Private Boat Tour to Kekova Including BBQ Lunch from Kas

Kekova is best seen from the water, and this full-day private cruise gives you a relaxed way to reach its ruins, coves, and clear swimming spots. You can ask Captain Ergun’s team to stop at Kalekoy Harbour for the climb to Simena Castle, then continue past the ancient remains of Kekova’s Sunken City.

I like the private format, which lets your group set the pace instead of following a crowded boat’s schedule. I also like the useful mix of activities: snorkeling gear, a kayak, an underwater camera, and a seascooter are available, with a BBQ lunch cooked on board. The main consideration is the price: at $919.06 for up to nine people, it makes the most sense for a full group, not a couple traveling alone.

Key points to know before you book

• A private boat for up to nine people: Your group has the boat to itself, which is useful for families and friends who want control over swim time and stops.
• Simena Castle is optional: You can stop at Kalekoy Harbour for about an hour, but the castle visit is not compulsory.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat: You see Lycian and Byzantine remains along Kekova Island, but the boat does not enter or anchor on the submerged ruins.
• BBQ lunch is included: Fish and grilled meat have been served on past trips, with vegetarian meals available if requested in advance.
• The day is active but unhurried: Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, sightseeing, and lounging all fit into roughly eight hours.
• Drinks cost extra: Lunch, coffee, and tea are covered, but soft drinks and alcohol must be purchased separately.

Why Kekova works best by boat

The Kekova coast is a place where the water tells much of the story. Ancient walls, submerged structures, islands, and steep hills are difficult to appreciate from a road, while a boat gives you a clear view and easy access to the quiet coves between Kas and Kalekoy.

This tour leaves Kas Harbour at 9:30 a.m. and returns to the same harbor after about eight hours. That timing gives you most of the day at sea without requiring a separate transfer to another departure port.

You can spend part of the day sitting on deck and watching the coast slide by. You can also make active use of the equipment on board. The mix matters because a private boat day can otherwise become repetitive if everyone wants something different. One person can snorkel while another swims or rests in the shade.

The boat has been described as spacious, modern, clean, and comfortable. Some groups have even received an upgrade to a much larger vessel, though you should not treat that as guaranteed. Boat size and layout can vary, so ask what vessel is planned if deck space matters to you.

Leaving Kas Harbour at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Boat Trips by Captain Ergun at Andifli, Liman Sk. 4/A, in Kas Harbour. You finish at the same harbor, and private transportation to the meeting point is not included.

That detail is easy to miss when comparing tours. You need to arrange your own way to the harbor, but the central meeting point makes the start simple if you are already staying in Kas. The tour includes taxes, fees, and handling charges, so the main extra costs are transportation to the harbor and drinks.

The morning departure is early enough to give you a long day on the water. It also means you should arrive ready for sun, swimming, and a full schedule. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel, along with any personal medication or dry clothing you may want later.

Because this is a private trip, you are not sharing the boat with unrelated groups. That can make a big difference for families with children, couples traveling with friends, or anyone who dislikes the fixed rhythm of a large group cruise.

Kalekoy Harbour and the climb to Simena Castle

The first important optional stop is Kalekoy Harbour, the small coastal settlement associated with ancient Simena. If your group wants to go ashore, you can spend about an hour visiting Kalekoy and Simena Castle.

The castle is the most demanding part of the day physically. The stop involves walking uphill, so it suits people who are comfortable with uneven ground and a climb in warm weather. The reward is a wider view over the harbor, Kekova Island, and the surrounding coast.

I would choose the castle stop if you want history and views, especially if this is your first visit to the Kekova area. I would skip it only if your group would rather maximize swimming time or if someone has difficulty walking uphill.

The optional setup is useful. You are not forced to spend your best swimming hours on land, and you can decide according to the day’s heat, energy, and interests. Ask the crew early in the trip how much time is available and whether the group can adjust the plan.

The information provided for the stop lists admission as free. You should still allow time for walking, photos, and returning to the boat rather than treating the full hour as castle time.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the water

Kekova’s Sunken City is the main reason many people choose this route. Ancient Lycian remains and a Byzantine church lie partly beneath the water along the island’s shore.

You view the site from the boat. This is important: the attraction is protected, and the experience is about looking down through clear water and seeing the remains from offshore. It is not a shore excursion through the ruins.

The boat gives you several advantages here. You can see the relationship between the ruins and the coastline, move along the affected section, and take photographs without turning the visit into a long land walk. The underwater camera can be useful for capturing your own swimming and snorkeling memories, though exact camera availability and use should be confirmed with the crew on the day.

This stop is more about atmosphere and setting than a formal archaeological tour. If you want detailed history, ask Captain Ergun or the crew questions as you go. Some past outings have included explanations about the Lycians and the area around Kas and Kekova, but the depth of commentary may depend on the captain and crew working that day.

The boat may also pass ancient remains and the Byzantine church connected with the island. Keep your expectations realistic. You are seeing a coastal archaeological site from a boat, not visiting a full museum or walking through a preserved city.

Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and time to relax

The strongest part of this experience may be the freedom between the historical stops. You have time for swimming and snorkeling in the coves around Kekova, with equipment included.

The supplied gear includes snorkeling equipment, a kayak, an underwater camera, and a seascooter. That is a generous range for a private day, especially if your group includes different ages and energy levels. A child may prefer a short swim, while an adult may want to kayak or spend longer in the water.

