Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

The best part of this Kekova boat tour is the mix: you spend the day moving between quiet coves, ancient ruins, and open water rather than sitting in one place. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, while Simena Castle gives you a chance to walk ashore and see the coast from above.

I like the generous swimming time and the comfortable, well-kept boat. I also like the small extras from Captain Ergun’s crew, including watermelon, tea, and, when available, free drone footage of you in the water. The main drawback is that the hour at Simena may feel short if you want to climb to the castle, visit the village, and see every corner.

Key points at a glance

• Five swimming and sightseeing stops: İnönü Bay, Karakol Islands, Tersane Bay, Üzüm İskelesi, and other clear-water coves give the day a relaxed pace.
• Sunken City from the water: You pass the submerged ruins of Kekova Island by boat, with views best enjoyed from the deck.
• One hour at Simena Castle: You can walk up to the castle, explore Kaleköy, or spend time near the waterfront, but doing everything requires quick planning.
• A substantial Turkish lunch onboard: Fish, chicken, or köfte may be served with several side dishes, followed by watermelon and tea later in the day.
• Captain Ergun’s personal touch: Free drone clips and occasional Polaroid photos add a fun souvenir without raising the tour price.
• Bring your own snorkel gear: Life jackets and pool noodles are available, but masks and snorkels are not normally supplied.

Why this full-day trip works so well

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water around Kas. It is, however, a strong value if you want a full eight-hour outing with lunch, several swim stops, a historic site, and a roomy boat in one package.

You leave from the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office near the harbor, opposite the mosque. The boat ride begins with about 45 minutes on the water, giving you time to settle into a lounger, find shade, or claim a place on the upper deck. The tour returns to the same office at the end of the day.

The boat is one of the tour’s biggest strengths. It has a spacious deck, bathrooms, showers for rinsing off after swimming, and enough room to move around. Several people particularly liked sitting on the top deck, where you get better views and a pleasant breeze. If you want a specific seat, arrive prepared to choose quickly, since some departures assign or informally preserve places.

The mood is social but not frantic. One account described a boat carrying about 95 people and still found the arrangement comfortable, while other departures were less full. That means group size can vary, but the vessel is built for a substantial crowd. If you want a quiet private cruise, this is not that. If you enjoy a friendly shared day with plenty of room, it fits well.

The first swim at İnönü Bay

After the opening cruise, the boat reaches İnönü Bay for roughly 50 minutes. This is your first chance to get into the water, try the available pool noodles or life jackets, and get used to the rhythm of the day.

The bay is used for swimming, snorkeling, and viewing marine life. The water is clear, and the stop is long enough to feel worthwhile rather than a quick photo pause. Non-swimmers can join in with a life jacket, though you should still be comfortable entering the sea from the boat.

Lunch is connected with this part of the schedule. The food is served onboard, often in generous portions. Depending on the meal arrangement, you may receive fish, chicken, or köfte with several side dishes. The meal is frequently singled out as one of the tour’s best features, and it gives you a proper break after the first swim.

Drinks are not included in the $94 price. The boat has drinks and snacks available for purchase, but prices can change with currency rates and the exact departure. Plan for extra cash or a card, and do not assume your drink is part of the package.

Karakol Islands and the long coastal cruise

The boat then continues for about 45 minutes toward the Karakol Islands. This is not dead time. You can sit back on the deck, watch the rocky coast pass by, and enjoy views of the small islands and bays around Kekova.

The stop lasts about an hour and includes time for lunch, scenic views, and marine-life watching. The exact activity at this point can feel flexible, which suits you if you prefer a slow day on the water. The boat’s route also gives the crew room to adjust the best swimming conditions as the day develops.

You should bring a towel and a warm layer. Even in hot weather, the ride back can feel cool once the wind picks up and your swimwear is wet. This is a small packing detail, but it can make the final hours much more pleasant.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the deck

Kekova Island is the historical centerpiece of the trip. Earthquakes and later attacks damaged parts of the ancient settlement, and sections now lie below the waterline. The boat passes slowly along the submerged ruins, allowing you to look down through the clear sea and see traces of walls and structures beneath the surface.

