From Ucagiz: Day Trip to Kekova by Boat

Kekova is best appreciated from the water, where you can see the outline of its ruined Sunken City and pull into bays that are made for a swim. I like that this trip gives you a full hour at Aquarium Bay, then another hour to explore Simena village and its hilltop castle. Lunch, fruit, and a morning snack are included, which makes the $45 price easier to judge.

The trade-off is a full day of stops and swimming, not a quiet boat ride with just one destination. You’ll spend much of the seven hours moving between bays, and the castle visit involves a steep uphill walk if you want the broadest views.

At a glance

• Aquarium Bay gets a full hour, with swimming, snorkeling, and tea and biscuits.
• The Sunken City is viewed from the boat, with about 20 minutes for sightseeing and context.
• Simena gets a full hour ashore, enough to walk up to castle ruins and a necropolis or stay near the water.
• Lunch is served onboard at Gökkaya Bay, alongside a 45-minute stop for swimming.
• The route includes several swim stops, so bring swimwear and a towel.
• Simena Castle costs an extra €1 to enter, while the listed tour price is $45 per person.

A seven-hour loop from Ucagiz

The trip starts and ends at Ucagiz Village harbour, with departure scheduled between 10:20 and 10:40 in the morning. Arrive in time to locate the boat and settle in before departure. The meeting details name Captain Mehmet and the Memedim boat, while the listed starting point also uses the name Mehmedim3 Boat. If the names do not match what you see at the harbour, contact the provider rather than guessing.

The route is a mix of scenic cruising, swim breaks, and one substantial stop ashore. You’ll visit Aquarium Bay, pass the Sunken City by Kekova Island, stop for more swimming, see Pirates Cave, and spend time in Gökkaya and Esmeralda bays before landing at Simena. The exact pace depends on the day, but the plan allows time for more than a quick dip.

This is not a transfer between towns. You return to the same harbour, so you can continue your day in Ucagiz, find dinner in the village, or head onward to another destination. The seven-hour length is worth keeping in mind when arranging the rest of your plans.

Aquarium Bay starts the day with a long swim

The first major stop is Akvaryum Koyu, or Aquarium Bay, where the boat stays for about an hour. That is generous time for a swim, and snorkeling is also listed as an option. The bay’s clear water and scenic setting make it a good place to get comfortable with the day before the boat moves on.

Tea and biscuits are served here, alongside the morning snack included in the trip. This is a useful early pause, but don’t treat it as lunch. A towel and swimwear are the essential items to bring; the tour information does not specify that snorkeling equipment is supplied, so check ahead if you need gear.

A long first stop is one of the trip’s better features. Some boat outings make swimming feel like a quick box to tick. Here, you have enough time to get in, dry off, and enjoy the bay without immediately watching the clock.

Kekova’s Sunken City is a boat-side history lesson

Next comes Kekova Island and the Sunken City, with about 20 minutes set aside for sightseeing and a guided explanation. The ancient city of Dolchiste was flooded by an earthquake in the 2nd century. Its remains lie underwater, making this a place to look from the boat rather than a stop for walking among ruins.

That distinction matters. You’ll see the historic area from the water, not explore it on foot or swim through the ruins. The boat gives you a useful vantage point, and the short explanation helps place the submerged remains in context. The trip lists an English and Turkish audio guide, and an English-speaking host or greeter. On one outing, the main boat commentary was in Turkish, while guide Mustafa answered questions and explained things in English. English support can be helpful, but the amount of live explanation may vary.

The Sunken City is a striking part of the route, though it is not a long stop. Think of it as a focused look at a remarkable stretch of coastline, balanced against the much longer time set aside for swimming and Simena.

A cooler swim near Burç Bay

After the Sunken City, the route includes another swim stop, listed as a 40-minute visit to a hidden gem and described as Burç Bay. The water here can feel cooler because of natural underwater springs. If you enjoy a refreshing swim, that change in temperature may be welcome. If you prefer warm water, ease in slowly.

This stop adds variety to the day. The bays are not all the same, and a cooler patch of sea is a small but memorable contrast to the warmer swim stops. Snorkeling is listed here too, but the details do not say that equipment is provided.

Pirates Cave is a quick scenic pass

The boat then passes Pirates Cave, a naturally formed cave known for its large size and curved entrance. This is a sightseeing stop from the boat, rather than a listed landing or extended visit. Keep your camera ready as you approach, but don’t expect to go inside or spend a long time at the cave.

It is a brief change of pace between swim breaks. The cave’s shape and scale are the point, and the boat’s route lets you see it without taking time away from the longer stops.

