Antalya: Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip w/ Lunch

The best part of this long day is the change of pace: you move from Lycian rock tombs and an ancient theater to a boat gliding over Kekova’s submerged ruins. Then you get time for swimming and snorkeling in clear coastal water. I like the mix of archaeology and sea time, and I like that the guide brings context to places that can otherwise look like a jumble of old stones.

I also like the practical value. Myra entrance and the boat ride are included, and lunch breaks up the long journey before you reach Kekova. Guide Alp is singled out for friendly, clear, and honest explanations. The main drawback is the road time: from the Antalya area, the drive can run more than three hours each way, with an early start. The included meal is basic, and you will need to buy your own drinks and pay separately to enter St. Nicholas Church.

Key points to know before you book

• Myra combines a theater with striking rock-cut tombs: You see two important sides of ancient Lycian culture in one stop.
• Kekova is viewed from the water: The boat passes over the submerged ruins of Simena, giving you a different angle than a normal archaeological visit.
• Swimming and snorkeling are part of the day: Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and water if you want to make the most of the stops.
• The schedule is long but varied: Expect roughly 9 to 10 hours, including transfers, sightseeing, lunch, and the boat trip.
• Lunch is included but modest: Pack snacks if you tend to get hungry or prefer more choice.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: The Demre visit is included, but admission to the church is not.

Why this Antalya day trip works

This excursion covers a large slice of Antalya Province in one organized day. You leave your hotel area, head toward Demre, visit Myra, eat lunch, take to the water around Kekova, and finish in Kale, also called Demre. It is not a slow, leisurely outing. It is a full day with a lot of road time, but the stops are varied enough to keep the day from feeling repetitive.

I see the appeal for anyone staying in Antalya, Belek, or Kemer who wants to reach the Lycian coast without arranging several separate transfers. The tour handles transport, a guide, entrance to Myra and Demre, and the boat trip. At $78 per person, that package can make sense if you want the main sights in one booking and do not want to coordinate a long-distance drive and boat departure yourself.

The tradeoff is simple: you pay with time. A pickup in the Antalya area may be followed by more than three hours on the road before the sightseeing really gets going. With an early start and a return transfer at the end, this is best treated as a serious day out, not a gentle afternoon excursion.

The long ride toward Demre

Hotel pickup is included, with the stated service covering hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer. The tour information also refers to pickup from Alanya and Side, so if you are based in one of those areas, check your exact hotel and pickup point before paying. The journey is a major part of the experience, particularly for families with young children.

That said, the time in the vehicle has a purpose. Myra and Kekova are far enough from the main resort areas that independent visitors need to plan transport carefully. A guided trip removes that work and lets you combine two major stops with a coastal boat ride on the same day.

Take comfortable shoes. Also bring sunscreen, drinking water, swimwear, and a small snack. The tour supplies lunch, but the meal has been described as poor in choice and rather basic, and the restaurant may not suit everyone’s standards. Drinks are not included, so carrying water is sensible.

Myra’s theater and Lycian tombs

The first major stop is ancient Myra, on the banks of the River Myros. The visit focuses on the ancient Greek amphitheater and the Lycian necropolis, where tombs were cut into the rock above the site.

The tombs are the visual hook. Their position on the rock face gives you an immediate sense of how the Lycian people marked important burials. The theater adds another layer, showing the public side of the ancient town. You are not simply looking at one ruin in isolation. The combination helps you understand Myra as a place with both civic life and funerary traditions.

A guide matters here. Without explanation, an amphitheater and a row of carved tombs can blur together after a long ride. The strongest part of the guiding appears to be the clear background given at each location. Alp, in particular, has been praised for being friendly, well informed, and straightforward, which is useful when you want facts without a hard sell.

The Myra entrance fee is included, and the tour offers skip-the-ticket-line access. That saves some time at a popular archaeological stop, though the total visit length is not specified. Wear shoes with good grip and be ready for sun exposure. The advice to bring comfortable footwear is worth taking seriously because the day includes ancient sites as well as a boat stop.

Lunch before the Kekova boat

Lunch comes before the boat portion of the day. This is sensible scheduling because it gives you a proper break before the afternoon on the water.

Do not book this tour expecting a memorable food experience. Lunch is complimentary and functional, but it has been described as basic, with limited appeal and concerns about the restaurant’s cleanliness. I would view it as fuel included in the price, not a reason to choose the excursion.

A small packet of snacks can improve the day, especially if you are traveling with children or have dietary preferences. Bring water too, since drinks are not included. The meal still has value because you do not need to find a restaurant during a tightly planned day, but you should set your expectations low.

Sailing over Kekova’s sunken ruins

The boat trip is the most unusual part of the itinerary. You sail around Kekova Island and pass over the submerged remains of the sunken city of Simena. The ruins are seen from the boat, with the water offering a clear view into the shallow areas.

This is not the same as walking through a preserved ancient town. The appeal comes from the contrast between the bright sea and the remains beneath it, and from seeing evidence of a settlement from an unusual angle. Keep your eyes on the water as the boat moves through the area, and listen closely as the guide explains what you are looking at.

