Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

The most memorable part of this Kaş to Kekova cruise is the slow pass by the Sunken City of Simena. From the boat, you can see old walls, house foundations, and steps slipping beneath the clear sea. It is an unusual history lesson because you are looking at ruins from the water, not walking through a fenced archaeological site.

I like the mix of four swim stops and real sightseeing. You get warm, clear water at places such as Aquarium Bay and Tersane Bay, then time at Simena to walk uphill toward the castle and look across Kekova Island. I also like that lunch and afternoon tea are included, so the $84.65 price covers more than a seat on a boat.

The main thing to check before booking is your seating arrangement. Some people have been assigned to the lower indoor area, while the upper deck has the sunbeds and best open-air views. Drinks cost extra, the boat can carry up to 65 people, and the quality of the day depends partly on the crew assigned to your departure.

Key points to know before sailing

• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: You pass slowly along the protected ruins, but this is not a snorkeling or walking tour of the submerged structures.
• Four swimming opportunities shape the day: Inönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Camlik provide time in clear coastal water.
• Simena adds a land visit: You can explore Kaleköy Harbour, walk through the village, and pay separately to enter Simena Castle.
• Lunch is more substantial than a snack: The buffet includes a choice of chicken or fish with salads, followed later by fruit and afternoon tea.
• Captain Ergun is associated with several departures: He sometimes explains the sites and may provide drone photos or video, though the exact crew and boat can vary.
• Book ahead in summer: The tour is often reserved about 15 days before departure, and upper-deck space may be limited.

Why the Kekova coast makes a good full-day outing

Kaş is a fine base for a day on the water, but the Kekova coast gives you more than pretty swimming coves. The trip links natural scenery with Lycian and Byzantine remains, and the change of pace is welcome after sightseeing in town.

Kekova Island has a rugged shore, small coves, rocky slopes, and clear blue water. The area is best seen from a boat because many of the most interesting views are along the coast or just below the surface.

The ancient settlement known as Dolchiste was damaged by earthquakes, leaving parts of it underwater. You will not walk among the ruins. Instead, the boat passes the sunken houses, walls, stairs, and a possible Byzantine church area at a respectful distance. The water is usually clear enough to make out the shapes, but visibility depends on weather and sea conditions.

That distinction matters. If you want a detailed archaeological visit, this boat trip will feel brief at the ruins. If you want a memorable view of an ancient town partly claimed by the sea, the stop works very well.

Setting out from Kaş at 9:30

The listed departure is 9:30 in the morning, and the full outing lasts about eight hours. You return to the same general meeting point in Kaş rather than receiving hotel transportation, so you need to arrange your own way to the departure area.

The boat can carry as many as 65 people. That gives you a practical picture of the experience: this is a shared day cruise, not a quiet private yacht charter. The upper deck offers sunbeds and open views, while the lower area gives you shade and shelter.

I would ask about seating before you pay. One of the clearest complaints about the outing involved an unexpected downstairs seat, after the person had hoped for an upper-deck lounger. If the top deck matters to you, confirm how seats are allocated and arrive early.

The boat itself has been described as clean and in good condition, with enough room to relax. You should still bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and perhaps water shoes. Water shoes are not essential, but rocky shorelines and boat ladders can be easier with them.

Inönü Bay and the small canyon

The first listed stop is Inönü Bay, where you have about 45 minutes. A small canyon leads inland from the bay, giving you a choice between a short walk and a relaxed break by the water.

This is a gentle opening to the day. You can stretch your legs after boarding, take photographs, or simply enjoy the cove. The stop is not presented as a major archaeological site, so keep your expectations focused on scenery and a chance to settle into the rhythm of the cruise.

If you want a quiet start, stay near the bay. If the crew permits and you are comfortable with the walk, the canyon gives this stop a little more purpose than a simple boat pause.

Aquarium Bay and the first clear-water swim

Aquarium Bay is named for its unusually transparent water. The bay is surrounded by rocky slopes and greenery, with fish visible beneath the surface when conditions are right.

You get about 45 minutes here. This is one of the better moments to bring goggles or a mask, since the appeal is not only swimming but also looking below the surface. The provided information does not promise snorkeling equipment, though one account mentions access to items such as goggles, so bring your own if underwater viewing matters to you.

The water may feel cold outside the hottest summer months. A spring departure can offer cool air and chilly water, so do not book this as a guaranteed swimming day if you are visiting early or late in the season.

Seeing the Sunken City of Simena

The pass by the Sunken City lasts about 30 minutes. The boat moves along the coast so you can see the submerged remains through the water. The ruins include sections that resemble old homes, streets, walls, and stairs.

This is the historical center of the outing, but it is a viewing stop rather than an active shore visit. You cannot treat the ruins as an ordinary swim area. The importance lies in seeing how an earthquake reshaped the ancient Lycian settlement and how the remains now sit between land and sea.

Bring a camera, but avoid expecting every feature to appear sharply in every photograph. Glare, moving water, and the distance from the ruins can make the view more impressive in person than on a phone screen. Listen for the guide’s explanation, too. Captain Ergun has been praised for giving background about the places along the route, although the guide may be difficult to hear from the upper deck.

Simena Castle and the village of Kaleköy

The visit to Simena, also called Kaleköy, gives you the main chance to walk on land. The area includes a hillside castle, narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, flowers, waterfront cafés, and views across Kekova Island.

