Kekova Guided Sea Kayaking Tour

Kekova is best seen from the water, and a sea kayak puts you close to the Lycian ruins without entering the protected Sunken City. You paddle along the coast, pause for a swim at Tersane Bay and reach Simena, where a short climb opens up views over the island and surrounding bays.

I like two things in particular: the kayak gives you a quiet, low-level view of the ruins, and the stop at Simena adds a village and castle visit to a morning on the water. The swim break is another strong reason to go, especially if you want time in the sea rather than a sightseeing trip spent entirely afloat.

The main consideration is effort. Paddling can feel tiring, and one person noted that it may be daunting if you have never kayaked before. The group may also be large, so ask about group size if close attention from a guide matters to you.

• The Sunken City is viewed from the kayak: Swimming is not allowed in this protected area.
• Tersane Bay is the planned swim stop: The itinerary allows about 30 minutes there.
• Simena gets 45 minutes: Visit the castle ruins, see the village and necropolis, or take a short hillside walk.
• A motorized support vessel escorts the kayaks: It accompanies the group from Üçağız.
• Lunch is included: The castle entrance ticket is not, and costs 4 euros.
• Pirates Cave is named as a highlight: The timed route does not specify a separate stop there.

A four-hour route from Üçağız

The tour begins in Üçağız at 9:30 am, with a motorized support vessel accompanying the kayakers. From there, the route heads southwest along the coast toward Kekova Island. The activity is listed as four hours, with lunch scheduled for 1:15 pm after the group returns to the kayak base and continues to Üçağız.

That schedule gives you a compact morning with several distinct stops rather than one long paddle. The stated times place the group at Tersane Bay at about 10:15 am, then at Simena around 11:30 am. Those are useful reference points if you are planning the rest of your day, though the exact starting times can vary, so check the available departure when booking.

The support vessel is a practical feature, particularly if you are unsure how you will manage the full route by kayak. It follows the group, but the supplied details do not say what assistance it provides or whether you can ride on it. Think of it as an escort, not a guaranteed alternative to paddling.

Tersane Bay: a swim before the ruins

The first named stop is Tersane Bay, also called Tersane Koyu. The group spends about 30 minutes there for kayaking and a swimming break. This pause gives you a chance to get into the water before continuing toward the more historically notable part of the route.

The swimming stop is one of the tour’s clearest strengths. One person described it as an exceptional place to swim, and the schedule gives you a real break rather than only a brief photo pause. Bring swimwear and a towel, as the tour specifically recommends both.

The bay stop is also a useful moment to consider how you are feeling on the water. One person found kayaking tiring and potentially intimidating without prior experience. The tour information does not specify the route’s difficulty or whether previous kayaking experience is required, so if you are uncertain, ask the operator before booking.

The Sunken City: close views, no swimming

After Tersane Bay, the group paddles slowly alongside the Sunken City of Kekova. The ruins lie in a protected area, so swimming is not permitted there. Kayaking offers a way to see the remains from the water while respecting that restriction.

The scheduled stop is brief, about 10 minutes, and is described as a photo stop, sightseeing and paddling past the site. Set your expectations accordingly: this is a short passage beside the ruins, not an extended archaeological visit. The view is the point, and the kayak’s position at water level gives the site a different feel from a land-based viewpoint.

It is worth knowing that the Sunken City may not be the highlight for everyone. One person found the ruins less impressive than expected, but still valued the peaceful time on the water and the kayak as a way to explore the area. I would book this tour for the whole combination of paddling, swimming and Simena, not for the ruins alone.

Simena: castle, village and a short uphill walk

The group reaches Simena, also known as Kaleköy, at about 11:30 am and has 45 minutes there. This is the tour’s longest stop on land. You can visit the small village, see the castle ruins and necropolis, or use the time for a short uphill walk to views over the Kekova region.

The climb is a good choice if you want a broad look at the coast and island after seeing them from kayak height. The tour describes it as a small hike, but gives no distance or difficulty rating. Keep an eye on the time: 45 minutes must cover your visit and any walk, so this is a brief look rather than a leisurely village afternoon.

Simena Castle is historically significant and provides panoramic views, but entry is not included in the $45 tour price. The entrance ticket costs 4 euros. If you would rather stay near the water, the available time can also be used for another swim. That flexibility makes the stop work for different interests, though you will need to choose what matters most before the group returns to the kayaks.

