Packing for Green Canyon: Why This List Is So Short
Packing for a Green Canyon boat tour is refreshingly simple. This is not an open-sea cruise with spray, swell and salt: Green Canyon is the calm, sheltered emerald reservoir behind the Oymapinar Dam near Manavgat, framed by pine-covered canyon walls. No waves, no seasickness, no complicated gear — one small day bag covers everything.
The same short list works for both trips on the lake: the 2.5-hour Green Canyon Catamaran Tour and the 4.5-hour Green Canyon Boat Tour. Nothing here is mandatory — it is simply what makes the day more comfortable.
The Six Essentials for Your Day Bag
- Swimwear — worn under your clothes so you are ready for the swim stops.
- A towel — for drying off after a dip in the cool, crystal-clear water.
- Sunscreen — the sun reflects off the water, so reapply through the day.
- A hat and sunglasses — for the long, bright hours on deck.
- Phone protection — a waterproof pouch or case for photos over the water.
- A light layer — a thin jacket or long-sleeve top for spring and autumn trips.
Swimwear — because the water is the highlight
Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and skip the hunt for a changing spot. The lake is fed by mountain water, so it stays cool and crystal clear even in high summer — a genuine refresh on a hot day. Swimming is completely optional, though: you can just as happily watch from the deck. Our guide to swimming in Green Canyon explains what the swim stops feel like.
A towel — and ideally a dry change of clothes
A towel is the item people most often forget, and the one they miss most after that first cool swim. A spare dry T-shirt for the ride back to the hotel is a small luxury that costs nothing to pack.
Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
On the water you catch the sun twice — from above and reflected off the surface — so sun protection matters more here than at the pool. Reapply after each swim, and keep the hat and sunglasses handy between stops; summer days over the reservoir are hot.
Phone protection for the photo stops
The emerald water set against pine-covered canyon walls is the photo everyone comes home with, so your phone will be out constantly. A simple waterproof pouch on a neck strap covers splashes at the swim stops and gives you peace of mind when you lean over the rail.
A light layer for spring and autumn
Tours run from spring through autumn. In midsummer you will hardly touch a jacket, but in spring and autumn the mornings and the breeze over the water feel milder, so a thin long-sleeve top earns its place in the bag. For a season-by-season picture, see the best time to visit Green Canyon.
What You Can Leave at the Hotel
- Seasickness tablets — this is a still, sheltered dam lake with no swell, so motion-sickness remedies can stay in the suitcase.
- A packed lunch for the boat tour — lunch is included on the 4.5-hour Boat Tour; the 2.5-hour catamaran does not include a meal, so eat before pickup or plan a late lunch afterwards.
- Special equipment — nothing technical is required. On board, simply follow the crew's guidance and enjoy the ride.
Money and Booking: One Thing to Remember
Remember your payment for the tour itself, because you pay on the day — there is no prepayment when you reserve. Booking works the same for both: instant confirmation, quick replies on WhatsApp, free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and no hidden fees. Both tours cost €33 per adult and €18 per child aged 3–11, so a family of two adults and two children pays €102. The step-by-step process is in our guide on how to book a Green Canyon tour.
Packing for the Catamaran vs the Boat Tour
The list barely changes between the two trips — only the timing does. The 2.5-hour catamaran tour is a compact outing where swimwear and sun protection do all the work. The 4.5-hour boat tour adds more time on the water plus lunch on board, so the dry change of clothes matters more. Still deciding? Our catamaran vs boat tour comparison breaks them down, and everything is on the tours page.
Travelling with children? Pack the same basics plus a full change of dry clothes — the calm, sheltered water makes this an easy boat day for families. More tips in Green Canyon with kids.
Your Day Starts at the Hotel Door
Hotel pickup runs every day from Side, Manavgat, Kumkoy, Evrenseki, Sorgun, Titreyengol, Colakli, Kizilagac, Gundogdu, Kizilot, Cenger, Okurcalar, Avsallar, Turkler, Konakli, Alanya (in the summer season), Oba, Payallar and Mahmutlar, while Belek and Antalya are served on Mondays and Thursdays. Whether you stay in Side or in Alanya, have your day bag ready when the vehicle arrives — the rest is handled for you. The full list is in our pickup areas guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring on a Green Canyon boat tour?
Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, a waterproof pouch or case for your phone, and a light layer if you travel in spring or autumn; because Green Canyon is a calm, sheltered dam lake rather than the open sea, no special equipment is needed beyond these basics.
Is lunch included, or do I need to bring food?
Lunch is included only on the 4.5-hour Green Canyon Boat Tour; the 2.5-hour Green Canyon Catamaran Tour does not include a meal, so if you choose the shorter trip it is best to eat before pickup or plan a relaxed late lunch back at your hotel.
Do I need seasickness tablets for Green Canyon?
No — Green Canyon is the emerald reservoir of the Oymapinar Dam, a calm and sheltered lake surrounded by pine-covered canyon walls, so there are no waves and no sea swell, which means seasickness tablets, wristbands and similar remedies can all safely stay in your suitcase at the hotel.
Do I have to swim, and is the water cold?
Swimming is completely optional on both Green Canyon tours; the mountain-fed lake water stays cool and crystal clear even in summer, which most guests find wonderfully refreshing on a hot day, but plenty of people skip the swim stops entirely and simply enjoy the scenery from the deck instead.
Do I pay in advance or on the day of the tour?
You pay on the day of the tour itself, so bring your payment with you at pickup; there is no prepayment when you book, confirmation is instant, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure, with no hidden fees at any point.
What should children bring on the tour?
Children need the same short list as adults — swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a hat — plus a full change of dry clothes for the ride home; children aged 3 to 11 pay €18 on both tours, and the calm lake setting keeps the day easy for families.