Packing for a rafting day is refreshingly simple, and getting it right means you can relax and enjoy the river instead of worrying about your things. This is a clean checklist for a Koprulu Canyon rafting day from Side and the surrounding Antalya coast, built around one fact you should hold on to: you will get wet, and that is the whole point.
The short version: what to bring
You honestly do not need much. The minibus collects you from your hotel in the morning and brings you back late afternoon or early evening, so pack a small bag you can leave safely in the vehicle or in a locker while you raft.
- Swimwear — worn under your clothes so you are ready to go.
- A towel — you will want it the moment you step off the raft.
- A full set of dry clothes — everything you are wearing on the water gets soaked.
- Secured shoes — old trainers or sports sandals with a heel strap that will not float away.
- Sunscreen — the canyon is shaded in places but the sun is strong on the open stretches.
- A little cash — for photos, drinks, snacks or a small tip, in small notes.
- Sunglasses with a strap — optional, but a strap saves them from the river.
What to wear on the water
Dress as if you are going swimming, because in effect you are. Put your swimwear on under a light t-shirt and quick-drying shorts. In spring, when the snowmelt is at its strongest and the water is coldest, a rash vest or thin synthetic top adds a little warmth without holding water. The river is fed by cold mountain snowmelt and stays chilly even in July and August, so do not assume high-summer heat means warm water.
Shoes matter more than you think
The single most common mistake is footwear. Flip-flops vanish downstream at the first rapid, and bare feet slip on wet rocks at the entry and exit points. Choose something that fastens to your foot: trainers you do not mind soaking, or sandals with a proper heel strap. Your feet stay protected and nothing floats off.
What NOT to bring
Just as important is what you leave behind. Anything that cannot get wet, or that you would hate to lose, should stay in your hotel safe.
- Phones and cameras — unless they are fully waterproof and tethered, leave them behind. Professional photos are usually taken from the bank.
- Wallets, passports and jewellery — bring only the small amount of cash you need and leave the rest locked up.
- Watches and loose sunglasses — anything that can slip off will slip off.
- Bulky bags — you cannot take luggage on the raft, so travel light.
- Loose valuables of any kind — if it floats away, it is gone.
Provided for you — no need to pack
You do not need to buy or bring any technical rafting kit. A helmet and a life jacket are provided at the base and are compulsory for everyone, and a trained guide rides in every raft to steer and give instructions. Because the life jacket floats you and the guide manages the boat, you do not need to be a strong swimmer for the family route. The classic run is around 14 km with a gentler family option of roughly 12 km, over friendly grade II-III rapids that suit first-timers and children from about age six or seven.
A note on the journey
Koprulu Canyon National Park sits near Beskonak, around 50 km and about an hour inland from the Side-Manavgat coast. Free hotel pickup by minibus is standard, so the transfer is sorted for you. You will be back on the coast in good time for the evening, pleasantly tired and probably planning your next trip.
If you fancy pairing the river with something else during your stay, it is worth browsing the full range of Antalya day tours to build the perfect week.
Ready to hit the water? Pack your swimwear and a spare set of dry clothes, and book your Koprulu Canyon rafting day from Side to see the live price and available dates.
