Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

Kekova is at its best from the water. This full-day cruise from Kaş carries you past quiet coves, Byzantine ruins, the Kekova Sunken City, and the hilltop remains of Simena Castle. Between the sightseeing, you get several proper swim stops and a generous lunch served on board.

I like the careful rhythm of the day: swim, sail, eat, explore, then swim again. I also like the little extras, including watermelon, tea, pool noodles, and, when Captain Ergun is running the boat, free drone footage of you in the water. The main consideration is that the historical commentary can be light, and the one-hour stop at Simena may feel short if you want both the castle and the village.

Key points to know before you book

• Five scenic water stops: İnönü Bay, Karakol Islands, Tersane Koyu, Üzüm İskelesi, and other clear coves give the day a strong swimming focus.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: You pass slowly beside submerged ruins, since swimming and landing around the protected site are not part of the visit.
• Simena Castle requires a climb: The views are excellent, but the path and steps take effort, especially in hot weather.
• Lunch is a real part of the value: Expect a substantial onboard meal, with fish, chicken, or köfte reported on some departures, plus side dishes.
• Snorkel gear is not included: Bring your own mask and snorkel, or plan to buy equipment on board.
• The boat is built for a full day: Reviews repeatedly note clean bathrooms, a roomy deck, loungers, showers, pool noodles, and attentive service.

Why Kekova works so well as a day from Kaş

Kaş has plenty of attractive boat trips, but Kekova offers more than a pretty coastline. The route joins clear swimming water with ancient remains, small coastal settlements, and a castle reached on foot. You are not choosing between a beach day and a sightseeing day. You get a little of both.

The tour begins at the Larsoy Travel and Tourism Office near the harbor, opposite the mosque. You collect your details there before walking to the boat. Allow time to find the office rather than heading straight to a random vessel on the quay.

The boat ride from Kaş takes you into a quieter part of Antalya Province. The pace is unhurried, and the long stretches at sea give you time to claim a lounger, sit on the upper deck, or watch the rocky coast slide past. The eight-hour duration sounds long on paper, but it is broken into short sail sections and several stops.

That structure matters. You are rarely sitting still for too long, yet you also get enough time in the water to make the day feel like a holiday rather than a history lesson delivered from a deck chair.

İnönü Bay starts the swimming day

The first major stop is İnönü Bay, after roughly 45 minutes on the boat. It is used for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and lunch-related service. The water is clear, and the bay gives you your first chance to settle into the boat’s routine.

Pool noodles and life jackets are available, which helps less confident swimmers take part. I would still bring a towel and beachwear in an easy-to-reach bag. The boat has showers for rinsing off after a swim, a useful feature when you have several water stops ahead.

Do not expect snorkeling equipment to be included. This is one of the easiest details to miss when planning the day. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you care about looking below the surface. Equipment may be available to purchase on board, but bringing familiar gear is more practical.

Lunch is served on the boat, either around this part of the route or at Karakol Islands depending on the day’s timing. The meal has received especially strong praise. It is described as generous and filling, with fish, chicken, or köfte on some departures, along with several side dishes. This is not just a sandwich-and-fruit cruise.

Karakol Islands brings food and scenery together

Karakol Islands is scheduled as a longer pause of about an hour. The stop includes scenic views, a barbecue-style meal, marine-life viewing, and time to relax on the boat. It is a good point to enjoy lunch without rushing back into the water.

The food is one of the clearest strengths of this trip. People have singled out the freshness, portion size, and overall flavor. Some departures have included fish, while other menus have featured chicken or köfte. The precise meal can vary, so I would not book this expecting one fixed dish.

The crew also serves watermelon later in the day, followed by tea on some routes. These are small touches, but they improve a long boat outing. Fresh fruit after swimming is welcome, and a cup of çay near the end gives the return trip a distinctly Turkish touch.

Drinks are not included. You cannot bring outside drinks or alcohol, and the boat sells water, beer, cocktails, coffee, and other refreshments. Prices have been described as similar to those around Kaş, but take this rule seriously if you normally carry a bottle onto a boat.

Seeing the Kekova Sunken City from the deck

The boat then reaches Kekova Island and passes the Sunken City for about 30 minutes. This is the route’s most famous sight, but it is important to understand what you are actually doing.

You remain on the boat as it moves slowly beside the shore. Submerged walls, steps, and other remains can be seen through the clear water. The island suffered earthquakes and invasions over the centuries, and parts of its former settlement now sit below the sea. Because the area is protected, this is a look from the water rather than an opportunity to swim among the ruins or walk ashore.

The setting is more memorable than a simple stop on a map. You see the line between ordinary coastline and ancient remains, with the water revealing parts of the old settlement. Still, do not expect a museum-style presentation. The guide shares information in English and Turkish, but the amount of detail can depend on where you sit and who is leading the day.

If ancient sites are your main reason for booking, sit close enough to hear the guide. Some people have found the historical explanations a little brief, particularly at the Sunken City. The boat ride provides the access, but it does not replace a specialist archaeological tour.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy in one busy hour

The stop at Simena Castle, above Kaleköy, lasts about an hour. This is the only substantial time ashore, and you can use it in different ways.

The energetic choice is to climb toward the castle. The steps are manageable for many people but not effortless, especially under the summer sun. At the top, you get wide views over the coast, islands, and water. Wear shoes with a secure grip, and carry water from the boat.

