From Kas: Guided Kekova Sea Kayaking Tour

Kekova is best seen from water level, with your paddle moving you past ancient walls, blue coves, and the protected ruins of the Sunken City. This six-hour trip gives you that close view without putting you on a large sightseeing boat.

I like the careful setup for first-time kayakers and the motorized support boat that stays with the group. I also like the balance of activity and sightseeing: you get real paddling time, a swim at Tersane Bay, a castle visit, and lunch in Üçağız.

The main caution is simple: this is an active day. The route covers about eight kilometers, and heat or wind can make the paddling tiring. The group is limited to 15, but staying together can still take some effort.

Key points to know before you book

• Kayak beside protected ruins: You pass slowly over the Sunken City of Kekova, where swimming is not allowed.
• A good first kayaking trip: The guide gives safety and paddle instruction, with a support boat nearby.
• Simena is reached from the water: Climb toward the castle for broad views, or use the stop for swimming and village time.
• Two different kinds of water time: Tersane Bay offers a swim, while the Sunken City is for quiet sightseeing.
• Lunch is included: After paddling, you eat in Üçağız rather than rushing straight back to Kaş.
• Small, but still active: The maximum group size is 15, and the route can feel demanding in sun or wind.

Why kayaking is the right way to see Kekova

The Kekova coast is not just a pretty place for a boat ride. Ancient Lycian remains sit along and beneath the shoreline, and a kayak lets you move at a slower pace than a motorboat. You can look down into clear water, turn toward a stone wall, and stop for photographs without the noise and speed of a large cruise.

The most special section is the protected Sunken City. The ruins were partly submerged after ancient earthquakes, and the surviving walls and foundations can be seen from the surface. You cannot swim there, so the kayak becomes the best way to get close while respecting the rules.

That distinction matters. This is not a tour built around climbing onto ruins or exploring underwater. It is a quiet passage along an archaeological site, with the guide pointing out what you are seeing from the kayak.

The coastline also gives the day variety. You paddle along the Lycian shore, stop in a swimming bay, visit a hillside castle, and later see sarcophagi near Theimussa. It feels more like a full excursion than a single kayaking lesson.

From Kaş to Üçağız, an easy start at 8:00

The day begins with pickup in front of Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş. The exact pickup time can change by season, and the operator sends the final time by WhatsApp or email the day before. The drive to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes.

That transfer is useful because you do not need to arrange your own transport to the kayak base. It also gives you a relaxed start before the physical part begins. The route is planned as a morning-to-afternoon outing, with the return to Kaş included.

At Üçağız, you receive a safety briefing and basic paddle instruction. If you have never used a sea kayak, this is the point where you learn how to steer, move forward, and keep your boat under control. The activity is compared with a long brisk walk rather than a technical sport, but you still need to be ready to paddle for several hours.

The first short session takes place near Üçağız. That practice time is valuable because you can get used to the kayak before heading farther along the coast. Do not treat the briefing as a formality. Listen closely, especially if you are new to kayaking or are traveling with a teenager who has never paddled before.

The tour leaves Üçağız around 9:30 a.m. A motorized support boat accompanies the group, carrying belongings and helping with safety. The boat can also assist with towing if wind or fatigue becomes a problem, as long as you ask for help.

Tersane Bay brings the first swim

The group heads southwest toward Kekova Island and reaches Tersane Bay at about 10:15 a.m. The route itself is part of the attraction, with views along the Lycian coast and time to settle into a steady paddling rhythm.

Tersane Bay is the first proper break, with roughly 40 minutes for swimming and kayaking. This stop gives your arms a rest from constant paddling and lets you enjoy the water rather than simply passing through it.

I would use this break sensibly. It is tempting to spend the entire time swimming, but you still have the Sunken City and Simena ahead. Bring a change of clothes if you prefer not to sit in wet swimwear later, especially because the day continues with a village and castle visit.

The support boat is practical here. You can leave personal belongings on board instead of trying to protect everything in the kayak. A dry bag is still useful for essentials, but the boat means you do not have to carry every item with you on the water.

The exact feel of the paddling depends on conditions. On a calm day, the route should feel manageable for most people with basic fitness. Wind can make the same distance harder, and the paddling becomes more demanding when you are working against it. The guide can help keep the group moving and the support boat can offer assistance.

Passing over the Sunken City of Kekova

After Tersane Bay, the group slowly paddles along the Sunken City of Kekova. This is the central reason to choose this excursion instead of a standard coastal boat trip.

From a kayak, your viewpoint is low and close to the water. You can see submerged stonework below the surface and ruins along the coast without a crowd of passengers blocking your view. The guide explains the sights as you move, and the slower pace gives you time to take photographs.

Swimming is forbidden in this protected section. That may disappoint anyone expecting a snorkel stop among the ruins, but the restriction protects the archaeological remains. You still get an excellent view from the kayak, and the rule keeps this portion of the trip focused on observation.

This is also a good place to keep your expectations realistic. The city is not an intact underwater neighborhood waiting to be explored. You see partial ruins, walls, and traces of an ancient settlement. Their appeal comes from the setting and the story of a town partly lost to the sea, not from a long list of standing buildings.

The guide adds real value here. Yaşar is often praised for explaining the ruins clearly and helping beginners find their rhythm. If he leads your departure, expect an upbeat style mixed with practical instruction and historical detail. Guides speak English and Turkish.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy for one hour

The kayaks reach Simena at about 11:30 a.m., where you stop in Kaleköy, the small village below the ancient castle. The break lasts about 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the day’s schedule.

