Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

Kekova’s Sunken City ruins are the star of this day on the water. From the boat, you’ll pass slowly beside submerged walls, steps, and old buildings in remarkably clear water, then go ashore at Simena for castle views and a village stroll. Between the history stops, the day is filled with long swimming breaks.

I like the generous mix of sightseeing and downtime, plus the included buffet lunch and afternoon tea. The crew often adds personal touches, and Captain Ergun has provided drone photos or video on some departures. My main caution is seating: a full boat can mean an indoor place rather than an upper-deck lounger, so ask about it when booking.

Six things to know before you book

• Four useful swim stops: İnönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık give you plenty of time in the sea.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: Swimming and snorkeling around the ruins are not part of the visit.
• Simena requires some walking: The castle sits above the village, and the walk includes narrow streets and an uphill route.
• Lunch is part of the fare: Expect a filling buffet, with fish or chicken and salads mentioned on board.
• Drinks cost extra: Water, tea, coffee, sodas, and alcoholic drinks can be bought separately.
• Deck space matters: The boat can carry up to 65 people, so ask about an upper-deck seat if lounging in the sun is important to you.

Why Kekova makes such a good boat day from Kas

Kas is a fine place to swim, but Kekova gives the day a stronger sense of purpose. You are not simply riding along the coast. The route ties together clear bays, ancient Lycian remains, a seaside village, and a medieval castle.

The sea is the main pleasure. The water around Kekova is often a brilliant blue-green, and the rocky coast makes a fine backdrop from the deck. You can spend the first part of the day moving between bays, then switch gears for the more historical parts of the trip.

At about eight hours, this is a full outing rather than a short cruise. The start time is 9:30 a.m., and the activity returns to its meeting point later in the day. That makes it easy to treat this as your main Kas excursion, but it also means you should not plan another major activity afterward.

The advertised price is $84.65 per person. For that fare, you get the boat, guide, fuel and landing fees, buffet lunch, and afternoon tea. I consider that fair value if you want both swimming and sightseeing, especially since a full day on the coast can otherwise become expensive once meals are added.

İnönü Bay begins the day quietly

The first stop is İnönü Bay, where a small canyon gives you a choice. You can walk toward the canyon or stay near the water and enjoy the bay. About 45 minutes is enough for a short look around without making this opening stop feel rushed.

This is a gentle start. You are still getting settled on the boat, finding your preferred deck, and working out how the day is organized. If you want a walk, use the time here. If you prefer to save your energy for Simena, the bay itself is pleasant enough for a relaxed pause.

The canyon is not presented as a major archaeological site, so keep your expectations in check. Its appeal is the setting and the chance to stretch your legs before the longer swim stops.

Aquarium Bay is made for the first swim

Aquarium Bay earns its name from the clarity of the water. This is one of the places where you will want a swimsuit ready and a towel close by. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you enough time to swim without turning the visit into a quick jump overboard.

The bay has rocky sides, green plant cover, and water clear enough for fish to be visible below the surface. Snorkeling is a natural choice here, although the tour information does not promise rental equipment, so bring your own gear if you care about seeing beneath the surface.

The practical detail is simple: water shoes can be useful around rocky edges, though they are not essential. You should also remember that the sea may feel cold in April, even when the air is comfortable. Swimming conditions depend on the day and the season.

The Sunken City is best seen from the boat

The ruins near Kekova are the reason many people choose this particular excursion. Ancient earthquakes pushed part of the Lycian settlement beneath the sea, leaving traces of walls, houses, steps, and other structures below the surface.

Your boat passes alongside the submerged remains for about 30 minutes. This is a sightseeing section, not a swim stop. You will look down through the clear water while the guide explains what you are seeing, so listen closely if the boat is busy. Commentary can be harder to hear from the upper deck.

The ruins are not a complete underwater city waiting to be explored. They are partial remains, viewed from above the water, and the amount you can see depends on the light, sea conditions, and your position on the boat. Still, the combination of ancient stone and open sea makes this one of the more unusual historical sights around Kas.

I like this part because it does not require a long museum visit or a difficult hike. You get a real sense of the site while staying on the route. If you are hoping to snorkel directly over the ruins, this tour is not designed for that.

Kekova Island brings history and open water together

Kekova Island is more than the submerged ruins. Its rocky coast, small coves, and clear water make the whole area rewarding from the deck. The island gives the day a feeling of distance, even though the route remains focused on the coastline around Kas and Simena.

The boat trip also puts the ruins into context. You see the coast that supported the old settlements, the sheltered bays that made sea travel possible, and the small communities that still depend on the water. That connection between place and history is more satisfying than seeing isolated ruins on land.

The route includes several pauses for swimming, so you have time to enjoy Kekova as a coastal setting rather than rushing from one historical point to the next.

Simena Castle rewards the uphill walk

Simena, also called Kaleköy, is the main land stop. The village is small and car-free in character, with narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, flowers, waterfront cafes, and views across Kekova. You have about an hour at the castle and village area, though the actual timing can feel tight if you want to do everything.

The castle sits above the village and provides broad views over the sea and nearby islands. It dates to the Byzantine period and occupies the sort of high position that makes photographs easy and the climb worthwhile. You may also see ancient Lycian tombs and sarcophagi around the village area.

