the meal stop can feel rushed when the vehicle is full.

Green Canyon Tour at a Glance

• Four hours on the water: The boat portion is the heart of the outing, with mountain views, swimming stops, and time on the lake.
• A useful Oymapınar Dam stop: You get a photo break before reaching the boats, with a small sales stand nearby.
• Three lunch choices: Choose meatballs, chicken, or fish, served with rice and salad.
• Cold, clear swimming water: Bring a towel and spare clothes because swimming takes place directly from the lake.
• A $41 package: Hotel pickup, guide, boat ride, lunch, soft drinks, and fishing are included.
• English and German service: The guide language is listed as English or German, but commentary may be limited during the drive.

From Side to Oymapınar Dam

Your day begins with pickup at your Side hotel. Wait at the main entrance about 10 minutes before the scheduled time, since the vehicle collects people from several hotels and the route can take longer than expected.

The drive to Green Canyon may take close to two hours when additional hotel pickups are included. That is a sizeable part of a 6.5-hour tour, so I would treat the journey as part of the outing rather than expect a quick transfer to the lake.

The scenery improves as the bus leaves the coast and heads inland toward Oymapınar Dam. The first stop is below the dam, where you can take photographs and browse a small sales stand. It is a short pause, but it breaks up the drive and gives you a first look at the scale of the reservoir.

One practical point: the title connects the tour with Side, but Green Canyon is not in Side itself. Side is the pickup base, not the setting for the activity. If you want a walkable excursion from the old town, this is not that. You are signing up for a countryside trip that starts and ends with a bus ride.

Transport is the less predictable part of the day. One report describes a bus with too few seats, while another describes a full bus but a comfortable boat. I would not expect a private transfer or a small group unless that is confirmed separately. If you need guaranteed seating or have mobility concerns, ask the operator before paying.

Reaching the Green Canyon Boats

After the dam stop, the bus continues uphill toward the boat departure point. The change in scenery is the reward: the lake takes on its famous green-blue color, while the surrounding mountains give the water a dramatic setting.

The boat ride is advertised as four hours, including the return portion. That is generous by local sightseeing standards. You are not simply taking a short cruise, taking a few photographs, and leaving. The schedule allows time for the boat to move through the canyon area, pause for swimming, and stop for fishing and lunch.

The best part is the view from the water. From the boat, the scale of the cliffs and reservoir is easier to appreciate than from the road. The water is usually the visual highlight, but do not confuse its striking color with warm temperatures. The swimming water is described as cold, although that can be welcome under the strong summer sun.

Boat capacity appears to be better managed than bus capacity. The boat has been described as not overloaded even when the vehicle was full. That matters because you will spend several hours aboard, and a little elbow room makes the ride much more enjoyable.

You should also set your expectations for guiding. English and German are available, but the trip may provide more timing instructions than detailed commentary. You may hear how long each stop lasts without receiving a long explanation of the dam, canyon, or local geology. If you like independent sightseeing and quiet views, that is no great problem. If you want a detailed nature talk, this may feel thin.

Swimming in the Cold Green Water

Swimming is one of the most appealing reasons to choose this trip. The boat pauses so you can get into the lake, and another water stop comes during the return journey.

Bring a towel, hat, sunscreen, and a complete change of clothes. A swimsuit under your clothes will save time, and spare dry clothing will make the bus ride home more comfortable. The supplied information specifically recommends a towel and change of clothes, so do not treat those as optional extras.

The water is cold, but that is part of the experience. You are not visiting a heated resort pool. The lake offers a brisk freshwater swim surrounded by mountains, and the cool temperature can be refreshing after sitting in the sun on the boat.

There is no reason to swim if you would rather stay dry. You can use the stop for photographs and fresh air instead. Still, the swimming breaks are a real part of the tour, not just a passing promise, so pack accordingly even if you are undecided.

Take care with your belongings around the water. The tour includes photos and videos as an extra purchase, but personal expenses are not included. Keep phones, wallets, and cameras secure when moving between the boat and the lake.

Lunch Beside the Reservoir

After the main boat section, lunch is served at a nearby restaurant. You choose meatballs, chicken, or fish, with rice and salad. Tea, coffee, mineral water, soft drinks, and other soft drinks are also included.

This is a practical meal rather than a culinary reason to book the tour. The setting by the water adds much of the appeal. You can eat with a view, but the meal stop may not feel leisurely.

Timing is the problem. When the bus is full, the restaurant can become busy, and the allotted meal period may feel short. One account describes having to eat quickly. The buffet service can also become untidy when people serve themselves without much patience.

