Antalya: Green Canyon Boat Tour & Nature Escape

Antalya: Green Canyon Boat Tour & Nature Escape

If you’re seeking a day filled with natural beauty, calm waters, and a touch of engineering marvel, the Green Canyon Boat Tour offers a compelling escape from the bustle of Antalya. This 9-hour journey takes you to the stunning Oymapnar Dam area, where lush greenery meets tranquil lakes, and the scenery is picture-perfect. Your adventure includes a scenic drive, a relaxing boat trip, lakeside lunch, and some optional activities like fishing or canoeing.

What we love about this tour is how it balances spectacular views—from the dam’s viewpoints to the boat’s gentle glide across the lake—with interesting insights into Turkey’s engineering feats. The lakeside restaurant, with its fresh salads and beautiful surroundings, also makes for a memorable meal. Still, it’s worth noting that some travelers have found the food to be just average and the tour a bit disorganized, especially regarding language and communication.

This tour tends to suit travelers who enjoy a relaxed pace, natural scenery, and learning about impressive infrastructure. If you’re ready to spend a day soaking up greenery, cool waters, and enjoying some downtime, this experience might be just right. However, those expecting a highly polished or luxury experience should keep their expectations in check, especially given some mixed reviews about food and guide communication.

Key Points

• Beautiful Scenery: The views of the lake, dam, and surrounding plantations are truly stunning.
• Relaxing Boat Ride: The calm waters provide a peaceful atmosphere perfect for unwinding.
• Lakeside Lunch: Enjoy a meal with views, though the quality varies.
• Lakeside Activities: Options like fishing and canoeing add fun, but are optional.
• Engineering Insight: Learn about Oymapnar Dam, the fifth largest in Turkey.
• Potential for Disappointment: Some travelers mention food quality and guide communication issues.

You can check availability for your dates here:

A Closer Look at the Experience

The Journey to Green Canyon

The tour begins with hotel pickup in Antalya, which means you can relax and leave the driving to someone else. The coach is air-conditioned, a welcome feature considering the Turkish heat in summer, and the 1.5-hour ride offers a scenic introduction to Turkey’s lush landscapes as you head towards Oymapnar Dam.

Transport quality can vary depending on the group size and the operator’s standards, but most travelers appreciate the comfort and the chance to sit back and soak in the views. It’s worth noting that the pickup times are flexible, and the exact schedule depends on your hotel’s location.

Arrival and Dam Viewpoints

Once you arrive at the dam, the real highlight begins. You’ll have the opportunity to admire fantastic panoramic views of the lake and the dam from designated viewpoints. The dam itself is a marvel—Turkey’s fifth largest—and learning about its engineering can be quite fascinating, especially if you’re into infrastructure or engineering.

The views here are what make the trip worth the effort, especially if you appreciate lush green scenery and serene waters. The setting is postcard-perfect, providing ample photo opportunities and a chance to breathe in the fresh air.

A Relaxing Boat Trip

The core of this tour is a peaceful boat ride across the lake, where you’ll glide over calm waters surrounded by trees and plantations. It’s an ideal way to escape the heat, unwind, and enjoy the tranquility. The boat ride is often described as relaxing, with many visitors noting the “serene atmosphere” and “beautiful scenery.”

From reviews, we know that some travelers found the wind picked up at times, making swimming a bit challenging but adding to the freshness of the experience. The boat trip also offers a good opportunity to get close-up views of the lush surroundings from the water.

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Lakeside Lunch & Optional Activities

After the boat ride, the tour stops at a lakeside restaurant, a setting that’s hard to beat. The menu features various salads and local dishes, with many travelers describing the meal as “edible” and “average” but with a nice view. One reviewer mentioned that the food was cold pasta with no salt or sauce, which might disappoint those expecting gourmet fare.

Lakeside activities like fishing or canoeing are available, though not mandatory. You can choose to relax on the shore or get a bit more active, making the experience adaptable to different energy levels and interests.

Learning About Oymapnar Dam

A notable feature of this tour is the opportunity to learn about the Oymapnar Dam, Turkey’s fifth largest. Guides often share insights into its construction and significance, adding educational value to the scenic excursion. This aspect is especially appreciated by those interested in engineering or infrastructure.

Return and Reflection

After a leisurely afternoon, the group is transported back to Antalya, with drop-off at your hotel. This gives you a chance to reflect on the day’s highlights and perhaps plan your next adventure around Antalya’s diverse offerings.

The Practical Side: What You Need to Know

This tour is priced to include hotel pickup and drop-off, a boat trip, lunch, and entry fees, making it straightforward and convenient. Be aware that alcoholic drinks are not included, and you’ll want to bring essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, towel, and camera.

The total duration is about 9 hours, so it’s a full day’s outing. It’s scheduled to run rain or shine, so come prepared for various weather conditions. The tour is offered in multiple languages, including English, German, Russian, and Turkish, with the guide providing commentary along the way.

One potential drawback, as highlighted by a review, is the inconsistency in guide communication. One traveler noted that only English was spoken despite booking a German-language tour, and some felt the guide was not very attentive to their language needs. Also, food quality can be hit or miss, which may matter if you have specific dietary expectations.

Who Would Enjoy This Tour?

If you’re a traveler who enjoys scenic views and relaxing boat rides, you’ll find much to love here. The calm waters and lush surroundings are perfect for unwinding or taking photos. History or engineering buffs will appreciate the insights about Oymapnar Dam, making it more than just a sightseeing trip.

However, if you prefer gourmet meals or highly organized guides, you might find this experience somewhat lacking. The mixed reviews about the food and communication highlight that this tour is more about the scenery and atmosphere than luxury or precision.

This experience suits those who want a gentle, nature-focused day with the chance to learn a bit about Turkish infrastructure. It’s also good for families, couples, or solo travelers looking for a peaceful escape from the busy city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hotel pickup available for this tour?
Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Antalya are included. Make sure to provide your room number after check-in.

How long is the tour?
The entire experience lasts about 9 hours, including transportation, sightseeing, and lunch.

What should I bring?
Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, and sunscreen for comfort and safety.

Are drinks included?
Soft drinks are included, but alcoholic drinks are not part of the package.

Is the tour suitable for children?
While not explicitly stated, the relaxed nature of the trip and lakeside activities suggest it could be enjoyable for families, but consider the weather and the length of the day.

What about the food?
Lunchtime includes salads and local dishes, though some travelers find the quality to be average or just edible.

Will I get to swim during the trip?
Swimming is not explicitly included, but there are spots where you might enjoy water activities like canoeing or get in the water during lakeside stops.

Is the guide multilingual?
Yes, guides speak English, German, Russian, and Turkish, although communication quality may vary.

What is the main highlight of this tour?
The views of the dam and the tranquil boat ride across the lake are the standout features.

Can I cancel this tour?
Yes, cancellation is free if done at least 24 hours in advance.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Book This Tour?

If your idea of a perfect day involves scenic beauty, relaxed lakeside ambiance, and learning about Turkey’s impressive dam infrastructure, this Green Canyon tour can be quite rewarding. It offers excellent value for those who enjoy a mixture of sightseeing, gentle activities, and a peaceful environment.

Travelers looking for luxury or gourmet dining may feel disappointed, as the experience leans more towards natural beauty and simplicity. The mixed reviews about guides and food suggest that this tour is best suited for adventurers who prioritize scenery over perfection.

If you’re traveling with family or as a couple, and you appreciate a laid-back pace with plenty of photo opportunities, this tour can be a highlight of your Antalya trip. Just remember to manage expectations about food quality and guide communication—it’s the views and serenity that truly make this a worthwhile experience.

You can check availability for your dates here: