Kekova Sunken City Full Day Boat Trip

Clear water, ancient ruins, and a long day at sea. The Kekova Sunken City Full Day Boat Trip combines swimming at Aquarium Bay, a slow boat pass by the protected ruins, lunch in Gökkaya Bay, and free time at Simena. I like the varied route and the chance to see the coast from the water, and the included chicken lunch, pasta, and salad add useful value. The main drawback is that the advertised seven hours may become more than eight hours door to door once the drive from Kas is included.

The trip is offered in English, but one important point deserves attention: commentary may not be fully in English throughout the day. Boat capacity also needs checking before you pay, since the published information says a maximum of 45 people, while recent arrangements have involved boats holding around 50 or more. If you want a quiet, small-boat outing, ask the agency to confirm the vessel.

Key points before you book

• The boat ride takes about 6.5 hours: Most of the day is spent on the water, with several swimming breaks and a slow pass along the protected Sunken City.
• Aquarium Bay is the best snorkeling stop: You get about 45 minutes in exceptionally clear water where fish can often be seen from the surface.
• Swimming near the Sunken City is forbidden: The ruins are viewed from the boat, which moves slowly past the submerged remains.
• Lunch is included at Gökkaya Bay: Expect chicken grill, pasta with homemade sauce, and salads, while you have time to swim.
• Simena Castle costs extra: The optional entrance fee is €4 per person, and the climb gives you the best broad view over Kekova.
• The day may run longer than seven hours: Pickup and the drive from Kas can bring the total to roughly eight hours and 15 minutes, or possibly longer.

Why Kekova is worth the long ride from Kas

Kas is a fine base for the Turkish Mediterranean, but Kekova lies well beyond town. The drive to the Üçağız marina takes about an hour each way, so this is not a quick harbor cruise. It is a full-day outing built around the coast, the sea, and the ancient Lycian remains scattered around Kekova.

I like that the route does not rely on one sight alone. The Sunken City is the headline attraction, but the day also gives you clear swimming water, a natural cave, a quiet bay, a village stop, and an optional castle visit. If the ruins look less dramatic than you imagined, the rest of the route still gives the day plenty of purpose.

The price is $64.88 per person. For that amount, you receive transportation, the boat trip, and lunch, which makes the outing fair value if you want an organized day from Kas. You are not paying only for a short look at the ruins. You are paying for the long coastal journey, several scheduled stops, and the convenience of having a boat and meal arranged for you.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a shared boat trip, not a private charter. The stated capacity is up to 45 people, but arrangements discussed with the operator have involved boats around 50 people or more. If space, quiet, or personal service matters greatly to you, confirm the boat size before booking.

Meeting in Kas and reaching Üçağız

The meeting point is Aslar Turizm at Bahçe Sk. No. 1/I in Kas, on the same street as the PTT post office. Pickup is offered, with the agency stating that it can arrange the closest meeting point to your accommodation. That is useful if you are carrying swim gear or staying away from the center.

The practical catch is the travel time. The boat portion lasts around 6.5 hours, while the complete day can stretch to about eight hours and 15 minutes from pickup to return. One account put the total closer to nine hours, so do not plan a tight dinner reservation in Kas.

The road journey is not wasted time. You get to see more of the Antalya coast before reaching Üçağız, the small port village where the boat departs and returns. Üçağız has sea views, surrounding mountains, and Lycian tombs and sarcophagi in the area. It is not simply a parking point for the excursion. It provides the setting for the day’s start and finish.

Aquarium Bay: begin with clear water

The first scheduled stop is Aquarium Bay, near Demre. The name makes sense once you see the water. It is known for excellent clarity, and fish and other sea life may be visible from above the surface.

You have about 45 minutes here. That is enough time for a proper swim and a useful snorkeling session, though it is not a long beach stay. Rocky cliffs and open coastal views frame the bay, giving you a pleasant first look at the kind of shoreline the boat will follow all day.

