The Emerald Lake Behind Every Green Canyon Tour
Photos of Green Canyon tend to stop people mid-scroll: still, jade-green water winding between steep, pine-covered canyon walls, with a small boat drifting through the middle of it all. What many visitors do not realise is that this "canyon" is actually a lake — the reservoir created by Oymapınar Dam, hidden in the mountains behind Manavgat, near Antalya. Knowing what the dam is and how the lake formed makes a day on the water even more impressive, so this guide covers the essentials: what Oymapınar Dam actually is, why the water glows that unreal shade of green, and how an Oymapınar dam boat tour works in practice.
What Is Oymapınar Dam?
Oymapınar is a hydroelectric dam on the Manavgat River, tucked into the Taurus foothills inland from Manavgat town. When the dam was completed, the river valley behind it filled with water and became one of the largest reservoirs in the region — a long, branching lake reaching deep into the mountains.
Because the valley here is steep and narrow, the reservoir never spread out into a wide, open lake. Instead, it flooded a canyon. That is why boat trips here feel so different from an ordinary lake cruise: the water follows the old course of the river, curving between rock faces and forested slopes, and every bend opens onto a new view.
Two things define the reservoir for visitors. The first is the colour — an intense emerald that shifts with the light through the day. The second is the calm. This is sheltered, protected water with no waves at all, which is exactly what makes the swimming stop such a highlight.
Oymapınar Lake, Green Lake, Green Canyon — Same Place?
You will see the same body of water referred to by several names. Oymapınar Lake is the reservoir itself. Green Canyon is the name tour operators use for the scenic stretch where the boats cruise. And "green lake Side" is simply how many hotel guests describe it once they are back at the pool, showing photos to their neighbours. They all mean the same place.
The famous colour comes from a combination of the water's remarkable clarity, its depth, and the pine forest reflected across the surface. The reservoir is fed by mountain sources, which keeps the water clean, crystal clear and noticeably cool — even at the height of summer.
What a Boat Tour on Oymapınar Lake Is Like
Tours do not visit the dam structure itself; they cruise the reservoir behind it, which is where all the scenery is. After hotel pickup, you board in the Manavgat area and set off across the lake, gliding between canyon walls before anchoring in a quiet spot for a swim in the cool, still water. There are two ways to experience it:
Green Canyon Catamaran Tour — 2.5 Hours
The Green Canyon Catamaran Tour is the compact version of the experience: around two and a half hours on the water aboard a modern catamaran, cruising the most scenic stretch of the reservoir with a swimming stop in the calm, crystal-clear water. It costs €33 for adults and €18 for children aged 3–11, and it suits anyone who wants the views and the swim without giving up a whole day.
Green Canyon Boat Tour — 4.5 Hours
The Green Canyon Boat Tour stretches the trip to four and a half hours and adds a freshly prepared lunch served on board. The price is the same: €33 per adult and €18 per child (3–11). The longer format means more time cruising, more of the reservoir, and a slower, more relaxed pace overall.
Not sure which one fits your holiday? Our catamaran vs boat tour comparison breaks down the differences, and what to expect on the day walks through the whole experience step by step.
A Lake, Not the Sea — and Why That Matters
Everything about the day is shaped by the fact that this is a mountain reservoir rather than open sea. There are no waves and no swell, so nobody spends the trip worrying about seasickness. The canyon walls shelter the water, keeping it mirror-calm even when the coast is breezy. And the swimming stop happens in still, freshwater conditions — no salt in your eyes, no currents to fight.
The water itself deserves a mention. Because it comes from mountain sources, it stays cool and refreshing all season long — a genuinely welcome contrast to the warm sea down on the coast in July and August. If that first plunge is what you are most curious about, our guide to swimming in Green Canyon covers it in detail.
How to Visit: Pickup and Practical Details
The reservoir sits inland in the mountains rather than on the coastal strip, so the simplest way to visit is on a tour with hotel pickup included. Pickup runs every day from Side, Manavgat, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Çolaklı, Kızılağaç and Gündoğdu. Guests staying in Alanya have daily pickup during the summer season, while Belek and Antalya are served on Mondays and Thursdays.
Booking is deliberately simple:
- Pay on the day — no prepayment when you reserve online.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
- No hidden fees — the price you see is the price you pay.
- Instant confirmation, with quick answers on WhatsApp if you have questions.
You can compare both options on our tours page. If budget is the deciding factor, the Green Canyon price guide explains exactly what is included at €33 — and if you are researching the trip from scratch, the complete Green Canyon guide is the best place to start.
FAQ
Can you visit the Oymapınar Dam itself?
Tours cruise the reservoir behind the dam rather than the dam structure itself. That is very much the right end of the experience: the emerald lake, the canyon walls and the swimming stop are what people come for, and the boats spend the entire trip in the most scenic part of the reservoir.
Where does the tour start?
Boats depart from the Manavgat area, and hotel pickup is included — daily from Side, Manavgat, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Çolaklı, Kızılağaç and Gündoğdu, daily from Alanya in the summer season, and on Mondays and Thursdays from Belek and Antalya. You do not need to arrange any transport yourself.
Is the water cold?
Cool rather than cold. The reservoir is fed by mountain sources, so the water stays crystal clear and refreshing even in midsummer. Most guests find it a welcome contrast to the warm sea on the coast.
Is a Green Canyon tour a sea cruise?
No. The whole tour takes place on the calm freshwater reservoir of Oymapınar Dam. There are no waves and no seasickness, which makes it a good choice for families and for anyone who does not enjoy open-sea boat trips.