Kas: (Small Group) Day Trip to Kekova Island, Demre & Myra

Kekova’s Sunken City is the star here: a boat ride past stone walls, stairways, and other remains of ancient Dolchiste, now below the clear sea. You stay aboard as you pass the protected ruins, so the pleasure comes from the view, the water, and trying to make sense of what lies beneath the surface.

I like two things right away. First, this is not only a boat-and-swim outing, since Kaleköy, Myra, and Lycian history give the day real variety. Second, the lunch has earned high marks, with chicken, salads, and fruit served on board. The main drawback is time: 10 hours covers a lot of ground, and the Myra visit may feel brief, especially with an extra archaeological entrance fee.

Key points at a glance

• Sunken City of Kekova: Cruise beside submerged ruins that cannot be entered or swum over, but are easy to view from the boat.
• Kaleköy and Simena Castle: Walk through an authentic waterfront village and climb for broad views over Kekova.
• Three swim stops: Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay break up the sightseeing with clear water and floating gear.
• Myra’s rock-cut tombs: See one of Lycia’s best-known ancient sites, including a large Roman-style theater.
• Karemlik Bay: Keep watch for sea turtles in a bay linked with three of the seven known sea turtle species.
• Small-group format: A smaller boat group gives the day a more personal feel, though the exact group size is not specified.

Why this Kaş day trip works so well

This is a long day with a pleasing mix of sea and stone. You begin with a transfer from central Kaş to Demre Harbor, then spend much of the day on the water around Kekova. Later, the focus shifts inland to museums and ancient Myra before you return to Kaş.

That change of pace matters. A boat trip alone can start to blur into a chain of similar coves. A ruins visit alone can feel hot and dry. Here, swimming, village walking, coastal views, and archaeology take turns.

At $71 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want transport from Kaş, lunch, boat time, swimming equipment, and several major sights in one day. You still need to budget for food and drinks beyond lunch, plus the archaeological site entrance fee. A recent price mentioned for Myra was €13, so check the current cost before setting out. The exact charge can change, and the fee is not included.

The day is best for someone who wants a broad introduction to the Kekova and Demre area without arranging separate transport, a boat, and an ancient-site visit. It is less suitable if you want a slow archaeological study or hours in one quiet bay.

From Kaş to Demre Harbor

Pickup takes place in Kaş City Centre, but the exact time changes by season. You receive the pickup time one day before departure by WhatsApp or email, so keep an eye on your messages and avoid planning a tight morning commitment.

The transfer gets you to Demre Harbor, where you board the boat. This is practical rather than glamorous, but it removes the headache of finding your own way to the departure point. You should expect the day to last about 10 hours from pickup through your return to Kaş.

The small-group setup is useful here. You are not simply being moved from one stop to another on a large excursion boat. The English-speaking host can help explain the plan and point out the stops, while the crew manages meals, equipment, and the boat.

One fair warning: bring cash. Drinks are not included, and bottled water is not supplied according to one recent account. Buying drinks on the boat can add up, so carrying enough money is sensible.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the boat

The first major sight is Kekova Island and the remains of ancient Dolchiste. Parts of the old settlement slipped below the water after earthquakes, leaving stone structures visible through the sea.

You pass slowly along the coast by boat, which gives you the best permitted view. This is not a snorkeling stop over the ruins. The area is protected, and the attraction is seeing the remains from the water while the boat follows the shoreline.

Bring a phone or camera, but do not expect every image to be clear. Sun glare, ripples, and reflections can make the underwater stonework hard to photograph. I would pay more attention to the shapes along the shore than to chasing the perfect picture.

The quality of explanation may vary. The tour is in English, but the amount of commentary about the Sunken City is not guaranteed to be extensive. If you want the full story, listen carefully when the host speaks and ask direct questions. The visual experience is strong, but it is more satisfying when you understand what you are looking at.

Kaleköy and the climb to Simena Castle

The boat stops at Kaleköy, the village associated with ancient Simena. This is one of the most appealing parts of the day because it adds a human setting to the ruins.

You can wander through the village, look at the waterfront, and visit the castle remains on the hillside. The climb gives you wide views over the Kekova area, with small islands, bright water, and boats scattered across the bay.

