City of Side: Electric Catamaran Cruise & Lunch & Waterfall

Green Canyon makes a fine escape from Side. This full-day trip combines a one-hour electric catamaran ride on Green Lake with Manavgat Waterfall, Seleukia ruins, a mosque visit, a dam viewpoint, and a Turkish lunch beside the water. I like the mix of nature and local sights, and I like that hotel pickup removes the trouble of arranging transport. The main catch is that the day covers a lot of ground, and the program may not match every detail exactly.

At $25 per person, the package offers strong value if you want a busy day without renting a car. You get air-conditioned transfers, a guide, lunch, and the lake cruise, but you still pay separately for drinks, photos, and the 6 Turkish Lira waterfall entrance fee. Bring swimwear if you may want to get in the water, since that detail is not always made clear before departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Green Canyon by catamaran: A one-hour electric catamaran ride gives you calm views of Green Lake without the noise of a large motorboat.
• Several short cultural stops: The day includes Kulliye Camii, Seleukia, and the Manavgat Dam, so you get more than a boat trip.
• Lunch beside the lake: Gölbaşı Restaurant serves fish or chicken with rice, salad, and fresh fruit, with Green Lake views.
• Hotel pickup across Side: Air-conditioned transfers cover hotels between Gundogdu and Kızılot, with an 8:30 am start.
• Low headline price: The $25 cost includes the major parts of the day, but drinks, photos, and the waterfall fee are extra.
• A large group is possible: The maximum is 49 people, so expect a shared excursion rather than a private outing.

A full day from Side, starting at 8:30 am

Pickup is offered from hotels in Side and the coastal area between Gundogdu and Kızılot. The stated start time is 8:30 am, and the whole outing lasts about eight to nine hours. That makes this a substantial day trip, not a quick morning add-on.

I like the simplicity here. You do not need to find a rental car, work out the route to the lake, or manage parking at several stops. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters during a long Turkish summer day.

The tradeoff is pace. You will stop at several places, but most visits are brief. You get a broad introduction to the area rather than a long, quiet stay at any one sight. With a possible group of up to 49 people, loading and unloading can also take time.

The tour is offered in English and may use a multilingual guide. The guide’s role is important because the day brings together Ottoman religious architecture, Roman ruins, village scenery, a dam, and a lake cruise. Achmed received especially warm praise for being funny and well informed, while Levent and his crew were noted for friendly, supportive service. Guide quality can vary by departure, but these details suggest that the human side of the tour is one of its strengths.

Kulliye Camii: a short introduction to local religious life

The first stop is Kulliye Camii, with about 20 minutes for a visit. Admission is free. This is a short stop, so think of it as a chance to see a local mosque and hear some context rather than a detailed architectural tour.

Dress and behave respectfully in a mosque. The supplied information does not state specific clothing rules or whether interior access is always available, so follow the guide’s instructions on arrival.

There has been some confusion over which mosque is included. One account says the advertised Manavgat mosque was not visited, while a small old mosque near the restaurant was included instead. That means you should treat the mosque portion as a general cultural stop, not book this trip solely for one particular building.

Manavgat Waterfall and the small extra fee

The next stop is Manavgat Waterfall, with about 30 minutes to see the falls. The entrance charge is 6 Turkish Liras per person and is not included in the tour price.

Thirty minutes is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not for a long visit. The waterfall is one of the better-known natural sights near Side, yet the short stop tells you what kind of day this is: several snapshots rather than extended time at each place.

Keep a little local currency available for the entrance fee. Drinks and photos are also extra throughout the day, so the advertised price is not quite the final amount you will spend. Even so, the additional charges are modest compared with the included transport, lunch, guide, and lake cruise.

Seleukia, or Lybre, and its Roman ruins

Seleukia, also known as Lybre, is the strongest historical stop on the route. You have about 30 minutes to visit the ancient Roman city, with no admission fee listed.

The short visit works best if you want a taste of the ruins rather than a full archaeological tour. A half-hour lets you see the remains and take in the views, while the guide supplies the basic story of the site. The setting appears to be one of the memorable parts of the day, especially for anyone who enjoys combining old stones with broad countryside views.

I would give this stop extra attention if ancient sites interest you. The waterfall is quick and scenic, but Seleukia gives the outing more substance. You are not simply being taken from Side to a restaurant and back. You get a glimpse of the area’s Roman past along with the modern villages and waterworks.

Manavgat Dam, Green Canyon, and the best views

The Manavgat Dam is a 15-minute photo stop overlooking Green Canyon and Green Lake. It is brief, but it helps you understand the scale and color of the water before you reach the shore.

This is a good place to have your camera ready. The stop is designed for views, not a long walk or an extended explanation. If you prefer slow sightseeing, the short schedule may feel rushed. If you like efficient touring, it gives you a memorable viewpoint without adding another long pause.

