Kas: (Small Group) Day Trip to Kekova Island, Demre & Myra

Kekova’s Sunken City is the main event here: a boat ride past half-submerged walls, stairways, and ancient ruins that disappear beneath clear water. You see the remains from the deck rather than entering the water, since this protected site is viewed by boat.

I like the smart mix of ancient sites and swim stops, plus the generous lunch and fruit served aboard. The main catch is time: Myra gets only about 30 minutes, and its separate entrance fee can feel steep for a quick visit.

• Kekova by boat: View the submerged remains of ancient Dolchiste from the water.
• Kaleköy and Simena Castle: Walk through a small, traditional village and climb for wide views.
• Three useful swim breaks: Esmeralda, Burç, and Gökkaya bays each offer a change of scene.
• A full meal on board: Lunch includes chicken and salads, with fruit later in the afternoon.
• Myra’s cliff tombs: See Lycian rock-cut tombs and a large Roman theater.
• A chance to spot turtles: Karemlik Bay is home to three of the seven known sea turtle species.

From Kaş to Demre Harbor: A Long Day Made Simple

This is a 10-hour trip from Kaş, with pickup and return to Kaş City Centre included. Your morning begins with a road transfer to Demre Harbor, where you board the boat for the Kekova coast.

That transfer is useful because Kekova is not right outside Kaş. You do not need to arrange a car, taxi, or separate boat reservation, and the tour ties the coastal cruise to Demre’s major archaeological sights in one day.

The exact pickup time changes with the season. You receive it by WhatsApp or email one day before departure, so keep an eye on your messages. The tour is conducted in English, and the small-group format should make the day less impersonal than a large coach-and-boat outing.

Still, this is a packed schedule. You will spend time on the road, on the boat, in the water, and at archaeological sites. I would choose it when you want to cover a lot in one day, not when you want a slow, quiet beach outing.

Kekova’s Sunken City: Ancient Ruins Seen From the Deck

As the boat cruises along Kekova Island, the water reveals the remains of ancient Dolchiste, often called the Sunken City of Kekova. Parts of the old settlement slipped below the water after earthquakes, leaving stone walls and structures visible through the sea.

The appeal is not a conventional ruin you walk through. You remain on the boat, looking down and along the shoreline as the captain passes the protected area. Bring a hat and keep your phone ready, since the best views can be brief and the glare off the water can be strong.

You receive a striking view of how old buildings meet the sea. The setting is the real show: pale stone, clear water, and a coast with very little modern development in sight.

One practical point matters here. The amount of explanation may vary. The boat gives you a good visual experience, but the tour does not promise a long guided talk at every site. If you want to understand exactly which wall or staircase you are seeing, ask the English-speaking host or crew while the boat is passing.

Kaleköy and Simena Castle: A Walk With a Price in Effort

The boat stops at Kaleköy, the village associated with ancient Simena. This is one of the most appealing parts of the day because the village still feels tied to the water. Boats gather at the harbor, and the ruins rise above the settlement.

You can wander through the village, visit the remains of Simena Castle, and look across the Kekova area from higher ground. The castle gives you the broadest view of the trip, but reaching the upper ruins means walking uphill on uneven ground.

Wear shoes with a firm sole. Flip-flops are fine for the boat, but they are not ideal for stone paths and a castle climb. The tour data does not give a fixed amount of free time here, so your visit will depend on the day’s schedule and the pace of the group.

Kaleköy also offers a chance to swim in clear blue water. That makes the stop work for two kinds of people: you can explore the ruins, or you can stay near the shore and enjoy the water if climbing is not your priority.

Esmeralda Bay: Lunch, Shade, and the First Proper Swim

Esmeralda Bay is the main lunch and swim stop. The bay is described as secluded and calm, which gives the day a welcome pause after the morning’s sightseeing.

Lunch is included in the $71 price. The meal has received especially strong praise, with chicken, salads, and a selection of fruit later in the afternoon. That is a real value point on a 10-hour trip, since you are not left to find a meal at a harbor or pay restaurant prices during the day.

Drinks are a different matter. Extra food and drinks are not included, and one recent experience noted that bottled water was not provided and drinks had to be purchased. Bring cash and, if practical, your own water. The instructions specifically ask you to bring cash, so do not count on paying for every small purchase by card.

Swimmers get use of snorkeling equipment, floating mats, and inflatable rings. The tour does not promise a guided snorkeling session, but the gear lets you make more of the breaks than simply sitting on the boat.

Burç Bay and Gökkaya Bay: Several Chances to Get Wet

The day includes more than one swim break, which is helpful because the boat ride and sightseeing occupy much of the schedule. Burç Bay is known for cool water fed by underwater natural springs. That description tells you what to expect: a refreshing swim rather than bath-warm water.

Gökkaya Bay brings another chance to swim among striking coastal scenery. Water sports are available there for people who want more action, although the activity details do not specify which sports are offered or whether they cost extra. Ask before signing up for anything beyond the included equipment.

I like this repeated-swim design. If the first stop is crowded, windy, or simply not your favorite, you still have another chance later. It also means non-swimmers can enjoy the boat while stronger swimmers spread out their time in the water.

The tradeoff is that each stop is likely to feel short on a day with this many places. You should enjoy the breaks as refreshment, not expect a full beach afternoon at one bay.

Pirates Cave and Karemlik Bay: Small Stops With Different Rewards

Pirates Cave is a quick natural attraction with a large, curved entrance. It is the kind of stop that works best as a photo opportunity and a change of view from open water.

Do not expect a long cave visit. The description says you discover the cave during the boat trip, so plan to see it from the water unless the crew gives different instructions on the day.

Karemlik Bay offers a different kind of interest. It is home to three of the seven known sea turtle species, and the boat gives you a chance to look for them in their natural setting.

