Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

The best part of this Kekova boat tour is the mix of easygoing sea time and genuine ancient sites. You glide past the partly submerged ruins of Kekova, then get an hour to walk through Kaleköy and climb toward Simena Castle. The setting is beautiful, but the day is not just a photo stop. You also get several proper swims in clear water and a generous lunch served onboard.

I like the well-kept boat and attentive crew, led by Captain Ergun, and I like the number of swimming stops. You are not parked in one bay all day. The main thing to consider is that history takes second place to swimming and relaxation, so explanations at the Sunken City may feel brief if you want a detailed archaeology tour.

Quick take: what makes this day worthwhile

• Several swim stops: İnönü Bay, Tersane Bay, Üzüm İskelesi, and other coves give you repeated chances to swim and snorkel.
• A useful hour at Kaleköy: You can climb to Simena Castle, wander the village, or seek out the famous peach ice cream.
• A proper onboard lunch: Fish, chicken, köfte, salads, and other sides have been served, with watermelon and tea later in the day.
• A comfortable boat: The vessel has spacious decks, loungers, showers, bathrooms, and pool noodles.
• Extra personal touches: Captain Ergun may film you swimming with a drone and send the footage to your phone. Polaroid photos have also been offered.
• Good flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure and reserve now while paying later.

Why Kekova works so well as a full-day trip from Kaş

Kaş is a fine base for a day on the water, and Kekova gives you more variety than a simple coastal cruise. The route combines narrow bays, rocky islands, old ruins, a small waterfront village, and a medieval castle. You spend much of the day outdoors, but the schedule has enough changes of scene to keep eight hours from feeling repetitive.

The boat leaves from near the Kaş harbour. You collect your arrangements at the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office, opposite the mosque, rather than walking directly to a boat. The meeting point is close to the waterfront, but parking in Kaş can be difficult. If you are driving, the marina parking is a more practical option.

The price is $94 per person. That is not a bargain-basement boat outing, but it covers a full eight hours, lunch, the major Kekova stops, several swimming breaks, and a comfortable vessel. Drinks cost extra, and the entrance fee for Simena Castle is not included. For a full day with lunch and repeated stops, I consider the price fair, especially if you value a clean boat and good service more than having the smallest possible group.

The boat ride from Kaş to İnönü Bay

The first sailing section takes about 45 minutes. This is a good time to settle in, choose a place on the upper deck, and watch the coast open up around you. Loungers on top are popular, but an assigned place may determine where you sit, so arrive ready to make the most of your space.

İnönü Bay is the first major pause, with about 50 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, lunch service, and a look at the water. Life jackets and pool noodles are available, which helps less confident swimmers enjoy the stop. The boat also has showers for rinsing off salt water.

The water is often the star of this part of the day. It is clear enough for a refreshing swim and, with your own mask and snorkel, a look below the surface. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if that matters to you. You can buy gear onboard, but it is simpler to pack it before leaving Kaş.

Lunch is served during the day rather than treated as a quick sandwich break. Depending on the service, you might receive fish, chicken, or köfte with several side dishes. Portions have been described as generous, and the meal is a welcome change from living on snacks between swims.

Karakol Islands and the rhythm of the day

After İnönü Bay, the boat continues for about 45 minutes toward the Karakol Islands. This section takes roughly an hour, with more views, food, and time around the water. The stop is less about one landmark and more about the pleasant rhythm of a Turkish day boat: sail, swim, eat, sit in the sun, and sail again.

That rhythm suits you if you want a relaxed day without having to plan each cove. It also explains why the tour feels longer than a simple transfer to Kekova. You are not rushed from one sight to the next, although the number of stops means no single swimming break lasts all afternoon.

The boat has a convivial atmosphere, with people moving between the shaded areas, open deck, and water. It is not a private yacht outing. On busy dates, you may share the boat with a large group, so choose your seat early and expect a social rather than silent experience. The vessel’s spacious design and clean facilities help make the size more manageable.

Drinks are not included. Small bottles of water, beer, cocktails, coffee, and other drinks have been available for purchase, with prices described as similar to those in Kaş. Outside drinks and food are not allowed under the stated rules, and alcohol or drugs are prohibited. Pack beachwear, but plan to buy drinks onboard rather than bringing your own.

Passing the Kekova Sunken City by boat

Kekova’s Sunken City is the historical centerpiece of the route. Earthquakes damaged and partly submerged the ancient settlement, leaving stone walls, stairways, foundations, and other traces beneath the waterline. The boat passes slowly along the protected area, giving you the best view from the deck.

You do not swim through the ruins or go ashore at the Sunken City. The point is to observe the remains from the boat and listen to the guide’s explanation. That makes this stop accessible and easy, but it also means you should not expect an archaeological walk or a close look at every feature.

This is one place where expectations matter. The guide gives information in English and Turkish, but the amount of historical detail can vary. If your main aim is ancient history, listen carefully from the best viewing side and ask questions when you can. If your priority is scenery and a swim-heavy day, the short stop works well.

The route then continues toward Kaleköy and Simena Castle. The sailing time is only about 20 minutes, so you have a chance to relax before the most active part of the day.

