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

Green Canyon is the star here: a broad, turquoise reservoir framed by steep mountain slopes, best seen from the water rather than from a roadside lookout. The four-hour boat trip gives you time to enjoy the views, swim, and fish without rushing from one short stop to the next.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that lunch, soft drinks, and the boat are included in the $41 price. I also like the mix of quiet lake time and simple activities, especially the swim stops in clear, cold water. The main caution is the transport: reaching the canyon can take nearly two hours, and the bus may be crowded before you reach the boat.

Key points to know

• The lake is the main event: Expect mountain scenery, turquoise water, and a long boat ride through Green Canyon.
• Two swim opportunities may be offered: The water is refreshing but cold, so bring a towel and dry clothes.
• The first photo stop is at Oymapınar Dam: It gives you a good view before the boat portion begins.
• Lunch is simple and included: Choose meatballs, chicken, or fish with rice and salad, plus soft drinks.
• The title can mislead you: This is a Green Canyon and Oymapınar excursion, not a sightseeing tour of Side.
• Allow for uneven organization: Pickup and transport may work well, but crowded seating, short meal time, or limited commentary can affect the day.

From Side to Oymapınar Dam

Your day begins with hotel pickup. You are asked to wait at the main entrance about 10 minutes before the scheduled time, which matters because several hotel stops may be combined. The drive toward Oymapınar Dam is part of the experience, though not always the most comfortable part.

One recent outing had a pickup at 8:30 a.m. and took almost two hours to reach Green Canyon after collecting other passengers. That is useful planning information: the advertised 6.5 hours covers the complete excursion, but your personal day may feel longer once hotel transfers are added.

The first major stop is at the dam. You can take photographs of the reservoir from above or near the water, and there may be a small sales stand. This is a short stop, not a full visit to the dam, but it breaks up the drive and gives you your first clear view of the striking water and mountain setting.

The tour name includes City of Side, but the program does not take you around Side’s old town, harbor, or Roman ruins. You are booking a nature outing from Side, not a cultural tour of the city. If you want both, plan a separate Side visit.

Boarding the Green Canyon boat

After the dam stop, the bus continues to the boat departure point. Here the day changes pace. Instead of sitting in a vehicle, you spend several hours on the reservoir, with wide views of the canyon walls and forested slopes around you.

The boat portion is listed as four hours, including the return ride to the bus. That is generous for a sightseeing cruise. You have time to sit back, take photographs, watch the changing angles of the shore, and enjoy the cool air over the water.

The boat itself may be less crowded than the bus. That distinction matters. One account found the bus full but the boat comfortably loaded, while another praised the boat staff. You should still expect a shared excursion rather than a private cruise, but the most important part of the day appears to offer more breathing room than the road transfer.

The scenery earns the strongest praise. The water has a striking turquoise color, and the surrounding mountains provide the visual interest throughout the cruise. This is not a tour packed with monuments or formal presentations. Its pleasure comes from open views, fresh air, and a slower rhythm.

Swimming in cold turquoise water

The tour includes a stop for swimming, and another swim stop may come during the boat ride back. The water is described as refreshing and cold, so do not treat this as a warm Mediterranean beach outing.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a complete change of clothes. You will be much more comfortable after swimming if you can put on dry clothing before the next part of the program. The boat trip and the meal are tied to a schedule, so do not count on spending as long in the water as you would at a public beach.

I like this stop because it gives the canyon trip a real activity instead of making you simply look at the view. You can swim in open lake water surrounded by mountains, then return to the boat and continue the cruise. If you prefer not to swim, the stop still gives you a chance to enjoy the setting from the boat.

There is no need to bring special fishing or swimming equipment based on the information provided. Still, sunscreen and a towel are essential, and your hat will help during the exposed boat ride.

Lunch beside the lake

Lunch is served at a nearby lakeside restaurant after the boat outing. You can choose meatballs, chicken, or fish, served with rice and salad. Tea, coffee, mineral water, and soft drinks are included.

The meal is practical rather than a reason to book the tour by itself. One outing found the food mediocre, while another praised the meal but noted that the buffet area became messy and disorderly. That tells you what to expect: a group meal served to a large number of people, not a carefully paced restaurant lunch.

Timing can be an issue. A separate account found the meal rushed, with too little time to eat comfortably. If you are particular about lunch, move through the serving line early and keep your expectations modest. The lakeside view is part of the value, and the meal can be satisfying when the service runs smoothly, but this is not a gourmet stop.

The included drinks help the $41 price make sense. You are not paying separately for the boat, lunch, and basic refreshments, so the total cost is easier to manage than a do-it-yourself day that requires arranging transport and finding a lakeside restaurant.

Fishing on the reservoir

After lunch, you get the chance to fish from the lake. The activity is presented as a calm, simple part of the schedule rather than a serious fishing expedition.

That makes it a nice extra for families and anyone who enjoys trying something different. It also gives non-swimmers another way to take part while the group spends more time beside the water. Do not book this expecting specialist equipment, a private fishing guide, or a guaranteed catch. The supplied information confirms fishing is included, but it does not give further details about gear, species, or technique.

