Sea Kayak Tour Over the Sunken City of Kekova Kas(Small Groups)

Paddle over a town beneath the sea. This five-hour sea kayak trip from Kaş combines the sunken ruins of Kekova, swimming stops, Simena’s old town, and a fresh lunch into one active day on the water. I like the small maximum of 10 people, and I like that transport, equipment, lunch, and a guide are included. The main catch is physical: paddling in the heat can be tiring, and the underwater ruins may be hard to see from a kayak.

This is a good choice if you want more than a standard boat outing. You move under your own power, stop at historic bays, and get time for swimming and a little exploring. Still, you should book it for the sea adventure and scenery first, not only for a perfect view of submerged stonework.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova’s ruins are viewed from the water: You paddle across the protected area where parts of the ancient city lie below the sea, but you do not land among the ruins.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That keeps the outing more personal than a large boat cruise and gives the guide more room to help.
• Umit receives strong praise: He is noted for clear explanations, attentive care, and taking excellent photos and videos for the group.
• Tersane Bay adds swimming time: The route is not just sightseeing. You can get in the water during the day.
• Lunch is part of the deal: A fresh restaurant meal is included after the kayaking, which adds useful value to the $60.34 price.
• Basic kayaking ability helps: A support boat can tow participants who tire, but this remains an active trip and a high fitness level may be needed.

Why this Kekova kayak trip is different

Kaş has no shortage of boat outings, but a sea kayak gives you a closer, quieter way to see the Kekova area. You sit low on the water, paddle along the coast, and approach the historic sites at a slower pace. That makes the route feel more direct than simply passing by on a motorboat.

The central attraction is the Sunken City of Kekova. Ancient remains sit beneath the clear water along the coast of Kekova Island, and the route passes through the area where those ruins can be seen. You should keep your expectations sensible. From a kayak, you are looking down through the surface rather than walking through an underwater archaeological site. Light, water conditions, and your position in the kayak all affect what you can make out.

That distinction matters. One participant felt the ruins were not visible and found the outing hot and strenuous. The operator explained that the route did pass through the section where the ruins are located. Both points can be true: you may cross the right area without getting a sharp, dramatic view of submerged buildings.

I like this trip best as a combination of active paddling, coastal scenery, swimming, and history. If you need a guaranteed close-up of every ruin, a kayak may frustrate you. If you want to spend half a day moving through one of Turkey’s most unusual coastal settings, the format makes good sense.

Meeting in Kaş and getting to the water

The stated meeting point is Tatil Sihirbazı Travel at Bahçe Sokak in Andifli, Kaş. The tour ends back there. Transportation is included, and pickup may be available, since one participant noted that the company could collect people who were not staying close to the office.

The advertised duration is about five hours, though the full outing can take closer to seven hours once transport to and from Kaş is counted. Plan your day around the longer figure, especially if you have dinner plans, a ferry connection, or another activity afterward.

The exact transfer details are not fully spelled out, so confirm the pickup arrangement when you book. You will receive confirmation at booking, and the activity is offered in English.

The small group size is one of the strongest practical features. With no more than 10 participants, you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd. A guide can keep an eye on the paddling pace, explain the sites, and help if someone struggles.

Stop one: Uçağız and the start of the route

Uçağız is the gateway to the Kekova excursion. From here, you get oriented with the kayaks, paddles, and life jackets before heading toward the bays and historic points along the route.

This first stage is important because kayaking uses muscles and rhythm in a way that sightseeing by boat does not. You may find the early part easy, or you may need time to settle into a steady stroke. A moderate fitness level is officially required, but the practical advice is stronger: basic kayaking experience is useful.

The boat and guide can help support the group, and a support boat has towed tired participants. That safety net is reassuring, especially for families or anyone unsure about maintaining the pace. It should not be mistaken for a motorized tour, though. You are signing up to paddle.

Bring drinking water, sun protection, and a waterproof bag for items you need to keep with you. One useful suggestion is to leave valuables in the boat rather than risking them in the kayak. Photos and videos are not included, although Umit has been praised for taking pictures and video during the outing. Do not assume that service is guaranteed on every departure.

Stop two: Tersane Bay and time to swim

Tersane Koyu, or Tersane Bay, gives the day a welcome change of pace. After paddling along the coast, you can stop for a swim in the clear sea and enjoy the setting from the water instead of from the kayak seat.

This is one of the reasons I would choose the trip over a simple sightseeing transfer. You are not rushed from one historic point to the next. Time is allowed for swimming, and some outings also include time for ice cream and shopping. Those extra pauses make the day feel less like an exercise session.

The physical demands do remain. A sunny bay can look inviting while the exposed water makes paddling hot work. You should be comfortable with several hours of activity and prepared for sun. The experience requires good weather, so conditions may affect whether the trip runs at all.

Tersane Bay also helps balance the historical material. Not every minute needs to be spent trying to identify stones under the surface. You can swim, cool off, and enjoy the coast before getting back into the kayak.

Stop three: Simena Castle and the old town

The route continues toward the Castle of Simena, associated with the old town of Simena. This is the most clearly visible historic stop on the route because the castle and settlement rise above the coast rather than sitting below the water.

You can expect views of the old town and the castle from the water, with time in the area for exploration according to the pace of the outing. The combination is appealing: Kekova gives you a story beneath the sea, while Simena gives you a physical landmark to look toward and understand.

You should ask the guide to point out what you are seeing. That is where a good guide adds real value. Umit is repeatedly praised for explaining the area, caring for the group, and helping people get the most from the day. His role is not only to steer the route. It is to connect the scattered ruins, bays, and castle into a story you can follow.

