Private Kekova Sailing Day Tours from Kas Marina

Kekova’s Sunken City ruins are best seen from the water, where the yacht can move slowly along the shoreline and the captain can point out submerged walls and ancient remains. This private Kaş sailing day also gives you time to swim, eat lunch aboard, and visit Simena Castle without sharing the boat with strangers.

I like the space and flexibility of a private boat for up to six people, especially for families. I also like the mix of swimming stops and ancient sites: this is not eight hours of sitting on deck, but it is not a rushed sightseeing circuit either.

The main consideration is the price: $1,375.67 per group, which is a serious outlay for two or three people but works out to about $229 per person if six people share it. Drinks are extra, and hotel transport is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Kekova from the sea: View the Sunken City ruins from the yacht as the boat passes slowly along the coast.
• Four swimming breaks: Swim at İnönü, Aquarium, Tersane, and Çamlık bays, with snorkeling equipment provided.
• A real private experience: Only your group participates, with room for up to six people.
• Lunch prepared aboard: The skipper and chef handle the day while you swim and relax.
• Simena Castle on foot: Allow one hour to explore the castle, village, and handmade ice cream shops.
• Long but well-paced day: The tour runs from 9:30 a.m. until about 6 p.m., with sailing time between stops.

A full day from Kaş to Kekova

This trip is built around the stretch of coast between Kaş and Kekova, one of southern Turkey’s finest areas for combining swimming with ancient sites. You spend much of the day on a private yacht, but the route includes enough shore time to make the outing feel varied.

You meet at Setur Kaş Marina at 9:30 a.m. The tour returns to the same marina around 6 p.m., so you should plan on a full day rather than a short morning cruise. Since hotel pickup is not included, you need to make your own way to the marina.

The private format matters here. A group of six can spread out, keep the mood relaxed, and make small requests more easily than on a large public boat. Families also get more control over swimming time, meals, and the pace of the day.

The yacht is staffed by a skipper and chef. Captain Erdem is closely associated with the sailing operation, and past sailing experiences connected with the company also mention crew members such as Mohammed, Captain Ufuk, and Chef Ezra. The exact crew for your booking should be confirmed when you reserve.

İnönü Bay: the first swim

The first stop is İnönü Bay, reached after leaving Kaş. The yacht anchors here for about 30 minutes, giving you a quick introduction to the clear coastal water before the longer sailing sections begin.

There is a small sandy beach at the left corner of the bay. You can swim from the boat or head toward the beach, depending on sea conditions and the captain’s instructions. This is a short stop, so do not expect a long beach visit.

I like the way this opening swim breaks up the morning. You get into the water early, then return to the yacht refreshed before the boat continues toward Kekova. Bring swimwear under your clothes if you want to get in quickly, and keep a towel handy.

Aquarium Bay: swim while lunch is prepared

After roughly one hour of sailing from İnönü Bay, the yacht reaches Aquarium Bay. The tour allows about an hour here, making it one of the more generous swimming pauses of the day.

While you swim, the chef prepares lunch aboard the yacht. That arrangement is practical: you are not losing sightseeing time to a restaurant transfer, and the meal is served in the setting you came to enjoy, with the sea around you.

Lunch is included, as are coffee or tea and afternoon tea. Drinks are not included, so check what you want to bring or purchase before departure. The food is one of the strongest parts of the sailing service, with past bookings praising its quality, presentation, and generous onboard cooking.

Aquarium Bay is also a good place to use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The tour does not promise a particular type of marine life, but the clear water and protected bay make this a natural time to look below the surface.

Seeing the Sunken City of Kekova from the yacht

After lunch, the yacht heads toward the Sunken City ruins of Kekova. The boat moves slowly past the ancient shoreline while the captain explains what you are seeing.

This is the right way to approach the site. The ruins are protected, and the appeal comes from viewing the submerged remains from the water rather than treating the area like an ordinary swimming stop. You may see traces of ancient structures beneath the surface and along the rocky coast, although visibility depends on water and weather conditions.

The viewing portion lasts about 15 minutes according to the planned schedule. That sounds brief, but the boat’s slow movement gives you time to look, listen, and take photographs. If ancient sites are a priority for you, tell the captain before departure. The sailing team has previously adjusted its approach to suit groups especially interested in archaeology and local history.

Do not expect to go ashore at the Sunken City itself. The attraction is the view from the yacht, followed by a land visit at Simena Castle.

Simena Castle and the village of Kaleköy

The next stop is Simena Castle, where you have about one hour of free time. This is the main walking portion of the day, so wear shoes that are comfortable on uneven ground.

You can explore the castle, walk through the village, and try handmade ice cream. The castle gives you a change of scene after several hours on the water, while the village offers a chance to see a small coastal settlement rather than only passing historic remains from a boat.

Admission to the castle is not included, so carry some money for the entrance fee and for anything you buy in the village. The tour price covers the boat, crew, lunch, taxes, fees, snorkeling equipment, and listed drinks such as coffee and tea, but not this admission or other personal purchases.

One hour is enough for a focused visit, not a slow archaeological study. If you want to examine every corner of the site, you may find the shore stop short. On the other hand, the limited time helps keep the day moving and leaves room for another swim.

Lycian tombs at Üçağız Village

After Simena Castle, the route passes the Lycian tombs at Üçağız Village. The schedule does not list a separate long walking stop here, so think of this as a brief sightseeing section rather than a full village tour.

