Kas: (Small Group) Day Trip to Kekova Island, Demre & Myra

Ancient ruins meet clear water. This 10-hour small-group trip from Kaş combines the Sunken City of Kekova, the hilltop ruins of Simena, quiet swimming bays, and the Lycian sites around Demre. I especially like the mix of boat time and archaeology, plus the included lunch and onboard snorkeling gear.

I also like that the route gives you several chances to swim, rather than treating the sea as scenery only. The main drawback is pace: Myra may receive only about 30 minutes, and entry to the archaeological site costs extra. Commentary at the Sunken City can also be brief, so you should arrive ready to ask questions.

The day in five useful points

• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: You cruise beside submerged remains of ancient Dolchiste, but swimming over the ruins is not part of the visit.
• Kaleköy gives you a real village stop: You can walk around ancient Simena, climb toward its castle ruins, and swim from the port.
• Three bays create a proper sea day: Esmeralda, Burç, and Gökkaya bays offer separate breaks for swimming, floating, and water sports.
• Lunch is included and well regarded: Chicken with salads is served on the boat, followed later by fruit.
• Myra and St. Nicholas add important context: The optional land stops bring Lycian tombs, a large Roman theater, and the church linked with St. Nicholas.
• The $71 price is strong for a long day: You get transfers, lunch, boat transport, and equipment, but drinks and archaeological admission are extra.

From Kaş to Demre Harbor

Your day begins with pickup in central Kaş. The exact time changes by season, and the operator sends the final pickup time one day before departure by WhatsApp or email. That matters because this is not a casual midday outing. With 10 hours on the schedule, an early start is likely, and you should keep your morning open.

The transfer takes you from Kaş to Demre Harbor, where you board the boat. This arrangement lets you enjoy the Kekova coast without arranging your own transport or trying to combine several separate tickets. For a small group, it should also feel less impersonal than a large excursion boat, although the exact group size is not specified.

Bring cash. Drinks are not included, and one booking note specifically complained that bottled water was unavailable and paid drinks were the only option. Pack a refillable bottle if you can, while still carrying enough money for anything sold onboard and for the archaeological sites.

Seeing the Sunken City of Kekova from the water

The first major sight is Kekova Island and the remains of ancient Dolchiste, usually called the Sunken City. The boat passes along the coast so you can see walls, foundations, and other remnants below the surface.

This is a place where expectations matter. You are looking through the water from the boat, not walking through the ruins. Swimming around the submerged remains is not described as part of the tour, and the ancient site is protected. Bring a phone or camera, but remember that glare and changing water conditions can make photographs less clear than the view itself.

I would also treat the guide commentary as a bonus rather than the main source of information. A recent trip note called for more explanation, especially here. If you want the story behind the ruins, ask the English-speaking host or guide what you are seeing as the boat moves past. That small effort can turn a pretty cruise into a more meaningful archaeological stop.

Kaleköy and the climb to Simena Castle

The boat anchors at Kaleköy, the modern village beside ancient Simena. This is one of the most appealing stops because it combines a living settlement with old stonework. You get time to walk through the village, look at the castle ruins, and take in views across the Kekova region.

The climb toward Simena Castle is worth considering before you start. The information provided does not give a precise walking time or describe the surface, so wear secure shoes rather than loose sandals. The reward is the elevated view over the water and the scattered islands. Even if you do not go all the way up, Kaleköy gives you a pleasant change from sitting on the boat.

There is also time for a swim in the clear water near the port. Snorkeling equipment, floating mats, and inflatable rings are included, which makes this stop easy for anyone who wants a simple float rather than a serious swim. Towels are not included in the listed package, so bring your own.

Esmeralda Bay turns lunch into a proper break

Esmeralda Bay is the main lunch and swim stop. Its appeal is quiet rather than busy sightseeing. You can eat, stretch out, and get into the water without trying to squeeze lunch between two rushed monuments.

The meal has received particularly strong praise. The reported serving includes chicken with salads, followed later in the afternoon by a selection of fruit. For a full day on a boat, that is useful value. You do not need to arrange a restaurant stop in Demre, and a cold meal fits the rhythm of a coastal trip.

Still, food and drinks are not the same thing. Lunch is included, but additional food and all drinks are extra. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify alternatives, so ask before booking or at pickup.

Burç and Gökkaya bays provide the best water time

The boat continues to Burç Bay, where cool water comes from natural underwater springs. The exact effect will depend on the day and the sea, but the stop is designed for a refreshing swim rather than sightseeing.

Gökkaya Bay offers another swimming break, surrounded by rocky coastal scenery. Water sports are available as an option, though the details and prices are not given. Do not assume every activity is included in the $71 fare. The snorkeling gear, mats, and inflatable rings are included, while paid water sports may be separate.

Three swimming areas, plus the swim at Kaleköy, give this outing a better balance than a route that only pauses once. If you like being in the water, this is a major reason to choose the trip. If you dislike swimming or get cold quickly, the day may feel long because the boat schedule gives the sea a large share of the afternoon.

Pirates Cave and Karemlik Bay

Pirates Cave is a short scenic stop. The cave is known for its large size and curved entrance, giving you one more natural feature between the bays. The available details do not say whether you enter the cave or simply view it from the boat, so expect a look rather than a guaranteed walk inside.

