Deluxe Sunken City Boat Guided Tour From Kas

Ancient ruins meet a very good swim day. This eight-hour boat trip from Kas combines Kekova Island, the Sunken City of Simena, and Kaleköy with time in the water and a full lunch. I like the small maximum group of eight and the chance to see the ruins from both the boat and the sea. The main drawback is the price, $241.36 per person, with drinks and the Simena Castle admission charged separately.

I also like that Captain Mustafa and his wife operate a boat suited to both sun lovers and shade seekers. The boat appears to offer a more personal day than a large excursion vessel, with several swimming pauses and a generous meal. Still, you should budget for bottled water, coffee, soft drinks, or alcohol, since only lunch is included.

Five things worth knowing before you book

• The group is limited to eight people, which gives the day a private-boat feel without requiring you to charter the whole vessel.
• Kekova Island gets a long two-hour stop for swimming and time near the submerged ruins.
• You see the Sunken City from the boat, since this protected ancient site is viewed from the water.
• Snorkeling equipment is included, giving you the option to look below the surface rather than only admire the ruins from deck level.
• Simena Castle takes about an hour, with a choice between climbing to the ruins or staying in Kaleköy for homemade ice cream.
• Lunch is included, but drinks are not, so plan ahead for water and other beverages.

Why this eight-hour boat trip is different

The Kas coast has no shortage of boat outings, but this one has a clear purpose beyond swimming in pretty coves. Its main draw is Kekova, where ancient remains sit partly beneath the sea after earthquake damage and shoreline changes reshaped the old settlement.

You spend much of the day outdoors, moving between quiet bays, historical remains, and the island village of Kaleköy. The pace is easy to understand: cruise, swim, eat, look at ruins, then cruise again. You are not being rushed through a long list of stops.

The small group limit matters. With no more than eight people, you should have a better chance of finding a comfortable place on deck, in the shade, or near the water. A boat of this size also makes the day feel more relaxed for families and small parties. One family of four with two teenage daughters especially appreciated the boat’s many sunny and shaded areas.

This is still a full-day outing. If you want only a quick swim before lunch, eight hours may feel long. If you enjoy being on the water and prefer a complete day away from Kas, the duration gives the experience room to breathe.

The boat, the crew, and the feel of the day

The boat is associated with Captain Mustafa and his wife, who handle the experience together. Their presence is part of the appeal. You get a more personal setting than a crowded vessel carrying a large group, and the available feedback places strong emphasis on their hospitality and the condition of the boat.

The boat is described as spacious enough to offer both open sun areas and shade. That is useful in the Mediterranean heat, especially on an eight-hour trip. You can move around rather than spending the entire day in one exposed seat.

The trip is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is near public transportation, which helps if you are arranging your day around other plans in Kas. The exact pickup details are not provided, so check the meeting instructions carefully before setting out.

The food receives unusually strong praise. The lunch is described as a large, multi-course meal, followed by dessert, tea, and fruit. Tea is not included as a general drink item in the tour details, so you should confirm how any tea served with lunch is handled. At minimum, do not assume that other drinks throughout the day are covered.

Passing the small pebble beach

Early in the route, the boat passes near a small pebble beach. This is not listed as a main stop, so expect a brief look rather than a guaranteed long beach visit.

That small detail helps set the tone for the trip. You are seeing the coast from the water instead of spending the day on one beach. From the deck, the shoreline becomes part of the experience, with short views of coves and old stone remains between the longer stops.

Because no exact timetable is provided for this pass, keep your camera ready and do not treat it as a standalone beach excursion. The main swimming time comes at Kekova Island.

Two hours at Kekova Island

Kekova Island is the heart of the day. You stop for about two hours, with time for swimming and for seeing the Sunken City. This is the longest listed stop, and rightly so. It gives you enough time to enjoy the water without reducing the historical part to a quick glance.

The ruins are viewed from the boat, and the area is also part of the snorkeling program. That combination is important. You can first look across the water at the visible remains, then use the provided equipment to explore the surface beneath you where conditions allow.

Do not expect to walk through the submerged city. The experience is water-based, and the ancient remains are seen from the boat and while snorkeling. That limitation is also part of the site’s character. You are observing a fragile archaeological area rather than treating it like an ordinary swimming pool.

The two-hour window should suit most people. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can stay aboard and enjoy the view. Families may appreciate having room to split up, with some people snorkeling and others remaining on deck.

The supplied equipment saves you from bringing your own mask and snorkel. Still, if you already have equipment you prefer, you may find it more comfortable to bring it, although the tour specifically includes snorkeling gear.

Seeing the Sunken City from the boat

The Sunken City of Simena is not a standard ruin site where you walk among columns and walls. Much of its interest comes from the unusual sight of ancient structures meeting the sea. You see the remains from the boat as it passes the protected area.

This viewpoint is valuable because it lets you understand the relationship between the old settlement and the coastline. The ruins are not isolated behind museum glass. They are part of the water route, which makes the boat itself the viewing platform.

The tradeoff is that the experience depends on visibility, weather, and your position on the boat. You will not get a long land visit at the submerged city. If you want detailed archaeological interpretation or extensive time among ruins, this boat trip may feel light on formal history. If you prefer a scenic encounter with an unusual ancient site, the water view is the point.

Bring patience. The best experience comes from taking in the entire scene rather than expecting one dramatic monument. The remains are spread along the route, so pay attention as the boat moves slowly past the area.

