Kas: Day Trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra

The most memorable part of this day is the slow cruise past the Sunken City of Kekova, where ancient walls and stone remains sit below the water. You see the ruins from the boat rather than swimming among them, then continue to Kaleköy, a small village reached by boat and foot.

I like the combination of sea time and archaeology. You get several swim stops, lunch in Esmeralda Bay, and a chance to look for turtles at Karemlik Bay, but you also visit Simena Castle, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church. The main caution is the guiding: English and Turkish support is offered, but the commentary may be brief, so this suits you best if you are happy exploring some historic sites on your own.

Key points to know before booking

• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, not explored underwater by swimming or snorkeling.
• Kaleköy and Simena Castle provide the best walking stop, with hillside views over Kekova and time for a swim nearby.
• Lunch is included and highly praised, with a filling meal served during the boat day.
• You get several swimming breaks, including Pirates Cave, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay.
• The land portion covers major Demre sights, including the Roman theater and rock-cut tombs at Myra.
• The $76 price includes transport, lunch, and snorkeling, but archaeological entrance fees and extra drinks cost more.

From Kaş to Demre Harbor before the boat leaves

Your day starts with pickup in central Kaş, normally from the Smiley’s meeting point. The exact collection time changes with the season, and you receive the details by WhatsApp or email the day before. That small bit of planning matters, since this is a 10-hour outing and the road transfer comes before the boat ride.

The morning transfer takes you to Demre Harbor, where the sea portion begins. The tour then follows the Kekova coast before returning to Demre for the historic sites. You finish with transport back to Kaş.

The group size is not fixed in the information provided, but one recent departure had about 15 people on a spacious boat. That gives you a useful sense of scale: this is not described as a private charter, but it is also not necessarily a giant excursion boat. Bring a towel, swimwear, and anything you need for a full day outside. Lunch is included, while additional food and drinks are not.

Seeing the Sunken City of Kekova from the water

Kekova Island is the star of the boat route. As the boat passes the remains of ancient Dolchiste, you can see pieces of the old settlement beneath the clear water. Walls, steps, and stone outlines tell you where a town once stood, even though the ruins are not open for ordinary underwater exploration.

It is important to set the right expectation here. The phrase Sunken City can sound like an invitation to snorkel through submerged streets. That is not what happens. You view the ruins from the boat, with time to take photographs as the vessel moves slowly along the shore.

This is still a worthwhile stop because the setting makes the archaeology easy to understand. The remains are not isolated behind glass or spread across a museum floor. You see them in the sea where they were damaged and covered, with Kekova’s rocky coast around you.

The weakness is the lack of detailed interpretation. No guide name is supplied, and several parts of the boat day may be announced only by location. If you want dates, explanations of the earthquake damage, or a clear account of ancient Lycian life, bring your own reading or use a guidebook app before leaving Kaş.

Kaleköy and the climb to Simena Castle

The boat stops at Kaleköy, the modern village associated with ancient Simena. This is the most rewarding land stop on the Kekova route because you can wander through a real village, browse small shops, and walk uphill toward the castle ruins.

You have about an hour here. That is enough for a look around and a climb, but you need to manage your time. The path leads to higher ground, where you get wide views across the Kekova area. The castle itself is more atmospheric than grand, with ruins and a strong sense of place rather than a fully rebuilt monument.

The village and the water belong together. From above, you can see the bays and boats that make this coast special. At water level, the sea is inviting, and a refreshing swim is part of the wider stop. My practical advice is to decide early whether you want the castle, the village, the view, or the swim. Trying to do everything in one hour may leave you rushing.

One issue deserves attention. Instructions at the stop may focus on the castle visit without clearly pointing out the nearby swimming area. If you want a swim, ask the crew as soon as you arrive, not when the group is preparing to leave.

Lunch and swimming at Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay, also written as Esmaralda in the route details, is used for lunch and a longer pause. This is the point where the schedule shifts from ruins and village streets to a relaxed day on the water.

Lunch is included, and it is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The meal is described as good quality and generous, which matters on a long boat day with repeated swimming stops. You do not need to plan a restaurant visit during the cruise, though you should budget for drinks or snacks beyond what is provided.

The bay also gives you time to swim without having to fit the activity around a museum visit. The water is presented as clear and calm, and the setting is meant for a quiet break. Snorkeling is included, but the information does not specify equipment details, so ask the crew if you need to know what is supplied.

This stop works well for anyone who wants a coastal day without giving up historic sights. It also gives less active visitors time to stay on board, eat, and enjoy the view while others swim.

Pirates Cave, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay

The route includes several water breaks, and these are not all the same. At Pirates Cave, you can swim and snorkel near a large natural cave with a curved entrance. The cave is a photo subject as much as a swimming stop, and the boat allows about 40 minutes in this part of the route.

Burç Bay is known here for cold underwater springs. That detail gives the stop a small surprise: the sea may feel cooler in places, even during a warm day. You get another chance to swim and cool off, with the bay providing a quieter pause between the main sights.

Gökkaya Bay brings yet another swim break. Water sports may be available if you want a little more action, though the exact activities are not specified. You can also treat this as another easy rest stop. The route details list Gökkaya Bay twice, each with 40 minutes, so the schedule gives this area a substantial amount of time.

