From Kas: Guided Kekova Sea Kayaking Tour

Ancient ruins look best from the water. This six-hour trip pairs sea kayaking along the Lycian coast with the Sunken City of Kekova, a swim at Tersane Bay, and a visit to Simena Castle. I like the small-group format, limited to 15 people, and the helpful support boat that follows the kayaks with gear and assistance. The main catch is simple: this is an active day, and roughly eight kilometers of paddling can feel hot and tiring when the wind rises.

The guide, Yaşar, earns especially warm praise for clear instruction, good humor, and lively explanations of the ruins. You do not need previous kayaking experience, but you should be ready for several hours on the water, a hillside walk at Simena, and a little effort before lunch.

Five things to know before you book

• The Sunken City is seen from a kayak: You paddle beside protected Lycian ruins, but swimming is not allowed in this section.
• Tersane Bay provides the best water break: The tour includes about 40 minutes for swimming and paddling in clear blue water.
• Yaşar is a major part of the experience: He teaches beginners patiently and adds useful context without turning the outing into a lecture.
• A support boat follows the group: It carries belongings, helps with emergencies, and can tow you if wind or fatigue becomes a problem.
• The $65 price covers the big essentials: Transport from Kaş, four hours of kayaking, lunch, equipment, and a guide are included. Simena Castle costs an extra 4 euros.

Leaving Kaş for Üçağız at 8:00 a.m.

Your day begins in Kaş, with pickup in front of Smiley’s Restaurant on Liman Street. The drive to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes, so the early start is useful rather than wasteful. You reach the coast before the strongest heat of the afternoon and have time for several stops.

The exact pickup time can change with the season. You receive the confirmed time by WhatsApp or email the day before, so check your messages rather than relying only on the general 8:00 a.m. estimate.

Üçağız, also written Uçagiz or Üçağız Village, is the base for the kayaking day. Once you arrive, the guide gives a safety talk and shows you how to paddle and steer. If you are a beginner, this is the point where the tour becomes less intimidating. The activity feels closer to a long brisk walk than a punishing workout, though wind can make it harder.

The first short session lets you practice navigation close to Üçağız. That matters because you can learn how to turn, keep your kayak straight, and stay with the group before heading farther along the coast.

Paddling southwest toward Tersane Bay

The group leaves Üçağız at about 9:30 a.m., accompanied by a motorized support boat. You paddle southwest toward Kekova Island, with the boat nearby throughout the route.

This support system is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. Your belongings stay on the powered boat, and the crew can assist if you struggle, need a break, or face stronger wind. One participant specifically noted that the boat could tow a tired paddler when needed. That makes the route more approachable for first-time kayakers.

You should still treat this as real exercise. The route covers about eight kilometers, according to one detailed account, and the sun can feel strong. Bring a change of clothes, as one useful tip suggests, because swimming is part of the day and getting splashed is always possible.

The kayaks and other equipment have been described as clean and in good condition. Life vests and snorkeling equipment are provided, though the supplied details do not specify every item you need to bring yourself.

Tersane Bay at 10:15 a.m.

The first major stop is Tersane Bay, reached at around 10:15 a.m. You get about 40 minutes for swimming, paddling, and enjoying the setting.

This is a good early pause. By this point you have had time to get used to the kayak, but you have not yet reached the most demanding part of the route. The water provides a welcome chance to cool off, and you can use the stop to loosen your shoulders and arms before continuing.

The bay also gives you a chance to see why kayaking suits this part of the Turkish coast. A motorboat can carry you from place to place, but a kayak lets you move quietly at water level and stop when the group pauses.

Wind is the variable to watch. On a calmer day, the paddle should feel relaxed and scenic. If the wind picks up, you may work harder than expected. The support boat helps, but this is not a passive sightseeing cruise.

Gliding beside Kekova’s Sunken City

After Tersane Bay, the group paddles slowly over and alongside the Sunken City of Kekova. This is the most distinctive part of the route.

The ancient Lycian settlement was partly submerged, and the protected area is viewed from the water. Swimming is not allowed here, so the kayak becomes the ideal platform. You can move close to the ruins, look down through the clear water, and take photographs without the engine noise and crowding of a large boat.

The stop is listed as about 10 minutes, but the wider paddling section gives you time to see the ruins as you move along the coast. Keep your camera ready, but protect it carefully from splashes. The support boat can carry your belongings, which means you do not need to load everything into the kayak.

This is also where the guide’s role matters most. Yaşar explains the ancient remains while helping the group maintain a safe route through the protected zone. His mix of history, humor, and practical instruction has been one of the most praised parts of the outing.

Do not expect to swim through the ruins or climb onto them. The value here is the unusual view from the sea, not hands-on access. If you want to see the Sunken City without joining a large boat cruise, this trip offers a quieter and more active alternative.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy around 11:30 a.m.

The group reaches Simena, also known as Kaleköy, at approximately 11:30 a.m. You have about 45 minutes to explore the village and the remains of Simena Castle.

This is the tour’s main land stop, and it requires a choice. You can walk uphill toward the castle and necropolis for broad views over the Kekova area. Or you can stay closer to the water, explore the village, and use the time for another swim.

The climb is worthwhile if you want the strongest viewpoint of the day. From above, the scattered islands, coves, and bright water make the geography easier to understand. You also see the area from a very different angle after spending the morning close to sea level.

The extra cost is modest but easy to miss: the castle entrance ticket is 4 euros and is not included. Bring cash or confirm the accepted payment method before setting off, since the supplied tour details do not give more information about payment.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a quick visit, but not for a slow archaeological tour. You will need to manage your time if you want both the uphill walk and a swim. The village is described as small and authentic, with castle ruins and a necropolis, so the appeal is its setting and atmosphere rather than a long list of facilities.

