From Kas: Guided Kekova Sea Kayaking Tour

Kekova’s ancient ruins are best seen from water level, and this tour puts you in a kayak beside the Sunken City of Kekova, not behind a crowd on a large excursion boat. You’ll paddle along a beautiful stretch of Lycian coast, stop for a swim, and climb to Simena Castle for broad views over the islands and bays.

I like the strong safety setup: a powered support boat follows the group, carries your belongings, and can assist if wind or tired arms become a problem. I also like the balance of activity and sightseeing, with roughly four hours on the water, a castle visit, swimming, and lunch in Üçağız.

The main consideration is effort. The route covers about 8 kilometers, and heat or wind can make kayaking tiring, especially in summer. Beginners are welcome, but you should be ready for a physically active morning rather than a gentle boat ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Kayak beside protected ruins: The Sunken City is viewed from the water because swimming is not allowed in this protected area.
• Guide Yaşar leads the trip: He gives paddle instruction, explains the ancient sites, and helps beginners find their rhythm.
• A support boat stays with you: It stores belongings, provides safety backup, and can help with difficult stretches.
• Tersane Bay brings the first swim: You get about 40 minutes for swimming, kayaking, and a break before the main ruins.
• Simena Castle adds a worthwhile uphill walk: The castle ruins and hillside views reward you, though the climb takes effort in the heat.
• Lunch is included in Üçağız: The $65 price covers transport from Kaş, kayaking equipment, lunch, and the guided route.

Why Kekova works so well from a kayak

The Kekova coast has an unusual mix of clear water, quiet coves, and ancient remains. From a kayak, you move slowly enough to notice details along the shoreline, yet you are close to the water in a way a standard sightseeing boat cannot match.

The Sunken City is the main reason to choose this outing. Earthquakes pushed parts of the ancient settlement below the sea, leaving submerged walls and traces of buildings along Kekova Island. You do not swim over the ruins, since the site is protected, but your kayak gives you a good viewing position beside them.

I like that the tour does not treat the ruins as a quick photo stop. The guide talks about the ancient sites as you paddle, so the morning has some context rather than being only a workout with pretty scenery.

The water route also gives the day a natural rhythm. You begin with practice, paddle toward Tersane Bay, stop for a swim, pass the Sunken City, spend time ashore at Simena, and then return toward Üçağız. You get activity, archaeology, and rest without spending the entire day doing just one thing.

From Kaş to Üçağız at 8:00 a.m.

The day begins with pickup in front of Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş. The exact pickup time can change by season, and the operator sends the details one day ahead by WhatsApp or email, so keep an eye on your messages.

The drive to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes. That transfer matters because it saves you the trouble of arranging your own transport to the kayak base. It also lets the kayaking begin from the most useful point on the route, rather than wasting your paddling time on a long approach.

You should arrive ready for the water. A change of clothes is a sensible addition, and you will want to protect anything you bring from splashes. The support boat carries belongings, which makes the day easier, but keep valuable items to a minimum.

At the base, you receive a safety briefing and paddle instruction. If you have never used a sea kayak, this is the moment to learn how to steer, keep a steady course, and work with your partner if you are in a two-person kayak. The activity is compared with a long brisk walk, which is a useful guide: manageable for many beginners, but still exercise.

The first paddle from Üçağız

The opening session gives you time to get comfortable before the main route. You leave Üçağız at about 9:30 a.m., accompanied by the motorized support boat, and paddle southwest toward Kekova Island.

This practice section is more important than it may sound. Sea kayaking is not difficult to understand, but wind and small waves can make a straight line less simple than it looks. A calm start lets you learn the equipment before reaching the more scenic stops.

The group is limited to 15 people, which helps keep the outing more personal than a large boat excursion. Still, the group must stay together on the water. One person noted that keeping a larger group on track could be a small challenge, so do not expect the pace of a private tour.

The support boat is one of the strongest practical features. It follows the kayaks during the route, carries bags, and can help with emergencies or tiring sections. Several people also found that it could tug a kayak when wind picked up. That does not remove the need to paddle, but it gives you useful backup.

Tersane Bay and the first swim

The group reaches Tersane Bay at about 10:15 a.m. The stop lasts around 40 minutes and combines swimming, kayaking, and time to enjoy the setting.

This is a good early break. You have had enough time on the water to feel the effort in your shoulders, but not so much that you need to push through the morning without rest. The blue water makes the stop more than a simple pause, and snorkeling equipment is included according to the tour details.

If you are bringing a reluctant teenager or a companion who is unsure about kayaking, this stop can help. The day is not nonstop paddling, and you get a chance to cool off before heading to the main attraction.

The only catch is the heat. A July or August morning can feel demanding when you are exposed on the water, even with swimming breaks. Drink water, use sun protection, and do not mistake the scenic setting for an effortless outing.

Kayaking beside Kekova’s Sunken City

After Tersane Bay, the group moves slowly over and alongside the Sunken City of Kekova. The viewing section lasts about 10 minutes in the formal schedule, though the approach and surrounding paddling add to the experience.

The restrictions here shape the visit. You cannot swim among the ruins, so the kayak is not just a fun transport choice. It is the proper way to see this protected area while keeping your distance from the remains.

The low position of a kayak works well. You can look across the water toward the ancient walls and shoreline, take photographs, and hear the guide explain what you are seeing. A large boat may cover the same route, but kayaking gives you more control over where you look and a closer sense of the water.

