From Kas: Day Trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra

Kekova’s Sunken City is the star here. From the boat, you glide past the partly submerged remains of ancient Dolchiste, then trade ruins for clear water, quiet bays, a small cave, and sea turtles near Demre. It is a big day, but it gives you both coastal scenery and major ancient sites without arranging separate transport.

I like the way the trip joins Kaleköy and Simena Castle with several proper swim stops, rather than treating the boat ride as a quick sightseeing transfer. I also like the practical setup: central Kaş pickup, lunch on board, snorkel goggles available, and a roof where you can get out of the sun. The drawback is time. Ten hours, several stops, and a return drive make this a full, active day, and archaeological entrance fees are extra.

Key points at a glance

• See Kekova’s ruins from the water: The boat passes the submerged remains of ancient Dolchiste, giving you views that are not possible from land.
• Walk through Kaleköy: You get about an hour around the old village of Simena, with castle ruins, hillside views, shopping, and swimming.
• Expect several swim breaks: Pirates Cave, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay each add time in the water.
• Watch for turtles at Karemlik Bay: The area is home to three of the seven known sea turtle species.
• Add two major historic sites: St. Nicholas Church and the ancient city of Myra bring the day back to land and Lycia’s past.
• Plan for extra costs: Food and drinks beyond the included meal, plus archaeological entrance fees, are not covered.

Why this Kaş day trip works

Kaş is an easy base for the Kekova coast, but reaching both the boat route and Demre’s ancient sites on your own takes planning. This outing combines central pickup, the transfer to Demre Harbor, a boat day, and visits to St. Nicholas Church and Myra.

The result is not a slow beach day. You move often, and some stops are short. Still, the mix is appealing: ancient ruins, a traditional coastal village, swimming, lunch, marine life, and a little time for shopping.

The boat portion takes up most of the day. English and Turkish hosts are available, and pickup times change by season. You receive the exact pickup time one day before departure by WhatsApp or email, so keep your morning flexible.

At $57 per person, the price is strong for a 10-hour outing that includes central Kaş pickup and drop-off, the boat trip, lunch, and several swimming stops. The value depends on the added site fees and what you buy or drink during the day. Think of this as a broad introduction to the Kekova and Demre area, not a private archaeological tour.

From Kaş to Demre Harbor

The day begins at Smiley’s in Kaş, with pickup from the town center. From there, you travel to Demre Harbor, where the boat portion starts.

The transfer matters because the best-known Kekova sights sit along the coast near Demre, not directly beside Kaş. Having the ride arranged saves you from coordinating a separate drive, parking, and boat departure.

Exact pickup times vary with the season. You should have your towel ready, wear swim-friendly clothing, and keep sunscreen and water close at hand. The boat roof offers a place to sunbathe, but you can also seek shade when the midday heat builds.

Cruising past Kekova’s Sunken City

Kekova Island provides the trip’s most memorable sight. The boat passes the underwater ruins of ancient Dolchiste, a settlement partly claimed by the sea.

You do not walk through the ruins or swim among them. Instead, you view them from the boat as the guide points out the remains and the captain moves along the shoreline. That protects the site and gives you a clean view for photos.

The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes, so your time here is focused. Bring a camera, but do not let the photo stop become the whole experience. The appeal is the contrast between the quiet water and the visible traces of an old settlement beneath it.

This is also where expectations matter. The ruins are seen from above the water rather than explored on foot. If you want a long archaeological visit, Myra provides that later in the day. Kekova works best as a scenic, unusual coastal sight.

Kaleköy and Simena Castle

The boat anchors at Kaleköy, the modern village associated with ancient Simena. You get roughly an hour here, enough to walk through the village, see castle remains, browse small shops, and take in views across the Kekova region.

Simena Castle sits uphill, so the visit involves walking and a climb. The reward is the view back across the water and islands. You should use this hour wisely: climb if the weather and your energy allow, then leave time to wander near the harbor or cool off with a swim.

Kaleköy feels different from the major sites later in the day. It is not simply a fenced archaeological area. The village is part of the living coast, with boats, small shops, and daily activity around the water. That makes this one of the more personal stops.

The tradeoff is limited time. An hour passes quickly if you want both the castle and a swim. Comfortable shoes will help, and a towel is essential if you choose the water.

Lunch and swimming at Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay, also written as Esmaralda Koyu, is used for lunch and a swim break. The setting gives you a pause after the walking and sightseeing at Kaleköy.

The food is served on board, and one especially useful detail is that extra food and drinks are not included. The included meal may cover the basic lunch, but you should budget for anything additional rather than assuming every drink or snack is part of the price.

This is the kind of stop that makes a long boat day manageable. You can eat, swim, or simply sit on deck and watch the coast. The bay is described as calm, so it is a good place to slow down before the next series of stops.

Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Pirates Cave

The route includes more than one chance to get into the water. Burç Bay is known for cold underwater springs, which can make the water feel noticeably cooler than at other stops.

Gökkaya Bay provides another swim break, with water sports available if you want more activity. The schedule lists time here for swimming, and the route may include more than one pause around the bay. These stops are not long enough for a full beach afternoon, but they help break up the boat ride.

Pirates Cave adds a small sense of adventure. The boat enters or approaches the cave’s curved opening, and you can swim and snorkel nearby. The cave is known for its large size and unusual entrance, so it is a natural photo stop as well as a water break.

