Kas: Kekova Island Sunken City & Historical Sites Boat Tour

Clear water, ancient ruins, and a very good lunch. This full-day cruise from Kas combines easygoing time on deck with several beautiful swimming stops and a close view of Kekova’s famous Sunken City. I especially like the spacious, clean boat and the care taken by Captain Ergun and his crew. I also like that the day includes a generous onboard lunch, watermelon, tea, and useful extras such as pool noodles and occasional free drone footage.

The main point to consider is that this is as much a swimming cruise as a historical tour. You get time at Simena Castle and see the Sunken City from the boat, but the historical commentary can be brief, especially if you are hoping for a detailed archaeological explanation. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the castle entrance fee and drinks cost extra.

The essential details at a glance

• Eight hours on the water: The day starts and finishes at the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office near Kas Harbour, opposite the mosque.
• Captain Ergun’s well-kept boat: The vessel has a spacious deck, loungers, bathrooms, showers, and pool noodles.
• Four or more swimming opportunities: Stops include Inönü Bay, Tersane Bay, Üzüm Iskelesi, and other sheltered coves.
• Kekova’s Sunken City by boat: You pass slowly beside submerged ruins and hear an introduction to the site.
• One hour around Simena and Kaleköy: You can walk to the castle, explore the small village, or seek out peach ice cream.
• Lunch is included: Expect a substantial meal, with fish, chicken, or köfte reported on different departures, plus side dishes.

Setting out from Kas Harbour

Your day begins at the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office, a short walk from the harbour and opposite the mosque. You collect your ticket there before heading to the boat. If you are driving, parking in central Kas can be awkward, so the marina is the easier choice according to the practical experience shared by recent passengers.

The boat ride out takes about 45 minutes. This is a useful stretch of quiet time, since the day has a full schedule and several stops ahead. Pick a place on the upper deck if you want a lounger and a broad view. The lower deck offers more shelter, while the front is a popular spot for photos and the optional drone footage.

Captain Ergun and his crew receive especially strong praise for being punctual, friendly, and attentive. The boat is described as clean and well maintained, including the bathrooms. That matters on an eight-hour cruise. A beautiful bay loses some of its charm if you are worrying about cramped seating or poor facilities.

The boat can carry a fairly large group, but the layout helps. One passenger described spending the day with about 94 people while still finding the atmosphere comfortable and sociable. It is not a private yacht experience, but the spacious deck keeps it from feeling like a packed ferry.

Inönü Bay: your first swim in clear water

Inönü Bay is the first main stop, with about 50 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch service. The water around Kekova is famous for its clarity, and this opening swim gives you a quick sense of why the coast attracts so many boat tours.

You can enter directly from the boat. Life jackets and pool noodles are available, which helps non-swimmers join in without feeling left behind. The tour is not only for confident swimmers, but you should still be comfortable boarding and leaving the water with crew assistance.

Lunch is served during this part of the day or around the early stops, depending on the timing. Expect a filling buffet-style meal with a main option such as fish, chicken, or köfte and several side dishes. The food receives unusually warm praise for a boat excursion, with generous portions and fresh preparation repeatedly noted.

Drinks are not included. The bar sells water, beer, cocktails, coffee, and other refreshments, with prices described as broadly similar to those in Kas. Bring some Turkish lira or another accepted payment method. Outside drinks are generally not allowed, although one account described permission to store personal drinks in the boat fridge on a particular departure, so do not count on that arrangement.

Karakol Islands and the rhythm of the day

The cruise continues toward the Karakol Islands, where you have roughly an hour for a break, food, views, and more time on the water. This is where the tour settles into its pleasant pattern: cruise, stop, swim, eat, dry off, and cruise again.

I like this structure more than a day built around one long stop. You see several coves, and no single swim needs to carry the whole experience. On the other hand, the frequent changes mean you may occasionally wish for a longer period in one place, especially if you enjoy snorkeling or simply want to read in the sun.

The crew keeps the boat tidy throughout the day. Watermelon appears as a welcome snack after swimming, and tea is served later. These are small touches, but they make an eight-hour outing feel cared for rather than purely functional.

The boat’s snorkeling setup deserves a clear warning. Masks and snorkels are not supplied as standard equipment. Bring your own if you have them, or expect to buy gear onboard. Pool noodles and life jackets are available, but those do not replace a mask if you want to look below the surface.

Seeing Kekova’s Sunken City from the water

The Sunken City is the historical centerpiece of the route. The boat passes slowly along Kekova Island for about 30 minutes, giving you views of submerged walls, steps, and other remains beneath the clear water.

This is not a place where you get off and walk through ruins. You see the remains from the boat, and swimming over the archaeological area is not permitted. The boat’s position gives you a good broad view, but glare, distance, and the angle of the sun can affect how much you see. Keep your phone ready, but do not expect every underwater feature to appear clearly in a photograph.

The island’s ruins reflect centuries of earthquakes, settlement, and conflict. Byzantine remains can be seen in places such as Tersane Bay, while the partially submerged structures at Kekova create the striking impression of a town slipping into the sea.

The historical explanation is the weaker part of the outing. Captain Ergun is praised for providing information, but some English-speaking passengers found the commentary limited or hard to follow from certain seats. If the Sunken City is your main reason for booking, sit near the guide during the explanation and ask questions when the boat slows down. If your priority is scenery and swimming, the lighter narration is less of a problem.

