Kekova looks better from your own boat. This private day in the Kas area pairs crystal-clear swimming bays with slow, scenic viewing of the UNESCO Sunken City from deck. I also like that lunch and Turkish tea are handled onboard, so you’re not hunting food mid-day, even if you should budget extra for Simena Castle entry (€4 per person, not included).

The pace is the real trick: you get multiple one-hour breaks where you can swim, wade ashore, or hike, then you’re back on the water before the crowds fully set in. One practical note: the Sunken City section is view-only, so pack swim gear for the bays where swimming is allowed and plan comfortable shoes for the Simena hill walk.

Key Highlights Worth Planning Around

• Private boat, up to 15 people: your group controls the feel of the day, not a packed schedule
• Swimming is concentrated in the best spots: Akvaryum Bay, Tersane Koyu, and Kocakarı Bay include swim breaks
• Sunken City viewing without swimming: you see submerged Lycian streets and staircases from the deck
• Simena (Kaleköy) is sea-only: no roads access it, and the hilltop castle hike is the payoff
• Onboard lunch is the main meal: grilled fish or barbecue with mezes, salad, rice, yogurt pasta, and sides

Private Kekova Boat Trip: What You’re Really Paying For

This is the kind of tour that makes sense in Kekova because the coast is built for water access. Uçagız is your starting point, Simena (Kaleköy) is reachable only by sea, and the famous submerged ruins are best seen slowly, not from a fast pass.

The price is $1,022.49 per group (up to 15), so it’s a bargain when you share it. If your group fills closer to 15, it works out to roughly $68 per person for a full 8-hour day with lunch and Turkish tea included. If you’re fewer people, it still may feel worth it because you’re buying space, flexibility, and an uncrowded route rather than just a seat on a bigger boat.

What I like most is that the day is structured enough to be easy, but flexible enough to feel personal—especially because you’re not juggling your time between public transport stops. You’re escorted from Uçagız Harbor onto your boat, then you spend the rest of the day hopping bays at a sea-going rhythm.

From Uçagız Harbor to Your First Bay: Settling In Fast

Your day starts at 10:30 am and comes with a quick, practical welcome at Uçagız Harbor. The YourTourKey team meets you, gives a short orientation, and then you’re escorted to the boat. That early help matters because Kas-area boats can feel confusing if you show up late or wander.

You get a 25-minute start segment, which is long enough to feel organized without eating your day. After that, you’re off toward the first big swim stop.

If you’re the type who hates wasting mornings, you’ll appreciate this. You’re not stuck in a long briefing. You’re moving.

Akvaryum Bay and Tersane Koyu: The Swimming That Makes the Day

The first true highlight is Akvaryum Bay (Aquarium Bay). It’s known for crystal-clear water, and the plan includes a break for tea and swimming. This is the kind of stop where you can decide to float, swim, or just soak in the view while the boat stays put long enough for you to settle.

Then the route continues to Tersane Koyu, the one place in the Sunken City area where swimming is allowed. There’s a natural beach where you can step onto shore and get closer to the ancient remains. This is also where you start to feel the geography: Kekova is a set of coves, and each one changes the feel of the coast.

A smart consideration: if you’re prone to motion sickness, the water in these bays is often calmer than open travel, so you may feel better once you reach the first cove. Bring your preferred remedy just in case—boat days can be smooth, but seas can change.

The UNESCO Sunken City Seen from Deck: What You Can (and Can’t) Do

At the next point, the boat reaches the Sunken City of Kekova, a UNESCO-protected archaeological site tied to a Lycian settlement that was swallowed by the sea after earthquakes in the 2nd century AD. This portion is all about looking—slow enough that you can notice submerged streets, staircases, and buildings.

Important rule: swimming is not allowed here, so plan your water time earlier. But don’t treat that as a disappointment. Viewing from deck is where you get the big pattern: you see the layout as a whole instead of just fragments at water level.

If you like history but hate museum lectures, this format works. The site is visible in your line of sight, and you can pace your own attention. You don’t have to sprint to catch a photo; the boat slows down and lets you actually look.

Burç Kale ve Koyu: Sandy Beach Time Plus a Scenic Clue to Simena

Next comes Burç Kale ve Koyu, a quieter bay with a clean sandy beach and clear water. There’s also a natural spring flowing into the bay, which gives the place a fresh, slightly different feel compared to pure open water.

From the beach area, you can often spot Simena’s ancient watchtower perched up on the hill. That visual link is handy. After this stop, Simena won’t feel like a distant town you’re guessing about—it will start looking like the goal of the day.

Drawback to keep in mind: beach time can be tempting, but you still have a hike later. If you’re already thinking about the Simena Castle walk, balance your swimming with a little energy management.

Hamidiye Koyu and Lunch: The Meal That Powers the Hike

Hamidiye Koyu is a stop with history in the name. It’s named after Sultan Abdulhamid II, whose battleship once anchored here. Even if you don’t go deep on the story, you’ll feel the calm of the bay before you hit lunch.

Lunch is one of the best parts of this trip because it’s not an afterthought. You’re served a full onboard meal with a choice of grilled fish or barbecue, plus fresh mezes, seasonal salad, rice, yogurt pasta, and vegetable sides. It’s prepared daily with local ingredients, which usually makes the difference between “fine” and “good enough to look forward to.”

Coffee and/or tea is also included onboard, and it’s traditional Turkish black tea. This is a small thing, but after hours on the water, it’s a comfort move that matches the setting.

