A long water day with real ruins. This Kaş trip links a Kekova boat cruise with time on land in Demre and Myra, plus big swim breaks in some of the prettiest bays along the coast. You also get hotel pickup/drop-off and lunch included, so you’re not stuck figuring anything out before you’re out on the water.

My one caution: the paid sights at Myra (and St Nicholas Church) are short, and onboard interpretation can be thin—crew English varies a lot, and there may not be much guiding beyond basic stop announcements.

Key Points Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Kekova from the boat: you cruise along the area tied to the flooded Dolchiste ruins and get great photo angles
• No swimming at Kekova Island: it’s protected, so you explore from the water
• Kaleköy (Ancient Simena) time is real: about an hour for village + castle ruins, then you’re back on the move
• Multiple swim stops built in: Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay are the big water moments
• Myra highlights are time-boxed: theatre + rock-cut tombs are the focus, with extra entry for nearby church sites

From Kaş Pickup to Demre Harbour: How the Day Flows

This tour starts early, with pickup around 8:30 am from Smiley’s Andifli in Kaş. Even though the day is long (about 10 hours), the plan keeps things moving: air-conditioned vehicle transfer in the morning, then mostly boat time once you reach the water.

One practical thing: the transport setup can involve a small shuttle from Kaş to Demre, followed by boarding a larger boat for the Kekova portion. In plain terms, it may feel like two different vehicle sizes during the morning, but it keeps the day efficient.

If you like a day that’s mostly scenic and physical (lots of walking at Myra and a hill path near Simena), this works well. If you want a slow, deeply explained cultural tour with long museum-style time, you’ll likely feel the schedule tightness.

Boarding the Boat: Kekova Starts Before You Even Sail

Once you reach Demre Harbour, the boat is waiting, and you’re underway as soon as the anchor is raised. You’ll get the typical little onboard warm-up too—tea and biscuits on arrival at the boat are part of the experience for many people.

What I like here is the momentum. You don’t spend hours transitioning between stops; you’re already moving along the coastline while the light is best for photos.

A small expectation check: some boats advertise glass-bottom viewing, but it may be limited to a few glass panels rather than a full transparent hull. In other words, you might see some underwater detail, but don’t plan on a perfect view of the ruins like you’d expect from a true glass-bottom boat.

Cruising the Sunken City Area: What You’ll See at Kekova

The main water stop is Kekova, built around the story of Dolchiste, an ancient city flooded after an earthquake in the 2nd century. From the boat, you’re set up to look for underwater remnants and ruined structures sitting near the surface.

Kekova can be an easy place to overhype and then feel let down, so here’s the realistic frame: visibility depends on water conditions, and you’re viewing from sea level. You’ll still get the classic wow factor from the shapes of the ruins, the coastline, and the way the boat lines up near the sunken remains.

You’ll also get to see Kekova’s protected coastline from the water at the Kekova Island stop—swimming isn’t permitted there, so this portion is about cruising past and capturing photos. If you love photography, this is one of the cleanest moments of the day because you’re not juggling swim gear and time pressure at the same time.

Kaleköy (Ancient Simena): The Best Land Time on the Whole Route

Next comes a land anchor point: the boat drops at Kaleköy port, the area linked with ancient Simena. You get about one hour here, and it’s enough time to feel the village vibe without turning it into a hike marathon.

This is the stop with the best “views for effort” payoff. If you want the classic Simena experience, you can walk up toward the castle ruins and look out over the Kekova region. Castle ruins and a necropolis are the payoffs, but there’s an important money note: Simena Castle entry is not included, listed as €4.00 per person.

A balanced approach for time: if you’re mainly there for the scenery, focus on the castle views and skip long side detours. If you’re a tomb/castle detail person, you’ll want to move with purpose because your time window is tight.

Pirates Cave and the Simena Ruins Hill Walk

After Kaleköy, the tour adds a quick stop at AsIrlI AdasI Deniz MagarasI (Pirates Cave). It’s short—around 5 minutes—so think of it as a scenic waypoint rather than a full explore-and-climb moment.

Then you have another Simena-related segment: Sunken City Ruins of Simena. This is where the tour encourages a hillside walk for magnificent regional views, with about 30 minutes total. If you prefer not to walk uphill, the option is to admire from below using remaining time—so you can still aim for photos without committing to the steepest parts.

Here’s my practical tip: wear shoes you trust for uneven ground. The “ruins view” part of the day is worth it, but your pace matters more than your fitness level.

Swim Breaks at Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay

This is where the tour becomes fun in a very physical, on-your-own way. The day is built around multiple swim stops, including a longer water break at Gökkaya Bay.

At Esmeralda Bay, you get lunch and swim time together. Many people find this pairing works well: you’re already in swim-mode, and you don’t lose energy time commuting between water and food. Burç Bay is another stop with a cool twist—water can feel cooler thanks to cold underwater natural springs, which makes a refresh easier on a hot day.

Gökkaya Bay is the big one. You’ll have around 2 hours, and the tour area supports optional water activities. Even if you skip the extras, this is typically the moment that lets the whole day breathe—float, swim, take photos, and cool off before the land portion ramps up again.

One more expectation note: swimming is allowed at these bays, but it’s not a free-for-all everywhere. Kekova Island is protected and swimming isn’t permitted there, so you’re always swimming only in the listed cove stops.

