From Ucagiz: Kekova Sea Guided Kayaking Tour

Ancient ruins meet clear water here. This four-hour Kekova kayaking tour combines a close view of the Sunken City, a swim at Tersane Bay, and time in the old village of Simena. I like the way the route mixes active sightseeing with a simple lunch, and I especially like that a kayak lets you approach the ruins more closely than a larger boat.

The $47 price includes lunch, which makes this a strong half-day value in the Antalya Province. The main caution is timing: 45 minutes in Simena is enough for a quick visit and hillside walk, but not for a relaxed exploration of every corner. You also pay an extra €4 to enter Simena Castle.

Key points at a glance

• Kayak beside the protected Sunken City: You cannot swim among the ruins, but a kayak gives you a low, close view from the water.
• Tersane Bay offers the best proper swim stop: The first break lasts about 30 minutes and is the clearest chance to get in the water.
• Simena requires a choice: Use your 45 minutes for the castle and hillside views, or spend more time around the water.
• The route includes ancient Lycian remains: Along with the Sunken City, you pass Simena Castle, a necropolis, sarcophagi, and the Pirates Cave area.
• Lunch is included and well regarded: The meal in Üçağız follows the kayaking and adds real value to the $47 price.
• Come prepared for rocky shores: Bring swimwear, a towel, swimming shoes, and a waterproof phone pouch if you have one.

Starting in Üçağız at 9:30

The day begins in Üçağız, a small coastal settlement and the natural gateway to the Kekova region. The tour leaves at 9:30 am with a motorized support vessel escorting the kayaks, then heads southwest toward Kekova Island.

That support boat matters. It helps the group move efficiently at the start and provides assistance during the route. You are not simply pushed out to sea with a paddle and left to work out the plan yourself. The guide gives instructions, and you should follow them closely, especially when the group is moving near historic remains.

The trip reaches Tersane Bay at about 10:15 am. This gives you roughly 45 minutes between departure and the first stop, including the ride and the beginning of the kayaking route.

Bring your own small waterproof bag if you have one. A floating bag is useful for anything that cannot get wet, while a transparent waterproof phone case helps if you want photos from the kayak. One practical complaint about the outing is that the packing instructions can feel unclear, so it is better to arrive ready for both paddling and swimming.

Tersane Bay: your main swimming break

Tersane Bay is the first major stop, with about 30 minutes set aside for swimming and kayaking. This is the point where you can properly get in the water without worrying about the restrictions around the Sunken City.

The water is described as beautiful and clear, but the shore can be rocky. Swimming shoes are a smart addition, particularly if you dislike stepping over rough stones or uneven ground. A towel and swimwear are listed as essentials, and you should wear or pack them so you can change without wasting much of the short stop.

This is also a good place to settle into the kayak. If you are nervous at first, listen to the guide, keep your movements calm, and avoid treating the kayak like a rocking chair. One useful piece of advice from the trip is simple: do not panic, follow the guide’s rules, and let yourself enjoy the route.

The break is not an all-day beach stop. Thirty minutes passes quickly once you paddle in, swim, dry off, and get back into the group. Think of it as a refreshing pause before the historical part of the trip, not a long period for sunbathing.

Kayaking over Kekova’s Sunken City

After Tersane Bay, the group paddles slowly alongside the ancient Lycian Sunken City of Kekova. The route takes about 10 minutes according to the planned schedule, but the importance of this section is much greater than the clock suggests.

The ruins are in a protected area, so swimming is not allowed here. You see the remains from the water, including the traces of structures that slipped below the sea. A kayak is well suited to this setting because it sits low and moves quietly. You get closer to the waterline and can photograph details that are harder to appreciate from a larger boat.

Keep your expectations realistic. Even with clear water, the submerged remains can be difficult to make out from above. You might see outlines and pieces of the old settlement, but this is not an underwater museum with every wall displayed in perfect detail. The experience works best when you appreciate the combination of archaeology, sea, and setting rather than expecting a complete view of a sunken town.

The protected status is part of what makes the visit valuable. The ruins are not treated like an ordinary swimming cove. You observe them without climbing, touching, or swimming through them, which helps preserve the site for the future.

This is also where a phone case earns its keep. The guide may take photos of you during the trip for an additional charge, but having your own waterproof setup gives you more control. Keep your phone secure, since a kayak is not the place to test whether a device can swim.

Simena and its 45-minute uphill choice

The group reaches Simena, also known as Kaleköy, at about 11:30 am. You get approximately 45 minutes here, which is enough for a brisk visit but not a slow afternoon wander.

Simena is known for its old village setting, castle ruins, and necropolis. The Castle of Simena sits on the hillside, and walking upward gives you wide views across the Kekova region. The climb is the reason to come ashore. From above, the water, islands, ruins, and scattered coastal settlements come together in a way you cannot see from the kayak.

The €4 castle admission is not included. If you want to enter, carry a little extra money and keep the short schedule in mind. You will need to decide how far uphill you want to go, how long you want to look around, and how much time you need to return to the group.

There is a real tradeoff here. You can spend your time climbing toward the castle and necropolis, or you can remain lower down and enjoy another dip in the water. The second water stop is not quite the same as the first. It is described as more of a walk through shallow water and an opportunity to look at the remains of old houses and tombs, rather than a classic swim.

If you want the best views, choose the hillside. If you have already had enough walking, the lower area lets you see Simena from a different angle. I would not try to do everything at full leisure. The 45-minute stop is short, and rushing through both the castle and the water can make each feel incomplete.

The village itself adds something important. This is not just a photo stop beside a famous monument. Simena combines a living coastal settlement with Lycian remains, which gives the visit a more grounded feel. You see how ancient tombs and later buildings occupy the same small hillside.

