Relaxing Boat Trip with Lunch and Drinks

The sea does most of the entertaining. This full-day cruise from Antalya to Phaselis combines clear Mediterranean swimming stops, mountain views, a simple lunch, and time among ancient ruins. I like the calm pace and the chance to swim in Paradise and Cleopatra bays, and I also like that hotel pickup, a local guide, and the boat ride are included for $47. The main catch is that drinks are extra, and the visit to Phaselis can depend on how the boat reaches shore.

I also like the open choice between sun and shade. You can stretch out on the upper deck, sit below at wooden tables, or simply watch the cliffs and coves slide past. Still, this is a long day, lasting seven to ten hours, and the ancient-site visit may feel brief if your main goal is archaeology rather than swimming.

Five things to know before you sail

• Three appealing water stops: Paradise Bay, Cleopatra Bay, and Phaselis Bay give you several chances to swim in clear Mediterranean water.
• A wooden yacht from Kemer Marina: The boat gives the outing a slower, more scenic feel than a quick transfer by road.
• Phaselis combines ruins and beach time: You can see city walls, baths, houses, an amphitheater, pine trees, and golden sand in one stop.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks cost extra, so bring money for the boat.
• The boat is not always packed: Recent high ratings praise the relaxed mood, good communication, and room to enjoy the ride.
• The shore visit needs attention: One account described a 40-minute swim from a boat moored offshore instead of a normal walk into the ruins.

From Antalya to Kemer Marina

Your day begins with pickup at your Antalya hotel. The exact time is not fixed in the information provided, so you need to contact TOURMANIA for the pickup time rather than planning a tight morning around it.

The transfer takes you toward Kemer, a resort town on the Turkish Riviera. Kemer Marina is the launch point, and the road trip adds a useful change of scene before the boat portion begins. You leave the city behind and reach a coast framed by steep mountains, small coves, beaches, and rocky cliffs.

At the marina, you board a wooden yacht. This is not a speedboat outing. The appeal is the steady ride, the breeze, and the long views. If you like a day with few decisions, this setup works well: sit back, watch the coast, and let the crew handle the movement between stops.

The tour is offered with English, German, and Russian guidance. The guide is there to help with the day and explain the stops, though the strongest pleasure here comes from the setting rather than a long lecture.

Sailing the Kemer coast by wooden yacht

The coast near Kemer is the real opening act. From the water, you see rugged cliffs cut by coves, golden beaches, pirate caves, islands, and the high profile of Tahtali Mountain. The views change slowly, which is exactly what makes the ride restful.

I would choose your place on the boat based on the kind of day you want. The upper deck is the spot for sunbathing and broad views. The lower deck has wooden tables and benches, giving you shade and a place to sit during lunch. You can move between the two, which matters on a full-day outing when constant sun becomes tiring.

The boat’s mood can vary with the date and the group. In one particularly positive account, the boat was not crowded, which made the day feel peaceful. That is worth valuing at this price. A boat packed tightly with bodies can turn a lovely coast into a queue for the rail, while a less crowded deck lets you enjoy the breeze and views properly.

You should also keep expectations realistic. This is a shared cruise, not a private yacht charter. The pace, music, stops, and time spent at each bay are set by the operator and the day’s schedule.

Swimming at Paradise and Cleopatra bays

The first major pleasure is the swimming time at Paradise Bay and Cleopatra Bay. The water is described as crystal clear, and the stops are meant for swimming, floating, and cooling off rather than for a formal beach program.

At Paradise Bay, you can expect a scenic cove surrounded by the rocky coast. Cleopatra Bay adds another attractive setting, with the boat giving you a view of the shore that you would not get from a road. The exact order and length of the stops may vary, but the plan provides time to get into the sea at both places.

You need to be comfortable entering open water from the boat. The supplied details do not promise a shallow, sandy entry or water equipment, so pack swimwear and consider bringing anything you personally need for confidence in the sea. You also need to follow the crew’s instructions about getting back aboard.

These stops are a strong reason to book the cruise. A road trip to Phaselis alone would give you ruins and a beach, but this boat trip adds several chances to swim along the coast. One account praised the three beaches and said there was enough time in the water, while another specifically enjoyed swimming out at sea.

If you do not want to swim, you can stay aboard and use the time to sunbathe or sit in the shade. The boat remains part of the experience, not just a means of reaching the next stop.

Lunch below deck, with drinks charged separately

Lunch is included and served on the lower deck at the wooden tables and benches. The meal has been described as simple but effective, which is the right way to think about it. This is fuel for a day outside, not a restaurant meal with a long menu.

The setting helps. You eat while surrounded by sea views, with the boat providing shade and a break from the sun. If you are hungry after swimming, a straightforward lunch can be more welcome than anything elaborate.

Bring money for drinks. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are explicitly not included. This point matters because the experience title can give the impression that drinks come with the price. One booking mix-up involved drinks being presented as included, then charged separately and later refunded after calls were made. The stated terms for this tour are clear: drinks are extra.

That confusion is avoidable if you ask the provider or crew at the start of the day what is included. At $47, including the boat, lunch, hotel transportation, and guide, the price remains fair even without drinks. Still, you should add beverage costs to your budget instead of treating the headline price as the final amount.