You have two sensible choices. The first is to walk uphill toward Simena Castle and its necropolis. The climb rewards you with wide views over Kekova Island, the coves, and the scattered remains along the coast. This is the best option if you want the day’s strongest viewpoint and a closer look at the ruins.

The second is to stay closer to the water, explore the village, and swim. That choice makes sense if you have already had enough exertion or if the heat is strong. You do not need to turn every stop into a climb.

The castle entrance costs an additional 4 euros. That fee is not included in the $65 tour price, so carry a little cash or confirm the payment method before setting out. The visit is self-guided, which means you can set your own pace rather than follow a long formal tour.

Simena is especially useful as a break from the kayak. You can stretch your legs, walk through the authentic village, and see Lycian tombs from land. The stop also prevents the day from becoming four straight hours of sitting and paddling.

Time is limited, though. If you want to climb to the castle, do not spend the whole stop browsing or swimming first. The hill walk is the most rewarding part for many people, but it is also the part most likely to feel rushed if you leave it too late.

Theimussa and the return toward Üçağız

After Simena, the group heads back toward Theimussa. This section brings you close to more Lycian sarcophagi, adding another type of ancient monument to the day.

Theimussa helps show how much remains scattered around the Kekova region. The Sunken City gives you submerged ruins, Simena gives you a hilltop fortress, and Theimussa offers the distinctive stone burial monuments associated with Lycia. You do not need to be an archaeology specialist to appreciate the contrast.

The afternoon return also gives you more time on the water, but this is when tiredness may appear. By now, you have paddled, swum, walked uphill, and spent several hours in the sun. Keep your strokes steady instead of trying to race ahead, and tell the guide if you need support.

The tour returns to the kayak base before moving to Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 p.m. The meal is included, which makes the $65 price easier to assess. You are paying for transport from Kaş and back, equipment, approximately four hours of sea kayaking, guiding, the support boat, and lunch, with only the castle ticket extra.

For a full-day-style coastal outing, that is a solid package. It is not the cheapest way to see Kekova if you only want a short boat ride, but it offers much more active time and a closer view of the coast.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, the tour is good value if you want a mixture of exercise, ruins, swimming, and transport. The included return transfer is important because Üçağız is separate from Kaş, and arranging transport independently would add both cost and planning.

The equipment is another strength. Kayaks, life vests, and snorkeling equipment are provided, and the gear has been described as clean and well maintained. You should still bring swimwear, sun protection, water, and a change of clothes. The support boat carries your belongings, but keeping valuables to a minimum is wise.

The price does not include the 4 euro entrance to Simena Castle. That is a small extra, but it is worth knowing before you arrive. Lunch is included, and the post-paddling meal gives you a proper pause before the return trip.

There is also a practical booking advantage: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. These policies are useful if your schedule around Kaş is still changing.

Who will enjoy this six-hour outing

I would recommend this to active couples, friends, families with older children, and first-time kayakers who want more than a passive sightseeing cruise. A reluctant teenager can still enjoy it because the day breaks into short sections: instruction, paddling, swimming, ruins, a village stop, and lunch.

It suits you best if you are comfortable with a physical activity similar to a long brisk walk. You do not need previous kayaking experience, but you should be ready to sit in a kayak and paddle for a substantial part of the morning and afternoon.

The tour may not be right for you if you want a slow, restful boat day or if you dislike heat, sun, and repeated activity. The route is not described as extreme, but wind can make it tiring, and about eight kilometers on the water is a real workout for beginners.

A group of up to 15 people keeps the outing smaller than a large cruise, though it is not private. The guide has to keep the group together, and the pace may sometimes be set by the slower paddlers. That is a reasonable tradeoff for the support boat and lower price.

Simple ways to have a better day

• Bring a change of clothes, especially if you plan to swim at Tersane Bay or near Simena.
• Wear sun protection and keep water with you. The route takes place outdoors for several hours.
• Listen carefully during the paddle lesson. Good steering saves energy later.
• Keep valuables limited. The support boat stores belongings, but a small personal kit is easier to manage.
• Decide in advance if you want to climb to Simena Castle. The stop is short, and the hill walk uses up much of the available time.
• Expect the possibility of wind. The support boat can assist, but you should still approach the day as an active excursion.
• Keep 4 euros aside for the castle entrance if you plan to go inside the site.

My verdict on the Kekova kayak tour

Book this tour if you want to see the Sunken City from close range and do not mind earning your lunch with a paddle. The combination of beginner instruction, a support boat, swimming at Tersane Bay, Simena Castle, Lycian tombs, and included transport makes the $65 price sensible.

Skip it if you want a purely restful cruise or if several hours of paddling sounds unpleasant. For everyone else, this is one of the more engaging ways to experience the Kekova coast, especially if Yaşar is guiding your group and you value clear instruction, useful historical context, and a cheerful pace.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova kayaking tour begin?

Pickup is in front of Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş. The tour then transfers by vehicle to Üçağız, about 45 minutes away.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about six hours. Pickup begins around 8:00 a.m., the group leaves Üçağız by kayak around 9:30 a.m., and lunch takes place at about 1:15 p.m.

Do I need previous kayaking experience?

No. The tour starts with a safety briefing and paddle instruction, and the activity is suitable for complete beginners and novices.

Is swimming allowed at the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. Swimming is not permitted in the protected Sunken City area. You view the ruins from the kayak instead.

What is included in the tour price?

The $65 price includes lunch, return transport between Kaş and Üçağız, and about four hours of sea kayaking.

Is the Simena Castle entrance included?

No. The castle entrance costs an additional 4 euros.

Is there a support boat?

Yes. A motorized support boat accompanies the group, stores belongings, assists with safety, and can help tow participants if needed.