The Green Canyon is a turquoise-coloured canyon that winds between steep slopes around Oymapınar Dam Lake near Manavgat. This area, which you can visit in a day from Alanya, is one of the most popular routes for a boat trip, a swim and lunch by the lake. In this guide we explain in plain language how to get there from Alanya, which tour options there are and how the day goes.
Where is the Green Canyon?
The canyon lies west of Alanya, on the lake of the Oymapınar Dam near the district of Manavgat; the dam is on the Manavgat River. After pickup from your hotel, the journey to the dam pier takes about an hour and a half, and the programme includes photo stops on the way. After the drive you tour the lake and the canyon channels by boat.
Three different options from Alanya
You can see the same area in three different styles; which one to choose depends on how you want to spend the day:
- Green Canyon boat tour (about 8 hours): Most of the day is spent on the boat and on the lake; there is a swim stop, lunch by the lake and optional fishing. Soft drinks on the boat are included.
- Jeep safari and boat tour (about 7 hours): First mountain roads and Roman aqueducts in off-road vehicles, then a boat tour of about an hour on Green Lake and a half-hour swim stop.
- Cabrio bus and waterfall tour (about 7 hours): A ride on an open-top, air-conditioned bus; a boat tour on Green Lake, free time for swimming or canoeing, and a stop at Manavgat Waterfall.
Choose the first if you only want the lake and swimming, the second if you also want a bit of off-road adventure, and the third if you prefer a guided day with several stops.
Which tour suits whom?
- A calm day with plenty of lake and swimming: The boat tour. Most of the programme takes place on the lake.
- Both adventure and the lake: The jeep safari and boat tour. You get the off-road drive and the lake trip on the same day.
- A comfortable day with many stops: The cabrio bus tour. The Roman aqueducts, a Yörük village, an orange garden, a viewpoint hill, the boat tour and Manavgat Waterfall in a single day.
The three tours at a glance
- Duration: The boat tour takes about 8 hours, the other two about 7 hours.
- Off-road driving: Only on the jeep safari and boat tour; on the cabrio tour the journey is made by open-top bus.
- Boat and swimming: All three include a boat trip and a chance to swim. On the boat tour the lake trip takes up most of the day, on the jeep tour the swim stop is about 30 minutes, and on the cabrio tour there is free time for swimming, canoeing or pedal boats.
- Lunch: Included in all three.
- Entrance fees: On the cabrio tour the entrance fees to Seleukeia Ancient City, the Green Canyon and Külliye Mosque are included.
How does the day go on the boat tour?
In the first part of the boat tour you sail along the lake and stop for a swim. Lunch is eaten at the restaurant by the lake; the menu includes grilled fish or chicken, meatballs, salad, rice or pasta and meze. After the meal, those who wish can try fishing with a rod; the equipment is provided. In the second part the boat passes through the narrower channels of the canyon. The boat has changing cabins, a toilet and showers, and life jackets are used for guests who cannot swim.
An example schedule looks like this (times may vary by area):
- 09:00 – Hotel pickup
- 10:30 – Arrival at the dam pier and a short photo stop
- 11:00 – Boat tour and swim stop
- 13:00 – Lunch by the lake
- 14:30 – Optional fishing
- 15:30 – Second boat section through the narrow channels of the canyon
- 16:30 – Return to the pier; drop-off at your hotel at about 17:00
What is on the cabrio bus tour?
The cabrio bus is a tour vehicle that is open-top, air-conditioned and has a sound system. Along the way there are photo stops at the Roman aqueducts and a traditional Yörük village, a visit to an orange garden and a stop on a hill with views of the Mediterranean and the Green Canyon. After the boat tour on Green Lake there is free time for swimming, canoeing or pedal boats; at the end of the day you stop at Manavgat Waterfall. Guiding is offered in Turkish, English, German and Russian.
Swimming and safety
A swim stop is made on the boat tours; cooling off in the lake in the summer heat is one of the nicest moments of the day. Life jackets are used for guests who cannot swim. The order of the programme may change depending on the water level and the weather; following the guide’s instructions and keeping a close eye on children in the water are the most important rules.
What to bring
- Swimsuit and towel
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- Phone or camera (a waterproof cover if there will be water games)
- A little cash for drinks and personal expenses
- On the jeep and cabrio options, a light top and comfortable shoes
A few small photo tips
The lake and the canyon look best outdoors; hold your phone with both hands when taking photos and secure it with a strap around your wrist or neck. Keep your camera in your bag before you get into the water; protecting electronics during water games is your responsibility.
With children
On all three tours infants aged 0–2 are free and the child price applies for ages 3–11. Life jackets are used for guests who cannot swim; keep a close eye on children in the water. In summer, a hat and sunscreen are a must for protection from the sun.
When should you go?
Tours run all year; the warm months are the best time for swimming. In busy periods it is a good idea to book early, especially for the cabrio bus tour, as capacity is limited. On the cabrio bus tour guiding is offered in Turkish, English, German and Russian.
Frequently asked questions
- Is lunch included? Yes, lunch is included in the price on all three tours; drinks are extra (on the boat tour, the soft drinks on the boat are included).
- Is fishing extra? The fishing equipment is included in the price of the boat tour; taking part is optional.
- What about entrance fees? On the cabrio bus tour the entrance fees to Seleukeia Ancient City, the Green Canyon and Külliye Mosque are included; the entrance to Manavgat Waterfall is not.
- What should I wear to visit the mosque? Shoulders and knees must be covered.
Booking takes a few minutes on the tour page, and payment is made to the guide on the day of the tour. For more, you can look at the frequently asked questions.
A boat trip on the turquoise waters of the Green Canyon: swimming, lunch by the lake and optional fishing. About 8 hours. Daily By jeep along mountain roads to the Green Canyon, a 1-hour boat tour on Green Lake, swimming and lunch by the lake. About 7 hours. Daily
8 hours
Green Canyon Safari from Alanya
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Green Canyon Jeep Safari & Boat Tour
If you are looking for a cooler, narrower canyon, our Sapadere Canyon guide may also interest you.
