Quick answer
A practical, honest packing checklist for a boat trip in Side — swimwear, towel, sun cream, hat, water shoes, a little cash and a dry bag for your phone. Includes what to leave behind and a sea vs Green Canyon kit comparison from the team who runs the boats.
For a boat trip in Side, bring swimwear worn under your clothes, a towel, high-factor sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, water shoes, a little cash for drinks on board, and a dry bag to keep your phone and money safe. Add a light layer for a cold-freshwater Green Canyon cruise. Leave valuables, glass and big bags at your hotel. That is the whole checklist, sorted.
The short answer, before you pack
We run shared and private boat trips in Side and across the wider Antalya coast, so we see the same three mistakes every week: people forget a hat, forget cash for on-board drinks, and bring a phone with no way to keep it dry. Sort those three and the rest is comfort. Everything below is the kit our captains actually recommend to guests, split into sea trips and Green Canyon so you pack for the right water.
One practical note that changes what you carry: guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel. You book online and pay on the tour day, so you will want some cash on you anyway.
The core checklist (bring this on any Side boat trip)
This list works for a pirate boat, an island cruise or a lake day. Wear or carry it and you are ready.
- Swimwear — put it on under your clothes before pickup. Changing space on a busy shared boat is limited.
- A towel — a beach towel or a quick-dry travel towel. Boats do not supply them as standard.
- Sun cream — high factor, applied before you board and topped up. Sun off the water is stronger than it feels.
- A hat and sunglasses — shade on deck is not guaranteed, especially on smaller boats.
- Water shoes or flip-flops — decks, ladders and rocky swim stops are easier and safer with something on your feet.
- A little cash — drinks are usually pay-on-board, and you pay for the tour on the day. Euros or Turkish lira both work; keep it in small notes.
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch — for your phone, cash and hotel key card. The single most useful thing you can bring.
- A refillable water bottle — it is hot; staying hydrated matters more than most people plan for.
- A light cover-up or T-shirt — to throw on between swims so you do not over-cook in the midday sun.
If you are still deciding which trip to book, our Side pirate boat tour is an easy family day out, and the packing list above covers it fully.
What NOT to bring
Less is genuinely more on a boat. A lighter bag is easier to keep dry and harder to lose over the side.
- Anything you'd hate to lose — expensive watches, jewellery, laptops. Leave them in the hotel safe.
- Glass bottles — they break, and broken glass on a wet deck is a real hazard.
- Large hard suitcases or oversized bags — storage is tight on a shared boat. Pack into one soft bag.
- Your entire holiday cash — bring enough for drinks and extras, not the lot.
- Full glass-bottle perfume, aerosols and other non-essentials — extra weight that just gets wet.
Sea trip vs Green Canyon: the key difference
The single biggest packing decision is which water you are swimming in. On sea trips — pirate boats, island runs, the Suluada island cruise from Antalya — the water is warmer salt water and the day is all about sun and swimming. Green Canyon is a freshwater lake behind the Manavgat dam, and that water is genuinely cold. It is a fine cruise, but the cold catches people out, so pack one extra layer and be ready for a bracing swim.
If a calm freshwater day appeals, our Green Canyon boat tour is the one to look at — scenic surroundings, cooler water, slightly different kit.
Comparison table: sea kit vs Green Canyon kit
| Item | Sea trip (pirate / island / Suluada) | Green Canyon (freshwater lake) |
|---|---|---|
| Water type | Warmer salt water | Cold freshwater |
| Swimwear | Essential | Essential |
| Towel | Essential | Essential — bring a warmer/larger one |
| Extra warm layer | Nice to have | Recommended — the water is cold |
| Sun cream & hat | Essential (strong reflected sun) | Essential |
| Water shoes | Useful for rocky swim stops | Useful on and off the boat |
| Dry bag for phone | Essential | Essential |
| Cash for drinks | Yes — usually pay-on-board | Yes — usually pay-on-board |
Packing for kids and families
Families are our bread and butter, and the packing tweaks are small. Bring a spare set of dry clothes per child, extra sun cream, and a hat that actually stays on. Water shoes matter more for little feet on hot decks and ladders. A couple of snacks and a filled water bottle keep everyone happy between swim stops. Keep the dry bag for phones and cash within your reach, not in a child's rucksack.
Booking for a group or a family? Compare the options across our full range of boat trips and pick the pace that suits your day.
Food, drinks and dietary needs
Drinks are usually pay-on-board, which is why cash is on the core list. On what is served to eat, it varies by boat, so we do not promise a set menu here — check the specific tour page for what that trip includes. If you have dietary needs — vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free or an allergy — tell us when you book and we pass it to the specific boat. Do not assume; confirm it with us on the tour page so the crew can prepare.
Money, transfers and booking practicalities
A few honest logistics so nothing surprises you. You book online and pay on the tour day, so keep cash handy for both the tour and on-board drinks. Hotel transfer is arranged for you: guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning, and the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel — so keep the morning free and be ready a little early. If you are staying further along the coast, our departure hub for boat trips from Alanya, along with Side, Antalya and Belek, makes the pickup straightforward.
As a rough guide for 2026, sea trips start from around EUR20–25 per person, Green Canyon from around EUR28–54, and the Suluada island cruise from around EUR42–68. Private boats are priced per boat on request. These are approximate starting bands — the live price is always on the tour page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring my own towel on a Side boat trip?
Yes. Boats do not supply towels as standard, so bring a beach towel or a quick-dry travel towel. For Green Canyon, a larger or warmer towel is worth it because the freshwater is cold and you will want to warm up after a swim.
How much cash should I bring on board?
Enough for drinks and any extras, plus the tour cost, since you pay on the tour day and drinks are usually pay-on-board. Euros or Turkish lira both work. Bring small notes and keep them in a dry bag rather than a back pocket.
What should I do about my phone getting wet?
Bring a dry bag or a waterproof phone pouch — it is the most useful thing on this whole list. It keeps your phone, cash and hotel key card safe during swim stops and protects against splashes and spray on deck.
Is the water at Green Canyon really colder than the sea?
Yes. Green Canyon is a freshwater lake and the water is genuinely cold, while sea trips are in warmer salt water. Pack an extra warm layer and a good towel for Green Canyon, and expect a bracing but refreshing swim.
Can you cater for vegetarian, vegan, halal or gluten-free diets?
Tell us your dietary needs when you book and we pass them to the specific boat. We do not promise a fixed menu here because it varies by trip, so confirm the details with us or on the tour page and the crew will do their best to prepare.
Ready to book?
Pack the core list, add a warm layer for Green Canyon, keep a dry bag for your phone and a little cash for drinks, and you are set for a proper day on the water. When you have your kit sorted, browse and book from our full range of boat trips in Side — pick your date, we confirm your pickup the day before, and you pay on the tour day. See you on board.