Kalkan: Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip

Ancient ruins meet superb swimming stops. This full-day trip from Kalkan or Kaş combines six beautiful bays, Lycian, Byzantine, and Roman remains, and a generous buffet lunch served during a relaxed boat day. I especially like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to see Kekova’s sunken ruins from the water, followed by time at Simena for its castle views and homemade goat-milk ice cream.

The main drawback is that the boat may not have a glass bottom, despite some descriptions suggesting otherwise. You can still see parts of the submerged ruins from above, but you should not book this trip expecting a close underwater viewing experience. Busy stops, an older boat, and a shared transfer are other small trade-offs.

Key points before you book

• The day starts with a road transfer: Pickup is available from hotels in Kalkan, Kaş, or Patara, followed by the drive to Üçağız Village.
• Six bays shape the outing: You get several chances to swim, relax, and see coastal ruins rather than spending the whole day in one place.
• Tersane Bay brings the first swim: This is also where you look toward the remains of the sunken city from the boat.
• The lunch is a major strength: The open buffet barbecue meal is included and has earned especially strong praise for its taste and generous portions.
• Simena gives you a choice: Walk up toward the castle for wide views, or stay in the village for cafés and homemade ice cream.
• Bring your own snorkel if you have one: The water is clear and inviting, but the trip is more about swimming and scenery than abundant sea life.

From Kalkan or Kaş to Üçağız Village

The advertised duration is nine hours, but the boat cruise itself takes about eight hours. The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Kalkan, Kaş, or Patara, then a shared transfer to Üçağız Village, the departure point for the Kekova area.

The transfer is part of the practical calculation when you judge the price. One passenger described a prompt pickup from a villa door and a smooth return, while another found the return van tighter than the larger vehicle used in the morning. The ride is not private, so you may collect other people along the way.

Communication has generally been strong. Confirmation by WhatsApp and quick replies to questions can make an early start less stressful, especially if you are staying outside central Kalkan or Kaş. Pickup times should still be checked carefully, since the supplied information gives the duration but not one fixed departure time.

At Üçağız, you board the boat and begin the cruise into the Kekova area. The boat has plenty of room according to the available feedback, though one description calls it a little dated. That is a fair expectation: think of a friendly, functional day boat rather than a polished luxury yacht.

Tersane Bay and the first look at Kekova’s ruins

The boat takes about an hour to reach the heart of Kekova. Tersane Bay is the first main stop, offering time for a swim and your first view of the submerged remains.

Kekova’s sunken city is not a single dramatic building sitting clearly beneath the surface. It is a coastal archaeological area where parts of an ancient settlement slipped into the sea after earthquakes. From the boat, you may see stone walls, steps, and other shapes beneath the clear water.

The boat should not approach the ruins too closely. Rules and conditions can affect where the captain stops, and one day with strong wind required a change in the order of the route. The key point is that this is a viewing experience from the boat, not an underwater archaeological visit.

You may be able to use a snorkel, but expectations matter. The water is strikingly clear, yet the trip is not praised for large numbers of fish. Bring your own snorkel if you have one, but come mainly for the pale stone, blue water, and chance to swim in a historic setting.

This first stop also shows why the boat format works well. You see the fragile ruins without walking over them, and you can move between swimming, shade, and photography without a long archaeological lecture. Guide Mehmet has been praised for giving useful information without talking nonstop, which suits a day built around relaxation.

Gokkaya Bay and the barbecue buffet

Gokkaya Bay is the lunch stop and another chance to swim. The meal is an open buffet, with barbecue-style food included in the tour price.

Food is one of the strongest reasons this trip offers good value at $80 per person. Several accounts describe the lunch as delicious, plentiful, and large enough for second helpings. One person liked it so much that two full plates left no room for Simena’s ice cream later, which is a useful warning if you want to save space for dessert.

The exact menu is not specified, so you should not expect a particular dish. What you can expect is a prepared buffet rather than a basic sandwich or snack. Water, juice, watermelon, tea, snacks, coffee, and other drinks have been available on some departures, but drinks are not included in the stated package. Bring extra money for anything you buy onboard.

Gokkaya is also a good pause in the rhythm of the day. You can eat, swim, and dry off without rushing straight back into sightseeing. For families, that balance matters. Children can enjoy jumping into the water while adults get a proper meal and time to sit down.

The popularity of Kekova means you may not have the bay to yourself. Several boats can stop in the same areas at the same time, especially in the busiest summer weeks. That can make the water and nearby jetties feel crowded, but it also means the trip has plenty of energy and company.

Pirate Cave and Burc Bay

After lunch, the route continues toward the pirate cave and Burc Bay. These stops add variety to a day that could otherwise become a repeated sequence of swim, lunch, and swim again.

The pirate cave is a quick sight rather than a long cave expedition. You should treat it as part of the coastal scenery, not as a separate underground tour. The boat allows you to view the opening from the water, with the guide providing context along the way.

Burc Bay brings another chance to swim and relax. Across the full outing, you may swim as many as five times, depending on the route and conditions. This makes the trip a strong choice if you want an active day on the water but do not need every minute filled with formal sightseeing.

The swimming areas are the real heart of the experience. The sea color is repeatedly praised, and the water is clear enough to make each stop feel different from a standard beach day. At the same time, the available information does not promise snorkeling equipment, a reef, or abundant fish, so swimmers and casual water lovers will get more from this than serious snorkelers.

