Kalkan: Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip

Ancient ruins meet perfect swimming stops. This full-day Kalkan boat trip combines Lycian, Roman, and Byzantine remains with clear Mediterranean water, a generous barbecue lunch, and time at Simena. I especially like the six-bay route and the chance to visit Simena Castle or try its famous homemade goat-milk ice cream. The main drawback is that the Sunken City is viewed from the boat, and the area can be crowded with other boats in summer.

The day is also well arranged on the practical side. Pickup is available from hotels in Kalkan, Kaş, or Patara, and the journey to Üçağız is included. I like the friendly guiding, especially when Mehmet is leading, but you should know that transfers may be shared and the return van can feel tight.

Key points to know before you book

• Six bays, one long swimming day: Expect repeated chances to jump into clear water, relax on deck, and swim from the boat.
• The Sunken City is seen from the water: You cannot walk through the ruins, and a glass-bottom boat may not be used.
• Simena gives you a choice: Walk up to the castle for wide views, or stay in the village for goat-milk ice cream and cafés.
• Lunch is a major strength: The open buffet barbecue meal is included and has been praised for both quality and generous portions.
• Transport takes time: The boat leaves from Üçağız, so allow about an hour each way between Kalkan and the harbor area.
• Bring your own snorkel: Snorkeling is possible, but the water is more impressive for swimming than for seeing large numbers of fish.

What the Kalkan to Kekova day looks like

This is a long outing, lasting about nine hours from pickup to return. The boat portion takes roughly eight hours, while the road transfer links Kalkan or Kaş with Üçağız Village, the departure point for the Kekova coast.

Pickup is offered from hotels in Kalkan, Kaş, or Patara. The ride is not necessarily private. A spacious minibus may be used on the way out, while the return vehicle can be a different and tighter van. That matters if you are carrying bags, traveling with small children, or simply prefer extra room.

Once you reach Üçağız, you board the boat and head toward the Kekova area. The first hour on the water is part of the experience, not just transport. You get open views of the coast and time to settle into the rhythm of the day before the swimming stops begin.

The exact order can change. On a windy day, the crew may rearrange the stops to keep the trip comfortable and safe. That flexibility is useful, though it means the day may not follow the advertised order precisely.

Tersane Bay and the first look at the Sunken City

Tersane Bay is the first major stop. This is where you get your initial swim break and your first look at ruins connected with ancient Kekova.

The Sunken City is the area’s headline attraction, but set your expectations correctly. You view the remains from the boat because swimming directly around the ruins is restricted. The visible stones and submerged structures are interesting, especially when the water is calm and clear, but this is not an underwater archaeological tour.

Some descriptions of boat trips in the area can leave you expecting a glass-bottom vessel. On this experience, the boat may not have a glass bottom, and the crew may be unable to stop directly beside certain submerged sections. One outing also had to adjust its route because of wind. I would treat the Sunken City as a scenic viewing stop rather than the sole reason to book.

The real pleasure here is the combination of archaeology and water. You can look down toward the remains, then swim in the same brilliant blue setting a few minutes later. Bring a snorkel if you have one, but do not expect a busy reef or lots of fish. The clear water and ancient stone are the main attractions.

Gokkaya Bay brings the best break of the day

Gokkaya Bay is the lunch stop and another chance to swim. The meal is served as an open buffet, with a prepared barbecue and several dishes to fill your plate.

Lunch receives the strongest praise for good reason. Portions are generous, the food is described as delicious, and there is plenty to go around. You may be tempted to take a second plate, so pace yourself if you want to leave room for Simena’s ice cream later.

Drinks are not included, but water, soft drinks, coffee, and other refreshments can be bought on board. Prices have been described as reasonable, close to what you would expect elsewhere. Still, bring some cash or another accepted payment method for drinks and village purchases, since those costs are separate from the $80 tour price.

Gokkaya is also a good point to judge the pace of the trip. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next. There is time to eat, swim, sit in the sun, and chat with the small mix of people on board. The day feels more like a relaxed boat outing than a strict archaeological tour.

Pirate Cave and Burc Bay keep the route varied

After lunch, the boat continues to Pirate Cave and Burc Bay. These stops add variety to a day that could otherwise become one long sequence of swimming breaks.

Pirate Cave is a simple scenic visit, not a long guided expedition. You see the cave from the boat as part of the coastal route. Burc Bay brings another beautiful setting and another chance to swim.

Guiding is usually light but useful. Mehmet has been praised for giving enough history without talking constantly, and his warm, funny manner helps the group feel at ease. The tour is conducted in Turkish and English, so you can expect basic historical explanation as the boat moves between the bays.

You should not book this if you want a full academic lecture on Lycian archaeology. The appeal is the balance: a bit of context, plenty of water time, and a guide who keeps the mood easy.

Simena Castle or homemade ice cream

Simena is the most substantial stop on land. You generally have about an hour to choose how to spend it.

The active option is the walk up to Simena Castle. The climb gives you broad views over the bay and the surrounding islands. The ruins provide the strongest land-based history of the day, and the view helps you understand how the ancient settlement related to the sea.

The easier option is to stay in the village. You can explore its lanes, sit at a café, and try the homemade goat-milk ice cream. This ice cream is one of the tour’s most distinctive treats, and it is worth making room for after lunch.