This is likely your best stop for snorkeling. One account found the first swimming spot especially good, while later places were either too deep or less clear. Bring or request snorkeling equipment if available, but do not assume every stop will offer the same visibility. The water can look perfect from the boat and still be less useful for spotting fish once you are in it.

Seeing the Sunken City from the boat

The Sunken City of Kekova is the reason most people choose this trip. It was once part of an ancient Lycian settlement, but earthquakes caused sections of it to sink into the sea. The remains include walls, stairways, and building fragments, some partly below the waterline.

Your boat moves slowly along this section of coast. That pace matters. You have time to look down into the clear water and compare the visible ruins with the shoreline above. The experience is less like entering an underwater archaeological site and more like reading a half-submerged town from a floating viewpoint.

You cannot swim or dive among the ruins. The area is protected, and the restriction helps preserve what remains. This may disappoint anyone expecting to snorkel through ancient streets, but it is an important part of the visit. The boat gives you access without allowing contact with a fragile site.

The ruins may look different from the picture in your head. Part of the settlement has dropped only a few meters, so much of what you see remains above the water. If you expect a fully submerged city beneath the boat, adjust that image now. The appeal lies in the mix of visible ancient stone, clear sea, and a dramatic shoreline, not in an underwater expedition.

Burç Bay and a cooler swimming break

Burç Bay provides another 45-minute swimming stop. The bay is known for clear water and a quieter feel, and a nearby historic castle area adds an ancient setting to the coast.

A natural spring flows into the sea here, making the water cooler than at some of the other bays. That can be refreshing after sitting in the sun, though the temperature may surprise you when you first get in. This is a good place to cool off rather than simply admire the water from the deck.

The stop is also useful because the day has a steady rhythm: sail, swim, sit down, and sail again. You are not rushing from one land sight to the next. On the other hand, people who dislike repeated swimming stops may find the schedule a little repetitive. Much of the pleasure depends on your comfort with spending hours aboard a shared boat.

Pirate Cave and the protected coastline

Pirate Cave is reached by boat and is linked to stories of pirates using the secluded opening as a hideout. Inside, rock formations and blue water create an atmospheric view.

You do not stop here. Passing by is required because the cave is protected as a habitat for Mediterranean monk seals. That means you should treat it as a brief sight from the water, not a cave visit.

This is a small detail, but it shows why this coast cannot be treated like an ordinary swimming playground. Archaeological sites and wildlife areas limit where boats can stop and where people can enter the water. You get a better day by accepting those rules instead of expecting access to every attractive cove.

Gökkaya Bay and the included lunch

Gökkaya Bay is the main lunch stop, with about an hour scheduled. While the crew prepares the meal, you can swim in the turquoise water.

Lunch includes chicken grill, pasta with homemade sauce, and salads. That is a practical meal for a hot day on a boat. You do not need to leave the route searching for food, and the meal helps make the $64.88 price more reasonable.

Alcoholic drinks and soda are not included. If you want something beyond the meal, plan for that extra cost. The available details do not specify every drink option, so it is wise to bring water or confirm what can be purchased before departure.

The setting does a lot of the work here. You eat near the water, then have time to swim instead of returning straight to the boat route. For many people, this will be one of the easiest parts of the day: no sightseeing pressure, no complicated instructions, just lunch and a short break in a scenic bay.

Simena and the optional castle climb

Simena, also called Kaleköy, is the most rewarding land stop. The village sits within the Kekova area, with Lycian tombs and sarcophagi around it and a medieval castle above the shore. Small ice cream shops add a simple pleasure after the boat ride.

You have about an hour here. The castle entrance is optional and costs €4 per person. It is not included in the tour price, so carry some money if you want to go up.

The climb is worth considering because the castle provides broad views over the water and the surrounding coast. The ruins themselves are modest, but the position is the main attraction. From above, the route you have followed begins to make sense: bays, islands, scattered ruins, and the narrow coastal setting all come together.

