Kas: Day Trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra

Turquoise bays and ancient ruins, all in one day. This 10-hour Kaş trip pairs a Sunken City boat cruise with a relaxing Esmeralda Bay lunch and swim stop, so you get history and water time without extra planning.

I also like the way the day moves from coastline to hilltop views to cliff tombs, with enough breaks to keep it from feeling rushed. The main watch-out is that onboard commentary can be light, and the underwater ruins are mainly boat viewing rather than a true underwater visit, plus archaeological entrance fees are not included.

Key takeaways before you go

• Sunken City of Kekova is the headline, and you see it from the boat with great photo opportunities.
• Kaleköy (Simena) feels like a real village stop, not just a quick photo break.
• You get multiple bay swims, including Pirates Cave and the cooler waters at Burç Bay.
• Karemlik Bay is your sea turtle scan time, with a chance to spot them in their natural habitat.
• Myra and St. Nicholas Church are worth it, with a timed, mostly self-guided feel.
• Value is strong at $76 when you want lunch and snorkeling time, but budget extra for entrance fees.

A day that mixes ruins, villages, and frequent swim breaks

This isn’t a museum day. It’s a coast-and-hills day, built around the Mediterranean rhythm: ride, look, stop, swim, eat, then look again. If you like your history wrapped in salt air and postcard views, this style fits.

The best part is the variety packed into 10 hours. One moment you’re cruising Kekova Island and spotting the underwater remains, then you’re walking Kaleköy and climbing up for views, then later you’re in Myra with rock-cut tombs and a Roman-style theater.

Getting from Kaş to the water, and what that timing really means

Pickup is from Kaş city centre, with the meeting point listed as Smiley’s. Depending on the season, pickup times can shift, and you get the exact time the day before by WhatsApp or email.

Once you’re on the move, the schedule is set up so you reach the boat early enough to actually enjoy it. You’ll cruise Kekova first, then keep hopping between bays and coastal spots, and only later transition into the Demre area for St. Nicholas Church and the Ancient City of Myra. That order matters, because the water stops are the main energy boost of the day.

Karemlik Bay: the sea turtle lookout start

Karemlik Bay is where the boat cruise begins for this day trip. This is one of the stops built specifically for marine life viewing, and it’s the place where you keep an eye out for sea turtles in their natural habitat.

What I like about starting with Karemlik is that it feels calm before the bigger sights. You’re not thrown into crowds or long walking immediately. It’s more of a scan-the-water moment, with time to pause and watch.

Kekova Island and the Sunken City: the star, mostly seen from the boat

Kekova Island is where the day’s “wow” factor hits. You cruise along the island and pass the Sunken City underwater ruins, identified here with the ancient city of Dolchiste. You get a photo stop and sightseeing time, with about 30 minutes allocated for this segment.

Here’s the key practical point: the sunken ruins are typically seen from the boat, not accessed as a guided underwater walkthrough. That matters if you’re expecting to snorkel directly over the ruins. Instead, think of it as a moving viewpoint. You’ll get those dramatic angles through gaps in the coastline and from the boat deck.

If you want the best photos, watch for the moments when the coastline opens up and the waterline gives contrast. The underwater stones are much easier to pick out when the boat is positioned right.

Kaleköy (Simena Castle): village wandering and hilltop views

After the Kekova cruise, you’ll drop anchor at Kaleköy port, also known as ancient Simena. This is a proper stop with about 1 hour of free time, plus time to wander the village and visit castle ruins.

This part is about feeling the place. Kaleköy has that small village layout where you can browse shops, take photos, and soak in the hilltop views over the Kekova region. Then you’re also given time to dip into the water at this stop, when conditions and timing allow.

One time-management detail to keep in mind: the castle and viewpoint portions can take priority, so if you’re planning both walking and a swim here, move efficiently when you arrive. It’s easy to lose a swim window when you linger.

Burç Bay, Pirates Cave, and the cooler, fun water stops

This day is built on water breaks, and the itinerary gives you several different bay personalities.

