From Ucagiz: Day Trip to Kekova by Boat

History is best seen from the water. This seven-hour boat trip from Ucagiz takes you through Kekova’s clear bays, past the ancient Sunken City, and into the small seaside village of Kaleköy. I like the generous one-hour swim stop at Aquarium Bay, and I like that lunch, fruit, morning snacks, tea, and biscuits are included rather than added one by one.

The day also gives you time at Simena Castle, where a short uphill walk brings wide views over the Kekova region. The main thing to consider is the early-season schedule: one booking ran into a start-time problem before the operator arranged a replacement private trip, so I would confirm the departure directly if you are visiting outside the main summer period.

Key things to know before you book

• Seven hours on the water: You leave Ucagiz Harbour between 10:20 and 10:40 a.m. and return to the same meeting point.
• Several proper swim breaks: Aquarium Bay offers about an hour, with shorter stops at Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: You get a guided cruise past the underwater ruins, but you do not go ashore there.
• Lunch is served onboard: The meal includes food prepared on the boat, with fruit and a morning snack also provided.
• Simena Castle costs 1 euro extra: You have one hour at Kaleköy to visit the castle, walk through the village, or swim from the port.
• English and Turkish support: The host and audio guide are listed in both languages, and Mustafa has helped explain the tour in English on at least one departure.

The day begins at Ucagiz Harbour

Your meeting point is the Memedim Boat at Ucagiz Harbour, with Captain Mehmet named as the contact. The departure window is between 10:20 and 10:40 a.m., so arrive with enough time to find the boat and get settled before departure.

Ucagiz is a practical starting point for Kekova boat trips. You return here at the end of the day, which is useful if you are staying in the village or planning dinner nearby. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from Kaleköy or another port.

The boat itself has been described as roomy, with space inside and an upper deck fitted with mattresses for relaxing. That matters on a seven-hour outing. You can sit in the sun for the views, find shade when the heat builds, or stretch out between stops.

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should also keep sunscreen, water, and any personal medication close at hand, since much of the day is spent away from shore.

Aquarium Bay gives you a full hour to swim

The first major stop is Aquarium Bay beside Kekova Island. The name points to the clear water, and this is the longest dedicated swim break of the day, lasting about one hour.

You can swim, snorkel, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the setting. The stop is long enough to avoid the rushed feeling you get when a boat gives you only fifteen minutes in the water. If you prefer a relaxed morning, this is a good chance to settle into the rhythm of the trip.

Morning refreshments are served here, including Turkish tea and biscuits. A small snack may not sound important, but it is welcome after getting ready and reaching the harbour before departure.

The one caution is simple: this is a swimming stop, not a beach visit. You should expect to enter the water from the boat rather than walk onto a broad sandy shore. If swimming is not your main interest, you may find the hour a little long, although the boat’s upper deck gives you another way to spend it.

The Sunken City is a boat-only history lesson

From Aquarium Bay, the boat moves toward Kekova Island and the Sunken City. This is the historical heart of the route.

The ancient settlement of Dolchiste was flooded after an earthquake in the second century. Parts of the old city remain beneath the water, with submerged ruins visible as the boat passes along the coast.

The sightseeing portion lasts about twenty minutes. The boat stays at the proper distance, so you view the ruins from above rather than walking among them or swimming over the site. That restriction protects an important archaeological area, but it also means you should set your expectations correctly: this is a scenic boat cruise with explanation, not a full land-based archaeological visit.

An audio guide is available in English and Turkish, and the host support is also listed in both languages. On one departure, a guide named Mustafa was especially helpful with English explanations and questions. If you care about the history, listen closely during this short section, because the boat soon moves on to the next bay.

The best experience comes from combining the visible ruins with the setting. You see ancient stonework, steep coast, and clear water in one view, which makes the story easier to picture than a museum label alone.

