From Demre: Day Trip to Kekova by Boat

Kekova is best seen from the water. This seven-hour cruise from Demre combines the sunken ruins of ancient Dolchiste, Simena Castle, quiet bays, swimming stops, and a local lunch into one easy day. I especially like the chance to see the Sunken City without swimming into a protected area, and I like that lunch is included rather than treated as an extra expense.

The boat trip also reaches several coves that are difficult to visit by land, including Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay. The main consideration is that this is not a good choice if you have limited mobility, since boarding, moving around the boat, and visiting Simena involve uneven ground and a hillside walk.

The essential details at a glance

• Seven hours on the water: The boat leaves Demre Harbour in the morning, usually between 10:20 and 10:30 a.m., and returns later the same day.
• Kekova’s sunken ruins: Cruise beside the remains of ancient Dolchiste, flooded by an earthquake in the second century.
• One hour at Simena: Explore Kaleköy, see the Byzantine castle ruins, visit the necropolis, or swim near the port.
• Several swimming breaks: Burç Bay offers about 40 minutes in cooler water, while Gökkaya Bay allows swimming and optional water sports.
• Lunch included: A local meal is served during the bay stops, adding useful value to the $45 price.
• Small-group potential: One booking had only four other people, making for a quieter day on a well-kept boat.

Starting the day at Demre Harbour

You make your own way to Egemenim Yatçılık at Demre Harbour for a morning departure between 10:20 and 10:30. This start time gives you most of the daylight for the long cruise, sightseeing, lunch, and swimming.

The meeting point matters because this is not described as a hotel pickup service. Plan to arrive at the harbour with comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and a sun hat. You will spend much of the day exposed to the sun, even when the boat is moving.

The experience provider, SAILNSTAY, offers instruction in English and Turkish. That is useful for explanations about the ancient sites and for practical information about swimming stops. The boat is intended as a relaxed day on the water, but it is still a full seven-hour outing, so bring the basics you need to stay comfortable.

Cruising past Kekova’s Sunken City

The first major sight is Kekova Island and the Sunken City of ancient Dolchiste. An earthquake in the second century caused part of the city to fall beneath the sea. Today, the boat passes slowly alongside submerged walls, steps, and other remains visible through the clear water.

You cannot swim at this site because it is protected. That rule may disappoint anyone hoping to snorkel directly over the ruins, but it also protects a fragile archaeological area. Cruising beside the remains gives you a good view without damaging the site.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day. You get the odd feeling of looking at a town that still exists, but below the waterline. Keep your camera ready, though reflections and glare can affect photographs. The best view is often the one you see directly from the side of the boat, not necessarily the one captured on a phone.

The cruise around Kekova also gives you time to appreciate the coast itself. Rocky slopes, clear water, small inlets, and scattered ruins replace the usual road traffic and town noise. You are not simply moving from one attraction to another. Much of the appeal comes from the boat ride between stops.

One hour in Kaleköy and Simena Castle

The boat anchors at Kaleköy, the village associated with ancient Simena, for about one hour. This is the most active land stop of the day and the place where you can get closest to the area’s old buildings and ruins.

You can walk uphill toward Simena Castle for broad views across Kekova. The climb also leads toward a necropolis, giving you a closer look at the area’s ancient remains than you get from the boat. Wear shoes with a firm sole, since the route involves a hillside and uneven surfaces.

You also have another option. Stay near the port, browse the small village, or use the time for a swim in the clear water. That flexibility is valuable because not everyone wants to spend a hot hour climbing a hill. If you want the best views, walk upward. If your priority is relaxation, remain by the water.

Admission fees are not included, so check the cost before deciding to enter any chargeable area. The trip includes skip-the-ticket-line access, but that does not mean every admission is free. The exact amount is not provided here.

One hour is enough for a quick look, a short walk, and photographs. It is not enough for a slow archaeological visit. I would treat Simena as a scenic stop with a taste of the village and castle rather than a full historical tour.

Lunch and a swim at Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay provides one of the quieter breaks in the schedule. The boat stops for lunch and time in the water, giving you a chance to step away from the main sightseeing rhythm.

Lunch is included in the $45 price, which makes a real difference to the value of the trip. You do not have to find a restaurant in a remote cove, and you can eat without giving up a large part of the day. The meal is described as local, and one recent booking praised the skipper’s cooking in particular.

Do not expect a restaurant setting. You will be eating as part of a boat excursion, likely with limited time before or after swimming. That is part of the charm, but it also means this is not the tour for anyone seeking a long, formal meal.

Esmeralda Bay is a good place to slow down. After the ancient ruins and the walk at Simena, the simple combination of lunch, sea air, and a quiet cove feels well judged.

Cooling off at Burç Bay

Burç Bay brings another swim stop, lasting about 40 minutes. The water here is cooler because of natural underwater springs. That cooler water can be refreshing on a sunny day, though it may take a moment to adjust.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. The provided information confirms swimming and snorkeling stops, but it does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is supplied. If you already own a mask, packing it would be sensible, but do not assume equipment is included.

The timing gives you enough room for a proper swim rather than a quick dip. You can also stay on deck and enjoy the view if you do not want to enter the water. There is no need to swim at every stop, since the day includes several chances to get in.

