Kaş turns into a whole different kind of day trip once you’re on the water. This small-group outing strings together Kekova’s sunken ruins, Demre’s ancient sites, and Myra’s cliff tombs, with enough swim breaks to keep it from feeling like a museum tour.

I especially like the mix of boat time and shore time. You get the Kekova viewpoint of the submerged Dolchiste ruins, then you also have land time in the Simena/Kaleköy area and the Demre/Myra complex. The second big win is the practical water setup: snorkeling equipment plus floating mats and inflatable rings are included, so you can get in the water without hauling extra gear.

One thing to plan around: swimming is not allowed at Kekova Island itself, and some stops are short. Also, not every part of the day is designed for detailed narration, so if you want lots of history talk, bring your own curiosity and questions.

Key Takeaways (What’s Worth Your Time)

• Kekova Island boat views (Dolchiste) without getting in the water
• Several swim windows across bays like Esmeralda, Burç, and Gökkaya
• Snorkeling gear + floating support included for easier water time
• Simena/Kaleköy village time with the option to hike for views
• Myra’s Roman theatre and rock-cut tombs plus St. Nicholas remains in Demre
• A long day built on travel time—you’ll spend a lot of hours moving between sites

Leaving Kaş: The Start That Sets the Tone

Meet at Andifli, Liman Sk. No:20, Kaş at 9:00 am, and expect the day to feel like a full itinerary rather than a casual half-day. The schedule suggests an early transfer into the harbor area so you can get onto the boat and start moving while the morning is still fresh.

Kaş itself is a good place to begin. Even if your “Kaş time” is mostly the handoff before the main boat route, that matters: you’re not trying to cram an extra long day of sightseeing before the highlights. You’re ready to go when you reach the water.

This is capped at 25 travelers, which helps. A smaller group usually makes boarding and movement smoother, and it’s easier to find your “pace” without feeling lost in a crowd.

Kekova: Sunken Dolchiste Ruins From the Boat

The heart of the day is Kekova Island and the sunken city remains. Once you reach the Demre harbor area and board the boat, the route heads out after the anchor is raised—your day shifts from road mode into open-water mode fast.

What you’re actually seeing

At Kekova Island, you’ll look at the remains of Dolchiste, an ancient city dating to the 2nd century. The big story is that it was submerged after an earthquake, leaving ruins that show up under the surface—close enough that you can clearly grasp what the coastline used to look like.

Why this stop feels special

This part works because you’re not walking around rubble or reading signs behind glass. You’re seeing the coast as it exists now, with the underwater ruins layered into it. It’s one of those “the geography is the attraction” experiences.

The one constraint

Swimming is prohibited at Kekova Island because the area is protected. That’s a bummer if you came hoping for a dip right where the underwater ruins are. But it’s also exactly why the ruins are still there in a protected way—so it’s not just a rule for show.

Practical tip: Bring your camera/phone strap or a way to keep your hands free when you’re trying to frame the ruins. Boat viewing time passes quickly, and you’ll want stable shots.

Simena (Kaleköy): Village Time and Hillside Views

After the main Kekova viewing, the boat anchors at Kaleköy, also known as ancient Simena. This is your shore break. You get about one hour here, plus another short segment tied to the same area, so you’re not stuck in a “blink and miss it” stop.

In Kaleköy/Simena, the highlights are built around ruins and views:

• Castle ruins and a necropolis are part of what you can explore
• You can do an optional hike up the hillside for better vantage points over the Kekova region
• If you prefer staying in the water (where allowed), there’s also time for swimming from the area, with Simena Castle visible from below

How to use your time well

If you like photos and panoramic angles, take the hillside option. If you’re more into chilling, skip the climb and spend that time closer to the waterline area where the boat and bay views create easier photo compositions.

One note: the Castle of Simena entrance fee is listed as not included (about €4.00 per person). That likely means you can still walk around and get views, but if you want the formal entrance, you’ll pay on-site.

