Green Canyon Tour from Antalya

Green Canyon and the Oymapınar reservoir

The Green Canyon, Yeşil Kanyon in Turkish, lies in the Manavgat district, in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains east of Antalya. It was created when the Oymapınar Dam, completed in the 1980s, flooded the deep gorge of the Manavgat River. The result is a long, winding lake whose water glows green and turquoise against grey limestone cliffs and pine forest.

Is Green Canyon worth visiting? For anyone who wants a break from the beach, it is one of the most peaceful landscapes in the region: no traffic, no crowds, just water, rock and birds circling above. Swimming in the canyon itself and the dam lake is not allowed for safety reasons, so the trip combines a scenic cruise with a swim at the designated area by Green Lake.

The boat cruise through the canyon

The cruise runs along the narrowing gorge, where the walls rise steeply from the water and small coves open up between the rocks. You can sit on deck, take photos and enjoy the fresh mountain air, with unlimited soft drinks served on board throughout the boat trip.

For guests coming from Antalya, the cruise is split in two: the first part takes you up the lake to the lakeside restaurant by Green Lake, and after lunch the boat continues for the second part before returning to the pier. In total you spend around two hours on the water. Our guide points out the scenery and keeps the group together at each stop.

Green Lake: lunch and swimming

Green Lake is the calm, sheltered part of the reservoir where the restaurant stands at the water's edge. Lunch with local dishes is served in a peaceful setting under the trees, with views across the green water to the mountains. It is the longest break of the day and a good moment to rest, chat and enjoy the quiet, far from the busy coast.

After lunch there is time to swim in the restaurant's designated swimming area, the only place on this trip where swimming is allowed. The water is fresh and clear, a pleasant change from the sea. Bring swimwear and a towel; there is space to change and relax in the shade before the boat continues. Follow the instructions of our staff about timings, so that you are back on board when the second part of the cruise begins.

How to get to Green Canyon from Antalya

Green Canyon is about two hours by road from Antalya, first along the coast towards Manavgat and then up into the hills on a winding mountain road. Public transport does not reach the pier, so a transfer is the most practical way to get there. With this option we pick you up from your hotel in Antalya and bring you back at the end of the day.

Your ticket shows the activity start time; the pickup time can be up to two hours earlier and is confirmed the evening before by WhatsApp. On the way back there may be a short stop at a textile outlet in Manavgat, where you can browse clothing if you wish. The whole Green Canyon day trip from Antalya lasts about eight hours.

Best time to visit Green Canyon

The boat trips run from spring to autumn. The best time to visit Green Canyon is from May to October, when the weather is warm enough to swim at Green Lake; in midsummer the mountain air feels cooler than the coast, which makes the day very pleasant. Winter and early spring can bring rain, and the trip schedule may change in bad weather.

Spring brings fresh green forests and fuller water, while autumn has softer light and fewer visitors. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring a hat and sunscreen for the open deck, and keep a camera ready, as the colours of the water change with the light through the day. Morning light is soft on the cliffs, while around midday the lake shows its brightest green.