Shared Sunken City of Kekova Boat Tour including lunch

The best part of this day on the water is the way it joins ancient ruins and clear swimming bays without making you choose between sightseeing and beach time. From Kas, you cruise toward the Kekova area, pass over a Lycian city lost to earthquakes, and spend time in Kalekoy, a village reached only by boat or on foot.

I like the new 24-meter wooden boat, built in a traditional style, and I like that lunch is cooked and served aboard rather than leaving you to hunt for food in a small coastal village. Captain Ergun and the crew are described as friendly, organized, and professional.

The main consideration is the size of the boat and group. It can carry up to 100 people, so this is a shared outing rather than a quiet private cruise. Seating is reserved, and if you are not booking a full table, you may share one with other passengers.

Key points to know before you book

• A full 8-hour day from Kas: Meet at the Larsoy Travel and Tourism Office at 9:30 am and return around 6 pm.
• A traditional-style boat with modern comfort: The recently built wooden boat is 24 meters long, with upper-deck beach chairs and shaded table seating.
• Two proper swim stops: Inonu Bay and Aquarium Bay give you time in the clear Mediterranean water.
• Lunch is served on board: Expect grilled chicken with Turkish salads and appetizers, plus coffee, tea, and afternoon tea.
• The sunken city is viewed from the boat: You photograph the submerged ruins rather than walk among them.
• One hour in Kalekoy: Shop, see Lycian sarcophagi, climb toward Simena Castle, or enjoy homemade ice cream by the sea.

Why this Kekova boat day works so well

Kekova is one of those places best understood from the water. The coast around the island is scattered with ancient remains, small bays, and steep hills, but the ruins do not sit beside a large road or a modern town. A boat gives you access to several parts of the Demre district in one day, with no need to arrange separate transport.

The day also has a pleasant rhythm. You cruise, stop to swim, eat lunch, look at ruins, and spend time ashore in Kalekoy. That variety matters. Eight hours on a boat can feel long if every stop is the same, but here the program shifts between open water, sheltered coves, underwater archaeology, and a historic village.

You should still set the right expectations. This is not an archaeological walking tour, and it is not a silent yacht charter. The ruins are viewed from the deck, and the boat may be busy. For many people, that is a fair trade for covering so much coastline in one day at a listed price of $78.02 per person, including lunch.

Starting at Kas Harbor around 9:30

Your morning begins at the Larsoy Travel and Tourism Office on Liman Street in central Kas. The scheduled departure is 9:30 am, with the boat portion beginning around 10 am. Allow enough time to reach the office without rushing, since the meeting point is the practical starting place for the shared excursion.

The outing ends back at the same meeting point at about 6 pm. That makes it easy to fit into a Kas stay without arranging a separate return ride from another harbor. You should keep the entire day free, though. This is a full-day outing, not a quick morning cruise.

The operator often confirms seating by phone two days before departure. That detail is worth noting if you care about where you sit. Table places in the shade are useful for families, while the upper deck has beach chairs if you want more sun and open views.

The 1.5-hour cruise to Inonu Bay

After boarding, the boat heads toward Kekova through calm coastal water. The first stretch lasts about an hour and a half, so this is a good time to settle in, have coffee or tea, and watch the coast pass by.

The boat is a recently built 24-meter vessel made in a traditional wooden style. That gives the trip more character than a plain ferry, while the size provides room to move between shaded seating and the upper deck. If you prefer shade, reserve or request a table position early. If you want sun, the upper-deck chairs are the better choice.

The first main stop is Inonu Bay, where you get about two hours for swimming. The long stop gives you time to enter the water without feeling hurried, and it breaks up the initial cruise. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and something to protect your eyes from the strong Mediterranean light.

The water is one of the main reasons to choose a boat day around Kekova, but swimming conditions depend on the weather. The tour requires good weather, so a poor forecast can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Aquarium Bay and lunch on the boat

The next major stop is Aquarium Bay near Kekova Island. The name points to the appeal: clear water and a chance to see sea life while swimming. You have roughly two hours here, and lunch is prepared during this part of the outing.

The meal includes barbequed chicken, Turkish salads, and a range of appetizers. Coffee, tea, and afternoon tea are also included. Drinks are not fully included, and alcoholic drinks can be purchased separately, so you should check what you want before settling in for the afternoon.

I see real value in having lunch served aboard. Kalekoy is small, and your hour there is better spent walking, looking at the ruins, or enjoying ice cream than searching for a meal. A plated lunch also keeps the day moving without turning the historic village into a lunch stop.

One useful family detail is that a six-year-old child was reported to have enjoyed the day, and the boat attracts families with children. Still, children must be accompanied by an adult, and the water activities require the usual care from parents.

Tersane Bay and the old shipyard

After lunch, the boat continues to Tersane Bay. The name refers to an ancient shipbuilding yard, adding another layer to the day’s story. You get about an hour here, with the boat moving from a swim-and-meal setting toward the archaeological heart of the route.

The crew provides live commentary on board, and the captain shares information during the cruise. You should not expect a long formal lecture at each site. The value is in receiving enough context to make sense of the stone remains and the coastline as you pass them.

Tersane also gives you another chance to enjoy the water and scenery at a slower pace. The exact emphasis may depend on the day’s conditions, but the stop is part of the tour’s mix of swimming and history.

