One of the most common worries we hear from first-time rafters is a simple one: what on earth do I do with my phone and wallet once I climb into the raft? The good news is that it is a solved problem, and by the end of this guide you will know exactly what to bring, what to leave behind and where your valuables sit while you are on the water.
The short answer: less is more
Rafting on the Koprucay river runs through Koprulu Canyon National Park near Beskonak, around 50 km and roughly one hour inland from the Side and Manavgat coast. It is an active, splashy day out on cold snowmelt water with grade II-III rapids, so the golden rule is to travel light. The fewer valuables you bring, the less you have to think about. Almost everything you might normally carry in a day bag is better left in your hotel room safe.
What to leave at your hotel
Before the minibus collects you in the morning, it is worth sorting your belongings into two piles. Leave these in your hotel room or in-room safe:
- Passport and travel documents — you do not need them on the river.
- Large amounts of cash and spare cards — bring only what you might want for a drink, a souvenir photo or a snack.
- Jewellery, watches and anything sentimental — rings can slip off in cold water and are easily lost for good.
- Laptops, tablets and expensive sunglasses — there is nowhere to use them and everything gets wet.
If your accommodation does not have a safe, most reception desks will hold a sealed bag for the day. When in doubt, ask your hotel before pickup.
What actually happens at the base camp
When you arrive at the rafting base in the canyon, you change into your kit and are given a helmet and life jacket, both of which are compulsory and provided free. This is also the moment you deal with your valuables. Base camps along the Koprucay typically offer a secure area or lockers where you can leave a small bag with your phone, wallet, car key and dry clothes while you are on the water. Your guide or the base staff will show you exactly where to stow things before you set off.
Because arrangements vary slightly from operator to operator, the honest advice is to ask when you arrive rather than assume. If you have booked through us on the rafting from Side trip, our team will point you to the storage area as part of the briefing, so nothing is left to guesswork.
Can I take my phone on the raft?
You can, but you do so at your own risk, and we only recommend it inside a proper waterproof case. Rafting is genuinely wet: you will be splashed, you may take a wave over the bow, and phones do fall out of hands. If capturing the moment matters to you, a floating waterproof pouch worn on a lanyard around your neck and tucked inside your life jacket is the safest option. Even then, keep it zipped away during the lively sections and only bring it out in the calm stretches.
Many people decide the smarter choice is simply to leave the phone in the locker and enjoy being unreachable for a few hours. Most rafting operators also have their own photographer capturing the run from the bank, so you can usually buy professional action shots afterwards and never risk your own device at all.
A sensible packing list for the river
- A little cash in a waterproof pouch or left in the locker for photos and drinks.
- A waterproof phone case only if you truly want photos on the water.
- Secured sunglasses with a retainer strap, or none at all.
- Water shoes or old trainers that can get soaked.
- Dry clothes and a towel to leave in the locker for the trip home.
Getting there and back
Free hotel pickup by minibus is standard, so you do not need to worry about car keys or driving. Pickup is in the morning and you are usually back at your hotel in the late afternoon or early evening, which means your valuables spend only a few hours in storage. Leaving your wallet light and your mind lighter is genuinely part of the fun.
If you are still deciding between rafting and other adventures, browse our full range of tours to plan your day around the coast.
Ready to leave the worry behind and just enjoy the water? Check availability and the live price for the rafting from Side trip, and let us handle the logistics.