You may not have enough time to do everything at Simena. The castle walk and village cafés compete for the same short stop, so decide before you arrive. If the view matters most, head uphill promptly. If you prefer a slower break, skip the climb and enjoy the village.

The castle entrance fee is not included. Entrance fees in general are listed separately from the tour price, so carry money if you plan to go inside.

The final swim near Üçağız

The route ends with another swim near Üçağız Village before you return by road. By this point, the day has usually included several chances to swim, often around five stops depending on conditions and timing.

This final stop is useful because you can take one last swim without feeling that the boat is rushing straight back to shore. It also gives you a quieter finish after the more popular stops around Kekova and Simena.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a dry layer for the ride home. The sun can feel strong after hours on the water, and saltwater, wind, and a long minibus ride are not the best combination if you have nothing dry to change into.

What the $80 price really covers

At $80 per person, the price is fair if you plan to use the full package. It includes two-way transfer from Kalkan, Kaş, or Patara to Üçağız, the boat trip, guidance, and buffet lunch.

That is important because arranging the road transfer and boat separately could make the day more awkward. Here, the transport link is handled for you, and the lunch removes one of the main costs of a full-day outing.

The strongest value comes from the amount of time on the water. You get a full boat day rather than a short coastal cruise, with multiple swimming bays, historical sites, Simena, and food included.

The price does not cover drinks or entrance fees. Those extras are not surprising, but they should be part of your budget. You may also want to pay for a drink on board or ice cream at Simena, so the final spend will be higher than the advertised rate.

For families, the value can be especially good. Children as young as five and seven have enjoyed the outing, buoyancy aids are available, and the repeated swim stops help keep the day moving. The boat may be a little dated, but there is enough room to spread out.

The boat, crew, and crowd factor

The boat itself may not be new. One description calls it a little dated, but also notes that there was plenty of room. That is a reasonable trade-off for this kind of day: you are paying for the route, lunch, swimming, and transport rather than a luxury yacht.

The crew and captain receive consistently warm praise. The atmosphere is friendly, and staff have been helpful with families and practical needs. Buoyancy aids are available to use, which is reassuring if you are not a confident swimmer.

Summer brings the biggest limitation: other boats often stop at the same bays at the same time. You may share the water and views with many other groups, especially around popular stops. The scenery remains beautiful, but the experience is not private or quiet.

If you want solitude, this is not the right format. If you like a social boat day with plenty of swimming and a relaxed crew, the shared setting is less of a problem.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad taste of Kekova in one day. It suits families, couples, and friends who prefer swimming and scenery with some history rather than a heavily academic tour.

It is also a strong choice if you are staying in Kalkan or Kaş and do not want to arrange your own way to Üçağız. The included transfer removes a real planning chore.

You should think twice if you dislike long road transfers, crowded swimming stops, or boats that are more practical than polished. The Sunken City is viewed from above the water, not explored at close range, and snorkeling is limited compared with the clear water.

The trip also demands a full day. Pickup, eight hours on the boat, and the return drive can leave you tired. That is part of the value, but it may not suit you if you want a short afternoon outing.

Practical tips for a better day

• Bring a snorkel if you own one. It is specifically recommended, though the main pleasure is swimming in clear water rather than spotting lots of fish.
• Carry cash for drinks, ice cream, and possible entrance fees. Drinks and entry costs are separate.
• Choose between the Simena Castle walk and village time before reaching the stop.
• Wear shoes suitable for a walk uphill if you plan to visit the castle.
• Use sunscreen often. You will spend many hours exposed to the sun on the boat.
• Keep your phone secure after getting off the minibus. A lost phone was returned quickly by a driver, but it is still better not to leave valuables behind.
• Expect shared transport and a shared boat, not a private charter.
• Keep your schedule flexible if the wind changes the order of the stops.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Should you book the Kekova boat trip?

Book it if your ideal day includes clear water, repeated swims, a generous lunch, and a little ancient history woven into the route. The combination of Tersane Bay, the Sunken City view, Gokkaya Bay, Pirate Cave, Burc Bay, and Simena gives you a lot for $80.

I would not book it expecting a private cruise, a glass-bottom boat, or close underwater access to the ruins. The experience is at its best when you treat the archaeology as one part of a full Mediterranean day.

For most people staying in Kalkan or Kaş, I think it is a good-value choice. The food, friendly crew, smooth pickup, and long time on the water do the heavy lifting. Pack a snorkel, save room for goat-milk ice cream, and decide early whether Simena’s castle or its village café matters more to you.

FAQ

How long does the Kalkan Kekova boat trip last?

The complete experience lasts about nine hours. The boat cruise takes roughly eight hours, with road transfers between your accommodation and Üçağız Village.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available from accommodations in Kalkan, Kaş, or Patara. The transfer to and from Üçağız Village is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch with a prepared barbecue is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, but they can be purchased on board. Coffee and other drinks have been described as reasonably priced.

Can I swim near the Sunken City?

You can view the Sunken City from the boat, but you cannot swim directly around the submerged ruins. Restrictions may prevent the boat from stopping beside some sections.

Does the boat have a glass bottom?

A glass-bottom boat is not guaranteed. The boat used for this experience may not have a glass bottom, so expect to view the ruins from above the water.

Is Simena Castle included?

Simena is included as a stop, but entrance fees are not included. You can also spend the stop in the village, visit a café, and try homemade goat-milk ice cream.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. Guidance is available in English and Turkish.