My advice is simple: listen carefully for the time to return to the bus, take your first serving promptly, and do not assume you can linger over coffee. If you have dietary restrictions, check what can be provided before booking. The stated choices are meatballs, chicken, or fish, with rice and salad, and no other special menu is confirmed.

The included drinks improve the value. You are not paying separately for basic refreshments during lunch, which helps keep the final cost close to the advertised $41. The meal will probably satisfy you after a morning on the road and water, but I would rate it as convenient rather than memorable.

Fishing and the Return Boat Ride

After eating, you get time to try fishing on the lake. This is a gentle activity, not a serious angling trip. The appeal is the quiet pause after lunch, when you can sit by the water and try something different from sightseeing.

Fishing also gives non-swimmers another way to enjoy the stop. Families and mixed groups may appreciate that the day is not built entirely around getting into the lake.

The return journey by boat takes about two hours. That is a long ride, so bring sunscreen and a hat, and keep some water nearby. Another swimming stop takes place along the way, giving you a chance to cool off before returning to the bus.

The boat staff have received especially positive attention, and the overall boat operation appears to be one of the stronger parts of the day. The contrast with the less reliable bus arrangements is worth keeping in mind: the on-water portion may feel calm and well handled even when the transfers are crowded.

Once you leave the boats, you return by road to your hotel. The overall outing is listed at 6.5 hours, though pickup times and multiple hotel stops can affect how the day feels. Allow some flexibility rather than planning a tight evening appointment.

Is $41 Good Value?

At $41 per person, this is a fair package if you want several activities bundled together. Hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, a four-hour boat trip, lunch, soft drinks, and fishing are included. Paying separately for transport, a boat cruise, and a lakeside meal would likely be less convenient even if you found cheaper individual options.

The value is strongest for people who want an easy day outside Side. You do not need to arrange a rental car, find the boat departure point, or work out lunch near the reservoir. The tour puts the main logistics in one booking.

The value is weaker if your priority is comfort and flexibility. You may share a full bus, sit through a long pickup route, eat on a fixed schedule, and receive limited explanation from the guide. A private trip would likely cost more, but it would solve the exact issues that bother some people here.

Photos and videos are not included. You may be offered pictures or a small photo plate at the end, so carry some spending money if you want those souvenirs. Personal expenses are also excluded.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your plans are still moving, but they do not remove the need to confirm pickup details.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want:

• A full boat day without arranging transport yourself
• Mountain and reservoir scenery rather than city sightseeing
• A chance to swim in cold freshwater
• A straightforward lunch included in the price
• A relaxed fishing activity after the meal
• English or German tour support
• An outing suitable for a mixed group of swimmers and non-swimmers

You may want another option if you need a small vehicle, quiet transport, a slow restaurant meal, or detailed guiding throughout the day. The tour is also not ideal if you dislike fixed schedules. The combination of long transfers, set meal times, and multiple pickups leaves limited room to wander.

Wheelchair access is listed, which is useful, but the practical details of boarding the bus and boat are not explained. If you use a wheelchair, ask the provider exactly how the transfer and boat boarding work before you book.

What to Pack for Green Canyon

Bring a hat, sunscreen, towel, swimsuit, and change of clothes. Wear something comfortable for a long bus ride and several hours outside.

A waterproof phone pouch would be sensible, though it is not listed as included. Keep personal items compact because bus and boat space may be limited. Bring a little money for photos, videos, or other personal purchases.

You do not need to pack lunch or drinks for the main meal stop. Lunch and soft drinks are included, along with tea, coffee, mineral water, and other soft drinks.

Should You Book the Green Canyon Tour?

Book this tour if the main appeal is the water and scenery. The long boat ride, cold swimming stops, Oymapınar Dam viewpoint, fishing break, and included lunch make $41 a reasonable price for a full outing from Side.

I would book with realistic expectations. The lake and boat are the strong points. The bus may be crowded, the trip to the canyon may take nearly two hours, the guide may offer limited commentary, and lunch may feel hurried. Confirm the pickup time and transport arrangements before departure, especially after an earlier cancellation or communication problem.

For a simple, affordable day in the mountains, this tour makes sense. For polished service, generous meal time, or a private feel, spend more or choose a smaller excursion.

FAQ

Where does the Green Canyon tour depart from?

Pickup is included from your Side hotel. You should wait at the main entrance about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is 6.5 hours. The boat portion lasts about four hours, including the return boat ride.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English and German.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a choice of meatballs, chicken, or fish, served with rice and salad. Tea, coffee, mineral water, and soft drinks are also included.

Can I swim during the boat trip?

Yes. The boat stops for swimming in the lake, including another water stop during the return journey. Bring a towel and change of clothes.

Is fishing included?

Yes. Fishing on the lake is included after lunch.