Kekova Private Full-Day Boat Trip

Kekova puts ancient ruins beneath your swimming route. This private cruise from Kaş or Kalkan combines clear-water swimming with the remarkable Sunken City ruins, then adds a generous Turkish lunch prepared aboard the boat. I especially like the freedom to shape the day with the captain, and the small-group setting means you are not tied to a crowded boat schedule.

The main consideration is the price: $780.95 per group of up to 12 people. That is a serious cost for one or two people, but it becomes much better value when shared among a family or group of friends. The day also depends on good weather, and the long list of swimming stops may suit water lovers more than visitors seeking a land-based archaeological tour.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves from Üçağız, about 30 kilometers from Kaş and 60 kilometers from Kalkan, after pickup from your hotel or villa.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, with no walking among the submerged ruins.
• You get several swimming breaks, including Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, Burç, and the bay opposite Kekova Island.
• Lunch is a full Turkish spread, with five olive-oil mezes, grilled chicken or fish, fruit, and snacks.
• Simena, also called Kaleköy, allows about one hour ashore for the castle and old village.
• The private format is most valuable for groups, since the price covers up to 12 people rather than charging each person separately.

From Kaş to Üçağız, the gateway to Kekova

Your day begins with pickup from a hotel or villa in Kaş or Kalkan. You send the accommodation location by WhatsApp, and the operator arranges the pickup. From there, you drive to Üçağız, the small harbor village used as the starting point for the Kekova coast.

The drive matters when planning your day. Üçağız is roughly 30 kilometers from Kaş and 60 kilometers from Kalkan, so the boat portion does not begin right outside your accommodation. The listed experience lasts about seven and a half hours, but you should allow extra time for the road journey to and from the harbor.

At Üçağız, the private boat is ready at the harbor. The boat used for the trip has been praised for being spacious and comfortable, with plenty of shaded seating. That is useful in the hot Mediterranean sun. You can enjoy the upper deck and open views, then move into shade when the heat catches up with you.

The crew setup can vary, but the boat is described as a family-run operation. Captain Ali, Captain Ibrahim, and family members such as Elif are named in the feedback, so you may find a warm, personal style rather than a large commercial crew. English was spoken by Captain Ali, which helped with communication for one family.

Aquarium Bay starts the swimming day

The first stop is Aquarium Bay, chosen for its unusually clear water. You can look straight down and see beneath the surface, making this an easy place to start with a swim or a little snorkeling.

You get about 45 minutes here. Turkish tea is served at the bay, a simple but welcome touch after the drive from Kaş or Kalkan. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes so you can get into the water without fuss, and pack a towel since the boat is not presented as a beach facility.

Snorkeling gear may be available on board, but some people brought their own and found it useful. If seeing underwater rock, ruins, and sea life is important to you, bringing your own mask and snorkel is the safest choice. The water clarity is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip, but you should be comfortable getting into the sea from the boat.

Passing the Sunken City by boat

The cruise then slows beside the Sunken City ruins of Simena. A major earthquake caused part of the ancient settlement to sink, leaving submerged houses, a cistern, stairways, and other stone remains beneath the water.

You spend about 40 minutes moving carefully along the coast. This is a viewing stop, not a shore visit. You cannot walk through the ruins, and the boat does not take you into the water among them. Still, seeing the stone remains below the surface gives the site its unusual character. The ancient structures are not separated from the sea. They are part of it.

Keep your camera ready, but understand that photographs depend on water clarity, sunlight, and your position on the boat. The ruins are best appreciated as part of a slow coastal passage rather than as a formal museum visit. If you want plaques, displays, or a detailed archaeological explanation, this trip may feel light on interpretation. If you prefer history presented in a natural setting, it works very well.

The captain can provide background and point out features along the shore. Because this is a private boat, you can also ask questions or request a slower look, subject to the captain’s judgment and the conditions on the water.

Tersane Bay, where history meets a swim

Tersane Bay, also known as Shipyard Bay, brings you back into the water for another 45-minute break. Sunken ruins are found here as well, and you can swim above them.

This is one of the more unusual parts of the day. You are not simply swimming in a pretty cove, and you are not only looking at ancient stones from a distance. The two experiences meet in the same place, with the remains below and the boat anchored above.

The exact underwater visibility can change, so do not expect every ruin to appear perfectly clear. Even so, a mask makes this stop more rewarding. If some members of your group do not swim, the boat’s shaded areas let them relax while others use the water.

A long lunch stop at Gökkaya Bay

Behind Aşırlı Island, the boat reaches Gökkaya Bay for the longest pause of the day. You get about an hour and a half for lunch and swimming, giving this stop a slower rhythm than the earlier breaks.

Lunch is prepared on board and served buffet style. The meal includes five Turkish olive-oil mezes made by the captain’s wife, fruit, snacks, and either barbecued chicken or fish, depending on your choice. Coffee or tea is included, and fruit is available again later in the day.

This is not a token boat lunch. The food is one of the most praised parts of the experience. The home-cooked mezes are described as fresh and plentiful, and one family called the meal their favorite of a four-week holiday. Another group appreciated having leftovers packed up to take home. Those details suggest a generous, homemade meal rather than a few basic sandwiches.