One hour at Kaleköy and Simena Castle

Kaleköy is a small waterfront village on the Simena peninsula. The boat stop lasts about an hour, and that hour goes quickly. You can walk through the narrow lanes, look at the waterfront, search for peach ice cream, or climb toward the castle ruins for wide views over the coves and Kekova Island.

The climb is not a flat stroll. Stone steps and uneven surfaces make the castle visit a real walk, so wear shoes with a secure sole. The climb rewards you with the best high view of the area, but you may not have time to do everything slowly. One hour is enough for the castle and a quick look around, but not necessarily for a leisurely climb, shopping, ice cream, and a long swim.

The castle entrance fee is extra. Bring cash for Simena Castle, since relying only on a card has caused problems for some people. If the fee or climb does not suit you, Kaleköy itself is still worth exploring, and the waterfront offers a gentler alternative.

This stop gives the tour its strongest sense of place. You are not only looking at ruins from the sea. You are walking through a living village beside them, with boats, small lanes, and mountain views all around. The combination feels more personal than a standard pass-by sight.

Tersane Bay and Üzüm İskelesi

After Kaleköy, the boat returns to the water for Tersane Bay, also called Tersane Koyu. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes swimming, snorkeling, and time to enjoy the old coastal setting. Byzantine remains, including the ruins of a church in the area, add another historical layer, though the main pleasure here is still the water.

Tersane Bay was also connected with ancient shipbuilding. You get a sense of why sheltered coves mattered along this coast, even if you do not receive a long formal lecture. Bring your mask if you want to look below the surface, and use the pool noodles or life jackets if you prefer extra support.

The final major stop is Üzüm İskelesi, with about 50 minutes for another break. By this point, you may be ready for a quieter swim, a drink, or simply a place in the shade. Tea is served later in the day, and watermelon has been offered as a thoughtful snack after the main meal.

These later stops are valuable because they prevent the historical portion from taking over the whole day. Kekova is best enjoyed through the contrast between ruins and open water. You can look at an old church site in one bay, then sit with wet hair and a cup of tea in the next.

Lunch, service, and the small extras

Lunch is one of the tour’s strongest features. It is served onboard, so you do not lose sightseeing time looking for a restaurant, and you can eat without leaving the boat. The food has included fish, chicken, köfte, salads, and side dishes, with portions large enough to satisfy you after several swims.

The crew keeps the day moving without making it feel like a military schedule. Captain Ergun has received particular praise for his organization and hospitality, while the crew regularly checks that people are comfortable. The boat has bathrooms and rinse showers, which matter on an eight-hour outing.

One unusual extra is the drone footage. Captain Ergun may offer to film you at the front of the boat or in the water, then send the video to your phone. Complimentary Polaroid photos have also been available on some departures. Do not book solely for these extras, since they are not listed as a formal inclusion, but they can make the day feel more personal.

The boat may also provide tea, watermelon, and sometimes small snacks beyond lunch. Drinks remain separate, so keep some Turkish lira or another accepted payment method handy for anything you want to buy onboard.

What to bring and who should choose it

Bring your passport or ID card, beachwear, a towel, sun protection, and sturdy footwear for the castle walk. Add your own snorkeling mask and fins if you have them. A warm top is useful for the return ride, especially when the wind rises after you have been swimming.

The tour is wheelchair accessible as an activity, but Simena Castle involves an uneven uphill walk and stairs. If you use a wheelchair, ask the operator what parts of the shore visit can be managed comfortably before booking.

The schedule is best for you if you want:

• A full day on the water rather than a short sightseeing cruise
• Several swims in clear bays
• A comfortable shared boat with lunch and facilities
• A taste of Kekova’s archaeological sites without a demanding land tour
• A relaxed mix of swimming, views, food, and one substantial shore visit

It is less suitable if you want a private boat, a quiet luxury outing, or detailed archaeological instruction at every stop. The tour is also not suitable for people with heart problems, epilepsy, or pre-existing medical conditions, according to the stated restrictions.

Should you book the Kekova tour from Kaş?

I would book this tour if you want the most complete one-day introduction to Kekova from Kaş. The combination of clear-water swimming, a satisfying lunch, Simena Castle, and the Sunken City gives you more variety than a basic boat trip, and the clean boat and capable crew add real value at $94.

Book with realistic expectations about the history. You will see important sites, but the day leans toward swimming and scenery rather than specialist guiding. Bring snorkeling gear, cash for the castle, and a warm layer for the ride home. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a strong and practical choice.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat tour meet in Kaş?

The meeting point is the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office near the harbour, opposite the mosque. You collect the tour arrangements there rather than meeting directly at the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including sailing, swimming, lunch, the Sunken City, Simena Castle, and the other coastal stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and served onboard. Drinks are not included.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The castle fee is separate. Bring cash, as card payment may not be practical.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is offered at several stops, including İnönü Bay, Tersane Bay, and Üzüm İskelesi. Life jackets and pool noodles are available.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included. You should bring your own, or ask about buying equipment onboard.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Turkish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.