Private Kekova Boat Tour from Demre

The best part of this private Kekova boat tour is the mix of ancient ruins and long swimming stops. You cruise over the Sunken City, climb to Simena Castle, and spend much of the day in clear coves around Kekova, rather than rushing from one landmark to the next.

I like the space of a boat reserved for your own group of up to six, and I like the personal touch from captain Musa and Sevda, who serve tea, snacks, and fresh fruit. The main consideration is that lunch and bottled water are not included, and the busiest summer days can bring many boats into the same bays.

Key points to know before booking

• See Kekova’s Sunken City from the water: Ancient remains sit beneath the surface, but boats may only cruise past this protected area.
• Climb to Simena Castle: You get about an hour at Kaleköy for the steep walk, royal tombs, views, and optional museum entry.
• Swim at several different bays: Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, Gökkaya, and Karemlik offer varied settings.
• Look for Caretta Caretta turtles: Karemlik Bay is known for turtles, with a chance to swim near them or feed them.
• Enjoy a genuinely private day: Your group alone joins the boat, making it easier to adjust the swimming stops.
• Plan for a long day outdoors: The cruise lasts roughly 7 to 8 hours, beginning and ending at Çayağzı Harbour in Demre.

What this private Kekova cruise actually feels like

This is a full day on the water, not a quick sightseeing transfer. You meet at Ayla Boat Tours on the Çayağzı road at 10:00 a.m., then return to the same place later in the afternoon.

The boat begins in Andriake, the ancient name for Çayağzı Harbour. This natural harbor served Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman communities, and it remains a useful starting point for reaching Kekova. You spend only about 10 minutes here, so think of it as a setting for departure rather than a full archaeological visit.

The private format matters. Up to six people can share the boat, and nobody outside your party joins the activity. That gives you more room than a large group cruise and makes the day easier for families or friends who want a relaxed pace.

Captain Musa and Sevda are part of the appeal. Tea, coffee, snacks, and fresh fruit are included, and the warm hosting helps the day feel less like a basic boat transfer. Some outings have included lunch cooked by the captain, but lunch is officially not included, so you should confirm arrangements before setting off.

Cruising above Kekova’s ancient ruins

Kekova Island lies opposite Kaleköy and Üçağız. It has no permanent residents, and its protected status shapes what you can do here. The boat cruises along the island’s north side, where earthquakes in the second century destroyed the ancient city of Dolkisthe.

This is the area commonly called the Sunken City. From the boat, you can look down through the clear water and see submerged walls and other traces of the old settlement. The view is unusual because the ruins are neither a normal land site nor a museum. They are part of the seabed, and the best way to understand them is from the water.

You cannot stop, swim, or walk around the Sunken City. The boat only passes by. That limitation protects the remains, but it also means anyone expecting to snorkel directly over the ruins may feel disappointed. Keep your expectations clear: this is a scenic cruise past an archaeological zone, not an underwater excavation visit.

Kekova Island itself also allows no swimming stop during this part of the route. The crew saves swimming for designated bays, including Tersane and Aquarium Bay.

Swimming at Aquarium Bay or Tersane Bay

The first proper water break lasts about 30 minutes. Depending on conditions and boat traffic, the crew chooses either Aquarium Bay or Tersane Bay.

Both are valued for clear water and a pleasant setting, but the experience changes with the season. During peak months, many boats follow similar routes, so these coves can become crowded. The private boat gives the crew some flexibility to look for the less crowded option, but it cannot remove every boat from the region.

Snorkeling equipment is included. You also get a chance to enjoy the water without giving up too much sightseeing time. If you are not interested in swimming, this break is a good chance to stay on deck with a drink and enjoy the coast.

An hour at Simena Castle and Kaleköy

Approaching Kaleköy by boat, you first see Simena Castle above the shoreline. The route from the beach to the castle is steep, so wear shoes with a firm sole and expect a warm climb.

You have about one hour here. That is enough for a focused visit, but not a slow archaeological exploration. Along the path, you pass royal tombs and reach the necropolis, where the stone graves are especially concentrated.

The castle requires separate admission. A museum card can be used for entry, but the tour price does not include the ticket. Bring this extra cost into your plans if you want to go inside.

Kaleköy also offers a more relaxed stop before or after the climb. You can pause for the area’s well-known ice cream, then continue uphill. The payoff is the view across the water and the chance to see Kekova’s ancient remains in relation to the modern shoreline.

This is the one stop where you leave the boat for a cultural visit, so it breaks up the swimming and cruising nicely. The drawback is the climb. Anyone with limited mobility may prefer to enjoy Kaleköy from the waterfront instead of attempting the castle path.

Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and the changing color of the sea

After Simena Castle, the boat continues to Esmeralda Bay for about an hour. It is described as a small, pleasant place for a quick fresh-up, but the schedule gives you time for a proper swim if conditions suit.

Burç Bay follows with another hour. This cove is known for exceptionally clear water and pale sea floors. Fine shells have broken down over time, giving the bottom a white, sandlike appearance.

The two stops offer a nice contrast. Esmeralda feels like a small pause after the castle walk, while Burç is more about the water itself. You can use the snorkeling equipment to look below the surface, though the tour details do not promise specific marine life at either bay.

