Kas: Day Trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra

Ancient ruins meet clear water. This 10-hour trip from Kaş combines a boat cruise around Kekova with Kaleköy, quiet swimming bays, St. Nicholas Church, and the rock-cut tombs of Myra. I especially like the excellent included lunch and the chance to see several famous sites in one day without arranging separate transport. The main drawback is that the history commentary may be thin, and the Sunken City is viewed from the boat rather than explored underwater.

You pay $76 per person, including Kaş city-center pickup, drop-off, lunch, and snorkeling. That is a fair price for such a long day, particularly if you want both the coast and Demre’s ancient sites. Just bring a towel, expect extra entrance fees, and keep your expectations realistic about the guiding.

Key points before you book

• The Sunken City is a boat-only sight: You cruise past the submerged ruins of ancient Dolchiste and stop for photographs, but you do not swim or snorkel through the protected ruins.
• Kaleköy gives you the day’s best viewpoint: The old village and Simena Castle sit above Kekova, with wide views across the coast.
• Lunch gets high marks: It is included, plentiful, and one of the strongest parts of the day.
• You get several swim breaks: Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, Pirates Cave, and other coves add plenty of time in the water.
• Myra and St. Nicholas Church extend the day inland: These cultural stops make this more than a standard boat outing, though entrance fees are extra.
• The English guiding can be limited: The crew may tell you where you are without providing much historical background.

Why this Kaş day trip works well

Kaş is a fine base for seeing the Kekova coast, but reaching Demre, Myra, and the harbor on your own takes more planning. This tour bundles the long transfer, boat ride, meal, swimming stops, and archaeological visits into one day.

That convenience is the real value. You leave Kaş in the morning, reach Demre Harbor, spend much of the day on the water, then continue to the inland sights before returning to Kaş. It is a busy schedule, but it covers a lot of ground.

I would choose this outing if you want variety. You are not spending 10 hours only on a boat, and you are not spending the day only among ruins. Instead, the route shifts between sea views, village lanes, ancient theater seats, rock tombs, and swimming coves.

The pace also means you should not expect long, thoughtful visits everywhere. Simena Castle gets about an hour, while Myra and St. Nicholas Church receive shorter visits. You get a useful introduction rather than a slow archaeological study.

Starting in Kaş and reaching Demre Harbor

Pickup takes place from Kaş city center, with the exact time sent by WhatsApp or email the day before. The stated meeting point is Smiley’s, though seasonal pickup details may change.

The transfer to Demre Harbor is an important part of the day. It is not the glamorous portion, but it saves you from arranging a separate taxi or bus and gets you to the departure point for the Kekova cruise.

Once at the harbor, you board the boat for the coastal portion. The boat used on this trip has been praised for being comfortable and spacious, and the group size may be around 15 people. That is small enough to feel manageable without being a private excursion.

You should have your swimwear and towel ready early. There are several water stops, and changing clothes repeatedly can be awkward on any boat day.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the boat

The cruise along Kekova Island is the central reason to book this trip. Ancient Dolchiste, often called the Sunken City of Kekova, slipped partly below the water after earthquakes. From the boat, you can see submerged walls, stairways, and other remains beneath the clear surface.

The boat passes slowly enough for photographs, and this is the right way to appreciate the protected site. Swimming and snorkeling in the ruins are not part of the experience. The wording can sound as if you will explore the ancient city below the water, but in practice you view it from the deck.

That distinction matters. If you want a boat ride with history and scenery, the stop is memorable. If you expect to swim through ancient streets, you will be disappointed.

The water and the ruined stonework make this one of the more unusual coastal sights near Kaş. Keep your camera ready, but also look beyond the ruins. The appeal comes from the contrast between the calm sea, the steep coast, and evidence of a settlement that now sits partly underwater.

Kaleköy and Simena Castle in one hour

The boat continues to Kaleköy, the modern village beside ancient Simena. There is no road connection into the village, which helps preserve its quiet, local character. You have free time to walk around, look through small shops, and climb toward the castle ruins.

