Kalkan: Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip

Kekova’s sunken city is best understood from the water: ancient walls and ruins lie just below the surface, while your boat moves along the coast. This nine-hour outing pairs that unusual view with swim stops and a visit to Simena, making it a strong choice if you want a full day at sea without arranging transport yourself.

I like two things in particular: the included buffet lunch makes the long day easier to budget, and the stop in Simena gives you a choice between a castle walk and village cafés serving homemade ice cream. One consideration: this is a popular route, so several boats may reach the same bays together, and you should not count on a glass-bottom boat.

• Look for ruins from the boat: You pass the sunken city at Kekova, but the boat is not guaranteed to have a glass bottom.
• Expect plenty of time in the water: Stops include Tersane Bay and Gökkaya Bay, with additional opportunities at other points along the route.
• Take your pick in Simena: Walk uphill to the castle for bay views, or stay in the village for its homemade goat’s-milk ice cream.
• Lunch is included: The open-buffet meal is a major part of the day’s value. Drinks are extra.
• Transfers are part of the package: Pickup is offered from Kalkan, Kaş and Patara, with return to Kalkan or Kaş.
• Pack your snorkel: Bring one if you have it, though the clear water and swimming are more certain draws than seeing lots of fish.

From Kalkan to Üçağız, then out to sea

The day starts with pickup from your accommodation in Kalkan or Kaş, with Patara also listed as a pickup area. A transfer takes you to Üçağız village, the starting point for the boat trip. The route to the heart of Kekova takes about an hour by boat, so allow for a full outing rather than a quick cruise.

Transport is included in the $80 price, which matters if you would otherwise need to arrange a ride to Üçağız separately. One family found the trip out in a spacious van and the return in a tighter one, so vehicle comfort may vary. The transfer is shared in at least some cases, not necessarily a private ride.

The boat cruise itself lasts around eight hours, while the stated total tour duration is nine hours. That is a long stretch in the sun, with time to swim and rest between stops. Bring a snorkel if you own one, and consider what you will want for a full day on the water. The route is about bays, swimming and coastal sights, not nonstop guided history.

Tersane Bay and the sunken city

The first swim stop is Tersane Bay, where you can get into the water and view the sunken city from the boat. This is the defining sight of the trip: remains of an ancient settlement lie beneath the water around Kekova, and the boat gives you a view of the ruins without taking you ashore at the site.

Set expectations carefully. The tour information describes viewing underwater ruins through the boat, but there is no guarantee of a glass-bottom vessel. Some departures have used ordinary boats, and conditions or restrictions may affect how closely the boat can approach or stop. Treat this as a chance to see the ruins from the surface, not a dedicated underwater viewing excursion.

The water’s color and clarity are a big part of the appeal. Swimming is a more dependable pleasure than snorkeling for fish: one family reported that there was not much marine life to see, even though the water looked striking. If your priority is a reef teeming with fish, this may not be the right boat trip. If you want a refreshing swim with ancient ruins nearby, it fits better.

Gökkaya Bay, lunch and another swim

At Gökkaya Bay, the boat serves an open-buffet lunch and offers another chance to swim. The meal is one of the most consistently praised parts of the day, with several accounts describing generous portions and food worth lingering over. It is a welcome pause after the morning’s transfer and boat ride.

Lunch is included in the tour price, while drinks are not. Drinks, snacks, coffee and other refreshments can be bought on board; prices have been described as reasonable, though the exact selection and cost can vary. Bring some money if you want something beyond the included meal, and keep in mind that having a big lunch may leave less room for the ice cream stop later.

There is time to swim again around this part of the route. Buoyancy aids have been available on some trips, which can help if you want to enjoy the water without being a strong swimmer, but availability is not a firm promise. Ask the crew on the day if you need one.

Pirate Cave, Burc Bay and the coast between

After Gökkaya, the itinerary includes the Pirate Cave and Burc Bay. These stops add variety to a day that could otherwise become one long run of swimming and lunch. The coast is dotted with coves and old remains, and the trip’s appeal lies partly in seeing several different places from the boat rather than settling in one bay.

