From Kas: Day Trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra

Kekova’s Sunken City is the star here. From the boat, you glide past stone walls and remains beneath the clear water, then trade ancient ruins for swimming bays, a cliffside castle, and the rock-cut tombs of Myra. It is a long day, but it joins the best coastal sights near Kaş in one practical trip.

I like the mix of water and archaeology. You get several chances to swim and snorkel, plus time in Kaleköy, while the boat’s upper deck gives you a comfortable place to stretch out in the sun. I also like the helpful touches: snorkel goggles are available, lunch is served onboard, and the crew has even helped retrieve a dropped cap from the sea.

The main drawback is the pace. You spend about ten hours on the road and water, with short visits at St. Nicholas Church and Myra. The archaeological entrance fee is extra, and anyone wanting a slow, detailed museum day may find this schedule too full.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova’s submerged ruins are seen from the boat: You do not swim through or walk inside the protected Sunken City area.
• Kaleköy offers the best walking stop: Allow about an hour to explore the village, Simena Castle ruins, and the high views over Kekova.
• The day includes several swim breaks: Esmeralda, Burç, Gökkaya, Pirates Cave, and Karemlik add plenty of time in the water.
• Lunch is served onboard: Extra food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need for the long day.
• Myra and St. Nicholas Church come late: The final land stops add strong historical interest after the boat trip.
• Pickup is from central Kaş: The exact time is sent by WhatsApp or email one day before departure.

Why Kekova’s Sunken City is worth the long day

The Kekova coast is unusual because history is visible both on land and below the water. The ancient settlement of Dolchiste was partly submerged after earthquakes, leaving walls and other remains along the shoreline of Kekova Island.

Your boat passes the ruins slowly, giving you a chance to take photographs from the rail or upper deck. The water is clear enough to reveal shapes beneath the surface, but this is a sightseeing cruise, not an underwater archaeological tour. You stay onboard as the boat passes the protected area.

That distinction matters. The appeal is the combination of ruins and sea, not a close inspection of every stone. If you enjoy taking in a place from the water, this stop is memorable. If you need detailed explanations of ancient construction, the visit may feel brief at roughly 30 minutes.

The boat also makes the ride part of the experience. The upper roof works well for sunbathing and open views, while the lower areas offer shade. Bring a towel, and consider carrying sun protection, a hat, and drinking water for the hours outside.

From Kaş to Demre Harbor

The day begins with pickup in central Kaş, at or near Smiley’s meeting point. Since pickup times change with the season, you receive the exact time by WhatsApp or email the day before.

The drive to Demre Harbor is the practical link between the two parts of the tour. Kaş is your base, but Demre is the launch point for the Kekova boat route. Pickup and return transport are included, so you do not need to arrange your own ride between the towns.

Expect a full day rather than a casual half-day outing. The stated duration is ten hours, and the route includes both a boat cruise and several land visits. That makes comfortable shoes, a towel, and clothes suitable for swimming sensible choices.

Kaleköy and Simena Castle

After cruising past Kekova Island, the boat stops at Kaleköy, the modern village connected with ancient Simena. You have about an hour here, enough time to walk through the settlement, browse small shops, and climb toward the castle ruins.

The castle is valuable less for its size than for its position. From the hillside, you look over the Kekova area, with the sea, islands, and scattered ruins spread below. It is one of the few points on the route where you get a broad view from land rather than a close coastal view from the boat.

This is also the most active walking stop. The visit involves a hillside climb, so take care with footwear and pace yourself in the heat. You can also use the stop for a swim in the clear blue water before returning to the boat.

Kaleköy feels more personal than a large archaeological site. You are walking through a living village beside ancient remains, not moving through a formal complex with long museum corridors. The tradeoff is that the time is limited, so focus on the castle views and village lanes rather than trying to see every corner.

Lunch and swimming at Esmeralda Bay

The boat then reaches Esmeralda Bay for a lunch and swimming break. The stop is designed for relaxation, with time to eat onboard and get into the water.

