Side White Water River Rafting

River rafting tours in Side begin with hotel pick-up from hotels and designated locations in air-conditioned vehicles. The journey continues to Beskonak National Park, located in Koprulu Canyon. Upon arrival at our base on the Koprucay River, a professional instructor provides a detailed rafting briefing, explaining safety rules, paddling techniques, and the route.

Guests then put on helmets and life jackets and are divided into teams based on group size. After boarding the rafting boats, the trip starts on the instructor’s command and continues downstream. The first 10-kilometer rafting section includes friendly water fights with other participants, fun activities, and light entertainment, while remaining well organized and safe. Because of the controlled river flow and instructor supervision, rafting is often listed among things to do in Side with kids.

After this section, there is a lunch break along the riverbank, allowing time to rest before the second descent. Lunch includes grilled chicken, salads, and spaghetti. After lunch, the second rafting section continues, approximately 6 kilometers long, with steady white water suitable for all skill levels.

After completing the route, guests return to the base to change clothes, and the day concludes with transfers back to hotels and designated locations in Side. Many guests combine rafting with other programs from Side nature tours during their stay.

Beskonak National Park Rafting

Köprülü Canyon National Park is a protected natural area near Beşkonak in the Manavgat district of the Antalya region and has been under protection since 1973. The park covers approximately 366 km² (36,600+ hectares) and includes a wide altitude range from 150 meters at sea level to over 1,500 meters in the surrounding Taurus Mountains. Often referred to in tourism as Beskonak National Park, it preserves one of Türkiye’s longest canyon systems formed by the Köprüçay (Koprucay) River flowing toward the Mediterranean Sea.

The area is best known for Köprülü Canyon rafting, with Class I–II sections suitable for beginners and families and Class III rapids preferred by guests looking for a stronger current, making it one of the most popular rafting areas near Side. The park also contains important historical sites, including the Roman Oluk (Eurymedon) Bridge from the 2nd century AD and the nearby ancient city of Selge, where remains of a theatre, agora, temples, cisterns, and Roman roads can still be seen. These sites are also included in organized historical trips in Side.

In warmer months, calmer river sections are used for swimming and rafting. While marked walking paths connect forest areas, picnic spots, river viewpoints, and camping zones. Access from Side is via the D400 coastal road to Manavgat, followed by the D685 Manavgat–Beşkonak road, and visitor facilities include parking areas, restrooms, picnic zones, and riverside cafés, making the park suitable for both short visits and full-day trips.

Koprulu Canyon Rafting

Koprulu Canyon Rafting takes place inside Köprülü Canyon National Park and is the most established rafting activity in the region, as well as a core outdoor attraction for visitors staying in Side. The Köprüçay River originates in the Taurus Mountains and flows year round, providing stable water levels even during the summer season. The riverbed is wide, with long rafting sections and natural breaks along the route, combining active paddling zones with calmer stretches used for rest, swimming stops, and group coordination. The cool mountain water keeps rafting refreshing during hot weather and helps maintain energy levels throughout the trip. For active travelers, rafting is one of the core adventure activities in Side.

Rafting routes pass through high canyon walls, Mediterranean pine forests, and open river valleys. Along the way, guests can see the Roman Oluk (Eurymedon) Bridge and views toward the ancient city of Selge, adding historical context to the rafting route. Spring months bring slightly faster water flow, while summer offers stable rafting conditions with warmer air temperatures, making Koprulu Canyon rafting suitable for mixed groups and families. Guests who enjoy water-based tours often combine rafting days with Side boat trips along the coast.

Koprulu Canyon Rafting is popular because of:

• One of the longest and most organized rafting routes in Antalya
• Balanced difficulty levels suitable for beginners and experienced rafters
• A combination of outdoor activity, natural scenery, and historical surroundings

Facts About Side Rafting

• Main rafting area: Köprülü Canyon National Park 
• Distance from Side: about 56 km
• River used: Köprüçay River (mountain-fed, flows all season)
• Rafting length: usually 16 km, split into two sections
• Rafting levels: Class I–II (easy), Class III (moderate) 
• Water temperature: around 10–12°C, even in summer
• Tour duration: full-day trip, usually 8 hours including transfers
• Minimum age: commonly 5–6 years 
• Swimming skills: not required, life jackets are provided
• Season: April to October
• Most popular months: May to September
• Included equipment: helmet, life jacket, paddle, raft
• Lunch: served at a riverside restaurant
• Extra activities: zipline, buggy safari, canyoning (optional)
• Natural setting: canyon walls, pine forests, fresh mountain air
• Historical sights nearby: Roman Oluk (Eurymedon) Bridge and ancient Selge
• Access from Side: via D400 coastal road to Manavgat, then D685 to Beşkonak
• If you want to go rafting 2 people, we'll provide a canoe.

Who Is Side White Water Rafting Best For?

Side white water rafting tours are best suited for first-time rafters and travelers with no previous rafting background. As the Köprüçay River includes wide and steady Class I–II sections that are easy to manage under instructor supervision. It is also a good choice for families with children. Non-swimmers can join without concern, since professional instructors each boat and control the pace along the route. The activity works well for groups of friends and couples looking for a full-day outdoor program that combines active paddling with rest breaks and a riverside lunch. For guests who want a bit more action, short Class III rapids offer stronger current and physical paddling without requiring technical skills, making Side white water rafting suitable for a wide range of ages and skill levels.

Includes and Excludes of Rafting

Includes

• Pick-up and drop-off from Side area
• Professional Instructor
• Equipments
• Lunch 
• Travel insurance

Excludes

• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities (zipline, buggy safari, canyoning)