Private Kekova Boat Tour from Demre

The best Kekova views come from the water. This private boat trip combines the Sunken City, Simena Castle, quiet swimming bays, snorkeling, and a chance to see Caretta Caretta turtles near Demre. I especially like the private setting for up to six people and the friendly hosting from Captain Musa and Sevda, who serve tea, snacks, and fresh fruit during the day. The main drawback is that several famous sites, including Kekova Island and the Sunken City, can only be viewed from the boat.

You get roughly seven to eight hours on the water, beginning at 10 a.m. in Çayağzı Harbour and returning to the same place. I also like the flexible swimming plan: the crew chooses between Aquarium Bay and Tersane Bay based on crowd levels. Keep in mind that lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, and alcohol cost extra or must be arranged separately.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Private boat for up to six people: The price is $361.12 per group, not per person, making the trip more attractive for families and small groups.
• Captain Musa and Sevda host the day: Tea, snacks, and fresh fruit are provided, and the crew has also prepared lunch on board during some trips.
• Simena Castle includes a one-hour stop: You can climb from the waterfront to the castle, see royal tombs, and visit with a museum card.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: Swimming and landing are not allowed in the protected Kekova area.
• Swimming is a major part of the day: Aquarium, Tersane, Esmeralda, Burç, Gökkaya, and Karemlik bays all feature in the route.
• Turtle sightings are possible near Karemlik Bay: The area is known for Caretta Caretta turtles, though wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Starting at Andriake and Çayağzı Harbour

Your boat leaves from Ayla Boat Tours at Büyükkum, Çayağzı Yolu, in Demre. The starting point is Çayağzı Harbour, also known by its ancient name, Andriake. It is a natural harbour that served Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman vessels.

The initial stop at Andriake Ancient City lasts about ten minutes and has no admission charge. This is a short orientation stop rather than a full archaeological visit, so you should not expect a long walk through ruins. Its value is in setting the scene: you are beginning from the same sheltered harbour that has linked the coast to the sea for centuries.

The tour starts at 10 a.m. and returns to this meeting point at the end of the day. Since the boat ride lasts most of the day, arrive ready for sun, swimming, and time spent sitting outdoors. The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Cruising Past Kekova Island and the Sunken City

Kekova Island sits opposite Kaleköy and Üçağız. Nobody lives on the island, and its protected status shapes the whole experience. You cruise past the shore rather than landing, swimming, or walking ashore.

The northern side is known for traces of Dolkisthe, an ancient settlement damaged by earthquakes in the second century. The town was later rebuilt during the Byzantine period, but further development ended after Arab invasions. From the boat, you may see sections of the old settlement and the remains beneath the water.

The Sunken City is the emotional center of the route. Earthquakes pushed parts of the ancient settlement below sea level, leaving submerged walls and fragments visible from the surface. The water is clear and turquoise, but the boat does not stop for swimming here. You look down from the deck as the captain passes the protected ruins.

That restriction can disappoint anyone expecting to snorkel among the remains. It also protects a fragile site that would suffer quickly if boats dropped anchors or people climbed over the ruins. Bring a camera, but remember that glare from the water can make underwater details hard to capture.

Choosing Between Aquarium Bay and Tersane Bay

The first proper swimming break lasts about thirty minutes. Depending on conditions and boat traffic, the crew chooses either Aquarium Bay or Tersane Bay.

This flexibility matters in high season, when many boats follow the same Kekova route. Instead of promising one fixed swimming spot, the crew tries to find the less crowded option. You should still expect company in the popular bays, but the choice gives the captain some room to improve the day.

Snorkeling equipment is included. Coffee, tea, and snacks are also provided. Bottled water is not included, so bring your own supply. Soda, alcohol, and lunch are excluded as well.

One Hour at Simena Castle in Kaleköy

The stop at Simena Castle, also called Kaleköy Castle, lasts about an hour. You approach the village from the water and see the castle walls rising above the shore. The route upward is steep, so wear shoes with a firm grip and allow yourself time to climb slowly.

Along the path, you pass royal tombs and reach the Necropolis, where the graves are most concentrated. The castle stop gives you something the cruising sections cannot: a chance to walk through the remains and look back across the coast from above.

Admission is not included. You can enter with a museum card, according to the tour details. If you do not have one, check the current entrance arrangement before setting out, since the boat waits only about an hour.

Kaleköy also has a famous ice cream stop near the climb. It is a small but useful break, especially after the uphill walk. The castle itself is not suitable for anyone who needs a flat, effortless route. Most people can take part in the tour, but the steep approach deserves attention for anyone with mobility concerns.

Esmeralda Bay and the Long Swimming Breaks

After Simena Castle, the boat stops at Esmeralda Bay for about an hour. This is a good place to wash off the heat, swim, and settle into the slower rhythm of the day.

The schedule includes several long bay stops, so this is not a sightseeing trip with only brief photo pauses. You spend real time in the water. That makes the tour a strong choice if you want a full day of swimming mixed with ruins, rather than a strict archaeological excursion.

The tradeoff is simple: if you prefer to visit more land sites, the repeated swimming stops may feel too long. If you enjoy warm water, sun, and a boat deck, the pace will feel generous rather than rushed.