If you have limited mobility, or simply want a slower break, you can remain in the village instead. The shore area and ice cream shops offer a gentler stop, and you will still experience Simena’s historic setting. The information provided does not give details about the path or accessibility, so ask the operator if the climb is important to your plans.

Adalar Bay and the last swim

After Simena, the boat heads to Adalar Bay for the final swimming stop. You get about 45 minutes before the boat turns back toward Üçağız marina.

By this point, the last swim can feel either perfect or unnecessary, depending on the heat and your energy. If you enjoy being in the water, it gives the day a final chance to slow down. If you are ready for a seat and a cool drink, the return ride may be welcome.

The route then ends at Üçağız, the same port where the boat began. From there, your arranged transport returns you to the Kas meeting point or the closest available point near your accommodation.

English commentary and group size

The experience is offered in English, but you should clarify what that means before booking. A complaint described an English tour that was conducted mainly in Turkish, with only limited English translation. The operator disputed that account and said standard English information is provided each day.

The safest advice is simple: ask how much commentary will be given in English and whether the boat is mixed-language. If detailed explanation of Lycian archaeology is central to your decision, this question matters. If you mainly want swimming, scenery, lunch, and a boat ride, language may be less important.

Group size also deserves a direct question. The published information gives a maximum of 45 people, while a separate booking issue involved a larger boat of around 100 people before a transfer to a smaller boat was arranged. The operator stated that its normal capacity is 50 people. These numbers do not line up perfectly, so confirm the actual boat for your date.

The operator did try to resolve the smaller-boat request in that case, but you should not assume a transfer will always be possible. Get the answer before the morning of departure.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full coastal day without arranging a car, private boat, lunch, and marina details yourself. It suits people who enjoy swimming, do not mind a shared boat, and want to combine natural scenery with ancient remains.

Families and mixed-age groups may also find the structure useful because the day alternates between boat time, water breaks, lunch, and one village stop. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation.

It is less suitable if you want a silent, private cruise or a detailed archaeological tour in English. It is also not ideal if you dislike long transfers, crowded boats, or several swimming stops. The seven-hour label should be treated as an approximate activity time, not the full period from your accommodation and back.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. Keep a little extra money for the €4 castle entrance and drinks. Most important, ask about the boat’s capacity and English commentary before you commit.

Booking, cancellation, and weather

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the tour is commonly reserved about 18 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last moment during a busy period, especially if you need a particular boat arrangement.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the operator offers a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Kekova Sunken City trip?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming and coastal history at a reasonable all-in price. Aquarium Bay, the slow pass by Kekova’s ruins, Gökkaya Bay lunch, and Simena give the trip enough variety to justify the drive from Kas.

Before paying, confirm three things: the total door-to-door timing, the actual boat capacity, and how much of the commentary will be in English. If those details match your expectations, this is a strong choice for an easy day around one of Turkey’s most unusual shorelines.

Skip it if you need a private boat, a short excursion, or guaranteed small-group service. For everyone else, the combination of clear water, protected ruins, a good lunch stop, and the optional castle view makes the long day worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat trip start?

The meeting point is Aslar Turizm at Aslar Travel Agency, Bahçe Sk. No. 1/I, Andifli, Kas. It is on the same street as the PTT post office. Pickup near your accommodation is also offered.

How long does the experience last?

The listed activity duration is about seven hours. The boat portion takes around 6.5 hours, but transport from Kas can add about one hour each way. The full day may therefore take about eight hours and 15 minutes or longer.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken grill, pasta with homemade sauce, and salads. Alcoholic beverages and soda are not included.

Can I swim at the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. Swimming and diving among the protected ruins are prohibited. You view the Sunken City from the boat as it moves slowly past the remains.

Is the entrance to Simena Castle included?

No. Entry is optional and costs €4 per person. You can also spend the hour in Simena village without entering the castle.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund.