Private Boat Tour to Kekova Including BBQ Lunch from Kas

History looks better from the water. This private cruise from Kaş combines swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, ruins, and a barbecue lunch in one relaxed day. I especially like the freedom of having a boat for only your group and the useful mix of included equipment, from snorkeling gear to a kayak and seascooter.

The day lasts about eight hours, with plenty of room for swimming and time at Kaleköy if you want to visit Simena Castle. The main consideration is the price: $919.06 is a serious outlay for a small group, though it works out to about $102 per person when shared by nine people. Drinks and transport to the harbor cost extra.

Key things to know before you book

• A private boat for up to nine people: You do not share the day with a large crowd, so your group can set the pace within the captain’s route and sea conditions.
• Simena Castle is optional: The stop at Kaleköy Harbour gives you about an hour to visit the village and castle if you want some walking mixed with your time at sea.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: You can see Lycian ruins and a Byzantine church beneath the water, but swimming directly over the protected remains is not part of the experience.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Barbecue, fish, and fresh food are recurring highlights, with a vegetarian option available if requested ahead of time.
• Water equipment is included: Snorkeling gear and a kayak are provided, with the tour also listing an underwater camera and seascooter.
• You start and finish at Kaş Harbour: The meeting point is Boat Trips by Captain Ergun on Liman Street, with a scheduled 9:30 a.m. departure.

Why this private Kaş cruise works so well

A full-day boat trip around Kekova can feel repetitive when every company follows the same broad route. The difference here is control. With a private booking, you are not trying to fit your family, couple, or small group into somebody else’s timetable.

That matters most at swimming stops. The captain can allow more time when your group wants to stay in the water, or move on when everyone has had enough sun. Several accounts describe a relaxed pace, with no pressure to rush through swimming or sightseeing. That is exactly what I want from a Turkish coast cruise. The sea should not feel like a checklist.

The boat is described as spacious, clean, modern, and comfortable. One unusual account even describes an upgrade to a much larger vessel. That sort of change may depend on the day, so I would not book expecting a particular boat size. Still, the repeated praise for comfort and hygiene is encouraging, especially if you plan to spend eight hours on board.

Captain Ergun is the named host, while individual departures may involve other captains or crew. Names mentioned in connection with the service include Coşkun and Yılmaz, so do not be surprised if the person at the helm is not Ergun himself. The consistent theme is friendly, attentive service, with the crew helping at swimming stops, during lunch, and around the boat.

Leaving Kaş Harbour at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is at Boat Trips by Captain Ergun, at Andifli, Liman Sk. 4/A, Kaş. The tour starts at 9:30 a.m. and returns to the same harbor after roughly eight hours.

The published details do not include private hotel pickup. Private transportation is also listed as not included, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. Kaş is served by public transportation, and the meeting point is near public transport, but the exact ease of reaching it depends on where you stay.

I would arrive early enough to find the office and boat without a last-minute scramble. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and some cash or another payment method for drinks. Coffee and tea are included, but soft drinks and alcohol are not. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased, according to the tour details.

The route from Kaş toward Kekova is part of the pleasure. You see the coast and islands from the deck instead of from a road, with the sea providing the day’s moving backdrop. The boat itself becomes your base: you can sit in the shade, stretch out on deck, eat lunch, or get ready for another swim.

Kaleköy Harbour and the climb to Simena Castle

Kaleköy Harbour is the most flexible sightseeing stop. The boat can stop there for about an hour if your group wants to visit Kaleköy and Simena Castle. Admission is listed as free, although the tour does not specify whether any optional local purchases or services are included.

This is the stop for putting your feet on land. Kaleköy is reached by water, and Simena Castle gives you a fine reason to climb above the harbor. The remains connect the coastal setting with the Lycian and Byzantine past of the Kekova area, while the view back toward the sea gives you a different angle on the route.

I like that the stop is optional. If your group has children who have already had enough walking, or if your priority is snorkeling and swimming, you can remain on board. If you enjoy ruins and viewpoints, the hour gives you a chance to stretch your legs and see more than the coastline.

The drawback is time. An hour passes quickly once you leave the boat, walk toward the castle, explore, and return. Anyone with limited mobility should consider the walking and climb before choosing this part of the day. The details say most people can participate and children must be accompanied by an adult, but they do not give specific accessibility information for the castle route.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the boat

The Sunken City is the historical centerpiece of the cruise. This island area contains submerged remains from Lycian times, along with a Byzantine church and other ancient structures visible below the surface.

You see the ruins from the water. That distinction matters. The attraction is not a swimming site over fragile archaeological remains, and the boat provides the best way to look along the shoreline and understand how the old settlement sits beneath the sea.

The underwater camera listed among the equipment can be useful here, though the included section specifically guarantees snorkeling gear and a kayak, while the overview also mentions an underwater camera and seascooter. I would confirm exactly which equipment is available on your departure if these items are central to your plans.

The experience is strongest when you slow down and pay attention to what is below the surface. You may see stone walls, steps, and the outlines of old structures through clear water. The ruins are not presented as a full land-based archaeological visit, so I would pair this tour with a museum or site visit elsewhere if ancient history is your main interest.

Still, the Sunken City works beautifully in a boat itinerary. You get the setting, the ruins, and the sea in a single view. It is also easier for children to appreciate than a long walk through scattered remains. Pointing out a submerged wall while floating above it makes the past feel close and tangible.

Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and time on deck

The active side of the day is deliberately broad. Snorkeling gear is included, and the boat carries a kayak. The tour description also names an underwater camera and seascooter, giving your group several ways to enjoy the water.

The reports of clear, refreshing water and attractive snorkeling spots are among the strongest reasons to book. I would think of the equipment as a bonus rather than a guarantee of an organized water-sports program. You are getting access to gear during a private cruise, not a lesson-based snorkeling excursion.

That makes this a good fit for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or use the kayak, while anyone who wants a quieter day can stay on deck and watch the coast. Families can switch between swimming, food, and sightseeing instead of committing to one demanding activity.

Sea conditions will affect the day. No route can promise perfect water visibility, calm swimming, or a certain number of stops. The tour gives you a full day on the water, but the captain has to make practical choices based on safety and conditions.

I would also ask about the seascooter and underwater camera before departure if you have your heart set on them. The supplied information lists both, but the included items section names snorkeling gear and kayak more clearly. A quick confirmation prevents disappointment.

Barbecue lunch with fish and Turkish hospitality

Lunch is included, and the crew prepares it on board. Fish and barbecue meat are both mentioned, along with fresh ingredients and generous praise for the meal. Coffee and tea are included as well.

Food can make or break a long boat day. Here, lunch is more than a packed sandwich eaten between stops. The captain and crew have been praised for cooking a meal that became one of the best parts of the outing, with fish and grilled meat appearing in the accounts.

I like the practical shape of this arrangement. You do not need to leave the route to find a restaurant, and you can eat while still surrounded by the Kekova coast. It also gives the day a natural pause after swimming and sightseeing.

The praise is not completely uniform. One account described the lunch as acceptable rather than exceptional, so I would keep expectations sensible. This is a boat barbecue, not a fine-dining meal. The food appears to be a strong part of the value, but taste depends on the menu, the day’s catch, and your own preferences.

Vegetarians can be accommodated if you advise the operator when booking. Specific dietary requirements should also be supplied in advance. Drinks are extra, including alcoholic drinks. That is easy to overlook when comparing prices, so budget for beverages separately.

What $919.06 means for a group of nine

The price is $919.06 per group, for up to nine people. At the maximum group size, that comes to roughly $102 per person for eight hours of private boat time, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and a kayak.

That is a fairer calculation than looking only at the total. For a family or group of friends already planning to spend the day together, the private format can offer good value. You are paying for the boat and crew rather than nine separate seats on a shared excursion.

For two people, the calculation changes. At about $460 per person, the same trip becomes a luxury purchase. Couples may still choose it for privacy and flexibility, but a shared boat tour could cost less if the private setting is not important.

I would book this for a group that values time and comfort more than the lowest possible fare. The price includes taxes, handling charges, lunch, coffee or tea, and listed water equipment. It does not include drinks or transport to the harbor, so the final cost will be a little higher.

The strong rating of 4.9 from 78 ratings and a 99 percent recommendation figure suggest a reliable experience, especially for service, food, comfort, and swimming time. Those numbers do not remove the normal risks of weather, sea conditions, or changing boat assignments, but they support the idea that the operator has a solid record.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this cruise for:

• Families who want swimming and history in the same outing
• Friends sharing the cost of a private boat
• Couples who prefer a quiet charter to a crowded group cruise
• People who want flexibility around swimming and Kaleköy
• Anyone who considers lunch an important part of a day at sea
• Visitors staying in Kaş who want to reach Kekova by water

It may be less suitable if you want a serious archaeological tour with long explanations on land. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, and Kaleköy receives about an hour if selected. You will get scenery and access to historic places, but the day is built around the sea.

It may also be a poor match if you dislike spending a full day outdoors or if your group cannot agree on a pace. Private tours are flexible, but you still share one boat and one day. Talk through swimming, castle walking, lunch, and shade before booking.

Practical details that can save you trouble

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. I would avoid booking flights, buses, or other fixed plans too close to the cruise until your reservation is confirmed.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. If someone in your group needs specific mobility support, contact the operator before paying, since the details do not explain access on the boat, at Kaleköy, or near Simena Castle.

The booking allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time for a full refund. Inside that 24-hour window, cancellations and changes are not accepted and the payment is not refunded. The cut-off follows local time in Kaş.

Should you book the Captain Ergun Kekova cruise?

I would book it if you have a group of up to nine, want a private day on the sea, and care about combining swimming with the Sunken City and Simena Castle. The best features are the relaxed pace, spacious boat, included barbecue lunch, and choice of water activities.

I would pause if you are only two people and watching the budget closely. I would also confirm the exact boat, equipment, menu, and captain before departure, since the available details refer to several captains and describe equipment at slightly different levels.

For a full group, this is one of the more sensible ways to experience Kekova from Kaş. You get a full day, not a hurried boat ride, and enough variety to keep both history lovers and confirmed swimmers happy.

FAQ

How long is the private Kekova boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Boat Trips by Captain Ergun, Andifli, Liman Sk. 4/A, Kaş, and finishes at Kaş Harbour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included, along with coffee and tea. Fish and barbecue meat are mentioned, and vegetarian food is available if requested when booking.

Are snorkeling equipment and a kayak included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and a kayak are included. The tour information also mentions an underwater camera and seascooter, so confirm their availability if you specifically want to use them.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted and are not refunded.