Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

The star of this day is the Kekova Sunken City, where ancient walls, stairways, and buildings sit beneath clear Mediterranean water. You view the ruins from the boat, then spend much of the day swimming in bright coves and exploring the small seaside village of Simena.

I like the generous mix of history and open-water time, and I like that lunch is included rather than left to chance. Captain Ergun is often praised for his warm manner, stories, and even occasional drone footage. The main catch is practical: some bookings place you downstairs inside, while the upper-deck loungers may be limited.

At a glance

• Four swimming opportunities: Stop at Inönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık Bay for warm-weather swims and snorkeling.
• A rare view of ancient ruins: The Sunken City is seen from the boat because swimming, snorkeling, and diving around the ruins are restricted.
• One hour in Simena: Walk through Kaleköy, see the castle area, and enjoy wide views across Kekova.
• Lunch served on board: Expect a buffet-style meal, with fish or chicken and salads noted as common choices.
• A full day at sea: The tour runs about eight hours, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and returning to the meeting point.
• Good value for a boat day: At $84.65 per person, the price includes lunch, afternoon tea, guide services, fuel, and landing fees, but not drinks or hotel transfers.

Why Kekova is worth a full day

Kaş is a lively base for exploring Turkey’s Lycian coast, but Kekova feels slower and more remote once the boat leaves the harbor. The shoreline is a mix of rocky slopes, pine-covered bays, old stonework, and remarkably clear water. You get history without spending the whole day in a museum, which is the real appeal.

The ancient city beneath the water was damaged by earthquakes and partly swallowed by the sea. From the boat, you can make out sections of houses, walls, staircases, and religious buildings through the water. The view depends on sunlight, sea conditions, and your position on the boat, so do not expect a fully preserved underwater city. It is more like a set of clues scattered along the coast.

At $84.65, I consider this a fair price for a long day out. A similar outing purchased piecemeal would require a boat ride, a meal, access near Simena, and several swim stops. The value is strongest if you plan to swim and want a relaxed way to combine the coast and its ancient sites.

Leaving Kaş at 9:30 a.m.

You meet at the designated meeting point in Kaş. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow time to reach the harbor area yourself. The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

The boat can carry up to 65 people. That gives you a proper day-cruise setup with space to move around, but it is not a private yacht outing. If you want a sunbed on the upper deck, arrive early and ask how seating works. One important warning is that seating arrangements have not always been clear at booking, and some people have been assigned downstairs.

The boat itself has been described as clean, well kept, and spacious, with an upper deck offering sunbeds. The lower inside area can be useful if you need shade, but it is less pleasant if you have pictured yourself in the sun all day. I would clarify the seating policy before paying if an upper-deck place matters to you.

Inönü Bay and the small canyon

The first stop is Inönü Bay, where you have about 45 minutes. A small canyon gives the stop more purpose than a simple swim. You can walk toward it, or stay by the water and enjoy the quiet cove.

This is a gentle opening to the day. You are not rushed into a long historical explanation before settling in, and the time is long enough for a swim or a short look around. Wear shoes with a good grip if you plan to walk near rocks or along the canyon route.

As with every swimming stop, the experience depends on the weather and sea conditions. The tour requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a different date or a refund.

Aquarium Bay: clear water and easy snorkeling

Aquarium Bay earns its name from unusually clear water. This is one of the strongest stops for simply getting into the sea, looking below the surface, and enjoying the color of the water. The bay is surrounded by rocky slopes and greenery, giving you a fine view even if you choose not to snorkel.

Bring your own towel and consider water shoes. They are not required, but they can make rocky entries more comfortable. Snorkeling equipment may be available on the boat, though the supplied details do not promise a particular amount or type, so I would not rely on it for a specialized setup.

You get about 45 minutes here. That sounds generous, but time goes quickly once you have climbed down the boat ladder, swum out, and returned. If you prefer to stay dry, this is still a good photo stop.

Seeing the Sunken City from the boat

The visit to the Sunken City lasts about 30 minutes. The boat moves along the affected part of the coast so you can see the remains through the clear water. Ancient houses, walls, stairways, and parts of a Byzantine church are among the features associated with the submerged settlement.

This is a viewing stop, not a chance to swim among the ruins. That distinction matters. If you are expecting an active archaeological excursion with a guide on shore, you may find this brief. If you enjoy seeing old stonework in its setting, with the sea forming part of the story, it is a memorable part of the cruise.

Listen closely to the English explanations, especially if you sit upstairs. Sound can be harder to hear in the open air, and one person found the guide difficult to follow from the upper deck. If history is your main reason for booking, sit nearer the guide or ask for key explanations before the boat moves on.

The stop works best when you understand the setting. Kekova was linked to the ancient Lycian world, and earthquakes altered the shoreline. What you see is not a single dramatic monument. It is a coastal ruin field, partly above water and partly below it, best appreciated with patience and a good view.

Simena and Kaleköy: the day’s cultural center

After the coastal viewing, the boat reaches the area of Simena, also called Kaleköy. You have about an hour at the castle and another hour around the harbor area. This is the part of the trip where you leave the boat and get a better feel for the settlement.

Simena Castle sits above the water and offers broad views over Kekova Island and the surrounding coves. The climb is worthwhile for the outlook, but the castle admission is not included. Bring cash or check the current entrance arrangements before you go, since the tour price covers landing and facility fees but not this ticket.

