Antalya: Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip w/ Lunch

Kekova’s half-submerged ruins are the star here. From the boat, you glide over the remains of ancient Simena, where stone walls and buildings can be seen below the clear water. The day also brings you to Myra’s rock-cut tombs and the church linked to St. Nicholas.

I like the mix of archaeology and open water, since you are not spending the whole day walking through ruins. I also like that lunch, entrance to Myra and Demre, transport, a guide, and the boat ride are bundled into the $78 price.

The catch is the road time. From the Antalya area, the drive can take more than three hours each way, with an early start. Lunch is included but basic, and drinks, snacks, and entry to St. Nicholas Church cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Kekova from the water: Sail over the submerged remains of Simena rather than viewing the ruins from a road or museum.
• Myra’s Lycian tombs: See dramatic rock-cut burial chambers above the ancient theater.
• Swimming stop: Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and water for time in the clear sea around Kekova.
• A long but worthwhile day: Plan on 9 to 10 hours, plus a long transfer from Antalya.
• Lunch included, but simple: The meal saves you from finding a restaurant, though you may want snacks of your own.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: The final stop is not included in the advertised price.

Why this Antalya day trip is worth your time

The Demre and Kekova area gives you a useful picture of Turkey’s southern coast in one day. You get ancient Lycian sites, a Christian pilgrimage stop, a small coastal town, and a boat ride in the same outing.

I especially like the contrast. Myra is dry, rocky, and carved into the hills. Kekova is blue, breezy, and best understood from a boat. You are not simply moving from one old ruin to another. The scenery and pace change several times.

At $78 per person, the cost is reasonable if you want an organized day from Antalya, Belek, or Kemer. Transport alone would make this a harder trip to arrange independently, and the price also includes lunch, Myra and Demre entrance fees, a guide, and the Kekova boat trip.

Still, this is not a quick local excursion. You pay for a full day and spend a large part of it on the road. I would book it for the sites, not for a relaxed beach day.

The early transfer from Antalya, Belek, or Kemer

Pickup is available from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer, with the activity information also listing pickup options from Alanya and Side. Check the exact pickup area and start time before booking, since the trip takes 9 to 10 hours and the departure is early.

The long drive matters. One experienced guide, Alp, was praised for clear and honest explanations, but even a good guide cannot shorten the road. From the Antalya area, the transfer may run upward of three hours, so you should be ready for a full day out.

I would not choose this trip for very young children who struggle with long bus rides. The early start, road time, walking around ancient sites, and boat schedule can make the day tiring. Older children and teenagers who enjoy ruins and swimming may find the change of pace easier.

Wear comfortable shoes. Myra includes uneven ancient ground, and shoes are more useful here than sandals with thin soles. Pack sunscreen, drinking water, and a few snacks. The included meal is described as basic, and drinks are not included.

Myra’s theater and Lycian rock tombs

Myra lies on the banks of the River Myros and was once an important Lycian town. The main visit focuses on its ancient Greek theater and the necropolis cut into the rock above it.

The tombs are the memorable part. Lycian burial chambers were carved into cliff faces, often with fronts shaped to resemble houses or temples. From ground level, you can look up at rows of tombs cut into the stone. They give you a clear sense of how the ancient people of this region honored the dead.

The theater adds another layer. Its curved seating and stone structure show how public life worked in the ancient town. Your guide can help connect the remains to the larger Lycian world, which is useful because ruins can otherwise look like scattered blocks after centuries of earthquakes and reuse.

You should allow for walking and standing during this stop. The entrance fee to Myra is included, and the tour is designed to move you through the site with a guide rather than leave you to work out the story alone.

Myra is not a polished, resort-style attraction. Its appeal comes from the setting and the surviving details. If you like ancient architecture, tombs, and theater ruins, this is a strong opening stop. If you want a long, unhurried archaeological visit, the group schedule may feel brisk.

Lunch before the Kekova boat ride

Lunch comes before the boat trip to Kekova. This is practical scheduling, since you can eat before spending time in the sun and water.

Do not expect a special food experience. The meal is included, but it has been described as poor and basic, and the restaurant may not impress you in terms of cleanliness. Another description called it simple but sufficient. That is the right way to approach it.

The value is convenience, not cuisine. You do not need to search for a restaurant during a tightly planned day, and you can save money by accepting the meal as fuel. I would still bring a snack, especially if you have dietary needs or prefer a larger lunch.

Drinks are not included, so carry cash or water for the day. Sunscreen and hydration matter on the boat, where shade and seating arrangements can vary. The supplied information does not promise a special menu, drinks, or snacks, so plan on looking after those needs yourself.

Sailing over Kekova’s sunken city

The boat trip is the reason many people choose this excursion. Kekova is known for the remains of ancient Simena, partly submerged along the coast after seismic activity changed the shoreline.

You view the ruins from the boat. Look for stone walls, building remains, and other shapes beneath the water as the boat passes over the site. The clear Turquoise Coast water makes this possible, though visibility can change with conditions.

This is not a visit where you walk through the sunken city. You remain on the boat and see the underwater ruins from above. That distinction matters. If you want an archaeological site you can enter and explore on foot, Myra is the better part of the day. If you like the idea of history beneath the sea, Kekova provides the unusual moment.

The boat also changes the feel of the outing. After the land-based ruins, you get sea air, open views, and time to sit down. I like this balance because the day would feel much harder if every stop involved climbing and standing.

Bring a hat and sunscreen. The tour information says you can swim and snorkel in the clear waters around the island, but it does not state that snorkeling equipment is supplied. Pack your own gear if you want to snorkel and confirm arrangements before departure.

