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

The best part of this Side excursion is the change of pace. You begin on rough Taurus Mountain tracks, pause above Green Lake and Green Canyon, then trade the jolting jeep for a calm boat ride and a swim. It is sightseeing with plenty of noise, dust and splashing.

I like the remarkably low price, which covers hotel pickup, lunch, guiding, off-road driving and insurance. I also like the mix of scenery and activity: Roman aqueducts, Oymapinar Dam views, a mosque stop, lake swimming and Manavgat Waterfalls all fit into one day. The drawback is clear: this is not a quiet nature outing. Expect loud music, bumpy roads, water fights and a crowded convoy.

Key points to know before booking

• The jeep ride is the main event: Expect rough tracks, sharp turns, dust and a fair amount of bouncing.
• Green Lake gives you two different stops: You can swim from the shore or boat, then enjoy a separate cruise of about 50 minutes.
• Lunch is included: The meal is generally buffet-style, with chicken, salad, pasta, rice, couscous and bread reported on recent outings.
• Water fights are part of the fun: Keep cameras and phones protected, or leave them at the hotel.
• The guides set the mood: Names often mentioned include Joseph, Atoo, Johnny Cash, Alex and Denny, though your crew will vary.
• Bring a scarf or bandana: Dust blows into the open jeeps, and a bandana may be available to buy for €5.

What this Side jeep safari is really like

This is a full-day outing of about six to seven hours, built around a simple idea: see the countryside from an open jeep, then cool off at Green Lake. It is less a formal sightseeing tour than an active group day with a party atmosphere.

You leave from your hotel in the Side area, usually with pickup at the security gate. The exact start time depends on availability and your hotel, but the day includes a briefing before the convoy sets off. You meet the guide, learn where to sit, and get a run-through of the plan.

The jeeps are open to the air, which gives you wide views and a good breeze. It also means dust, sun and occasional water. A driver stays with you through the day, and the team usually gives the convoy a lively soundtrack. Guides such as Johnny Cash and Miki are known for keeping people informed and entertained, while individual drivers including Joseph, Atoo, Alex, Denny and Niko have received special praise for their driving and humor.

Names change from day to day, so do not book expecting a particular driver. The important point is that the tour relies heavily on its crew. A good driver makes the rough sections exciting without making them feel careless.

The Taurus Mountains by open jeep

The first proper section heads into the Taurus Mountains. The road becomes rougher, and the jeep begins to feel more like a safari vehicle than ordinary transport. You will pass through rural surroundings and stop at viewpoints for photographs.

This is where the tour earns its name. The driving is not a token trip along a paved road. You should expect bumps, jolts and sudden movement. One useful way to think about it is as a scenic thrill ride with photo stops, not a comfortable coach tour.

The reviews repeatedly highlight skilled drivers, and that matters here. You may be thrown around a little, especially on the rougher tracks, but the driver controls the vehicle while the guide keeps the group together. If you have a bad back, dislike bumpy rides or want a peaceful morning, this may not be your best choice.

The open sides give you a full view in every direction. That is a real advantage over a closed vehicle, but it leaves you exposed to dust. Wear sunglasses and cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or bandana. Avoid white clothes if you plan to join the water fights, and expect your clothing to pick up some dust along the way.

Roman aqueducts and the first photo stops

The convoy pauses at Roman aqueducts for a short rest and photographs. This is not a long archaeological visit with detailed interpretation. It is a quick stop that breaks up the drive and adds an older layer to a day otherwise focused on lakes and mountain roads.

Your guide may explain the site, and there is time to stretch and take group pictures. The stop is useful because the jeep ride can feel intense early in the day. Do not expect a lengthy history talk or a museum-style visit.

The tour works best when you treat these locations as scenic pauses rather than major standalone attractions. The value comes from seeing several different parts of the area in one outing without arranging separate transport.

Green Canyon and Oymapinar Dam views

The route continues toward Green Canyon, where you stop for views over the canyon and Oymapinar Dam. This is one of the prettiest parts of the day, with the water and high ground providing a sharp contrast to the dusty tracks.

The photo stop lasts around 30 minutes. That gives you enough time to look around, take pictures and enjoy a break from the moving jeep. If you want polished sightseeing with plenty of time at each viewpoint, the schedule may feel brisk. If you like seeing several places in one day, the pace works well.

The canyon section also shows why the combination of jeep and boat is worthwhile. From the road, you get broad views from above. Later, the boat puts you close to the water. The two stops offer different ways to see the same area.

The mosque stop and arrival at Green Lake

On the way to the lake, the convoy stops at an old mosque. Your guide accompanies the group, making this more than a random roadside pause. Still, the stop is brief, so treat it as a cultural glimpse rather than a full religious or architectural tour.

Green Lake is the day’s main base. Once you arrive, you have time to swim while lunch is prepared. The water break usually lasts around 30 minutes before or around the meal period, and a separate boat ride follows later. The exact order can vary because the published timing places lunch and the boat cruise in slightly different sequences.

This part of the day slows things down. After the noise and jolts of the mountains, the lake gives you a chance to cool off and sit still. Bring proper swimwear rather than relying on casual clothing. You should also have a towel available from your own packing, since one is not listed as an inclusion.

The water is a major reason to choose this tour over a standard countryside drive. You are not only looking at Green Lake from a viewpoint. You get a chance to enter it. Some outings also include swimming from the boat, so bring clothes you can change out of afterward.

Lunch beside the lake

Lunch is served at a restaurant near Green Lake and is included in the advertised price. Recent meals have included chicken, salad, pasta, rice or couscous, bread and similar buffet-style items. Drinks cost extra, so keep some money aside if you want something beyond the included food.

