From Kas: Guided Kekova Sea Kayaking Tour

The best part of this Kaş outing is seeing Kekova’s sunken city from a kayak, where the water lets you look down at old walls and ruins without the noise of a large boat. You paddle slowly, stop for a swim at Tersane Bay, and reach Simena by water, giving the day a pleasant mix of activity, scenery, and archaeology.

I like the small group of up to 15 people, which should make it easier to follow the guide and keep the paddle pace comfortable. I also like that lunch, snorkeling equipment, hotel or meeting-point transfers, and a support boat are included. The main consideration is the early start and the extra €4 entrance fee if you want to enter Simena Castle.

Key points to know before booking

• Paddle over a protected sunken city: Swimming is not allowed above the Kekova ruins, but kayaking gives you a clear view from the surface.
• Start in Kaş at 8:00 am: A round-trip transfer takes you to Uçağiz, about 45 minutes away.
• Swim at Tersane Bay: The first water stop comes before the archaeological section, with time for a refreshing break.
• Visit Simena on foot: You get about 45 minutes in Kaleköy, with castle ruins, a necropolis, village lanes, and hillside views.
• Guides add useful context: Yasar is praised for explaining both kayaking and the sites, while Ibrahim receives especially warm personal praise.
• Lunch is included, the castle is not: Carry cash for the €4 Simena Castle entrance fee.

Why this kayak trip is a good way to see Kekova

Kekova is best understood from the water. The shoreline around the island and the small villages of the region are spread out, while the ancient remains sit partly below the surface. From a kayak, you move slowly enough to notice details that can slip past on a faster boat.

The route also avoids making the whole day about one attraction. You swim, paddle, pause for photographs, walk through Simena, look down on Lycian tombs, and eat lunch in Uçağiz. That variety matters, especially if you are visiting Kaş for several days and want one active morning rather than another bus ride to ruins.

A motorized support vessel escorts the kayakers. That is a useful practical feature because the group does not have to paddle every mile under its own power. You still get the quiet feel of a kayak on the water, but the boat provides support as the group moves between sections.

The tour is offered in English, and the strongest praise goes to the guides. Yasar is specifically noted for helping with the kayaking while explaining the sights and their past. Ibrahim is also singled out by name. Guide quality matters here because the ruins are easier to appreciate when you understand what you are looking at, rather than simply paddling over old stones.

The 8:00 am transfer from Kaş to Uçağiz

Your day begins at Smiley’s Andifli on İskele Street in Kaş at 8:00 am. The activity ends back at this same meeting point, with round-trip transportation included from the starting area.

The drive to Uçağiz takes roughly 45 minutes. That makes the transfer more than a simple hotel pickup detail. You need to be ready early, and the tour will take most of the morning and part of the afternoon. The payoff is that you do not need to arrange your own transport to the kayak base.

Uçağiz is the launch point for the water portion. The group departs at about 9:30 am with the support vessel and paddles southwest toward Kekova Island. The timing gives you a clear rhythm: an early road transfer, a short wait or preparation period in Uçağiz, then several hours built around the water.

The group limit is 15 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough to feel more personal than a large sightseeing cruise. If you are new to kayaking, staying with a compact group should also make the guide’s instructions easier to hear and follow.

Tersane Bay brings the first swim

The group reaches Tersane Bay at about 10:15 am, after paddling from Uçağiz with the escort vessel nearby. A 30-minute break here gives you a chance to swim and enjoy the water before the archaeological portion begins.

This is a smart stop in the schedule. You get your main swim before reaching the protected sunken-city area, where swimming is not permitted. Bring a swimsuit and consider having a towel or dry layer ready for the return trip, since the tour includes both paddling and walking.

Snorkeling equipment is included. The information provided does not promise a separate snorkeling program at every stop, so think of the gear as an included extra rather than the main reason to book. The central activity is kayaking, with swimming and snorkeling adding variety.

Tersane Bay also gives you a chance to settle into the kayak before the most important part of the route. The first minutes on the water can feel different from ordinary canoeing or boating. A swim break early in the day lets you relax before you reach the ruins.

Kayaking above Kekova’s sunken city

From Tersane Bay, the group slowly paddles over the ancient Lycian sunken city of Kekova. The protected status of the area shapes the experience: you cannot swim here, and you need to admire the remains from the kayak.

That restriction is worth knowing before you book. If you want to enter the ruins or swim right beside them, this is not that kind of excursion. The value is in seeing them from the surface while moving quietly along the coast.

For photography, the kayak is an excellent platform. You are low on the water, close to the shoreline, and moving at a pace that allows time to frame pictures. The tour information specifically highlights the ruins and the photo opportunities, and this is where a waterproof phone case or dry bag would be sensible. The tour data does not state that either item is supplied, so bring your own protection for electronics.

The stop at the sunken city lasts about 30 minutes, followed by another 30-minute section around Kekova Island. The names overlap geographically, but the practical point is simple: you get a focused archaeological paddle followed by more time beside the island’s ruins and shoreline.

Your guide’s explanations are especially useful here. Without context, part of the site can look like scattered stone beneath the water. With a guide such as Yasar explaining what you are seeing, the paddle becomes more than a pretty ride.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy on foot

At about 11:30 am, the group reaches Simena and parks in Kaleköy, the small settlement associated with ancient Simena Castle. You have about 45 minutes to explore the village, castle ruins, and necropolis.