Burç Bay and Its Pale Seabed

Burç Bay is known for exceptionally clear water. Fine fragments of seashells create a pale seabed that can resemble white sand. The stop lasts about an hour, with no listed admission charge.

This is one of the places where snorkeling equipment can be useful. Clear water and a light bottom make it easier to see below the surface, though visibility depends on the day and the number of boats nearby.

The bay is another reminder to bring sun protection. You will spend much of the day outside, and the itinerary offers only short periods away from direct sun. A hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel are practical basics.

Gökkaya Bay and the Pirates Cave

Gökkaya is a natural bay used by boats for a swimming stop. You have about an hour here, followed by a visit to Pirates Cave.

The cave adds variety after several open-water stops. Details about the visit are limited, so think of it as a short coastal sight rather than a guided underground tour. The focus remains on seeing the cave from the boat and enjoying the surrounding bay.

Because the route includes many stops, the captain controls the timing carefully. Boat traffic and weather may affect how long you spend in each place. This is normal for a full-day coastal route, and the schedule should be viewed as an outline rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

Karemlik Bay and the Search for Sea Turtles

Karemlik Bay lies opposite the starting harbour. It is known for Caretta Caretta turtles, and the final swimming stop gives you a chance to see them in the water. The tour information also says you may be able to swim with or feed them.

This is the most memorable possibility on the route, but it is important to keep expectations sensible. Turtles are wild animals, and seeing them is never certain. The chance is a welcome extra, not a guarantee that should determine your entire booking decision.

The stop lasts about thirty minutes, with the remaining time used for travel back to Çayağzı. Several people have described swimming with turtles as the high point of the day, along with the castle and the clear bays.

What Captain Musa and Sevda Add to the Day

The boat trip is more than a transport service between coastal sights. Captain Musa and Sevda are named as the hosts, and their hospitality receives especially strong praise. Tea, snacks, and fresh fruit are served during the day, creating a relaxed, personal feel that is harder to get on a large shared boat.

Some trips have included a lunch cooked by the captain on board. However, lunch is officially listed as not included, so you should confirm the food arrangement before departure. Do not assume a cooked meal comes with the standard price.

The private format also helps. Only your own group takes part, with a maximum of six people. You can share the boat with family or friends rather than adjusting to a large crowd, and you have a better chance of discussing swimming preferences with the crew.

The tour has a five-star rating from 49 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. The most praised features are the friendly hosts, fresh food and drinks, turtle encounters, the beautiful boat, and the mix of swimming with cultural stops.

Is $361.12 Good Value for Six People?

The price is $361.12 per group of up to six. Split six ways, that is about $60 per person for seven to eight hours, before any additional food, drinks, or entrance costs. For a full private day on the water, that is reasonable value if your group is large enough to fill the boat.

For two people, the same price becomes much harder to justify. You are paying for privacy, flexibility, and the boat itself rather than a low-cost shared excursion. The value improves sharply for families or a group of friends.

You also receive snorkeling equipment, coffee or tea, and snacks. You do not receive lunch, bottled water, soda, or alcoholic drinks. Pack water and clarify lunch plans, especially if you are counting on the captain’s cooking described by some participants.

Who Will Enjoy This Kekova Boat Trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a private day that balances swimming, coastal scenery, and a little archaeology. It suits groups of up to six, families who want their own space, and friends who would rather set a relaxed pace than follow a packed group schedule.

It is also a good match for anyone who wants to see Kekova’s famous ruins without spending the whole day on land. You get the Sunken City and Kekova Island from the boat, then a proper shore visit at Simena Castle.

I would hesitate if your main goal is exploring ancient sites on foot. Only Andriake receives a very short stop, and the Kekova ruins are protected from landing. The tour is best understood as a boat-and-swimming day with cultural highlights, not as a full archaeological tour.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the steep climb to Simena Castle may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Private Kekova Boat Tour?

Book it if you are traveling with up to six people and want a private boat, several proper swimming breaks, and a friendly crew. The combination of Captain Musa and Sevda, fresh fruit and tea, Simena Castle, clear bays, and a possible turtle encounter gives the day plenty of variety.

Before paying, confirm the lunch plan and bring bottled water. Also make peace with viewing the Sunken City from the boat only. If those limits suit you, this is a strong-value way to experience the Kekova coast from Demre without rushing from one crowded stop to the next.

FAQ

Where does the private Kekova boat tour start?

It starts at Ayla Boat Tours, Büyükkum, Çayağzı Yolu, 07570 Demre, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 10 a.m.

How long does the boat tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the same meeting point in Çayağzı Harbour.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat is private for your group, with up to six people included in the group price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is listed as not included, although the captain has cooked lunch on board during some trips. Confirm the arrangement before departure.

Are drinks provided?

Coffee and tea are included, along with snacks. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks are not included.

Can you swim at the Sunken City?

No. The boat only cruises past the protected Sunken City and Kekova Island. Swimming is available at other bays on the route.

Is Simena Castle admission included?

No. Admission is not included. The castle can be entered with a museum card.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.