Private Kekova Sailing Day Tours from Kas Marina

Kekova is best seen from the water. This private sailing day from Kaş combines clear swimming bays, the Sunken City of Kekova, Simena Castle, and a chef-prepared lunch aboard a yacht. I especially like the small-group format for up to six people and the freedom that comes with a private skipper, rather than sharing a boat with a large crowd.

The route also gives you several chances to swim and use the included snorkeling gear. The main thing to consider is the price: $1,375.67 per group, which is a serious sum for two or three people, though it works out to about $229 per person when six people share it. Drinks, transport to the marina, and castle admission cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• The Sunken City is viewed from the yacht: Boats sail slowly past the protected ruins, and you cannot swim among them.
• Six people is the value sweet spot: The fixed group price makes the tour far more appealing for a family or group of friends.
• Three or four swimming breaks are built in: Stops include İnönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık Bay near Kaş.
• Lunch is prepared while you swim: Aquarium Bay is both a swimming stop and the main meal stop.
• Simena Castle requires shore time and an extra fee: You get about an hour to explore the village, castle, and handmade ice cream options.
• The day begins and ends at Setur Kaş Marina: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Why a private yacht works well around Kekova

The Kekova coast is a place where the journey matters as much as the stops. From the deck, you see rocky headlands, small bays, offshore islands, ancient remains, and water that changes from dark blue to clear green near shore.

A private boat lets you enjoy the route at your own pace within the day’s schedule. You can sit quietly, swim when the boat anchors, and ask the skipper to explain the ruins as you pass. A private booking also makes sense for families, since children are not tied to the pace or habits of a large mixed group.

The yacht is staffed by a skipper and chef. The supplied information does not name the crew assigned to every departure, so you should confirm those details when booking. The operator’s wider sailing service has received strong praise for its hospitality, clean boats, food, and careful handling of the route. Captain Erdem is associated with the company, and past sailing experiences have also involved Captain Ufuk and chef Ezra, but that does not mean they will be on your particular boat.

The service style appears to be personal. Communication through WhatsApp has been used to settle details and discuss preferences, including an interest in history. If history matters to you, it is worth mentioning that before departure.

Meeting the boat at 9:30 in Kaş

You meet at Setur Kaş Marina at 9:30 a.m. The marina is on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi in Andifli, Kaş. Since hotel pickup is not included, allow time to reach the marina on your own.

This early start gives the boat a full day on the coast, with a planned return at about 6 p.m. The tour lasts roughly eight hours. That is long enough to combine several swims with the ancient sites, but the timetable is fairly full. Sailing time between stops means you should not expect to spend an hour at every bay.

The boat is described through past sailing experiences as a well-maintained yacht, including a 2018 Beneteau Oceanis 48 used on some trips. You should not assume that exact vessel is guaranteed for this day tour. Still, the available information points to a comfortable sailing setup rather than a basic excursion boat.

İnönü Bay: an easy first swim

The first stop is İnönü Bay, reached after leaving Kaş. The boat anchors for about 30 minutes, giving you a gentle opening swim before the longer sailing leg.

There is a small sandy beach at the left corner of the bay. That detail matters if you have young children or prefer to wade in rather than jump from the boat. The stop is short, so think of it as a quick refreshment in the sea, not a beach afternoon.

The bay also gives the crew time to settle into the day. You can get used to the deck, check the snorkeling equipment, and decide how you want to spend the later swimming stops.

Aquarium Bay: lunch with a swim

After about an hour of sailing from İnönü Bay, the boat reaches Aquarium Bay. You get another swimming break of around one hour while lunch is prepared.

This is one of the most useful features of the trip. Instead of losing sightseeing time while a meal is cooked, you swim first and return to a prepared lunch. The meal is included, along with coffee or tea and afternoon tea. Past sailing experiences connected with the operator have received particularly strong praise for food quality, presentation, and generous onboard hospitality.

The exact menu is not provided, so tell the operator about dietary needs before the day begins. Drinks are not included, which means you should clarify what water or other beverages are available and bring suitable cash or payment for extras if needed.

Aquarium Bay is also a good place to use the included snorkeling equipment. The itinerary does not promise a guided snorkeling session, underwater photography, or a particular marine life sighting. You can expect equipment for your own use, subject to availability and normal sea conditions.

The Sunken City of Kekova from the deck

After lunch, the yacht sails toward the Sunken City ruins of Simena, commonly called the Sunken City of Kekova. The boat moves slowly alongside the ruins while the captain explains what you are seeing.

This is the key historical moment of the day. Ancient walls, submerged structures, and traces of the old settlement appear below and beside the waterline. The best way to appreciate the site is to keep your eyes on the shallows and listen to the explanation rather than expect a conventional archaeological visit.

You do not go ashore at the Sunken City, and the tour does not include swimming among the ruins. The protected area is viewed from the boat. That can feel brief, since the listed viewing time is about 15 minutes, but the slow passage makes it possible to see the site without the rush of a standard sightseeing boat.

Bring a hat and sunscreen for this section. The ruins are exposed, and your attention will move between the water, the coastline, and the captain’s commentary.

Simena Castle and the village of Kaleköy

After the boat passes the Sunken City, you get about one hour at Simena Castle. This is your main chance to step ashore and explore the historic site.

The castle sits above the small village area of Simena, often known as Kaleköy. Your free time can include the castle, village lanes, and handmade ice cream. The ice cream is a simple but welcome part of the stop, especially after a morning in the sun.