Fishing also adds a welcome pause after lunch. The boat ride is scenic, but several hours on the water can become passive. A short hands-on activity helps break up the day.

The return boat ride and bus transfer

The return boat journey lasts about two hours according to the tour description. You may have another chance to swim before leaving the water, then return to the bus for hotel drop-off.

This timing is worth considering carefully. The tour is advertised as 6.5 hours, yet the drive from Side can approach two hours each way when hotel pickups are included. Depending on your pickup area and the order of stops, the day can feel like a long road outing with several hours of boat time in the middle.

The transport arrangements have not always been perfect. One account described too few bus seats, while another reported punctual pickup, a friendly driver, and a smooth drive. I would treat the vehicle as the least predictable part of the day. Waiting at the correct hotel entrance and arriving early will help, but you cannot control the number of pickup stops or the seating arrangement.

The tour provider is Protso Global Travel Companies. English and German guide service is available, though the amount of spoken information may be limited. One outing received little explanation beyond instructions about how long each stop would last. If you want detailed commentary about the dam, geology, or local ecology, this may disappoint you.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, the tour is priced as an easy package rather than a luxury excursion. Hotel pickup and drop-off, guide service, the four-hour boat trip, lunch, soft drinks, and fishing are included. That is a fair bundle for someone who wants the day arranged without negotiating separate transport and meals.

The value is strongest if you want scenery and convenience. You can leave directly from your hotel, reach a remote reservoir, spend most of the day on the water, and have lunch without arranging anything yourself. The swim stops and fishing add variety at no extra charge.

The value is weaker if you dislike long bus rides, crowded group transport, or basic meals. You are paying for access and simplicity, not for a private boat, refined service, or a detailed guided nature lesson.

Photos and videos cost extra, and personal expenses are not included. You may see a chance to buy photographs or a small photo plate near the end of the outing. Bring money only if you want these extras, and do not assume they form part of the package.

Who will enjoy this Green Canyon day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a straightforward nature day from Side and value included transport. It suits people who enjoy boat rides, mountain views, cool-water swimming, and a relaxed schedule more than museums or historic sites.

Families may like the range of activities, especially the boat ride, fishing, and swim stop. Couples and small groups can enjoy the scenery, though the shared bus and restaurant setup means you will not have much privacy.

The tour may not suit you if you need highly polished organization. The overall rating is 3.4 from 13 reviews, and that middle-ground score fits the details: the scenery and boat ride are the reliable strengths, while transport, lunch timing, and communication can vary.

It is also a poor match if you expect a warm swim. The lake water is cold, and the tour schedule may give you only a set amount of time in the water. Bring layers for the boat as well as sun protection, since temperatures can feel different on the open reservoir than in town.

Practical advice before you reserve

Confirm the exact pickup area if you are staying outside central Side or near Antalya. The description refers to pickup from a Side hotel and also mentions drop-off at an Antalya hotel, so the wording is not perfectly clear. Ask where pickup and return are available before paying.

Choose a seat on the bus as soon as you can if the group is boarding at your hotel. Since several hotel pickups may be combined, the vehicle can fill before the final stops.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can handle a boat day. Pack a hat, sunscreen, towel, and dry clothes. Keep valuables protected from splashes, and remember that photos and videos are not included.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, but the provided details do not explain how boarding, swimming, or the lakeside restaurant are handled. If you use a wheelchair, confirm those specific points before booking rather than relying only on the general accessibility label.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful if your schedule is still changing, especially since one scheduled outing was canceled when there were too few participants. Keep your phone available on the day and make sure your hotel can help if pickup communication becomes unclear.

Should you book it?

Book this Green Canyon outing if your priority is beautiful water scenery, a long boat ride, and an easy all-in-one price. The canyon views, swim stops, fishing, and included lunch create a pleasant day when the transport runs on time.

Skip it if your ideal excursion requires expert commentary, generous meal time, guaranteed seating, or polished logistics. The best reason to choose this tour is the setting, not the service. With a towel, sunscreen, realistic expectations, and a little patience for the bus ride, it offers solid value for a low-cost day in the mountains.

FAQ

Where does the Green Canyon tour depart from?

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

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 6.5 hours. The road transfer can take close to two hours in one direction when the bus collects passengers from several hotels.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, although you should confirm the exact service area if your hotel is outside Side.

What languages are available?

Live guide service is available in English and German.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a choice of meatballs, chicken, or fish with rice and salad.

Are drinks included with lunch?

Soft drinks are included. Tea, coffee, mineral water, and other soft drinks are also listed among the meal beverages.

How long is the boat trip?

The Green Canyon boat trip is listed as four hours. The return portion of the boat journey is described as lasting about two hours.

Can I swim during the excursion?

Yes. The tour includes a swim stop in the lake, with another chance to enter the water during the return journey. The water can be cold.

Is fishing included?

Yes. Fishing on the lake is included after lunch.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, sunscreen, towel, and a change of clothes. Photos, videos, and personal expenses are not included.