Reaching Phaselis and its ancient port

Phaselis is the cultural centerpiece of the day. The city was founded in the 7th century BC and grew into an important port. Its position beside the sea explains much of its appeal: you get ancient remains, pine-covered ground, mountains, and beaches in one setting.

The ruins include the main street, city walls, houses, baths, and an amphitheater. You can walk through the old port city and picture how its streets connected the working harbor with public buildings. The setting is less formal than a museum, and the combination of broken stone and shoreline makes this a memorable archaeological stop.

The ancient site is bordered by golden sand and pine trees. That means you do not have to choose between history and a pleasant natural setting. You can look at old masonry, then return your attention to the beach and sea.

The Phaselis entrance fee is not included. It is listed as optional, so allow for that extra if you want to enter the archaeological area. The tour’s wording promises time to explore, but you should not assume a long guided archaeological visit. The main purpose of the day is still the boat cruise and swimming.

There is an important practical concern here. One account reported that the boat stopped about 100 feet offshore and offered a 40-minute swim break instead of a straightforward shore visit to the ruins. This may not happen every day, but it is a real point to clarify before departure. Ask TOURMANIA whether the boat will dock or whether you will need to swim, wade, or use another way to reach land.

If seeing Phaselis is your top priority, this question is essential. If you mainly want the coast and swimming, an offshore stop may still be enjoyable, but it changes the nature of the outing.

The return past islands and Tahtali Mountain

After the Phaselis stop, you return to the yacht for the cruise back toward Kemer. This part of the day gives you another look at the coast, now with the benefit of having seen it from several angles.

The return route includes views of Mediterranean islands and Tahtali Mountain. The mountain is a useful landmark and gives the sea ride a dramatic backdrop. As the afternoon goes on, you may find that the return is your quietest time: swimming is done, lunch is over, and you can settle into a shaded seat.

Back at Kemer Marina, you transfer to a vehicle for the ride to Antalya. Hotel drop-off is included, which is valuable after a long day in the sun. You do not need to arrange a taxi from the marina or work out a separate return route.

The total duration is seven to ten hours. That broad range probably reflects pickup locations, traffic, marina timing, and the day’s schedule. Plan for a full day rather than a short outing. You may leave tired, especially after several swims, but the included return transfer removes one of the day’s less pleasant chores.

Is $47 a fair price?

For $47 per person, I think the package offers solid value if you want several activities in one day. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, the cruise, lunch, and a guide. You also get access to a scenic stretch of coast that would be difficult to enjoy fully from land in a single day.

The price looks even better if you would otherwise pay separately for transport to Kemer, a boat trip, lunch, and a visit to the Phaselis area. The value is less clear if you do not swim, dislike shared boats, or want a long archaeological tour.

The cost is not fully all-inclusive. Drinks are extra, and the Phaselis entrance fee is optional but not covered. Those charges are small compared with the total outing, but they should be part of your planning.

The other value question is time at Phaselis. If the boat reaches shore and you get a proper walk through the ruins, the day has a good mix of nature and history. If the boat remains offshore and the stop becomes another swim, the trip is better understood as a coastal cruise with a possible Phaselis view, not a full archaeological excursion.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want an easy coastal day from Antalya and like variety. You get a boat ride, swimming, beaches, mountain views, lunch, and ancient remains without arranging separate transport.

It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who prefers a gentle schedule over a packed sightseeing march. The chance to move between sun and shade also helps, especially on a hot day.

The cruise is less suitable if you need extensive time at Phaselis, want a private boat, or prefer guaranteed shore access at every stop. It may also feel long if you do not enjoy sitting on a boat for several hours.

A practical tip is to confirm three things before you go: the hotel pickup time, the drink policy, and how you will reach the Phaselis ruins. Those answers will tell you whether the day matches your priorities.

My verdict on the Phaselis boat trip

I would book this tour for the sea, the swimming, and the easy transportation. The strongest parts are the calm wooden-yacht ride, the attractive bays, the mountain views, and the chance to spend time in the water without planning the route yourself.

The crew and communication also receive warm praise, and one account described the captain and team as especially good. That friendly, relaxed tone matters on a long day at sea.

I would not book it without clarification if Phaselis is the main reason you are going. The possibility of an offshore swim stop means the ancient-city portion needs confirmation. Also remember that drinks cost extra, despite any wording that might suggest otherwise.

For a reasonably priced day of Mediterranean scenery, swimming, lunch, and a taste of ancient Lycia, this is a good choice. Go for the coast first, and treat Phaselis as an important bonus rather than the entire purpose of the trip.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip take place?

The experience operates in Antalya Province. You are picked up at your Antalya hotel, taken to Kemer Marina, and then cruise along the Turkish Riviera toward Phaselis.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is seven to ten hours. The exact length depends on the available departure time and the day’s schedule.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but you need to contact TOURMANIA for the exact pickup time at your hotel.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served on the lower deck at wooden tables and benches.

Are drinks included?

No. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

Is the Phaselis entrance fee included?

No. The Phaselis entrance fee is optional and is not included in the tour price.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, German, and Russian.