Snorkeling where history meets the sea

Snorkeling equipment is included, and the Kekova stop gives you the main chance to use it. This turns the visit into more than a sightseeing cruise. You can cool off, see the coastline from water level, and look toward the submerged remains beneath the boat route.

The tour information does not promise particular marine life or specific underwater visibility, so I would not book it as a dedicated wildlife snorkeling trip. Its strength is the setting: you are swimming in the same general area where the ancient remains can be viewed.

The swimming stops also appear to be a major part of the boat day. One detailed account describes four swimming pauses in attractive bays, while the formal schedule specifically guarantees the Kekova Island stop. That means you should expect a water-focused outing, but confirm the exact number of swimming stops for your date.

If you do not swim, the trip can still work, thanks to the boat’s shade and deck space. However, much of the value comes from getting into the water, so confident swimmers and families with older children are likely to get the most from it.

One hour at Simena Castle and Kaleköy

The second named stop is Simena Castle, with about one hour on the island. Here you have two clear choices: climb to the castle or stay below for homemade ice cream.

The climb is the better choice if you want a wider view and more ruins. The castle gives the historical side of the day a land-based moment, after the unusual boat view of the Sunken City. You should allow enough of the hour for walking up and returning to the boat, since the stop is limited.

The ice cream option is more relaxed. Kaleköy is known for its small-island atmosphere, and homemade ice cream gives you a simple local treat rather than another demanding sightseeing task. If the heat has caught up with you, sitting down with something cold may be wiser than forcing a climb.

The admission ticket for Simena Castle is not included. Keep that extra cost in mind if you plan to go inside. The tour price covers the boat experience, lunch, fuel surcharge, and snorkeling equipment, but not this entry fee.

An hour is enough for a taste, not a full exploration. You will need to choose your priority. Go uphill for the castle and views, or stay near the village for a slower break.

Lunch is a real part of the value

Lunch is not just a minor inclusion here. The food is described as a large, tasty plate, and one account praises a multi-course meal with dessert, tea, and fruit afterward. For an eight-hour boat day, that makes a noticeable difference.

A filling meal helps justify the length of the outing. You are not expected to arrange lunch in the middle of the route, and you can return to swimming or sightseeing without hunting for food in a small coastal settlement.

Only lunch is formally included. Bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks are listed as extra or not included. I would bring money for drinks and check what is available on board before departure. Since a hot day on the sea can leave you thirsty, bottled water should be your first priority.

The meal also adds value for families. Food costs can mount during a full day out, so having lunch covered makes the $241.36 price easier to assess. Still, the value depends on how many people are in your party and how much use you make of the boat, swimming time, and included equipment.

Is $241.36 a fair price?

At $241.36 per person, this is not the budget choice for seeing Kekova. The price makes more sense if you value a small group, a full eight-hour schedule, included lunch, snorkeling equipment, and a boat with room for both sun and shade.

A large boat outing may cost less, but it may also bring a much bigger group and less flexible deck space. This tour’s limit of eight people is the strongest reason to pay more. For a family, couple, or small group that wants a quieter day, the premium may be worthwhile.

The value is also helped by the fuel surcharge being included. You do not need to worry about that separate charge appearing later. Lunch is included as well, though drinks and castle admission need to be added to your mental budget.

I would be more cautious if your main aim is simply to swim. The cost is high for a beach-and-water day alone. The better reason to book is the combination of the Sunken City, Kekova Island, Simena Castle, a meal, and a small boat setting.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits you if you want a full day on the Mediterranean and like mixing swimming with history. It is especially appealing for:

• Families with older children or teenagers who can enjoy both the water and the castle stop
• Couples and small groups who prefer a maximum of eight people
• Visitors who want snorkeling equipment provided
• Anyone who values a proper lunch during a long excursion
• People who would rather see ruins from the sea than spend the day in a formal archaeological site

It may not suit you if you dislike boats, rarely swim, or want a detailed guided history lesson at every stop. The experience is built around scenery, swimming, and a few memorable historical sites, not an intensive land tour.

The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. Good weather is required, and the trip can be moved or refunded if conditions are poor. A minimum number of participants is also required, so keep that possibility in mind when planning tightly around other bookings.

My practical booking advice

Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and a way to pay for drinks and the castle ticket. Since shade is available but the boat remains exposed to the sun for much of the day, you will be glad to have a cover-up and water.

Set realistic expectations about the ruins. You see the Sunken City from the boat and water, not by walking through it. The experience is about the unusual setting and the chance to swim nearby.

The tour has free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted, and all times follow local time in Kas.

Should you book the Deluxe Sunken City Boat Tour?

I would book this if you want a small-group day with swimming, lunch, and ancient sites rather than the cheapest way to reach Kekova. Captain Mustafa and his wife, the spacious boat, several water stops, and the substantial meal give the day a personal feel.

I would skip it if $241.36 feels too high for a boat outing or if you are not interested in swimming. For everyone else, the mix of Kekova Island, the Sunken City, Simena Castle, snorkeling, and a relaxed lunch makes this a strong full-day choice from Kas.

FAQ

How long does the Deluxe Sunken City Boat Tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the boat tour take place?

The tour operates from Kas and visits Kekova Island, the Sunken City of Simena, and Simena Castle near Kaleköy.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, but drinks are not included.

Are drinks included in the tour price?

No. Bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The use of snorkeling equipment is included.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of eight people.

Is admission to Simena Castle included?

No. The admission ticket for Simena Castle is not included.