Andriake Ancient City and Karemlik Bay: Nature Meets Ruins

Once the boat work is done, you head back to Demre port and the day shifts from water back to land. There’s typically a museum visit for about 30 minutes at Demre, paired with the continuation of the tour.

This is also the segment that connects to sea life. The itinerary highlights Karemlik Bay, with an opportunity to look for sea turtles in their natural habitat. The detail that stood out is that 3 out of the 7 known sea turtle species can be found in the Mediterranean Sea, so you’re not just chasing a rumor—you’re in the right area to hope for a sighting.

Realistic framing: sea turtles are not guaranteed. But even without a turtle sighting, the bay setting feels like a quieter contrast to the busier ruins stops later on.

Also, if the nearby museum happens to be limited or under renovation on your date, don’t stress. Treat that part as a bonus stop and keep your energy for Myra, which is the bigger ancient anchor.

Myra Rock Tombs and the Theatre: The Main Payoff in Demre’s Region

Myra is the land-heavy finale, and it’s the part most people remember for the scale of what you see in a short time. You’ll have a stop at the rock tombs in Myra, which includes a Roman-style theatre described as the largest in Lycia.

You’re given about 30 minutes for this segment, and it’s designed to hit the biggest visual moments: the cliff tomb carvings and the theatre space. The time is short, but the setting is dramatic, so even a fast walk gives you a solid sense of the site.

Money note: Ancient City of Myra entry is not included, listed at €9.00 per person. Another paid option at the same general area is St Nicholas Church entry, listed at €12.00 per person.

Here’s how I’d decide in the moment. If you’re only going to pay for one thing beyond the tombs and theatre, prioritize the main Myra ancient site. If you’re curious about St Nicholas specifically and the timing lines up, consider it—just remember the visit window is usually brief in a long-day tour.

Food, Comfort, and Those Tiny On-Board Extras

The best part of the included meal is that it’s not a sad snack situation. Lunch is included, and it’s described as having a choice of fish or chicken, with generous portions. Many people also mention the lunch is served at a small restaurant rather than as a boxed meal.

Beyond lunch, you might get small extras at the boat stage—like tea and biscuits when you first board, plus fruit in the afternoon. These aren’t the main attraction, but they do make the long day feel less like a grind.

Comfort-wise, you’re in an air-conditioned vehicle for the transfers, and the boat portion gives you shade breaks depending on how you position yourself. The biggest comfort variable is the weather and how hot the shore stops feel, since you’ll be outside during several land moments and waiting around during the day’s transitions.

Language and Guidance: What You Should Expect From Crew English

One of the most useful pieces of advice for this tour is to plan for uneven communication. Even though the tour is offered in English, onboard interpretation can be limited—some crew members may speak only a couple of basic phrases, with the captain doing much of the heavy explaining.

So, don’t rely on the boat ride alone for deep context about the ruins. If you care about stories like Dolchiste and the earthquake flooding, do a quick read before you go, then the sights will land harder.

Also, expect the tour to be more about being at the right places at the right times than about a full guide-led walkthrough. You can still have an excellent day—but you’ll want to be the active participant, not the passive listener.

One practical tip from experience: if you’re trying to understand whether you’re passing key underwater ruins or what to look for, ask simple questions and use photos to compare what you see versus what you expected.

Price and Value: Is $78.19 Really a Good Deal?

For $78.19 per person, what you’re buying is a packaged day that strings together boat time, multiple swim coves, and lunch—plus hotel pickup/drop-off from Kas. You’re also paying less than you would if you tried to build boat + transport + food + entry piece by piece yourself.

The tradeoff is time and paid additions. Simena Castle (€4.00), the Ancient City of Myra (€9.00), and St Nicholas Church (€12.00) are not included. That means the final cost depends on what you choose to enter.

To keep it fair in your budget, assume you’ll pay at least for the Myra main site if you’re serious about seeing the theatre and tombs. If St Nicholas matters to you, add that too.

A final money tip that can save you stress: when it comes to entrance fees, it can be easier to pay in Turkish Lira. Cards may be accepted, but it’s smart to also have some lira on hand for small purchases and souvenirs.

Should You Book This Kaş Day Trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra?

Book it if you want a big day on the water with real ruins, multiple swim breaks, and lunch taken care of. This is also a good fit if you like seeing several highlights without juggling transport and ticket lines yourself.

Skip it (or adjust expectations) if you want deep, guided interpretation at every stop, or if your priority is long time in Myra or St Nicholas Church. The schedule is built to move, and some onboard communication may not meet your standards for detailed explanations.

If you’re flexible, wear good shoes, bring swim gear, and treat paid entrances as a budget decision, this tour can be a strong value way to combine the coast with Lycia’s major ancient site.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:30 am.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Smiley’s Andifli, İskele Sk., 07580 Kaş/Antalya, Türkiye.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 10 hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included.

What is included in the price besides lunch?

Hotel pickup and drop-off (for convenience) and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Are there swimming stops during the day?

Yes. The tour includes swim breaks at multiple bays (with no swimming at Kekova Island).

Is the boat tour in English?

The tour is offered in English.

What entrance fees are not included?

Simena Castle (€4.00), the Ancient City of Myra (€9.00), and St Nicholas Church (€12.00) are not included.

How many people are on the tour at maximum?

The tour has a maximum of 75 travelers.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?

The experience requires good weather; if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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