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

The most memorable part of this day is the sharp change of pace. You start with a bumpy jeep ride through the Taurus Mountains, get sprayed in a water fight, stop at Roman aqueducts and Green Canyon viewpoints, then slow down for a swim and boat ride on Green Lake. It is part sightseeing, part outdoor adventure, and part noisy group party.

I like the mix of off-road driving and lake time. You get real mountain views and dusty tracks, but you also have a calm boat trip and a proper lunch near the water. I also like the value: at about $19 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup, a guide, lunch, insurance, and the jeep and lake activities when the boat option is selected.

The catch is simple: this is not a quiet nature outing. The jeeps can be crowded, the roads are rough, music is loud, and water and dust are part of the plan. Bring a bandana, avoid white clothes, and leave valuable electronics at your hotel.

The day in six useful points

• Bumpy Taurus Mountain tracks: Expect a lively off-road ride rather than a gentle scenic drive.
• Green Canyon viewpoints: Stops near Oymapinar Dam give you wide views and good photo chances.
• Roman aqueduct stop: A short break adds an ancient site to an otherwise outdoors-focused day.
• Swimming at Green Lake: You can cool off while lunch is prepared, then swim again from the boat.
• Water fights and loud music: The convoy is designed for fun, not silence, so protect your phone and camera.
• Manavgat Waterfall finale: The final stop gives you fresh air, photos, and a change from the dusty jeep tracks.

Who will enjoy this Side excursion

I would choose this trip if you want to see more than the hotel strip around Side without arranging your own transport. It works especially well for families with older children, groups of friends, and anyone who likes a little adrenaline with their sightseeing.

The day is active but not built around long walks. Most of your time is spent sitting in the jeep, at viewpoints, near the lake, or on the boat. That makes it a practical way to see mountain scenery, Green Canyon, Green Lake, and Manavgat Waterfall in one outing.

The experience suits people who enjoy a social atmosphere. Guides use music, jokes, water fights, and group interaction to keep the convoy lively. The lead host is known as Johnny Cash, and other team members have included Miki and drivers such as Joseph, Atoo, Alex, Niko, and Denny. Your driver will vary, but the driver matters here because the off-road sections are a major part of the fun.

I would not pick it for a peaceful day in nature. The jeeps may carry around ten people each, and several jeeps can travel together. One person found a jeep cramped, while another family with children found the arrangement comfortable and well managed. Your experience will depend partly on the group and the vehicle you are assigned.

Children under two cannot join. Families with older children have enjoyed the ride, but keep in mind that the tracks are genuinely rough. If anyone in your group dislikes jolting, dust, loud music, or getting wet, this is probably the wrong excursion.

Hotel pickup and the morning briefing

Pickup is included from hotels in the Side area. The meeting point is at the hotel security gate, so be ready there rather than waiting inside reception. The exact start time varies, and the full outing lasts around six to seven hours.

After pickup, you meet the rest of the group and receive a short briefing. The team explains where to sit in the jeeps and outlines the day. This matters because the tour moves as a convoy, with planned stops and set times rather than a flexible private drive.

The vehicles are open-style jeeps or SUVs used for the mountain tracks. Bring sunglasses and something to cover your face. Dust can blow back from the vehicles ahead, especially on dry roads. A bandana may be available for about €5 at the meeting point, but bringing your own is cheaper and easier.

You should also expect water fights between the jeeps. Do not carry a phone, camera, or other electronic device unless it is protected in a genuinely waterproof case. The water fights are not a surprise once the day gets going, but they can catch unprepared passengers off guard.

Off-road through the Taurus Mountains

The first major part of the day takes you into the Taurus Mountains. The jeep leaves the regular roads and follows rough tracks, with the driver handling steep, uneven, and twisting sections.

This is the part that gives the tour its character. You are not simply being driven to a viewpoint in a standard bus. The dust, jolts, turns, and open-air seating make the route feel like an adventure. Skilled drivers are important, and the team has received strong praise for drivers such as Joseph, Atoo, Alex, and Niko.

Still, do not mistake the fun for a smooth ride. You may be thrown around a bit, especially during faster or rougher sections. Hold on carefully, keep loose belongings secured, and avoid bringing anything fragile.

The route includes stops for views over the surrounding hills and lake. These breaks are useful because the moving jeep is not the best place for photographs. Your guide also creates chances for group photos, and an optional photo and video package may be offered during the day. Photos are not included in the listed price.

Roman aqueducts and Green Canyon viewpoints

A short stop at Roman aqueducts adds an older layer to the outing. You have time to rest and take photographs, but this is not a long archaeological visit. Think of it as a brief cultural pause between the mountain tracks and the lake scenery.

The route then continues toward Green Canyon and the Oymapinar Dam. The canyon views are among the strongest photo opportunities of the day. From the higher points, you can see the water, steep sides, and broad mountain setting around the dam.

I like this section because it shows a side of the Antalya Province that is easy to miss if you stay near the coast. Side is known for its beaches and ancient center, but this trip takes you inland into a much more rugged setting.

The timing is fairly brisk. You can take photographs and enjoy the view, but you should not expect a long, quiet period at each stop. The convoy has to keep moving to fit the lake, lunch, boat ride, and waterfall into one day.

Green Lake, swimming, and lunch by the water

The jeeps continue toward Green Lake, with more off-road driving along the way. A stop at an old mosque is included, where the guide gives some context before the group continues to the restaurant.