Buoyancy aids are available to use, which is useful for children or anyone who wants to float without constant swimming. Still, you should be comfortable entering the sea from a boat, since the main swim breaks take place away from a traditional beach.

Simena Castle and homemade ice cream

Simena is the most rewarding stop for people who want some time on land. You can walk uphill toward the castle, or stay in the village and visit one of the cafés.

The castle viewpoint gives you a wide look over the bay, the small settlement, and the surrounding islands. The walk is uphill, so it may feel warm after several hours in the sun. You do not need to choose it if you would rather take a slow village break, but the view is the best reason to spend your time on foot.

The village is known for homemade ice cream, especially goat-milk ice cream. This is not just a routine dessert stop. It is a local specialty that gives the Simena visit a distinct taste and a pleasant change from the boat’s buffet lunch.

You have roughly an hour at Simena according to the supplied details. That is enough time for a choice, but perhaps not enough for a leisurely castle visit, café stop, and long ice cream break all together. Decide before you arrive. If the castle matters most, walk uphill first. If you have young children or want a gentler pause, stay near the village cafés.

Simena also gives the day a needed change of pace. After repeated swimming stops, you can stretch your legs and see how the coastal settlement fits around the ruins. The setting feels more personal here than when you simply look at old stones from a moving boat.

The final swim near Üçağız

Before returning to Üçağız Village, the boat makes a final swimming stop nearby. By this point, you may be ready for one more jump into the water or happy to remain on deck and enjoy the ride.

The final stop is useful because it keeps the return leg from feeling like a simple trip back to the harbor. It also gives you another chance to swim if an earlier bay was too crowded, windy, or not quite right for your group.

Weather can change the route. On a windy day, the crew adjusted the order of the stops without ruining the outing. That flexibility is a good sign for a boat trip, but it also means you should view the published sequence as a plan rather than a guarantee.

Once back at Üçağız, the shared transfer returns you to Kalkan or Kaş. The long day includes road time, about eight hours on the water, and several stops, so do not schedule a demanding evening activity afterward.

What the $80 price really covers

At $80 per person, the price includes two-way transfer from Kalkan or Kaş to Üçağız, the boat cruise, buffet lunch, and guidance in Turkish and English. That is a solid package for a nine-hour day, especially when you add the number of swimming stops and the visit to Simena.

The lunch makes a noticeable difference. You are not paying for transport and scenery while then needing to find your own meal. The included buffet is substantial, and onboard drinks have been described as fairly priced, though you still need to pay for them separately.

Entrance fees are not included. The supplied information does not specify the exact charge at Simena Castle, so carry cash or another payment option rather than assuming every stop is covered. Drinks are also extra.

The value is strongest for couples, families, and groups who want a full day with several activities built in. It is less compelling if you only want to see the sunken city. In that case, you are paying for lunch, transfers, swimming, Simena, and a long cruise as well.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed but busy day with swimming, ruins, food, and a small village visit. Families have plenty to do, and buoyancy aids help make the water stops less demanding for younger swimmers.

It also suits visitors based in Kalkan or Kaş who do not want to arrange their own transport to Üçağız. The hotel pickup removes a major planning chore, and the return transfer means you can enjoy drinks or simply rest after a long day without worrying about the drive.

You may want a different outing if you prefer quiet coves, private boating, or serious snorkeling. The route can be busy, several boats may gather at the same stops, and the boat may look dated rather than luxurious. The sunken ruins are viewed from above, not explored underwater.

The trip is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes shared transfers or long days. Pickup and return vehicles can differ in size, and the complete experience stretches across nine hours.

Practical tips for a better day

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a snorkel if you own one. The supplied advice specifically recommends bringing a snorkel, and it is the simplest way to make the most of the clear water.

Keep some money aside for drinks, snacks, coffee, and any entrance fee. The lunch is included, but the drinks are not.

If Simena Castle is your priority, head uphill soon after arrival. If you are traveling with young children or want the famous goat-milk ice cream, go directly toward the village cafés instead.

Finally, keep your expectations clear about the sunken city. You will see ancient underwater remains from the boat, but a glass-bottom boat is not guaranteed. That small distinction prevents the most common disappointment.

Should you book the Kalkan Kekova boat trip?

I would book it for good food, repeated swimming, easy transfers, and a full day of coastal history at a reasonable $80. The lunch, friendly crew, useful guiding, and beautiful bays are the strongest parts, and the route offers more than a simple boat ride.

I would hesitate only if your main goal is a glass-bottom view of the sunken city, a quiet private cruise, or serious marine life. For everyone else, especially families and first-time visitors to Kekova, this is a well-rounded way to see the area without arranging several separate activities. Check the glass-bottom detail before booking, bring a snorkel, and leave room for Simena’s ice cream.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat trip depart from?

The boat trip begins from Üçağız Village in the Kekova area. Two-way transport from Kalkan or Kaş is included.

Can I be picked up from my hotel?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in Kalkan, Kaş, or Patara.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts nine hours. The boat cruise itself is listed as about eight hours, with the remaining time covering transfers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, although drinks and snacks may be available to buy onboard.

Can I see the sunken city underwater?

You can view ancient underwater ruins from the boat. A glass-bottom boat is not guaranteed, and the ruins should not be treated as an underwater swimming site.

Is Simena Castle included in the visit?

Simena is included as a stop. You can choose to walk toward the castle or spend your time in the village cafés, where homemade ice cream is available. Entrance fees are not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guiding is available in Turkish and English.