The word castle may set the wrong expectation. This is not a restored palace with furnished rooms. You are visiting ruins and a viewpoint, so sturdy shoes are more useful than dressy sandals.

Allow some energy for the uphill walk. The trip includes swimming later, but Kaleköy is one of the stops where you use your legs. The payoff is the view and the sense of place. You are not looking at ruins in isolation. You are seeing how the old settlement fits into a living coastal village.

There is also time for a swim in the clear water around Kaleköy. The contrast is part of the fun: ancient stones above you, cool sea below you.

Lunch and swimming at Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay provides a quieter pause after the first major sights. The boat stops for lunch and a swim, giving you time to relax rather than hurry from one landmark to the next.

Lunch is included, and the meal is a real part of the tour’s value. The food served has included chicken, salads, and fruit later in the afternoon. That is a sensible menu for a hot day on the water, with enough variety to keep the meal from feeling like an afterthought.

Do not assume that every drink is part of lunch. Additional food and beverages cost extra, and water is not included. Bring a refillable bottle if practical, along with cash for anything sold aboard.

The bay is also where the supplied snorkeling equipment, floating mats, and inflatable rings become useful. You can choose a simple swim, float in the sun, or use the mask and snorkel to look below the surface. The tour does not promise a particular underwater sight here, so think of this as a water break rather than a formal snorkeling excursion.

Cool springs at Burç Bay

Burç Bay is another swim stop, but its character is slightly different. The water is fed by underwater natural springs, making it notably cool.

That can be refreshing after time in the sun, though the temperature may surprise you when you first get in. The stop is a good chance to use the floating mats and rings, especially if you would rather relax than swim far.

The repeated swim breaks are a major reason this trip suits people who want a boat day with sightseeing attached. They also explain the need for swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. Pack these where you can reach them easily, since you will not want to dig through a packed bag every time the boat stops.

Gökkaya Bay and Pirates Cave

Gökkaya Bay adds another chance to swim among striking coastal scenery. Water sports may be available here for those who want more action, though the supplied details do not specify which activities are offered or their cost.

I would treat this as an optional extra, not a central promise of the day. The safe bet is swimming, floating, and enjoying the bay. Ask the host what is available before paying for anything.

The route also includes Pirates Cave, known for its large size and curved entrance. It is a quick natural sight rather than a full walking stop. The cave is best appreciated as part of the boat route, when its shape becomes clear from the water.

This sequence of bays and the cave keeps the day moving. You get several chances to cool off without spending the entire afternoon in one place. If you prefer long, unhurried beach time, the schedule may feel too active. If you get bored on a boat after an hour, the changing stops are helpful.

Looking for turtles at Karemlik Bay

Karemlik Bay is the wildlife stop. It is home to three of the seven known sea turtle species, and the aim is to look for turtles in their natural setting.

There is no guarantee that you will see one. Wildlife keeps its own timetable, so think of this as a chance to watch and wait rather than a scheduled animal encounter.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal. Keep your eyes on the water and avoid treating the bay like a performance. Even without a sighting, the stop adds an ecological note to a day otherwise focused on history and swimming.

The bay also gives you a final coastal pause before the boat returns to Demre Harbor. By this point, the combination of sun, salt water, and a full schedule can be tiring. Pace yourself early, drink enough, and use sunscreen again after swimming.

Myra, rock-cut tombs, and the Lycian past

After the boat portion, the tour continues near Demre with a museum and ancient sites tied to Lycian history. The exact arrangement of the museum and optional stops should be clear from the host on the day, since the schedule lists both the Museum of Lycian Civilisations and optional visits to St. Nicholas Church and Myra.

Myra is the major archaeological stop. Its rock-cut tombs are carved into the cliffs, creating one of the most memorable sights in the area. These tombs show how the Lycians shaped burial places into the rock, and their position makes them visible even before you enter the site.

The ancient city also has a large Roman-style theater. It gives you a sense of the scale and public life of Myra beyond the tombs alone.

Here is the practical catch: the archaeological entrance fee is not included. You may spend only about 30 minutes inside Myra, while many of the tombs can be seen from outside without paying to enter. That makes the admission a personal value decision.