Esmeralda Bay Lunch + A Real Swim Reset

Lunch and water time show up right in the middle of the day. At Esmeralda Bay, you’ll get about one hour, including lunch and a swim window.

This stop is valuable because it acts like a reset. After hours of moving and hopping between viewpoints, having an anchored break where you can eat and get in the water helps you keep energy for the afternoon.

Also, because snorkeling gear is included, this is a good place to decide how much “snorkel effort” you want to put in. If you’re not a confident swimmer, you can still get a comfortable water experience using the provided floating mats and inflatable rings.

Practical tip: If the sun is strong, treat lunch as your shade strategy too. Don’t wait until you’re burnt to start seeking cover.

Burç Bay: Cooler Water and a Breather

Next up is Burç Bay, another swim break (about one hour). The cool part here is the detail that the water feels colder due to cold underwater natural springs. That’s a real difference from “hot bay water,” and it can make the swim feel easier on your body.

This stop is also a good time to re-check your gear:

• Make sure snorkeling mask/snorkel fits comfortably
• Rinse gear after use if you can (even a quick rinse helps)
• Keep an eye on your belongings—boat days are fast, and stuff gets misplaced when people are changing clothes

If you tend to overdo it early, use Burç Bay as your “short swim, long break” stop.

Gökkaya Bay: Swim Time Plus Optional Water Activities

At Gökkaya Plajı ve Koyu, you’ll have another one-hour stop to swim. The schedule indicates options for water sports, though it doesn’t spell out what they cost or include.

That means your “plan” here should be simple: treat it as a swim and scenic stop first. If a water sport catches your eye, you can decide on the spot.

Also, this is where the day’s logistics start to matter. You may be tired by now, so focus on what you can do without rushing. The best boat-day energy comes from pacing yourself between swims.

The Cave Stop: Asırlı Adası Deniz Mağarası

The tour includes a brief stop at Asırlı Adası Deniz Mağarası (about 15 minutes). It’s described as a naturally formed cave with a large size and a curved entrance.

Time here is short, so think of it like a “quick wow moment.” Don’t expect a long exploration, and don’t plan this as your main photo block. Instead, use it to capture one standout shot and then get ready for the next anchoring.

Sea Turtles at Karemlik Bay

At Karemlik Bay & Beach, you’ll get another short 15-minute viewing window with a chance to look for sea turtles. The tour info notes that 3 out of the 7 known sea turtle species in the Mediterranean Sea can be found in this area.

Realistically, turtle spotting isn’t guaranteed in a 15-minute stop. But the value is that you’re in the right environment and you’re given a specific chance to look—rather than it being a random “maybe” during the trip.

Practical tip: If you want the best odds, scan slowly and keep your eyes near the water surface. Flashy movement and constant splashing can make it harder to see animals clearly.

Demre: Andriake Ancient City Museum Time

Once the boat returns you toward Demre harbour, you’ll spend about 30 minutes visiting Andriake Ancient City and a nearby museum stop.

This is a different vibe than the open-water portion. You’re shifting from bay-to-bay scenery to the inland layer of the region: archaeology in a more enclosed, interpretive setting.

Because time is limited, treat this as an orientation stop. You’re not getting a full deep-archaeology day here, so use the museum time to understand what you’ll see next in Myra.

Myra Rock-Cut Tombs and the Roman Theatre

Myra is where the day moves from “coast ruins” to “cliff tombs” and bigger scale. You’ll have two linked segments here:

• Rock tombs in Myra (about 30 minutes, with rock-cut tombs highlighted)
• Myra Antik Kenti (about 30 minutes, featuring the Roman-style theatre and tombs again as the main attractions)

The big two highlights are:

• A Roman-style theatre, described as the largest in Lycia
• Eerie rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs above

Entrance fees are not included here for the rock tombs segment (listed as €13.00 per person). That’s your hint to bring some cash/credit as backup, especially if you’re trying to avoid delays.

