Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

Kekova’s best trick is putting ancient ruins and superb swimming into the same day. From Kaş, you cruise to the Sunken City, pause at Simena Castle, and spend much of the route in clear coves where the sea is the main attraction.

I like the well-kept boat, generous lunch, and thoughtful extras such as watermelon, tea, and free drone footage from Captain Ergun’s crew. I also like the rhythm of the day: several swim stops rather than one long stay. The main drawback is that the historical commentary can feel brief, and the hour at Simena is tight if you want both the castle and the village.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight hours on a spacious boat: You get a full day at sea, with loungers, bathrooms, showers, and room to move around.
• Several swimming stops: İnönü Bay, Tersane Bay, Üzüm Iskelesi, and other coves provide repeated chances to swim and snorkel.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the water: Boats pass slowly beside the submerged ruins, but you cannot walk through them.
• Simena Castle requires a climb: The views are excellent, but the hour ashore goes quickly.
• Lunch is included: Expect a generous onboard meal, with fish, chicken, or köfte mentioned on different departures, plus side dishes.
• Bring your own snorkel gear: Life jackets and pool noodles are available, but snorkeling equipment is not included.

Why Kekova works so well as a boat day

The Kekova coast gives you two very different pleasures without forcing you to choose. One is the easy pleasure of warm sun, open water, and a swim from the boat. The other is the chance to look at Byzantine remains, old harbors, a hilltop fortress, and a partly submerged ancient town.

That mix makes this a better full-day choice than a simple swimming cruise if you want some culture along with your sea time. You will not get a long archaeology lecture, though. Captain Ergun and the guide provide information in English and Turkish, but the historical explanation may be light, especially from some seats on the boat.

The trip begins at the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office near Kaş harbour, opposite the mosque. You collect your ticket there rather than directly from the boat. The meeting point is convenient, but parking around Kaş can be awkward, so allow time if you are arriving by car.

At $94 per person, the price sits above a basic short boat trip but covers a full eight hours, lunch, several swim stops, and the major Kekova sights. Drinks cost extra, and the castle fee is not included. For a full day on the water with food and a well-equipped boat, I consider the price fair, particularly if you plan to make the boat day one of the main outings during your stay in Kaş.

The boat, crew, and comfort on an eight-hour outing

The boat matters here because you spend most of the day aboard it. This one is described as clean, spacious, and well maintained, with bathrooms, showers for rinsing off, upper-deck loungers, and pool noodles for swimmers who want extra support.

The upper deck is the place to aim for if you want sun and a clear view while cruising. A lounger also makes the long return ride more pleasant. The lower areas can be useful when the sun is strong, though seating arrangements may depend on the departure and how busy the boat is.

This is a shared boat experience, not a quiet private charter. One full departure had around 95 people aboard, yet the spacious layout and steady schedule helped keep the day comfortable. If you want solitude, rent a private boat instead. If you enjoy a sociable day with a crew moving efficiently between swimming, meals, and sightseeing, this setup works well.

Captain Ergun is repeatedly identified as the person running the boat, and his crew handles the day with a polished routine. A particularly unusual extra is free drone footage for passengers who want it. The captain may film you swimming or standing at the front of the boat, then send the footage to your phone. Some departures have also offered Polaroid photos.

The boat bar sells drinks and snacks. Prices have been described as similar to those in Kaş, though drinks are not part of the tour price. The supplied information says outside drinks are not allowed, but one account says personal drinks were placed in the boat fridge, so I would confirm the current rule with the operator rather than assume.

İnönü Bay begins the swimming schedule

After roughly 45 minutes of cruising, the boat reaches İnönü Bay for about 50 minutes. This is where the day settles into its easy pattern: swim, dry off, eat or relax, then cruise onward.

The water is clear, and you can use a life jacket or pool noodle if you are not a confident swimmer. This is useful because the trip is not only for strong swimmers. You should still bring beachwear and take normal care around the boat’s swim ladder and open water.

Lunch is listed within this stop, although the exact serving time can vary with the captain’s schedule. On different departures, the meal has included fish, chicken, or köfte with several side dishes. Portions are generally described as generous, so you will not need to plan a separate midday meal in Kekova.

For snorkeling, bring your own mask and snorkel. The boat provides flotation aids but not snorkeling equipment. You may be able to buy gear aboard, but packing your own is the simpler choice.

Karakol Islands adds scenery and a longer pause

The next cruise takes about 45 minutes before a roughly one-hour stop around the Karakol Islands. This is another chance to swim, look for marine life, and enjoy the meal or barbecue-style service if lunch is being served at this point in the schedule.

The value of this stop is not a single famous monument. It gives the day breathing room before the historic section. You can sit on the deck, watch the islands pass, and enjoy the fact that the boat is not rushing directly from one attraction to the next.

The itinerary includes regional food and scenic views here. The combination of food and water time also explains why the eight-hour duration does not feel like eight straight hours of sightseeing. The day alternates between active stops and relaxed cruising.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the boat

The Sunken City is the most distinctive stop. The boat spends about 30 minutes passing beside Kekova Island, where parts of the ancient settlement lie beneath the water after earthquakes affected the area.

You view the remains from the boat’s deck. This is important: swimming and anchoring around the ruins are restricted, so you should not expect an underwater tour. The best experience is to stand or sit where you have a clear view over the side as the boat moves slowly along the shoreline.

