Side Green Canyon Boat Tour

• Transfer from Side to Oymapınar Lake
• Arrival at a mountain peak of 1500 meters (Oymapınar Dam view)
• Arrival at Green Canyon pier
• Green Canyon boat tour
• Arrival at the Grand Canyon, swimming break and fishing fun (rod, bait, and all necessary equipment are provided free of charge)
• Swimming and lunch break
• Visit to the Small Canyon and a second swimming break to enjoy the calm waters in close contact with nature
• Free time break (nature walk, photography, fishing, swimming in Green Canyon)
• 15:30 return to the hotels

What Will You See on the Green Canyon Tour?

Departing early in the morning from Side, you’ll encounter breathtaking landscapes even during the journey itself. As you travel by bus, you’ll pass through villages and lush forests at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains before arriving in the Oymapınar area. Our first stop is a viewing point at an altitude of about 1500 meters. From this height, the stunning panoramic view of Oymapınar Dam unfolds before your eyes. Here, you can take a short photo break and capture the scenery of the deep blue lake and the surrounding pine forests.

After the viewing point, we head down to the entrance of Green Canyon, where our boat tour begins at a small pier along the shore of the Oymapınar Dam Lake. Even before boarding the boat, you’ll be greeted by the sound of birdsong and the crisp mountain air. The wide emerald-green lake and the endless pine forests around it instantly stand out. The sights you see before stepping onto the boat are merely the beginning of the beauty you’ll experience throughout the tour.

How Long Does the Boat Tour Last, and What Is It Like?

Our boat tour in Green Canyon lasts about two hours, divided into two segments. In the first stage, we gently cruise along the dam lake, heading into the canyon’s interior. Our boat is comfortable and safe; you can sunbathe on the upper deck or enjoy the view from a shaded area. The lake’s waters are generally calm, making the ride smooth and pleasant. During the approximately 17-kilometer journey, we stop at certain points for swimming breaks so you can fully appreciate the natural surroundings.

We pause for lunch midway through the boat tour. We enjoy our meal at a scenic lakeside restaurant, where the menu typically includes chicken or fish as the main course, accompanied by various side dishes. After taking in the lake view and recharging during the meal break, we start the second part of our boat journey.

Green Canyon boat tour is one of the rare excursions conducted on a dam lake in Turkey. Since Oymapınar Dam is among the few dams that permit boat tours, the voyage here is a unique experience. Life jackets and safety equipment are available onboard; your guide will also accompany you, providing information about important points along the way. Additionally, there is basic fishing gear on the boat; during the swimming breaks, you can try fishing if you like. This way, our tour offers not just sightseeing but also an interactive adventure.

What Will You See on the Green Canyon Boat Tour?

As you head deeper into the heart of Green Canyon by boat, you’ll notice the natural wonders unfolding around you one by one. The canyon walls gradually rise; you’ll be surrounded by towering cliffs hundreds of meters high. These cliffs and their surroundings are cloaked with pine trees, where the sun’s rays dance upon the water through the branches. You’ll see small islets and tiny waterfalls pouring in from the edges, adding a burst of color to the scenery. The cascading spring waters forming these waterfalls create droplets that refract sunlight, scattering multicolored beams all around.

Our boat route covers two different canyon areas. First, about 5 km from the starting point, we encounter Small Canyon, featuring 200-meter-tall rocky walls. Rare bird species like fish owls are often spotted in the trees of this region. As we proceed, we reach Grand Canyon after our lunch break. This canyon is broader and more majestic; sailing through it reveals nature’s magnificence in full glory. Surrounded by its towering cliffs, you’ll feel both tranquility and excitement at once.

Fauna and Flora of Green Canyon

Green Canyon and its surroundings boast rich biodiversity, influenced by the Mediterranean climate. The region’s vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean maquis formation, with pine forests and maquis areas interspersed. The most common tree species include red pine, cedar, oak, and willow. Thanks to the dam lake and river ecosystem, reeds and aquatic plants grow along the shoreline.

The fauna of Green Canyon is equally diverse. Birds of prey such as eagles and hawks, as well as herons and ducks, can be seen in the area. The forested regions are home to wild goats, wild boars, foxes, hares, and squirrels. In the lake’s waters, varieties of freshwater fish like carp and bass thrive. For nature lovers, the abundant wildlife at Green Canyon feels like an open-air museum.