Theimussa, Lycian sarcophagi, and the return

After Simena, the group heads back toward Theimussa. Here you get a closer look at more Lycian sarcophagi before returning to the kayaking base.

Theimussa adds a different kind of ancient sight to the day. The Sunken City is seen through the water, while the sarcophagi are visible on land and can be viewed at closer range. Together, the stops give you a fuller picture of the ancient Lycian presence around Kekova.

The return paddle is where your energy level becomes important. You have already covered much of the route, stopped to swim, and walked at Simena. The boat remains available, but you should not book this as a gentle outing with no physical demand.

The group returns to the base before heading to Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 p.m. The schedule gives the day a clear rhythm: paddle, swim, see ruins, walk, paddle again, then eat.

Lunch in Üçağız after four hours on the water

Lunch is included, which adds real value to the $65 price. You do not need to arrange a separate meal after several hours of activity, and the timing is sensible. Food comes after the kayaking rather than interrupting the best part of the morning.

The meal has been praised as delicious, though the supplied details do not list the menu. It is best to think of lunch as a welcome included meal, not as a reason to book the trip by itself.

The price also covers transport between Kaş and Üçağız, four hours of sea kayaking, equipment, and guiding. Compared with arranging transport, renting a kayak, hiring instruction, and finding lunch separately, the package is strong value for an active half-day.

You should budget another 4 euros for Simena Castle. The tour price does not include that entrance fee.

What the small group and support boat mean

The group limit is 15 people, which is small enough for instruction and group management to feel personal. Still, 15 kayakers can spread out, particularly in wind or around stops. One account found that keeping a larger group together was slightly challenging, although the support boat kept watch.

That is a fair tradeoff. A private guide would give you more control over the pace, but it would almost certainly cost more. Here, you gain a guide, transport, lunch, equipment, and safety support at a moderate price.

The support boat also changes what you can carry. Your belongings remain on the powered vessel rather than in the kayak, and the boat follows the group throughout the route. You can bring dry clothes for after the swimming stops without worrying about fitting everything into a small cockpit.

Safety instruction comes before paddling, and the guide helps beginners learn the basics. The experience is not risk-free, especially if wind rises, but the structure is reassuring for a first kayaking trip.

Who will enjoy this Kekova kayak tour?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to combine exercise, swimming, and ancient sites in one morning. It suits active couples, families with older children, and first-time kayakers who are comfortable being on the water for several hours.

A reluctant teenager may enjoy it more than expected because the day alternates between paddling, swimming, ruins, and a castle visit. The experience is varied enough that it does not feel like eight straight kilometers of repetitive exercise.

You should think twice if you want a slow boat ride, have little tolerance for heat, or dislike paddling against wind. The route is described as manageable, but manageable is not the same as effortless.

The tour also works well for anyone who prefers a quieter way to see the Sunken City. Large boat excursions can carry more people, but a kayak places you closer to the water and lets you move at a slower pace beside the ruins.

Useful preparation for the morning

Wear clothing suitable for getting wet and bring a change of clothes. The swimming stops make this one of the most useful pieces of advice for the day.

Use sun protection and carry water if the operator permits it. The provided information does not specify what personal items are supplied, so it is sensible to arrive prepared for heat and several hours outside.

Listen carefully during the first instruction session. Good paddling technique saves energy later, especially if the wind picks up. Stay near the group and follow the guide’s directions around the protected Sunken City.

If Simena Castle interests you, save enough time and energy for the uphill walk. If swimming is your priority, use your stop efficiently and do not spend all 45 minutes on the climb.

The guide speaks English and Turkish. The tour is offered with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately, subject to the booking terms shown when you choose your date.

Should you book it?

Book this Kekova kayaking tour if you want an active, well-supported way to see the Sunken City, Tersane Bay, Simena Castle, and Lycian sarcophagi in one organized day. The combination of transport, four hours on the water, lunch, equipment, and a support boat makes $65 a sensible price.

I would be especially happy to choose it for a first kayaking experience because the instruction is clear, the group is limited, and help is always nearby. Yaşar’s friendly style is another strong reason to book when he is guiding.

Skip it if you want only a relaxed swim or a short paddle. For everyone else, this is a practical and memorable way to experience Kekova from the water, with enough history and local scenery to make the exercise feel worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is in front of Smiley’s Restaurant on Liman Street, Kaş. The listed starting location is Liman Sk. No:20.

How long does the tour last?

The complete experience lasts about six hours, including transport between Kaş and Üçağız.

What time does pickup take place?

The tour generally starts around 8:00 a.m. Pickup times can vary by season. The confirmed time is sent by WhatsApp or email one day before the tour.

How long is the drive from Kaş to Üçağız?

The transfer from Kaş to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes.

Is kayaking experience required?

No. The guide gives a safety briefing and paddle instruction, and the activity is described as similar to taking a long brisk walk. It is still a physical activity.

How much kayaking is included?

The tour includes four hours of sea kayaking. The route covers about eight kilometers toward the different bays, spots, and islands.

Can I swim at the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. Swimming is not permitted in the protected Sunken City area. You can paddle alongside the ruins and view them from the water.

Is swimming included elsewhere?

Yes. The tour includes a swimming stop at Tersane Bay for about 40 minutes. You may also choose to swim near Simena instead of taking the uphill walk.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Üçağız is included and takes place at about 1:15 p.m., after the kayaking portion.

Is the Simena Castle entrance included?

No. The entrance ticket costs 4 euros per person and must be paid separately.