From Ucagiz: Day Trip to Kekova by Boat

Kekova is best seen from the water, and this seven-hour boat trip from Ucagiz gives you plenty of time to swim, eat, and take in the ruins without rushing from one stop to the next. The flooded remains of ancient Dolchiste are the star, but the long swimming breaks make the day feel like a holiday rather than a history lesson.

I especially like the one-hour stop at Aquarium Bay and the chance to walk up to Simena Castle, where the views reach across Kekova Island and its small coastal villages. Lunch is served onboard, and one booking describes meat grilled right on the boat, a welcome touch after a morning in the sun.

The main thing to consider is the early-season schedule. One booking had a mix-up because the advertised departure was not running, though the provider arranged a private outing at the same price. If you are visiting outside the main season, confirm the boat and departure time directly before setting out.

What makes this Kekova boat trip worth considering

• One hour at Aquarium Bay: A generous first swim stop with snorkeling, fruit or snacks, Turkish tea, and biscuits.
• A close view of the Sunken City: The boat cruises past the underwater remains of Dolchiste, flooded by an earthquake in the second century.
• Four chances to swim: Aquarium, Burç, Gökkaya, and Esmeralda bays each offer a different setting.
• A proper visit to Simena Castle: You get about an hour in Kaleköy, enough time to climb toward the ruins or stay by the water.
• Lunch cooked onboard: The included meal may feature grilled meat, along with fruit and a morning snack.
• Good value at $45: The price covers roughly seven hours, food, several swim stops, and the boat ride, with only the €1 castle entry fee extra.

Leaving Ucagiz Harbour with Captain Mehmet

Your day begins at Ucagiz Village harbour, with departure planned between 10:20 and 10:40 in the morning. The meeting details identify the boat as Memedim Boat and the captain as Mehmet. The boat is also described in the booking information as Kekova tekne turu Mehmedim3 Boat, so I would keep the boat name and captain’s name handy when you reach the harbour.

That small bit of preparation matters. Ucagiz is a working harbour with several boats, and finding the right vessel is easier when you can show the exact name. A previous booking had trouble locating the correct boat, but a call to the provider sorted it out.

The boat has space inside and on the upper deck, with mattresses available for sitting or stretching out. That gives you a choice between shade and sun, though you should bring your own towel and swimwear. You will spend much of the day around the water, so a dry change of clothes is also a sensible addition, even though it is not specifically listed as required.

The planned duration is seven hours. That is long enough to enjoy the coast, but not so long that the repeated swim stops become tiring for most people. The day ends back at Ucagiz harbour, where you can look for dinner in the village centre or continue to your next destination.

Aquarium Bay starts the swimming day

The first major stop is Aquarium Bay, beside Kekova Island. You get about an hour here for swimming and snorkeling in a sheltered, scenic setting. This is not a quick photo stop. You have time to get in the water, cool down, and settle into the pace of the day.

Morning refreshments are served here, including Turkish tea and biscuits. Fruit and snacks are also part of the food service, so you are not left waiting for lunch after an early departure.

I like the placement of this stop. It gives you a proper swim before the historical sightseeing begins, and the full hour means you do not need to rush back aboard after a few minutes. Bring swimwear under your clothes, since changing space on a day boat may be limited.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the boat

The boat then follows the coast of Kekova Island and passes the Sunken City. The ancient settlement of Dolchiste was flooded after an earthquake in the second century. Its remains now sit below the waterline, where stone structures and outlines can be seen from the boat.

This is a sightseeing cruise, not a chance to swim among the ruins. The boat spends about 20 minutes in the area, with an explanation of the site and views along the shore. That short time works well because the interest comes from the setting and the story rather than from a long stop.

You should keep your camera ready, but do not expect a dramatic underwater view in every condition. The boat’s position, sunlight, and water clarity can affect what you see. The value is in understanding how a settlement was partly claimed by the sea and then viewing that history from the water itself.

English and Turkish support is offered, with an audio guide listed in both languages. A booking also praised a guide named Mustafa for explaining the sights in English and answering questions, while noting that the main boat speech was in Turkish. If detailed commentary matters to you, ask at the start who will provide the English explanation.

Burç Bay brings a cooler swim

The next swim stop is listed as Burç Bay, also described as a quieter or less obvious swimming area. You get about 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

The water here is said to feel cooler because of natural springs beneath the surface. That can be refreshing in the strong sun, though you may want a moment to adjust before swimming far. It is a nice change from a warm, still bay and gives the day a different texture.

The exact name can appear differently in the stop information, so do not worry if your captain uses another local pronunciation. The important point is that you have another substantial swim break, not just a brief pause for photographs.

Pirates Cave is a quick but memorable sight

Pirates Cave is visited from the boat. This is a naturally formed cave with a large opening and a curved entrance. The boat cruises by for sightseeing rather than giving you a long walking visit.

The cave adds variety after the water and ruins. It is also an easy stop for anyone who prefers not to swim at every bay. You can stay aboard, take photographs, and enjoy the coastline without needing to climb ashore.

Because this is a boat-based visit, expectations matter. You are seeing the cave from the water, not exploring its interior on foot. Its unusual shape and size make it worth including, but it is a short part of the day.