I like this part of the route because it breaks up the sightseeing. Ancient sites require attention, while a quiet bay gives you room to reset. The bay is also used for marine-life viewing, so keep an eye on the water even when you are not swimming.

Food and drinks beyond the included meal are not covered. The supplied details describe lunch onboard but do not specify the menu, so bring extra snacks if you tend to eat often. If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before departure rather than assuming the meal will suit you.

Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Pirates Cave

The middle portion of the cruise is built around water stops. Burç Bay is known for cold underwater springs, which can make the sea feel noticeably cooler than at other points. It is a good place to swim if you enjoy a brisk change from warm surface water.

Gökkaya Bay adds another swimming break, with water sports available if you want more than a quiet float. The schedule lists time for swimming here more than once, giving you some flexibility. You can get in, stay onboard, or use the pause to relax on the roof.

At Pirates Cave, the boat enters partway into a large cave with a curved opening. The stop includes swimming and snorkeling, and goggles are available. It is a short, playful part of the trip, but the cave’s shape makes it more than just another swim stop.

The number of water breaks is a major strength for anyone who likes boat days. It also means the sightseeing portions are spread out rather than packed together. On the other hand, non-swimmers may find the middle of the day repetitive, since several stops follow the same basic pattern: anchor, swim, eat, and continue.

Karemlik Bay and the chance to see turtles

Karemlik Bay is included as a place to look for sea turtles in their natural setting. Three of the seven known sea turtle species can be found in the area, according to the tour information.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so treat this as a chance rather than a promise. Keep your attention on the water and follow the crew’s instructions. The bay also provides a break in the route, whether or not a turtle appears.

The itinerary includes Karemlik Bay more than once, with a boat cruise and a later break. That gives the crew room to include the bay within the wider route, but it can look repetitive on paper. The value is that the same area serves both wildlife viewing and downtime.

Andriake Harbor and the move back to history

The boat passes Andriake Harbor, with a short photo stop. This is a quick look rather than a full visit, so do not expect extended time ashore.

After the coastal section, the tour returns to the Demre area. The change in mood is clear: you move from open water, swims, and caves to church remains, archaeological ruins, and Lycian history.

The tour information also mentions the Museum of Lycian Civilizations as part of the historical focus, but the listed land visits specifically include St. Nicholas Church and Myra. Confirm the exact museum arrangements when booking if that stop matters to you.

St. Nicholas Church in Demre

The optional St. Nicholas Church stop lasts about 40 minutes and is also known as the Santa Claus Museum. It was built as a church in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, the Christian figure later associated with Santa Claus.

This visit gives the day a useful cultural layer. You are not seeing a modern Santa-themed attraction, but the remains of an ancient church linked to the historical St. Nicholas. The site matters most to people interested in early Christianity, religious history, or the origins behind a familiar holiday figure.

The stop is relatively short. You can take photographs and see the main remains, but you will need to keep moving if the group is following the planned schedule. The entrance arrangement should also be checked, since the archaeological site fee is not included in the tour price.

Myra’s theater and cliff tombs

Myra is the final major historical stop. The ancient city is known for its Roman-style theater and rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs. The theater is described as the largest in Lycia, giving the site a strong sense of scale even during a short visit.

The tombs are the visual highlight. Their carved facades sit high in the rock, showing how Lycian burial customs shaped the city’s appearance. You can see why Myra is more than a quick photo stop: the ruins connect architecture, religion, and the dramatic setting of the ancient city.

You have about 40 minutes for sightseeing and a self-guided visit. That is enough to see the main features, but not enough for a slow archaeological study. If Myra is your main reason for booking, read up on the site beforehand or plan a separate visit with more time.

Shopping is also listed at this stop. That may suit you if you want a small local purchase, but it reduces the time available for the ruins. I would prioritize the theater and tombs first, then shop only if the schedule allows.

Is $57 good value for a 10-hour day?

