Kemer Pirates Boat Trip

Kemer’s pirate ship cruise trades quiet coastal sightseeing for a full day of swimming, music and foam-party fun. You’ll pass Mediterranean coves and mountain views, with stops at Phaselis Bay, Cennet Bay and Cleopatra Bay.

I like that the price includes hotel transfers and lunch, so the day’s basic costs are clear. I also like the mix of swimming breaks and a look at the ancient ruins of Phaselis, a welcome change from staying on deck all day.

The main consideration is the party-boat format: music and animations are part of the plan, while explanations of the sights may be limited. Drinks cost extra, and one person reported very high bar prices, so bring cash and decide what you’re willing to spend.

The short version: sun, swims and a foam party

• Three bays make up the swimming itinerary: Phaselis Bay, Cennet Bay and Cleopatra Bay each offer time in the water, with views of the coast from the boat.
• Phaselis adds a taste of antiquity: The bay sits beside an ancient city with Greek and Roman ruins. The entrance fee is not included, and reaching shore by swimming is only an option for strong swimmers.
• Lunch is included: Expect a buffet with schnitzel, three salads, pasta and rice. Vegetarian alternatives are available if you request one when booking.
• The boat is set up for a long day at sea: It has toilets, outside showers and a bar. You can bring your own snorkelling equipment.
• Music and foam are part of the entertainment: The trip includes a foam party and other activities, which suit a lively group outing better than a quiet nature cruise.
• Transfers and drinks need different budgets: Hotel transport both ways is included, but drinks, personal spending, photos and videos are not.

Leaving Kemer by pirate ship

Pickup is scheduled between 9 and 9:30 am from your hotel’s main security gate, not the lobby or reception. Hotel vehicles do not enter the hotel grounds, so confirm the exact gate and be there on time. A comfortable vehicle takes you to the marina, where you board the pirate ship.

The seven-hour outing is designed as a full day rather than a quick boat ride. The stated return to the marina is between 4:30 and 5 pm, followed by transport back to your hotel. That leaves room for several swimming stops and lunch, though the actual time spent on the water can feel long if you prefer a fast-paced sightseeing tour.

The ship’s pirate theme sets a playful tone, but the core appeal is practical: you can reach several coastal bays without arranging separate transport. You’ll get sea views and time to swim, while the boat provides a base with toilets, showers and a bar. This is not a small, quiet sailing excursion. Music, group activities and a foam party are part of the day, so think of it as a social cruise with sightseeing along the way.

The trip has English, Russian and Turkish live guides, with audio guides in the same three languages. That language choice can help you follow basic information, but it’s wise not to book primarily for an in-depth account of the area’s past. The emphasis is on swimming and entertainment, and the amount of explanation at each stop may be modest.

Phaselis Bay: ruins beside the water

The first main stop is Phaselis Bay, where the ancient city of Phaselis stands near the shore. The location offers a striking contrast: Mediterranean water in front of you, and Greek and Roman ruins on land. It’s the stop that gives this cruise more historical interest than a day spent solely moving between swimming coves.

You’ll have a swimming break here, and lunch is served on board. If you’re a strong swimmer, you may be able to reach shore, but don’t treat that as guaranteed access to the ruins. The entrance fee to Phaselis Antique City is extra, so bring cash if you want to pay it. If you do not plan to go ashore, you can still enjoy the bay from the boat and swim in the water.

It helps to decide before arriving whether you want to visit the archaeological site or simply swim. The stop combines both possibilities, but the available time has to serve the whole group. If seeing the ruins is a priority, ask the crew how much time is available and how access works before setting off from the boat. Don’t assume the cruise fare includes admission.

Lunch is a buffet with schnitzel, three kinds of salad, pasta and rice. It is a useful midday meal, especially when you’ve been swimming, though it is best approached as straightforward group-tour food rather than a culinary highlight. Vegetarian alternatives are available, but you need to request one when booking. If you have specific dietary needs beyond that, the information provided does not promise other substitutions, so ask in advance.

Cennet Bay: another chance to swim

After Phaselis, the boat continues to Cennet Bay for another swimming break. The format remains simple: enjoy the water, take in the coast from the boat and return aboard when it is time to move on. If you like having more than one chance to swim, this stop helps break up the day. If you would rather spend more time ashore or hear detailed commentary, repeated swim breaks may feel like too much of the same.

Bring your own snorkelling equipment if you want it. There is no promise of specific underwater wildlife or snorkelling conditions, so think of your mask and snorkel as a way to make the swim more interesting, not as a guaranteed activity with a set route. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat, swimwear and a towel are the practical basics. A camera can be useful for the scenery, but protect it around the water.

