Private Sea Kayaking tour of Kekova

Kekova is best seen from the water. This private day trip combines easy sea kayaking with ancient ruins, swimming stops, a village lunch, and a guide who adjusts the pace to your group. I especially like the calm, personal format and the chance to learn from Barbaros, a guide praised for his stories about Lycia and his patient kayak instruction. The main drawback is simple: this is a weather-dependent outdoor day, and the sunken city may be less clear than you hope if water visibility is poor.

The tour covers about 8 kilometers in three kayaking sessions of roughly 45 minutes each. That leaves time for swimming, lunch in Simena Village, optional cliff jumping if conditions allow, and a possible 15-minute walk to Simena Castle. At $905.65 per group of up to 10, it is not a cheap outing for a couple, but it can be good value for a larger family or group that wants a private schedule and hotel pickup from Kas.

Key points at a glance

• Three relaxed paddling sessions: Cover around 8 kilometers without a race-like pace.
• A strong choice for first-timers: A certified instructor provides full training and uses tandem kayaks.
• Kekova’s sunken city from water level: See submerged ruins while learning about the area’s past.
• Swimming at Kekova Island and Tersane Bay: Bring your swimwear for breaks in clear Mediterranean water.
• Lunch in Simena Village: A practical and memorable stop, with time to explore the village and possibly walk to Simena Castle.
• Private transport from Kas: Hotel pickup helps if you do not have a rental car.

Why kayaking is the right way to see Kekova

Kekova is not simply a pretty stretch of Turkish coast. It is a place where the sea, old stonework, and small settlements all meet in a compact area. From a kayak, you move slowly enough to notice the details. You are not looking out from a large boat while someone else controls the route. You can pause, listen, and look down into the water.

That matters around the Sunken City. The remains are viewed from the surface, and kayaks give you a quiet, low position close to the water. You should not expect a fully preserved city beneath you. Some ruins can be difficult to see, and visibility changes with the water and weather. Still, the setting makes the site special, especially when your guide explains what you are looking at.

The private format also improves the day. Your guide can adjust the speed, give extra instruction, or allow a longer pause for swimming. A group of experienced paddlers does not need to wait for beginners, while a family with children can take the day at a gentler rhythm.

From Kas pickup to the first paddle

The listed start time is 9:00 am, with pickup offered from your hotel in Kas. This is useful because the Kekova area is outside the town, and arranging your own transport would add work to an already full day. Transfers can also be arranged for those staying in Kalkan, according to the tour’s operating details.

Confirmation is subject to availability and is sent within 48 hours of booking. I would book early during busy periods, especially if you need transport from outside Kas. The tour is private, so only your own group takes part.

At the start of the kayaking portion, the certified instructor gives you basic training. That is important for first-timers. You do not need previous kayaking experience, and the use of tandem kayaks makes the outing more manageable for couples, families, and mixed-ability groups.

The word private has real value here. It means you can ask for more help without feeling you are holding up a large group. It also lets the guide shape the day around your comfort level. The trip still requires moderate physical fitness, though, since you will paddle through three sessions rather than simply sit aboard a boat.

Three 45-minute paddles across a remarkable coast

The full kayaking distance is about 8 kilometers, divided into three sessions of around 45 minutes. This is a sensible plan. You get time on the water, but you are not expected to paddle continuously for eight hours.

The first session helps you settle into the kayak and the rhythm of paddling. Your guide can explain how to steer, how to work with your partner in a tandem kayak, and how to keep the boat moving without wasting energy. If you are new to the sport, do not worry about looking graceful right away. The learning curve is short, and the tour is designed for beginners.

As you move along the coast, the focus shifts between scenery, geography, and local life. The guide points out plants, animals, rock formations, and features of the land. This turns a pleasant paddle into a better way to understand the area. You are not just admiring a view. You are learning why the shoreline looks as it does and how people have used it over time.

The second and third sessions bring more variety. You may paddle near ancient remains, pause in quiet bays, and approach the water around Kekova Island and Tersane Bay. The advertised pace is leisurely, and that is one of the tour’s strongest features. You have time to look around instead of counting the minutes until the next stop.

The Sunken City: beautiful, but keep expectations realistic

The Sunken City is the headline attraction, and rightly so. Parts of the ancient settlement slipped below the water after earthquakes, leaving stone remains beneath and along the coast. Seeing those traces from a kayak gives the site a calm, almost intimate feeling.

Your guide adds the context that makes the ruins easier to understand. Barbaros is particularly praised for his historical knowledge, stories about the complicated Lycian past, and ability to explain the region in an entertaining way. That personal explanation is a major part of the value. Without it, you might see scattered stones and wonder what you are meant to notice.

The practical warning is water visibility. The submerged remains are not guaranteed to appear sharply on every outing. Weather, light, and water conditions affect what you can see. If the Sunken City is your only reason for booking, keep that in mind. The day offers much more than a single underwater view, including the coastline, swimming, Simena, and the guide’s interpretation.

You also need to respect the nature of the site. The experience is about observing the remains from the kayak, not climbing over them or treating the area like a swimming pool. The quiet approach is part of its appeal.

Swimming at Kekova Island and Tersane Bay

The tour includes swimming stops at Kekova Island and Tersane Bay. These breaks divide the paddling into comfortable sections and give you a chance to cool off in the Mediterranean.

This is where the clear water becomes more than a photograph. From the kayak, you see the coast from above the surface. In the water, you get a closer feel for the bays and the rocky shoreline. If the weather permits, the guide may add another swim break.