At $57 per person, this tour offers strong value if you want several experiences bundled together. The price covers central Kaş pickup and drop-off, the Demre transfer, the boat trip, the major coastal stops, lunch onboard, Kaleköy, and the historical visits.

You are also paying for convenience. Organizing a Kaş to Demre transfer, finding a boat from the harbor, arranging a Kekova route, and returning to Kaş would take time and separate bookings. Here, the pieces fit into one day.

The price does not include archaeological entrance fees, additional food, or drinks. Those extras are important when comparing the total cost. The exact boat size, group size, and menu are not specified, so you should not book expecting a private cruise or a highly personal archaeological tour.

For a first visit to the area, I consider the combination worthwhile. You see the signature Kekova ruins, a castle village, several bays, a cave, turtles as a possibility, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church without changing hotels or planning your own transport.

Who will enjoy this Kaş day trip?

This tour suits you if you want variety. It works especially well for people who enjoy swimming but also want ancient sites, and for first-time visitors who prefer one organized day covering the main sights around Demre and Kekova.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the changing pace, though everyone should be comfortable with a long day and boat transfers. The roof deck is useful for relaxing, and the repeated swim stops prevent the day from becoming a string of ruins.

It is less suitable if you dislike boats, do not swim, or want a slow, highly detailed archaeological tour. The route is active and full, and the historical visits are short. Anyone with limited mobility should ask about the boat, village climb, and archaeological access before booking, since no accessibility details are provided.

The tour is offered with English and Turkish hosts or greeters. No individual guide names are supplied, so do not book expecting a named guide. The crew’s practical role matters more here: keeping the boat moving, serving lunch, helping with equipment, and coordinating the land stops.

Practical advice for making the day easier

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. A waterproof pouch is useful for your phone during the swim stops, while a hat can help on the exposed upper deck.

Wear shoes that work for both the boat and Kaleköy’s hillside paths. Carry some extra food and drinks because these are not included beyond the stated meal. You may also want cash for shopping or any additional needs, though no specific payment arrangements are provided.

The provider allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and offers reserve-now, pay-later booking. The pickup time arrives one day before the trip by WhatsApp or email, so keep an eye on both your messages and inbox.

Should you book the Kekova, Demre, and Myra tour?

Book it if you want the broadest possible look at the area in one day. The strongest combination is the boat ride past the Sunken City, the hour at Simena Castle, the many swim breaks, and the final visit to Myra’s tombs and theater.

Think twice if you want depth over variety. You will not have long at each historical site, entrance fees are extra, and the ten-hour schedule can feel tiring. For most people based in Kaş, though, the price is fair for the transport, boat route, lunch, and range of sights. Bring a towel, accept the fast pace, and you get a rewarding day linking Kekova’s water views with Demre’s ancient past.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including the transfer from Kaş, the boat trip from Demre Harbor, the coastal stops, and visits to St. Nicholas Church and Myra.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is provided from Kaş city center. The listed starting point is Smiley’s, and the exact pickup time is sent by WhatsApp or email one day before the tour.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour returns to the meeting point in Kaş at the end of the day.

Is transport from Kaş to Demre included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Kaş city center are included, along with the transfer to and from Demre Harbor.

Can I see the Sunken City of Kekova from the boat?

Yes. The boat cruises along Kekova Island and passes the underwater ruins of the ancient city of Dolchiste. The listed visit is a photo stop and sightseeing cruise lasting about 30 minutes.

Do I get to visit Simena Castle?

Yes. The tour stops at Kaleköy, ancient Simena, for about one hour. You have free time for the village, castle ruins, shopping, and scenic views.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. The route includes swimming at Pirates Cave, a further bay, Gökkaya Bay, Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Karemlik Bay.

Is lunch included?

Lunch onboard is included as part of the boat trip. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Are archaeological entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for archaeological sites are not included in the tour price.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter service is available in English and Turkish.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. Since the day includes several swim stops, swimming clothes and sun protection are also sensible choices, though only a towel is specifically listed as required.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.