You can make out submerged walls, stone features, and the outlines of structures below the surface, depending on the light and water conditions. The sight is subtle rather than theatrical. It rewards attention, especially if the guide points out what you are looking at.

This is also where the tour’s limited historical narration matters most. The guide explains the sites, but some English-speaking passengers have found the commentary hard to follow or too short. I would read a little about Kekova before boarding if ancient ruins are a major reason for your booking. That preparation will help you notice more from the boat.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy require quick feet

The boat then reaches Simena Castle, above the small settlement of Kaleköy, for about an hour. This is your only substantial time ashore, and it is the most active part of the day.

The climb to the castle follows steps and uneven paths. It is not a huge hike, but you should wear shoes with a secure grip rather than loose sandals. At the top, you get broad views across the islands, coves, and the waterway below. The setting makes the climb worthwhile.

The one-hour limit requires a choice. You can head up to the castle, wander through the narrow streets of Kaleköy, stop for something cold, or look for the submerged tomb area. Doing all of it at a relaxed pace is difficult. Several people try to combine the castle and village, then find themselves hurrying back to the boat.

Kaleköy is known for peach ice cream, which makes a good reward after the climb. The castle fee is extra, so carry Turkish cash. One passenger arrived with only a card and could not easily cover the admission. The tour price does not include this cost.

I would make the castle your priority if you have never been there. If you have already seen it, spend more time in the village and along the waterfront. Keep an eye on the return time because the boat will not wait for a late wanderer.

Tersane Bay brings you back to the water

After Simena, there is about 20 minutes of cruising before Tersane Bay, where the boat pauses for approximately 45 minutes. Tersane means shipyard, and the bay has old connections with shipbuilding and ancient harbor use.

The stop works mainly as another swim and snorkel break. The water is clear, and the surrounding ruins add a little historical interest without turning the stop into a formal shore visit. You can rinse off in the boat’s shower afterward and settle back on deck.

This repeated access to coves is one of the strongest reasons to choose the tour. You are not dependent on finding a beach or paying for a sunbed. You simply swim from the boat, return to your lounger, and continue along the coast.

Üzüm Iskelesi closes the sightseeing loop

The final major stop is Üzüm Iskelesi, reached after about 45 minutes of cruising. The boat stays around 50 minutes, giving you another chance to swim, snorkel, or relax in the scenery.

A tea service is offered later in the day, along with watermelon on some departures. These small touches help the long route feel cared for rather than purely functional. After this stop, the return cruise to Kaş takes about 45 minutes.

Bring a light layer or a dry towel for the ride back. Even on a warm day, wind across the water can make the final stretch feel cool, especially after several swims.

Lunch, drinks, and the small extras

Lunch is included and is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. The meal has been described as a buffet-style serving with fish, chicken, or köfte, plus several sides. Portions are generous, which matters on a full day with repeated swimming.

The food is served on the boat, so you do not lose sightseeing time looking for a restaurant. You also avoid the inflated prices that can come with a meal stop at a small coastal settlement.

Drinks are extra. The boat sells water, beer, cocktails, coffee, and other refreshments. Tea and watermelon may be served as complimentary extras, but you should not treat every snack as guaranteed unless the operator confirms it for your date.

The crew also keeps the facilities clean. A proper bathroom and rinse shower are easy to take for granted until you spend eight hours aboard a boat without them. Here, they make a real difference.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing if you want a full day combining swimming, scenery, and a few major Kekova landmarks. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors who enjoy a social boat, and anyone who wants flotation support rather than a demanding water sport.

It is also a good fit for non-swimmers who would like to enter the water with a life jacket, though anyone with heart problems, epilepsy, or another pre-existing medical condition should not book without professional medical advice. Bring your passport or ID card and beachwear.

The tour is less suitable if your top priority is detailed archaeology. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, and the Simena stop is short. If you want long, quiet visits at ruins, a private guide or land-based archaeological trip may suit you better.

Wheelchair access is listed, but Simena Castle itself involves steps and uneven ground. Ask the operator what parts of the route can be managed with your specific mobility needs before booking.

Should you book the Kekova boat tour?

Book it if you want the best all-round version of a Kekova day: several excellent swim stops, a proper lunch, a clean and comfortable boat, the Sunken City, and a quick visit to Simena Castle. The crew’s service, Captain Ergun’s optional drone footage, and the included extras add real value at $94.

Skip it if you dislike shared boats, want a private pace, or expect a detailed history lesson at every stop. For most visitors with one free day in Kaş, though, this is a strong choice. Bring your own snorkel, cash for the castle and peach ice cream, a warm top for the return, and enough time at Simena to climb before wandering.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat tour meet?

The meeting point is the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office near the Kaş harbour, opposite the mosque. You collect your ticket there rather than directly from the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including cruising, swimming stops, the Sunken City, Simena Castle, and the return to Kaş.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board. Drinks are not included, although the boat sells refreshments.

Can I swim if I am not a strong swimmer?

Yes. Life jackets and pool noodles are available. You should still follow the crew’s safety instructions and use care in open water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Bring your own mask and snorkel. Snorkeling gear may be available to buy on the boat, but it is not included.

Is the castle entrance fee included?

No. The Simena Castle fee is extra. Bring cash, since card payment may not be available.