This is the only major walking section, but it can be worthwhile. A climb up the hillside gives you broad views over the Kekova region, and the castle provides a different angle on the water you have just crossed. If you prefer not to climb, you can use the time for another swim and view the castle from below.

The €4 entrance fee to Simena Castle is not included. Carry a little cash if you want to go inside. If you skip the entrance, you can still spend time in Kaleköy and take in the ruins and waterfront, but the castle ticket gives you access to the hillside area and its views.

The 45-minute stop is enough for a taste, not a full archaeological visit. You will need to choose between walking up, taking photographs, browsing the small village, and swimming. I would decide before arriving what matters most to you, especially if you want the hillside view and the castle entrance.

The necropolis adds an important detail to this stop. Simena is not only a viewpoint with old walls. The tombs and village setting help show how the ancient settlement related to the surrounding coast.

Lycian sarcophagi at Theimussa

In the afternoon, the route heads back toward Theimussa for a closer look at Lycian sarcophagi. This stop lasts about 30 minutes before you return to the kayak base.

Theimussa gives the day another archaeological focus without requiring a long inland detour. The sarcophagi are a strong complement to the submerged ruins because they show a different kind of ancient remains, one that you can view up close rather than from a kayak.

This stop may appeal most if you enjoy seeing smaller sites rather than spending the entire day at one famous monument. It also breaks up the return route before lunch. You have already seen the sunken city and Simena, then you get one last look at the area’s ancient remains before leaving the water.

The tour then returns to Uçağiz, where lunch is served at about 1:15 pm. Lunch is included in the price, which makes the overall cost easier to judge. You are not paying $60.07 only for boat support and equipment, but for transport, guiding, kayaking, the swim stop, several archaeological visits, and a meal.

What the $60.07 price includes

At $60.07 per person, this is a solid-value half-day-to-afternoon outing if you want an active way to see Kekova. The included round-trip transfer is important. Hiring separate transport from Kaş to Uçağiz would add time and planning, while the tour keeps the day organized from the first meeting point.

You also receive lunch and snorkeling equipment. The motorized support vessel adds comfort and safety support to a route that could otherwise require more physical effort. The English-language guide is another important part of the price, since the ruins are a major reason to choose this trip over a simple swim excursion.

The price does not include the €4 Simena Castle entrance. That is a small extra, but you should know about it before setting out. Bring cash if you want the full castle visit, and remember that skipping the ticket does not remove the rest of the Kaleköy stop.

The tour normally takes about four to six hours, though the stated schedule begins at 8:00 am and places lunch at 1:15 pm. Plan your morning around a substantial outing rather than a quick activity. The timing is one reason I would not pair it with another fixed appointment immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits you if you want to combine light adventure with ancient sites. You do not have to choose between a beach day and a cultural excursion, since the schedule includes kayaking, swimming, ruins, village time, and lunch.

It should work well for friends, couples, and solo visitors who like meeting a few other people. The maximum of 15 keeps the group social without making it huge. The guides’ ability to explain the route and help with kayaking is a particular plus if you have limited experience.

You should be comfortable with several hours built around water activity. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed fitness standard or accessibility description. If you have concerns about paddling, walking uphill at Simena, or getting in and out of a kayak, ask the provider before booking.

This is less suited to someone who wants a private boat, a slow luxury cruise, or a long, detailed visit inside every archaeological site. The schedule is active and timed, and Simena receives about 45 minutes rather than an entire afternoon.

Practical tips for a smoother morning

Arrive at the Kaş meeting point ready for an 8:00 am departure. Since the transfer to Uçağiz takes about 45 minutes, a late arrival could affect the whole group’s schedule.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a way to protect your phone. The tour includes a swim and strong photo opportunities, but the supplied information does not list towels, bags, or personal electronics protection among the inclusions.

Keep some cash available for the €4 castle entrance. You may also want a little spending money for personal needs, though lunch is included.

Listen closely to the guide before the group reaches the protected ruins. Swimming is not allowed over the sunken city, so save your water time for Tersane Bay or the later swimming option near Simena.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 31 reviews, with 94 percent recommending it. The most praised elements are the kayaking itself, the scenery, and the guides. Yasar receives specific praise for combining practical kayaking help with explanations of the sites, while Ibrahim is remembered for making the day especially enjoyable.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The experience is often booked around 17 days ahead, so reserving early makes sense if your dates in Kaş are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Türkiye.

Weather matters because the tour takes place on the sea. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason comes with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Kaş Kekova kayak tour?

I would book this if you want the most active and varied way to see Kekova in one organized outing. The mix of a protected sunken city, a real swim stop, Simena Castle, Lycian sarcophagi, lunch, and a small English-speaking group gives the $60.07 price good value.

Book it with realistic expectations. You will not swim over the ruins, spend hours inside Simena Castle, or travel at a private pace. You will start early, paddle for several sections, and make choices during the short stop at Kaleköy.

For a first visit to the Kekova coast, this is a well-balanced choice. Bring cash for the castle, protect your camera, and let the guides handle the route while you enjoy the water and old stones.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Smiley’s Andifli on İskele Street in Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately four to six hours.

Is transportation from Kaş included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from the Kaş meeting point or a hotel transfer arrangement is included, and the drive to Uçağiz takes about 45 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch in Uçağiz is included and is scheduled for about 1:15 pm.

Is the entrance fee to Simena Castle included?

No. The entrance fee is €4 per person.

Can I swim over the sunken city of Kekova?

No. Swimming is not permitted in the protected sunken-city area. A swimming break is provided at Tersane Bay, and another swim is possible during the Simena stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.