Sea Kayak Tour Over the Sunken City of Kekova Kas(Small Groups)

Kekova is best seen from water level, with your paddle dipping beside old stone walls and the remains of a settlement below the surface. This small-group trip takes you by sea kayak from Üçağız to Tersane Bay and Simena Castle, with lunch and swimming along the way.

I like the personal scale of the tour, with no more than 10 people, and I like that guide Umit has earned praise for his care, local explanations, and help with photos. The main consideration is effort: this is a real paddling trip, not a motorboat ride, and the underwater ruins may be difficult to see from your kayak.

Key points to know before you book

• Kekova’s sunken ruins are viewed from the water: You pass the area by kayak, but visibility can vary and the remains are not guaranteed to be clear.
• The route includes three distinctive stops: Üçağız, Tersane Bay, and the old town and castle at Simena.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That makes it easier to hear the guide and keep a steady pace.
• Umit is a frequently praised guide: He is noted for clear explanations, friendly service, and helping with pictures and videos.
• Lunch is included: The meal is served after the kayaking and is a useful part of the half-day outing.
• You need moderate fitness: A support boat has towed tired paddlers in the past, but you should still expect heat, effort, and several hours outdoors.

Why Kekova works so well by kayak

The appeal here is not simply getting from Kaş to a pretty bay. It is the chance to move through the Kekova area slowly, under your own power, with the shoreline close enough to study.

A motorboat can cover more water, but a kayak gives you a quieter view. You notice the color changes around the rocks, the old masonry along the coast, and the way the water hides and reveals ruins depending on the angle and conditions.

The route focuses on places that work well together. Üçağız is the starting point, Tersane Bay offers a break and swimming, and Simena adds the most recognizable historical stop with its old town and castle.

This is also a practical choice if you want a half-day on the water rather than a full-day boat excursion. The listed duration is about five hours, though transport to and from Kaş can make the whole outing closer to seven hours. Leave enough room in your schedule for that longer door-to-door day.

Starting at Üçağız

The tour begins at the Tatil Sihirbazı Travel office on Bahçe Sk. in Kaş. Transportation is included, and the meeting arrangement may include pickup, so confirm the exact plan when you book.

Üçağız is more than a departure point. It is the gateway to the Kekova coast, and it places you near the waters used for the kayak route. From here, you get oriented, receive your equipment, and begin paddling with the guide.

The supplied gear includes a sea kayak, paddle, and life jacket. You do not need to arrange those separately. You should still bring drinking water and protect anything you do not want splashed, especially a phone, wallet, or camera.

A waterproof bag is a smart addition. One person specifically advised keeping valuables in the boat and bringing waterproof bags, which is sensible advice for any kayak outing. Photos and videos are not included, so you should not assume that an official picture package comes with the trip.

Tersane Bay and time for a swim

Tersane Koyu, or Tersane Bay, is one of the route’s natural pause points. The bay is used for swimming and for enjoying the water away from the busier pace of town.

This is where the trip can feel pleasantly unhurried. You are not only paddling from one historical site to another. There is time to get out of the kayak, cool off, and take in the coast from the water.

Swimming is optional, but the stop matters if you like a mix of activity and rest. The day is physical, and a break helps. It also gives you a chance to enjoy the setting without having to keep your hands on a paddle.

Bring suitable swimwear and anything you need to feel comfortable after getting wet. The available information does not specify changing facilities, so it is wise to keep your plans simple after the tour or ask the operator about changing arrangements.

Looking for the sunken city from a kayak

The sunken city is the tour’s main draw, but you should set your expectations carefully. The route passes the part of Kekova where the submerged ruins are located, and the experience is built around viewing them from the sea.

The water does not always offer a clear window into the past. Light, depth, water movement, and your position in the kayak can affect what you see. Some paddlers may make out stonework or submerged structures, while others may mainly experience the historical setting and shoreline remains.

This point matters because the tour title can create a strong expectation of obvious ruins beneath the kayak. The operator confirms that the route passes the area, but that is different from promising a clear, close view of every ruin.

I would book this for the setting, the paddling, and the chance to pass through a historic coastal zone, not for a guaranteed underwater sighting. If seeing clearly visible ruins is your only goal, a kayak trip carries more uncertainty than a visit to a site on dry land.

The kayak does put you close to the water. You can pause, look down, and listen to the guide without the engine noise of a larger boat. That quiet is valuable, even when visibility is limited.

Simena Castle and the old town

The route continues to the Castle of Simena, connected with the old town of Simena. This is the most substantial land-based historical stop on the outing and gives the day a strong finish beyond swimming and paddling.

The castle adds height and character to the route. From the water, you see the old settlement rising above the coast, which helps you understand how the village and its fortifications fit into the surrounding area.

Time is also allowed for exploring, shopping, and ice cream, according to the tour experience described. Those small pauses make the day feel less like a timed exercise session. You get a chance to step away from the paddle and enjoy the village at a slower pace.

The available details do not give a fixed amount of time for walking around Simena, so do not plan a long independent visit. Stay aware of the guide’s schedule, especially if swimming and lunch are part of the same outing.

