From Ucagiz: Day Trip to Kekova by Boat

Kekova is best seen from the water. This seven-hour boat trip from Ucagiz links calm swimming bays, the ancient Sunken City, Pirates Cave, and Simena Castle in one well-paced day. I especially like the generous swim breaks and the grilled lunch served onboard, two details that make the $45 price feel unusually fair.

I also like that the trip includes time in Kaleköy, ancient Simena, rather than keeping you on the boat all day. The main consideration is the seasonal schedule: early in the year, the advertised departure may not operate exactly as planned, so you should confirm the tour directly if you are visiting outside the main season.

Key details before you book

• One hour at Aquarium Bay: The longest swim stop gives you time to swim, snorkel, relax, and enjoy Turkish tea with biscuits.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: You cruise slowly past the underwater ruins of ancient Dolchiste, but you do not enter the water there.
• Lunch is cooked onboard: The meal includes lunch and fruit, with one booking describing meat grilled fresh on the boat.
• Several swimming stops keep the day active: Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay each offer time in the water, with breaks ranging from 40 to 45 minutes.
• Simena Castle gets a full hour: You can walk uphill to the castle and necropolis, browse around Kaleköy, or stay near the port and swim.
• Captain Mehmet’s boat is the meeting point: Look for the Memedim or Mehmedim 3 boat at Ucagiz harbour and allow time to find the right vessel.

Why this Kekova boat trip offers good value at $45

At $45 per person, this is not just a short scenic cruise. You get about seven hours on the water, morning snacks, lunch, fruit, several swimming breaks, and time ashore at Simena Castle. You also avoid arranging separate boat hire, food, and transport between the bays.

The value comes from the range of the day. Some boat trips around Kekova focus on the Sunken City and return quickly. This one gives you a full circuit of the area, with enough time to swim in several coves and explore one of the coast’s most atmospheric villages.

The food matters, too. A meal on a boat can be a forgettable sandwich, but the onboard lunch here has earned praise for being freshly grilled. You should still think of it as a simple boat meal rather than a restaurant lunch, yet having food included means you do not need to pack a full picnic.

The main tradeoff is that the trip has a fixed route and schedule. If you prefer a quiet private outing where you choose every bay and linger wherever you want, a private boat may suit you better. For a shared day trip, though, the combination of sightseeing and swimming is strong.

Starting at Ucagiz harbour with Captain Mehmet

The meeting point is Ucagiz harbour, at the boat identified as Memedim Boat, also shown as Kekova tekne turu Mehmedim 3. The captain is Mehmet. Departure is scheduled between 10:20 and 10:40 in the morning, and the boat returns to the same harbour after roughly seven hours.

Give yourself time to locate the boat. The harbour can have several similar vessels, and the name may appear slightly differently as Memedim or Mehmedim 3. If you booked close to departure, contact the provider before leaving for the harbour so you know where to stand and who to ask for.

One early-season booking had a confusing start because the listed boat and schedule were not operating as expected. The provider eventually arranged a private outing at the same price, turning a poor beginning into a very good day. That is reassuring, but it also gives you a practical lesson: confirm the departure in shoulder or off-season months.

The host or greeter can speak English and Turkish. An English and Turkish audio guide is included, while the spoken commentary may vary depending on who is working that day. One particularly helpful guide named Mustafa assisted with English explanations and answered questions throughout the trip.

Aquarium Bay gives you a proper hour to swim

The first major stop is Aquarium Bay, known for clear water and a pretty setting beside Kekova Island. You get about an hour here, which is long enough to do more than take a quick dip before the boat moves on.

Pack your swimsuit and towel in an easy-to-reach place. You may also want a dry change of clothes for the return journey, although that is not listed as a required item. Snorkeling is part of the stop, so bring your own equipment if you prefer using personal gear. The experience includes a morning snack, Turkish tea, and biscuits at Aquarium Bay.

This is a good opening stop because you can settle into the rhythm of the day without rushing. You swim, sit in the sun, snack, and get your first proper look at the coast from the water. If you are less interested in swimming, the hour may feel long, since the trip is built around time in the sea.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the boat

The boat then heads toward Kekova Island and the Sunken City. Ancient Dolchiste was flooded by an earthquake in the second century, leaving parts of the settlement beneath the water.

The sightseeing portion lasts about 20 minutes. The boat cruises past the ruins at a speed that allows you to look into the clear water and see the remains below the surface. This is a place for quiet observation rather than an active shore visit.

You cannot treat this as an ordinary snorkeling stop. The Sunken City is protected, and the appeal is seeing the submerged walls, steps, and traces of the old settlement from the boat. Keep your phone or camera ready, but also pay attention to the guide’s explanation. The site makes more sense when you understand that these are not simply rocks beneath the sea, but the remains of a town changed forever by an earthquake.

The stop is brief, so expectations matter. If you want a long archaeological visit with time to study every feature, this boat trip will feel limited. If you like combining history with swimming and coastal scenery, the 20-minute cruise is a useful part of a broader day.

Cooler water at Burç Bay

The next swim stop is Burç Bay, where underwater natural springs make the sea a little cooler. You get around 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

That cooler water can be welcome after sitting in the sun, though it may surprise you when you first get in. This stop gives the day a nice change of pace from Aquarium Bay. The bays are not identical, and the water temperature adds another small difference between them.

The program calls this area a hidden gem, but the more useful way to think of it is as a quieter swim stop between the main sights. You have time to get in, swim around, and dry off without feeling as if the boat is immediately pulling away.

Pirates Cave and its curved entrance

Pirates Cave is viewed during the boat cruise. This naturally formed cave is known for its large size and curved opening, making it one of those stops that works best from the water.