The more relaxed choice is to wander through Kaleköy’s narrow lanes, look at the waterfront, or find the famous peach ice cream. You can also visit the area around the sunken tomb. Doing everything in one hour is possible only at a brisk pace, and you may feel hurried.

The castle fee is not included. Bring cash, since one passenger arrived without enough money and could not enter. The experience remains worthwhile from below, but anyone determined to enter the castle should plan for this extra cost.

This is also the tour’s main accessibility issue. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the castle climb and uneven village paths are not suitable for every mobility level. If the historic site is important to you, ask the operator how the current boat and shore access will work before booking.

Tersane Koyu gives you another clear-water break

After Simena, the boat returns to the water and reaches Tersane Koyu, or Shipyard Bay, for about 45 minutes. The bay is linked with ancient shipbuilding and offers another chance to swim and snorkel.

This stop helps keep the day from becoming too history-heavy. You can rinse off, float with a noodle, or stay on deck and enjoy the view. The repeated swim stops are a major reason this tour suits people who want a relaxed day rather than a packed sequence of monuments.

The water may feel cool outside the height of summer. Departures have operated in spring, autumn, and even winter conditions when the weather allowed. Swimming in March has been possible, but you should not assume the sea will feel warm. A dry change of clothes and an extra layer are sensible for the ride back, when wind can make wet skin feel chilly.

Üzüm İskelesi closes the day with tea and open water

The final named stop is Üzüm İskelesi, scheduled for about 50 minutes. It includes more free time, swimming, snorkeling, coastal views, and a tea service.

By this point, you have seen the main historic sights and eaten lunch. This last stop feels less like sightseeing and more like a chance to enjoy the water without watching the clock too closely. If you prefer staying dry, the upper deck loungers provide a comfortable alternative.

The crew has earned repeated praise for keeping the boat clean and organized. Bathrooms, deck areas, and swimming equipment are kept in good order, and showers make the repeated swims easier. With around 94 people on some departures, this is not a private cruise, but the spacious boat and several deck areas can make the group feel manageable.

One bonus sometimes offered by Captain Ergun is a short drone video of you swimming or posing at the front of the boat, sent to your phone before you leave. Some departures have also included Polaroid photographs. These extras are not the core reason to book, and I would not treat them as guaranteed, but they are a nice personal touch when available.

What the $94 price really gives you

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Kekova. The value comes from the length of the day and the number of things covered in one outing: boat transport from Kaş, several swimming stops, lunch, a guided route, time at Simena, and the return cruise.

You are also paying for a well-equipped boat rather than a bare transfer. The reported features include a spacious deck, loungers, clean bathrooms, showers, pool noodles, onboard food service, and a crew that checks on people throughout the day.

You still need to budget for drinks, the Simena Castle entrance fee, and snorkeling equipment if you do not bring your own. The no-outside-drinks rule can make the final cost higher than the headline price, especially if you want several drinks over eight hours.

For me, the price makes sense if you plan to spend a full day on the water and want both swimming and Kekova’s major sights. It is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet, short swim trip or a detailed archaeological tour.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most

I would recommend it to couples, families with confident supervision around water, and groups of friends who want a full day with a sociable feel. Non-swimmers can use life jackets or noodles, and you can stay on deck during the water stops.

It is also a good fit for first-time visitors to Kaş who want an efficient introduction to Kekova. You see the Sunken City, Kaleköy, Simena Castle, several bays, and the open coast without arranging separate transport.

I would be more cautious if you have heart problems, epilepsy, or another pre-existing medical condition, since the activity is not considered suitable in those cases. I would also think twice if your priority is detailed history. The guide can explain the sights, but the commentary may not satisfy someone seeking a specialist account of the ruins.

The boat is run by Boat Trips by Captain Ergun, and many departures are associated with Captain Ergun and his crew. One earlier trip refers to Captain Hassan, so the captain may vary by date. English and Turkish guiding are available.

For cancellation, you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. The meeting point is near the harbor, opposite the mosque. Bring your passport or ID, beachwear, sun protection, a towel, and your own snorkeling gear.

Should you book the Kekova day cruise?

Book it if you want clear water, a generous lunch, and a broad look at Kekova in one day. The strongest part is the balance: you get real time to swim, enough time to see Simena, and a boat comfortable enough for the long return to Kaş.

Go in with the right expectations. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, Simena Castle requires a brisk climb, and the historical explanations may be shorter than the tour title suggests. Bring cash for the castle, your own snorkel gear, and a warm layer for the ride home.

For a full day on Turkey’s southern coast, the combination of good swimming stops, clean facilities, attentive service, and onboard lunch makes the $94 fare a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova boat tour from Kaş?

The tour lasts eight hours, including the boat journey, swimming stops, lunch, the Sunken City viewing, and time at Simena Castle.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at the Larsoy Travel and Tourism Office near the harbor, opposite the mosque, before walking to the boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board. Drinks are not included.

Can I swim at the Kekova Sunken City?

No. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat as you pass the submerged ruins. Swimming and landing around the protected site are not part of the visit.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The castle fee is separate, so bring cash if you want to enter.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel, or ask about purchasing equipment on the boat.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Turkish.