Theimussa and the return paddle

After Simena, the route turns back toward Theimussa Ancient City. The group passes close to Lycian sarcophagi, with about 10 minutes set aside for sightseeing and paddling past. This adds another glimpse of the region’s ancient remains without requiring a separate land visit.

The return leg brings you back to the kayak base and then to Üçağız, where lunch is scheduled for 1:15 pm. Lunch is included, which makes the price easier to assess: you are paying for a guided half-day on the water, several sightseeing stops and a meal, rather than for kayak time alone.

The details do not describe the lunch menu, so if you have dietary needs or want to know what is served, check with the provider in advance. The same goes for equipment and clothing beyond the stated advice to bring swimwear and a towel.

What the $45 price includes, and what it does not

At $45 per person, the tour offers a guided route with a swim stop, a pass by the protected ruins, time in Simena and lunch. You also have an English- or Turkish-speaking guide and the accompaniment of a motorized support vessel. For a four-hour outing with several different experiences, that is a reasonable bundle, especially if you value having the route organized rather than arranging separate kayak and village visits.

The extra 4-euro castle ticket is modest, but remember to add it if you plan to enter. The tour does not include that admission in its price. Lunch is included, which is a practical plus after a morning of paddling, though the meal details are not provided.

The experience has a strong overall rating of 4.8 from 19 reviews, but the small number of ratings is worth keeping in perspective. The praise centers on the scenery, the guide and the peaceful time on the water. Yasar is one guide singled out for being wonderful, energetic and informative. That is encouraging, but it does not guarantee that he will lead your departure.

Group size deserves a question before you book. One person found that a single guide could struggle with a large group. The actual group size is not specified, so ask the operator how many kayakers are usually on a departure and how guides are assigned. That matters most if you are a beginner or want more individual help.

Kayaking comfort, guide language and practical choices

The tour is available with a live guide in English or Turkish. A guide can add context to the ancient sites as you pass them, and the route includes both natural and historical points of interest. Still, the information does not promise a detailed history talk at each stop, so treat the guide’s commentary as part of the outing rather than a substitute for a specialist archaeological tour.

If you have kayaked before, the format should be straightforward to assess: you will paddle between stops, take a swim break and spend a short time alongside the ruins. If you are new to kayaking, ask about the expected exertion, group size and how the support vessel works. The supplied details do not specify age limits, fitness requirements or whether tandem kayaks are available, so do not assume those arrangements.

Pirates Cave appears among the tour’s listed highlights, but it is not included as a timed stop in the route. If seeing the cave is a deciding factor, confirm directly whether the group visits it on your departure. The scheduled route names Tersane Bay, the Sunken City, Simena and Theimussa, so those are the stops you can plan around with confidence.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and it offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. These terms give you some flexibility if your plans are not fixed. Check the available start times, since the four-hour duration is paired with a specific morning schedule in the route description.

Who should book this Kekova kayak tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to combine time on the water with a taste of Kekova’s archaeological sites, and you are comfortable with a paddle that may feel tiring. The swim at Tersane Bay, the close view of the protected ruins and the stop in Simena make the morning varied. It is also a sensible fit if you want lunch included and do not need a full-day outing.

It is less suited to someone who expects a long visit at the Sunken City, a leisurely exploration of Simena or a guaranteed stop at Pirates Cave. The ruins are viewed briefly from the kayak, Simena gets 45 minutes, and the cave is not named in the timed route. If you are a first-time kayaker, ask about group size and support before paying.

Book it for the mix of paddling, swimming and a short village-and-castle visit, not for one landmark alone. If that balance suits you, the $45 price offers a practical way to see several sides of Kekova in one morning.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova kayaking tour?

The activity is listed as four hours. The route begins at 9:30 am, reaches Tersane Bay around 10:15 am and Simena around 11:30 am, with lunch scheduled for 1:15 pm.

Is swimming allowed at the Sunken City?

No. The Sunken City is in a protected area where swimming is not permitted. You view the ruins from your kayak.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes, lunch is included. The meal details are not specified.

Does the tour price include Simena Castle admission?

No. The Castle of Simena entrance ticket costs 4 euros and is not included in the $45 tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel, particularly for the swimming break at Tersane Bay.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide is available in English and Turkish.