The route may also include time to shop or get ice cream. These are small details, but they matter on an active half-day trip. They give you a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy the village atmosphere instead of remaining in the kayak from start to finish.

What the sunken city looks like from a kayak

The phrase Sunken City creates a powerful image, but the actual viewing experience is more subtle. You are not snorkeling through streets or walking over exposed ruins. The kayak passes through the section of coast where ancient remains are submerged, and you look down from the surface.

The sea can be clear, but visibility is never something you should treat as guaranteed. Glare, heat, distance, and the angle of your kayak can make details difficult to identify. If the historic remains are the only reason you want to book, this limitation deserves serious attention.

I would frame the attraction this way: you are seeing an unusual archaeological setting while traveling through it by paddle. The pleasure comes from the combination of place and movement. The water, the coastline, the story of the submerged settlement, and the low viewpoint all work together.

You may also hear different impressions from people on the same route. One person can find the ruins fascinating, while another sees little beneath the water. That does not necessarily mean the boat went to the wrong place. It shows how dependent underwater viewing is on conditions and expectations.

Lunch, equipment, and what the $60.34 covers

At $60.34 per person, this tour offers fair value if you use the included elements. Lunch, transportation, a sea kayak, paddle, and life jacket are all covered. For a five-hour activity with a maximum of 10 participants, that is a reasonable package in Kaş.

Lunch is more than a minor extra after a tiring morning. One participant described the meal as fresh and delicious, served at a restaurant after the kayaking. A proper meal means you do not have to arrange food separately while managing wet gear and transport.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. Photos and videos are also excluded from the listed price, though the guide may take some during the day. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want to take your own pictures, but protect the phone carefully. A kayak is not the place for loose electronics.

The life jacket and paddle are supplied, so you do not need to bring specialist equipment. Wear clothing suitable for getting wet and bring anything you need for sun and swimming. The tour details do not specify changing facilities, so it is sensible to ask about that before departure rather than count on a particular setup.

Fitness, family suitability, and the support boat

This is not a passive boat ride. You should have a moderate level of fitness, and basic kayaking knowledge will make the day easier. The paddling can become demanding in hot weather, particularly if you are not used to repeated strokes for several hours.

Families can take part, but age alone does not tell you if the outing is suitable. A nine-year-old and a ten-year-old completed an enjoyable day with help from a support boat, yet the parent also reported that the children needed towing and that the sunken city was not visible to them. If you are booking with children, ask about the expected paddling distance, kayak setup, and assistance available.

The support boat is a useful safeguard. It can tow someone who tires, but you should not plan to depend on it for the whole experience. The more comfortable you are paddling, the more freedom you will have to enjoy the scenery and keep up with the group.

Anyone who dislikes heat, exertion, or getting wet should think twice. The negative experience here was not caused by a lack of attractions alone. The combination of sun and effort was a major part of the disappointment.

The guide can make or break the day

A small group is only as good as the person leading it. Umit receives particularly warm praise for being attentive, kind, and well informed about the route. He also helped with photos and videos, which is a thoughtful touch when you cannot easily photograph yourself from a kayak.

A guide matters most around the historic stops. The ruins under Kekova’s water are not self-explanatory, and Simena’s castle benefits from context. Clear directions also make the physical side easier, since the group needs to move together and stop safely.

Service is described as friendly from the office through the lunch stop. That matters because the experience includes several moving parts: transport, equipment, paddling, swimming, historic sites, and a meal. Good organization keeps those parts from feeling scattered.

Still, guide quality can vary by departure. Umit is named in the strongest comments, but you should not assume he will lead every date. If having him as your guide is important, ask the company before booking.

Cancellation and weather planning

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The tour requires suitable weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

That policy is useful for a sea activity, but leave some flexibility in your Kaş schedule. The experience may also be canceled if the minimum group is not met, so avoid placing it immediately before an important onward journey.

Who should book this Kaş kayak tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active way to see Kekova and prefer a small group to a large boat. It suits people who enjoy swimming, coastal scenery, historic sites, and a guide-led outing with lunch included.

It is also a good match if you are curious about the Sunken City but understand that the ruins are viewed from above the water. The trip offers a more memorable sense of place than a quick pass by boat, even if the underwater remains are faint on the day.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed cruise, have limited fitness, or need guaranteed underwater visibility. The support boat can help tired participants, but it does not turn the tour into a motorized sightseeing trip. Hot weather and steady paddling are part of the bargain.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of paddling through Kekova’s historic waters appeals to you more than simply checking off a ruin. The combination of a 10-person maximum, swimming at Tersane Bay, Simena Castle, lunch, transport, and supportive guiding offers good value at $60.34.

Go in with realistic expectations about the Sunken City. You may see the ruins clearly, or you may mostly enjoy the setting and the story beneath the water. For an active, well-priced half-day in Kaş, I think that is a fair trade.

FAQ

Where does the sea kayak tour start?

The meeting point is Tatil Sihirbazı Travel at Bahçe Sk. no: 6/d in Andifli, Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is approximately five hours. Including transport to and from Kaş, the full outing may take closer to seven hours.

What is included in the price?

The $60.34 price includes lunch, a life jacket, paddle, sea kayak, and transportation.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and the meal is served after the kayaking. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 10 participants.

Do I need to be fit to take part?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level. Basic kayaking knowledge is helpful, and paddling in hot weather can be strenuous. A support boat may tow participants who become tired.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the start time.