Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City Boat Tour

Kekova’s half-submerged houses, foundations, and steps make this tour an unusual mix of archaeology and time on the water. You’ll see the remains from a boat, then head inland to Myra’s tombs and theater, with a specialist art historian guide to help explain what you’re seeing.

I like that hotel transfers and lunch are included, which takes some of the strain out of a long day, and that the boat ride gives the ancient sites a change of pace. The main drawback is the distance: expect an early start and a substantial amount of time on the road.

Key points before you book

• Kekova’s ruins are viewed from a boat: The roughly two-hour ride passes submerged shops, house remains, foundations, and steps. Underwater visibility is not guaranteed.
• Myra’s ancient city ticket is included: The visit focuses on its theater, tombs, and history.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: Admission is not included, and the stated price is 17 euros.
• The day can start around 5am: The drive from Antalya is long, with one estimate putting road time at six to seven hours.
• Lunch and hotel pickup are included: Pickup is offered across Antalya and several resort areas, including Lara, Belek, Side, Alanya, and Kemer.
• The group is capped at 15: The tour is offered in English and led by a professional art historian guide.

A long day from Antalya to Demre

This is not a quick excursion from the city. The full tour lasts about 10 to 11 hours, and the drive to the Demre and Kekova area is a major part of the day. One estimate puts the road time at six to seven hours in total, so you should think of this as a full-day outing, not a short hop between nearby sights.

An early start is part of the bargain. One account describes a 5am wakeup, a useful warning if you’re planning late dinners or a slow morning in Antalya. Exact pickup times aren’t provided, so confirm your arrangements before the day and plan to be ready early.

The tour offers pickup from a wide area: Antalya city center and Kaleiçi, as well as Lara, Beldibi, Kemer, Tekirova, Serik, Belek, Kumköy, Side, and Alanya. That broad reach is convenient, but it also means the route may involve collecting people from different places. If you’re staying far from central Antalya, allow for a longer day.

Hotel transfers help make the distance manageable. You don’t need to arrange your own transport to the coast or coordinate several separate visits. Lunch is included too, though drinks are not, so bring money for beverages.

Kekova Island from the water

The boat tour is the day’s most distinctive change of scene. For about two hours, you travel around the coast near Kekova Island, which gives its name to the surrounding region. The island’s remains include traces of houses, foundations, and other structures, some partly underwater.

Around Tersane Bay, the route passes the remains of submerged shops and houses. From the boat, you may see house floors, foundations, and steps that once led down to the sea. The shoreline itself tells the story: parts of buildings sit below the waterline, making the old settlement visible in a way that’s hard to grasp from land.

It’s important to set the right expectation. This is a boat tour past the sunken city, not a scuba or snorkeling excursion. The remains are viewed from above, and visibility under the water can be limited. One person on the trip reported not being able to see the underwater wrecks, so don’t book on the promise of a clear underwater view. The scenery and the sight of structures at the water’s edge are still the point.

Kekova Island has not been excavated, according to the tour description, and historical remains are scattered across the area. At Tersane Village, the remains of a Byzantine-period church apse are another reminder that these are not just isolated stones on the seabed. You’re seeing traces of a settlement whose full story is not known.

The boat ride also gives your feet a break after the long drive. That matters on a packed day, especially if you’ve already spent time walking around archaeological sites. If you value a mix of history and rest, this part can be a welcome counterweight to the land visits.

Myra’s tombs and theater

Myra Ancient City brings the focus back to land. The visit includes the ancient theater and the tombs of kings, two of the site’s main draws. These remains make the stop more than a brief photo break: they give you a chance to look closely at the scale and design of the ancient city.

An art historian guide can add useful context to what might otherwise look like a collection of carved stone and ruins. You’re not just moving from one landmark to another; you can ask how the tombs and theater fit into the history of the place. The tour is offered in English, and the group is limited to 15 people, a size that can make it easier to hear explanations and stay together.

