Kekova looks unreal from a boat. This full-day route along Turkey’s Lycian coast mixes clear-water swimming stops with a slow sail past the partially submerged ruins of Simena’s Sunken City. My favorite parts are the straightforward rhythm (swim, sail, swim) and the fact that multiple site admissions and your lunch are handled for you. One thing to consider: the real door-to-door day can run longer than the stated 7 hours, mostly because of the drive from Kaş.

You also need to plan for group size. Even when you book for a smaller number, the boat can end up feeling crowded once you’re aboard, and English interpretation may vary from day to day. The good news is that the experience is consistently well-run, with friendly staff and a solid food break that keeps you moving instead of hunting for lunch.

Quick hits before you go

• Slow sail viewing: Boats move at a calm pace so you can spot walls, stair-like structures, and buildings from the waterline.
• Swimming is scheduled, not random: You get set swim breaks, plus snorkeling time where visibility tends to be best.
• Site rules are respected: The Sunken City is protected, so swimming/diving among the ruins is prohibited.
• Food is included and practical: Chicken grill, pasta with homemade sauce, and salads are included, plus you’ll have an actual break.
• Simena Castle is optional (extra): The hilltop castle stop is time for photos and village wandering, with a small entrance fee for the castle area.
• Expect a pass-by at Pirate Cave: Pirate Cave is protected (monk seals), so you’ll go by rather than stop.

Kekova Sunken City by boat: why this route feels special

Kekova’s Sunken City is one of those places that clicks faster from a boat than from any viewpoint on land. You’re not trying to imagine what’s underwater—you’re watching it, slowly, as the coastline slides by.

This tour makes the experience easy to manage. You get multiple water stops, so you’re not just sitting for hours. And the best part for most people is that the day is built around time on the water, not a long list of monuments you rush through.

Price and value: what you’re actually paying for

At $64.88 per person, the value mainly comes from what’s bundled. Your lunch is included—chicken grill, pasta with homemade sauce, and salads—so you’re not forced into a pricey midday meal hunt.

Several admissions are also included as part of the planned stops: Aquarium Bay, Sunken City ruins of Simena, and Burç Koyu are listed with admission ticket included. Gökkaya Bay is also included, and your last swim at Adalar Bay is free.

The one extra to budget for is Simena Castle, which has a small entrance fee (listed as €4 per person) and is optional. Alcohol and sodas/pops are not included, so if you like drinks on the water, factor that in.

Getting to the water: pickup, meeting point, and travel time

Your tour uses the Aslar Travel Agency meet-up point in Kaş: Aslar Turizm, Bahçe Sk. No:1/I, 07580 Kaş/Antalya. You’ll meet at their office, on the same street as the local PTT post office.

Pickup is offered, but it works as “closest meeting point to your accommodation,” so you shouldn’t assume a door pickup. This can still be very convenient, especially if you’re staying somewhere the vehicle can reach easily.

About timing: the tour is described as about 7 hours, but plan for a longer day door-to-door. The drive from Kaş is real, and it adds time before you even reach the boat.

Aquarium Bay swim stop: the best place to start your water time

Aquarium Bay is where you get your first real taste of the trip. It’s known for crystal-clear water and lots of visible marine life—so if you came for snorkeling, this is the natural starting point.

You’ll have about 45 minutes here, and admission is included. In practical terms, this is your best shot at getting comfortable right away: put on your mask, test the water, and enjoy the calm rhythm before the rest of the route.

A small caution: snorkeling quality depends on conditions. Even on a well-run day, some stops can be deeper or hazier than others, so don’t plan on a single “perfect” moment at every bay.

Sunken City ruins of Simena: what you can see (and what you can’t)

This is the headline, and it’s handled in a smart way: you sail slowly past the submerged ruins, so you can actually look. The Sunken City is an ancient Lycian settlement that partially sank after seismic activity, and the protected area means you view it from the boat rather than swim among the ruins.

You get about 45 minutes at this part of the route, and admission is included. The ruins are visible from the surface—think walls and stair-like remnants—and there are also deeper structures under clear water.

The big rule: swimming or diving directly among the ruins is prohibited to protect the site. That’s not a buzzkill; it’s part of why the place still looks the way it does.

Burç Koyu and Burç Castle: calm bay + cooler water

After Sunken City, the route shifts to a bay-and-ruins combo: Burç Koyu with Burç Castle nearby. Burç Koyu is described as peaceful and clear-water friendly, with snorkeling and swimming as the main activities.

You’ll spend around 45 minutes here, and admission is included. You’ll also get access to the castle ruins area, which is Lycian-period and positioned for coastline views.

One helpful detail: the bay has natural spring waters flowing into the sea, which makes it a bit cooler than other stops. If you get hot quickly on boat days, this stop can feel noticeably refreshing.