Lunch is served near Green Lake. The exact order can vary, but the outing includes time for a swim while the food is prepared, followed by the meal and the boat trip. The lunch has been described as a substantial buffet with chicken, salad, pasta, rice, couscous, and bread. Drinks are extra, so carry some cash or ask about the available payment arrangements.

The setting is the real attraction here. After the noise and dust of the mountain ride, sitting near the clear lake water gives you a chance to slow down. The food is simple rather than gourmet, but it suits an active day and is included in the low tour price.

Swimming is an important part of the experience, so bring swimwear and a towel if you have room. You may get wet even if you do not plan to swim, thanks to the water fights. In warm weather, this is welcome. In cooler conditions, you may want a dry layer for the ride afterward.

The restaurant stop also provides a useful break for toilets and drinks. Prices for drinks have been described as reasonable, but they are not part of the package.

The Green Lake boat cruise

The boat ride lasts around 50 minutes to an hour. It provides a welcome contrast to the jeep safari, with a slower route across Green Lake and time to look back at the wooded slopes and canyon sides from the water.

There is usually another chance to swim from the boat. If you enjoy being in the water, this makes the boat option worth choosing. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on board and enjoy the views.

The boat atmosphere can be lively rather than silent. Music, dancing, and group entertainment are part of the style of this excursion. I would bring a cover-up, sunglasses, and a secure bag for dry items.

Check the booking option carefully before paying. The information describes the boat trip as included when the boat option is selected, which suggests there may be more than one package. The low advertised price is excellent value if it includes the boat, lunch, transport, and insurance, but you should confirm the exact option you are booking.

Manavgat Waterfall as the final stop

After the lake activities, you return to the jeep for the final drive to Manavgat Waterfall. The stop lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, enough for fresh air and photographs.

The waterfall is a pleasant finish because it offers a different type of scenery from the mountain tracks and lake. Do not plan on a long visit. This is a short sightseeing stop before the convoy returns to Side.

The waterfall entrance fee is not included. That small extra cost is worth checking before you arrive, particularly if you are keeping to a strict budget. If you decide not to enter, the timing and arrangements may be explained by the guide, but the listed tour price does not cover admission.

After the waterfall, the jeeps take you back to your hotel. Pickup and drop-off by jeep make the day easier than arranging taxis to remote mountain and lake locations.

What to bring, and what to leave behind

Pack lightly. You will be moving between a jeep, restaurant, lake, and boat, and there is little benefit in carrying a large bag.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Swimwear
• A towel or change of clothes
• A bandana or scarf for dust
• Sunscreen
• A secure waterproof pouch for essentials

Wear practical clothes and shoes that can handle dust and water. White clothing is a poor choice. The combination of mountain dust, lake spray, and water fights can leave you looking very different by the afternoon.

Leave pets at home. Children under two are not allowed, and the rough ride means you should think carefully about comfort for very young children even when they meet the age requirement.

Electronic devices deserve special care. The tour specifically warns about water fights, and several parts of the day involve swimming or boat spray. I would not carry an unprotected phone on the jeep. If you want photos, use a waterproof action camera or buy the optional pictures taken by the crew.

Is $19 good value?

At $19 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a six to seven hour outing with transport, a guide, lunch, insurance, off-road driving, and a boat trip when selected. You are paying less for luxury and more for a full schedule of activities.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In one day, you get mountain roads, viewpoints, Roman remains, an old mosque, Green Canyon, Green Lake, lunch, swimming, a boat cruise, and Manavgat Waterfall. Reaching all of those places independently would take more planning and transport.

The trade-off is group-tour comfort. You may share a jeep with several other people, and the schedule is not built around lingering at one beautiful spot. Drinks, photographs, the waterfall entrance fee, and possibly the boat option are extra or dependent on the package you select.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup is offered in English, German, and French, with private or small-group options available. Those options may affect the final price, so check the booking details if personal space matters to you.

Best time to take this safari

Warm weather makes the lake swimming and water fights more enjoyable. On cooler mornings, especially later in the year, bring a jacket. The jeep is open to the air, and the morning can feel chilly before the sun becomes strong.

The tour can still be enjoyable in less-than-perfect weather because the guides keep the schedule moving and add energy to the ride. Even so, the best photographs and swimming conditions depend on the day.

If you want the most comfortable balance, choose clothing you can layer. You can remove a jacket once the day warms up, then put it back on for the ride home.

Should you book the Side jeep safari?

Book it if you want an active, social day with a lot packed into it. The strongest reasons are the low price, the mix of rough mountain driving and peaceful lake time, and the convenience of hotel pickup. Families with older children and groups of friends are likely to get the most from it.

Skip it if you want quiet viewpoints, a private vehicle, or a slow cultural tour. The water fights, dust, loud music, and bumpy roads are not minor details. They are central to the experience.

My practical advice is to select the boat option, bring a scarf and dry clothes, protect your electronics, and confirm what is included before booking. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a very strong-value way to see the inland scenery around Side.

FAQ

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

The activity lasts approximately six to seven hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off in the Side area.

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.

Is lunch included?

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

Is the Green Lake boat trip included?

The boat trip is included when you select the boat-trip option. Check the exact package before booking because the activity information refers to different options.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. There is a swimming stop at Green Lake, and you can also swim from the boat during the lake cruise.

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in English, German, and French.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children under two years old are not allowed. The tour information does not give a maximum age, but the ride includes rough off-road tracks.

Are drinks, photos, and the waterfall entrance included?

No. Drinks, photos, and the Manavgat Waterfall entrance fee are not included in the listed price.