The tombs are a useful reminder that Kekova is more than a pretty sailing area. Ancient remains appear throughout the coast, and seeing them in sequence helps connect the underwater ruins, the castle, and the Lycian sites into one historical route.

You will get more from this section if you listen closely to the captain’s explanation and ask questions. The tour is private, so you have a better chance of shaping the conversation around archaeology, local life, or the sailing route than you would on a crowded excursion.

Tersane Bay: the afternoon swimming stop

Tersane Bay, also called Shipyard Bay, is the third named swimming stop. The yacht spends about 30 minutes here before beginning the return journey toward Kaş.

This is a good time for a final proper swim away from the marina. By this point, you will have had lunch, visited the castle, and spent several hours in the sun, so the shorter stop feels manageable rather than rushed.

As with the other bays, the yacht anchors and you can use the snorkeling equipment. Sea conditions determine how comfortable the water feels, and the captain controls the exact anchoring point for safety. The tour does not promise sailing under wind power at every stage, so expect a boat trip that may include motoring as well as sailing.

Çamlık Bay near Kaş

The last swimming break takes place at Çamlık Bay, near Kaş. After about one hour of sailing from Tersane Bay, the yacht stops for another 30 minutes.

This final pause gives you one last chance to swim before returning to the marina. It also breaks up the journey home, which is useful after a full day of sitting, walking, eating, and swimming.

The planned return is around 6 p.m. at Kaş Marina. Since the timing is approximate, avoid booking an evening activity that requires you to leave immediately. A little breathing room is sensible, especially if weather or sea conditions affect the sailing time.

Food, service, and the yacht experience

The tour includes lunch, coffee or tea, afternoon tea, and snorkeling equipment. That makes the day easier than arranging food and gear separately, and it keeps the group aboard for most of the route.

The strongest praise around this sailing operation centers on the food, cleanliness, hospitality, and condition of the yacht. Past sailing bookings describe well-presented meals, a clean and well-maintained vessel, and crew members who are friendly without being overbearing.

The yacht has also been identified in past bookings as a 2018 Beneteau Oceanis 48, sometimes referred to as Tundra. You should confirm the exact vessel for your date, since the tour information describes a yacht but does not guarantee a particular boat model.

Some past sailing groups received drone photographs or video, and one booking included use of a waterproof GoPro. Those extras are not listed among the inclusions for this day tour, so do not count on them unless the operator confirms them in advance.

The crew’s role is another reason this works well for a small group. The skipper handles navigation and safety, while the chef prepares the meal. You are paying for an operated private yacht, not simply a bareboat rental, which is important when considering the price.

Is $1,375.67 good value?

The listed price is $1,375.67 for up to six people. For six people, that is about $229 per person. For four people, it is about $344 per person, and for two, it is about $688 per person.

That makes this a poor fit for a couple focused mainly on swimming. Kaş has other boat options, and a large shared excursion will usually cost less. The private yacht becomes easier to justify when you have six people, want personal space, care about a chef-prepared lunch, and prefer not to follow a large group.

The price includes the private tour, skipper, chef, lunch, coffee or tea, afternoon tea, snorkeling equipment, and taxes and handling charges. You still need to budget for drinks, Simena Castle admission, and transport to the marina.

For a family or group marking a birthday or special occasion, the value comes from having the whole day arranged around your own group. The boat is the setting, transport, dining room, swimming platform, and sightseeing base all at once.

Who should book this sailing day?

I would recommend it most strongly for:

• Families who want a private boat and a manageable route
• Groups of four to six who can share the fixed price
• Visitors who want both swimming and ancient sites
• People who value a chef-prepared lunch aboard
• Anyone who prefers a slower, more personal day to a large group cruise

It is less suitable if you dislike spending long periods on a boat, need hotel pickup, want a detailed archaeological tour at every site, or are traveling with only one other person and watching costs closely.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity information says most people can participate and that the marina is near public transportation, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information for the yacht, beach, or castle. Ask the operator about mobility needs before booking.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear swimwear beneath your morning clothes and bring sun protection. You will have several swimming breaks, but the schedule also includes a walk at Simena Castle, so pack footwear that handles uneven surfaces.

Bring money for drinks and the castle entrance. Since drinks are excluded, do not assume that the included coffee and tea cover bottled water, soft drinks, or alcoholic drinks.

If your group has strong interests, share them before departure. Past sailing arrangements have included attention to a group’s interest in ancient sites, and a private tour gives the captain more room to tailor explanations and the pace.

Confirm the meeting details through the operator after booking. The official meeting point is Setur Kaş Marina, Andifli, Uğur Mumcu Cd., Kaş, Antalya. Confirmation is issued at booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Kekova sailing tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the six places and want a polished private day that combines clear-water swimming, onboard food, and ancient coastal sites. The route is well balanced: four swims, a slow look at the Sunken City, an hour at Simena Castle, and enough sailing time to enjoy the coast.

Skip it if the price will strain your budget or if your main goal is simply to swim for a few hours. For the right-sized group, though, this is a strong way to see Kekova without giving up comfort, privacy, or a proper meal.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Setur Kaş Marina, Andifli, Uğur Mumcu Cd., Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the tour depart?

The scheduled departure time is 9:30 a.m.

When does the tour return to Kaş?

The yacht is scheduled to return to Kaş Marina at about 6 p.m. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The sailing day lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with coffee or tea and afternoon tea.

Are drinks included?

Coffee and tea are included, but other drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Setur Kaş Marina yourself.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is admission to Simena Castle included?

No. Admission to Simena Castle is not included in the tour price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.