You do not get off at the Sunken City. This is a viewing stop from the boat, lasting around 30 minutes. That matters because the experience is visual rather than an archaeological walk. You cannot wander among the ruins, touch them, or examine them at close range.

The clearest views often come from the side of the boat or the upper deck. Listen carefully when the guide points out features, since the underwater remains can be easy to miss if you are looking in the wrong direction. The English information is useful, though the amount of historical explanation can vary with where you sit and how well you hear the guide.

If your main interest is ancient sites, keep your expectations in check. This is a scenic introduction to the Sunken City, not a long archaeological lecture. The strongest part of the experience is seeing history meet the sea, with Kekova’s rugged shoreline behind it.

One hour at Simena Castle and Kaleköy

The boat’s stop at Simena, also called Kaleköy, is the most active part of the day. You have about an hour ashore, with time to walk through the small village and climb toward the medieval castle.

The climb is made by stairs and uneven paths. It is not a huge hike, but it does require steady footing and enough time to go up and return to the boat. The reward is a broad view over the harbor, the village, and the island-dotted coast. If you enjoy viewpoints, use your first minutes ashore for the climb rather than browsing the waterfront.

You can also choose a slower visit. Kaleköy has narrow lanes, waterfront spots, and places selling ice cream, including the local peach flavor that is often treated as a must-try. The problem is simple: an hour is not enough for a relaxed castle visit, extended shopping, ice cream, and a leisurely walk.

I suggest deciding before you leave the boat:

• Choose the castle if the view and ruins matter most.
• Choose the village if you want a gentler walk and time for ice cream.
• Try both only if you are happy to keep an eye on the clock.

The castle entrance fee is not included. Bring cash because card payment may not be reliable for this extra. One practical warning: the boat will not wait while you finish browsing, so return with time to spare.

Tersane Bay and the afternoon swim

After Simena, the boat cruises for around 20 minutes to Tersane Bay. This stop lasts roughly 45 minutes and combines ruins, swimming, snorkeling, and coastal views.

Tersane means shipyard, and the bay has an old connection with boatbuilding. You may also see Byzantine remains, including the ruins of a church in the area. The site is best understood as a quiet coastal ruin rather than a fully excavated monument with signs and galleries.

This is another good place to swim. The boat provides life jackets and pool noodles, which helps people who are not confident swimmers take part. Snorkeling gear is not normally included, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to look below the surface. You may be able to buy equipment onboard, but that is an avoidable expense if you pack your own.

The mix of ruins and water makes Tersane one of the more satisfying stops. You get a physical break from sitting on the boat, but you also remain close to the historical side of the route.

Üzüm İskelesi, tea, and the ride back to Kas

The final listed stop is Üzüm İskelesi, with about 50 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and a tea service. By this stage, the slower pace of the tour becomes clear. You are not rushing from one major sight to another. You are spending much of the day in the water or stretched out on deck.

Tea at the end is a thoughtful Turkish touch, especially after several swims. Watermelon is also served during the day on many departures. These extras do not transform the tour, but they make the long outing feel cared for rather than strictly functional.

The final cruise back to Kas takes around 45 minutes. If you sit on the upper deck, bring a light layer for this leg. The sun may be lower, and the wind can make the ride cooler than expected.

What lunch and onboard service are really like

Lunch is included, and it is more than a token plate. The portions are often described as large, with a choice or combination of fish, chicken, or köfte and several accompaniments. The meal is served onboard, sometimes brought to deck chairs, so you do not have to queue in a cramped cabin.

Food quality can never be guaranteed from one departure to another, but the overall standard here is a clear reason to consider the tour. A hot, filling lunch matters on an eight-hour boat trip, particularly when the schedule includes repeated swims.

The crew also keeps the boat clean throughout the day. Bathrooms and general facilities are well maintained, and showers let you rinse off saltwater. Captain Ergun is frequently involved with the atmosphere, safety reminders, and explanations about the route.

