From Kas: Day Trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra

Ancient cities meet the sea here. This 10-hour outing from Kaş combines the Sunken City of Kekova with the Lycian sites around Demre, making it a strong choice if you want both swimming time and ancient ruins in one day. I like the easy mix of boat cruising and land visits, and I like that pickup and drop-off in central Kaş are included. The main drawback is the long day, with extra entrance fees and food or drinks outside the tour price.

The boat portion is the star. You glide past the remains of ancient Dolchiste, stop at Kaleköy beneath Simena Castle, and make several swim breaks in bays with striking blue water. The later visits to Myra and St. Nicholas Church add useful historical context, but you should expect a full schedule rather than a slow, leisurely day.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova is viewed from the boat: You pass along the protected Sunken City area and have time for photographs, but the ruins are not a walk-through site.
• Kaleköy gives you the best land break: You have about an hour to see the village, climb toward Simena Castle, shop, and take in the Kekova views.
• Swimming takes up a large part of the day: Pirates Cave, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and other stops offer repeated chances to get in the water.
• Myra and St. Nicholas Church come late: The ancient theater and rock-cut tombs are rewarding, but you may be ready for a quieter pace after hours at sea.
• Sea turtles are part of the Karemlik Bay stop: Three of the seven known sea turtle species can be found in the bay, though sightings are not guaranteed.
• The $57 price covers a lot: Transport from Kaş, the boat route, lunch onboard, and the main stops make it good value, but site entry fees are extra.

Why this Kaş day trip works so well

Kaş is a fine base for the coast, but the Kekova and Demre area is not next door. This tour handles the transfer to Demre Harbor for you, then joins the boat route before returning you to Kaş at the end of the day. That matters because arranging a car, harbor transport, boat, and archaeological visits separately would take more planning.

The day begins at Smiley’s in Kaş, with the exact pickup time sent by WhatsApp or email one day before departure. Pickup times can change with the season, so keep that message handy and do not assume the same departure time on every date.

The advertised rate is $57 per person. For that price, you get central Kaş pickup and drop-off, the boat cruise, lunch onboard, stops for swimming, and visits connected with Kekova and Demre. You still pay archaeological entrance fees, and additional food or drinks are not included. In practical terms, the value is strongest if you want a full sightseeing day without arranging separate transport.

The recorded score is 4.7 from 16 ratings. The strongest praise centers on the comfortable boat, attentive service, tasty food, several swimming stops, and the snorkel goggles available onboard. One especially useful detail is the roof area, which provides a comfortable place to sunbathe during the cruise. Bring a towel, and pack sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a dry change of clothes even though only the towel is specifically required.

From Kaş to Demre Harbor

The first part is a morning transfer from Kaş to Demre Harbor. This is not the scenic center of the tour, but it gets you to the proper starting point for Kekova without asking you to find your own way across the coast.

At Demre, you board the boat and shift from road travel to a day on the water. The route includes several bays, so the boat is not simply a ferry to one archaeological site. It functions as your transport, viewing platform, lunch setting, and swimming base.

The boat has a roof area that works well for sunbathing, while the covered parts provide a break from the sun. You should expect a shared boat atmosphere, with a set route and timed stops rather than a private charter. English and Turkish are the listed languages for the host or greeter.

Seeing the Sunken City of Kekova by boat

Kekova Island is the first major ancient sight. The remains belong to the old city of Dolchiste, much of which was damaged by earthquakes and now sits partly beneath the water. The boat passes the protected ruins slowly enough for sightseeing and photographs.

This is a look-from-the-water stop. You do not walk through the submerged ruins, and swimming is not the point here. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect an underwater archaeological tour or a chance to land on the ruins themselves.

I like this format because the site makes sense from the sea. Walls, steps, and foundations along the shoreline show how the old settlement met the water, while the boat gives you a broad view that would be difficult to get from land. The scheduled viewing time is about 30 minutes.

The best photographs will likely come from the side of the boat facing the island, though seating can affect your view. If you care about pictures, stay alert as the boat approaches Kekova rather than settling in for a long sunbathing session.