You have roughly an hour at the castle and another hour around Kaleköy Harbour according to the schedule, but the exact division may depend on the boat and timing. The walk toward Simena Castle is uphill, and the castle entrance is not included in the tour price. Bring some cash if you want to pay for entry or buy an ice cream or drink in the village.

The reward is the view. From the castle, the coast breaks into small coves and islands, and the water takes on the bright blue color that defines this part of southern Turkey. The castle itself is not enormous, so the visit is more about the setting, ruins, and panorama than a long indoor museum experience.

Keep an eye on the return time. The boat cannot wait indefinitely, and the schedule is shared with the rest of the group. This is the stop where I would most like a little extra time, especially if you want both the castle and a relaxed walk through the harbour.

Tersane Bay and Camlik Bay

Tersane Bay, or Shipyard Bay, is another 45-minute stop. Its name points to the area’s association with ancient shipbuilding, while the setting offers rocky cliffs, trees, and quiet water.

This is a strong place for a longer swim or snorkel. You can also look back toward the coast and Simena Castle from the water. The bay feels less like a formal attraction and more like a natural pause, which is part of the charm.

Camlik Bay is the final swimming stop and lasts about 45 minutes. Pine trees surround the calm water, making it a pleasant way to finish the active part of the day. By this point, you can choose between one last swim, a shaded seat, or a sunbed upstairs.

Together, these bays keep the cruise from becoming a history lecture with occasional photographs. You spend a meaningful part of the day in the sea, and the water is usually the immediate highlight for anyone who enjoys swimming.

Lunch, afternoon tea, and onboard costs

Lunch is included as a buffet. The meal has been described as chicken or fish served with several salads, and some departures prepare the chicken on board. Later, you receive fruit such as watermelon along with afternoon tea.

The food is a real part of the value here. A full-day cruise can become expensive if every meal is an extra purchase, but this outing includes a filling lunch and a later snack. Food is served with proper plates and cutlery on some boats, and the onboard toilets have been praised for being clean.

Drinks are not included. Water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and alcohol can be purchased, with prices described as reasonable. Credit card payment may be available for the onboard tab, but carrying a little local cash is still sensible.

Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking. Make that request ahead of time rather than waiting until lunch.

What the crew can add to the day

The crew matters on a boat tour because timing, safety, explanations, and the general mood all depend on the people running it. Captain Ergun is the name most closely associated with the more personal departures. He has been praised for explaining the coast and for offering drone images or short videos, sometimes as a bonus for helping collect rubbish from the sea.

Captain Mehmet has also been associated with a Kekova departure from Üçağız. He has decades of experience on the route and may provide a more local, history-focused presentation. Do not assume that every booking uses the same captain or boat, since the operator may assign different vessels.

There is one useful caution here. Most accounts describe friendly service, but one departure had a rude captain, a late start, weak communication, and a problem with passengers returning from shore. A single poor crew experience can change the feel of the whole day, so confirm the boat name and departure details if the operator gives you that information.

There was also a complaint that English explanations were hard to hear from the upper deck. If the history matters to you, sit close enough to the guide or ask for key details during a quiet moment.

Is $84.65 good value?

At $84.65 per person, this is good value if you want a full day that combines swimming, lunch, coastal scenery, and a land visit. Fuel, landing and facility fees, a driver or guide, buffet lunch, and afternoon tea are included.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a short scenic cruise or a private boat. A group of up to 65 people means the experience can feel social and busy, especially when everyone moves toward the best upper-deck seats.

I see the value in the range of stops. A cheaper boat outing that only visits one cove would not give you the Sunken City, Simena Castle, Kaleköy Harbour, and several swimming bays in one day. Just remember that castle admission, drinks, alcohol, and transport to and from the meeting point are extra.

The tour is recommended by 97 percent of people who have rated it, with a 4.9 score from 441 ratings. Those figures suggest a strong and consistent experience, but they do not remove the practical issues around seating, group size, weather, or individual crew assignments.

Who should book this Kekova cruise?

I would choose this tour if you have one full day in Kaş and want to see the Kekova coast without arranging several separate activities. It suits couples, families with adult supervision, and anyone who prefers a relaxed mix of swimming and sightseeing.

It also works well for people who want a little history but do not need a long museum visit. The Sunken City is viewed quickly, while Simena gives you a more active walk and a strong coastal view.

You may want a different option if you dislike shared boats, need guaranteed upper-deck seating, or want to snorkel for hours at one location. This tour moves through several stops, so its strength is variety rather than lengthy time in a single bay.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity is considered suitable for most people. Weather can cancel the outing, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want the classic Kekova combination: clear-water swimming, the Sunken City, and Simena Castle in one well-filled day. The included lunch and afternoon tea make the price easier to justify, and the route gives you more variety than a simple harbour cruise.

Before booking, ask about the boat, seating, and meeting point. If you are staying outside Kaş, note that hotel pickup is not included. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund if your plans change.

FAQ

How long does the Kaş Kekova boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The activity begins at the designated meeting point in Kaş and ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, with chicken or fish and salads described as part of the meal.

Is afternoon tea included?

Yes. Afternoon tea is included, and fruit such as watermelon may be served later in the day.

Are drinks included?

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

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you should advise the operator when booking.

Is admission to Simena Castle included?

No. The admission ticket for Simena Castle is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.