As with all outdoor boat routes, the mood depends on the day. Clear water can be the highlight, but crowded coves may make the experience less peaceful in the high season. The crew’s effort to choose a less busy bay helps, but it is not a guarantee of solitude.

Gökkaya Bay and the Pirates Cave

Gökkaya Plajı and Bay is a natural harbor where boats commonly stop for a swimming break. You get about an hour here, followed by a visit to Pirates Cave.

This stop adds a little variety to the day. Instead of only looking at open water and ruins, you get a contained bay and a small cave visit. The cave is part of the boat route, so you do not need to arrange a separate excursion.

Gökkaya is also a practical point in the schedule. By this stage, you have had time at the castle and several coves, so another hour in the water lets you set your own pace. You can swim, use the snorkeling gear, or simply rest with tea and snacks.

The number of boats matters here too. Gökkaya is a popular stop, and its natural harbor can draw many craft at once. If quiet water is your main goal, ask the crew early in the day how they plan to time this stop.

Karemlik Bay and the chance to see turtles

The final listed stop is Karemlik Bay, opposite the place where the tour begins. The bay is known for Caretta Caretta sea turtles, and you may have the chance to swim near them or feed them.

This is the most memorable wildlife element of the day, but it should be treated as a chance rather than a promise. Sea turtles are wild animals, and sightings depend on conditions and timing. The tour information specifically presents the opportunity, not a guaranteed encounter.

Karemlik lasts about 30 minutes. That shorter stop makes sense near the end of a long outing, when the remaining time is used for the return journey to Çayağzı Harbour.

If seeing turtles is your main reason for booking, ask the crew how the activity is handled on the day. The stated experience allows swimming with them or feeding them, but no further details are provided about the practice.

What is included, and what you need to plan

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, coffee or tea, and snacks. Fresh fruit has also been served during the day, adding a useful light refreshment between swims.

You need to arrange or budget for:

• Lunch
• Bottled water
• Soda and other soft drinks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Simena Castle admission

The absence of bottled water is the most important practical point. You should bring enough drinking water for a long day in the sun, especially since swimming and salt air can leave you thirsty.

Lunch deserves a quick clarification. The formal inclusions do not cover it, but the crew has cooked lunch on some outings. Do not rely on that unless you have confirmed it directly. If lunch is important, ask what food is available and what it costs before departure.

Is $361.12 good value for up to six people?

The listed price is $361.12 for the whole group, with a maximum of six people. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $60 per person for 7 to 8 hours, before extras such as lunch, drinks, castle entry, and any transport you arrange to the harbor.

That is a fair value if you can fill the boat. You receive a full day, private use of the vessel, several swimming stops, a castle visit, snorkeling equipment, and hosted refreshments. A private boat also avoids the fixed group dynamic of a larger cruise.

For two people, the cost becomes much higher per person. The experience can still suit a couple seeking privacy, but the financial value is strongest for a family or group of friends willing to share the price.

The best value comes from using the flexibility well. If your group wants more time in the water, fewer stops, or a quieter bay, tell the crew. The tour has a packed route, and your ability to communicate preferences is one of the main advantages of booking privately.

Who should book this Kekova boat tour?

I would recommend it to a group of up to six that wants ancient sites, swimming, and a relaxed boat day in one outing. Families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who value privacy are the natural match.

It also suits people who prefer seeing ruins from the water instead of spending most of the day on land. The Sunken City cruise and Simena Castle provide the cultural side, while the bays supply plenty of time for swimming.

You should think twice if you dislike long days in the sun, steep paths, or changing plans around boat traffic. The Simena climb is not gentle, and the popular bays may be busy in peak season.

This is not the best choice if your main goal is a full archaeological tour. Andriake receives only a short look, and the Sunken City cannot be entered or explored on foot. The tour is better understood as a coastal day with history woven into it.

Timing, meeting point, and cancellation

The meeting point is Ayla Boat Tours, Büyükkum, Çayağzı Yolu, in Demre. The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends back at the same place.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate, though the steep approach to Simena Castle may be a concern for anyone with mobility limits.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since the cruise depends on good weather, poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the private Kekova cruise?

Book it if you want a full, flexible day that combines sunken ruins, castle views, clear bays, and possible turtle sightings. The private setup and friendly hosting from Musa and Sevda add real value, especially when the price is shared by six people.

Before paying, confirm lunch, bring plenty of water, and accept that Kekova and its popular bays can be busy in summer. If you understand that the Sunken City is viewed only from the boat and that Simena requires a steep climb, this is a strong choice for a memorable day around Demre.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat tour begin and end?

It begins at Ayla Boat Tours on Büyükkum, Çayağzı Yolu, in Demre. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours, including cruising time between the bays and sites.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group only, with a maximum of six people.

Can I swim at the Sunken City?

No. The boat only cruises past the protected Sunken City area. Swimming is offered at other locations, such as Aquarium Bay or Tersane Bay.

Is Simena Castle admission included?

No. Admission to Simena Castle is not included. A museum card can be used for entry.

Are food and drinks included?

Coffee or tea and snacks are included, and fresh fruit may be served. Lunch, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.