Kaleköy and the climb toward Simena Castle

The boat stops at Kaleköy, the modern village associated with ancient Simena. You get about an hour here, enough for a short walk through the village, some shopping, a swim, and a climb toward the castle ruins if you are comfortable with an uphill route.

The reward is the view. From higher ground, the Kekova area opens out in a series of coves and islands, with the ruins of Simena adding a powerful focal point. This is the most substantial land stop during the boat section, so use your time according to your interests.

You can focus on the castle and views, or stay closer to the waterfront and enjoy the water. Trying to do everything in one hour may feel rushed, especially if you want photographs and a swim. I would give priority to the castle viewpoint if this is your first visit, then return toward the harbor with enough time to rejoin the boat.

Kaleköy also feels different from a standard archaeological park. It is an inhabited village, not just a fenced ruin field. That makes the stop more personal, but it also means the route includes shops and a working waterfront rather than only formal interpretation.

Lunch and repeated swims in Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay, also written as Esmaralda Koyu in the route details, is used for lunch and a swim break. The setting is calm, and lunch is served onboard, so you do not need to leave the boat to find a restaurant.

The food received especially warm praise, and the combination of a meal with a swim is one of the day’s practical pleasures. You can eat, watch the water, and then get in for a swim instead of losing time to another transfer.

Do not expect a long restaurant-style lunch with a wide menu. Additional food and drinks are not included, so bring extra money if you want anything beyond what the tour provides. The bay is also a good place to make use of the snorkel goggles supplied by the crew, if available on your departure.

Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Pirates Cave

The route keeps moving through several water stops. Burç Bay is known for cold underwater springs, which can make the water feel noticeably cooler. That is welcome on a hot day, though anyone sensitive to cold water may prefer a shorter swim.

Gökkaya Bay brings another chance to swim, surrounded by the area’s rocky coastal scenery. Water sports may be available there if you want more than a quiet swim, but the supplied details do not specify which activities, equipment, or prices are offered. Ask onboard before counting on a particular activity.

The route lists Gökkaya Bay twice, with separate 40-minute swimming periods. That suggests plenty of water time, but the exact order and length can vary with the day’s running schedule. Bring a cover-up for moving between stops, since repeated swims mean you may spend much of the afternoon damp.

Pirates Cave is a more unusual stop. The boat enters or approaches the large cave, whose curved opening gives it its name and shape. You can swim and snorkel here, and the stop also includes a meal onboard in the route details.

The cave is best treated as a short visual stop rather than a large cavern expedition. You may be able to see inside from the water, but the boat’s movement, conditions, and space will affect how close it can get. Keep your belongings secure during the swim, especially hats and loose items. The crew has even helped retrieve a cap that fell into the sea, but it is easier not to test their rescue skills.

Karemlik Bay and the chance to see turtles

Karemlik Bay appears in the route as both an early boat-cruise point and a later break. Its main appeal is marine life, particularly sea turtles. Three of the seven known sea turtle species are found in the area.

A turtle sighting is possible, not promised. Keep your eyes on the water, but avoid treating the stop like a guaranteed wildlife show. The best approach is to enjoy the bay even if the turtles stay out of view.

The stop adds a welcome change from ruins and swimming. You are looking at a living coastal habitat rather than an ancient structure, and that variety helps the long day feel less repetitive. Follow the crew’s instructions around wildlife and do not expect to touch or feed the animals.

Andriake Harbor and the transition to Demre

After the boat route, you pass Andriake Harbor, with a short photo stop of about 10 minutes. This marks the shift from Kekova’s island-and-bay scenery to the land-based sights around Demre.

The route is tightly packed, so this is not a long independent harbor visit. Treat it as a brief chance to take photographs and stretch before the historic sites. If you prefer an unhurried day, this transition is one reason the tour may feel busy.

St. Nicholas Church and the Santa Claus connection

The next optional stop is St. Nicholas Church, also presented as the Santa Claus Museum. The church was built in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, the Christian bishop whose story later helped shape the Santa Claus tradition.

The site gives the day a different kind of history from the Greek and Roman ruins. You are looking at the remains of an ancient church and its religious setting, rather than a theater or tomb. The visit lasts about 40 minutes, including sightseeing and photographs.