Simena Castle and the village of Kaleköy

After the boat passes Kekova, you get about an hour around Simena Castle and Kaleköy. This is the only substantial time on land, so use it with a little purpose.

The climb to the castle follows narrow paths and steps. It is not a long mountain hike, but the ascent can be tiring in hot weather. From the top, you get wide views over the village, the peninsula, and the scattered coves. Wear shoes with a secure grip rather than loose sandals.

The castle itself is more about the setting than a long museum-style visit. You can walk through the ruins, take in the views, and return toward the waterfront. The entrance fee is not included, so carry cash. One person arrived with a card but not enough cash and could not enter, although the village and waterfront were still enjoyable.

An hour is enough for a quick castle visit and a walk through Kaleköy. It is not enough for a slow meal, extensive shopping, a leisurely climb, and every side street. Several people tried to combine the castle and the lower village at an unhurried pace and found themselves hurrying back to the boat.

Kaleköy has a charming, compact feel, with narrow lanes and small places selling snacks and ice cream. Look for the well-known peach ice cream if you want a local treat. This stop breaks up the swimming and gives the day a welcome human scale.

Tersane Bay and Üzüm Iskelesi

The next stop is Tersane Koyu, with about 45 minutes to walk a little, swim, and snorkel. The bay carries historical interest as an ancient shipbuilding area, but the practical attraction is the calm water and the chance to get back in after the castle walk.

Tersane is also connected with Byzantine remains, including the ruins of a church. You may see traces from the boat or shoreline, but this is not a formal archaeological visit with extensive interpretation. The site works best as a scenic pause where history is part of the view.

Üzüm Iskelesi provides another 50-minute break. The stop includes swimming, snorkeling, tea, and time to enjoy the coast without rushing. By this stage, you may be ready for a quieter stretch on a lounger rather than another active swim, and the flexible deck makes that possible.

The route then takes about 45 minutes to return to Kas. Bring a light layer or an extra towel for the ride home. Even on a warm day, wind can make the upper deck feel cool after several swims.

Lunch, service, and the Captain Ergun touch

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Portions are generous, and the meal is more substantial than the basic sandwiches sometimes served on boat trips. Fish, chicken, or köfte may be offered, with several side dishes. The exact menu can vary, but the overall standard is high.

The crew brings food to deck areas, keeps the boat orderly, and checks on passengers during the day. Tea and watermelon add value without turning the cruise into a series of sales pitches.

A distinctive extra is Captain Ergun’s drone footage. If conditions allow and you want to take part, he may film you swimming or posing at the front of the boat, then send the clip to your phone. Some departures have also included Polaroid photos, reportedly taken by the captain’s daughter. These extras are not the reason to book, but they are a fun reminder of the day and a nice alternative to taking every photo yourself.

The service feels personal for a group excursion. Captain Ergun is repeatedly singled out for his professionalism and sailing experience, while the crew earns praise for being warm and responsive. That human element helps the cruise feel less like a conveyor belt between bays.

Is $94 good value for eight hours?

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Kekova coast. It is also not simply a boat ride. The price covers roughly eight hours, lunch, several swimming stops, guided sightseeing, the Simena visit, and use of the boat’s facilities.

For a full day in a beautiful coastal area, the value is strong if you plan to swim. A private boat would cost far more, while a shorter trip would give you less time on the water and fewer stops. The clean boat, substantial meal, and friendly service also reduce the small annoyances that can make a budget excursion feel cheap.

Budget for extra costs. Drinks are separate, snorkeling gear is separate, and Simena Castle charges an entrance fee. You should also bring a passport or ID card and beachwear. The meeting point is close to the harbour, but allow time to find the office rather than walking straight to the boat.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. It is wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical details for boarding and the castle visit if mobility is a concern. The outing is not suitable for people with heart problems, epilepsy, or other pre-existing medical conditions.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

You will probably enjoy this cruise if you want a full day that mixes easy swimming with light sightseeing. It works especially well for couples, families with confident older children, and anyone who prefers seeing several bays instead of spending all day in one place.

It also suits non-swimmers who feel comfortable with a life jacket or pool noodle. The crew provides safety equipment, and the swimming stops are long enough to take part without pressure.

History lovers should set expectations carefully. You will see important sites, but the commentary may not satisfy someone looking for a detailed archaeology tour. The best approach is to read a little about Kekova and Simena before you go, then use the guide’s explanation to add context.

This is not ideal for someone who dislikes group outings, wants complete control over departure times, or needs a slow, private visit at every stop. The schedule is well organized, but you are still working within a shared eight-hour route.

Should you book the Kekova boat tour?

I would book it if you want the best mix of swimming, scenery, lunch, and a short visit to Simena Castle. Captain Ergun’s clean boat, attentive crew, generous food, and optional drone footage add real value to the $94 price.

Book a different style of outing if detailed historical interpretation is your top priority. For this tour, the strongest memories are likely to be the clear water, the views from the castle, the relaxed time on deck, and the simple pleasure of returning to Kas after a full day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat tour meet?

The meeting point is the Larsoy Travel & Tourism office near Kas Harbour, opposite the mosque.

How long does the tour last?

The boat tour lasts eight hours, including the cruise from Kas, swimming stops, the Sunken City, Simena Castle, and the return journey.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with a substantial onboard meal. Drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included as standard. You should bring your own or buy equipment on the boat. Life jackets and pool noodles are available.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The castle fee is separate, so bring cash in case card payment is not available.

Which languages are available?

The tour has a live guide in English and Turkish.