Gökkaya Bay brings lunch and another swim

Gökkaya Bay is the main meal break. The itinerary allows about 45 minutes here for lunch and swimming, with lunch served onboard. Fruit is included as well, and the morning snack and tea service earlier in the day help round out the food provided.

The meal is one of the trip’s strongest value points. At $45 per person, having lunch and snacks included means you do not need to plan a separate meal during the boat trip. One description of the lunch on this route noted meat grilled straight on the boat, but the exact menu may vary. If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming a particular dish will be available.

Gökkaya also has water sports on offer, according to the tour details. These are optional, and no price or specific activity list is provided, so treat them as an extra possibility rather than part of the $45 package.

Esmeralda Bay offers a quieter pause

Esmeralda Bay, also spelled Esmaralda Koyu in the route details, is another 40-minute stop for swimming and snorkeling. It adds a calmer stretch to a day with several changes of scenery. You can swim again or use the pause to rest on the boat.

The number of swim breaks is a real selling point if you want a day centered on the sea. If you are less keen on swimming, the repeated stops may feel like too much of the same thing. The coastline changes from bay to bay, but this trip is designed for time in the water as much as for sightseeing.

Simena gives you one hour on shore

At Kaleköy, the site of ancient Simena, the boat anchors for a full hour. This is the tour’s main chance to leave the boat and explore on foot. The small village is known for castle ruins and a necropolis, and you can choose between a walk uphill for views or a more relaxed stay near the water.

The climb to Simena Castle is the best choice if you want a broad view over the Kekova region. Allow enough time to walk up and back within the hour, and remember that the €1 entrance fee is not included in the tour price. If you would rather avoid the uphill walk, use the free time to look around the village or swim.

This hour is a useful counterweight to the boat-based history stop at the Sunken City. At Simena, you can get a closer feel for the village and its ruins, though the visit is self-guided rather than a long guided tour. There may be shopping during the free time, but the main reason to get off the boat is the castle, necropolis, and view.

What $45 includes, and what it does not

The listed price is $45 per person. For a seven-hour boat outing with lunch, morning snack, fruit, several swim stops, and time in Simena, that is a solid package if you want a full day on the water. The value is strongest for people who plan to make use of the swim breaks and appreciate having food included.

Budget an additional €1 if you plan to enter Simena Castle. The tour does not specify the cost of optional water sports, and it does not say that snorkeling gear is included. Ask the provider about either before you go if they matter to your plans.

The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and offer a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms give you some flexibility, but they do not replace checking that the departure is running. In shoulder or off season, confirm directly with the provider. One booking needed a last-minute adjustment early in the season, and the provider arranged another boat experience at the booked price. That is reassuring, but a quick confirmation can save confusion at the harbour.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I’d choose this trip if I wanted to spend a day swimming in several bays, see the Sunken City from the water, and still have time to walk around Simena. It suits people who like a varied day with both sea time and a little history. The included meal and snacks are also useful if you would rather not arrange lunch separately.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a quiet, history-heavy tour with long stops and detailed guided walks. The Sunken City visit is brief and viewed from the boat, while the castle visit is self-guided. The schedule also involves repeated swims, so consider whether you’ll enjoy that rhythm before booking.

The boat setup can vary. A boat used on one outing had space inside and on top, with mattresses for relaxing, but you should not assume every departure has the same layout. English support is available, though the style of commentary may differ. The best approach is to treat this as a flexible boat day: enjoy the bays, take the history as it comes, and choose how much of Simena’s uphill walk you want to tackle.

Should you book the Ucagiz to Kekova boat trip?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming, a boat-side view of the Sunken City, and a proper hour to explore Simena. The combination of food, multiple bays, and the castle stop makes the $45 price appealing for an active day out.

Skip it if you want extensive guided history, a short outing, or little time in the water. Bring a towel and swimwear, check departure details before you travel in the shoulder or off season, and keep a euro handy if you plan to enter the castle.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The trip lasts seven hours and returns to Ucagiz Village harbour.

Where does the boat leave from?

It starts at Ucagiz Village harbour. The listed boat names are Memedim Boat and Mehmedim3 Boat, with Captain Mehmet named in the meeting details.

What time does the boat depart?

Departure is scheduled between 10:20 and 10:40 in the morning. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, a morning snack, and fruit are included. Tea and biscuits are served at Aquarium Bay.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. Swimming is planned at Aquarium Bay, Burç Bay, Gökkaya Bay, and Esmeralda Bay. Swimwear and a towel are listed as items to bring.

Can I visit Simena Castle?

Yes. The boat stops at Kaleköy for one hour, giving you time to visit Simena village and walk up to the castle. The castle entrance fee is €1 and is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling is listed as an activity at several stops, but the tour details do not say whether equipment is supplied. Ask the provider if you need gear.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve now and pay later.