Cliff jumping is also offered as an optional extra when conditions are suitable. This is not the main purpose of the tour, and it should be treated as a choice rather than an expectation. If you want the quieter version of the day, simply enjoy the swimming and scenery. If your group wants a little more excitement, ask the guide what is safe on the day.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a way to protect your phone. The supplied information confirms the kayak and lunch, but not a full list of personal equipment. It is wise to clarify anything you need before departure.

Lunch in Simena Village and the walk to the castle

Lunch in Simena Village gives the tour a welcome change of pace. You leave the kayak for a meal and time to explore one of the area’s most memorable settlements. Several parts of the day’s appeal come together here: local food, old stone surroundings, and the chance to arrive by water rather than by ordinary road transport.

The meal has received especially warm praise. Specific dishes mentioned include salad, chips, and chicken kebabs, though you should not assume the menu is fixed. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so budget separately if you want them.

You also have the option of a 15-minute walk to Simena Castle. The walk is short, but it adds effort to an already active day. The reward is a broad view over the coast and nearby islands. If your legs are tired after kayaking, swimming, and lunch, you may prefer to stay in the village. If panoramic views matter to you, this is an excellent extra.

Do not confuse the castle walk with a long hike. The listed walk is only about 15 minutes, but the tour still calls for moderate fitness. Comfortable footwear will make the village and castle stop easier.

The guide is a big part of the value

The guide can make or break an outdoor tour, and this one receives unusually consistent praise for personal attention. Barbaros is described as friendly, patient, funny, and full of information about the region. He is also praised for teaching complete beginners without rushing them.

That combination matters. A guide who only knows the route may get you from point to point. A guide who can explain the ruins, local geography, modern life, and kayaking technique gives the day more depth.

The tone appears relaxed rather than formal. Families with teenagers, mixed-age groups, and first-time paddlers have all found the pace comfortable. One group included seven people ranging from age 12 to 50, which gives you a useful sense of the tour’s broad appeal.

Of course, personal guiding is not a guarantee of perfection. The experience depends on weather, sea conditions, and the guide available on your date. Still, the operator’s emphasis on certified instruction and tailoring the route to your group is reassuring.

Price, group size, and who gets good value

The price is $905.65 per group, with up to 10 people. The total looks steep if you are two people splitting the cost. It becomes more reasonable for a family or group of six to 10, especially since the price covers a full day, private guiding, kayaking instruction, lunch, and transfers from Kas.

At the maximum group size, the cost works out to about $91 per person before any extra spending. A smaller group pays more per person, but gets more space and direct attention. For a family that would otherwise need several separate bookings or transport arrangements, the private format can justify the price.

The tour is also a good alternative to a standard boat excursion if you prefer activity and quiet over a fixed passenger schedule. You trade the ease of sitting back for a more active day, but you gain a closer view of the coast and more control over the pace.

I would not choose this tour simply because it is private. I would choose it if your group values instruction, flexibility, swimming, and time in Simena. If you want the cheapest way to see Kekova, compare other options first.

What to bring and how to prepare

You should arrive ready for sun, water, and moderate exertion. The core items are:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable clothes that can get wet
• Secure footwear for the village and castle walk
• Water and a phone case or dry bag
• A small amount of money for drinks or personal purchases

The tour includes lunch, but alcoholic beverages are not included. The exact equipment beyond the sea kayak is not listed, so ask ahead about life jackets, paddles, dry storage, and any other gear you expect to use.

Good weather is essential. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel the trip and offer another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Kekova kayak trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time kayakers who want patient instruction
• Families with older children or teenagers
• Groups staying in Kas without a rental car
• People who prefer a private day to a crowded excursion
• History fans who want explanation along with scenery
• Active visitors who enjoy swimming and a short walk

It may be less suitable if you have limited physical fitness, dislike getting wet, or want a completely passive sightseeing day. The 8-kilometer route is gentle in pace, but it is still a day of paddling. You also need to accept that the Sunken City may not be perfectly visible.

The tour earned a 4.9 rating from 37 reviews, with 97 percent recommending it. The strongest pattern is clear: people value the guide, the relaxed pace, the historical explanations, the scenery, and the lunch. Those are the elements most likely to shape your own day.

Should you book the private sea kayaking tour of Kekova?

Book it if you want to see Kekova slowly and actively, with a guide who teaches rather than simply leads. The best reasons are the private format, beginner-friendly tandem kayaks, three manageable paddling sessions, swimming at Kekova Island and Tersane Bay, and lunch in Simena.

Think twice if you are booking only to see a perfectly clear underwater city, since visibility can vary. Also compare the price against your group size. For two people, it is a costly day. For a larger family or group, the private rate becomes far more sensible.

For the right group, this is one of the better ways to experience the Kekova coast: personal, unhurried, and far more engaging than looking at ancient ruins from a distance.

FAQ

Where does the private sea kayaking tour of Kekova start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am, with pickup offered from hotels in Kas.

Is transport from Kas included?

The tour offers convenient transfers from Kas. Transport can also be arranged for people staying in Kalkan, based on the stated tour arrangements.

Do I need kayaking experience?

No. The tour is suitable for beginners, and a certified instructor provides full kayaking instruction.

How far do we kayak?

The route covers about 8 kilometers in total, divided into three kayaking sessions of roughly 45 minutes each.

What places does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes Kekova Island, Tersane Bay, the Sunken City, and Simena Village. You may also have the option of a 15-minute walk to Simena Castle.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your own group participates, with a maximum group size of up to 10 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.