Pirate Cave pass-by: dramatic rocks, but no stop

Pirate Cave (also called Pirate’s Cave or Pirate Cove) is the kind of place that sounds like it should be a quick photo stop. Here’s what matters: you’re passing by, not anchoring to explore, because the cave is protected as a habitat for Mediterranean monk seals.

You’ll see it from the boat near the rugged coastline, with rock formations and shimmering blue water. The itinerary explicitly notes that passing without stopping is obligatory.

This is one of those tradeoffs that makes sense for conservation. You won’t get a land-style adventure here, but you still get the visual payoff without disturbing a protected habitat.

Gökkaya Bay and lunch: the most comfortable break of the day

Gökkaya Plajı ve Koyu is where the trip starts to feel like a beach day. This stop is described as having clear turquoise waters and sandy beach time, and it’s also where lunch happens.

You’ll have about 1 hour here, and admission is included. While the crew prepares your meal, you can swim and cool off.

Lunch is included and listed as chicken grill, pasta with homemade sauce, and salads. For a boat trip, that’s a meaningful value add: you’re eating something filling instead of settling for snacks on the move. If you’re the type who gets cranky without a solid lunch, this matters.

Simena (Kaleköy) Castle area: optional entry, good wandering time

Simena, also known as Kaleköy, is a scenic hilltop village in the broader Kekova area. The standout is the medieval castle perched above the sea, with panoramic views over the coastline.

You get around 1 hour here, and the castle entrance has a small optional fee (€4 per person). That means you can still enjoy the village atmosphere and views even if you decide not to pay.

This is also where you’ll find ice cream shops and a more “wanderable” pace than the boat-only portions. If you want a break from water shoes and salty wind, this stop is a nice change.

Final swim at Adalar Bay, then back to Üçağız marina

The last scheduled swim spot is Adalar Bay, described as your final water break. After about 45 minutes swimming, the boat turns back toward Üçağız marina.

Üçağız is a small coastal village and the return point for the boat tours. You’ll have around 30 minutes here with your time ending back at the meeting point after the overall return.

If you like a simple wrap-up photo moment—boats in harbor, sea views, and a calmer rhythm after the big sights—this is a decent time window.

Value, group size, and English on board: the practical stuff that affects your day

This tour is strongly rated, and the experience clearly works for a lot of people. Staff friendliness and food quality come up in the feedback, and the pace—swim stops plus the sail past the Sunken City—tends to land as a satisfying day out.

Still, two practical points can affect how it feels for you:

Boat size can run bigger than you expect. Even if you book a certain group size, the boat may end up with more people onboard than you imagined. That can mean tighter space for gear and a less peaceful vibe at the start of the day. My advice is simple: when you book, confirm the boat size or capacity you’ll be on. It changes the feel fast.

English interpretation may vary. The trip is offered in English, but I’d plan for some days where the narration feels more Turkish-heavy than you want. If you care about the details of Lycian history, I suggest using the visuals as your guide: watch the ruins, ask questions at the stops, and don’t expect every sentence to be fully translated.

Who this tour suits best (and who might not love it)

You’ll likely love this trip if you want a classic Kekova day that mixes sea views, snorkeling time, and sightseeing without complicated planning. It’s a strong pick for couples, small groups, and anyone who prefers time on the water over long museum-style blocks.

You might want to think twice if you’re sensitive to crowding on boats or you’re expecting a very “tight” language experience throughout the day. Also, if you’re only chasing one flawless snorkeling spot, note that visibility and depth can change between bays.

Should you book this Kekova Sunken City full day boat trip?

If you want Kekova’s Sunken City experience with swimming breaks built in and lunch included, I’d say this is a solid yes. The combination of included admissions and a meal you don’t have to find yourself is where the value really shows.

I’d book it with two expectations set clearly: the day is longer than the boat time because of the drive, and the boat ride can feel lively once everyone’s onboard. If those two points don’t bother you, you’ll come away with the kind of memory that’s hard to recreate elsewhere—ruins visible under clear water, plus a coastline that keeps changing as the boat moves.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova Sunken City full day boat trip?

It’s listed as about 7 hours (approx.). The drive from Kaş can add extra time door-to-door.

What’s included in the price besides the boat ride?

Lunch is included (chicken grill, pasta with homemade sauce, and salads). Admission tickets are included for Aquarium Bay, the Sunken City ruins of Simena, Burç Koyu, and Gökkaya Bay. Adalar Bay is free.

Do I have to pay extra for Simena Castle?

Yes, there’s an optional entrance fee for Simena Castle area (listed as €4 per person). It’s not included in the tour price.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, with a closest meeting point to your accommodation rather than necessarily door-to-door.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s listed as offered in English.

Can I swim among the Sunken City ruins?

No. Swimming or diving directly among the Sunken City ruins is prohibited to protect the archaeological site.

Are drinks included?

Alcoholic beverages and soda/pop are not included.

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