How to see it without rushing

Use the theatre area first. Sit or stand where you can see the space. Even if you only get a short visit, the theatre gives you a quick sense of scale.

Then move to the rock-cut tombs. If you’re someone who likes details, this is where your eyes will start “reading” the cliff faces like a map.

St. Nicholas in Demre: From Church to Santa Museum

The last major stop is the Church of St. Nicholas, also connected with the Santa Claus Museum in Demre. You’ll have about 30 minutes.

The tour information says the structure dates to around 520 A.D. It began as a church built in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century patron saint. You’ll explore the remains of the former church—meaning you’re not just looking at a modern exhibit, you’re walking among ancient parts of the site.

This segment has extra appeal if you like the idea that a real historical figure and a later tradition overlap in the same place. It’s a neat reminder that folk legends often grew out of real geography and history.

Entrance is not included here either, listed at about €17.00 per person.

Kaş Return: Ending Where It Started

After all that, the tour returns you to Kaş and ends back near the meeting point. The schedule lists about one hour for the return portion.

By the end, you’ll probably feel two things at once: water-sun-tired and site-bus-limited. That’s normal. This tour gives you a lot of variety in one day. The tradeoff is that each stop is time-sliced, so you’ll get the big hits rather than lingering.

Price and Value: Is $76.89 Fair?

At $76.89 per person, this day trip is priced like a value boat tour, especially because it includes:

• Lunch
• Snorkeling equipment
• Floating mats and inflatable rings

Those inclusions matter. If you rented snorkeling gear separately and paid for water access elsewhere, your cost would climb quickly.

Your extra costs are the entrance fees you’re not covered for:

• Castle of Simena: €4.00
• Rock tombs in Myra: €13.00
• Church of St. Nicholas: €17.00

So you should budget roughly €34 in additional entrance fees if you plan to go into everything listed as not included. Add that to the $76.89 and you’re in the “worth it if you want the full hit list” zone.

Who it’s best for

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• A boat-focused Kekova experience
• Swim breaks you don’t have to plan yourself
• The Demre/Myra big-name stops without organizing transport

If you prefer long guided explanations at every site, you may find the pacing a bit brisk.

Small-Group Reality Check (Worth Knowing Before You Go)

One of the useful lessons from real-world experience on long boat days: there’s a lot of moving parts—harbor transitions, short anchoring windows, and plenty of time spent on transport between regions.

Also, plan as if you’ll want your own water bottle. The tour info doesn’t promise drinking water during the day, and on a long timeline, “no water provided” can feel annoying fast. Bring water if you can.

And if you care about history context, come ready with questions. The stops are short, and you’ll get more from your visit if you steer your attention toward what you personally want to understand.

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

I’d say book it if you want a single-day package that hits the coast ruins, then shifts inland to Myra and St. Nicholas. The combination of Kekova boat views + multiple swim stops + included snorkeling gear is the core reason the price makes sense.

Skip it (or at least adjust your expectations) if you hate short stops or you want deep, narrated history at every single site. The day is busy. You’ll spend plenty of hours on the move, and some stops are more “see it and move on” than “sit and learn.”

If you’re flexible, bring a good attitude, and show up with your sunscreen and curiosity ready, you’ll come away with photos and stories from a part of Turkey that feels special even without needing to over-explain it.

FAQ

How long is the Kaş to Kekova, Demre & Myra day trip?

It runs about 11 to 12 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting/start time is 9:00 am.

Where do I meet the group?

The meeting point is Andifli, Liman Sk. No:20, 07580 Kaş/Antalya, Türkiye.

Is this tour in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Is swimming allowed at Kekova Island?

No. Swimming is prohibited at Kekova Island because the area is protected.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes lunch, snorkeling equipment, and floating mats and inflatable rings.

What entrance fees should I expect to pay on my own?

Not-included entrance fees listed are Castle of Simena (€4.00), Rock tombs in Myra (€13.00), and Church of St. Nicholas (€17.00).

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 25 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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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