Admission to the castle is not included, so bring money if you want to enter. The tour includes the landing, but not every attraction ticket.

This is the one stop where I would watch the clock. You need time for the uphill walk, the castle, photographs, and the return to the boat. One hour is enough for a focused visit, but not for a slow meal, a long browse, and an extended castle exploration. Waterfront cafes sell ice cream and food, but the boat’s lunch means you do not need to spend extra here unless you want to.

Kaleköy Harbour offers a slower village pause

Kaleköy Harbour gives you another hour around Simena. In practical terms, the castle and harbour are part of the same village experience, but the split in the schedule gives you time to take in both the high views and the waterfront.

I like this balance. You are not forced to spend the entire stop climbing. After the castle, you can return toward the harbour, look at the boats, and enjoy the quiet village atmosphere. The narrow streets and waterfront setting feel very different from Kas, which is one reason this stop adds value to the excursion.

Do not expect a large town with many shops. Simena is appealing because it is compact and peaceful. The tradeoff is that facilities are limited, and the main route can feel busy when several boats arrive at once.

Tersane Bay is a strong swimming stop

Tersane Bay, or Shipyard Bay, is surrounded by rocky slopes and vegetation. The name points to its connection with old shipbuilding, adding another small historical detail to a stop that is mainly about swimming.

The water here is clear and sheltered, making the 45-minute break useful for a proper swim. You can also look back toward the coastline and Simena Castle from the water. If you prefer to stay dry, the bay still offers good views from the boat.

This is a good place to have your towel ready before the boat anchors. With several swim stops in one day, getting organized matters. Keep your dry clothes in a bag and avoid leaving valuables loose on the deck.

Çamlık Bay finishes the swimming

Çamlık Bay is the final scheduled swim stop, lasting about 45 minutes. Pine trees and calmer water give it a restful feel, and the timing works well: you can enjoy one last swim before the boat begins the return portion of the day.

By this point, you may be ready to lie on a sunbed rather than swim again. That is no problem. The upper deck is useful for relaxing, but it can fill early, especially on a popular departure. If a covered lounger matters to you, ask about deck arrangements before the boat leaves.

The sequence of four swimming areas is one of the tour’s strongest features. You are not relying on one perfect bay. If one stop is windier or busier than expected, the next may offer better conditions.

Lunch, tea, and the practical boat setup

Lunch is served on board and is described as a buffet with fish or chicken, salads, and later fruit such as watermelon. The food is more substantial than a token snack, which matters on an eight-hour outing. Proper plates and cutlery have also been used on some departures.

Afternoon tea is included as well. Extra drinks are not included, but water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase. Prices have been described as reasonable, and card payment may be possible, though I would still carry some Turkish lira as a backup.

The boat is reported to be clean and in good condition, with an upper deck offering sunbeds. The group limit is 65 people, so this is not a private sailing trip. You may have plenty of room on a quieter day, but a busy departure can feel social and crowded.

There is one practical issue worth taking seriously: seating. Some departures assign passengers to the lower indoor area, while others appear to offer more choice. If you have your heart set on an upper-deck lounger, contact the operator before booking and ask exactly how seats are allocated.

The English guide is included, though sound can be difficult to catch from the top deck. Captain Ergun is associated with particularly friendly service, historical explanations, and occasional drone footage. Mehmet Kaptan has also been praised for clear explanations and long experience on the water. Because different boats may operate the route, the exact captain and atmosphere can vary.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a light layer for the ride. The boat can feel breezy even on a warm day, and the sea may be cool outside the height of summer.

Water shoes are useful but not required. Bring snorkeling equipment if you want to make the most of Aquarium Bay and the other swimming areas, since the tour does not clearly include gear rental.

Keep cash or a card available for drinks and the Simena Castle admission. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point in Kas yourself. If you are staying in Kalkan or elsewhere outside Kas, arrange transport early rather than assuming a transfer is available.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity is suitable for most people, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, walking through a village, and making the uphill approach to the castle.

Is this Kekova boat tour worth booking?

I would book it if you want a full day that combines swimming, scenery, and history without arranging several separate activities. The price is reasonable for eight hours, lunch, tea, a guide, and multiple bays, and the Sunken City gives the route a memorable focus.

You may want another option if you require a private boat, guaranteed sun-lounger seating, or a long visit inside Simena Castle. The group can be large, drinks and castle admission cost extra, and different captains may create slightly different experiences.

For most people staying in Kas, this is a strong use of one full day. Book ahead, as it is commonly reserved about 15 days before departure. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while bad weather or an insufficient number of bookings may lead to a different date or a refund.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova boat tour from Kas?

The tour lasts about eight hours and starts at 9:30 a.m. It ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes the boat trip, driver and guide, fuel surcharge, landing and facility fees, buffet lunch, and afternoon tea.

Are drinks included?

No. Water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point in Kas.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The route includes swimming stops at İnönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık Bay. The Sunken City section is viewed from the boat rather than used as a swimming stop.

Is admission to Simena Castle included?

No. The tour includes the visit to Simena and Kaleköy Harbour, but the castle admission ticket is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.