Several swimming stops are a real advantage, but they also explain why the day can feel long. If you prefer a tightly packed sightseeing program, repeated time in the water may seem excessive. If your ideal holiday includes sun, sea, and short bursts of history, the balance is much better.

Karemlik Bay and the chance to spot sea turtles

Karemlik Bay is tied to marine life rather than a major ruin. Three of the seven known sea turtle species can be found in the area, so you may have a chance to see turtles in their natural habitat.

The wording matters: this is an opportunity to look, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Keep your expectations sensible and your eyes open during the break. The bay is also a useful final coastal stop before the boat returns to Demre Harbor.

The itinerary places Karemlik Bay both near the start of the boat cruise and again as a break later in the day. Exact sequencing can vary, so follow the crew’s timing on the day. Either way, the stop adds a nature element to a route otherwise focused on swimming and ancient sites.

Demre, St. Nicholas Church, and Myra

After the boat portion, the tour continues around Demre. St. Nicholas Church, sometimes presented as the Santa Claus Museum, was built in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra. The site preserves the remains of the old church and connects a familiar Christmas figure with the history of ancient Lycia.

The stop is listed at about 40 minutes, including sightseeing and photographs. That is enough for a focused visit, but not a slow study of every architectural detail. Entrance arrangements and the archaeological site fee are not included in the tour price, so keep extra money available for admission.

Myra is the major ancient site of the afternoon. Its Roman-style theater is described as the largest in Lycia, and the rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs are its most striking feature. The tombs turn the surrounding rock face into a visible record of ancient burial customs.

You get around 40 minutes at Myra, with time for photographs, shopping, and a self-guided visit. That is a compact window. The site rewards you most if you already know what you are looking at, because the tour may provide only limited explanation. Look first at the theater, then use the remaining time for the tombs and details around the ruins.

The archaeology here gives the day needed depth. Without Myra and St. Nicholas Church, the excursion would mainly be a swimming cruise. With them, you get a useful picture of the region’s ancient cities, religious traditions, and coastal trade routes, even if the visits are short.

How much value do you get for $76?

At $76 per person, the price is reasonable for a 10-hour day that includes central Kaş pickup and drop-off, the transfer to Demre Harbor, a boat cruise, lunch, and snorkeling. You are paying for a full route rather than a short harbor trip, and the cost covers both sea activities and several historic stops.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport from Kaş to Demre, book a boat independently, and pay for lunch along the way. Combining those pieces saves planning time and gives you access to Kekova, Kaleköy, and Myra in one day.

The price is less complete than it first appears. Archaeological entrance fees are extra, and drinks or additional food are not included. Add those costs before comparing this with a smaller private boat or a land-only Demre tour.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms make it easier to hold a place while your Kaş plans are still changing.

The guide question and what the day feels like

English and Turkish are listed as the available languages, with a host or greeter rather than a named guide. In practice, you should be prepared for announcements and basic directions rather than a continuous history talk.

That does not ruin the day, but it changes how you should book it. If you want quiet coves, swimming, lunch, and a few major sights, limited commentary may be perfectly acceptable. If your main reason for visiting Kekova is to understand every ruin, you may prefer to arrange separate historical information.

The boat itself is described as comfortable and spacious, and the lunch service receives especially strong praise. Those details matter more than they might sound. Ten hours on a cramped boat would feel very different from ten hours with room to sit, eat, swim, and watch the coast.

Who should book this Kekova day trip?

I would choose this for you if you are staying in Kaş and want the easiest way to combine the Kekova coast with Demre’s ancient sites. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want a full day with plenty of swimming but still care about Simena, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church.

It is also a good fit if you want a moderate price and do not need a private itinerary. The several water stops make it more than a sightseeing transfer, while the archaeological visits keep it from becoming only a beach day.

I would think twice if you dislike boat schedules, have limited stamina for a 10-hour outing, or want long, detailed visits at each ruin. The schedule is broad, so each historic stop is relatively short. You should also skip it if you expect to swim through the Sunken City itself.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-priced mix of Kekova by boat, swimming, and Demre archaeology in one long day. The strongest reasons are the comfortable boat, filling lunch, repeated swim breaks, Kaleköy, and the chance to see both Myra and St. Nicholas Church without arranging several separate trips.

Go in with the right expectations. The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, the guide commentary may be limited, and entrance fees are extra. Bring a towel, plan for a full day, ask about the swim stop near Simena, and consider reading about Myra and Kekova beforehand. With that preparation, this is a practical and enjoyable way to cover a large stretch of Antalya Province from Kaş.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts 10 hours, including pickup and drop-off in central Kaş, the boat cruise, swimming stops, and visits around Demre.

What is included in the $76 price?

The price includes central Kaş pickup and drop-off, the boat trip, lunch, snorkeling, and the listed sightseeing stops.

Are archaeological entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for archaeological sites are not included in the tour price.

Can I swim in the Sunken City of Kekova?

No specific underwater visit is offered at the Sunken City. You view the submerged ruins from the boat and can take photographs as you pass.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and served during the boat portion of the day. Additional food and drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. Since the route includes several swimming stops, you should also wear or pack suitable swimwear.

Which languages are available?

English and Turkish are listed for the host or greeter. The amount of detailed commentary may be limited.

Does the tour visit Myra?

Yes. The tour includes the ancient ruins of Myra, including its Roman-style theater and rock-cut tombs.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.