The outside showers let you rinse off after swimming, while toilets on board make a long boat trip more manageable. Those small facilities matter on a day that runs from morning into late afternoon. They do not remove the need to plan for sun and heat, though: take the sun protection you’ll need and keep some cash handy for purchases.

Cleopatra Bay: the final swim

Cleopatra Bay is the last planned stop, with about an hour set aside for swimming. The bay is linked to the legend that Cleopatra swam there. Treat the story as local lore rather than a verified historical claim, but the name adds a memorable thread to the day’s coastal route.

This is a generous final pause for anyone who wants one more swim before heading back. It also means the cruise’s main activity remains clear: much of the day is spent in or beside the water, not on land. If you’re happiest with a towel, a swim and a view, that rhythm should suit you. If you want a close look at every named site, remember that the scheduled stops are primarily bays and swimming breaks, with Phaselis the main chance to see ancient remains.

After the stop, the boat returns toward Kemer, with views of Mount Tahtali along the way. The mountain provides a dramatic backdrop to the coast, and the return leg gives you time to relax after the swim stops. The day aims to reach the marina between 4:30 and 5 pm, then a vehicle takes you back to your hotel.

Party boat or peaceful cruise?

The foam party and onboard animations are a defining part of this trip, not a minor extra. They can make the outing a lively family day or a fun group activity, especially if you enjoy music and dancing. Children have enjoyed the foam-party atmosphere, and named entertainers Metin and Ali have been associated with a warm welcome and energetic dancing.

That same energy may not suit everyone. One person found there were long quiet spells between activities and wanted more information about the places along the route. If you’re hoping for a calm boat ride, natural-history commentary or a deep historical tour, this is probably not the right fit. The trip’s guide languages are useful, but the schedule and entertainment point toward a more casual experience.

The pace is also tied to the group. Three swimming stops, lunch and onboard activities fill the day, but they may not feel equally engaging to every person. You’ll get the most from it if you enjoy swimming, can be comfortable with music and group entertainment, and are happy for the boat itself to be part of the fun.

What the $19 price covers, and what it doesn’t

At $19 per person, the price is appealing for a seven-hour outing that includes hotel transfers both ways, a guide, full insurance, lunch and the foam party. Those inclusions remove several common costs and planning steps. If your goal is a simple day on the water with food and transport arranged, the fare offers useful value.

The price does not cover drinks, the Phaselis entrance fee, personal spending or photos and videos. That distinction matters because the bar can add considerably to your bill. One person reported paying £7 for a beer and £15 for a cocktail, so consider those figures a warning about possible prices rather than a fixed current menu. If you want to keep spending down, bring water or other drinks only if the operator allows them; that permission is not specified, so check before packing beverages. Cash is listed among the recommended items.

You can also bring your own snorkelling gear, which avoids needing to find equipment on the boat. For lunch, request a vegetarian alternative at the time of booking. These small bits of preparation can make the included fare work better for you without changing the nature of the trip.

Reliability, timing and who should book

The day is built around a hotel pickup, so clear communication matters. The pickup point is the main security gate, not the lobby. One person reported that a driver could not find them at the hotel, while another described a delayed start after the boat was not fuelled and said there was little communication. These are reasons to confirm your pickup location and contact details in advance, and to ask the operator for an update if the vehicle or boat is late.

The reports of smooth, enjoyable days sit alongside those problems. That mix suggests you should book for the experience itself, while allowing some flexibility around the start time. Don’t schedule a tight connection or an important appointment immediately after the expected return.

This tour suits you best if you want a budget-friendly, social day with several swims, lunch included and a little time near ancient ruins. Families who enjoy music and water activities may find it especially appealing. It is not suitable for people with heart problems or wheelchair users. Anyone looking for a quiet boat, extensive historical commentary, a guaranteed shore visit at Phaselis or included drinks should compare other options.

FAQ

How long is the Kemer Pirates Boat Trip?

The trip lasts about seven hours. Hotel pickup is scheduled between 9 and 9:30 am, and arrival back at the marina is planned for between 4:30 and 5 pm, followed by hotel drop-off.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is at your hotel’s main security gate, not the lobby or reception. Tour vehicles do not enter the hotel grounds.

Which stops are included?

The planned swimming stops are Phaselis Bay, Cennet Bay and Cleopatra Bay. Phaselis Bay is beside the ancient city of Phaselis.

Is lunch included, and what is served?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet with schnitzel, three salads, pasta and rice. Vegetarian alternatives are available if you request one when booking.

Are drinks and the Phaselis entrance fee included?

No. Drinks and the entrance fee to Phaselis Antique City are extra. Personal spending, photos and videos are also not included.

What should I bring, and can I bring snorkelling gear?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, a camera and cash. You can bring your own snorkelling equipment.