A Green Canyon boat trip is one of the most relaxing days out on the Turkish Riviera: a cruise on an emerald-green lake between steep, pine-covered cliffs in the Taurus Mountains above Manavgat, with a swim stop and lunch by the water.
Quick answer: the Green Canyon is a reservoir lake behind the Oymapınar Dam, inland from Manavgat. Tours with hotel pickup, lunch and soft drinks cost from about £21–30 per person online (local operators charge about €30–38). From Side the day takes about 7–8 hours; from Antalya or Belek about 10 hours. The time on the boat varies a lot between tours, from about 1.5 to 5 hours, so check before you book. Tours run mainly from April to October.
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Green Canyon boat trip: quick facts
| Where | The Oymapınar Dam lake on the Manavgat River, in the mountains north of Manavgat |
| Best base | Side, Manavgat or Alanya; possible from Belek and Antalya with a longer day |
| Length of the day | About 7–8 hours from Side; about 10 hours from Antalya or Belek, including pickup |
| Time on the boat | From about 1.5 hours to 5 hours, depending on the operator |
| Price online | From about £21–30 per person with pickup, lunch and soft drinks |
| Usually included | Hotel pickup, boat trip, lunch at a lakeside restaurant, soft drinks on board, a swim stop |
| Season | Mainly April to October; check in early spring and late autumn |
| Bring | Swimwear, a towel, sun cream, a hat and some cash for extra drinks and photos |
What is the Green Canyon?
The Green Canyon (Yeşil Kanyon in Turkish) was formed when the Oymapınar Dam flooded the deep valley of the Manavgat River. The result is a long, narrow lake with green-blue water, steep cliffs and forested slopes, with no hotels or roads along most of its shores. Boats cruise up the canyon, stop for a swim in a quiet bay and finish with lunch at a restaurant by the water. Some tours describe a route of about 14 km on the lake.
It is a calm, scenic day rather than an adventure. If you want sea, sand and snorkelling, a Suluada boat trip suits you better; if you want history, combine Side with Aspendos and Perge.
Is the Green Canyon boat trip worth it?
- Yes, if you want a peaceful day in the mountains, a cooler alternative to the beach in midsummer, beautiful photos and an easy trip that suits all ages.
- Think twice if you dislike long coach rides: from Antalya or Belek most of the day is spent getting there and back.
- The main complaint in reviews is a short boat ride after a long day. The cheapest tours sometimes give you only an hour or so on the water, plus shopping stops, so read the itinerary.
Choosing a Green Canyon tour
These are the well-reviewed options we would look at on GetYourGuide, depending on where you are staying:
| Tour | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| Green Canyon jeep safari & boat trip with lunch | From Side; rated 4.9 from over 4,200 reviews; off-road jeep ride through the mountains, viewpoints over the canyon, lunch by the lake and an optional boat trip; 6–7 hours; from about £21 |
| Green Canyon cruise with hotel transfer, lunch & soft drinks | Pickup from Alanya, Side, Antalya or Belek; rated 4.4 from about 245 reviews; boat cruise, swim stop and lakeside lunch; from about £25 |
| From Side/Alanya: Green Canyon boat trip with lunch & swim | Rated 4.2; a stop at the Oymapınar Dam viewpoint, a cruise of about 14 km, a swim and lunch; 8–9 hours; from about £30 |
Whichever you choose, check how long you actually spend on the boat, whether drinks other than soft drinks are extra, and whether the tour adds shopping stops. You never have to buy anything; our Antalya scams guide explains the common tour traps.
Boat only or jeep safari?
The jeep safari version is the most popular choice from Side. You drive into the mountains in open jeeps, stop at viewpoints above the canyon and usually finish with lunch and a boat ride. It is fun but dusty, and some tours include water fights between the jeeps, so leave your best clothes at the hotel. The boat-only cruise is calmer, with more time on the water, and is the better choice for older travellers, very young children or anyone with back problems.