Simena Castle is the strongest land-based viewpoint on the route. From higher ground, you can look across the Kekova region and the small islands scattered along the coast. The climb is part of the attraction, but it can feel steep, so wear shoes with a secure grip.

The ruins are not presented as a long guided archaeological visit. You may be given roughly 50 minutes to an hour, so use the time carefully. If you want the view, head upward first. If you want a swim, plan ahead because the time can pass quickly.

This is one place where better instructions from the crew would help. The nearby bay is beautiful, but some people were not told clearly enough that they could swim there. By the time they finished at the castle, there was little time left for the water.

Lunch and swimming at Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay provides a welcome pause after the walk around Kaleköy. The boat stops for lunch and a swim, giving you time to cool off and settle into the slower rhythm of the coast.

The included meal is one of the tour’s best features. It has been described as both tasty and generous, which matters on a 10-hour outing with repeated swimming stops. You do not need to budget for lunch, though additional food and drinks are not included.

This is also a good moment to judge the tour’s overall style. It is not a polished private yacht charter. It is a practical shared boat trip with a full meal, several stops, and a busy route. At $76, that is a sensible trade-off.

The bay itself is valued more for rest and swimming than for a formal activity. If you prefer a quiet hour beside the sea, this is one of the more pleasant portions of the day.

Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Pirates Cave

The route includes more swimming at Burç Bay, where cold underwater springs make the water feel cooler. That change in temperature can be refreshing after time in the sun, though it may surprise you when you first get in.

Gökkaya Bay adds another swim stop, surrounded by the coast’s natural beauty. Water sports may be available if you want a little more action, but the tour information does not promise a particular activity or equipment beyond snorkeling.

The schedule lists Gökkaya Bay more than once, so expect repeated time in the same general area rather than a constant stream of new sights. That is good news if you came mainly to swim. It may feel repetitive if you prefer sightseeing from the deck.

Pirates Cave is a natural cave with a large curved entrance. The boat stops for swimming and snorkeling, and the cave gives the day a playful sense of discovery without requiring a difficult walk or a special excursion.

Do not expect an extensive cave tour. The attraction is the view from the water and the chance to swim nearby. As with the other stops, conditions and timing can affect how long you remain there.

Karemlik Bay and the chance to see sea turtles

Karemlik Bay is associated with sea turtles, including three of the seven known sea turtle species found in the area. The stop is for observation and a break, but turtle sightings are not guaranteed.

This is a good place to keep your expectations modest. You may see marine life, but the tour cannot control when animals appear. Avoid treating the stop like a guaranteed wildlife show. Simply having time in a protected coastal setting adds another layer to the day.

The bay also helps break up the long sequence of swimming stops. You can watch the water, rest on the boat, and look for movement near the surface rather than feeling obliged to swim at every opportunity.

Andriake Harbor, St. Nicholas Church, and Demre

After the boat returns toward Demre, the route passes Andriake Harbor. The stop is brief, mainly for photographs and a look from the boat, so do not expect a full harbor visit.

The inland portion then turns to St. Nicholas Church, also known as the Santa Claus Museum. The church was built in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, the historical figure linked to the later Santa Claus tradition.

The site matters because it connects the modern Christmas figure with a real bishop and an important local religious center. Inside, you can see remains of the ancient church and get a sense of how the story grew from a person rooted in this part of the Mediterranean.

The visit lasts about 40 minutes. That is enough for an introduction, but not enough for a careful study of every detail. Entrance fees are not included, so carry money for the archaeological sites.

Myra’s theater and cliff tombs

Myra is the day’s main ancient site. Its Roman-style theater is among the largest in Lycia, and its scale becomes clear as you look across the seating and stage area.

The rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs are even more distinctive. Their decorated fronts resemble houses or small temples, creating an unforgettable wall of ancient burial chambers above the site.

