Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

History meets the sea here. This eight-hour boat trip from Kaş combines clear-water swimming with the submerged ruins of Kekova and a visit to the small seaside village of Simena, also called Kaleköy. I like the generous time on the water and the way lunch, several swim stops, and an afternoon snack are included in the $84.65 price.

I also like the clean boat, friendly crew, and the chance to hear local stories from captains such as Ergun and Mehmet. The main thing to consider is space: the boat can carry up to 65 people, and seating may not always be assigned as clearly as you expect, especially if you want a sunbed on the upper deck.

The best parts of this Kekova day trip

• Four swimming stops: Inönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık give you plenty of time in clear Mediterranean water.
• The Sunken City of Kekova: You pass slowly beside ancient Lycian ruins beneath the surface, including visible walls, houses, stairs, and other remains.
• Simena Castle and Kaleköy: One hour is set aside for the hilltop castle, village lanes, waterfront cafés, and views across Kekova Island.
• A proper lunch on board: The buffet generally includes chicken or fish with salads, followed later by fruit and afternoon tea.
• Helpful captains: Captain Ergun is praised for local explanations and sometimes offers drone photos or video, while Captain Mehmet has more than 30 years of experience according to the information provided.
• Good value for a full day: At $84.65, the price covers the boat, guide, lunch, tea, fuel, and landing fees, but drinks and hotel transport cost extra.

Why the Kaş to Kekova route is worth your day

Kaş is one of Turkey’s best bases for seeing the Kekova coast. The road route gives you access to ancient tombs and villages, but the sea route shows the coast from its most appealing angle: low cliffs, green hills, small coves, and water in shades of blue-green.

I like this tour because it does not force you to choose between swimming and sightseeing. Some boat excursions offer one historic stop and spend the rest of the day at sea. This one gives you both. You can cool off in a quiet bay, then pass the Sunken City, then walk through a village where cars cannot reach the waterfront.

The day starts at 9:30 a.m. and lasts about eight hours. It ends back at the meeting point, not at your hotel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the departure point in Kaş.

There is one practical detail worth checking before you leave. The main tour information places the trip in Kaş, but one booking experience involved a departure from Üçağız, around a 35-minute drive from Kaş. Confirm the exact harbor and meeting instructions before the morning of your trip, especially if you are staying in Kalkan or another nearby town.

Inönü Bay gives you a gentle start

The first stop is Inönü Bay, where you get about 45 minutes. The bay includes a small canyon, and you can walk toward it or simply stay near the water and enjoy the setting.

This is a useful first stop because it lets you settle into the boat’s rhythm. You are not rushed straight into a major sight. You can stretch your legs, swim, or take a short walk before the longer sightseeing portions begin.

The canyon walk sounds modest rather than strenuous, so do not expect a major hike. The real appeal is the combination of a small natural feature and calm coastal scenery. If you prefer to save your energy for Simena Castle, staying by the bay is perfectly reasonable.

Aquarium Bay is made for swimming and snorkeling

Aquarium Bay gets about 45 minutes, and the name makes sense once you see the water. The sea is clear enough to watch fish below the surface, and the bay is surrounded by rocky slopes and greenery.

This is one of the stops where you will want your swimsuit, towel, and perhaps water shoes. Water shoes are not required, but they can make getting in and out more comfortable around rocky edges. Snorkeling equipment may be available on board, but the supplied information does not promise it, so bring your own mask if seeing fish matters to you.

The bay is more about the water than a formal attraction. I would use this stop to swim steadily and enjoy the view rather than expect a guided snorkeling session. The 45-minute pause gives you enough time to get in, cool off, and dry out before lunch and the historic sites.

Seeing the Sunken City from the boat

The Sunken City of Kekova is the main reason many people book this excursion. You spend around 30 minutes passing the submerged remains of the ancient Lycian settlement, also known as Dolchiste.

Earthquakes caused parts of the settlement to sink beneath the sea. From the boat, you can see traces of old houses, stairways, walls, and a Byzantine church through the clear water. The boat route lets you view the ruins without walking through or touching them.

That distinction matters. This is a sightseeing pass, not a scuba or snorkel visit among the ruins. The area is protected, and the experience is about looking down from the boat while the guide explains what you are seeing.

