City of Side: Jeep Safari & Green Lake Boat Trip with Lunch

Green Lake is the star here, but you reach it in a way that turns the journey into the main event. From Side, you ride in an open jeep convoy through the Taurus Mountains, bump along dusty tracks, pause at Roman aqueducts, and stop above Green Canyon and the Oymapinar Dam. Then comes lunch, swimming, music, and a boat ride.

I like the mix of thrills and quiet water: the jeep ride is loud, wet, and bumpy, while the lake cruise gives you time to sit back. I also like the excellent value at $19, with hotel pickup, lunch, a guide, off-road driving, insurance, and the boat trip included when that option is selected. The main drawback is simple: this is not a peaceful sightseeing tour. Dust, water fights, loud music, cramped seating, and rough roads are part of the deal.

Key points to know before you book

• Green Lake gives you two different experiences: a swim from shore or the boat, followed by a roughly one-hour cruise.
• The jeep safari is genuinely bumpy: expect dusty tracks, sharp turns, water fights, and plenty of bouncing.
• Lunch is served near the lake: the usual spread includes chicken, salad, pasta, rice, couscous, and bread, while drinks cost extra.
• The convoy atmosphere is part of the attraction: music, jokes, dancing, and energetic guides such as Johnny Cash and Miki keep the day moving.
• Manavgat Waterfall is a short final stop: allow for a possible entrance charge, which is not included.
• Bring a face covering: sunglasses, swimwear, a hat, and a scarf or bandana will make the day much more comfortable.

A $19 day from Side into the Taurus Mountains

At $19 per person, this tour offers an unusually full package. You get pickup and drop-off at your Side hotel, a six to seven-hour outing, a driver, a guide, off-road routes, lunch, insurance, and a boat trip if you select that option.

The price is low because this is a shared, high-volume tour rather than a private mountain expedition. Several jeeps may travel together, with around 10 vehicles and roughly 10 people per jeep on busy days. That keeps the cost down, but it also means you should expect a social, noisy outing rather than personal attention at every stop.

Pickup is arranged at the front of your hotel security gate. The day commonly begins in the morning and returns in the afternoon. One reported schedule ran from about 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., though you should check the current pickup time when booking.

The company sends pickup information in advance, and guides explain the day in English, German, or French. Some tours may include small groups or private arrangements, so check the available option if you want more space.

The jeep ride is the real headline

You first meet the guide and receive a briefing on how to sit in the jeeps and what to expect. Then the convoy heads toward the Taurus Mountains, leaving the resort area behind.

This is not a smooth scenic drive. The roads can be rough, dusty, and full of sudden turns. You may be thrown around a little, so hold on and avoid bringing anything fragile. The open-sided jeeps give you broad views, but they also leave you exposed to dust, sun, and water.

The drivers are a major part of the experience. Names that appear during the operation include Joseph, Atoo, Alex, Denny, Niko, Victor, and others, while Johnny Cash is often the energetic host leading the group. Driver quality matters on a route like this, and the strongest part of the experience is the mix of skilled handling and comic timing.

You will also encounter water fights between jeeps. Bottles are used for the battle, and you may get soaked even if you did not plan to swim. The warm weather helps you dry quickly, but do not wear white clothing or anything you want to keep spotless.

The convoy often plays loud music, and the atmosphere can turn into a moving party. If you enjoy singing, joking, and a bit of chaos, you will likely have a good time. If you prefer quiet roads and careful nature watching, this is the point where you may decide the tour is not for you.

Mountain viewpoints and the Roman aqueducts

The first serious stops take you into the hills above the lake country. Your driver will pull over at viewpoints so you can take photos of the surrounding scenery. These pauses matter because the jeep seats are not ideal for watching the view continuously, and the rough route demands more attention than a normal road trip.

The old Roman aqueducts provide another short break. You have time to stretch, take photographs, and look at a piece of infrastructure that once carried water across the area. This is not a long archaeological visit with detailed interpretation, so keep your expectations modest. It is a scenic and historical pause within an adventure tour, not a full Roman site visit.

The stop also gives you a useful reset before the next run of off-road driving. Bring your sunglasses and keep your camera protected. Dust can reach everything in the open jeep, and the water fights add another reason to use a waterproof pouch if you bring a phone.

Green Canyon and the Oymapinar Dam viewpoints

The route continues toward Green Canyon, where the scenery becomes the visual high point of the morning. You stop for views of the canyon and the Oymapinar Dam, with time for photographs before moving on.

The canyon and reservoir are best appreciated from above and from the water later in the day. The jeep stop gives you the first angle, with mountain roads and high viewpoints. You do not spend a long time here, so treat it as a photo stop rather than a walk or extended nature visit.

This is also where the tour shows its strength as a practical sightseeing option. You see parts of the countryside that would be awkward to reach without hiring a vehicle, but you do not have to arrange directions, parking, or a mountain route yourself.

The tradeoff is control. You follow the group schedule, and the guide decides how long the convoy stays at each viewpoint. That works well if you want to cover several sights in one day. It works less well if you want to linger over a single view.

The old mosque and the road to Green Lake

On the way to Green Lake, the jeeps stop at an old mosque. The guide provides context, and you get a brief chance to look around and take photos.

The mosque is a small cultural pause between the outdoor stops. It breaks up the driving and gives the day more variety than a simple off-road circuit. Still, the visit is short, so dress and behave respectfully, and do not expect a long guided tour.

The final approach to Green Lake again uses rough roads. By this point, you will have a good sense of the tour’s rhythm: drive, stop, photograph, laugh, get dusty or wet, then move on. The repeated pattern is part of the fun for families and groups, but it can feel busy if you want a slow day.