Burç Bay brings a cooler swim

The next swim stop is Burç Bay, described as a little cooler because of natural cold springs beneath the water. The stop is listed as a forty-minute break at a less obvious bay along the route.

This is a nice contrast with Aquarium Bay. After sitting in the sun, cooler water can feel refreshing, though some swimmers may find it brisk. You can snorkel, swim, or remain on the boat if the temperature is not appealing.

The bay is also a reminder that the day is built around several short water breaks rather than one single beach stop. You get repeated chances to cool off, but you will spend much of the afternoon getting in and out of the water.

Pirates Cave is a quick scenic stop

Pirates Cave is naturally formed and known for its large size and curved entrance. The boat cruises by for sightseeing, allowing you to view the cave from the water.

This is not presented as a long shore excursion. You should think of it as a memorable feature along the sailing route, with the boat providing the best practical view of the entrance.

The cave adds variety to the day. After swimming and hearing about ancient ruins, you get a purely natural landmark. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and avoid holding up the boat while trying to frame the perfect picture.

Gökkaya Bay combines lunch and free time

Gökkaya Bay is where the day turns toward lunch. You get about forty-five minutes for a meal and another swim break, with fruit service and onboard food included in the price.

The food is one of the strongest value points here. A meal cooked or grilled directly on the boat makes the stop feel like part of the experience rather than a basic packed lunch handed over at a dock. One especially praised detail was meat grilled onboard, along with a meal described as excellent.

The supplied information does not give a full menu, so you should not book this expecting a specific dietary selection. If you have food restrictions, contact the operator before departure rather than relying on the standard meal.

Gökkaya Bay may also offer water sports, although participation is optional and the exact activities are not specified. Treat that as a possible extra, not a guaranteed part of the package.

The timing is useful. You can eat, swim, and enjoy the bay without being hurried through all three. Since lunch is included, you also avoid losing time searching for a restaurant in the middle of a boat route.

Esmeralda Bay is the quietest pause

The boat then stops at Esmeralda Bay for roughly forty minutes of swimming and snorkeling. The stop is described as peaceful, making it a good place to slow the pace before the final historical visit.

By this point, you have already had several chances to swim. You can choose to stay aboard, stretch out on the mattresses, and enjoy the scenery instead of treating every stop as an obligation.

That flexibility is important. A seven-hour boat day can feel tiring if you believe you must participate in every activity. Here, the repeated stops let you choose your own balance of swimming, photography, conversation, and rest.

Kaleköy and Simena Castle are worth the uphill walk

The boat anchors at Kaleköy, ancient Simena, for one hour. This is your main chance to walk on land during the trip.

Kaleköy is a small, authentic village with castle ruins and a necropolis. You can spend the hour exploring at your own pace, browsing for something to buy, viewing the ruins, or walking up the hillside toward Simena Castle.

The climb is the best use of your time if you are comfortable on uneven ground. From higher up, you get broad views over the Kekova region, including the coast and the surrounding water. The effort is modest in comparison with the view, but the tour does not provide a long visit, so do not expect time for a slow archaeological exploration.

The entrance fee is not included and costs 1 euro. That is a small extra, but carry some cash so it does not complicate your one-hour stop.

You can also skip the climb. The port offers the chance to admire the castle from below, take another swim, or simply remain near the boat. This makes the stop suitable for people with different energy levels, although the castle walk is the clearest reason to leave the water.

The visit is self-guided, with the option of an audio guide in English or Turkish. If you want detailed historical interpretation at the ruins, download nothing in advance based on the information provided, because the tour specifically lists its own audio support rather than a separate local guide at the castle.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $45 per person, this is strong value if you want a full day combining swimming, food, and major Kekova sights. You are paying for about seven hours aboard the boat, several swim breaks, the Sunken City cruise, Pirates Cave, the bays, and one hour at Kaleköy.

The included food makes the price easier to justify. Morning snacks, Turkish tea and biscuits, lunch, and fruit are provided. You are not paying for a boat trip and then adding every basic refreshment separately.