Endemic and Endangered Species in Green Canyon

Green Canyon is particularly intriguing to wildlife observers because of the fish owl (the brown fish owl). This globally threatened species can only be found in certain parts of Southeast Asia and some regions of the Taurus Mountains. The mild valleys of Green Canyon are among the rare spots in Turkey where fish owls can reside. If you stay attentive during the tour, you might catch a glimpse of this majestic bird resting on a tree branch. You may also find some endemic plant species unique to the Taurus Mountains in the area; storks and vultures, which are rare migratory birds, occasionally grace the canyon skies.

About the Dumanlı Spring

One of the highlights of the Green Canyon boat tour is the Dumanlı Spring, known as an underwater source within the lake. This spring releases about 50,000 cubic meters of water per hour into the lake, making it one of the world’s largest natural sources by volume. During the boat ride, your guide will point out where the spring surfaces and show you the bubbles and ripples on the water. The current is so powerful in this area that even with the engine running at full throttle, keeping the boat steady can be challenging. In that moment, you’ll truly feel the might of nature overpowering human-made machines.

The name “Dumanlı” means “smoky” in Turkish, attributed to the mist-like effect that appears on the water’s surface. The icy spring water mixes with the surrounding waters, sometimes forming a light layer of fog—especially in the early morning hours. This mysterious natural fountain keeps the lake cool and crystal-clear throughout the year. As your boat passes this spot, your guide will indicate the location of the Dumanlı Spring and provide more details.

Activities You Can Do in Green Canyon National Park

In addition to the boat tour, Green Canyon National Park offers numerous activities, making it an ideal place to spend an entire day. Our program already includes a boat trip, swimming breaks, and short nature walks. Outside of these, you can explore the area at your leisure during free time. Enjoy a walk along the shore to observe various plants and birds, and take plenty of photos. If you’re into fishing, you can use the basic gear provided on the boat or bring your own rod to try your luck. Fishing in the calm waters of Green Canyon can be highly enjoyable and relaxing.

During the lunch break, you can also rent a canoe at the facility for a small fee, allowing you to explore the lake’s peaceful coves. Green Canyon is a paradise for photography lovers, offering postcard-worthy landscapes at nearly every turn.

If you crave more adventure, there are alternative tours available in the area. For instance, you can join Side Jeep Safari trips to tackle the rough trails of the Taurus Mountains. You might also enjoy Side Cabrio Safari and Lake Boat Trip, which combines overland and water excursions. These unique tours let you experience Green Canyon from different angles, offering both the thrill of off-road driving and the tranquility of a boat journey.

Information About Oymapınar Dam and Its Contribution to Nature

Built in the 1980s on the Manavgat River, the 185-meter-high Oymapınar Dam is a crucial hydroelectric power plant meeting the region’s electricity needs. Environmentalists were initially concerned about its ecological impact; however, the dam lake’s formation brought unexpected benefits to the surroundings. The freshwater lake revitalized local vegetation and created a new stopover site for migratory birds. As a result of these positive developments, the dam and its surroundings were declared a protected area in 2002 and opened to controlled tourism in 2005. Today, Green Canyon and Oymapınar Dam stand as a prime example of eco-tourism, protecting natural habitats while offering visitors a pleasant environment. In addition to supplying clean energy to the region, the dam contributed to the formation of this extraordinary natural wonder.

Where Is Green Canyon, and How to Get There From Side?

Green Canyon is located within the Manavgat district of Antalya, about 25 km from Side. The greenish dam lake formed by the Oymapınar Dam on the Manavgat River and the surrounding canyons are collectively referred to as Green Canyon. From Side’s center, you can head to Manavgat first and then follow the Oymapınar Dam signs heading north. By private vehicle, the journey takes around 30-40 minutes; the road is in good condition and scenic, with signs at key junctions.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, the easiest way is to join a tour. Our Side-based tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, so you won’t need to worry about navigation. Should you choose to go on your own, keep in mind there is no public transport from Manavgat to Oymapınar; you’ll need to rent a car or arrange a private transfer. Either way, once you arrive at Green Canyon—whether with us or on your own—you’ll find the tranquil atmosphere and breathtaking scenery well worth the effort.

The per-person price for the Side Green Canyon Boat Tour is set at . Considering the included services, we believe this rate is quite reasonable. It covers both transportation and guiding services, as well as lunch.

Because this tour is highly popular, especially during summer, availability can become limited. We recommend booking early so you don’t miss out on the unique atmosphere of Green Canyon. We wish you a great time in advance, and look forward to welcoming you on this natural wonder tour. All you need to do is contact us to reserve and enjoy this unforgettable experience.