Green Canyon Boat Trip from Side and Lunch by the Emerald Lake

Green Canyon Boat Trip from Side into the Taurus Highlands

Trade the crowded shoreline of Side for a slow day on a mountain reservoir whose colour shifts between jade and deep emerald. This Green Canyon boat trip from Side blends an unhurried cruise with fresh-water swimming and a hearty lakeside lunch far from the beach bustle.

Where Taurus Peaks Meet Emerald Water

Green Canyon is the flooded valley behind Oymapınar Dam, one of the largest dams in Türkiye, where pine-clad slopes plunge straight into the lake. Your day opens with a brief stop above the dam wall to take in the scale of the landscape before heading down to the pier.

Gliding Between Sheer Limestone Walls

Once aboard, the boat follows the main channel of the Big Canyon as cliffs rise on both sides and the air turns noticeably cooler. Shaded seating and an open sun deck let you choose between quiet reflection and warm sunshine.

Secret Bends of the Little Canyon

The route then threads into the narrower Little Canyon, where the water lies calm and glassy. The boat anchors here so you can swim in fresh water that is cooler than the sea and completely free of salt. A second swim stop later in the day offers another chance to cool off or cast a fishing line.

Grilled Flavours at the Water's Edge

Lunch is served at a restaurant on the shore of the lake. Choose grilled chicken, meatballs or fish as your main dish, with pasta, fresh salad and fruit on the side, while the canyon walls frame the view.

Refreshments Aboard and at the Table

Soft drinks and water are unlimited during the boat trip, so you stay refreshed between swims. Please note that any drinks ordered at the lunch restaurant, soft drinks included, are not part of the package and are paid directly at the table.

Planning Your Pickup and Return

The session time shown on this page is when the activity starts at Green Canyon, not your pickup time. Hotel pickup takes place earlier, and your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking according to your hotel location. Once the activity ends, the return transfer follows, and drop-off time depends on traffic and where your hotel is located.