From Kas: Guided Kekova Sea Kayaking Tour

The ancient city lies beneath your paddle. This Kekova sea kayaking tour combines calm-water paddling, a swim at Tersane Bay, and views of Lycian ruins that are hard to appreciate from land. I especially like the round-trip ride from Kaş and the escort boat, which makes the outing feel organized without turning it into a large production.

I also like the small maximum group of 15 and the chance to meet people while moving at an easy pace. The main consideration is the early start and the extra €4 fee for Simena Castle, which is not included in the $60.07 price. If weather turns poor or the minimum group size is not met, the operator may reschedule or refund the booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Kekova’s sunken city is viewed from the water: You paddle above protected ruins, where swimming is not allowed.
• A support boat follows the kayaks: Motorized assistance escorts the group from Üçağız toward Kekova Island.
• The day begins at 8:00 am in Kaş: The drive to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes.
• Simena adds a short cultural stop: Bring cash if you want to enter the castle, with admission listed at €4 per person.
• Lunch and snorkeling equipment are included: The meal takes place in Üçağız after the kayaking route.
• The group stays fairly small: A maximum of 15 people makes instructions and conversation easier.

Why this Kaş kayaking trip is worth your time

Kaş is surrounded by striking coastlines, but Kekova offers something different from a standard boat ride. Here, the main attraction is not only the sea itself. You are looking at traces of an ancient settlement from a kayak, close enough to notice stonework and submerged outlines while still respecting a protected archaeological area.

That viewing angle matters. From a high deck, the ruins can become part of a broad postcard scene. From a kayak, your attention stays close to the waterline. You move slowly, paddle by paddle, and have time to look down and take photographs when the group pauses.

The tour costs $60.07 per person. For that price, you receive transport from the Kaş meeting point, the guided kayaking portion, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and the support of a motorized escort boat. That is solid value for a half-day outing, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange transport to Üçağız and a separate boat trip.

The price does not cover the €4 entrance to Simena Castle. That is a modest extra, but you should know about it before setting out. The tour is offered in English, and the highest praise has gone to the guides. Yasar is noted for helping with kayaking technique while explaining the sights and history, while Ibrahim receives equally warm praise for making the day enjoyable.

From Kaş to Üçağız at 8:00 am

The morning begins at Smiley’s Andifli on İskele Street in Kaş. Pickup details are described as round-trip transport from your hotel or meeting point, while the listed starting point is the Kaş meeting location, so check the exact arrangement when booking.

The drive to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes. That early transfer is useful because it removes the need to find your own way to the kayaking base. It also means you should treat 8:00 am as a firm start, not a loose suggestion. The experience lasts roughly four to six hours, depending on the day’s pace and conditions.

Üçağız is an important part of the outing because it is the launch point for the water route and the place where lunch is served later. Rather than spending the whole day on a bus or a large boat, you use the village as a practical starting and ending point.

The exact breakdown includes travel time, stops, swimming, paddling, and the visit to Simena. Since the schedule runs from early morning into the afternoon, wear something comfortable for both kayaking and walking. You will want sun protection, a way to keep your phone dry, and a little cash for the castle.

A gentle start across Tersane Bay

The group leaves Üçağız around 9:30 am with a motorized support vessel accompanying the kayaks. You paddle southwest toward Kekova Island, reaching Tersane Bay at about 10:15 am.

This first section gives you time to settle into the kayak before reaching the main archaeological sights. The support boat is a practical feature. It provides an escort for the group and helps the outing feel less exposed than an independent paddle, particularly for anyone who is comfortable on the water but not fully confident with navigation.

Tersane Bay is used for a swimming break of about 30 minutes. This is a welcome pause after the transfer and the first period of paddling. The supplied snorkeling equipment gives you the option to look beneath the surface rather than simply sit on the shore or kayak.

The tour information does not promise a particular type of kayak, beach facility, or underwater wildlife. Keep expectations focused on the setting and the pause in the water, not on a planned snorkeling show. The main value here is the chance to swim in a scenic bay before the group reaches the protected ruins.

Paddling above Kekova’s protected ruins

After the swim, the route moves toward the ancient Lycian Sunken City of Kekova. This is the heart of the tour, and the most distinctive reason to choose kayaking over a regular sightseeing excursion.

You slowly paddle alongside and above the remains. The water gives you a close view of the ruins, while the low position of the kayak keeps the experience quiet and personal. The route includes about 30 minutes over the sunken city, followed by another period around Kekova Island for photographs.

Swimming is not permitted in the sunken-city area. That rule protects the archaeological site, and it also keeps the focus on looking rather than turning the ruins into a swimming stop. You should follow the guide’s instructions about where to paddle and where to pause.

This is where Yasar’s role sounds especially useful. Good guidance makes a difference when the main sights are partly underwater and not always obvious at first glance. You are not simply paddling past old stones. The guide helps connect what you see with the Lycian remains and the region’s past.

The water and ruins also create the best photo opportunities of the day. Bring a waterproof phone case or other protection, since the tour puts you close to the water for several hours. The information provided does not specify whether kayaks have built-in dry storage, so do not assume your valuables will stay dry without protection.