Swimming and snorkeling in the Turquoise Coast

The swimming stop gives you a chance to use the sea rather than only look at it. The water around Kekova is described as crystal clear, making it one of the most appealing parts of the boat outing.

You should treat this as a scheduled swim break, not a full beach day. The available information does not specify the exact length of the stop, the type of boat access, or whether equipment is provided. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and water, and ask the guide about the day’s arrangements.

For me, this stop adds real value. A long archaeological day can become a string of hot ruins, but a swim resets your energy. It also helps you understand why this coast was such an attractive place for ancient settlements.

You still need to be comfortable around open water. The activity is presented as a boat trip with swimming and snorkeling, not as a supervised swimming lesson. Stay within the directions given by the guide and crew.

Teimiussa and the Lycian necropolis

The tour also includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This stop adds a second look at Lycian burial customs after Myra.

Teimiussa is associated with the small settlement of Kale, also known as Demre in the modern area. A necropolis is a cemetery, and the tombs help show how important burial places were in Lycian towns. You get another chance to see the region’s distinctive stonework, this time in a coastal setting.

The two tomb sites are worth comparing. Myra gives you a larger ancient town with a theater and a more imposing rock face. Teimiussa brings the burial tradition closer to the sea and fits into the Kekova portion of the day.

The stop may be less immediately dramatic than the sunken ruins, but it gives the tour more substance. You are not seeing Kekova only as a pretty boat destination. You are also seeing the remains of the people who lived along this coast.

Kale and St. Nicholas Church

The day ends in Kale, within the Demre area, with the chance to visit the church of St. Nicholas. Myra was the former home of St. Nicholas of Myra, the Christian bishop later connected with the Santa Claus tradition.

The church visit is not included in the price. You should budget separately if you want to enter, and check the current entry arrangement when booking. The tour includes entrance fees to Myra and Demre, but the supplied details specifically exclude St. Nicholas Church.

This final stop suits you if religious history or early Christian sites interests you. It also gives the day a different focus after the Lycian ruins and sea trip. If you are mainly booking for Kekova, you may see the church as an optional extra rather than a central reason to go.

The stop is also a useful reminder that Demre’s story is not only ancient Greek and Lycian. The area connects several periods and traditions, all within one long day.

Guide quality and the pace of the day

The tour includes a live guide in English or Russian. A guide named Alp received particular praise for being friendly, well informed, and direct, though guide assignments can vary.

That human element matters at Myra and Teimiussa. Without explanation, rock tombs and broken theater stones can blur together. A good guide points out what you are seeing and explains why the sites matter.

The pace will be organized rather than leisurely. You have to cover a long transfer, two archaeological areas, lunch, a boat trip, swimming, and an optional church visit before returning to your hotel. I would keep the day free of other plans.

A 3.7 rating from 36 reviews suggests a mixed overall experience, which fits the details. The strongest features are the itinerary, the guide, and the combination of ruins with water. The weaker points are the long road journey and plain lunch.

Who should book this Kekova excursion

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Kekova but do not want to arrange several transfers, entrance tickets, and a boat ride on your own. It is also a good fit if you enjoy ancient sites but want time to swim rather than spend every hour on land.

You will likely appreciate the trip if:

• You are staying in Antalya, Belek, or Kemer and want a full-day coastal outing.
• You enjoy Lycian archaeology, rock tombs, and ancient theaters.
• You want a boat trip with swimming and snorkeling included in the plan.
• You prefer a guide to explain the sites.
• You are comfortable with an early start and a long return day.

I would hesitate if you dislike bus journeys, need a generous lunch, or want a slow beach day. Families with small children should think carefully about the three-hour-plus transfer from the Antalya area.

Price, practical planning, and value

At $78, this is a solid package for the amount covered. You receive hotel pickup, a guide, lunch, Myra and Demre entrance fees, and the Kekova boat trip. Paying separately for transport and a boat would require more planning, and the organized format removes much of that work.

The value is strongest for visitors without a rental car or local transport plan. You can see several sites in one day and return to your hotel without solving the route yourself.

The price does not cover drinks or St. Nicholas Church. Lunch is included, but I would not choose this tour because of the food. Think of it as a simple meal that keeps the schedule moving.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make it easier to fit into a changing holiday plan. Check availability for the exact start time and confirm pickup details for your hotel.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Kekova’s sunken ruins are high on your list and you want Myra, Demre, and a swim folded into one organized day. The itinerary offers more variety than a simple boat trip, and the guide can add useful context at the archaeological sites.

Skip it if the long transfer from Antalya sounds miserable or if you want a relaxed lunch and plenty of free time. For the right reader, $78 is fair value. Just pack water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, swimwear, and snacks, and treat the early start as part of the price of reaching this remarkable stretch of coast.

FAQ

How long does the Antalya, Myra, and Kekova tour last?

The activity lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours. Pickup is available from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer, and the information also lists pickup from Alanya and Side.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup is included, with pickup information specifically naming hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer. Confirm the available pickup point for your accommodation when checking availability.

Which languages are available for the guided tour?

The live guide is available in English and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. Drinks are not included, and the meal is described as basic, so bringing extra snacks is sensible.

Is the Kekova boat trip included in the price?

Yes. The boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova is included.

Is entry to St. Nicholas Church included?

No. St. Nicholas Church is not included, so you need to pay the entrance fee separately if you choose to visit.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, drinking water, swimwear, and snacks. The tour includes swimming and snorkeling, but the available information does not confirm that snorkeling equipment is provided.