Entrance fees are not included, so confirm the current fee before you go. Since this stop is described as optional, the exact visit may depend on the day’s schedule and the choice of the group. If you care strongly about seeing the church, ask the operator ahead of time how it is handled on your date.

Myra’s theater and Lycian rock tombs

Myra is the major archaeological finish. Its Roman-style theater is the largest in Lycia, and the rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs are the site’s most striking feature.

The tombs were cut into the rock face and built in distinctive Lycian styles. Even without a long lecture, the setting makes clear how much effort went into marking the dead and placing them above the city. The theater then shifts your attention to public life, performances, and Roman-era engineering.

You have about 40 minutes for photographs, sightseeing, shopping, and a self-guided visit. That is enough for the main views, but not enough for a slow archaeological study. If you enjoy ancient sites, read a little about Myra before the tour or use the visit to focus on the theater and tombs first.

The tour also includes Lycian history and a visit connected with the Museum of Lycian Civilizations. The supplied route specifically lists Myra Ruins and St. Nicholas Church, so ask the host which museum presentation is included on your departure. Either way, the land portion provides useful context after the boat has shown you the coast where Lycian settlements once flourished.

What the $57 price really gets you

At $57, this is a strong package for a 10-hour day. You are paying for the transfer from Kaş, the boat journey, several swim stops, lunch onboard, the Kekova viewing route, Kaleköy, Demre-area sights, and return transport.

The price is less attractive if you plan to skip swimming and already have a car and separate boat booking. In that case, you may prefer to build your own day around one or two sites. But for most people staying in Kaş, the convenience of one organized route is a major part of the value.

Budget separately for archaeological entrance fees and extra food or drinks. The free cancellation period is up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, useful if your Kaş plans are still shifting.

Who should book this day from Kaş?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad first look at Kekova and Demre, enjoy swimming, and prefer not to arrange several connections. Families and mixed-interest groups may also like the balance, since one person can enjoy ruins while another spends more time in the water.

It suits active sightseers better than people who want a slow beach day. The schedule covers ten hours, includes several stops, and ends with archaeological visits after a full boat program. You should also be comfortable with boarding a boat, swimming from the boat, and walking around the hillside area near Simena Castle.

The tour is less suitable if your main goal is a long, quiet visit to Myra or St. Nicholas Church. Those stops are relatively short, and the boat route takes up most of the day. It is best understood as a sampler with generous water time, not as a specialist archaeology excursion.

Final call: a very good full-day value

Book this trip if you want the coast, ancient sites, lunch, and repeated swims in one organized day. The comfortable boat, roof space, friendly assistance, snorkel goggles, and strong food feedback add real value beyond the basic route.

Skip it if you dislike long group days, extra site fees, or a schedule that moves from one stop to the next. For everyone else, the mix is hard to beat at $57. Keep your expectations clear: Kekova is viewed from the water, Kaleköy is the main walking stop, and Myra comes late. With a towel and a little patience, this is a practical way to connect Kaş with some of Antalya Province’s finest coastal and ancient sights.

FAQ

How long does the Kaş to Kekova and Demre tour last?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including the transfer from Kaş to Demre Harbor, the boat route, land visits, and the return to Kaş.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed starting point is Smiley’s in Kaş. Pickup and drop-off are provided in Kaş city center, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

When will I receive my pickup time?

The pickup time may change by season. The operator sends the time one day before the tour by WhatsApp or email.

Is the Sunken City of Kekova visited on foot?

No. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, with a photo and sightseeing stop lasting about 30 minutes.

Can I visit Simena Castle?

Yes. The tour stops at Kaleköy, ancient Simena, for about one hour. You have free time for sightseeing, shopping, village walks, and views toward the castle.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Swimming stops are included at places such as Pirates Cave, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay. Snorkel goggles may be provided onboard, but you should bring your own towel.

Are St. Nicholas Church and Myra entrance fees included?

Archaeological site entrance fees are not included. St. Nicholas Church and Myra are listed among the land visits, with the church described as an optional stop.

What languages are available on the tour?

The host or greeter languages are English and Turkish.