From Kas: Day Trip to Kekova Island

Clear water, ancient ruins, and a long lunch stop. This nine-hour Kekova boat trip combines several of Turkey’s best coastal sights in one easy day from Kaş. I like the generous time for swimming, especially the one-hour stop at Aquarium Bay, and I like that lunch is included rather than added as another expense. The main drawback is the amount of time spent moving between swim stops, plus the English guiding may be limited on some departures.

You meet outside Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş, then ride to the harbor at Uçağız, near Demre. The boat leaves between 10:20 and 10:40 in the morning, giving you a full day on the water without an early dawn start. Bring cash for Simena Castle, a towel, sun protection, and comfortable shoes for the uphill walk.

Key points to know before booking

• Simena Castle gets about one hour: Walk uphill from Kaleköy for wide views over Kekova, or stay near the water and swim.
• The sunken city is viewed from the boat: Kekova’s protected ruins cannot be entered or swum around, so expect a slow cruise past the remains rather than a glass-bottom boat ride.
• You get several swim breaks: Aquarium Bay, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay each offer a different setting, with Gökkaya also allowing optional water sports.
• Lunch is included: Chicken or fish may be offered, along with appetisers and fruit on some departures. Drinks are not included.
• Small boats are possible: One recent departure carried only 11 people, though group size can vary.
• This suits active passengers: Getting on and off the boat, walking uphill at Simena, and moving around the harbor make it unsuitable for people with limited mobility.

Starting in Kaş and reaching Uçağız Harbor

The day begins with pickup outside Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş. The exact pickup time changes with the season, and you should receive the final time by WhatsApp or email one day before departure. Keep your phone available, since the transfer is an important part of the schedule.

The drive takes you from Kaş toward Uçağız and Demre, where the boat waits. This means the advertised nine hours includes the transfer from Kaş, the boat trip, and the return ride. You are not simply getting nine hours cruising from the harbor.

The boat departs between 10:20 and 10:40. That late-morning start works well if you want breakfast in Kaş first, but it also means you should not expect to return early. Some days include extra stops near the end, so allow the full day rather than arranging an evening commitment.

At the harbor, the pace changes from road trip to relaxed sea outing. You may find a spacious boat with comfortable lounge chairs, and smaller departures can give you plenty of room to stretch out. Group size is not guaranteed, so the boat atmosphere may differ from one date to another.

Aquarium Bay gives you the first long swim

Aquarium Bay is planned as a one-hour swim break beside Kekova Island. That is a useful amount of time. You can swim without feeling rushed, sit in the sun, or stay aboard and take in the view if you prefer not to get in the water.

This stop sets the tone for the day. The appeal is not a packed sightseeing schedule but the chance to enjoy clear Mediterranean water at several different points. Bring a towel and consider a waterproof pouch for your phone, since the best views are often from the water rather than the deck.

If you are a confident swimmer, you will have more freedom here than at a short ten-minute photo stop. If you are less comfortable in open water, ask the crew about the safest way to enter and exit the boat. The information provided does not specify flotation equipment or a dedicated swimming platform, so you should not assume those features.

Kekova’s sunken city is seen from the water

The sunken city is the most unusual sight on the route. The ancient settlement of Dolchiste was flooded after an earthquake in the second century, leaving stone remains beneath and beside the water around Kekova Island.

Because this is a protected area, swimming is not permitted at the ruins. The boat instead cruises alongside the site, giving you time to look and take photographs. The slow passage matters here. You are not walking through a preserved city, and the ruins can be subtle from the deck, but the setting makes the stop memorable: ancient walls and stairways meet the sea, while the boat follows the edge of a place you cannot visit on foot.

Bring a camera with a good zoom if you want closer photographs. Do not book this trip expecting a true underwater tour. One past description suggested a glass-bottom boat, but the actual format is a cruise past the ruins on the tour boat. That distinction is worth knowing before you pay.

The captain provides explanations in Turkish and English, though the amount of English can vary. Some departures have had mostly Turkish commentary with only basic English. Guidebooks in different languages have also been provided on some boats, which can help fill in the gaps. If detailed historical interpretation is your main reason for booking, set your expectations at a moderate level.

Burç Bay brings cooler water

The boat then reaches Burç Bay for another swim. The water here is described as cooler because of natural underwater springs. That change can be welcome after sitting in the hot sun, though the temperature may surprise you when you first get in.

This stop is a good example of why the route works as a boat day rather than a single sightseeing cruise. You are not looking at the same view all day. Each bay gives you another chance to swim, and the cooler water at Burç adds a small difference to the rhythm.

You can also use one of these breaks to stay dry, eat a snack if one is available, or take photographs from the boat. There is no need to swim at every stop. With several bays on the schedule, pacing yourself will make the later part of the day more enjoyable.

Pirate Cave is a quick natural landmark

Pirate Cave is a naturally formed cave with a large curved entrance. It is one of the shorter sightseeing moments on the route, but it breaks up the swimming and gives the boat something distinctive to point out.

Do not expect a long caving visit. The description presents it as a place to discover from the boat, not a walk-through attraction. Its value is visual: the wide opening and unusual shape make it an easy photograph and a pleasant change from open water.

The captain’s commentary is useful here, especially if you want to understand what you are looking at rather than simply passing a dark opening in the rock. Still, the quality of the explanation depends on the language skills of the crew on your departure.

Gökkaya Bay combines lunch and free time

Gökkaya Bay is the main meal stop, with time for lunch and another swim. Water sports may also be available here at an additional cost, although the specific activities are not identified in the tour details.