Gökkaya Bay and optional water sports

Gökkaya Bay offers another 45-minute stop for swimming, along with optional water sports. This is the most active part of the day for anyone who wants more than a quiet swim.

Water sports are not included in the price. Ask about the cost before taking part, and bring enough personal spending money if this is important to you. Personal expenses are also excluded, so the advertised price is best understood as covering the boat trip and lunch, not every activity available along the way.

The bay itself is part of the attraction. You can swim, remain aboard, or watch the water sports from the boat. The choice makes the stop work for mixed groups, although the extra activities can make the final cost less predictable.

Pirates Cave and the coastal stops between bays

The boat also visits Pirates Cave, a naturally formed cave with a large size and curved entrance. It is the sort of short stop that adds character to the cruise without demanding a long walk or lecture.

The published schedule connects this part of the route with lunch, swimming, and snorkeling for about 40 minutes. Other information places lunch at Esmeralda Bay, so the exact order of these stops may depend on the day’s operating plan. Either way, expect lunch and water time during the bay section rather than at a fixed land restaurant.

A separate unnamed cove is also used for swimming, snorkeling, and scenic views. This stop gives the day a less structured feel. Instead of rushing from one famous sight to the next, you get time in smaller inlets where the main activity is simply being on the water.

Looking for turtles at Karemlik Bay

Karemlik Bay offers the chance to look for sea turtles in their natural setting. Five of the eight known turtle types are found in the Mediterranean, according to the tour information, but sightings are not guaranteed.

That uncertainty is worth keeping in mind. You may see turtles, or you may spend the stop watching for movement in the water and enjoying the bay itself. The possibility adds interest without turning the stop into a promise of guaranteed wildlife.

If you do see one, give it space and avoid chasing it. The best approach is quiet observation from the boat or during a permitted swim. This stop is especially appealing if you enjoy marine life, but it should not be the sole reason you book.

What the $45 price really covers

At $45 per person, this is a good-value full-day boat outing if you want several stops in one booking. You receive roughly seven hours on the water, access to the Kekova route, a visit to Simena, multiple swimming opportunities, and lunch.

The price becomes less complete once you add extras. Admission fees, water sports, and personal expenses are not included. You should also confirm what snorkeling equipment is available, since the schedule includes snorkeling but does not state that gear is provided.

The strongest value comes from the combination of distance and variety. Reaching Kekova by boat lets you see the sunken ruins, the village and castle at Simena, natural caves, turtle habitat, and several bays in one day. Organizing all of that independently would require more planning and may not save money.

Group size can affect how good the value feels. One booking had only four other people aboard, along with a well-kept boat and a skipper who prepared a delicious lunch. A small group gives you more room and a quieter atmosphere, but the usual group size is not stated, so you should not assume every departure will be that intimate.

What to bring and who should skip it

Pack light, but bring the items that matter on a sunny boat:

• Comfortable shoes for the walk at Simena
• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Money for admission fees, water sports, and personal expenses

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and pets are not permitted. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The hillside route at Simena and the physical demands of getting on and off a boat are the main concerns.

You will probably like this experience if you enjoy a mix of history, swimming, scenery, and unhurried time on deck. It also suits people who want to visit Kekova without arranging separate transport, lunch, and coastal stops.

You may prefer another outing if you want a long guided archaeological tour, guaranteed turtle sightings, a fully private boat, or a completely accessible route. Simena is self-guided for part of the visit, and the historical explanations are provided in English and Turkish rather than through a detailed specialist program.

Booking flexibility and practical timing

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans around Demre are still changing.

The morning departure is practical. You get the best use of daylight, and the route has time for both sightseeing and swimming. Since the trip lasts seven hours, avoid scheduling another major activity immediately afterward.

The boat returns to Egemenim Yatçılık at Demre Harbour. Build your day around that return point rather than assuming the boat will drop you elsewhere.

Should you book this Kekova boat trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced day on the water with a strong mix of ruins, swimming, lunch, and coastal scenery. The sunken city and Simena Castle give the trip real purpose, while Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, Esmeralda Bay, Pirates Cave, and Karemlik Bay keep the day from feeling like a single sightseeing cruise.

The best signs are the well-kept boat, friendly staff, tasty skipper-prepared lunch, and the chance of a small group. Just budget for extras, bring sun protection, and understand that Simena involves walking.

At $45, I would choose this trip for a relaxed introduction to Kekova, especially if you have one free day in Demre. I would skip it only if mobility is a concern or if you want a private, fully guided archaeological experience rather than a flexible boat day.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat trip start?

It starts at Egemenim Yatçılık at Demre Harbour.

What time does the boat leave?

The departure is scheduled between 10:20 and 10:30 a.m.

How long does the trip last?

The boat trip lasts seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included in the tour price.

Can I swim at the Sunken City of Simena?

No. Swimming is not permitted around the Sunken City because it is a protected archaeological area.

How long is the stop at Simena Castle?

The boat stays at Kaleköy port for one hour.

Can I visit Simena Castle during the stop?

Yes. You can take a self-guided walk uphill to the castle ruins and necropolis, or remain near the port and swim.

Are water sports included?

No. Water sports are not included and must be paid for separately.

What languages are available?

The activity is offered in English and Turkish.

Is the boat trip suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.