The main extra is the 1 euro entrance fee for Simena Castle. Water sports at Gökkaya Bay, if available, should also be treated as optional rather than part of the $45 price.

The boat is described as large enough to offer both indoor space and an upper deck with mattresses. That is a practical advantage over a cramped small boat, especially when you have several hours between departure and return.

The tradeoff is that this is a scheduled group-style boat day rather than a fully private excursion. You follow the planned route and stop lengths, and you cannot linger at the Sunken City or Simena Castle beyond the set schedule.

Language support and the early-season warning

English and Turkish are listed for the host or greeter, and an English and Turkish audio guide is included. On one trip, the main boat speech was in Turkish while Mustafa provided strong English explanations and answered questions. If you want to ask about the history, identify the English-speaking guide soon after boarding.

The schedule deserves attention outside the main season. One departure had a problem because the tour was not running at the originally expected early-season time. The operator first offered a refund, then arranged a captain for a private trip at the same price, allowing the day to go ahead.

That response was helpful, but the situation also gives you a practical lesson: call or message the provider directly if you are booking in shoulder season or off season. Confirm the boat name, departure time, and captain before you make a long journey to Ucagiz Harbour.

For normal planning, the activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your route through Antalya Province is still changing.

Who will enjoy this Kekova boat trip most?

I would choose this outing if you want a broad introduction to Kekova in one day. You see the underwater ruins, natural caves, several bays, a historic village, and a hilltop castle without arranging separate transport.

It suits you especially well if swimming is a priority. Aquarium Bay gives you a full hour, and the later stops keep the water time coming. Snorkeling is available at several bays, although no equipment details are provided, so ask the operator what is supplied if you do not have your own gear.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the choices at Simena. One person can walk to the castle while another stays near the port or swims. The upper deck and mattresses also offer a place to rest between stops.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, get tired from repeated swimming stops, or want a long, detailed archaeological tour. The Sunken City visit lasts about twenty minutes, and Simena Castle gets one hour. This is a scenic day on the water with history woven through it, not a specialist ruins tour.

Should you book the Ucagiz to Kekova boat trip?

Book it if you want good food, plenty of swimming, and a wide sample of Kekova’s sights for a reasonable price. The strongest parts are the long Aquarium Bay stop, the onboard lunch, the clear variety of bays, and the chance to walk up to Simena Castle.

Before paying, confirm the departure directly if you are visiting early or late in the season. Bring swimwear and a towel, allow extra time to find the Memedim Boat at Ucagiz Harbour, and keep 1 euro aside for the castle.

If you prefer a private schedule or a long archaeological visit, choose a different boat arrangement. For most people seeking a relaxed but active day around Kekova, this trip gives you a satisfying mix of water, food, scenery, and history without a complicated plan of your own.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip from Ucagiz to Kekova?

The activity lasts seven hours. Departure from Ucagiz Harbour is scheduled between 10:20 and 10:40 a.m., with the boat returning to the same meeting point.

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Ucagiz Harbour at the Memedim Boat. The trip ends back at the same meeting point.

Who is the captain?

The meeting information names Mehmet as the captain of the Memedim Boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, a morning snack, and fruit service are included. Turkish tea and biscuits are also served at Aquarium Bay.

How long is the swim at Aquarium Bay?

The Aquarium Bay stop lasts about one hour and includes swimming, snorkeling, and refreshments.

Can I see the Sunken City from the boat?

Yes. The route includes a guided boat cruise and sightseeing around Kekova Island and the Sunken City. This section lasts about twenty minutes.

How much does it cost to enter Simena Castle?

The Simena Castle entrance fee is 1 euro and is not included in the tour price.

Is the tour available in English?

English and Turkish are listed for the host or greeter, and an English and Turkish audio guide is included. Mustafa has also provided English explanations and answered questions on a departure.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. The trip includes several swimming and snorkeling stops.