The road and vehicle experience may differ from one departure to another. One especially praised outing used 4×4 Land Rovers, with off-road driving described as great fun. The standard information promises air-conditioned vehicles, but it does not promise Land Rovers or off-road travel. Treat that as a possible bonus, not a guaranteed feature.

The one-hour catamaran ride on Green Lake

The central activity is a one-hour electric catamaran trip on Green Lake, also called Green Canyon. The quieter electric boat is a good fit for people who want scenery without the roar of a large engine. You can sit back, take photographs, and watch the steep, wooded sides of the canyon pass by.

The cruise is not a full-day boat outing. One hour is enough to enjoy the setting, but you should not expect hours of swimming, fishing, or paddling. The highlights also mention fishing and canoeing on Green Canyon, yet the included details specifically confirm a one-hour catamaran cruise. The exact amount of time available for fishing or canoeing is not stated, so ask the guide if those activities matter to you.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you want the option of getting wet. One person arrived without knowing that swim gear could be useful, while others had brought it. The information does not promise a formal swimming stop, so pack accordingly but do not assume a long swim session.

The lake is likely to be the most relaxing part of the day. After several short roadside stops, the boat gives you time to sit still. That balance is valuable, especially if your holiday in Side has been filled with hot streets, crowded ruins, and beach activity.

Lunch at Gölbaşı Restaurant beside the lake

Lunch is served at Gölbaşı Restaurant, which has a view of Green Lake. The included meal is fish or chicken with rice, salad, and fresh fruit. Drinks are not included.

This is a practical Turkish lunch rather than a formal food tour. The setting adds much of the pleasure. Eating beside the lake gives you a proper break from the vehicle and lets you enjoy the area at a slower pace.

The menu has a simple choice, fish or chicken. If you have dietary restrictions, confirm the options with the provider before booking, since no wider menu is given. You should also budget for a drink if you do not want to rely on water already available at the restaurant.

A small, unplanned mosque visit near the restaurant has also been part of the day, with a walk between the mosque and the restaurant. That walk included the chance to pick fresh figs and pomegranates from trees, a memorable local detail that no polished sightseeing schedule could guarantee. It is a reminder that the best moments on a regional tour sometimes happen between the official stops.

What the $25 price really delivers

At $25, this is a strong-value package. You receive:

• Hotel pickup and return transport
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• A professional guide
• Lunch
• A one-hour catamaran cruise
• Visits to the listed sights, with free admission at Kulliye Camii and Seleukia

You still pay for drinks, photos, and the 6 Turkish Lira waterfall entrance. Those extras are easy to overlook when comparing prices, but they should not change the overall value much.

The bigger question is what kind of day you want. This is not a private guide, a slow archaeological visit, or a luxury boat charter. The group can reach 49 people, and the route has several short stops. But arranging all of this independently would mean finding transport to the waterfall, ruins, dam, and lake, then locating lunch and a boat trip. For a low-cost, organized day from Side, the package is hard to fault.

Who will enjoy this Side day trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want variety. Families, first-time visitors to the Side area, and anyone without a rental car can see several places in one day. The easy hotel pickup also suits you if you prefer not to negotiate local transport.

It is a good choice for people who enjoy light sightseeing, scenic viewpoints, simple local food, and a gentle boat ride. Most people can participate, and the tour is available in English, with multilingual guiding support.

You may want a different plan if you dislike group excursions or need long, quiet visits at historical sites. The maximum group size is 49, the schedule is full, and the mosque, waterfall, and ruins each receive limited time. You should also clarify swimming arrangements if that is a major reason for booking.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Bring a small amount of cash for the waterfall fee and drinks. Keep your camera ready for the Manavgat Dam viewpoint, Seleukia, and the lake.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You will move between a vehicle, cultural sites, the restaurant, and the boat. Pack swimwear if you may want to enter the water, even though swimming is not clearly guaranteed.

Keep your expectations realistic about the itinerary. The day may include a mosque different from the one you had in mind, and the exact vehicle could vary. The core elements remain the transport, ruins, waterfall, dam viewpoint, lunch, and catamaran cruise.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a low-cost, well-filled day outside Side and value convenience over a private, slow-paced schedule. The strongest reasons are the Green Canyon catamaran ride, lunch beside the lake, hotel pickup, and the chance to add Roman ruins and a waterfall without planning the route yourself.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat day, guaranteed swimming, or a detailed visit to one mosque or ancient site. For most people seeking variety at a modest price, I think the combination is worthwhile. Just allow for a large group, brief sightseeing stops, small extra charges, and a little flexibility when the day’s exact order or minor stops change.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight to nine hours.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 8:30 am.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Side, including the area between Gundogdu and Kızılot.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a choice of fish or chicken, rice, salad, and fresh fruit.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks are not included.

Is the catamaran cruise included?

Yes. The package includes a one-hour catamaran cruise on Green Lake.

Do I have to pay to enter Manavgat Waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall entrance fee is not included and is listed as 6 Turkish Liras per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. It is offered in English, and multilingual guide support is available.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity can have a maximum of 49 participants.