Quick answer
A practical, operator-written guide to what to wear on a boat trip in Side, Manavgat and Antalya — swimwear under your clothes, a cover-up, non-slip footwear, sun protection and an evening layer. Includes a day sea trip vs Green Canyon vs disco-yacht comparison table and FAQs.
Wear your swimwear under your clothes so you're ready the moment we reach the water. Add a light cover-up, non-slip sandals or deck shoes, a hat and sunglasses, and pack sun cream, a towel and a little cash. For Green Canyon the freshwater is cold, so bring an extra layer; for evening disco-yacht trips add something warm for the ride back.
The short answer: dress in layers you can strip off
We run boats out of Side, Manavgat, Antalya, Alanya, Belek and Kemer, and the single most useful tip we give guests is this: put your swimwear on before you leave the hotel. Once you're on board there's no changing room queue and no faffing about — you peel off a layer, and you're in the sea. On top of the swimwear you want clothes that come off easily and a cover-up for the sun. If you're still deciding which trip to take, our full list of boat trips in Side and the wider region shows what each day actually involves.
The rest comes down to the type of trip. A day sea trip, a Green Canyon lake cruise and an evening disco-yacht night each ask for slightly different kit, and we've laid all three out below.
Swimwear first — put it on before 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. That morning start is exactly why you should already be in your swimwear under a T-shirt and shorts or a summer dress. It saves you the awkward changing routine on a moving deck, and it means you don't miss the first swim stop while everyone else is sorting themselves out. Bring a spare pair of dry underwear or shorts for the ride home too — sitting in a wet costume for the transfer back is nobody's idea of a good afternoon.
Footwear: choose non-slip, forget the heels
Decks get wet. Salt water, splashes and dripping swimmers all conspire to make a smooth fibreglass deck slippery, so the footwear that works best is flat and grippy: deck shoes, sport sandals with a proper sole, or flip-flops you can kick off quickly. Leave heels, smooth-soled slides and anything precious at the hotel.
Water shoes are worth a mention for Green Canyon and rocky sea entries — some swim and snorkel spots have stony edges rather than sandy beaches, and a thin rubber sole saves your feet.
Sun protection is part of your outfit, not an afterthought
You're on open water for hours with the sun bouncing straight back up off the surface, which burns you faster than a day by the pool. Treat sun protection as clothing:
- A wide-brimmed or peaked hat that won't blow off in the breeze
- Sunglasses — ideally on a cord so they don't end up on the seabed
- High-factor sun cream, applied before you board and topped up after each swim
- A light long-sleeved shirt or rash vest if you burn easily or you're bringing children
Reef-friendly sun cream is a kind choice near swim spots. A quick tip from our captains: apply cream at the hotel, because greasy hands and a rocking deck don't mix well with a fresh bottle.
Green Canyon vs the sea: dress for cold freshwater
This is the difference people don't expect. The sea around Side and Antalya is warm salt water and very forgiving. Green Canyon is a freshwater lake, and the water there is genuinely cold — a lovely shock on a hot day, but a shock all the same. If you're booked on a Green Canyon lake cruise, bring an extra layer for after your swim and a towel you don't mind getting properly used. Children and anyone who feels the cold will thank you for a warm top to change into on deck.
Prefer warm salt water and island swims instead? A pirate boat day out or one of our island sea trips keeps everything in the mild-and-sunny bracket.
Evening disco-yacht nights: bring a layer for the ride back
Our disco-yacht evenings are a different mood — music, dancing and the coast lit up after dark. You'll still want swimwear on many of them, but the thing people forget is the temperature drop once the sun goes down and the boat picks up speed. A light jacket, hoodie or wrap makes the journey back comfortable instead of chilly. Footwear stays the same: flat and non-slip, because a moving deck plus dancing plus poor grip is a bad combination.
What to wear by trip type
Here's the quick comparison. Use it as a packing checklist the night before, once your pickup has been confirmed.
| Item | Day sea trip | Green Canyon lake cruise | Evening disco-yacht |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimwear under clothes | Yes | Yes | Usually — check the tour page |
| Water temperature | Warm salt water | Cold freshwater | Warm salt water (if swimming) |
| Cover-up / T-shirt | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extra warm layer | Handy | Recommended (cold water) | Recommended (cool ride back) |
| Non-slip footwear | Yes | Yes — water shoes handy | Yes |
| Hat and sunglasses | Yes | Yes | Sunglasses optional after dark |
| Sun cream | Essential | Essential | For daytime portion |
| Towel | Yes | Yes | If swimming |
Not sure which departure point suits you? Browse trips leaving from Antalya to see start points, swim spots and what's included before you commit.
The rest of your bag, plus pricing to help you plan
Beyond clothing, a few small things make the day run smoothly. Bring a towel, sun cream, a hat and a little cash — drinks are usually pay-on-board, so having some notes or coins for the bar and for tips is sensible. You book online and pay on the tour day, which keeps the morning simple. A dry bag or a zip-lock pouch protects your phone from splashes, and a waterproof pouch on a cord is ideal if you like taking photos in the water.
If you have dietary needs — vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free or any allergies — tell us when you book and we'll pass it to the specific boat you're on. We won't promise a set menu here; confirm the details on the tour page or with our team.
On cost, here are approximate 2026 starting prices, per person, as a rough guide only — the live price sits on each tour page:
- Sea trips: from around EUR 20–25
- Green Canyon lake cruises: from around EUR 28–54
- Suluada island trips: from around EUR 42–68
- Private boats and gulets: per boat, on request
If an island day appeals, the Suluada island boat trip is one of our most popular for clear-water swimming. Ready to pick a date? Check availability and confirm on the boat trips page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wear my swimwear under my clothes?
Yes. Pickup is in the morning and the exact time is confirmed the day before, so putting your costume on at the hotel means you're ready to swim the moment we reach the first stop, with no changing on a moving deck.
What footwear is best for a boat trip in Turkey?
Flat, non-slip shoes: deck shoes, sport sandals or flip-flops you can slip off. Decks get wet and slippery, so skip heels and smooth soles. Water shoes are handy for Green Canyon and any rocky swim entries.
Is Green Canyon cold to swim in?
Green Canyon is a freshwater lake and the water is genuinely cold, unlike the warm salt water of the sea trips. Bring an extra layer and a good towel for after your swim, especially for children.
What should I wear on an evening disco-yacht trip?
Swimwear on many of them, plus your usual non-slip footwear — and importantly a light jacket or hoodie for the ride back, because it cools down noticeably once the sun sets and the boat is moving.
Do I need to bring cash on board?
A little cash is worth having. You book online and pay on the tour day, and drinks are usually pay-on-board, so bring notes or coins for the bar and any tips.
Ready to book?
Get your swimwear on under your clothes, pack a cover-up, non-slip shoes, sun protection and a small towel, add a warm layer for Green Canyon or an evening trip, and you're set. When you've decided which day suits you, browse and book from our full range of boat trips — we'll confirm your pickup the day before and get you out on the water.