The village is small, with narrow stone paths, whitewashed houses, flowers, waterfront cafés, and places selling ice cream. You can also see traces of an ancient Lycian necropolis in the area. The setting is peaceful, but the paths and climb can be uneven, so sensible footwear is a better choice than delicate sandals.

I would use the time carefully. If the castle is your priority, go there first instead of lingering by the water. One hour can feel short once you account for the walk uphill, photographs, and the return to the dock. If you care more about the village, take a slower route and enjoy a drink or ice cream by the harbor.

Some outings include a stop at the village with time for the castle and food, while exact timing can shift. Pay attention when the captain gives the return time. The boat cannot wait indefinitely, and the harbor transfer is part of a group schedule.

Tersane Bay and Çamlık Bay

Tersane Bay, also called Shipyard Bay, provides another 45-minute swim stop. The name points to its old connection with boat building, adding a small historical note to what is mainly a beautiful place to swim. Rocky sides, green cover, and clear water make it a good place for snorkeling.

The bay also gives you views back toward the coast and the Simena area. It is a useful pause after the walking portion of the day. You can stay in the water, sit on deck, or take photographs without feeling that you are missing a major sight.

Çamlık Bay is the final swimming stop and lasts about 45 minutes. Pine trees and calm water give it a quieter feel. By this point, you may be ready for a slower swim rather than another ambitious snorkeling session, though you can choose your own pace.

Together, these stops explain why the cruise receives such strong marks. The day is not built around one short glimpse of the ruins. You get several chances to enjoy the coast in the way that suits you, from active swimming to doing absolutely nothing on a deck chair.

Lunch, tea, and drinks on board

Lunch is included as a buffet. Fish or chicken, salads, and fruit such as watermelon are commonly served, and the meal is described as plentiful and tasty. Some outings prepare chicken on board, adding a pleasant bit of theater to the midday meal.

Afternoon tea is also included. Additional drinks, including water, soda, tea, and coffee, cost extra. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase as well. Prices have been described as reasonable, and card payment may be accepted, though I would still carry a little cash.

The meal is a real part of the value here. You do not have to lose sightseeing time hunting for a restaurant in a small harbor village, and you can eat while the boat continues its route. Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking.

The boat has clean toilets, proper plates and cutlery, and room to relax. Those details sound minor, but they matter on an eight-hour cruise. Pack a towel, sunscreen, a swimsuit, a cover-up, and a dry bag for phones or cameras.

The crew and guiding style

The crew has earned particularly strong praise for being friendly and helpful. Captain Ergun is frequently mentioned by name, especially for explaining the sites, making the day feel personal, and producing drone photos or video on some departures. One unusual incentive offered on certain trips is a drone shot after guests help collect rubbish from the sea.

You should not assume every boat has the same captain or exact extras. Mehmet Kaptan has also been praised on a departure from Üçağız, where his long experience and clear explanations helped make the trip enjoyable. The operator may use different boats, including vessels identified as Grand Safari 2 or Kumsal.

That variation is worth noting. Most of the feedback is highly positive, but one outing involved a late departure, poor communication, and a captain who handled a few safety and timing problems badly. The boat, swim spots, and lunch were still praised, but the conduct of the crew affected the day.

I would pay attention to the safety briefing, ask where you should wait before each departure, and follow the return times exactly. Never jump into the water after a drifting item or leave the boat without clear permission. A small communication problem can become serious at sea.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this tour if you want a full day combining swimming, scenery, and a light dose of archaeology. It suits couples, families with children accompanied by an adult, and anyone who prefers to see Kekova without arranging several separate trips.

It is also a good match for people who like social boat outings. With up to 65 people, you can meet others and enjoy a lively shared day, but you should not expect silence or a private guide. The upper deck may fill early, and the English commentary may be difficult to hear from certain seats.

This is less suitable if you want a serious archaeological tour, a private boat, or long uninterrupted time at Simena Castle. The castle visit is worthwhile, but the schedule gives equal weight to swimming and relaxing.

The tour begins and ends at the meeting point in Kaş. It does not include transport from Kalkan or other nearby towns. If you are staying outside Kaş, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming a transfer can be arranged.

Booking, cancellation, and final value

The experience is often booked about 15 days ahead, which makes advance planning sensible during the summer. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

At $84.65, this is not the cheapest way to spend time on the coast, but it is a strong package. Lunch, tea, fuel, guide services, landing fees, several swim stops, the Sunken City, and Simena are all folded into one day. The main extras are drinks, the Simena Castle admission, and your transport to the meeting point.

Should you book the Kekova boat tour?

I would book it if you want the classic Kaş day on the water: clear bays, a generous lunch, old ruins, a small coastal village, and enough free time to swim. The repeated strengths are the food, the clean boat, the beautiful stops, and the friendly crew, with a 4.9 rating from 441 reviews and a 97 percent recommendation rate.

Before booking, ask about the boat, captain, and seating. If you need an upper-deck lounger, do not leave that question until boarding. With that one point clarified, this is an excellent-value outing and one of the easiest ways to experience Kekova in a single day.

FAQ

How long does the Kekova boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The activity starts and finishes at the designated meeting point in Kaş. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with afternoon tea. Fish or chicken, salads, and fruit are commonly part of the meal.

Are drinks included?

No. Water, soda, tea, coffee, and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. The route includes swimming stops at Inönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık Bay. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. Admission to Simena Castle is not included. You have time to visit the castle area and explore Kaleköy.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.