There is a timing detail worth checking. The stated itinerary assigns Myra one minute, which is plainly too short to describe a meaningful visit to the theater and tombs. The tour description says you explore the site, and the entrance ticket is included, but it does not give a reliable visit length. Ask the operator how much time is planned at Myra before booking, particularly if this is the main reason you want to go.

The included admission is a useful part of the overall value. You won’t need to buy a separate ticket for Myra, though the listed entry fee for St. Nicholas Church is not part of the price.

St. Nicholas Church and the extra ticket

The Church of St. Nicholas is a separate stop in Demre. It has an important place in the area’s history, and the guide explains the church during the visit. The stop is listed as one hour, giving you time to see the site rather than simply pass through.

Admission costs 17 euros and is not included in the tour price. That’s worth factoring into your budget if you want to go inside. The main tour price is $132.45 per person, but the church ticket and drinks are additional expenses.

If you’re watching your spending, decide in advance whether the church is a priority. The tour still includes Myra’s ancient city ticket and the Kekova boat trip, so the extra fee applies to this one site rather than the day as a whole.

What the price covers, and what it doesn’t

At $132.45 per person, this tour bundles several costs and logistics into one long day: hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, a professional guide, the boat trip of about two hours, and admission to Myra Ancient City. The guide is described as a specialist art historian, a worthwhile feature when you’re visiting sites where the remains may need explanation to make sense.

The package is most valuable if you’re staying in Antalya and want to see Demre, Myra, and Kekova without organizing transport and tickets yourself. Reaching all three independently takes planning, and the included transfer removes the need to piece together the route. The boat ride also adds a different kind of sightseeing to the day.

Still, the price doesn’t erase the cost in time. A long drive, early start, and 10-to-11-hour schedule are part of what you’re paying for. If you have only a few days in Antalya, ask yourself whether you’d rather spend a full day away from the city. If you’re keen on these specific sites, the all-in-one format may be a sensible trade.

Bring extra money for drinks and the St. Nicholas Church entrance fee. The tour includes lunch but does not specify what it consists of, so don’t count on knowing the menu in advance.

Who will enjoy this day most

I’d consider this tour if you’re keen to see the ancient sites around Demre and the sunken remains at Kekova, but don’t want to arrange a long-distance trip on your own. It suits people who are happy to spend much of a day in transit in exchange for several different stops and a boat ride.

It also works well if you like historical context. A professional art historian guide can help connect the tombs, theater, church, and coastal remains rather than leaving you to interpret each site alone. The group limit of 15 is another plus if you prefer a smaller tour to a large coach group.

Think twice if you dislike early starts, long drives, or tightly scheduled days. The boat ride may be relaxing, but it doesn’t shorten the route. And if your main goal is to see underwater ruins in clear detail, this may disappoint: the tour passes the remains by boat, and visibility can be poor.

The schedule also deserves a quick check before you pay. In particular, ask how long the Myra stop lasts, since the listed one-minute duration conflicts with the description of exploring the ancient city. A clear answer will help you judge whether the pace suits you.

Booking and practical details

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 15. Hotel pickup is available from the named areas, but check that your accommodation falls within the service zone and confirm the pickup point and time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The cutoff follows local time, so keep the start date and local clock in mind.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Kekova’s coastal ruins, Myra, and St. Nicholas Church are high on your list, and you’re willing to trade a very early start for a full day of sightseeing. The included transfer, lunch, Myra admission, and two-hour boat ride make the $132.45 price easier to assess as a package.

Skip it if you want a relaxed day close to Antalya or expect to see the sunken remains clearly beneath the water. The best reason to go is the combination: ancient sites on land, a coastal view of Kekova, and a guide to connect the details. Just confirm the Myra timing and budget separately for the church ticket and drinks.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 to 11 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with service offered in Antalya and several surrounding resort areas.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. Drinks are not.

Is admission to Myra Ancient City included?

Yes. The Myra Ancient City entrance ticket is included.

Is the St. Nicholas Church entrance fee included?

No. Admission costs 17 euros and is paid separately.

How long is the boat tour around Kekova?

The boat tour lasts about two hours. The sunken remains are viewed from the boat, and underwater visibility is not guaranteed.