Kas: Day Trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra

Kekova’s half-submerged ruins are the star here. You glide past the remains of ancient Dolchiste from the boat, then spend the day moving between clear swimming bays, the hilltop ruins of Simena, and the ancient sites around Demre. I especially like the combination of coastline and archaeology, plus the generous lunch and several chances to swim. The main catch is that the sunken city is viewed from the boat, not explored underwater.

I also like that this is more than a standard boat outing. You get time in Kaleköy, an old village reached by boat, followed by St. Nicholas Church and Myra. Still, do not book it expecting a full-time historian: the English commentary may be brief, and some of the historical context can be little more than the name of each stop.

Key points at a glance

• Kekova from the water: See the partly submerged remains of ancient Dolchiste during a slow cruise and photo stop.
• Simena and Kaleköy: Use free time to climb toward the castle, browse the village, and look across the Kekova region.
• Several swim breaks: Stop at Esmeralda, Burç, Gökkaya, Pirates Cave, and other bays, with snorkeling included.
• A filling lunch aboard: The meal is included and has been one of the strongest parts of the day for many people.
• Two important Demre sites: Visit St. Nicholas Church and the rock-cut tombs and theater at Myra.
• A long, active day: The tour lasts about 10 hours, with pickup and return in central Kaş.

From Kaş to Demre Harbor before the boat leaves

Your day begins with pickup from central Kaş, near Smiley’s, followed by the road transfer to Demre Harbor. The exact pickup time changes with the season, and you receive it by WhatsApp or email one day before departure.

That early transfer matters. The boat portion is only one part of a long day, and you will also visit two archaeological sites after returning to shore. I would keep your morning simple, bring water and a towel, and wear shoes that can handle both a boat deck and uneven ruins.

The group size can vary, but one outing had about 15 people aboard a comfortable, spacious boat. That is a useful guide to the scale you might encounter: social enough to meet people, but not a huge ship carrying a crowd. The boat has room for lunch, swimming, and sunbathing, although the exact seating arrangement is not specified.

The staff speaks English and Turkish. That does not necessarily mean you will receive detailed commentary in English throughout the day. If ancient sites are your main reason for booking, keep your expectations in check and consider reading a little about Kekova, Simena, and Myra beforehand.

Seeing Kekova’s sunken city from the boat

Kekova Island is the most unusual stop. Ancient Dolchiste was damaged by earthquakes, and parts of the old settlement now sit at or below the waterline. As the boat passes along the island, you can see the remains beneath the clear water and photograph the stonework from above.

This is a sightseeing cruise, not an underwater archaeological visit. Swimming and snorkeling are included elsewhere, but you do not get out and explore the sunken city beneath the surface. The wording can make this easy to misunderstand, so I would treat the stop as a calm viewing and photography session.

The boat usually passes slowly enough for you to take pictures, but conditions and positioning can affect what you see. Sit where you have a clear view of the shoreline, keep your camera ready, and listen for the crew’s instructions. The ruins are best appreciated as part of the setting: old masonry, quiet water, and a sense of a town partly claimed by the sea.

You may hear only a short explanation of what you are looking at. This is one of the places where a little preparation helps. Knowing that you are seeing the remains of Dolchiste, rather than a generic old harbor, gives the half-hour cruise much more meaning.

Kaleköy and the climb to Simena Castle

The boat anchors at Kaleköy, the village associated with ancient Simena. This is one of the most appealing stops because you are not simply looking at ruins from the deck. You can walk ashore, explore the village, and spend about an hour around the castle area.

The route upward is worth taking for the views. From the hillside, you can look over the water and the scattered islands of the Kekova region. The castle ruins give you a strong sense of place, even if you are not an archaeology specialist.

Allow time for the climb and the return to the boat. The available free time has been described as roughly 50 to 60 minutes, so you may need to choose between lingering at the castle, browsing the village, and swimming near shore. Wear sturdy sandals or walking shoes rather than flip-flops.