Several accounts of the trip point to ample swim time rather than a rushed sequence of stops. That is a real advantage. Some boat tours spend so long moving between sights that the swimming becomes an afterthought. Here, the crew can adjust the pace for your private group, within the day’s route and conditions.

The water is described as clean and refreshing, but swimming comfort depends on the season and the weather. One unusual account even described swimming in January, though that should not be taken as a promise of warm water or normal conditions. Pack for your own comfort rather than relying on the calendar alone.

The seascooter and underwater camera add variety, but they are not the central reason to book the trip. The core experience is the boat, the coast, the ruins, and the freedom to stop for a swim. If equipment is especially important to you, confirm what is available before departure.

A BBQ lunch with fish and grilled meat

Lunch is included and prepared on the boat. The food described on past outings includes fresh fish, BBQ meat, and other grilled dishes, with coffee and tea provided as well.

Food quality is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Several accounts describe the lunch as fresh, delicious, or among the best meals of a Turkey trip. One especially useful detail is that fish and meat may both be served, which gives your group more choice than a single fixed dish.

You should report dietary needs when booking. A vegetarian option is available, but it needs to be requested ahead of time. This is not the place to assume that a special meal can be produced at the last minute, particularly on a private boat operating away from shore.

Drinks are not included. Alcoholic drinks and other beverages can be purchased, but you should budget for them separately. Coffee and tea are included, so you will have basic hot drinks without an extra charge.

Lunch is served during the day rather than treated as a quick stop on land. That lets you eat while enjoying the sea views, though the exact setting depends on the boat and the weather. If you have a strong preference for eating in the shade or on deck, tell the crew early.

The value of $919.06 for up to nine people

The price is $919.06 per group, with up to nine people allowed. At full capacity, that works out to about $102 per person for an eight-hour private boat day with lunch, snorkeling gear, a kayak, coffee, and tea.

That is a fairer deal for a family or group of friends than for two people. A full group gets private use of the boat, flexible swim time, a cooked lunch, and several included activities. Two people would pay the same group price, so the per-person cost rises sharply.

The value also depends on what you want from a boat tour. If your priority is the lowest possible price, a shared excursion will usually be more economical. If your priority is privacy, control over the pace, and the ability to combine swimming with the castle and Sunken City, this private charter has a stronger case.

You are also paying for convenience. The crew handles the boat, lunch, equipment, and route while you spend the day outside Kas. The price does not include private transportation to the harbor or drinks, so add those costs when comparing options.

The 99 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 78 recorded ratings point to a strong service record. Still, no boat day is fully predictable. Weather, sea conditions, the assigned crew, and your group’s expectations will affect the result.

Captain Ergun’s crew and the feel on board

Captain Ergun is the name most closely connected with this operation. The crew has been praised for being helpful, patient, kind, and attentive, with a relaxed approach that leaves room for longer swims and flexible stops.

That tone suits this type of outing. A private boat day should not feel like a race between attractions. The best version gives you enough structure to see the important places while leaving room to sit quietly, swim again, or change the timing of a stop.

The captain has also filmed some groups with a 4K drone, producing aerial footage. Treat this as a possible extra rather than a guaranteed inclusion, since it is not part of the listed package. If it matters to you, ask before departure.

The crew and captain names connected with different outings include Captain Ergun, Merve, Captain Coşkun, and Captain Yılmaz. Since staffing may change, confirm who will operate your boat if you have a particular captain in mind.

Who will enjoy this private Kas cruise

I would recommend this tour most strongly to:

• Families who want a private, flexible day with swimming and food included
• Groups of friends who can share the $919.06 cost
• Couples who value privacy and do not mind paying a higher per-person price
• Anyone who wants to combine Kekova’s ruins with a full day at sea
• People who prefer a relaxed boat day over a tightly scripted sightseeing trip

It may be less suitable if you want a formal archaeological tour, a low-cost shared cruise, or guaranteed access to every listed water toy. It also requires children to be accompanied by an adult, and the castle stop may not suit anyone uncomfortable with uphill walking.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The departure point is near public transportation, but transportation itself is not included.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour is mobile-ticketed, so keep your booking available on your phone.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local time in Turkey.

If you need vegetarian food or have another dietary requirement, provide that information when booking. Bring sun protection, swimwear, and a towel, and plan to buy or bring money for drinks.

Should you book the Kekova private boat tour?

Book it if you have a group of up to nine and want a complete day that mixes history, swimming, and lunch without sharing the boat with strangers. The private format, generous swim time, optional Simena Castle stop, and strong food feedback make it a useful choice for a full day in the Kas area.

I would be more cautious if your group has only one or two people and is watching the budget. In that case, the fixed group price can be hard to justify. But if you can fill the boat, this is a practical way to see the Sunken City, reach Kalekoy, use the water equipment, and enjoy Kekova at your own pace.

FAQ

How long is the private Kekova boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and finishing at Kas Harbour.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Boat Trips by Captain Ergun at Andifli, Liman Sk. 4/A, Kas Harbour, and returns to the same harbor.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat accommodates up to nine people per group.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with coffee and tea. Fish and grilled meat have been served on past trips, and a vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks and alcoholic beverages are available to purchase separately. Coffee and tea are included.

Can I visit Simena Castle?

Yes, the boat can stop at Kalekoy Harbour for about an hour if your group wants to visit Kalekoy and Simena Castle. The stop is optional.

What equipment is included?

Snorkeling gear and a kayak are included. The tour information also lists an underwater camera and seascooter among the available equipment.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.