Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

Kekova’s best trick is putting ancient ruins and bright, clear water in the same frame. From Kaş, this full-day boat trip takes you past the Kekova Sunken City, up to Simena Castle, and into several quiet bays where you can swim from the boat.

I like the generous lunch and the way the day is broken into several swim stops rather than one long pause. I also like the clean, spacious boat, attentive crew, onboard showers, pool noodles, and Captain Ergun’s charming habit of making free drone videos for swimmers who want them.

The main compromise is time ashore. You get about an hour around Simena, which is enough for the castle and village if you walk briskly, but not enough for a slow visit, shopping, ice cream, and every viewpoint. Bring your own snorkel gear, too, since it is not provided.

Key points to know before booking

• Four to five clear-water swim stops: You get repeated chances to swim and snorkel, not just a quick photo stop.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: The ruins are protected, so the visit is a cruise past submerged remains rather than a landing.
• Simena Castle requires a climb: The views are excellent, but the uphill walk and steps take most of the one-hour stop.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Expect a generous onboard meal, with fish, chicken, or köfte reported as possible choices, plus side dishes.
• Captain Ergun adds personal touches: Free drone footage, occasional Polaroid photos, watermelon, and tea make this feel more personal than a basic ferry ride.
• The $94 price covers lunch, not everything: Drinks and the castle entrance fee cost extra, and snorkeling equipment is not included.

Why Kekova works so well as a day on the water

The Kekova coast gives you two very different reasons to leave Kaş. The first is the sea, with sheltered coves and unusually clear water. The second is the long human story along the shore, where Byzantine remains, old harbors, villages, and a half-submerged settlement appear between the swimming stops.

That mix is what makes this trip more satisfying than a simple beach cruise. You can spend part of the morning floating in warm-looking turquoise water, then look up at a ruined fortress or ancient stonework a few minutes later.

Kekova Island itself has had a rough past, including earthquakes and invasions. The area is now protected, and the island still shows pieces of its Byzantine past. At Tersane Bay, you can see the remains of a church among the ruins, while the Sunken City offers a more unusual sight: walls, steps, and buildings that disappear beneath the sea.

I would book this for the full day rather than trying to squeeze Kekova into a short excursion. The route from Kaş includes long stretches on the boat, but those crossings are part of the pleasure. You get open views, a place to stretch out, and time to let the coast pass without rushing from one sight to the next.

Leaving Kaş on Captain Ergun’s boat

The day begins at the Larsoy Travel and Tourism office near the harbor, opposite the mosque. You collect what you need there before walking to the boat, so do not assume the office and vessel are the same place.

The boat is one of the strongest parts of the outing. It has a spacious deck, loungers on the upper level, clean bathrooms, rinse showers, and enough room to move around. If you care about your seat, arrive early and ask about the top deck. It is the best place for sun, views, and the occasional drone shot, although you will want a towel or cover-up when the boat picks up speed.

Captain Ergun and the crew are known for keeping the day moving without making it feel hurried. You spend roughly 45 minutes on the first boat run, then the route opens into a series of bays and historical sites. The guide speaks English and Turkish, though the quality of historical explanation can depend on where you are sitting and how clearly you hear the announcements.

This is a social boat outing, not a private yacht charter. The atmosphere is friendly and informal, with people moving between the deck, swimming platform, and shaded areas. If you want complete quiet and personal control over the route, you should look for a smaller private boat instead.

İnönü Bay gives you the first proper swim

The first major stop is İnönü Bay, where the crew serves lunch during a stay of about 50 minutes. This timing can vary in practice, but the idea is simple: settle into the day, eat, and get into the water.

The bay is suited to an easy first swim because you are not being asked to combine a long walk with your first break. Pool noodles and life jackets are available, which helps non-swimmers enjoy the water with less worry. You can also snorkel here, but bring your own mask and snorkel. The boat does not routinely provide them.

The lunch is one of the better-value parts of the trip. It is served onboard and described as generous, with fish, chicken, or köfte possible, along with several side dishes. The exact menu can vary, but you should expect a substantial Turkish-style meal rather than a small snack box.

After lunch, the crew often adds watermelon later in the day and tea toward the end. Those small extras matter on an eight-hour trip, especially when you have been swimming in the sun.

Karakol Islands and the pleasures of a slow cruise

The route continues toward the Karakol Islands, with about an hour allocated for a break, food, scenery, and marine life viewing. This is less about one headline monument and more about enjoying the coast from the boat.

The water around these stops is the main attraction. You can swim, look below the surface, or stay on deck and watch the coves slide past. The boat has enough room for both styles, which is useful if not everyone in your group wants to swim every time.

The crew also serves food in this part of the day, including barbecue-style fare and regional dishes according to the route description. In practice, lunch is the main meal, with fruit and tea making the later stops feel well paced.

I like this middle section because it prevents the tour from becoming a checklist of ruins. You get history, then food, then water, then another scenic run. The drawback is that the repeated stops can feel similar if you are not interested in swimming. For a history-first visitor, the short explanations may not be enough on their own.

Passing the Kekova Sunken City by boat

The Sunken City is the most famous stop, and it is also the one people most often misunderstand. You do not walk through the ruins or swim over them. The boat passes along the protected shore, allowing you to see submerged stonework from the deck.

The remains belong to a settlement damaged by earthquakes and later changes in the region. Some walls and structures run down toward the water, creating the strange impression of a town slipping into the sea. Keep your phone ready, but do not expect a long landing here. The point is the view from the water.