One practical point is easy to miss. The water near Kaleköy can be tempting, but if you spend the full stop climbing to the castle, you may not have time for a proper swim there. I would decide early: go uphill first, or change into swimwear and enjoy the water before returning to the boat.

The limited historical explanation can also matter here. You may be told that you have arrived at Simena, but not receive much background about the fortifications or the ancient settlement. If the site interests you, bring a short note on your phone so the view from the castle has some context.

Lunch and swimming at Esmeralda Bay

Esmeralda Bay, also called Esmaralda Koyu in the route information, is used for a meal and a break on the water. Lunch is included, and it has been praised for being both tasty and generous. For a $76 full-day outing, that included meal adds real value, especially since you are away from Kaş for most of the day.

The exact menu is not given, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. You should plan to buy any extra food and drinks separately. The best approach is to see lunch as a convenient, filling meal between stops rather than a formal dining experience.

The bay also gives you time to swim. After the more structured stop at Simena, this is when the day settles into its relaxed rhythm: eat, get back in the water, dry off, and watch the coast slide past. Bring a towel, as it is specifically listed among the things to pack.

Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Pirates Cave

The boat makes several more water stops, and each serves a slightly different purpose. Burç Bay is known here for cool water linked to underwater natural springs. That makes it a refreshing place for a swim, though the water may feel cooler than the bright sun suggests.

Gökkaya Bay provides another swimming break, with water sports available if you want something more active. The information gives more than one Gökkaya stop, so you may have repeated time in this area rather than a single quick pass. That is good news if swimming is your priority, but less appealing if you prefer a tightly packed sightseeing schedule.

Pirates Cave is a natural feature with a large, curved entrance. The stop includes swimming and snorkeling, and lunch is also associated with this part of the cruise route. The cave itself is viewed as a coastal curiosity rather than a major archaeological site.

I like the variety of these pauses. You are not asked to spend 10 hours sitting still while someone points at ruins. You can swim, snorkel, eat, and take photographs. The tradeoff is that the day can feel more like a boat-and-beach outing with history added than a formal ancient-site tour with a boat ride attached.

Snorkeling is included, but no equipment details are provided. If you have personal gear you prefer, you may want to bring it, though the tour does not require you to snorkel. A towel is the one listed item you should not forget.

Looking for turtles at Karemlik Bay

Karemlik Bay is connected with sea turtle watching. Three of the seven known sea turtle species can be found in the area, and the stop gives you a chance to look for them in their natural setting.

This is wildlife viewing, not a guaranteed turtle encounter. Keep your expectations sensible and avoid treating the bay like an aquarium. The value is in being in a place where turtles may appear while the boat pauses near the coast.

The route places Karemlik Bay both near the start of the boat portion and as a later break in the day’s sequence. The precise order may vary, so do not worry if the stops do not follow the same pattern on the water. The practical point is that you get a quiet marine-life stop as well as the swim bays and ancient ruins.

Returning to shore for St. Nicholas Church

After the boat returns to Demre Harbor, the tour continues by land. St. Nicholas Church, presented as the Santa Claus Museum, is a particularly worthwhile addition for anyone interested in early Christianity, Byzantine buildings, or the historical figure behind the modern Santa Claus tradition.

The church was built in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, and the site preserves remains of the old building. You have about 40 minutes for sightseeing and photographs. That is enough for an introduction, though not an unhurried study of every detail.

The stop also changes the mood of the day. Until this point, the focus is water, sunlight, swimming, and coastal views. Here, you shift to a quieter historical site with a religious and cultural story. If you have spent most of the day in swimwear, bring a cover-up or light clothing for the church visit.

The tour does not specify a dress code or detailed guiding format. It is safest to dress respectfully and expect to explore at a fairly brisk pace.

Myra’s theater and rock-cut tombs

The final major sight is ancient Myra, one of the best reasons to choose this outing over a simple Kekova boat trip. You see the Roman-style theater and the famous tombs cut into the cliff face. The tombs are especially striking because they remain visible high above the site, carved directly into the rock.

The theater is described as the largest in Lycia. Even with only about 40 minutes at the ruins, you can get a clear impression of its scale and the engineering behind it. The visit is self-guided, with time for photographs and some shopping nearby.

That short visit is the main limitation. Myra deserves more time than a quick walk-through if you want to study inscriptions, architecture, and the wider Lycian story. Still, the tour gives you access to the major visual highlights without asking you to arrange another day trip from Kaş.

An archaeological entrance fee is not included. Set aside extra money for Myra and any other paid site access required on the day. The tour does include transport and lunch, which helps explain the overall value, but the entrance costs should be part of your final budget.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, this is good value if you want several experiences in one day. The price includes central Kaş pickup and drop-off, the road transfer to Demre, the boat trip, lunch, snorkeling, swimming stops, and visits to major sites. Booking separate transport, a boat, lunch, and entry arrangements would take more effort and may cost more.

The value is strongest for a first visit to the area. You get a useful overview of Kekova and Demre without planning multiple excursions. You also avoid spending the entire day on a boat because St. Nicholas Church and Myra add cultural depth.

The value is weaker if you want expert archaeological interpretation or a completely quiet day. Entrance fees, additional drinks, and food are extra. You also spend roughly 10 hours on the move, with several short stops and a schedule that may feel busy.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and the option to reserve without paying immediately make the booking less rigid. Those policies are useful if your Kaş plans may change, but they do not change the experience itself.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a mix of swimming, scenery, and ancient sites. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants to see Kekova without arranging a private boat and separate Demre transport.

It is also a good fit if lunch and an easy group format matter to you. The boat is described as comfortable and spacious, and the included meal removes one common hassle from a long day.

I would hesitate if your priority is detailed guiding. Several people found the English information too limited, with destinations named but little explanation added. The listed languages are English and Turkish, but a host who speaks those languages is not the same as a specialist guide providing constant historical commentary.

I would also think twice if you dislike frequent transitions. You move from Kaş to the harbor, from the boat to Kaleköy, back to the boat, then to Demre’s churches and ruins before returning to Kaş. That is the reason the tour delivers so much in one day, but it can feel full.

My take: book it for the mix, not the lecture

Book this tour if you want to combine Kekova’s unusual coastal ruins with swimming, a good lunch, Simena Castle, St. Nicholas Church, and Myra. At $76, the combination is hard to dismiss, especially when the boat, transfers, lunch, and snorkeling are included.

Skip it if the words guided archaeological tour are what attract you. The historical commentary may be thin, and the sunken city is viewed from above the water rather than explored underwater. For most people, though, this is a well-rounded day from Kaş, provided you pack a towel, budget for entrance fees, and arrive ready for a long schedule.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts about 10 hours, including the transfer from Kaş to Demre Harbor, the boat trip, the visits to St. Nicholas Church and Myra, and the return to Kaş.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are provided from Kaş city center. The listed starting location is Smiley’s, and the exact pickup time is sent one day before departure by WhatsApp or email.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Are archaeological entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for archaeological sites are not included, so you should budget extra for any required admission.

Can I swim during the boat trip?

Yes. Swimming breaks are planned at several locations, including Pirates Cave, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is included as part of the boat trip.

Can I swim or snorkel in the Sunken City of Kekova?

The Sunken City is viewed from the boat during a cruise and photo stop. The provided details do not include swimming or snorkeling in the area of the sunken ruins.

Do I visit Simena Castle?

Yes. The boat stops at Kaleköy, the village associated with ancient Simena, where you have free time to visit the castle area and enjoy the views.

Are St. Nicholas Church and Myra included?

Yes. After returning to Demre Harbor, the tour continues with visits to St. Nicholas Church and the ancient ruins of Myra.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. You should also account for the fact that extra drinks, food, and archaeological entrance fees are not included.