Do not expect a long shore visit or a walk inside. The boat sightseeing lets you look into the cave and appreciate its shape without adding another landing to an already full day. It is a short stop, but it breaks up the swimming schedule and gives you a memorable photograph.

The name may suggest a dramatic pirate story, but the key attraction supplied here is the cave itself: its scale and unusual entrance. Treat it as a scenic feature, not a major archaeological visit.

Lunch and water sports at Gökkaya Bay

Gökkaya Bay brings a longer break of about 45 minutes. This is when lunch is served, along with another chance to swim.

Lunch and fruit are included, and the meal may be grilled directly onboard. That detail gives the trip a more local, informal feel than a packed lunch handed out from a cooler. One booking specifically praised the meat grilled on the boat, so you can reasonably expect the meal to be one of the better parts of the day, while remembering that exact food choices can vary.

The bay also offers optional water sports. The available activities are not specified, so do not book this trip solely for a particular water sport. Think of them as an extra possibility during the stop, not a guaranteed feature.

Gökkaya is a practical midpoint in the day. You can eat, swim, and rest before the final bay stop and the visit to Simena. If you prefer a very quiet lunch, keep in mind that shared boat trips naturally include some movement and conversation around the meal.

A calmer swim at Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay offers another 40-minute stop for swimming and snorkeling. The appeal here is peace and quiet, with time to enjoy the water before the boat heads to Kaleköy.

By this point, you will have had several chances to swim, so you can decide how much energy to save for Simena Castle. I like that the schedule gives you options. You can swim again, snorkel, sit on the boat, or simply enjoy the view without feeling obliged to make every stop active.

The repeated swim breaks are a major reason this trip works well for people who want a full day at sea. They also mean that anyone who dislikes swimming may find the route too water-focused. There is sightseeing at every stage, but swimming remains the main activity.

One hour at Simena Castle and Kaleköy

The boat anchors at Kaleköy, ancient Simena, for a full hour. This is the most important land stop of the day and the point where you can stretch your legs after several hours on the water.

Simena is a small, authentic village with castle ruins and a necropolis. The path uphill leads to Simena Castle, where you get broad views across Kekova and the surrounding coast. The climb is the best choice if you want the history and the views, but the allotted hour is not generous if you move slowly.

The castle entrance fee is not included and costs 1 euro. Carry a little cash for this small extra. The visit is self-guided, although the audio guide and general tour commentary can help provide context.

You can also choose not to climb. Stay near the port, look around the village, shop, or use the remaining time for another swim in the blue water. That flexibility is useful for mixed groups. One person can walk to the castle while another stays at sea level.

I would not treat Simena as a rushed photo stop. It is the place where the day’s ancient history becomes more tangible. The Sunken City is fascinating but seen from a boat. At Simena, you can stand among the ruins and look back across the route you have just followed.

What the boat day feels like in practice

The boat has room inside and on the upper deck, with mattresses available for relaxing. That matters on a seven-hour trip. You will want a place to sit in the shade, lie down between stops, or dry off after swimming.

The day is active without being physically demanding in the usual sense. You board once, cruise between bays, swim several times, eat onboard, and walk uphill only if you choose the castle route. The main effort is managing sun, heat, and repeated transitions between wet and dry.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sun protection
• A small bag for valuables
• Cash for the 1 euro Simena Castle entrance fee

The supplied information specifically requires swimwear and a towel. It does not promise hotel pickup, so plan to reach Ucagiz harbour on your own. After returning, you can walk into the village for dinner or continue to your next destination.

Who should book this seven-hour Kekova trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to combine history, swimming, food, and scenery without arranging several separate activities. Families with older children, couples, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy a relaxed day on the water should find the format appealing.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want several swim breaks rather than one short stop
• You like seeing historic sites but do not need a long museum-style visit
• You appreciate lunch and snacks included in the price
• You want time ashore at Simena Castle
• You are comfortable sharing a boat and following a set route

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, sun, or swimming. The trip is built around the sea, and about half of its appeal comes from the repeated water stops. I would also think twice if your main goal is a long, detailed archaeological tour, because the Sunken City is seen from the boat and Simena receives one hour.

The English support seems to depend partly on the guide assigned that day. Mustafa received particular praise for explaining the sights clearly in English, while the main boat speech may be in Turkish. If detailed English commentary is crucial to you, confirm how the guide service will work before booking.

Should you book this Ucagiz to Kekova boat trip?

Yes, if you want strong value and a varied day. For $45, the combination of seven hours, lunch, fruit, snacks, multiple swim stops, the Sunken City, Pirates Cave, and Simena Castle is hard to fault.

Book it with two cautions. First, confirm the boat and departure time if you are visiting early or late in the season. Second, pack for a day centered on swimming, not a formal guided archaeology tour.

For most people, the best feature is the balance. You get enough history to give the coast meaning, enough swimming to keep the day fun, and enough free time at Simena to make the trip feel more than a simple boat ride.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat trip start?

The trip starts at Ucagiz harbour, at the Memedim Boat, also identified as Kekova tekne turu Mehmedim 3. The captain is Mehmet.

What time does the boat leave?

Departure is scheduled between 10:20 and 10:40 in the morning. Starting times should be confirmed when you check availability.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts approximately seven hours and returns to Ucagiz harbour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, morning snacks, and fruit service are included. The lunch may include meat grilled onboard.

How many swimming stops are included?

Swimming or snorkeling is offered at Aquarium Bay, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay. Aquarium Bay has about one hour, while the other listed swimming breaks last about 40 to 45 minutes.

Can you swim at the Sunken City?

The Sunken City is visited by boat cruise and guided sightseeing. The provided details do not include a swimming stop there.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is separate and costs 1 euro.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should also keep cash available for the Simena Castle entrance fee.