Snorkel goggles are available on the boat, according to the experience details, but you should not expect a full equipment center. Bring your own gear if you have preferred equipment. At minimum, pack a towel, as one is specifically listed among the items to bring.

Karemlik Bay and the sea turtles

Karemlik Bay is tied to the area’s marine life. Three of the seven known sea turtle species can be found there, so you have a chance to watch for turtles in their natural setting.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The right approach is to keep your eyes open, avoid expecting a close encounter, and enjoy the bay even if no turtle appears. The stop is also listed as a boat cruise and later as a break, so it may serve as both a viewing area and a pause in the route.

This is a good example of the trip’s range. You are not only moving from one ruin to another. You also get time to notice the coast as a living environment, with clear water and marine life alongside ancient sites.

Returning to land at Andriake Harbor

The boat returns toward Demre Harbor and passes Andriake Harbor. The stop is brief, about 10 minutes, and works mainly as a photo opportunity.

Do not expect a long visit here. Its value is in seeing another part of the old harbor area from the route and preparing for the land-based section of the day. After hours on the water, the change of pace is welcome.

The timing also explains why this tour feels full. Several stops are about 40 minutes, while others are closer to 10 or 15 minutes. You see a great deal, but you will need to follow the schedule.

St. Nicholas Church in Demre

The day can continue with a visit to St. Nicholas Church, often presented as the Santa Claus Museum. The church was built in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, and its remains offer a direct link between Demre’s religious past and the familiar Santa Claus tradition.

The stop is listed at about 40 minutes. That is enough for a focused visit and photographs, but not a slow study of every architectural detail. The site entrance fee is not included, so check the current charge when planning your budget.

The attraction is strongest if you enjoy places where history and modern traditions overlap. You are not visiting a themed Santa attraction. You are seeing the remains of an ancient church connected with the real St. Nicholas.

Myra’s theater and rock-cut tombs

Myra is the other major land stop. The ancient city is known for a large Roman-style theater and rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs.

The tombs are the visual highlight. Cut into the rock above the site, they show the distinctive funerary architecture of ancient Lycia. The theater gives the visit a second focus, with its large scale and Roman design.

You get about 40 minutes here for sightseeing, photographs, and a self-guided visit. That is enough to see the main features, but you should keep your expectations realistic. This is a compact introduction, not a detailed archaeological study with hours for every corner.

Myra gives the day historical weight after the relaxed boat stops. The Sunken City is unusual because you see it from the water; Myra is more traditional, with ruins you can view on land and understand at your own pace.

Comfort, food, and the pace of the boat

The boat is described as comfortable, with a roof suitable for sunbathing. That matters because the route spends many hours on open water. You will want both sun and shade options, especially during the longest middle section.

Lunch is served on board. The boat also has snorkel goggles available, and the crew is described as attentive and flexible with practical needs. One small but telling example is that a dropped cap was retrieved from the sea, though you should still secure loose belongings around the railings.

The schedule includes swimming at several locations. You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water from the boat, and you should bring your own towel. The supplied information does not promise beach access at each bay, so expect boat-based swimming rather than long stretches on shore.

The host service is available in English and Turkish. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a named specialist guide. The emphasis is on getting you through a varied route with basic guiding and organized transport.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see a lot of the Kaş and Demre coast in one day. It suits people who like a mix of ruins and swimming, rather than choosing only one.

It is especially useful for:

• First-time visitors using Kaş as a base
• Couples or families wanting transport arranged from central Kaş
• Swimmers who enjoy repeated short breaks
• History lovers who want both Myra and St. Nicholas Church
• Anyone interested in seeing Kekova without arranging a separate boat trip

You may want a different plan if you dislike long days, frequent schedule changes, or boat-based swimming. The day has several short stops, and the archaeological visits are not long. Someone seeking a quiet, unhurried cruise may find the route too packed.

Booking details worth knowing

The price is $57 per person. Pickup and drop-off from central Kaş are included, along with the boat trip and the listed route. Food and drinks beyond the included meal cost extra, and archaeological entrance fees are not included.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Pickup times vary by season, with the exact time sent one day before by WhatsApp or email. Keep the morning open rather than scheduling another early activity. A towel is the one item specifically required, but you will also want sun protection and a secure place for your phone.

Should you book this Kaş to Kekova tour?

Book it if you want the best broad sample of the area in one organized day. The strongest combination is the Sunken City, Kaleköy, repeated swim stops, sea turtle habitat, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church, all for $57 before site fees and extras.

Skip it if you prefer slow travel or a specialist history tour. The pace is brisk, the land visits are short, and the boat portion takes up most of the day. For an active first look at Kekova and Demre, though, this is a practical and good-value choice.

FAQ

How long does the Kaş to Kekova and Demre trip last?

The activity lasts about 10 hours, including the transfer from Kaş, the boat route, land visits, and the return to Kaş.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Smiley’s in Kaş. Pickup and drop-off from Kaş city center are included.

When will I receive my pickup time?

Pickup times vary by season. The exact time is sent one day before the trip by WhatsApp or email.

Is lunch included?

A meal is served on board. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Are archaeological entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for the archaeological sites are paid separately.

Can I swim during the boat trip?

Yes. Swimming breaks are scheduled at Pirates Cave, a bay described as having cold underwater springs, Gökkaya Bay, and other coastal stops.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. A towel is specifically listed as an item to bring.

Are English-speaking hosts available?

Yes. The activity is offered with English and Turkish hosts or greeters.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.