Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

Kekova turns a boat day into a history lesson. I like the mix of clear-water swimming and ancient sites, plus the generous onboard lunch and comfortable deck. The main catch is that historical commentary can feel brief, and the one-hour stop at Simena may force you to choose between the castle and village.

This eight-hour trip costs $94 per person, which is fair for a full day on the water with lunch, several swim stops, a live guide, and a well-kept boat. Captain Ergun and his crew receive especially high praise for friendly service, clean facilities, good timing, and occasional free drone footage. Bring your own snorkel gear if you want to see below the surface, since it is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Four or more swimming stops give you plenty of time in calm, crystal-clear bays.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, not explored on foot.
• Simena Castle requires a walk uphill, and the separate entrance fee is not included.
• Captain Ergun sometimes provides free drone footage and, according to several accounts, Polaroid photos too.
• Lunch is one of the tour’s strongest features, with fish, chicken, or köfte and several side dishes reported on board.
• Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask and snorkel or buy gear on the boat.

Why this Kekova day works so well

Kekova is one of those places where the sea does much of the sightseeing for you. The boat threads along a coast marked by small bays, island ruins, old harbors, and steep hillsides. You get a relaxed day on deck, but there is enough history and walking to keep the trip from becoming a simple swim cruise.

I especially like the rhythm. You are not parked at one beach for half a day. Instead, the schedule moves between swimming, lunch, historical views, a village stop, and more swimming. That variety helps the eight hours pass quickly.

The tour leaves from the Larsoy Travel & Tourism Office near the harbor, opposite the mosque. You collect your ticket there rather than directly from the boat, so allow time to find the office before departure. Parking in Kaş can be difficult, particularly near the quay. One practical option noted by passengers is the marina, where paid parking is easier to find early in the morning.

The boat is described as spacious, clean, and well maintained. Several people specifically praised the bathrooms, showers, top-deck loungers, and general condition of the vessel. You can sit in the sun, find shade, or use the deck as a comfortable base between swims.

The ride from Kaş to İnönü Bay

The first sailing section takes about 45 minutes. This is a useful settling-in period. You can find a seat, store your belongings, and get familiar with the boat before the first swim.

İnönü Bay is the opening stop, with around 50 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. The water is clear, and life jackets and pool noodles are available, which makes the stop more approachable if you are not a confident swimmer. One passenger specifically noted that even a non-swimmer could enjoy the water with a life jacket.

The bay is also listed as a lunch stop, though the day’s meal may be served at another point around Karakol Islands depending on the operating schedule. Either way, lunch is included and is widely praised for being filling and freshly prepared. Reported meals include fish, chicken, or köfte with side dishes. Vegetarian details are not provided, so ask the operator before booking if that matters to you.

If you want to snorkel, bring your own equipment. This is one of the clearest practical gaps in the package. Pool noodles and life jackets are available, but masks and snorkels are not included. Equipment may be sold on board.

Karakol Islands and the best part of lunch

After another roughly 45-minute cruise, the boat reaches the Karakol Islands area for about an hour. This stop combines a break, scenic views, marine-life watching, and the main meal. It is a good point in the day to dry off, eat properly, and take in the coastline without rushing.

The food receives more praise than you might expect from a standard boat excursion. Reports describe large portions, buffet-style service, fish, chicken, köfte, salads, and other sides. Watermelon later in the day and tea near the end are also mentioned as thoughtful extras.

Drinks are not included. The boat sells water, beer, cocktails, coffee, and other drinks, with several passengers finding the prices reasonable compared with Kaş. The official rules say outside drinks are not allowed, so plan to buy what you need on board. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, and smoking is restricted to the back of the boat.

Seeing the Kekova Sunken City from the water

The Sunken City section lasts about 30 minutes. This is a slow boat passage beside the submerged remains on Kekova Island. You stay on board and view the ruins from the deck, so the experience is about seeing traces beneath the water and along the shore rather than entering the site.

Kekova’s past includes earthquakes and invasions. Parts of the island contain Byzantine remains, including the remains of a church near Tersane Bay. The area is protected, which helps preserve the ruins and keeps the setting quiet and undeveloped.

This is the tour’s most important historical moment, but it is also where expectations matter. The boat provides information in English and Turkish, yet the amount and clarity of the explanation can vary. Some people found the guide’s stories engaging, while others wanted more detail, especially about the Sunken City itself.

I would treat the commentary as an introduction rather than a full archaeology lesson. If you want a detailed account of each ruin, read a little about Kekova before boarding. That preparation will make the brief boat narration more meaningful.

One hour at Simena Castle and Kaleköy

The boat then reaches Simena Castle, beside the small settlement of Kaleköy. You have about one hour here, with time for a walk, sightseeing, swimming, and independent exploring.

The castle sits above the village, so reaching the best views means walking up steps and uneven paths. The climb is worthwhile for the broad view across the water and islands, but it is not a flat, easy stroll. If you have limited mobility, the village itself may be more realistic than the castle summit, even though the boat tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

The time limit is the main drawback. You can climb to the castle and look around the village, but doing both at a slow pace may be difficult. Some people also want time for the small shops and famous peach ice cream in Kaleköy. You will need to choose your priorities.

The castle entrance fee is not included, and you should carry cash for it. One passenger had only a card and did not have enough cash, though the village and surrounding views were still enjoyable. The tour information does not state the current entrance price, so check locally.

