Köprüçay Water Temperature: 9 °C at the Springs, 15 °C in Summer

Planning your trip? See Antalya rafting tours in Köprülü Canyon: prices and hotel pickup.

How Cold Is the Köprüçay?

The Köprüçay is a cold river, and that surprises many guests who arrive from a warm Antalya beach. Inside Köprülü Canyon the river is fed by springs, and near these springs the water stays at about 9 °C all year, in summer as well as in winter. The temperature does not stay the same along the whole river, though. On hot summer days, as the water moves away from the springs, it warms up to around 15 °C in some sections.

So the water you splash into on the rafting route is somewhere between those two figures, depending on the season, the weather and how far you are from the springs. Either way, it is much cooler than the sea on the coast.

Water Temperature Through the Year

Summer

In summer the air in the canyon is hot, and the cold river is the best part of the day. The water is lower and very clear, the guides add games, and there are swimming stops along the way. Those first seconds in the water take your breath away; after that it feels refreshing.

Spring and autumn

We raft every day from April to the end of October. In spring and autumn the air is milder, so the same water feels colder than it does in midsummer. A quick-drying top helps you warm up again in the sun.

Winter

In winter the river runs higher and the rapids push harder, so the day has more adrenaline. Tours run when the weather allows; please message us on WhatsApp at least one day before. Ask us what to wear for your date.

Why Is the River So Cold?

The Köprüçay rises in the Taurus Mountains, and inside the canyon it is fed by cold karst springs. Spring water keeps nearly the same temperature all year, which is why the river near the springs stays cold even in August. Further downstream the water spends longer in the sun and warms up a little. Read more about where the river comes from in our Köprüçay River guide.

What the Cold Water Means for Your Rafting Day

• Dress for getting wet: a swimsuit with a T-shirt or light top, and closed water shoes. Flip-flops are not allowed in the boat.
• Bring dry clothes: after the trip you can shower and change at our base.
• The life jacket stays on: it keeps you afloat, so a cold swim is short and easy.
• Short swims are best: enjoy the cold in short dips, then climb back into the boat with the guide's help.

River vs Sea: A Day of Contrasts

Many guests combine a beach holiday with one day on the river. The contrast is part of the fun: the sea on the coast is warm, while the canyon water is cold and clear. If cold water worries you, rafting itself does not require swimming at all; you can stay in the boat the whole time.

Good to Know

The route is Class 1–2, suitable for beginners and children from age 5. For more, see our rafting difficulty levels guide and what to wear for rafting.