The Pirates Cave and other coastal sights

The tour highlights the Pirates Cave as one of its points of interest. The route presents it as part of the coastal scenery rather than a long standalone stop, so do not expect an extended cave visit.

That fits the nature of this outing. The focus is on seeing several places by kayak, not spending an hour at each one. You move through a chain of bays, ruins, viewpoints, and old stone remains with the support boat nearby.

This variety is one of the tour’s strengths. If you only wanted to see the Sunken City, you could choose a more narrowly focused boat trip. Here, you also get swimming, Simena, castle views, and a look at Lycian burial monuments. The half-day format keeps the day active without using up your entire schedule.

Theimussa and the return to Üçağız

After Simena, the group heads back toward Theimussa, another ancient site associated with the Üçağız area. The route includes a close view of Lycian sarcophagi, which are among the most memorable remains along this coast.

These stone tombs help explain the wider historical setting. The Kekova region is not only about the submerged settlement. It is also a place where tombs, fortifications, village ruins, and old coastal routes appear close together. Seeing the sarcophagi from the kayak gives you another perspective on the area before the trip ends.

The planned sightseeing pass takes about 10 minutes. As with the Sunken City, this is a brief look rather than a full archaeological visit. You will get more from it if you pay attention to the guide’s comments and keep your eyes open as the kayak moves along the shore.

The group then returns to the kayak base and continues to Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 pm. The timing makes this a genuine half-day activity, leaving the rest of your afternoon open.

Lunch adds real value to the $47 price

Lunch is included in the $47 cost, and this is a useful advantage. A meal after several hours around the water saves you from finding a restaurant immediately and makes the total price easier to justify.

The meal is described as simple but tasty, with fresh fish receiving especially strong praise. That matters because included meals can sometimes feel like an afterthought. Here, the food appears to be one of the reasons the outing feels complete rather than just a short boat-and-kayak transfer.

You should still think of it as a straightforward lunch, not a long food-focused meal. The value comes from having a fresh meal waiting after the activity, not from a wide menu or elaborate dining experience.

Guides, equipment, and the pace of the day

The tour provides a live guide in English or Turkish. Yasar is singled out for being excellent and pleasant, while other feedback also praises the guide and the way the activity is managed on the water.

The kayaks are described as good quality, which is important on a route that includes several hours of paddling and short stops. Exact group size and kayak design are not stated, so you should not book this expecting a private outing unless the operator confirms that separately.

The pace is active but manageable for a half-day. You paddle between several stops, get in and out of the water, walk uphill at Simena if you choose, and return by early afternoon. If you want a completely relaxed cruise with little physical activity, this may feel too busy. If you like mixing movement with sightseeing, the format works well.

Clear instructions matter most around the Sunken City. Follow the guide’s rules, keep a steady pace, and do not assume that every part of the coast is open for swimming. The support vessel and guide help the group stay together, but you still need to pay attention.

What to pack for the rocky coastline

The official essentials are swimwear and a towel, but I would add a few practical items based on the conditions and the short stops:

• Swimming shoes for rocky beaches and shallow water
• A floating bag for valuables
• A transparent waterproof phone case
• Extra money for the €4 Simena Castle admission
• Sun protection, if you normally use it outdoors

Avoid bringing anything you cannot secure. The kayak is the wrong place for loose electronics, wallets, or cameras without a waterproof container.

The first swim is the better place for a proper dip. At Simena, the water stop may involve walking through shallow water and looking at remains, so pack footwear that works both in the sea and on uneven ground.

Who should book this Kekova tour?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want several Kekova highlights in one compact outing. It suits people who like active sightseeing, short swims, historic ruins, and scenic views without giving up an entire day.

It is especially useful if you are staying in or near Üçağız and want a guided introduction to the coast. The combination of kayak access, a support boat, a guide, castle views, and lunch gives you more variety than a simple paddle session.

You should think twice if your main goal is a long, quiet visit inside Simena Castle. Forty-five minutes is tight, especially if you want to walk uphill, pay the entrance fee, take photos, and return without rushing. You should also manage your expectations about the Sunken City. The ruins are fascinating, but some details can be hard to see from the surface.

At $47 per person, lunch included, the outing offers good value. The strongest parts are the kayak’s close position beside the protected ruins, the clear water at Tersane Bay, the view from Simena, and the fresh fish lunch. The weak points are the short stop at Simena, unclear packing guidance, and limited time for each individual sight.

Should you book it?

Book this Kekova kayaking tour if you want an active, well-packed morning with history, swimming, and a meal included. Arrive ready with swimming shoes, a waterproof phone solution, and enough time to choose between Simena’s hilltop views and its lower water area.

Skip it if you want long archaeological visits or a slow beach day. For most people seeking a first look at the Kekova coast, the mix is appealing, the price is fair, and the kayak gives you the best available angle on the Sunken City without entering the protected ruins.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova kayaking tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The group departs Üçağız at 9:30 am.

What is included in the price?

Lunch is included in the $47 per person price.

Is the Castle of Simena entrance fee included?

No. Entry to the Castle of Simena costs €4 and is paid separately.

Can I swim at the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. Swimming is not permitted at the Sunken City because it is a protected area.

Where can I swim during the tour?

There is a swimming and kayaking break at Tersane Bay, lasting about 30 minutes. Another water stop is available around Simena, although it may be more suitable for walking in shallow water and viewing remains.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Swimming shoes, a floating bag, and a waterproof phone case are also useful for the rocky shore and kayaking.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English or Turkish.

Is lunch served during the tour?

Yes. After returning to the kayak base, the group goes to Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 pm.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.