The route is described as covering six bays and taking in Lycian, Byzantine and Roman remains. You will get a broad introduction to the area, but not a deep archaeological visit at every stop. The guide provides context along the way, and English and Turkish are the listed tour languages. Guides have included Mehmet, who was praised for keeping the history informative without overwhelming the relaxed pace. The specific guide can vary.

Expect other boats at the popular stops, especially in high season. Several vessels may gather in the same bay at once. That can make the setting feel less secluded, but it is a practical tradeoff for visiting the area’s best-known swimming spots on a scheduled day trip.

Simena, the castle and homemade ice cream

Simena is the day’s main chance to step ashore and explore at your own pace. You can climb to Simena Castle for wide views across the bay, or stay closer to the village and find a café. Entrance fees are not included, so check the cost if you plan to visit the castle.

The walk up to the castle is a worthwhile choice if you want a view that puts the coastline and nearby islands into perspective. It also means a climb, so decide based on your energy and interest rather than feeling obliged to do both options. The village is a gentler alternative, with cafés known for homemade ice cream. Goat’s-milk ice cream has been singled out as a local treat.

You generally have about an hour in Simena, so make your choice early. A long café stop and a castle visit may not both fit comfortably into that time. If you are travelling with children or anyone who prefers a slower pace, the village and ice cream can make a satisfying stop on their own.

The last swim and return to Kalkan

Before heading back, the boat makes a final swim stop near Üçağız village. By then you will have had several chances to get in the water, so this is a useful last pause rather than your only opportunity. After the boat trip, the transfer takes you back toward Kalkan or Kaş.

The day can be tiring, particularly in summer, when sun, swimming and a full boat schedule add up. The format suits people who enjoy spending most of the day outdoors and are happy to share the boat with other groups. If you prefer a quiet, private cruise or a tightly focused archaeological tour, this may feel too busy and broad.

What the $80 price includes

At $80 per person, the value rests on combining transport, a full-day boat trip, a buffet lunch and a guide in one booking. You avoid sorting out your own journey to Üçağız, and the included meal helps make the cost easier to judge. The day also includes multiple swim opportunities and the Simena stop, rather than charging for a short ride to one viewpoint.

Budget separately for drinks and any entrance fee, including the castle if you decide to go in. Onboard drinks have been described as fairly priced, but they are still an extra. You may also want to bring cash for refreshments or purchases in Simena.

The tour is particularly good value if you plan to swim, enjoy the scenery and want a simple way to reach Kekova from Kalkan or Kaş. It offers less value if your main reason for booking is a glass-bottom view or extensive snorkeling. The boat may not have a glass bottom, and fish sightings are not a sure thing.

Who will enjoy this day most

Families can do well here: children have room to swim, and the day breaks up into manageable stops, lunch and time ashore. One family travelled with children aged five and seven and enjoyed the outing. Still, it is a long day, so think about how your group handles a full schedule in the sun.

It also suits couples and friends who want a mix of ancient sites, swimming and a relaxed meal without planning each leg themselves. The crew and guide help keep the day moving, while the Simena stop gives you some freedom to choose how active you want to be.

Book it for the water, scenery and variety, with the sunken city as a memorable part of the route. Do not book it solely for a guaranteed glass-bottom boat or a quiet cove to yourself. If that balance sounds right, this is a rewarding way to spend a day from Kalkan.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The total experience is listed as nine hours, including transfers. The boat cruise itself is about eight hours.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Kalkan, Kaş or Patara. The listed drop-off locations are Kalkan and Kaş.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open-buffet lunch is included. Drinks are not included and can be purchased on board.

Can I see the sunken city from a glass-bottom boat?

The tour includes a view of the underwater ruins from the boat, but a glass-bottom boat is not guaranteed. Some boats do not have glass bottoms.

Is swimming part of the trip?

Yes. The route includes swim opportunities at places such as Tersane Bay and Gökkaya Bay, as well as a final swim near Üçağız.

Can I visit Simena Castle?

You can choose to walk up to Simena Castle during the stop in Simena. Entrance fees are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a snorkel if you have one. Drinks are not included, so plan to pay for any refreshments you want to buy on board.