Kaleköy gives the day a welcome human touch. After several hours of open water, its narrow streets, old stone buildings, and hillside castle offer a change of pace. Just keep an eye on the time. The boat will not wait while you browse every ice cream counter.

Tersane Bay and the return sailing

After leaving Simena, the boat returns to the water for about 20 minutes before stopping at Tersane Koyu. You get around 45 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and a little quiet time.

Tersane Bay has historical interest as an old shipbuilding harbor. The setting also connects to the Byzantine remains on Kekova Island, including the church ruins mentioned earlier. It is a good example of how this trip works best: the same stop offers both a reason to look at the coast and a reason to get in the water.

You may find that the swim stops feel more memorable than the short historical explanations. That is not a flaw if you want a relaxed sea day, but it matters if your main goal is a serious archaeological tour.

Üzüm İskelesi and the final tea

The final listed stop is Üzüm İskelesi, with about 50 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and free time. The name of the stop may be less familiar than Simena or Kekova, but its role is simple: one last chance to swim before the return to Kaş.

Tea is served later in the day, and several accounts highlight it along with the watermelon break. These small touches help the trip feel hospitable rather than purely scheduled. The crew also continues checking on passengers and keeping the boat orderly.

The final sailing back to Kaş takes about 45 minutes. Bring a dry layer or an extra towel for this part. Even in warm weather, wind on the return ride can make wet passengers chilly.

Captain Ergun, crew service, and the extras

Captain Ergun is a major part of the tour’s appeal. The crew is repeatedly described as punctual, attentive, professional, and friendly. That matters on a long boat day. Good timing means you spend less of the trip waiting around, while a tidy boat and clean bathroom make eight hours much easier.

The free drone footage is an unusual bonus. If conditions allow and you want to take part, Captain Ergun may film you swimming or standing at the front of the boat, then send the footage to your phone. Some accounts also mention free Polaroid photos, reportedly handled by the captain’s daughter.

These extras should be treated as a bonus, not a guaranteed feature. Weather, equipment, and the day’s operation can affect what is available. Still, they add a personal touch that many standard group cruises do not offer.

The boat can carry a sizable group. One account described sharing the vessel with about 94 other people, yet still found the atmosphere comfortable and sociable. That tells you something useful: this is not a private yacht outing. It is a shared day cruise, though the boat’s size and multiple deck areas can make it feel less cramped than expected.

What the $94 price really covers

At $94, the price is strongest if you want a complete day rather than a short sightseeing boat ride. You receive around eight hours on the water, lunch, guided information in English or Turkish, several swimming stops, the Sunken City passage, time at Simena, and access to a clean, well-equipped vessel.

The value improves if you take advantage of the included meal and swimming time. A separate lunch, multiple coastal stops, and a visit to one of the region’s best-known historical areas could quickly add up if arranged independently.

The extra costs are straightforward. Drinks are separate, snorkeling gear is separate, and the Simena Castle entrance fee is separate. Bring beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and an ID or passport. Outside drinks are not permitted under the tour rules.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Kaş schedule depends on weather or ferry plans.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most

I would choose this trip if you want a full day combining swimming, scenery, lunch, and a little history. Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the life jackets, noodles, spacious deck, and choice between active stops and quiet lounging.

It also suits people who want several swimming locations instead of one long beach stop. The water is a major part of the experience, and the repeated bays give you several chances to swim even if wind or crowding affects one stop.

History fans should book with realistic expectations. You will see the Sunken City and Simena Castle, but the tour is not built like a specialist archaeological excursion. The guide speaks English and Turkish, yet some historical explanations may be short or difficult to hear from certain seats.

The trip is not suitable for people with heart problems, epilepsy, or other pre-existing medical conditions according to the stated restrictions. The castle walk also requires care from anyone who finds steps or uneven ground difficult.

Should you book the Kekova boat tour?

Yes, if your ideal Kaş day includes beautiful water, several swims, a generous lunch, and a relaxed look at Kekova’s famous ruins. The clean boat, strong crew service, well-paced stops, and possible drone footage make the $94 price good value.

Think twice if you want deep historical interpretation, a private boat, or lots of time in Kaleköy. For the best experience, arrive early, bring your own snorkel gear, carry cash for the castle, reserve a good deck seat if possible, and save enough time at Simena for the uphill walk.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat tour begin?

It begins at the Larsoy Travel & Tourism Office near the Kaş harbor, opposite the mosque. You collect your ticket at the office rather than directly from the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including sailing, swimming stops, lunch, sightseeing, and the return to Kaş.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Reported meals include fish, chicken, or köfte with side dishes.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included. Drinks can be purchased on board, and outside drinks are not allowed under the stated rules.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included. You should bring your own mask and snorkel or check whether equipment is available to buy on the boat.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is offered at İnönü Bay, Tersane Bay, Üzüm İskelesi, and other scheduled coastal stops. Life jackets and pool noodles are available.

Can I enter the Kekova Sunken City?

No. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat during a sightseeing passage. The tour does not provide access for walking through the submerged ruins.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The castle fee is not included. Carry cash, since payment options may not suit every visitor.

How long do I have at Simena Castle?

You have about one hour at the Simena Castle and Kaleköy stop. This includes time for the uphill walk, castle visit, village exploring, and any swimming.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, Simena Castle involves an uphill walk with steps and uneven ground, so check directly with the operator about how much of the shore visit will be practical for you.