This is practical tour lunch rather than a destination meal. The setting does much of the work: you eat near fresh water, with the lake and surrounding hills close by. Portions have generally been described as substantial, though one meal was criticized for chicken that was a little tough.

The timing is useful. You can order or settle into the meal while the swim break and boat arrangements are organized. It also gives you a proper pause in what is otherwise a very active day.

If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus. Ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet will suit you.

A 50-minute boat trip on Green Lake

The boat cruise is the gentler half of the day. The ride lasts about 50 minutes to one hour, depending on the schedule, and gives you a closer look at the lake and the canyon surroundings.

Expect music and a social atmosphere rather than a silent nature cruise. The boat is used for relaxing, taking pictures and swimming from the vessel. This is a good balance after the off-road drive, especially if you want some calm without losing the fun group mood.

Check the booking option carefully. The boat trip is included only if the selected option includes it. Since the advertised starting price is $19 per person, confirm exactly what your chosen rate covers before paying. Even when it costs extra, the boat ride is the part I would prioritize. It adds a real change in scenery and gives you another swimming chance.

The water can make electronic devices especially risky. The tour includes water fights between jeeps, and you may also get wet during the group activities. Leave valuable electronics behind or seal them carefully in a waterproof pouch.

Water fights, music and the party side of the tour

The tour has a strong entertainment element. Drivers play loud music, the convoy may sing and dance, and water fights take place between jeeps. A foam cannon has also been part of some outings.

This is fun if you enjoy a cheerful group setting. Families with older children and teenagers have particularly liked the mix of action, swimming and jokes. The tour is also suitable for adults who want a lighthearted day rather than a formal cultural program.

It is less suitable if you dislike being splashed or do not want loud music. You cannot assume you will stay dry just because you skip the swim. Bring a change of clothes if that will make the afternoon more comfortable.

The operator sells photographs and videos of the day, including posed shots and drone images on some departures. These are not included, and one recent price was €45 for the photo and video package. Treat this as optional. You can have a good day without buying it, but the package may appeal if you want pictures of the jeeps, boat and water activities.

Manavgat Waterfalls as the final stop

The last sightseeing stop is Manavgat Waterfalls, with about 20 to 30 minutes for fresh air and photographs. It is a compact finale after the lake activities and gives you one final change of scenery before the return drive.

An entrance fee is not included, so budget for that separately. The stop is fairly short, which means you should not expect a long walk or extended time at the falls. It works best as a final photo break, not as the main reason to book the tour.

Afterward, you return to the jeeps and head back to your Side-area hotel. Pickup and drop-off are included, with the meeting point usually in front of the hotel security gate.

Price, group size and practical value

At $19 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive day out if your selected option includes the boat ride. Hotel transport, the off-road route, guide, lunch and insurance are included. Drinks, waterfall entry, photographs and possibly the boat trip are extra depending on the option you choose.

The value comes from combining several paid-style activities into one day. A mountain excursion, lake swim, meal, boat cruise and waterfall stop would take more planning and transport if arranged separately. You also avoid hiring a vehicle for rough mountain roads.

The tradeoff is group size. Reviews describe convoys of around 10 jeeps, with about 10 people in each vehicle on some departures. That creates energy and makes the water fights possible, but it can also mean waiting for the group and sitting in a crowded jeep. One person found the jeep cramped because it was overbooked.

Private or small-group options are available, so check the choice carefully when booking. If personal space and a quieter pace matter to you, the upgrade may be worth considering.

What to bring and who should skip it

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear and a scarf or bandana. The official advice does not mention the face covering, but dust is a repeated practical issue, and bandanas may be sold for €5 at the meeting point.

Leave pets at home. Children under two are not suitable for the activity. The information does not set a general upper age limit, and one group with an older person who had mobility problems received careful assistance, but the rough ride may still be hard for anyone with limited mobility.

This outing suits you if you want:

• A low-cost full-day activity from Side
• Mountain views without driving yourself
• Off-road excitement and water games
• A swim in Green Lake
• A lively guide and group atmosphere
• A family day that works well for older children and teenagers

Choose another outing if you want quiet, long visits at historical sites, a refined meal or a smooth ride. The driving is bumpy, the music can be loud and the schedule packs a lot into six or seven hours.

Should you book the Green Lake jeep safari?

I would book this if you see the day as an active Turkish countryside outing rather than a gentle sightseeing trip. The strongest reasons are the low price, the range of stops and the two-part experience of dusty mountain tracks followed by cool lake water.

Check three things before you commit: confirm whether the boat trip is included, allow extra money for drinks and the waterfall, and prepare for water and dust. If you do that, the tour offers an impressive amount for the cost.

For the best chance of enjoying it, choose the small-group or private option if available, bring a bandana, and protect your phone. If the idea of loud music, rough driving and water fights sounds entertaining, this is one of the better-value day trips from Side.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts about six to seven hours, including hotel pickup, the jeep route, stops, lunch, the boat ride and return transfer.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in English, German and French.

Is lunch included?

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

Is the boat trip included in the price?

The boat trip is included only when you select the option that includes it. Check the exact booking option before paying.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. There is a swimming break at Green Lake, and the boat trip also provides an opportunity to swim from the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear and a scarf or bandana to protect your face from dust. A change of clothes is also sensible because water fights can leave you wet.

Can I bring my phone or camera?

The tour includes water fights between the jeeps, so electronic devices should not be brought unless they are securely protected from water and dust.

Are drinks, photos and the waterfall entrance included?

No. Drinks, tour photographs and the Manavgat Waterfalls entrance fee are not included.