No sighting is guaranteed. Bring patience and keep your eyes on the water near the bay, but do not treat the turtle stop as a wildlife show. The value is in visiting a place associated with these animals while keeping expectations sensible.

Myra: Rock Tombs and the Largest Lycian Theater

After the boat returns to Demre Harbor, the land portion continues with the ancient city of Myra. The site is known for its Lycian rock-cut tombs and large Roman-style theater, described as the largest in Lycia.

The tombs are the most memorable feature. They were carved into the cliff face, creating a dramatic wall of burial chambers above the ancient city. Even if you do not enter the archaeological site, many of the tombs can be seen from outside.

That point matters because Myra’s entrance fee is not included. One recent tour experience put the admission at 13 euros, but you should confirm the current price before you go. The same experience found that the group spent about 30 minutes inside, which may feel brief when you are paying a separate fee.

I would still enter if ancient architecture is a priority for you. The theater and closer views of the tombs add context that you will not get from the roadside. If your main goal is simply to photograph the cliff tombs, you may decide the extra charge is not worth it for a short visit.

The schedule also limits how much time you can spend reading signs or studying details. Bring your own interest in Lycian history, and ask questions when possible. The tour includes Lycian history and a visit to the Museum of Lycian Civilisations, but the information provided does not spell out exactly how long you spend in each place.

St. Nicholas Church and the Museum Option

The day can include the church dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra, better known in popular culture as Santa Claus. The building began as a church honoring St. Nicholas, and its remains offer another layer of Demre’s past.

The stop is listed as optional, so confirm the day’s exact plan and any related admission cost before you set your expectations. The tour includes a visit to the Museum of Lycian Civilisations, but archaeological entry fees are not included in the base price.

This portion will suit you if you want more than coastal scenery. The boat trip is easy to remember, but the museum and church help connect the visible ruins to the people, beliefs, and cities that shaped the region.

If you are mainly booking for swimming, these inland stops may feel like an interruption. If you want a full Demre and Kekova day, they make the $71 fare more useful.

Food, Equipment, and What to Pack

For the price, the included lunch is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Expect a proper meal rather than a token snack, with chicken and salads, followed by fruit later in the day.

You need to budget for drinks. Bottled water is not guaranteed, and drinks are sold separately. Carry cash, as requested in the tour instructions, and pack a refillable bottle if you can.

Bring these basics:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Comfortable shoes for Kaleköy and Myra

Snorkeling equipment, floating mats, and inflatable rings are provided. You may still prefer to bring your own mask if you care about fit, but the included gear means you do not need to buy equipment for this one day.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour is not suitable for people over 95 years old, according to the activity information.

Is $71 Good Value for This Kekova Day Trip?

At $71 per person, the fare covers Kaş City Centre pickup and drop-off, the road transfer to Demre Harbor, the boat trip, lunch, swim equipment, and the English-language hosting. That is a fair package for a full day covering both Kekova and Demre.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need separate transport and boat bookings. You get the Sunken City, Kaleköy, several bays, Pirates Cave, Karemlik Bay, and inland ruins without managing each connection yourself.

The extra archaeological fee changes the calculation. Myra admission is separate, and drinks are separate. Add those costs before you compare this tour with a boat-only trip from Kaş.

The small-group format is another reason to consider it. The strongest praise centers on organization, food, crew service, and a well-balanced rhythm of swimming and sightseeing. Captain Arif was singled out for exceptional kindness after recovering a phone from roughly five meters of seawater, a practical sign of a crew willing to help when something goes wrong.

You should not book this expecting a lecture at every ruin. The tour’s strength is its range and smooth pacing. Its weaker point is limited time and sometimes limited explanation at the Sunken City.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad introduction to the Kekova coast and Demre in one day. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who like mixing ruins with swimming.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Kaş without a car. The included transfers remove the hardest transport problem, and lunch saves you from arranging food during a long day away from town.

You may want another option if you prefer to linger at one archaeological site, spend hours at one beach, or control every stop. Myra’s short visit and the number of bays mean the schedule favors variety over depth.

People with limited mobility should consider the uneven access at Kaleköy and the ancient sites. The provided information does not give detailed accessibility guidance, so ask the operator before booking if stairs, slopes, or boat boarding are a concern.

Should You Book the Kekova and Myra Day Trip?

Book it if you want one well-filled day that combines the sea, ancient ruins, lunch, and transport from Kaş. The Sunken City, Kaleköy, and the repeated swim stops give the trip a strong coastal core, while Myra adds serious archaeological interest.

Go in prepared to pay extra for drinks and Myra admission, and do not expect a long guided explanation at every stop. Pack water, cash, sun protection, swim gear, and proper walking shoes.

For $71, this is a sound choice for variety and convenience. It is less suitable for anyone who wants a slow-paced day or a detailed study of Myra. If you accept that tradeoff, the mix of turquoise water, Lycian tombs, and a helpful crew makes this one of the more useful full-day excursions from Kaş.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including pickup and drop-off from Kaş City Centre, the transfer to Demre Harbor, the boat trip, and the inland visits.

What is included in the $71 price?

The price includes Kaş City Centre pickup and drop-off, lunch, snorkeling equipment, floating mats, inflatable rings, the boat trip, the Kaleköy visit, Lycian history, and visits connected with Myra and the Museum of Lycian Civilisations.

Is the Myra entrance fee included?

No. Archaeological site entrance fees are not included. One recent tour experience reported a Myra admission charge of 13 euros, but current prices can change.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Additional food and drinks are not included. Bottled water may not be provided, so bring water and cash for purchases.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and cash. Comfortable shoes are also useful for walking around Kaleköy, Simena Castle, and Myra.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.