Quick answer
A Green-Canyon-specific packing guide from the operator: bring a warm layer and a larger towel for the cold freshwater lake, water shoes, a proper sun kit and some cash for drinks. Bullet checklist, a quick comparison table and honest answers on pickup, price and what the day involves.
For Green Canyon, bring a warm layer and a bigger towel than you'd take to the sea, because the lake is cold freshwater; add water shoes for the rocky swim spots, a full sun kit (cream, hat, sunglasses), swimwear worn under your clothes, and some cash for drinks and extras. Everything else is comfort. You can see the full day and live pricing on our Green Canyon boat tour page.
Why Green Canyon needs its own packing list
Most Side beach-trip checklists assume warm, salty sea water. Green Canyon is different. We run these boats on the Oymapinar reservoir, an emerald-green freshwater lake inland from Manavgat in the Taurus mountains. The lake formed when the Oymapinar dam was built on the Manavgat river in the 1980s, and the deep, mineral-rich water and steep pine-clad canyon walls are what give it that green colour.
The practical upshot: the water is genuinely cold, even in high summer, and the setting is a mountain reservoir rather than a coastline. That changes two things in your bag — you want a warm layer for after you swim, and a towel that actually dries you off. Pack for those and the rest of the day looks after itself.
The short checklist
If you read nothing else, pack these. This is the core kit our captains see people wish they'd brought.
- A warm layer — a hoodie, fleece or light jumper. Cold water plus a breeze on deck cools you down fast once you're out.
- A larger towel — bigger than a beach hand-towel. You'll likely swim more than once, and a proper towel makes the cold water enjoyable rather than a shock.
- Water shoes — the swim stops and edges can be rocky. They save your feet and your dignity getting in and out.
- Swimwear worn under your clothes — quicker in, quicker out, less faffing on a moving boat.
- Sun kit — high-factor cream, a hat and sunglasses. Mountain water reflects a lot of light.
- Cash — for drinks, snacks and any extras on board or at the lakeside.
The warm layer and towel — the two things people forget
This is the whole reason Green Canyon needs a separate list. In the sea off Side you climb out and dry in minutes. On a cold freshwater lake you don't — you come out cooler, and a decent towel and a warm top make the difference between a great swim stop and standing there shivering.
We're not going to quote you an exact water temperature, because it shifts with the season and depth. Just take it as read that it's colder than the sea and pack accordingly. A single fleece and one full-size towel between the two of you at a minimum, one each if you feel the cold.
Sun protection on the water
You're out for a full day with open deck and bright water throwing light back up at you. High-factor sun cream, a hat you won't lose over the side, and sunglasses are not optional. Reapply cream after each swim — freshwater rinses it off just like the sea does. A light long-sleeved top is a smart extra if you burn easily; it doubles as your warm layer between swims.
Water shoes and footwear
The swim spots are natural lake edges, not tiled steps. Water shoes or sturdy sandals with grip make getting in and out easy and keep sharp stones off your feet. Flip-flops are fine for lounging on deck but poor for the actual swim. If you only add one item to a normal beach bag for this trip, make it water shoes.
Cash, phone and the small stuff
Bring some cash for drinks, snacks and extras — card isn't guaranteed everywhere on a lake in the mountains. A dry bag or a simple zip-lock keeps your phone and money safe near the water, and it's worth it for the photos alone; the green water and canyon walls are the reason people book. Sunglasses cord, a small first-aid plaster or two, and any personal medication round it off.
What you don't need to bring
The lake is calm — no waves and no seasickness — so leave the travel-sickness tablets at the hotel unless you always take them. You don't need snorkelling gear or heavy hiking boots. On many of our tours there's a lakeside lunch, so a full picnic isn't necessary either; check what's included on the specific tour page before you pack food. Keep the bag light and you'll enjoy the day more.
Sea checklist vs Green Canyon checklist
Here's the quick side-by-side so you can see exactly where a Green Canyon day differs from a standard Side sea trip.
| Item | Typical Side sea trip | Green Canyon (freshwater lake) |
|---|---|---|
| Warm layer | Optional | Bring one — cold water cools you fast |
| Towel | Beach towel fine | Larger towel — you'll swim in cold water |
| Water shoes | Nice to have | Recommended — rocky swim edges |
| Seasickness tablets | Sometimes useful | Not needed — calm lake, no waves |
| Sun kit | Essential | Essential — bright reflected light |
| Cash | Useful | Bring some — drinks and extras |
Coming from further along the coast? Our tours from Antalya hub and the dedicated Antalya Green Canyon boat tour cover the same lake with a longer transfer — pack the same, allow more travel time.
How the day runs and what it costs
It's a full-day trip: hotel transfer, a relaxed cruise on the lake, swim stops in the cold clear water, free time, and the return transfer. Guests join us 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. You book online and pay on the tour day.
Prices are approximate 2026 starting points per person and rise with transfer distance — always check the live price on the tour page before you book.
| Departure point | From (per person, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Side | EUR 28 |
| Alanya | EUR 38 |
| Kumkoy | EUR 43 |
| Belek | EUR 48 |
| Antalya | EUR 54 |
Ready to pack the bag? Check dates and the live price on the Green Canyon boat tour page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a warm layer in summer?
Yes, we'd bring one. Green Canyon is a deep freshwater lake, so the water stays cold even when the air is hot. After a swim, a fleece or hoodie on the open deck makes the difference. It packs down small, so there's no reason to leave it behind.
Will I get seasick on Green Canyon?
Very unlikely. It's a calm mountain lake with no waves, which is one of the reasons families like it. Unless you're someone who always takes travel-sickness tablets, you can leave them at the hotel.
Are water shoes essential or just nice to have?
Strongly recommended. The swim stops are natural lake edges and can be rocky underfoot, so water shoes or grippy sandals make getting in and out easy. If you've packed for a normal beach day, they're the one item worth adding.
Is lunch included, and should I bring my own food?
Many of our Green Canyon tours include a lakeside lunch, but it varies by tour, so check what's listed on the specific product page before you pack a picnic. Bring some cash either way for drinks, snacks and extras during the day.
What time is the 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. Book online, pay on the tour day, and we'll confirm your window ahead of time. You can compare the Side and other departure options across our full fleet of tours.
That's the lot — warm layer, big towel, water shoes, sun kit and a bit of cash, and Green Canyon looks after the rest. When you're ready, secure your spot on the Green Canyon boat tour and we'll see you on the water.