Lunch is included in the $70 price, which makes a real difference on a full-day outing. Food served on departures has included chicken or fish, appetisers, and a fruit bowl. The meal has received particularly strong praise, and that is important because an average lunch can make a long boat trip feel like a cheap package excursion. Here, the food appears to be one of the better parts of the day.

Drinks are not included, so bring money for anything you want beyond the meal. Alcohol is not allowed, and you should not bring drugs. The exact meal setup can vary, but you should have time to eat without rushing straight back into the water.

Gökkaya is also the point where you can choose between activity and rest. If water sports are running, you may pay extra to take part. If not, the bay itself provides enough to do: swim, sit in the shade if available, or enjoy the view from the deck.

Esmeralda Bay slows the afternoon down

Esmeralda Bay is another swimming stop, described as a peaceful place for quiet time on the water. By this point, the repeated stops may feel wonderfully unhurried or slightly repetitive, depending on what you want from the day.

I would book this trip for exactly that reason if you enjoy sea time. You can swim several times, dry off in the sun, and avoid the pressure to keep moving from one land sight to the next. If you want long walks, museums, or archaeological sites you can explore closely, the schedule may feel too focused on the water.

Several departures have included sightings of sea turtles. They are wild animals, so there is no guarantee, but keeping your eyes open around the swimming bays may reward you. Do not treat a turtle sighting as part of the promised itinerary. The reliable feature is the clear water and repeated swim breaks.

Simena Castle is the day’s best land stop

At Kaleköy, the ancient site of Simena, the boat anchors for about one hour. This is your main chance to get off the boat and explore a real village, castle ruins, and a necropolis.

The climb to Simena Castle is uphill, so wear comfortable shoes. The effort pays off with broad views across the Kekova region. You see the island, bays, boats, and scattered ruins from above, which gives the day a stronger sense of place than the water-level stops alone.

One hour is enough for a brisk walk up and back, but not for a slow archaeological visit. If you want the view, head uphill promptly. If you prefer a relaxed hour, remain near the harbor and take a swim while admiring the castle from below.

Bring cash for the castle entrance. This extra cost is easy to miss when planning the $70 tour, and small village sites may not offer the same payment options you have in Kaş. The exact admission price is not provided, so keep some Turkish lira with you.

Kaleköy is described as an authentic small village rather than a large resort. That gives the stop a local feel, but it also means uneven paths, an uphill route, and limited suitability for anyone with mobility problems. The boat trip is not recommended for people with limited mobility, and Simena is the clearest reason why.

What the $70 price really includes

At $70 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to spend a full day swimming and want transport from Kaş included. You get the ride to Uçağız and back, the boat journey, several swimming locations, the Kekova cruise, Simena Castle time, and lunch.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a detailed archaeological tour. The sunken city is viewed from the boat, the castle visit is only about an hour, and English commentary may be limited. You are paying for a broad coastal day with history woven into it, not a specialist ruins tour.

The included meal improves the calculation. You will still need money for drinks, possible water sports, and the castle entrance. A small group and comfortable boat can make the outing feel better than a crowded budget cruise, but those features are not guaranteed on every departure.

The rating of 4.7 from 95 reviews supports the idea that the basic formula works well. The strongest praise centers on the beautiful swimming areas, tasty food, friendly crews, and good communication before pickup. The recurring cautions are also clear: English may be uneven, pickup can run late because of traffic, and the schedule may include extra stops that delay your return.

Who should book this Kekova day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed day on the Mediterranean with several chances to swim. It is especially suitable for couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who prefers seeing many coastal sights without arranging several separate trips.

You will probably enjoy it if lunch, transport, and a full schedule of swim stops matter more to you than a long guided walk. The small boat atmosphere reported on some departures is another plus, particularly if you dislike tightly packed excursions.

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility, dislike getting in and out of boats, or want a serious archaeological explanation at every site. I would also think twice if you are looking for a glass-bottom view of the sunken city. The boat passes the ruins, but you should plan to see them from above the water.

Pack comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and cash. Use sun cream early, since you will spend much of the day exposed to the sun. Keep your schedule open into the evening, especially if traffic or additional stops affect the return to Kaş.

Final verdict: a very good sea day for $70

Book this tour if you want clear water, several swim breaks, a satisfying lunch, and a taste of Kekova’s ancient sites in one outing. The route covers a lot without feeling like a race, and the included transport makes it simple from Kaş.

Choose another activity if your priority is deep historical guiding, easy wheelchair access, or a close underwater look at the ruins. For most active visitors who want a pleasant boat day with real scenery and useful variety, this is a worthwhile choice. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking also make it easier to fit into a changing Kaş itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Kaş?

Pickup is outside Smiley’s Restaurant. The exact pickup time can change by season, and you should receive the final time by WhatsApp or email one day before the tour.

When does the boat leave?

The boat departs from Uçağız or Demre Harbor between 10:20 and 10:40 in the morning.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about nine hours, including the transfer from Kaş to the harbor and the return journey.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Drinks are not included.

Can I swim at the sunken city?

No. The sunken city is in a protected area, so swimming is not permitted there. You view the ruins while cruising alongside them.

How much time is available at Simena Castle?

The boat anchors at Kaleköy for about one hour. You can walk uphill to the castle and necropolis or stay near the harbor and swim.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter languages are English and Turkish. The amount of spoken English can vary by departure, and guidebooks in different languages may be available.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. The boat access, harbor movement, and uphill route to Simena Castle can be difficult.