The boat trip is included in the price, which strengthens the tour’s value. A separate boat outing, transport to the coast, archaeological admission, and a guide could quickly become more complicated and expensive. Here, the water portion is built into the day rather than added as an optional extra.

The exact boat size and group capacity are not provided, so do not assume a private cruise or a quiet, small-group setting. This is a packaged day trip, and the experience will depend partly on the departure schedule and the number of people booked.

Swimming and snorkeling in clear water

The Kekova area also gives you time to swim and snorkel. The water is described as crystal clear, making this a welcome contrast to the dry stonework at Myra and Teimiussa.

Bring your own swimwear and sun protection. The tour information does not promise equipment rental, so you should not count on snorkeling gear being supplied. It is wise to confirm this before departure if snorkeling is a major reason for booking.

The water stop is also where the itinerary can feel less rushed. Archaeological sites ask you to walk, listen, and look closely. A swim gives you a chance to cool off and enjoy the coast without another formal visit. Still, the length of the swim and the facilities available are not specified, so treat it as an included activity rather than a guaranteed long beach session.

Teimiussa and the Lycian coast

The itinerary includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa, a site linked with the coastal settlement around Kekova. This stop adds another look at Lycian burial customs after your visit to Myra.

Seeing two necropolises in one day may sound repetitive, but the settings help separate them. Myra gives you the theater and the large ancient town context. Teimiussa is part of the Kekova boat outing and fits into the coastal story of the region. Together, the stops show how Lycian communities used the area and how their tombs remain visible long after the settlements changed.

Your guide is especially useful here because the ruins may not announce their importance on their own. A good explanation can turn a brief stop into a meaningful one. The tour offers English and Russian live guiding, so select the language that suits you when checking availability.

Demre and the optional St. Nicholas Church

The day ends at Kale, also known as Demre. This is the modern town associated with the ancient area, and the itinerary includes a visit to St. Nicholas Church.

There is an important cost distinction. Demre entrance is listed as included, but admission to St. Nicholas Church is not. Budget for that separately if you want to enter, and confirm the current fee when booking because no amount is supplied here.

The church is especially relevant because Myra was the former home of St. Nicholas of Myra. That connection gives the final stop a different character from the earlier Lycian sites. Myra introduces the ancient town, Kekova brings the underwater ruins, and Demre connects the region with the later religious story surrounding St. Nicholas.

Since the church visit is an extra, you may need to decide on the day whether it fits your budget and remaining energy. If you are mainly interested in Lycian ruins and the boat ride, you can focus your spending on those included parts. If the St. Nicholas connection matters to you, set aside money before departure.

What $78 really gets you

At $78, the tour is not just a boat ticket. The price includes hotel pickup, a live guide, lunch, Myra admission, Demre admission, and the Kekova boat trip. For a visitor without a car, that combination has real value because the places are spread out and the road journey is difficult to turn into a simple independent day.

The value drops if you dislike long transfers or prefer to choose your own restaurants and stop lengths. You also need to add drinks, snacks if wanted, and St. Nicholas Church admission. The basic lunch means the package is strongest for transport and sightseeing, not food.

The rating of 3.7 from 36 ratings points to a mixed experience rather than a guaranteed perfect day. The most convincing positives are the guide quality, the beauty of Myra, Demre, and Kekova, and the variety of the itinerary. The clearest warnings are the early start, the long drive, and the modest meal.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see several major sites in one day and value having transport arranged. It suits history fans who want Myra and the Lycian tombs, as well as swimmers who like the idea of adding clear coastal water to an archaeological outing.

It also suits visitors staying in Antalya, Belek, or Kemer who do not want to rent a car. The English or Russian guide can make the ancient sites easier to understand, and the included entrance fees remove some of the small decisions that can slow an independent trip.

I would hesitate if you are traveling with very young children, struggle with long bus rides, or need a substantial lunch. The early departure and lengthy return can be tiring. Anyone wanting a slow boat day should also note that this is an archaeology tour with a boat segment, not a full-day cruise.

Book only if you are comfortable with a packed 9 to 10 hour schedule. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option give you some flexibility, but the main decision is still about stamina and priorities.

Should you book the Myra and Kekova tour?

Book it if your ideal day pairs ancient ruins with swimming, and if you want one organized ticket to handle the transport from the Antalya region. Myra’s theater and tombs, the submerged ruins of Simena, Teimiussa, and the St. Nicholas connection give the day plenty of substance.

Skip it if a three-hour transfer each way would overshadow the sightseeing for you, or if lunch quality matters. For the right person, $78 is a fair price for a broad day covering transport, guiding, admissions, lunch, and a boat trip. Pack water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and snacks, and confirm pickup details and snorkeling equipment before you go.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is included from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer. The tour information also refers to pickup from Alanya and Side, so confirm service for your exact hotel if you stay in one of those areas.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live guide is available in English and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, but drinks are not. The meal is basic, so bringing extra snacks may be useful.

Is the Kekova boat trip included?

Yes. The boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova is included in the tour price.

Is admission to St. Nicholas Church included?

No. Entrance to St. Nicholas Church is not included, although the Demre visit and Demre entrance fee are listed as included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes. Sunscreen, drinking water, swimwear, and snacks are also practical choices for the long day, especially if you plan to swim or snorkel.