Simena and the walk to the castle

The group reaches Simena, also called Kaleköy, at about 11:30 am. You have roughly 45 minutes to explore the small village, the castle ruins, and the necropolis.

This stop changes the rhythm of the tour. After sitting low in a kayak, you get a chance to walk on land and see the Kekova region from above. A hillside hike leads toward Simena Castle and brings wide views across the surrounding water.

The castle entrance costs €4 per person and is not included. I would bring the cash if you want to climb up and see the site properly. The visit is short, so you will not have time for a long archaeological exploration, but the hilltop position gives the stop real value.

You can also use the time for another swim if you prefer not to climb. That choice makes the excursion more flexible. One person in a group can seek out the castle and necropolis while another can stay near the water.

The tradeoff is time. Forty-five minutes is enough for a brisk visit, but not enough for a slow walk, extended photography, and a relaxed swim all at once. Decide early whether the castle or the water matters more to you. If you want the castle, keep an eye on the clock and wear footwear suitable for a hillside walk.

Theimussa’s Lycian sarcophagi and lunch in Üçağız

In the afternoon, the route heads back toward Theimussa for a closer look at Lycian sarcophagi. This adds another layer to the outing. Kekova gives you ruins below the water, while Theimussa offers visible stone monuments on land.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is a useful reminder that the area’s ancient remains are not confined to one famous site. The sarcophagi are a direct, easy-to-understand sight, especially after you have spent the morning viewing partly submerged ruins.

Afterward, you return to the kayak base and continue to Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 pm. Lunch is included, which improves the value of the package and means you do not have to plan a separate meal during the activity.

The supplied details do not specify the menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. It is best viewed as a convenient included meal after the morning’s activity. The tour then returns to the meeting point in Kaş.

What the small group changes

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not a private tour, but it is far more manageable than an outing with dozens of participants.

A group of this size makes it easier to hear instructions, ask questions, and keep the kayaks together behind the support vessel. It also suits the social side of the trip. The experience is designed as a group outing, and the reviews give special praise to the guides who help people enjoy both the paddling and the historical stops.

You should still expect some group pacing. The schedule includes several timed stops, so you will not be able to linger at every point. If you prefer to paddle alone, set your own speed, or spend a full morning at one archaeological site, a private arrangement may suit you better.

For most people, the group format is part of the appeal. You share the road transfer, the swim breaks, the photo stops, and lunch. It is an easy way to meet people while seeing a part of the coast that would take more planning to reach independently.

The practical value of transport, lunch, and equipment

Round-trip transport is one of the strongest practical features. Kaş and Üçağız are separate points on the route, and having the transfer included saves you from arranging a taxi or navigating the drive yourself.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as is lunch. The support boat is also significant, even though it is not listed as a separate paid feature. It accompanies the paddlers as the group moves from Üçağız toward Kekova Island, adding structure and reassurance to the route.

The mobile ticket and English-language operation keep booking simple for visitors planning from Kaş. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. The information does not give a detailed fitness standard, so you should be comfortable with several periods of paddling, a swim break, and an optional hillside walk.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the activity may also be changed if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who will enjoy this Kekova experience most

I would choose this trip if you want a mix of sea time and ancient sites rather than a pure kayaking lesson or a pure history tour. The route gives you swimming, photography, ruins, a village visit, a short walk, and lunch in one compact day.

It is especially suitable for people staying in Kaş who want to see Kekova without building a complicated independent itinerary. The English-speaking guides, included transport, and small group make it approachable for a first visit to the area.

It may not suit you if you want a long, athletic paddle. The schedule is broken into short sections and sightseeing stops, so the emphasis is on seeing the region rather than covering a great distance. It may also disappoint if you expect to swim directly among the sunken ruins, since swimming is prohibited there.

The optional Simena Castle walk is another useful test. If you enjoy a little uphill exploration and historical sites, the €4 entrance is worthwhile. If you would rather stay beside the water, the itinerary gives you that option.

Should you book the From Kaş Kekova kayak tour?

Yes, I would recommend it for most active visitors staying in Kaş. The 4.8 rating from 31 reviews and 94 percent recommendation rate fit the tour’s strongest qualities: excellent guides, beautiful scenery, a well-planned route, and strong value at $60.07.

Book it if you want to paddle over Kekova’s sunken ruins, swim at Tersane Bay, and see Simena without arranging each piece yourself. Bring cash for the €4 castle ticket, protect your phone from water, and prepare for an early morning.

Choose another option if you want complete privacy, a strenuous full-day paddle, or a slow archaeological visit. For a friendly half-day outing that mixes water, ruins, and lunch, this is one of the more useful ways to experience the Kekova coast.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Smiley’s Andifli on İskele Street in Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye. The activity starts at 8:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to six hours.

How long is the drive from Kaş to Üçağız?

The morning drive from Kaş to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is scheduled in Üçağız at about 1:15 pm.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I swim near Kekova’s sunken city?

No. Swimming is not permitted in the protected sunken-city area. A swimming break takes place earlier at Tersane Bay.

Is the entrance to Simena Castle included?

No. Entrance costs €4 per person and is paid separately.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the start time also qualify for a full refund.