The guide provides information in English and Turkish, though the historical detail is not always as extensive as the scenery deserves. If the Sunken City is your main reason for booking, sit where you can hear the guide and ask questions when the boat slows. A little preparation about Kekova’s earthquakes, Byzantine remains, and changing shoreline will make the pass-by much more meaningful.

This is a place where expectations matter. If you want a detailed archaeological tour, this boat trip may feel light on interpretation. If you want to see the ruins in their setting while enjoying a full day at sea, it works very well.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy in one tight hour

The boat then reaches Simena Castle, above the village commonly called Kaleköy. This is the one stop where you leave the boat for a proper walk.

The climb is worth the effort. From the castle, you get broad views over the water, the small islands, and the village below. The ruins themselves are atmospheric rather than polished, and the narrow streets around Kaleköy give the stop a lived-in feel that a formal museum cannot match.

You have about one hour here. That is enough to walk up toward the castle, take in the view, and return if you keep moving. It is not enough to climb slowly, browse every lane, stop for a long meal, shop, and spend time at the waterfront. One of the best practical choices is to decide before leaving the boat: castle first, village and ice cream second, or a split between both.

The climb includes steps and uneven ground. It is not ideal for anyone who has difficulty walking, even though the boat itself is listed as wheelchair accessible. The castle entrance fee is not included, so bring cash for the admission. The village is known for peach ice cream, a small but memorable treat if you have time.

Simena is also where the boat’s schedule feels tightest. You should not expect a leisurely land visit. Still, the castle gives the historical part of the tour a physical focus, and the views make the climb worthwhile.

Tersane Bay brings the ruins back to the water

After Simena, the boat returns to the sea and stops at Tersane Koyu for about 45 minutes. This bay combines swimming with visible remains from the area’s older settlements.

The name is linked to an ancient shipyard, and the bay has a sheltered, quiet feel. You can swim, snorkel, or look toward the shore for ruins, including the remains of a Byzantine church. It is a useful contrast to Simena because you are not climbing toward a monument. You see history from the water, then step straight back into a swim.

The crew usually gives you enough time to rinse off and settle down before the next run. Onboard showers are handy here. They keep the boat more comfortable for everyone, particularly on a hot day when several people have been in the sea.

Üzüm İskelesi and the final tea break

The final listed stop is Üzüm İskelesi, with roughly 50 minutes for another break, swimming, sightseeing, and tea. By this point, you can choose your own pace. Swim again, stay on a lounger, or simply watch the coast while the crew prepares the final service.

The tea break is a welcome Turkish touch at the end of a long day. You are likely to appreciate it more than you expect after repeated swims and a full lunch. The route then includes about 45 minutes back to Kaş, giving you time to dry off and enjoy the last views.

Bring a light top or extra towel for the return. Even in warm weather, the wind across the boat can make the ride feel cool once you are out of the water.

What the $94 price really covers

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Kekova coast, but the day includes a lot: an eight-hour boat trip, several swim stops, lunch, access to a well-equipped vessel, and guided visits around the main sites.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim. You get several chances rather than paying for a history cruise that happens to stop once at a beach. The clean facilities, spacious deck, fruit, tea, and helpful crew also reduce the small expenses and hassles that can add up on a full day out.

Budget separately for drinks and the Simena Castle entrance fee. Outside drinks are listed as not allowed, so do not assume you can bring your own supplies. Onboard drinks are available for purchase, and reported prices have been similar to those in Kaş, but you should still carry money for extras.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel if seeing marine life matters to you. The boat does provide life jackets and noodles, so you do not need to be a confident swimmer to enjoy the water.

The free drone footage is an unusual bonus. Captain Ergun may film you from above while you swim or pose at the front of the boat, then send the clip to your phone. Polaroid photos have also been offered on some departures. Treat these as extras rather than guaranteed parts of the published service.

Who should book this Kekova day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a full day that balances swimming, food, scenery, and a few historical stops. It suits couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where some people want ruins while others mainly want clear water and sun.

It is also a good choice for cautious swimmers. Life jackets and noodles make the stops more approachable, and the crew keeps an eye on where people are swimming. Still, you need to be comfortable boarding a boat and spending much of the day at sea.

I would think twice if your priority is detailed archaeology. The guide gives useful information, but the historical commentary can be brief or hard to hear from certain seats. You may want to read about Kekova before departure so the Sunken City and Tersane ruins have more meaning.

The tour is not suitable for people with heart problems, epilepsy, or pre-existing medical conditions according to the activity information. The castle walk also deserves attention if you have mobility concerns.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want the best all-round introduction to Kekova from Kaş. The strongest parts are the repeated swim stops, generous lunch, comfortable boat, clean facilities, and Captain Ergun’s warm service. The route gives you enough history to add purpose to the cruise without turning the day into a dry lecture.

Book something else if you want a private boat, a slow archaeological visit, or a long stop in Kaleköy. For everyone else, $94 is fair value for eight hours on the water, especially if you arrive ready to swim and bring your own snorkel gear.

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, Simena Castle, Tersane Bay, and Üzüm İskelesi.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at the Larsoy Travel and Tourism office near the harbor in Kaş, opposite the mosque.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard and is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included. Outside drinks are listed as not allowed, and drinks can be purchased onboard.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The castle entrance fee is separate, so bring money for it.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The route includes several swimming stops at İnönü Bay, Karakol Islands, Tersane Bay, Üzüm İskelesi, and other clear-water locations.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Bring your own mask and snorkel, or check whether equipment is available to purchase onboard.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, the walk up to Simena Castle includes steps and uneven ground, so the castle visit may not suit every wheelchair user.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live guide service is available in English and Turkish.