Quick answer
Yes, you can swim in Green Canyon. It's a calm emerald-green freshwater lake with swim stops in cold, clear water, ladders and life jackets for weaker swimmers. Here's what the water is really like, plus lake-versus-sea swimming compared and starting prices from your resort.
Yes, you can swim in Green Canyon. It's a calm freshwater lake — the Oymapinar reservoir inland from Manavgat — so there are no waves and no seasickness. Our boats anchor at swim stops in cold, clear, mineral-rich water, with ladders to get in and out and life jackets on board for weaker swimmers. Bring swimwear and a towel. See the full Green Canyon boat tour for what's included.
So, is Green Canyon safe to swim in?
It is. Green Canyon isn't a river you're battling against or a busy sea with currents and boat traffic. It's a reservoir with a still, glassy surface, so the swimming is calm and controlled. We run these boats every season, and our captains pick sheltered anchor points where the water is deep and clean before anyone gets in.
Every boat carries life jackets, and we hand them out to anyone who wants extra buoyancy — children, nervous swimmers, or people who just want to float and take in the canyon walls without effort. There are ladders fixed to the boat so you can climb down into the water and back up easily rather than jumping off the side if you'd rather not.
What the water is actually like
Let's be honest with you, because it matters: the water in Green Canyon is cold. This is a deep mountain reservoir, formed when the Oymapinar dam was built on the Manavgat river, sitting high in the Taurus mountains, and it stays fresh and cool even when the coast is baking. It is not the warm, bathwater sea you get off the beaches at Side.
The upside is that it's beautifully clean. Because it's a deep, mineral-rich reservoir rather than a shallow bay, the water is clear and that famous emerald-green colour comes from the depth, the minerals and the pine-clad walls reflecting into it. If you love a proper refreshing swim on a hot day, it's excellent. If you feel the cold, ease in slowly using the ladder, keep a life jacket on to help you float, and warm up on deck between dips.
We won't quote you an exact temperature in degrees, because it shifts with the season, the depth and the weather — anyone giving you a precise figure for a mountain reservoir is guessing. Just plan for cold, clear water and you'll be well prepared.
Where and how the swimming stops work
The day is built around a relaxed cruise across the lake with time to swim. Rather than one rushed dip, the boat anchors so you can get in the water, float, cool off and climb back aboard in your own time. On many of our tours there's also a lakeside lunch and free time built into the day.
Because it's a full-day trip — hotel transfer out, a slow cruise, swim stops, free time, then the transfer back — there's no pressure to swim the moment you arrive. You can wait for the warmest part of the day, watch how others find the temperature first, and then decide. Exact stop counts and timings vary by operator and season, so check the Green Canyon boat tour page for the current itinerary before you book.
Swimming in the lake vs swimming in the sea
Guests often ask how a Green Canyon swim compares to a swim off the Mediterranean coast. They're genuinely different experiences, and neither is "better" — it depends what you're after on the day.
| Feature | Green Canyon (freshwater lake) | The sea (Mediterranean coast) |
|---|---|---|
| Water type | Fresh, mineral-rich, no salt on your skin | Salt water |
| Temperature | Cold and refreshing — mountain reservoir | Warmer, especially in high summer |
| Conditions | Calm, still, no waves, no seasickness | Can have waves, swell and currents |
| Clarity | Clear, deep, emerald-green | Varies — clearer offshore, sandier near beaches |
| Setting | Steep pine canyon walls, quiet, scenic | Open coast, beaches, resorts nearby |
| Best for | A cool, refreshing swim and calm scenery | A warm, easy beach swim |
The short version: come to Green Canyon for still, clean, cold water and dramatic scenery, and enjoy the sea for a warmer, sandier beach day. Plenty of our guests do both across a week's holiday.
What to bring for the swim stops
You don't need much, but a little preparation makes the swimming far more enjoyable:
- Swimwear worn under your clothes — changing space on board is limited, so it's easiest to arrive ready.
- A towel and something warm to put on afterwards, as the mountain air and cold water together can feel chilly out of the sun.
- Water shoes if you have sensitive feet, though you'll mostly be climbing straight down the ladder into deep water.
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses — the light reflects off the water and it's easy to burn without noticing.
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone if you want photos near the water.
Life jackets are provided, so you don't need to bring your own buoyancy aid. If you'd like to see the full boat and what's on board, take a look at the rest of our fleet and tours.
Is it good for weaker swimmers and children?
It can be, with a bit of common sense. Because the lake is calm and there are no waves pulling you about, it's more forgiving than open sea for a nervous swimmer. We hand out life jackets freely, the ladder means you're never forced to jump, and you can stay close to the boat rather than swimming off into deep water.
That said, this is deep water and it's cold, so children should always be supervised by their own adults and wear a life jacket, and anyone who isn't a confident swimmer should keep one on too. Our crew are on board throughout, but they can't replace a parent keeping an eye on their own child. If you're travelling as a family and want the calmest possible swim, this is a strong choice.
Getting there: transfers and starting prices
Green Canyon is a full-day trip and we collect you from your hotel. Guests join from Side, Manavgat, Kumkoy, Belek, Alanya and Antalya. Guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel, because it depends on where your hotel sits on the pickup route.
Prices start lower nearest the lake and rise with transfer distance. These are approximate 2026 per-person starting bands — always check the live price on the tour page before you book:
| Departure point | Approx. starting price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Side | from EUR28 |
| Alanya | from EUR38 |
| Kumkoy | from EUR43 |
| Belek | from EUR48 |
| Antalya | from EUR54 |
If you're staying around the resort towns, browse everything running from Side to compare. There are also dedicated departures on the Antalya Green Canyon boat tour and the Alanya Green Canyon boat tour if those are closer to you. You book online and pay on the tour day — nothing to pay up front.
Frequently asked questions
Can you actually swim in Green Canyon?
Yes. It's a calm freshwater lake with swimming stops where the boat anchors and you climb down a ladder into cold, clear water. Life jackets are on board for weaker swimmers and children, so you can swim or simply float and enjoy the canyon.
Is the water cold?
Yes, it's cold — it's a deep mountain reservoir in the Taurus range, so it stays cool and refreshing even in high summer. We won't invent an exact temperature because it changes with the season and depth, but plan for a bracing, refreshing swim rather than a warm one.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No. The lake is still with no waves, life jackets are provided, and ladders mean you never have to jump in. Weaker swimmers can float near the boat with a life jacket on. Children must be supervised by their own adults and wear a jacket in the deep, cold water.
Is it better than swimming in the sea?
It's different rather than strictly better. The lake gives you calm, clean, cold freshwater and dramatic canyon scenery with no salt or seasickness; the sea gives you warmer, saltier beach swimming. Many guests enjoy both during their holiday.
What time is my hotel pickup?
Guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel, depending on your position on the pickup route. Booking is online, and you pay on the tour day.
Ready for a calm, refreshing swim under the pine-clad canyon walls? Reserve your place on the Green Canyon boat tour today — book online now and pay on the tour day.