Castle admission is not included. The supplied details do not state the entrance fee, so check the current charge at the time of booking or arrival. One hour is enough for a compact visit, but you will need to choose between spending more time at the castle and lingering in the village.

The climb may not suit everyone equally. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not give a detailed accessibility description. If someone in your group has difficulty with uneven ground, slopes, or steps, ask the operator about the route before paying. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Üçağız and the Lycian tombs

After Simena, the route continues to Üçağız Village to view Lycian tombs. No separate stop length is provided for this part of the schedule, so it appears to be a short viewing during the route rather than a long village visit.

The tombs are a reminder that this coast was once part of the Lycian world, whose settlements were spread across what is now southwestern Turkey. Seeing them from the water gives you a useful sense of how closely ancient communities were tied to the bays and sea routes.

If your main reason for booking is archaeology, mention that to the skipper. The crew can explain the sites as the boat passes, and the private format may make it easier to ask questions than on a crowded excursion.

Tersane Bay: the afternoon swimming stop

Tersane Bay is scheduled as the third main swimming break. You get about 30 minutes in the water before beginning the return toward Kaş.

The bay is a good reset after the shore visit and castle climb. You can cool off, snorkel, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. Thirty minutes passes quickly, so have your towel, mask, and swimwear ready before the anchor drops.

The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment, but personal preferences vary. If you have a favorite mask or fins, you may prefer to bring them. The boat’s included gear is most useful for casual swimming and looking below the surface during the short stops.

Çamlık Bay near Kaş

The route description adds another 30-minute swimming period at Çamlık Bay near Kaş. After about an hour of sailing from Tersane Bay, the boat reaches this final swim location before returning to the marina.

This extra stop is a nice feature because it breaks up the final sailing leg. You can take one last swim without worrying about a long transfer back to town afterward. The wording of the route refers to Çamlık Bay as near Kaş, while the headline highlights Tersane Bay, so confirm the exact final route with the operator. Weather, sailing conditions, and timing may affect the order.

The boat is due back at Setur Kaş Marina at about 6 p.m. Since the activity ends where it starts, you arrange your own way back to your hotel or onward destination.

Food, service, and the private atmosphere

The strongest part of this experience is the combination of a private boat and a dedicated chef. You are not simply renting a vessel and bringing sandwiches. Lunch, coffee or tea, afternoon tea, taxes, fees, snorkeling equipment, skipper service, and the private format are included.

Past experiences with the operator have placed heavy emphasis on well-presented food, friendly service, clean boats, and thoughtful hosting. Some groups have also received drone photographs or video on other sailing trips. That is not listed as an inclusion here, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a promised feature.

The crew’s approach appears relaxed but professional. That balance matters on a full day at sea. You want enough attention to feel looked after, but also enough privacy to enjoy your own group.

Is $1,375.67 good value?

The price is $1,375.67 per group of up to six people. With six people, the cost is about $229 per person. With four people, it is about $344 per person. For two people, it becomes roughly $688 each, before drinks or castle admission.

That pricing makes this tour most attractive for a full family group or a group of friends. You are paying for privacy, a skipper, a chef, lunch, equipment, and a long day on a private yacht. A shared boat may cost less per person, but it will not give you the same control over the atmosphere or the same space for your group.

I would not book this for a solo visitor or a couple unless the private setting is the main point of the day and the budget is comfortable. For six people celebrating a birthday, traveling with children, or wanting a quieter day on the water, the fixed group price is easier to justify.

What to bring and what to confirm

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and shoes that are comfortable for the shore visit. A dry bag is useful for phones and small valuables, though one is not listed as provided.

You should confirm several details in advance:

• The exact yacht and crew for your date
• The lunch menu and any dietary requirements
• What drinks are available for purchase
• The current Simena Castle admission fee
• The precise swimming route, including Çamlık Bay
• How the crew handles weather changes

Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the cut-off uses local time in Kaş.

Who should book this Kekova sailing day?

I would choose this tour for a family, two or three couples, or a group of friends who want a private day rather than a standard boat outing. It suits people who care about swimming, scenic sailing, a proper lunch, and a little archaeology in the same trip.

It is also a good match for children who need flexibility. The short swims, boat space, beach option at İnönü Bay, and shore visit at Simena give the day several different rhythms. Adults should still supervise children closely, especially around the deck, water, and castle route.

I would look elsewhere if you want a long guided archaeological tour, extensive time ashore, or a low-cost shared excursion. The Sunken City viewing is brief, Simena Castle gets about an hour, and much of the day is spent sailing or swimming.

Should you book it?

Book this private Kekova sailing tour if you can fill most of the six places and want a polished day with a skipper, chef, lunch, snorkeling gear, and several swims. The route covers the coast’s main attractions without forcing you into a large group.

For the best value, gather five or six people and tell the operator that history, food, swimming, or family comfort is important to you. I would also confirm the boat, crew, drinks, castle fee, and final bay before departure.

If that price feels too high for your group size, a shared boat may be the sensible choice. But if you want the day to feel like your own private Mediterranean outing, this is one of the stronger ways to see Kekova from Kaş.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova sailing tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at Setur Kaş Marina, Andifli, Uğur Mumcu Caddesi, Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m., with arrival back at Kaş Marina at about 6 p.m.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, coffee or tea, and afternoon tea are included. Drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Setur Kaş Marina.