Practical tip: if you’re planning to climb to the Simena Castle, don’t overdo water pressure or heavy snorkeling right before lunch. Eat, hydrate, and save your legs.

Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on board at reasonable prices, so if you want a beer or something stronger, you can usually handle it without bringing your own.

Castle of Simena (Kaleköy): Hilltop Views and Lycian Tomb Walks

Simena is the place that turns a boat day into a real memory. You visit Simena (Kaleköy), a coastal village accessible only by sea—there are no roads that lead here. During the one-hour stop, you can hike up to Simena Castle, explore Lycian rock tombs along the way, and admire an iconic sarcophagus standing in the sea.

This stop also gives you a different kind of “Kekova feeling.” The ruins aren’t just submerged. They’re carved into the route from sea to hill, and you’re walking the same kind of terrain the local community moved through.

You also get time to check out the small market and buy handmade products crafted by villagers. That’s where you can pick up a simple souvenir that feels tied to the place, not stamped out.

Key cost note: Simena Castle entrance is not included. Plan €4 per person if you want to go up to the castle area.

Hiking reality check: it’s one hour total for the stop, so if you want tombs plus castle plus market browsing, it’ll help to move at a steady pace. Wear shoes you trust on uneven stone.

Kocakarı Koyu: Final Swim Break and Fresh Fruit

After Simena, the tour heads to Kocakarı Bay for the final swimming break, plus fresh fruit before returning. This is where you can exhale a bit. The day has big sights, but the final stop is the easy one: get back in the water, rinse off with sea water, then relax while you head back toward your meeting point.

If your group has different energy levels, this part helps everyone. Swimmers can go again, and those who prefer a slower pace can simply enjoy the bay and the breeze.

Time, Language, Boat Comfort, and the Private-Vibe Advantage

The tour runs about 8 hours, starting at 10:30 am and returning to the meeting point at the end. The timing matters because you’re doing several one-hour breaks, plus shorter transitions. It feels like a full day, but not a sprint.

Language-wise, it’s offered in English, and the communication is usually the difference between a day that feels random and one that feels smooth. A good sign here is that the team provides an orientation right at the start and is there through the day.

Comfort-wise, the private format is the biggest quality multiplier. The most common wins people highlight about this kind of trip are simple: the boat feels clean, the ride feels not crowded, and the atmosphere stays relaxed. A chilled captain and attentive crew also make your time feel less like you’re being managed and more like you’re being hosted.

Also worth noting: you’ll receive a mobile ticket, which keeps check-in from becoming a scavenger hunt.

Price Breakdown and Value: When This Is Worth Splurging

Let’s be honest: $1,022.49 for a group isn’t cheap if you compare it to public day tours. But it’s competitive when you look at what’s included and how much of the day you control.

You’re getting:

• A private boat experience for your group
• Multiple swimming breaks in some of Kekova’s best coves
• Viewing time at the Sunken City with UNESCO-level sights from deck
• A full onboard lunch: fish or barbecue plus mezes and sides
• Traditional Turkish tea onboard
• English support

Value depends on your group size. If you’re 2–3 people, the per-person cost climbs fast, and it becomes more of a splurge. If you have a family or small group that can fill the boat capacity reasonably, the per-person cost becomes much more reasonable for a private day with food included.

What to Pack for a Smooth Kekova Day

This trip is heavy on water time and a bit of walking, so pack like you’re doing both.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a backup set if you like to change after lunch
• A towel (if you have one you trust)
• Water shoes or shoes that handle wet stone
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses—sun is constant on the water
• Light layers for wind while you’re moving between bays

If you plan to climb at Simena, comfortable walking shoes are a must. The stop is only one hour, so you want your feet to be happy.

Who This Private Boat Trip in Kekova Suits Best

This is ideal if you want a day that feels like Kekova, not like a checklist. It fits best for:

• Families or friend groups who want space and fewer time-pressure moments
• People who care about swimming in clear coves and don’t mind a few rules (like no swimming at the Sunken City)
• Visitors who like history but want it delivered through real scenery rather than constant talking
• Small groups who want English support and a smooth flow from Uçagız

If you’re short on mobility or you hate any uphill walking, Simena could be the one stress point since the stop includes a castle hike option. You might still enjoy the lower areas and market time, but the castle experience itself requires effort.

Should You Book This Private Daily Boat Trip in Kekova?

If your goal is a true private day—swimming when it’s allowed, lunch onboard, and the Sunken City seen slowly—this is a strong pick. The private format, the included lunch, and the mix of swim coves + Simena’s hilltop ruins are the core reasons it works.

Book it if:

• You can share the group cost (or you really want the privacy)
• You’re excited about swimming breaks and clear-water bays
• You want a UNESCO site viewed from a boat, not just read about later

Think twice if:

• You don’t want to pay extra for Simena Castle entry (€4 per person)
• You dislike hiking at all, since the Simena experience includes a walk to the castle area

FAQ

What time does the Private Daily Boat Trip in Kekova start?

It starts at 10:30 am.

How long is the trip?

The duration is about 8 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What’s included in the lunch and drinks?

Lunch is included and includes your choice of grilled fish or barbecue, served with mezes, seasonal salad, rice, yogurt pasta, and vegetable sides. Coffee and/or tea (Turkish black tea) are included onboard.

Is Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. Simena Castle entrance is €4.00 per person and is not included.

Where can you swim during the day?

Swimming breaks are planned at Akvaryum Bay, Tersane Koyu, and Kocakarı Bay. Swimming is not allowed at the Sunken City viewing section.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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