From Kas: Guided Kekova Sea Kayaking Tour

Ancient ruins meet clear water here. I like the rare chance to see Kekova’s Sunken City from a kayak, and I like the small-group format, capped at 15 people. Guide Yaşar also earns strong praise for clear instruction, humor, and calm support for beginners. The main consideration is effort: the route covers about 8 kilometers, and wind, heat, and paddling can make the day tiring.

You leave Kaş early, ride to Üçağız, and spend about four hours on the water before lunch. The motorized support boat carries belongings and can help when needed, but this remains an active outing, not a sightseeing cruise with occasional paddling.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova’s Sunken City is viewed from the kayak: You paddle slowly beside protected ruins, where swimming is not allowed.
• Yaşar is a major part of the experience: He teaches basic technique, explains the ancient sites, and keeps the mood relaxed.
• The route includes real swimming time: Tersane Bay provides a 40-minute stop, with another chance to swim near Simena.
• Simena Castle requires a short uphill walk: The view is excellent, but the €4 entrance ticket is extra.
• A support boat follows the group: It stores your belongings and can assist with emergencies or tiring sections.
• The $65 price covers useful basics: Transport from Kaş, return transfer, kayaking, and lunch are included.

Why this Kekova kayak tour is different

Kekova is best understood from the water. The coast around the island holds ancient Lycian remains, small bays, sarcophagi, and the partly submerged ruins known as the Sunken City. From a large boat, you can look at these places. From a kayak, you move slowly alongside them and get a lower, quieter view.

That difference matters. A kayak puts you close to the waterline, so you notice the color changes, the rocky shoreline, and the way old stonework appears beneath the surface. You also travel at a pace that lets the guide point out details without rushing past them.

This is not a luxury boat day with a paddle added for decoration. You will paddle for much of the route. The activity is suitable for beginners, but you still need to be comfortable with several hours of movement in warm weather.

Leaving Kaş at 8:00 a.m. for Üçağız

The morning begins with pickup in front of Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş. The drive to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes, and the exact pickup time can change with the season. You receive the final time by WhatsApp or email one day before the tour.

The early start is useful. It gives you time on the water before the day becomes hotter, and it allows the group to reach the main sites at a steady pace. The road transfer also removes the hassle of arranging your own way to the kayak base.

At Üçağız, you receive a safety briefing and basic paddle instruction. If you have never kayaked before, this part is important. Yaşar has been praised for explaining how to handle the kayak in simple terms and helping beginners settle in quickly.

The first short paddling session lets you practice steering and navigation before the route becomes more open. Think of the effort as similar to a long brisk walk, though wind can make it harder. You do not need advanced kayaking skills, but you should be ready to use your arms and maintain a steady pace.

Tersane Bay: your first swim after 09:30

The group leaves Üçağız at about 9:30 a.m., accompanied by a motorized support boat. You paddle southwest along the Lycian coast toward Tersane Bay, arriving at roughly 10:15 a.m.

Tersane Bay is the first proper pause, with about 40 minutes for swimming and rest. This break gives you a chance to cool off, adjust your position, and get used to the rhythm of the day. It also divides the longer paddle into manageable sections.

You can bring a change of clothes. That is a sensible tip, since you will be in and out of the water and may get splashed while paddling. Snorkeling equipment has also been available on the tour, and the kayaks and safety equipment have been described as clean and well maintained.

Wind is the main variable here. On a calm day, the route should feel fairly easy for an active beginner. When the wind picks up, the same distance can require much more effort. The support boat can help tow tired paddlers if needed, which gives beginners a useful safety net without removing the physical part of the activity.

Paddling beside Kekova’s Sunken City

After Tersane Bay, the group moves slowly over the ancient Sunken City of Kekova. This section lasts about 10 minutes in the listed schedule, so it is not a long stop, but it is the key reason many people choose this tour.

The ruins are in a protected area. You cannot swim there, and the kayak is the best way to view the remains from close range while respecting the site. The guide can explain what you are seeing as you paddle past, and the low position of the kayak gives you a useful angle for photographs.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is not a full archaeological visit where you walk through rooms or spend an hour examining every ruin. It is a brief, scenic passage beside ancient remains. The appeal comes from the setting and the unusual view, not from a long guided excavation tour.

You may also find this section more exposed than the sheltered bay stops. Stay with the group, listen to the guide, and keep your camera secure. The support boat follows nearby and carries belongings, which means you do not have to keep valuables in the kayak.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy at 11:30

The group reaches Simena, also called Kaleköy, at about 11:30 a.m. You have roughly 45 minutes to an hour here, depending on the day’s timing. This is your main chance to leave the kayak and explore on foot.

The village is small and feels more local than a standard resort stop. Its main sights include the ruins of Simena Castle and a Lycian necropolis. The castle sits uphill, so the walk is short but not flat. If you make the climb, you are rewarded with broad views over the Kekova area, the island, and the water route you have just paddled.

The entrance ticket costs €4 and is not included in the tour price. Carry some money for it if you want to enter the castle area. The ticket is a small extra cost, but it is worth knowing about before you arrive.

You can also skip the climb and use the time for another swim or to view the castle from below. That choice makes this stop work for mixed groups. One person can go uphill for the ruins while another stays near the water.

Do not expect a long visit. Forty-five minutes passes quickly once you allow time for the uphill walk, photographs, and return to the kayak. If the castle view matters to you, head up soon after arrival rather than waiting.

