Side to Green Canyon: How the Day Trip Works
Side is famous for its ancient temples and sandy beaches, but one of its best days out happens away from the coast. Green Canyon is the emerald reservoir of the Oymapınar Dam near Manavgat, a calm, pine-framed stretch of water tucked into the foothills above the Antalya coast. Getting there is effortless: book through our Green Canyon tours from Side page, and a transfer collects you from your accommodation, delivers you to the boarding point and brings you back after the cruise. No car rental, no navigation apps, no parking stress.
Two boat tours operate on the water, both with the same simple pricing: €33 per adult and €18 per child aged 3 to 11. The only real decision is how long you want to stay on the water, and whether you want lunch included.
Why Swap the Beach for a Canyon Lake?
Most excursions from Side head out to sea. The classic coastal boat trips cruise the open Mediterranean and stop at swimming coves, while a Manavgat river trip is built around a short waterfall visit. Green Canyon offers something genuinely different: this is not the sea, but a still, sheltered freshwater reservoir framed by steep, pine-covered canyon walls. There are no waves, no seasickness and no salt spray, just deep green water reflecting the mountains. If you are wondering whether it deserves one of your holiday days, Is Green Canyon worth it? covers exactly that, and why visit Green Canyon rounds up the highlights.
Your Two Tour Options from Side
Both tours cruise the same emerald reservoir and include hotel pickup; the choice comes down to time and appetite.
Green Canyon Catamaran Tour: 2.5 Hours on the Water
The Green Canyon Catamaran Tour is the compact option: 2.5 hours of cruising between the canyon walls with time to swim in the crystal-clear water. No meal is served on this tour; you get the full scenery and a refreshing swim, then return to Side with most of the day still ahead of you.
Green Canyon Boat Tour: 4.5 Hours with Lunch Included
The Green Canyon Boat Tour stretches the experience to 4.5 hours and includes lunch, turning the outing into a proper day trip with more time for swimming and photos. It is priced the same as the catamaran: €33 per adult, €18 per child. Still undecided? Our catamaran vs boat tour comparison walks through every difference, or you can browse all Green Canyon tours side by side.
Daily Pickup from Side and the Surrounding Resorts
Pickup runs every day of the season from Side and the resorts around it, including Kumköy, Evrenseki, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Çolaklı and Manavgat. The network continues along the coast through Kızılağaç, Gündoğdu, Kızılot and Okurcalar to Avsallar, Türkler, Konaklı and the Alanya area in the summer season. Staying in Belek or Antalya? Pickups from those two areas run on Mondays and Thursdays. The full list lives in our pickup areas guide, and how to get to Green Canyon compares your transport options. Based in Side itself? The dedicated tours from Side page is the fastest route to booking.
What the Day Actually Feels Like
Once aboard, the pace slows. The boat glides across still, sheltered water beneath pine-covered slopes, the reservoir shifting between deep green and bright emerald as the light changes. At swim stops you can slip into water that is famously cool and crystal clear; the reservoir is fed by mountain water, so it stays refreshing even at the height of summer. Swimming is entirely optional, and plenty of guests simply watch from the deck; follow the crew's guidance at the stops. The calm, protected water suits families too: see Green Canyon with kids for practical details, swimming in Green Canyon for what the water is really like, and Oymapınar Dam and Green Canyon for how the lake came to exist.
Prices, Booking and Peace of Mind
Pricing is refreshingly simple on both tours:
- Adults: €33 per person on either tour
- Children (3 to 11): €18 per child
- Family example: two adults and two children pay €102; two adults with one child pay €84
There is no prepayment: you book online, receive instant confirmation and pay on the day of the tour. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, there are no hidden fees, and if any question comes up, WhatsApp replies arrive fast. For details, read the Green Canyon tour price guide, and how to book a Green Canyon tour walks through the process. Tours run daily from spring through autumn, and the best time to visit Green Canyon helps you pick your moment.
Side to Green Canyon: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Side to Green Canyon?
The easiest way to get from Side to Green Canyon is a tour with hotel pickup included: a comfortable transfer collects you from Side, Kumköy, Sorgun and the surrounding resorts every day of the season and brings you straight to the boarding point on the Oymapınar reservoir near Manavgat. The return transfer is included, so the day is door to door.
How much does a Green Canyon tour from Side cost?
A Green Canyon tour from Side costs €33 per adult and €18 per child aged 3 to 11 on both the catamaran and the boat tour, with no prepayment required, no hidden fees, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. You book online, get instant confirmation and pay on the day.
Is lunch included on the Green Canyon tour from Side?
Lunch is included only on the 4.5-hour Green Canyon Boat Tour, which builds a meal into the longer itinerary; the 2.5-hour Catamaran Tour does not include any food, so if you choose the shorter option, plan to eat before pickup or after you return to Side. Both tours cost the same, so lunch is often the deciding factor.
Can I swim during the Side to Green Canyon trip?
Yes, swimming is one of the highlights of the trip: the Oymapınar reservoir is calm, sheltered and crystal clear, and the mountain-fed water stays refreshingly cool even in the middle of summer, though swimming is completely optional and many guests simply relax on deck and enjoy the views.
Do Green Canyon tours run every day from Side?
Yes, Green Canyon tours from Side and the surrounding resorts, including Kumköy, Evrenseki, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Çolaklı and Manavgat, run every day throughout the season from spring through autumn, while pickups from Belek and Antalya are available on Mondays and Thursdays. Whichever resort you stay in, the price is the same.
Is Green Canyon a sea trip or a lake trip?
Green Canyon is not a sea trip: you cruise on the emerald reservoir of the Oymapınar Dam, a calm, sheltered body of fresh water surrounded by pine-covered canyon walls, which means there are no waves and no seasickness, a real advantage for families and anyone sensitive to open water. If you love a boat day but not the open sea, this is the trip to pick.