At Karemlik Bay, you watch for sea turtles. The bay is home to three of the seven known sea turtle species, according to the tour information. This is wildlife viewing, not a guaranteed sighting. Keep your expectations sensible and your eyes on the water.

These two stops help break up the swimming schedule. The cave adds a visual landmark, while Karemlik adds a chance to notice local wildlife. Neither should be treated as a long guided visit.

Demre, the Lycian Civilisations Museum, and the extra fees

After the boat returns to Demre Harbor, the land portion begins. The tour includes a visit connected with Lycian history and identifies the Museum of Lycian Civilisations among the included highlights. The exact order of the museum, St. Nicholas Church, and Myra can vary, so listen for instructions when you leave the harbor.

St. Nicholas Church is also called the Santa Claus Museum. It began as a church honoring St. Nicholas of Myra, the figure associated with the later Santa Claus tradition. You can see the remains of the old church and connect the modern legend with its Mediterranean setting.

The supplied information describes St. Nicholas Church and Myra as optional stops, so check what your particular departure includes. The archaeological site entrance fee is not included. One recent booking note put Myra admission at about 13 euros per person, but prices can change, so confirm the current cost before you go.

That fee deserves attention because Myra may get only around 30 minutes. You can see many of the famous rock-cut tombs from outside the site, while entering gives you access to the Roman theater and the archaeological grounds. If you care strongly about ancient sites, paying may feel worthwhile. If you are mainly interested in the tombs, you may decide the brief visit does not justify the extra charge.

Myra’s tombs and the largest theater in Lycia

Myra is the strongest archaeological stop of the day. Its cliffside rock-cut tombs are immediately striking, even if you only view them from near the entrance. These tombs reflect the burial customs and skilled stonework of ancient Lycia.

Inside the site, the Roman-style theater is the main reward. It is described as the largest theater in Lycia, and its scale gives you a clearer sense of how important Myra once was. You should not expect a long, slow archaeological visit, however. The boat day takes up much of the schedule, and the available timing suggests a short stop.

I would choose your priority before leaving Kaş. If you want swimming, bays, and a boat ride with a few ruins, enjoy Myra as a compact final chapter. If Myra is your main reason for going, a separate land visit may give you more time, though that is not part of this tour.

What the $71 price really buys you

At $71 per person, this is a solid package for a full day. The fare includes pickup and drop-off from central Kaş, the transfer to Demre Harbor, the boat trip, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. Floating mats and inflatable rings are included too, which saves you from paying small rental fees during the swimming stops.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange a car, boat, lunch, and several separate admissions. You also get access to a route that would be awkward to manage independently in one day, especially with Kekova, Kaleköy, Demre, and Myra all included.

The price is less complete than it first appears. Drinks, extra food, and archaeological admission cost more. Keep money aside for Myra and any paid water sports at Gökkaya Bay. The lack of included bottled water is another reason to plan ahead.

The tour’s overall rating is 4.7 from 78 bookings, and the strongest praise focuses on organization, food, swimming time, and the crew’s care. One especially memorable incident involved captain Arif going down repeatedly to recover a phone dropped in about five meters of seawater. That is not a promised service, of course, but it suggests a crew willing to help when problems arise.

Who will enjoy this Kaş day trip most

I would recommend this for you if you want three things in one day: a boat ride, several swims, and a taste of Lycian archaeology. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a planned route to arranging multiple connections.

It is also a good choice if you like practical extras. Snorkeling equipment and floating gear are ready to use, lunch is handled, and central Kaş pickup removes one more task from your morning.

You should think twice if you want long museum visits, detailed guiding at every ruin, or a slow pace. The route covers a lot of ground, and Myra may feel rushed. People with limited mobility should also ask the operator about the walk at Kaleköy and access around the archaeological sites before booking, since the available information does not describe those conditions.

The tour is not suitable for people over 95, and the only listed language is English. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and cash.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want the Kekova coast to carry equal weight with the ruins. The combination of the Sunken City, Kaleköy, four possible swim stops, lunch, sea turtle watching, and Myra makes $71 good value, provided you budget for drinks and entry fees.

I would skip it if Myra is your top priority or if you need extensive archaeological explanation. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded Kaş day out, with especially good food and water time. Ask questions at the Sunken City, bring water and cash, and decide in advance if the Myra admission is worth it for a short visit.

FAQ

How long is the Kaş to Kekova and Demre tour?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including the transfer from Kaş to Demre Harbor, the boat route, the land visits, and the return to Kaş.

What is included in the $71 price?

The price includes pickup and drop-off from Kaş City Centre, lunch, the boat trip, snorkeling equipment, floating mats, and inflatable rings.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are extra, so bring cash. One booking note specifically indicated that bottled water was not provided as part of the trip.

Is the Myra entrance fee included?

No. Archaeological site admission is not included. A recent booking note listed the Myra fee as 13 euros per person, but you should confirm the current price.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming breaks are planned at Kaleköy, Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with floating mats and inflatable rings.

Will the boat visit the Sunken City ruins?

The boat cruises along Kekova Island so you can view the submerged remains of ancient Dolchiste from the water.

Is St. Nicholas Church included?

St. Nicholas Church is described as an optional stop. Check the details for your departure to confirm whether it is part of your route.

How will I learn the pickup time?

The pickup time may change by season. You will be notified one day before the tour through WhatsApp or email.