You should tell the operator your preference between chicken and fish when arranging the meal. Alcohol is not included, but you may bring your own drinks. The tour does not promise a fully stocked bar, so plan ahead if you want something specific.

Gökkaya Bay is also the right place to take a break from the schedule. You can swim, eat, sit in the shade, or simply enjoy the view from the deck. The captain is described as flexible about spending more or less time in particular areas, though the full route cannot be stretched without limit.

Pirate Cave and the bays near Kekova Island

After lunch, the boat stops briefly at Aşırlı Island to see Pirate Cave. The cave is natural and the stop lasts only about 10 minutes, mainly for photographs.

This is a short scenic pause, not a major exploration. You should not expect to walk through a large cave system or spend much time ashore. It works as a quick change of scene between the longer meal stop and the next swims.

The route then reaches Burç Bay, opposite Kekova Island, for another 45-minute swim. The water is the main attraction here, and the repeated swimming breaks make this trip a strong choice for people who want their day to revolve around the sea.

A final swimming stop near Kekova Island lasts about 30 minutes. Fruit is served on the boat, giving you an easy snack before the return journey. By this point, you will have had several chances to swim, so anyone who prefers sightseeing to water activities may find the pace repetitive.

That is the central tradeoff of this trip. The itinerary includes many stops, but most are coastal pauses rather than long walks or formal visits. For a group that wants to swim, eat, sunbathe, and see ruins from the water, the pace is excellent. For a group with reluctant swimmers, the private boat helps because non-swimmers can remain on board, but the day is still built around the sea.

One hour in Simena, or Kaleköy

The final major stop is Simena’s old town, also called Kaleköy, or Castle Village. You leave the boat and get about one hour to explore.

You can walk around the village, go up toward the castle, or swim near the shore. This is your best chance to experience Kekova on land rather than only from the deck. The village gives the day a useful change of pace after hours on the water.

One hour is enough for a look around, but it is not a long archaeological visit. If you want to climb slowly, stop often, and spend a lot of time taking photographs, you may feel rushed. The castle route can also be more demanding than strolling along the waterfront, so decide early how you want to use the time.

I would treat Simena as a compact finishing visit, not the sole reason to book the trip. The real appeal is the combination of the old village, the castle setting, and the return to the boat after a day of swimming.

Afterward, you return by boat to Üçağız and drive back to Kaş or Kalkan. Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation remove the need to arrange your own transport to the harbor.

Why the private format can be worth the price

At $780.95 per group, the cost looks high if you are booking for two people. For 12 people, it works out to about $65 per person before any separate drinks or extras. Even with a smaller group, the price buys more than transport.

You are paying for a private boat, private transportation, lunch, a flexible route, and a full day on the Kekova coast. You also avoid sharing the boat with a large mixed group. The captain can discuss which bays appeal to you and may spend shorter or longer periods at different stops, depending on the day.

That flexibility is especially useful for families and friend groups. One family with children aged 10 and 13 found the boat spacious and comfortable, while another group preferred being taken to quieter coves away from other boats. Those are practical benefits that are difficult to get on a fixed group cruise.

The value is weaker for a couple unless privacy is a major priority or the trip is a special occasion. A honeymoon couple called it a worthwhile splurge, which is a fair way to view it. You are buying comfort, personal attention, and control over your day, not simply a boat ride.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a camera. A hat can help on the open deck, while shaded seating gives you a break when needed.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you have it. Some equipment may be available on board, but personal gear gives you a better fit and avoids relying on limited supplies. You can also bring alcoholic drinks, since they are not included.

The meal, tea, coffee, fruit, and snacks are included, so you do not need to pack a full picnic. If you have a specific food need, contact the operator before the day. The provided information confirms the chicken or fish choice, but it does not give a full list of dietary alternatives.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this Kekova boat trip?

I would choose this trip for a family, group of friends, honeymoon couple, or anyone who wants a private day rather than a fixed group cruise. It is particularly well suited to people who rate swimming, food, and scenery as highly as ancient sites.

The experience is also a good fit if you want front-door pickup from Kaş or Kalkan and do not want to organize the drive to Üçağız yourself. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat gives non-swimmers room to relax, though the schedule still centers on swimming.

I would think twice if your main goal is an in-depth archaeological tour. The Sunken City is seen from the boat, the Pirate Cave visit is brief, and the time in Simena is limited to one hour. You get atmosphere and access, not a long guided excavation visit.

Should you book it?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you want a relaxed private day with clear water, ancient ruins, strong homemade food, and several chances to swim. The captain’s flexibility, the spacious boat, and the care shown by the family crew add real value.

Skip it if you dislike boat-based days, rarely swim, or want hours of detailed sightseeing on land. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to see the Kekova coast, with the lunch and personal service making the price easier to justify.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova private boat trip start?

The boat starts in Üçağız village, which is about 30 kilometers from Kaş and 60 kilometers from Kalkan. Pickup and return transportation are offered from hotels or villas in Kaş and Kalkan.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes, not including the additional driving time between your accommodation and Üçağız.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes five local Turkish olive-oil mezes, barbecued chicken or fish, fruit, and snacks. Coffee and tea are also included.

Can I bring alcohol?

Alcoholic beverages are not included, but you may bring your own drinks.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is private, and only your group participates. The price covers up to 12 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.