Lunch after the paddling

Lunch is included, and it is served after the kayaking portion. This is a welcome arrangement because you can finish the most physical part of the day before sitting down to eat.

The meal has been praised for being fresh and delicious. The exact menu is not provided, so do not book based on a particular dish. Instead, treat lunch as a useful included meal that saves you from arranging food during the excursion.

At $60.34 per person, the price covers more than the kayak itself. You receive transportation, equipment, a life jacket, a paddle, lunch, and guiding for a small group. That makes the cost reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for transport and a boat outing.

The value depends on your expectations. It is good value for someone who wants active time on the water, historical stops, swimming, and lunch in one package. It is less compelling if you want a relaxed ride with no physical work or a guaranteed close look at submerged ruins.

The guide and group size

The group limit is 10 people, which is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. A small group usually means less waiting, a better chance to hear instructions, and an easier time staying with the guide.

Umit has been singled out for being helpful, friendly, and well informed about the route. He has also helped with photos and videos, which is useful when you are handling a paddle and trying to keep a phone dry at the same time.

Do not assume every guide will provide the exact same level of photography help, but the personal service is part of the appeal. The tour is not designed as a self-guided rental. You are joining a planned route with someone leading the way.

The guide can also make a difference if your pace changes. The experience includes paddling, swimming, historical sightseeing, and transport, so clear instructions matter. Ask questions before setting out if you are unsure about the route or how much paddling is involved.

How demanding is the kayaking?

The official advice calls for moderate physical fitness, and that should be taken seriously. You will be paddling in the sun for a substantial part of the day, not simply sitting in a boat.

Basic kayaking experience is helpful. You do not need to present yourself as an expert, but you should be comfortable using a paddle and maintaining your balance in a sea kayak.

The tour is not a good fit if you strongly dislike repetitive exercise, hot weather, or getting wet. One outing required a support boat to tow a couple of younger children when the effort became too much. That shows that assistance may be possible, but it should not be your plan.

Parents considering this with children should pay particular attention to the fitness requirement. The available information mentions children aged 9 and 10 who needed towing, so age alone does not tell you whether the trip will be comfortable. Paddling ability and stamina matter more.

Bring water, sun protection, and clothes suited to swimming. Keep valuables protected and expect your equipment and clothing to get wet. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Timing, transport, and the real length of the day

The advertised activity lasts about five hours. In practice, transport between Kaş and the kayaking area can extend the full outing to roughly seven hours.

That difference is easy to overlook when planning. If you have an evening reservation, ferry connection, or another organized activity, allow a generous buffer after the stated five-hour tour time.

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Kaş. Transportation is included, which helps because the kayaking locations are outside the town center. The listed starting point is the Tatil Sihirbazı Travel office at Andifli, Bahçe Sk. no: 6/d, in Kaş.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Since the exact pickup details are not fully described, confirm where and when you should meet, especially if you are staying away from central Kaş.

Weather, cancellations, and planning

This experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

The trip also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

These rules are fairly straightforward, but the weather point is especially important for a sea kayak tour. Keep your schedule flexible enough to handle a date change if conditions are not suitable.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this trip if you want an active half-day with history, swimming, and scenery in the same outing. It works especially well for people who prefer a small group and want a guide rather than a kayak rental with no explanation.

It is a good match for:

• People with moderate fitness who enjoy several hours outdoors
• Visitors who want to see Kekova from a quiet, low-water viewpoint
• Paddlers with basic kayaking experience
• Couples, friends, and families with children who are comfortable with sustained activity
• Anyone who values included transport, equipment, and lunch

I would think twice if you need guaranteed visibility of underwater ruins. I would also reconsider if you want a restful boat day, have limited stamina, or are uncomfortable in hot weather.

Should you book the Kekova kayak tour?

Book it if the idea of paddling through the Kekova area sounds as appealing as the ruins themselves. The small group, included lunch, transportation, swimming stop, and access to Simena make the $60.34 price a fair package.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may pass over the sunken-city area without seeing every ruin clearly, and you will have to work for the experience. Bring water, use a waterproof bag, allow up to seven hours including transport, and consider any basic kayaking practice a plus.

If you want an active way to experience Kaş and do not mind some effort, this is a strong choice. If you want a guaranteed underwater view or a fully relaxing ride, choose a motorboat outing instead.

FAQ

Where does the sea kayak tour start?

The listed meeting point is Tatil Sihirbazı Travel at Andifli, Bahçe Sk. no: 6/d, 07580 Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The kayaking experience lasts approximately five hours. Transportation to and from Kaş can make the complete outing closer to seven hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, a life jacket, paddle, sea kayak, and transportation. Alcoholic beverages, photos, and videos are not included.

Can I see the sunken city from the kayak?

The route passes through the area where Kekova’s submerged ruins are located. Visibility can vary, so the ruins may not always be clearly visible from the water.

How fit do I need to be?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Basic kayaking knowledge is helpful because the tour involves paddling for several hours and may be hot and tiring.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.