A particularly unusual extra is the free drone footage. If you want it, the captain may record you swimming or standing at the front of the boat, then send the clip to your phone. Some departures have also included Polaroid photos, reportedly handled by the captain’s daughter. These extras depend on the day and should be treated as a bonus, not a guaranteed service.

The historical information has limits

The tour is sold around both natural beauty and historical sites, but the balance leans toward swimming and relaxation. The guide speaks English and Turkish, and you will receive information about the Sunken City, Kekova, and the stops along the way.

Some explanations are described as informative and interesting. At other times, the narration may be brief or difficult to hear from certain seats. If you want detailed archaeological background, sit where you can hear the guide and ask questions when the boat is near the ruins.

The Sunken City in particular deserves more explanation than a few passing comments. You will see the ruins, but the boat does not provide the same depth as a dedicated museum visit or private history tour. That is not a flaw if you want a balanced day. It is a limitation if ancient sites are your only reason for booking.

Price, comfort, and who gets the best value

At $94, the price covers eight hours, the boat, the guide, lunch, and several stops. You still pay for drinks and the Simena Castle entrance fee. Add those costs when comparing this trip with shorter cruises from Kas.

The value is strongest for you if you want a full day rather than a brief outing. A shorter boat trip may cost less, but it may also offer fewer bays, no proper lunch, or less time to see Simena. Here, the boat itself is part of the product. You are paying for deck space, bathrooms, showers, meals, and a carefully timed route.

This tour suits:

• Couples and friends who want swimming mixed with sightseeing.
• Families with older children who can manage the castle walk.
• Non-swimmers who want to use life jackets or pool noodles.
• Visitors who prefer a shared, social boat rather than a private charter.
• Anyone looking for a relaxed day away from the streets of Kas.

It is less suitable if you have heart problems, epilepsy, or another pre-existing medical condition listed by the operator. The boat is described as wheelchair accessible, but the castle climb and uneven village paths may not be. Ask the provider about your exact needs before booking.

What to pack for a better day

Keep your packing simple, but do not forget the items that make a boat day comfortable.

• Passport or ID card, as requested for the activity.
• Swimsuit and a towel.
• Your own snorkel and mask.
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
• A light top or extra towel for the return ride.
• Cash for the castle fee and any purchases.
• A phone case or dry bag for your phone.

Pets are not allowed, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited. The tour information also says outside drinks are not allowed, so plan to buy drinks onboard rather than bringing your own.

Should you book the Kekova boat tour?

Book it if you want to see the Sunken City, swim in exceptionally clear bays, and spend a full day on a clean, comfortable boat. The combination of lunch, several swim stops, Simena Castle, tea, watermelon, and possible drone footage gives the $94 price solid value.

Book a different experience if you want a quiet private boat, a slow archaeological tour, or a long, unhurried visit to Simena. The one-hour shore stop is enough for a focused castle climb, but not enough for every village lane and shop.

For most people spending time in Kas, this is a very easy day to recommend. Bring your snorkel gear, reach the harbor office on time, claim a good deck spot, and decide in advance whether the castle or the village matters more to you.

FAQ

How long is the Kas to Kekova boat tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, including the boat journey, swimming stops, lunch, the Sunken City viewing, and time at Simena Castle.

Where does the tour meet in Kas?

You meet at the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office near the harbor, opposite the mosque.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and served onboard. Drinks are not included.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The castle fee is separate, so bring money for admission.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is offered at several bays, including İnönü Bay, Tersane Bay, and Üzüm İskelesi.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling gear is not normally provided. Bring your own mask and snorkel, or ask about buying equipment onboard.

Can non-swimmers join the swimming stops?

Yes. The boat has life jackets and pool noodles, allowing non-swimmers to enter the water with extra support. You should still consider your own comfort and safety.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, the walk up to Simena Castle and the village paths may be difficult, so check with the provider before booking.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guidance is available in English and Turkish.

Can I cancel the booking?

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