Lunch and water sports at Gökkaya Bay

Gökkaya Bay is the main midday pause, with roughly 45 minutes for lunch and swimming. The meal is included, and the onboard food service also includes fruit. One especially useful detail is that lunch may include meat grilled on the boat, rather than a meal brought in cold from somewhere else.

You can eat, swim, and enjoy the bay in whichever order suits you. Various water sports may also be available here, although the provided information does not specify which activities, prices, or equipment are offered. Ask before paying for anything extra.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a relaxed meal and a quick swim, but it is not a long beach-style stop. If you want the full swim time, keep an eye on the departure signal and return to the boat promptly.

Esmeralda Bay keeps the afternoon quiet

The boat continues to Esmeralda Bay, where you get another 40-minute swim and snorkeling break. This stop is described as peaceful and calm, which makes it a good counterpoint to the more active lunch stop.

By this point, you may be pleased to have another chance to cool off. You can also stay aboard if you have had enough swimming. The repeated breaks are one of the strongest features of this trip because you are not locked into a full day of sightseeing.

You should pace yourself. With stops at four swimming areas, plus the heat and boat time, sunscreen, water, and a towel are practical essentials. The provided information confirms swimwear and a towel, but food and drink beyond the included service are not detailed, so it is wise to clarify what you may bring onboard.

One hour at Simena Castle in Kaleköy

The final major stop is Kaleköy, ancient Simena. The boat anchors in the small port for about one hour, giving you time to go ashore and explore independently.

Simena is a village with castle ruins and a necropolis. If you are willing to walk uphill, the castle offers broad views across the Kekova region. The climb is the best use of your hour if you want the historical side of the trip, but it does require comfortable shoes and some effort in the heat.

You can also choose the easier option: remain near the waterfront, browse the village, or take another swim. That flexibility is useful. Not everyone wants to make a hill climb after several hours in the sun, and the stop works for both active sightseers and people who prefer a slower afternoon.

The Simena Castle entrance fee is not included and is listed as €1. That is a small extra charge, but bring some cash or confirm payment arrangements before leaving the boat. The one-hour limit means you should decide early if you plan to climb. Waiting until the last few minutes will leave little time for the views.

Food, guides, and the practical details

At $45 per person, this is a strong value if you want a full day on the water. The price includes the boat trip, morning snack, lunch, fruit, and several swim stops. The only stated admission cost is the €1 fee for Simena Castle.

The value is not just the number of stops. You are getting a useful mix of activities: open-water cruising, historical sightseeing, four swim breaks, a village visit, and food. A shorter boat ride may cost less, but it could also give you less time at the bays or skip Simena altogether.

Language support is available in English and Turkish, and an audio guide is listed in both languages. The practical experience may depend on who is leading the commentary that day. Mustafa is specifically praised for giving clear English explanations, but you should not assume he will be on every departure.

The overall rating supplied for the experience is 4.6 from 22 reviews. The strongest praise focuses on the food, the beauty of the swimming places, the roomy boat, and the helpful response when a scheduling problem arose. One booking also describes a private trip being arranged after an off-season error, which suggests the provider may work hard to fix problems, though it is still better to confirm your departure ahead of time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans around Antalya Province are still moving, but check the final booking conditions when you reserve.

Who will enjoy this day on the Kekova coast

I would choose this trip for someone who wants a balanced day rather than a pure ruins tour. You get enough history to make the coast meaningful, but most of the day is spent swimming, eating, and enjoying the sea.

It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone staying in or near Ucagiz. It also works well if you want to see Simena without arranging several separate activities.

The trip may be less suitable if you dislike boats, want a long guided visit inside archaeological sites, or prefer a quiet outing with only one swimming stop. The repeated breaks are a major advantage for water lovers, but they will feel repetitive if you would rather spend the day walking.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes for Simena Castle, and some money for the €1 entrance fee. Confirm the boat name and start time if you are visiting early or late in the season.

Should you book the Ucagiz to Kekova boat trip?

Book it if you want good value, frequent swimming, onboard food, and a useful look at Kekova’s ruins in one day. The hour at Aquarium Bay, the Sunken City cruise, grilled lunch, and free time at Simena Castle give the outing more substance than a simple coastal cruise.

I would be cautious only about the seasonal schedule and the level of English commentary. Confirm that the boat is running, ask for the meeting point at Ucagiz harbour, and check who will guide the English explanation. With those details settled, this is an appealing way to experience Kekova at a relaxed pace.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova boat trip from Ucagiz?

The activity lasts about seven hours. It starts at Ucagiz harbour between 10:20 and 10:40 in the morning and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The $45 price includes the boat trip, a morning snack, lunch, and fruit service. Turkish tea and biscuits are also served at Aquarium Bay.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee is listed separately at €1 per person.

How many swimming stops are included?

You can swim at Aquarium Bay, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay. Aquarium Bay has about one hour, while the other listed swimming breaks last about 40 to 45 minutes.

Can I visit the Sunken City on foot?

No. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat during a sightseeing cruise. The boat spends about 20 minutes in the area.

What languages are available?

English and Turkish support are available. An English and Turkish audio guide is included, and the host or greeter languages are English and Turkish.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Comfortable shoes are also useful if you plan to walk up toward Simena Castle.