Seeing the Sunken City of Kekova from the boat

The famous sunken city is a submerged Lycian settlement, partly lost beneath the water after earthquakes in the 2nd century CE. The boat cruises over the ruins so you can photograph stone walls and remains visible through the water.

This is a memorable sight, but it helps to understand what you are booking. You do not walk through the underwater ruins, and the boat does not provide a snorkeling visit through the archaeological zone. The experience is one of viewing and photographing the remains from above while the crew explains what you are seeing.

The boat’s position and the condition of the water affect how clearly the ruins appear. Clear weather should help, but reflections and movement on the surface are part of the setting. Bring a camera or phone, but do not judge the stop as if it were an on-foot ruin site. The pleasure comes from seeing a city in an unusual setting, partly below the sea rather than on a hill or beside a road.

This is also where the trip feels different from a standard beach cruise. The water is not only for swimming. It becomes a window onto the past.

One hour in Kalekoy and Simena Castle

The boat then heads toward Kalekoy, the small village built among the remains of ancient Simena. Because Kalekoy can be reached only by boat or on foot, arriving by sea gives the village a distinct sense of separation from the modern road network.

You have one hour of free time. That is enough for a focused visit, but not enough for a slow, extended climb and a long meal. Choose what matters most to you before you step ashore.

You can use the hour to:

• Walk through the narrow streets and browse the small shops.
• Climb toward the top of Simena Castle for views over the coast.
• Photograph Lycian sarcophagi among the village remains.
• Stop for homemade ice cream beside the water.

The castle climb is the most active option, and you should allow time to return to the boat. If you prefer a gentler stop, stay near the waterfront and explore the village remains at an easy pace.

Kalekoy is a strong part of the tour because it lets you leave the boat and experience a living village shaped by ancient ruins. The drawback is the limited time. If you want a long castle visit, extensive photography, or a relaxed meal ashore, one hour may feel short.

Seating, boat size, and the shared-tour tradeoff

The boat can take up to 100 people, although the actual number on a given departure can be lower. This capacity tells you what kind of day to expect: social, organized, and shared, with plenty of movement but not much privacy.

All seating is reserved. A family of five can choose a table in the shade, while smaller parties may share a table with other passengers. That arrangement can be helpful for keeping the boat orderly, but it is worth knowing before you book. If you want a private table, ask about the seating arrangement when the operator calls.

The upper deck beach chairs are a good alternative. They suit you if you want fresh air, sun, and a better open view during the cruise. Shade seekers should plan ahead, especially during the warmest months.

The crew and Captain Ergun have been praised for keeping the boat organized and friendly. That matters on a large shared vessel, where clear timing and smooth meal service can make the difference between a relaxed day and a frustrating one.

Is $78.02 good value?

At $78.02 per person, the price covers about eight hours on the water, lunch, coffee or tea, afternoon tea, local taxes, a guide, and live commentary. You also get several swim stops, the Kekova cruise, time in Kalekoy, and the return to Kas.

That is solid value if you want an all-in-one day and would otherwise need to arrange a boat, food, and access to Kalekoy separately. Lunch is especially useful because it removes one practical concern from a long day away from Kas.

The price does not include drinks, and alcoholic drinks cost extra. You should budget for those separately. The visit to Simena Castle is not listed as including admission, so ask locally if you plan to enter or climb into any ticketed area.

I would compare this tour with private charters only if privacy is your priority. A private boat may offer more control, but this shared trip provides a simpler way to reach Kekova without taking on the full cost of a private vessel.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a broad taste of the Kekova coast in one day. It suits families, couples, and solo visitors who enjoy a mix of swimming, boat scenery, simple history, and a short village visit.

It is also a good fit if you want to see the Demre district without building your own route. The boat connects Inonu Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane, the sunken ruins, and Kalekoy in one organized schedule.

You may want another option if you dislike shared tours, need a quiet boat, or want extensive time at one archaeological site. The 100-person maximum is manageable for an organized outing, but it is not the setting for solitude.

The tour is offered in English, with live commentary aboard. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Children must have an adult with them, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Booking and weather notes

The outing is commonly reserved about 17 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the final day of a short Kas visit. Booking early is also sensible if you want to discuss a shaded table or keep a particular date open.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip depends on good weather, a cancellation by the operator due to poor conditions brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Kekova boat tour?

Book it if you want one dependable full day combining swimming, lunch, and ancient sites. The new traditional-style boat, organized crew, Captain Ergun, and included meal add practical value to the $78.02 price.

Go in knowing that the sunken city is seen from above, Kalekoy gets one hour, and the boat is shared. With those limits in mind, this is a strong choice for a first look at Kekova, especially for families and anyone who prefers a ready-made day rather than piecing together a coastal excursion.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat tour start?

The tour starts at the Larsoy Travel and Tourism Office at Andifli, Liman Sk. 4 B, in Kas, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the tour depart and return?

The meeting and scheduled departure time is 9:30 am. The tour returns to the meeting point at about 6 pm.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes barbequed chicken, Turkish salads, and Turkish appetizers. Coffee or tea and afternoon tea are also included.

Are drinks included?

Coffee and tea are included, but other drinks are not included. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

How long is the stop in Kalekoy?

You have one hour of free time in Kalekoy. You can visit shops, see Lycian sarcophagi, walk toward Simena Castle, or enjoy homemade ice cream.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.