Do not expect to land among the ruins or wander through an underwater archaeological site. This is a short, carefully managed viewing passage. Its value comes from the setting and the unusual angle, not from a long stop on shore.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy

The group reaches Simena at about 11:30 a.m. You leave the kayaks in Kaleköy, the small village associated with ancient Simena, and have about 45 minutes to an hour for sightseeing.

The castle ruins sit uphill, and the climb is worth doing if your legs still feel good. From above, you get panoramic views across Kekova’s islands, coves, and bright water. This is the best point of the day for seeing the full shape of the region rather than only the section directly around your kayak.

The hillside also contains a necropolis, adding another layer to the visit. You are not simply climbing to a viewpoint. You are walking through a small ancient site with a strong connection to the surrounding coast.

The climb is the main tradeoff. It can be hot, and your arms and legs may already be tired from kayaking. If you prefer not to walk uphill, you can spend the time around the village and water, or take another swim. The tour gives you a choice, which helps make the stop work for different energy levels.

Simena is also the point where you can browse the village and spend time at your own pace. Because the stop is self-guided, do not expect a long formal castle lecture or a tightly managed walking tour. The guide provides the broader explanation, while you decide how much uphill exploring suits you.

The castle entrance ticket costs 4 euros and is not included. That is a small extra, but it is worth knowing before you arrive with only the tour price in mind.

Theimussa and the return to Üçağız

In the afternoon, the route heads back toward Theimussa. Here you get a closer look at more Lycian sarcophagi before returning to the kayak base.

These stone tombs make a useful contrast with the submerged remains. The Sunken City is best understood from the water, while the sarcophagi are visible as shore-based monuments. Together, the stops show how closely ancient Lycian settlements were tied to the sea and the hills around it.

The return section may feel harder than the outward paddle. You have already spent hours using your arms, and wind conditions can change. One participant found the wind made the route more challenging, while the support boat provided help when needed. That is a fair picture of the outing: rewarding, but not completely predictable.

After returning the equipment, you go to Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 p.m. Lunch is included, which improves the overall value and means you do not need to plan a separate meal during the active part of the day.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, the tour is priced well for a six-hour outing that includes several moving parts. Your payment covers the return transfer from Kaş, about four hours of sea kayaking, equipment, the support boat, a guide, and lunch.

The value is strongest if you want to combine Kekova’s main sights in one day. Booking separate transport, kayak hire, a support boat, and a meal would take more planning and might not save much money.

You should budget another 4 euros if you want to enter Simena Castle. The tour does not include that ticket, but the added cost is modest compared with the views from the top.

The small-group limit of 15 is another reason the price makes sense. This is not a private paddle, and the pace must suit the group, but it offers more guidance and control than a large sightseeing cruise.

The 4.7 rating from 71 reviews also fits the pattern of the experience. The most praised elements are consistent: Yaşar’s friendly instruction, good equipment, safety support, clear explanations, swimming time, and the included lunch. I would place particular weight on the guide and support boat, since they make the difference for first-time kayakers.

Who will enjoy this tour most

You are a good fit if you want an active way to see Kekova and do not mind getting wet. Beginners can join, and the paddle instruction is designed to help you get moving quickly.

The tour also suits families with older children and teenagers who can manage several hours of physical activity. A 15-year-old reportedly enjoyed the day, but you should still judge your own child’s comfort with heat, swimming, and sustained paddling.

It is a strong choice for couples or friends who would rather explore by kayak than sit on a large boat. The route gives you time for conversation, swimming, photos, and short walks without turning the day into a rushed checklist.

You may want a different plan if you want a completely relaxed boat trip, extensive time inside the castle, or a private guide. The kayaking is the point, and the ancient sites are fitted around that activity.

Useful planning advice

Wear clothing that can get wet and bring a change of clothes. The equipment includes life vests, kayaks, and snorkeling gear, and the equipment has been described as clean and in good condition.

Bring sun protection and prepare for heat. The open water offers little relief, and wind can make the paddle more tiring. The support boat is reassuring, but you should still arrive ready to work.

Keep your expectations clear about the schedule. The route is structured, with set stops and approximate arrival times, but conditions on the water can affect the pace. The guide needs to keep the group together and may adjust the timing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Kaş plans are still changing, but the bigger booking decision is your comfort with the physical side.

Should you book the Kekova kayak tour?

Book it if you want the most active and personal way to see Kekova’s coastline. The combination of the protected Sunken City, Tersane Bay swimming, Simena Castle, Lycian tombs, lunch, and a support boat gives you a lot for $65.

I would especially recommend it to first-time kayakers who want guidance rather than a self-rental. Yaşar’s clear instruction and good humor have been a repeated strength, and the escort boat takes some pressure off if you tire.

Skip it if your ideal day means minimal exertion or long, unhurried time at each ruin. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced day on the water, with enough ancient sites to give the outing substance and enough swimming to keep it fun.

FAQ

How long does the Kekova kayaking tour last?

The tour lasts about six hours, including the transfer from Kaş, kayaking, sightseeing stops, lunch, and the return journey.

Where does pickup take place in Kaş?

Pickup is in front of Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş. The exact time can vary by season and is sent one day before the tour by WhatsApp or email.

How far is Üçağız from Kaş?

The drive from Kaş to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes.

Is the tour suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The tour begins with a safety briefing and paddle instruction. The activity is described as similar to taking a long brisk walk, but you should still be prepared for physical effort.

Can you swim at the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. Swimming is not permitted at the Sunken City because it is a protected area. You view the ruins from your kayak.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Üçağız is included in the tour price.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The castle entrance ticket costs 4 euros and must be paid separately.