Green Canyon from Side, Alanya, Belek and Antalya
- From Side and Manavgat: the easiest base, as the canyon is close; expect a day of about 7–8 hours. Our Side transfer guide covers getting to your hotel.
- From Alanya: a longer drive along the coast; full days of up to about 11 hours, depending on pickup.
- From Belek and Antalya: possible, but plan for about 10 hours door to door. If you are staying in Antalya, the Düden waterfalls and harbour boat trips are a shorter alternative.
- Combine it with Manavgat market: the big open-air market in Manavgat runs on Mondays and Thursdays, and some tours stop there.
When to go
Tours run mainly from April to October. June to September is best for swimming, but July and August are very hot, so pick a tour that starts early. May and late September bring warm days, fewer crowds and often lower prices. In winter few tours run. See our Antalya weather by month guides to choose your dates.
Visiting the Green Canyon on your own
With a hire car you can drive from Side or Manavgat up to the Oymapınar Dam area, where local boat operators run trips on the lake in season, and stop at the viewpoints on the way. It gives you more freedom but you will need to compare boat operators on the spot. Our Antalya Airport car hire guide explains what UK drivers need.
Green Canyon boat trip tips
- Ask how long you will be on the boat; it is the biggest difference between tours.
- Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel; the swim stop is the highlight on a hot day.
- Bring cash: soft drinks are usually included, but alcohol, ice cream and the photos taken on board cost extra; read euros or lira in Turkey.
- Use strong sun cream and a hat; there is little shade on the open deck.
- On a jeep safari, keep your phone in a waterproof pouch because of the water fights.
Booking the Green Canyon trip
A Green Canyon boat trip is a lovely, easy day out, especially from Side, Manavgat or Alanya. Choose a well-reviewed tour that picks up from your hotel, check how long you spend on the water and go early in midsummer. From Side, the jeep safari with a boat trip is the most popular choice; for a calmer day, pick a boat-only cruise.
FAQ: Green Canyon boat trip
How long is the Green Canyon boat trip?
The whole day takes about 7–8 hours from Side and about 10 hours from Antalya or Belek, including hotel pickup. Time on the boat varies by operator, from about 1.5 hours to around 5 hours, so check the itinerary before you book.
How much does a Green Canyon tour cost?
Tours with hotel pickup, lunch and soft drinks start from about £21–30 per person on GetYourGuide. Local operators quote about €30–38 per adult, with lower prices for children.
Can you swim in the Green Canyon?
Yes. Most boat trips include a swim stop in a quiet bay of the lake. Bring swimwear and a towel.
Where is the Green Canyon in Turkey?
The Green Canyon is a reservoir lake behind the Oymapınar Dam on the Manavgat River, in the Taurus Mountains inland from Manavgat and Side, in Antalya province.
What is the best time to visit the Green Canyon?
April to October, when tours run daily. June to September is best for swimming; May and late September are quieter and less hot.
More AYT Survival Guides
- Things to Do in Antalya: Best Trips, Free Sights & Prices
- Antalya with Kids: Best Areas, Months & Family Days Out
- Antalya Rafting in Köprülü Canyon: Prices, Tours & Tips
- Olympos Cable Car (Tahtalı): Tickets, Prices & Times
- Duden Waterfalls Antalya: Boat Trips, Tours & Prices
- Aspendos Tour from Antalya: Perge, Aspendos & Side
- Pamukkale Day Trip from Antalya: Is It Worth It?
- Turkish Bath in Antalya: What to Expect & Prices
Sources: tour details, ratings and prices from GetYourGuide listings; local operator prices and day lengths from Green Canyon boat trip operators’ 2026 price lists; traveller reviews on Tripadvisor; Manavgat market days from local visitor guides; background on the reservoir from Wikipedia’s Oymapınar Dam article. Checked on 10 October 2026. Prices change, so always confirm before you book.
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
