Kekova Private Full-Day Boat Trip

The best part of this Kekova boat trip is the mix of ancient ruins and easygoing sea time. You glide past the Sunken City of Simena, then stop in clear coves where the main decision is simple: swim now, or stay in the shade and eat another meze.

I like the private format, since your group of up to 12 can work with the captain on where to linger. I also like the home-cooked lunch, prepared by the captain’s wife with olive-oil mezes and your choice of grilled chicken or fish. The main drawback is the long road transfer to Üçağız, especially from Kalkan, and the trip depends on good weather.

Kekova Private Boat Trip at a Glance

• A private boat for up to 12 people: The $780.95 group price becomes far better value when shared among a family or group of friends.
• Seven and a half hours on the water: You get several swims, a meal, a short village visit, and time to see the ruins without rushing every stop.
• A captain-led route: You can discuss preferred swimming coves with the captain instead of following a fixed group schedule.
• A proper Turkish lunch aboard: Expect five olive-oil mezes, grilled chicken or fish, fruit, and plenty of food.
• A useful historical stop: The boat passes the earthquake-damaged Sunken City slowly, allowing you to see submerged stairs, houses, and a cistern.
• Pickup from Kaş or Kalkan: Transportation to Üçağız and back is arranged from your hotel, villa, or accommodation location.

From Kaş to Üçağız, the Gateway to Kekova

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel or villa in Kaş or Kalkan. The boat leaves from Üçağız, a village about 30 kilometers from Kaş and 60 kilometers from Kalkan, so the transfer is part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

Üçağız is the practical entrance to the Kekova region. Once you reach the harbor, the private boat is ready, and the pace changes from road travel to a slow day along the coast. If you are staying in Kalkan, allow for the longer transfer when deciding if a seven-and-a-half-hour boat day will feel comfortable.

The private setup matters here. Your group alone takes part, and the route can be discussed with the captain. Some groups may want longer swims, while others may prefer more time near the ruins or at Simena. The boat has shaded areas, and snorkels have been available on board, though bringing your own is still a sensible choice if underwater viewing matters to you.

Aquarium Bay Starts the Swimming Day

The first stop is Aquarium Bay, where the water is clear enough to see below the surface. You get about 45 minutes for a swim, a good opening break after the transfer to Üçağız.

This is a fine place to test the water, take photographs from the boat, and settle into the day. Turkish tea is served here, which gives the first stop a distinctly local touch instead of feeling like a simple transport pause.

The bay’s appeal is the clarity of the water, not a long list of organized activities. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a phone case if you want pictures from the water. The boat provides the base, shade, and refreshments, while you set the pace.

The Sunken City Is Best Seen Slowly

From Aquarium Bay, the boat moves along the ruins known as the Sunken City of Simena. A major earthquake caused part of the ancient settlement to sink, leaving visible remains beneath and beside the water.

The boat passes slowly, so you can look for a submerged house, a cistern, stairs, and other stone remnants. This is a sightseeing pass, not a landing or a swim through the ruins. That distinction is important: you see the remains from the boat, and the captain provides the practical view of the coast as you move past.

I find this section most rewarding when you resist the urge to expect a single dramatic monument. The interest comes from spotting signs of an old settlement in the water and along the shore. Clear conditions help, and the ancient stones make a sharp contrast with the bright Mediterranean sea.

Tersane Bay Adds Ruins to Your Swim

Tersane Koyu, also called Shipyard Bay, is the next swimming stop. You get about 45 minutes, with sunken ruins in and around the bay.

This is one of the more unusual swim breaks because you can swim over submerged remains. The setting combines a cool swim with a close look at traces of the past, though visibility will naturally depend on the water and the day’s conditions.

The private format is useful here. If your group wants to swim for the full stop, you can do that. If you would rather stay aboard and watch, there is no pressure to enter the water. Several swimming stops are built into the day, so you do not need to force yourself into every one.

Lunch Behind Aşırlı Island

The largest pause comes at Gökkaya Bay, behind Aşırlı Island. This stop lasts about an hour and a half, giving you time for both lunch and swimming.

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose this boat instead of treating the day as a basic coastal cruise. The captain’s wife prepares five Turkish olive-oil mezes, served open-buffet style. You also choose grilled chicken or fish, followed by fruit and a hot drink. Coffee or tea is included at the first bay and the last bay, and fruit is served during the later swimming stops as well.

The food sounds generous rather than decorative. Several people have specifically praised the fresh, home-style cooking, and one group described the meal as a favorite of its holiday. Fish may be caught that morning, but this should be understood as something that has happened on particular trips, not a guaranteed daily feature.

You can eat on the boat, then swim in the bay. This is where the private booking earns its keep: your group can settle into lunch without sharing the table or schedule with a large crowd. If you bring drinks, remember that alcohol is not included, though you may bring your own.

Pirate Cave Is a Short Photo Stop

After lunch, the boat stops at a natural cave on Aşırlı Island. It is known as Pirate Cave, and the visit lasts around 10 minutes.

This is a quick stop for photographs rather than a major exploration. Keep your camera ready and do not expect a long walk or a full cave tour. Its value is as a change of scene between the long lunch break and the next swim.

Short stops like this also help the day keep moving. You get a handful of different coastal views without losing the relaxed character of the cruise.

Burç Bay and Kekova Bay Keep the Water Time Coming

Opposite Kekova Island, the boat stops at Burç Bay for about 45 minutes. After several earlier stops, you may appreciate having another chance to swim without any formal sightseeing attached.