Try to position yourself where you have a clear view over the side. On a full boat, that can take some planning. The upper deck may offer better sightlines, but you may also find more sun and wind there. If you are seated inside, listen carefully when the guide begins the explanation, since sound can be harder to hear from the upper deck or busy parts of the boat.

The ruins are impressive because they are not presented in isolation. You see ancient stonework under the water, then turn toward steep coastal rock and bright sea. That meeting of archaeology and nature gives this stop its particular character.

Kekova Island: more than a photo stop

Kekova Island is the setting for much of the cruise. Its shore is marked by rocky cliffs, green vegetation, small coves, and clear water. The island itself is not just a backdrop for photographs. It helps you understand why the coast has been used for settlement, fishing, and sea travel for so long.

The boat pauses near areas suited to swimming and sightseeing. You get a changing view of the coast instead of one fixed beach stop. For me, this is where the day feels most relaxed. You can sit on the upper deck, find shade, or stay near the lower seating area while the crew prepares the meal.

Because the boat can carry up to 65 people, expect a shared excursion rather than a private yacht day. That keeps the cost reasonable, but it also means the best seats can go early. If sitting on a top-deck sunbed is important to you, arrive with enough time to ask how seating works.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy deserve your full attention

The visit to Simena, also called Kaleköy, is the cultural heart of the trip. You have about an hour to explore the village and the castle area.

Simena Castle sits above the coast and offers broad views across the water and toward Kekova Island. The climb is part of the experience. You should wear shoes with a firm sole, since the village lanes and route uphill can be uneven.

The castle dates from the Byzantine period and occupies a much older setting shaped by Lycian settlement. Nearby, you can find ancient tombs and sarcophagi, while the village itself has whitewashed homes, flowers, small cafés, and waterfront restaurants.

You will need to manage your time. One hour is enough for a brisk walk through the village and a climb toward the castle, but it may feel short if you want to linger over lunch at a café, take many photographs, and explore every lane. One useful approach is to head uphill first, enjoy the views, and return to the harbor afterward.

The village has no road connection through the center, which helps preserve its quiet feel. You can browse, take photographs, buy ice cream, or sit beside the water before returning to the boat. The castle admission fee is not included, so bring some extra money if you plan to enter.

The schedule may list time at both the castle and Kaleköy Harbour. In practice, these are closely connected parts of the same stop, with the harbor providing the village experience and the castle providing the best high viewpoint.

Üçağız and the Lycian coast

Üçağız is associated with the Kekova area and may be part of the route or departure arrangement. It is a small coastal village beside Kekova Bay, surrounded by olive groves, fishing boats, and quiet waterfront views.

The nearby ancient settlement of Teimiussa is known for its Lycian tombs and sarcophagi. The supplied tour details do not promise a separate walking visit here, so treat Üçağız mainly as useful geographical context unless the crew confirms a stop.

This matters if your confirmation changes the departure harbor. Leaving from Üçağız can reduce the time spent traveling by boat from Kaş, giving you more direct access to Kekova. On the other hand, reaching Üçağız requires your own transport unless an arrangement is made in advance.

Tersane Bay brings another strong swim stop

Tersane Bay, also called Shipyard Bay, allows about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. Its name refers to ancient shipbuilding activity, adding a small historical note to what is mainly a peaceful water stop.

The bay is enclosed by rocky slopes and plant-covered hills. The water is clear, and the views back toward the Simena area can be especially good. If you have spent much of the morning taking photographs and listening to explanations, this is a chance to return to the simple pleasure of being in the sea.

You might find the bay more appealing for floating and snorkeling than for a long walk. The schedule gives you enough time to swim, but not enough for a serious shore exploration. Keep an eye on the departure time, since the boat continues to the final swimming stop.

Çamlık Bay ends the swimming schedule

Çamlık Bay is the last swimming stop and lasts about 45 minutes. Pine trees and quiet water give it a calmer finish than the more active sightseeing stops.

This final pause is useful because you are not forced to leave the water after visiting Simena. You can take one last swim, dry off, and settle in for the return journey. If you prefer not to swim, the pine-lined bay still offers a pleasant place to rest on board.

The four swimming opportunities are one of the tour’s biggest strengths. You are not relying on a single beach to make the day work. If one bay is windy or crowded, the later stops give you more chances to enjoy the coast.