Lunch beside Green Lake

Lunch is served at a restaurant near the water. The meal is commonly buffet style, with chicken, salad, pasta, rice or couscous, and bread. Portions are described as substantial, and the setting beside the lake makes this a welcome pause after the morning drive.

Drinks are not included, though prices have been described as reasonable. Bring some cash for drinks and any other extras. You may order your meal and then use the waiting time to swim before sitting down to eat.

The chicken can be a little firm, so do not expect a polished restaurant meal. I would judge lunch as practical and filling rather than a reason to book the tour by itself. At this price, including a full meal beside Green Lake is a real help to the overall value.

The restaurant stop also gives you access to toilets and a place to wash off some dust. Bring a change of clothes if you dislike staying damp after the water fights. A towel is useful, although it is not listed among the required items.

Swimming at Green Lake

You get a swimming break at Green Lake while lunch is prepared, followed by another chance to swim during the boat ride. The lake water is the calm counterpoint to the jeep route, and this is where the day slows down.

Bring swimwear, sunglasses, and a sun hat. You can get wet during the water fights, but that is different from having proper swimming clothes, so pack accordingly.

The swimming break is a strong reason to choose the boat option if it is offered separately during booking. You get more than a quick photo beside the water: you have time to enter the lake and cool off after the dusty mountain roads.

Safety details such as water depth, changing facilities, or flotation equipment are not specified, so follow the guide’s instructions and use the designated swimming areas. Keep phones and wallets secure. The boat and jeep portions both involve water, and electronic devices are specifically discouraged because of the water fights.

A 50-minute boat cruise on the lake

After lunch, you board a boat near Green Lake for roughly 50 minutes to an hour. This is the most relaxed section of the tour and gives you a different view of the canyon and surrounding mountains.

Some departures turn the boat ride into a lively group session with music and dancing. Others may feel calmer, depending on the group and the day. You can expect time to sit, photograph the water, and swim from the boat if conditions and the guide’s instructions allow it.

I like this change of pace. The jeep route supplies the adrenaline, while the boat lets you take in the scenery without bouncing over a dirt track. The combination also makes the tour suitable for mixed groups, since not everyone needs to be thrilled every minute.

The boat trip is included when that option is selected. Check the exact booking choice before paying, since the activity information treats it as an optional selection. Drinks are not included, so budget for those separately.

Manavgat Waterfall as the final stop

After leaving the lake, you return to the jeeps and make one last sightseeing stop at Manavgat Waterfall. The visit lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, enough for fresh air and photographs.

The waterfall is a convenient final stop because it adds a well-known Manavgat sight without requiring another full excursion. You should not expect a long walk or a full afternoon at the falls. The stop is short and fitted into the return journey.

An entrance fee may apply, and it is not included in the tour price. Keep a little money aside if you want to enter. After the waterfall, the jeeps take you back to your Side hotel.

What to bring, and what to leave behind

The official essentials are sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear. Based on the conditions of the route, I would also bring a scarf or bandana to cover your nose and mouth during the dusty sections.

Bandanas may be available for about €5 before the safari, but bringing your own is cheaper. Wear clothes that can handle dust and water, and avoid white outfits. A light jacket is useful in the morning during cooler months, especially near the end of the season.

Do not bring pets. Most important, do not carry loose electronic devices that you cannot protect. The water fights are a planned part of the day, not a rare surprise. If you need your phone for photos, use a properly sealed waterproof case and accept that you are taking a risk.

Photos and videos are sold separately. Some packages have included photographs taken during the day, posed shots, or drone images, with one reported price of about €45 for the collection. You can decide at the end, but do not assume photography is part of the $19 price.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this for families with older children, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a packed day outside Side. Children over two can take part, and several families enjoyed the mix of driving, water, lunch, and swimming. Very young children may find the bumps and noise tiring, even though one family managed the outing with a three-year-old and received extra care from the driver.

The trip suits you if you enjoy:

• Rough roads and open-air driving
• Loud music and group entertainment
• Swimming and water fights
• Short scenic and cultural stops
• A full schedule at a low price

It is less suitable if you have back problems, dislike being splashed, need a quiet environment, or want long visits at each sight. The jeep seats can feel cramped when a vehicle is full, and the ride is not gentle.

The tour is also a good match for visitors who have already seen Side’s beaches and ruins and want a change of scenery. It does not replace a dedicated canyon cruise or archaeological tour, but it gives you a broad taste of the countryside in one day.

Should you book the Side Green Lake jeep safari?

Book it if you want maximum activity for minimum cost. The strongest combination is the skilled driving, the mountain views, the Green Lake swim, the included lunch, and the boat cruise. Guides such as Johnny Cash and drivers such as Joseph or Atoo help create the lively atmosphere that gives this outing its character.

Skip it if your idea of a holiday day is a quiet road, a small group, and plenty of time at one place. The convoy can be crowded, the music loud, and the roads rough.

For most active visitors staying in Side, this is a very strong value at $19. Bring a bandana, wear old clothes, protect your phone, and select the boat option if it is not already included in your booking. Then settle in for a dusty, wet, funny day that covers far more ground than the price suggests.

FAQ

How long does the Side jeep safari and Green Lake trip last?

The experience lasts about six to seven hours. One reported schedule ran from approximately 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., but you should check the available starting time for your date.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by jeep are included for hotels in the Side area. Pickup takes place at the front of the hotel security gate.

What languages are available for the guide?

Guiding is available in English, German, and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch near Green Lake is included. Drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

Is the boat trip included?

The boat trip at Green Lake is included when you select that option. Check your booking choice to confirm that it is part of your package.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. You have a swimming break at Green Lake, and there is another chance to swim during the boat trip.

Do I need to pay for anything else?

Drinks, photos, and the Manavgat Waterfall entrance fee are not included. You may also choose to buy a bandana before the safari if you did not bring a face covering.