You may have around 40 minutes here for photographs and a self-guided visit. That is short for a major archaeological area, so focus on the theater and tombs rather than trying to examine everything.

The site works best when you understand that these are not random holes in the rock. The tombs reflect Lycian burial customs and the importance of showing status even in death. A little reading before the tour will make the visit much more meaningful, especially if the English commentary on the boat is limited.

Myra also provides a useful contrast to Kekova. At Kekova, history appears below the water and from a moving boat. At Myra, you stand among stone buildings and tombs, with time to study the remains directly.

The guide issue and what the crew may provide

The tour is advertised with English and Turkish support, but you should not assume that a full-time history guide will provide detailed commentary throughout the day.

The crew may identify each destination and tell you when to return to the boat. That is useful for logistics, but several parts of the route benefit from more context. The Sunken City, Simena, St. Nicholas, and Myra all have stories worth hearing.

I would treat this as a self-guided sightseeing trip with basic assistance rather than a traditional guided tour. Bring your own notes or download information before leaving Kaş if you want more historical detail.

That limitation is not a deal breaker for everyone. If your main goals are swimming, lunch, photographs, and seeing the headline sites, you may be perfectly happy. If interpretation is central to your trip, the lack of steady commentary should weigh heavily in your decision.

What the $76 price really includes

At $76, the tour offers solid value because it includes Kaş pickup and drop-off, transport to Demre Harbor, the full boat trip, lunch, and snorkeling. Booking separate transport to Demre, a boat cruise, and visits to Myra and St. Nicholas Church could cost more and require much more coordination.

The price does not include archaeological entrance fees or extra food and drinks. Add those costs before deciding, especially if you are watching your budget.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a full day with many components. It is less compelling if you only want a relaxed boat cruise, since the inland visits make the day longer and the schedule tighter.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. Pickup times vary by season, so check the message sent the day before and do not assume the same departure time throughout the year.

Who should book this day out

I recommend it for:

• First-time visitors based in Kaş who want to see Kekova and Demre in one day
• People who enjoy alternating between swimming and sightseeing
• Anyone who values included lunch and transport
• Families and couples who prefer a structured day rather than arranging several connections
• History fans who are comfortable doing some self-guided reading

I would think twice if you want a quiet, slow boat day with no inland transfer. I would also reconsider if you need detailed English explanations at every stop or hope to swim around the Sunken City ruins.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and some money for site entry and drinks. Keep your phone charged for photographs, especially around Kekova and from the heights above Kaleköy.

Should you book the Kaş to Kekova and Myra tour?

Book it if you want a big sightseeing day for a reasonable price. The combination of Kekova’s underwater ruins, Simena Castle, several bays, a substantial lunch, St. Nicholas Church, and Myra is hard to match with one simple outing.

The best parts are the boat scenery, the swimming breaks, the comfortable boat, and the meal. The weak spot is the limited guiding, along with the misleading impression that you will explore the Sunken City underwater.

My advice is simple: choose this tour for variety and convenience, not for expert commentary or a slow archaeological visit. If that matches your priorities, it gives you a memorable look at one of Turkey’s most rewarding coastal areas.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including pickup from Kaş, the boat trip from Demre Harbor, the coastal stops, the visits to St. Nicholas Church and Myra, and the return to Kaş.

What is the meeting point?

The stated meeting point is Smiley’s in Kaş. Pickup times can change by season, and the exact time is sent by WhatsApp or email the day before.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off from Kaş city center are included. The information does not state that pickup is available outside the city center.

Can I swim in the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, with a photo stop and sightseeing from the water. Swimming or snorkeling through the protected ruins is not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Are snorkeling activities included?

Yes. Snorkeling is listed as included, with opportunities around the swimming stops. Bring your own towel.

Are entrance fees to Myra and St. Nicholas Church included?

No. Archaeological site entrance fees are not included, so you should budget separately for them.

What languages are available?

The listed languages are English and Turkish. However, you should expect basic information rather than continuous, detailed historical commentary throughout the day.