Lunch, drinks, and comfort on board

Lunch is included and is one of the better parts of the value. The meal is described as a buffet, with chicken or fish, several salads, and fruit such as watermelon later in the afternoon. Some departures prepare the chicken on board, which adds a little theater to the meal without turning lunch into a formal event.

Afternoon tea is also included. Additional drinks are not. Water, soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks can be purchased on board, with prices described as reasonable. Credit card payment may be available, but I would still bring a little cash in case the arrangement differs on your boat.

The boat is described as clean and in good condition, with upper-deck sunbeds and indoor seating. Proper plates and cutlery have been noted, and the toilets are reported to be clean. Those details matter on an eight-hour trip. A cramped or poorly maintained boat can spoil a beautiful coast, while a clean boat lets you enjoy the slower parts of the day.

The seating issue is the main comfort concern. Some people have been placed downstairs inside and were disappointed because they expected an upper-deck sun lounger. Ask about seating when you arrive, and do not assume that booking online guarantees a particular spot.

Pack a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, and dry clothes. Water shoes are optional but useful. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible around repeated swim stops, though it is not listed as provided.

The crew and the guide service

The crew receives strong praise overall, especially for friendliness and effort. Captain Ergun is singled out for explaining the places along the route and for offering drone footage on some trips. A distinctive touch involves making a drone video for people who help collect rubbish from the sea.

Captain Mehmet is associated with the Kumsal boat and is described as having more than 30 years of experience. The important point is that the quality can depend on the specific boat and crew assigned that day. English guidance is offered, but it may be difficult to hear from the upper deck when the boat is full or the engine is running.

Most of the feedback is very positive, but one poor experience describes a late departure, weak communication, and rude handling of a few safety and boarding moments. That appears to be an exception rather than the general pattern, but it is worth remembering that shared boat tours depend heavily on the day’s crew.

The absence of a clear safety briefing was also raised in that account. You should follow crew instructions, wait until the boat is fully stopped before entering the water, and never swim after a drifting object while the boat is preparing to leave.

Is $84.65 good value?

At $84.65 per person, this is a fair price for an eight-hour coastal excursion. The cost includes the boat, fuel surcharge, landing and facility fees, an English-speaking driver-guide, buffet lunch, and afternoon tea.

You also receive several swim stops and a visit to one of the region’s most appealing historic villages. Comparable value would be harder to find if you paid separately for transport, food, and a boat ride.

The price does not include hotel pickup, drinks, alcoholic beverages, or entry to Simena Castle. Those extras will not ruin the value, but you should budget for them. The tour is particularly good for anyone who wants a full day out without arranging a private charter.

Who should book this Kaş boat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a mix of swimming, coastal scenery, ancient sites, and a relaxed meal. Families can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult, and the repeated boarding, swimming, and walking require ordinary mobility.

It suits couples and groups who enjoy a social boat atmosphere. Solo visitors may also like the shared setting, especially during lunch and the longer stretches between stops.

You may want a different option if you dislike full boats, need guaranteed upper-deck seating, or want a quiet private cruise. It is also not the best fit if your main goal is a long archaeological visit. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, and Simena Castle receives roughly an hour.

The tour is offered in English and is generally suitable for most people. A vegetarian lunch is available if you request it at booking.

Cancellation and booking advice

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

The trip depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Since the tour is often booked about 15 days ahead, I would reserve early during the busy season. Then confirm the meeting point, departure harbor, seating arrangement, and vegetarian meal request before the day begins.

Should you book the Kekova Island boat tour?

Yes, if you want the best all-round day on the water from Kaş. The four swim stops, substantial lunch, Sunken City, and Simena visit give the tour a strong mix of pleasure and place.

Book it with realistic expectations. This is a shared boat carrying up to 65 people, not a private sailing trip. The castle visit is brief, drinks cost extra, and your preferred seat may not be guaranteed. Still, at $84.65, the combination of clear bays, ancient ruins, local villages, and an included meal makes this one of the more useful full-day excursions in the Kaş area.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, and afternoon tea is also provided.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks, including water, soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages, are available to purchase separately.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you should request it when booking.

Is entry to Simena Castle included?

No. Admission to the castle is not included in the tour price.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children can participate but must be accompanied by an adult.