I would pay if you care about entering the theater area and seeing the site from within. If your interest is mainly the cliff tombs, you may decide the exterior view is enough. Ask how much time is planned at Myra before you buy the ticket, since the balance between cost and visit length matters.

St. Nicholas Church and the museum option

The St. Nicholas Church stop is presented as an optional visit. The building was originally constructed as a church honoring St. Nicholas of Myra, the historical figure linked with the Santa Claus tradition.

This is a useful addition for anyone interested in early Christian history, church art, or the way a local saint became part of a worldwide story. It also gives the day a different historical focus from the Lycian tombs and Roman theater.

The tour information also includes a visit connected with the Museum of Lycian Civilisations. If you enjoy context, this part can help tie together the ruins you have seen along the coast. Without background, the Sunken City and Myra can seem like separate photo stops. A museum helps connect them to the wider Lycian past.

Because these stops may be optional and entrance costs can apply, clarify which admissions are covered before entering. The only clearly stated inclusion is the tour experience itself, not archaeological entry.

Food, equipment, and what to pack

The included lunch is one of the strongest practical features. You do not need to search for food during the boat route, and a meal with chicken, salads, and fruit suits a day of swimming better than heavy restaurant fare.

Snorkeling equipment, floating mats, and inflatable rings are also included. That saves suitcase space and makes it easier to join the water stops even if you did not bring your own gear.

Pack:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash

A phone case or waterproof pouch is sensible, though it is not listed as required. Keep valuables secure around the swimming areas. A lost phone once required several underwater searches by captain Arif, who eventually recovered it, but you should not count on such an outcome.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour is also not suitable for people over 95 years old. No other age restriction is provided, so ask the operator if you have a specific mobility or health concern.

Is $71 a fair price for 10 hours?

For $71, you are paying for a full-day package rather than a short boat ride. The price includes pickup and drop-off from Kaş City Centre, the transfer to Demre Harbor, the boat trip, lunch, swimming equipment, the English-speaking host, and the listed sightseeing.

That is good value if you would otherwise need to arrange a Demre transfer, find a Kekova boat, buy lunch, and organize visits to Myra and nearby historical sites. The day also covers several swim bays, which can make the price feel reasonable for people who want a complete outing.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to see Myra. The site admission is extra, and the visit may be brief. Likewise, anyone who wants a quiet, private cruise may prefer a smaller custom boat, though this tour already uses a small-group format.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Kaş schedule is still shifting.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this tour if you want the biggest mix of Kekova and Demre sights in one day. It suits couples, families, and small groups who enjoy swimming but also want ruins, villages, and a little local history.

It is especially useful for visitors staying in Kaş without a car. The included transfer takes care of the connection to Demre Harbor, which is the key logistical hurdle.

I would think twice if you dislike boat days, need lots of time at archaeological sites, or prefer to control every stop. The route is fixed and full. You will see a lot, but you will not linger everywhere.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup and drop-off are provided from Kaş City Centre.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours.

How will I learn the pickup time?

The pickup time may change by season. You will be notified one day before the tour by WhatsApp or email.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, while additional food and drinks cost extra.

Is bottled water included?

No. Bottled water is not included, and drinks are paid separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floating mats, and inflatable rings are included.

Can I swim at the Sunken City?

The Sunken City is viewed from the boat as you cruise past the underwater ruins. The supplied information does not describe swimming over the ruins.

Is the Myra entrance fee included?

No. The archaeological site entrance fee is not included.

Is St. Nicholas Church included?

St. Nicholas Church is listed as an optional stop. Confirm the exact visit and any admission cost with the host.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The host or greeter language is English.

Should you book it?

Book this Kaş to Kekova and Demre day trip if you want a well-filled day that joins turquoise-water swimming with some of Turkey’s most striking ancient remains. The strongest combination is the Sunken City, Kaleköy, the excellent included lunch, and the three separate bay stops.

Go in with clear expectations: bring cash for drinks and admissions, do not count on lengthy commentary, and decide in advance how much Myra is worth to you if the ticket is around €13 and the visit is short. With those details understood, $71 buys a practical and varied day, not just a boat ride.