Theimussa and the return to Üçağız

After Simena, the route turns back toward Theimussa. Here you get a closer look at more Lycian sarcophagi before returning to the kayak base.

This part adds cultural interest after the main water sights. The sarcophagi are a reminder that the area was not only a coastal settlement but also part of the Lycian world, where distinctive stone tombs remain scattered around the shore and hills.

The schedule keeps moving, so this is more of a viewing stop than a long archaeological walk. You will spend much of the time in or near the kayak, with the guide identifying notable remains. That arrangement suits anyone who wants history without giving up the sea portion of the day.

Once back at the base, you return to Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 p.m. Lunch is included, which matters after several hours of paddling and swimming. The meal has received especially warm praise, and it gives you a proper chance to sit down before the return transfer to Kaş.

What $65 includes, and what it leaves out

At $65 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want several activities in one morning and early afternoon. The price includes:

• Transfer from Kaş to Üçağız and back
• About four hours of sea kayaking
• A guide in English or Turkish
• Lunch
• A motorized support boat accompanying the group

The support boat is not just a nice extra. It stores belongings, follows the kayakers, and can help with emergencies or difficult sections. For a beginner, that backup can make the route feel far less intimidating.

The price does not include the €4 Simena Castle entrance fee. It is also sensible to plan for personal items such as extra drinks, sun protection, and a change of clothes, though only the included items listed above are guaranteed by the tour details.

The biggest value comes from the combination of transport, instruction, equipment, swimming, ruins, and food. If you only want to see Kekova from a boat, cheaper or less active options may suit you better. If you want to move through the area under your own paddle, $65 is a fair package.

Is the physical effort manageable?

The tour is designed for complete beginners and novices. You receive instruction before setting off, and the guide can help you learn basic steering and paddling. Several people have found the activity manageable without previous kayaking experience.

Still, beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. The route is about 8 kilometers, and the day can become hot. Wind may also increase the work, particularly on the longer stretches between bays. One useful feature is the option of help from the support boat if you become tired.

I would rate this as moderate activity rather than a gentle outing. You should be comfortable with a long brisk walk and repeated arm movement. If you are unsure, focus on the breaks: Tersane Bay gives you time to swim and rest, and Simena offers another pause away from the kayak.

Wear practical swimwear and bring a dry change of clothes. Keep valuables limited, since the boat will carry belongings but the kayak itself is not a dry storage room. Sun protection is also important, as much of the tour takes place on open water.

The guide makes a real difference

Yaşar is repeatedly praised for making the tour work for a mixed group. His role goes beyond pointing out ruins. He teaches the basics, explains what you are seeing, keeps people together, and adds humor to a fairly active day.

That matters most when wind or uneven paddling speeds create gaps in the group. One larger group found that keeping everyone together could be a little challenging, but the support boat helped maintain safety and assist where needed.

The tour is limited to 15 participants, which is a useful middle ground. It is not a private trip, but it is small enough for the guide to offer help and explanations. Group size can still affect the pace, especially when some people are first-time kayakers and others move faster.

English and Turkish are available. If you want a guide who combines site information with practical coaching, this format is a good fit.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to active couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who want a social outing without joining a huge boat crowd. A reluctant teenager may even come around once the swimming and paddling begin.

It suits you especially well if you want:

• A close view of Kekova’s Sunken City
• A more active alternative to a standard boat cruise
• Swimming in clear coastal water
• A short visit to Simena Castle and Kaleköy
• A guide who can help complete beginners
• Transport from Kaş included in the price

I would hesitate if you want a slow, fully passive sightseeing day, dislike heat, or have no interest in paddling for several hours. The support boat helps, but it does not change the basic nature of the outing.

The schedule is also fairly full. You get a taste of each place rather than a long visit at any single one. That tradeoff is reasonable for a six-hour tour, but you should not book it expecting a relaxed afternoon at Simena Castle.

Should you book the Kekova sea kayaking tour?

Yes, if you want to see Kekova through movement rather than from a crowded deck. The strongest parts are the kayak-level view of the Sunken City, the swimming stop at Tersane Bay, the castle views, and the practical support from the accompanying boat.

The tour earns a 4.7 rating from 71 bookings, and the praise centers on the same points that matter most: Yaşar’s instruction and energy, clean equipment, good swimming time, helpful safety support, and a satisfying lunch.

Book it if you are ready for an active day and can handle the possibility of wind and heat. Bring a change of clothes, budget €4 for the castle, and choose the uphill walk at Simena if the view matters to you. For a fair price and a compact introduction to the Kekova coast, this is one of the better ways to combine ruins, swimming, and sea kayaking from Kaş.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is in front of Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş. The final pickup time can vary by season and is sent by WhatsApp or email one day before the tour.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts about six hours, including the transfer from Kaş to Üçağız, kayaking, stops, lunch, and the return trip.

Is kayaking experience required?

No. The tour begins with a safety briefing, paddle instruction, and a short practice session. It is suitable for complete beginners and novice kayakers.

How far do you kayak?

The route covers about 8 kilometers toward the bays, islands, and historic sites. Around four hours of the tour are spent sea kayaking.

Can you swim at the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. The Sunken City is protected, so swimming is not permitted there. You can swim at Tersane Bay and near Simena.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Üçağız is included and takes place at about 1:15 p.m. after the kayaking portion.

Is the Simena Castle ticket included?

No. The entrance ticket costs €4 and must be paid separately. You can also spend the stop swimming or viewing the castle from below.