A later stop at the bay opposite Kekova Island lasts about 30 minutes. Fruit is served aboard, giving you a light break after the meal and swims. The repeated water stops are a major part of the appeal, but they may feel excessive if your group is mainly interested in ruins and villages.

This is where you should speak plainly with the captain. The route is described as personalized, and the crew can discuss which coves suit your group. You may be able to spend less time at one bay and more at another, subject to the day’s route and conditions.

The sea is often the star of this section. Clear water, quiet coves, and plenty of shade on the boat create a day that feels more like a private beach outing than a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour.

Simena and Kaleköy Give You One Hour Ashore

The final major stop is Simena, also known as Kaleköy or Castle Village. You leave the boat and get about one hour to explore.

You can walk through the village, go up toward the old castle, or swim near the shore. The time is useful, but limited. If reaching the castle is your priority, head uphill promptly instead of spending the first half hour browsing at the waterfront.

Simena provides the land-based balance the boat day needs. After hours of swimming and coastal views, you get a chance to walk and see the settlement from close range. It also gives you more control over the afternoon. Active visitors can climb toward the castle, while others can keep the stop gentle with a short stroll and a swim.

The hour will not allow a slow, detailed visit to every corner. Still, it is enough to add a village and castle setting to a day otherwise spent aboard.

What the $780.95 Group Price Buys You

The price is $780.95 for the whole private boat, for up to 12 people. Split among 12, that is about $65 per person. For six people, it is roughly $130 each, and for a couple it becomes a serious splurge.

The value is strongest for a family or friend group that wants privacy. You are paying for transportation, the boat, crew, lunch, tea, coffee, fruit, and a flexible route rather than simply a seat on a shared cruise. A large group can make this a notably good deal for a full day on the Kekova coast.

For two people, the cost is harder to justify unless privacy, personal service, and a flexible pace matter more than keeping the day cheap. A shared boat would usually be the more economical choice, but it would not offer the same control over swim time or space.

The food also affects the value. This is not just a boat rental with lunch left for you to arrange. Five mezes, grilled chicken or fish, fruit, and hot drinks are part of the package. Alcohol is not included, so bring your own if you want it.

The Family Touch and Boat Comfort

The crew experience can vary by departure, but names connected with this boat include Captain Ali, Ibrahim, and Elif. Captain Ali has been described as speaking English, which can make it easier to discuss swim stops, lunch choices, and the coastal ruins.

Ibrahim and his wife have also hosted groups, with a flexible approach to time at each stop. The family-run feel is part of the appeal: the cooking and personal attention are not separate add-ons, but central to the day.

The boat has been described as spacious and comfortable, with plenty of shade. That matters in the hot part of the afternoon, especially for children or anyone who does not want to spend every hour in direct sun.

Bring your own snorkel if you have one, even though several have been available aboard. Pack modestly, because you mainly need swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and perhaps a dry bag for phones and cameras.

Who Will Like This Day Most

I would choose this for a family, honeymoon couple, or group of friends that wants a relaxed private day rather than a packed history tour. Children old enough to swim should have plenty to do, with repeated water stops and time ashore at Simena.

It also suits people who care about food. The lunch is a real part of the experience, with homemade mezes and a choice of main course. If you prefer a fixed menu, fast service, or a short outing, this may feel too long.

You should also be comfortable with a full day built around water. The route includes Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, Gökkaya Bay, Burç Bay, and another Kekova-area swimming stop. The ancient ruins are memorable, but the day’s rhythm is swim, eat, see ruins, swim again.

The tour is private, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the pickup point can be arranged from a hotel or villa in Kaş or Kalkan through WhatsApp.

Weather, Booking Timing, and Cancellation

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

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 payment is not refunded for a late cancellation. Since the trip is booked about 29 days ahead on average, reserving early is sensible for a particular holiday date, especially if you need a boat for a larger group.

Pickup details should be sent through WhatsApp, including your villa or hotel location. Confirmation normally arrives at booking, unless you book within one hour of departure, when it is subject to availability.

Should You Book the Kekova Private Boat Trip?

Book it if you want the Kekova coast at an unhurried pace, with several swims, a private boat, a generous Turkish lunch, and a proper visit to Simena. The best value comes when six or more people share the $780.95 price.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, dislike long boat days, or want a museum-style explanation of the ancient sites. Also allow for the road transfer from Kaş or Kalkan to Üçağız.

For the right group, this is a well-balanced day: ruins without a lecture-heavy schedule, swimming without giving up cultural stops, and lunch that feels connected to the people running the boat.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The boat starts from Üçağız village, which is about 30 kilometers from Kaş and 60 kilometers from Kalkan.

Is pickup included from Kaş or Kalkan?

Yes. Pickup and return transportation are offered from your hotel, villa, or other accommodation in the Kaş or Kalkan area.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, not including any details that may affect the road transfer time.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat accommodates one group of up to 12 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Turkish olive-oil mezes, grilled chicken or fish, and fruit. Coffee and tea are also included at specified stops.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but you may bring your own drinks.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. Swimming stops include Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, Gökkaya Bay, Burç Bay, and another bay opposite Kekova Island.

Can I visit Simena Castle?

Yes. The boat stops at Simena, also called Kaleköy or Castle Village, where you have about one hour to visit the village, walk toward the castle, or swim.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.