Pirates Cave: big, curved, and made for swimming

Pirates Cave is one of the stops that gets extra time for water play, about 40 minutes. The cave is described as large with a curved entrance, and the stop includes swimming and snorkeling time. If you want something more adventurous than a quick dip, this is where you’ll feel it.

Burç Bay: a spring-fed chill

Burç Bay adds a different twist. The waters are described as being cool, enriched by cold underwater natural springs. The time here is another swim break, and the cool temperature can feel like a reset after earlier sun exposure.

A hidden gem stop and more Gökkaya Bay time

There’s also a stop described simply as a hidden gem, with about 40 minutes of swimming time. Later, the schedule includes Gökkaya Bay with repeated swimming time slots, each around 40 minutes. One of the Gökkaya Bay moments also mentions the option of thrilling water sports if you’re up for it.

I like that the bays are varied. You’re not stuck at one “samey” beach. Each stop has its own water temperature feel, shoreline mood, and photo angle.

Andriake Harbour and Esmeralda: short pauses with marine-life energy

You’ll pass Andriake Harbour for a photo stop. Even though it’s brief, it’s a useful transition point because it keeps the day moving without turning everything into a long walk.

Then there’s Esmeralda Koyu, with about 15 minutes flagged for marine life viewing. This segment works best when you treat it like observation time, not an excursion within an excursion.

The overall pattern is: look from the boat or shore, grab what you came for, then get back in the sun and water.

St. Nicholas Church: the Santa Claus roots of Myra

Once you get to the Demre side, you’ll have a photo stop at St. Nicholas Church, tied to the Santa Claus museum concept. The church is described as originally built as a church in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, and you’ll see remains of the ancient church while you take in the setting.

This is one of those stops where you can choose your pace. The time is about 40 minutes, so you can either focus on the structure and remains or just enjoy the atmosphere and photos.

Myra Ancient City: theater and cliff tombs, mostly self-paced

Next up is the Ancient City of Myra, with around 40 minutes described as a self-guided visit. This is where you’ll see the Roman-style theater, described here as the largest in Lycia, plus rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs.

This area is a good match for a self-guided segment. You don’t need a lecture to feel what you’re looking at. The theater shape pulls your attention, and the cliff tombs give that “carved into the rock” effect that you can spot without needing constant explanation.

If you care about context, spend your 40 minutes with one goal: pick one section to understand, then let the rest be atmosphere. Otherwise, it’s easy to try to do everything fast and come away with general impressions only.

Boat comfort and group size: when the day feels easy

The day runs like a hosted day trip, but the reality is mostly about the boat experience. One review noted a comfortable and spacious boat and described a group of around 15 people. For many people, that size hits the sweet spot, not too crowded, not too private.

English can be a mixed bag. Some feedback pointed out limited onboard guidance or a lack of the kind of historical storytelling you might expect. The host or greeter is listed as English and Turkish, but the actual depth of explanation can vary.

So here’s the practical mindset: treat this as a scenery-first tour. You’re going for the Kekova coastline, the bay swims, and the major ruins. If you want deep, guided narration all day, you should come prepared to read signage, ask a question when you can, and accept that a few stops are more self-guided than “lecture-style.”

Lunch at Esmeralda Bay: why the meal is a big part of the value

Lunch is included, and it’s built into the day at Esmeralda Bay. Multiple stops are swim breaks, and you still need a solid break to reset your energy. That’s where the lunch time earns its keep.

The most consistently praised part of this tour is the food. Reviews call the meal excellent, and they also describe it as good quality and generous. For a $76 day trip, that’s not a small detail. Many tours include lunch but it can feel like a filler. Here, it’s positioned as part of the experience, not an afterthought.

If you want to make the most of it, eat when lunch lands and then use the time right after to enjoy the bay. When you skip the lunch rhythm, the later ruins and tombs can feel more tiring than they should.

Price and value: what $76 gets you, and what costs extra

At $76 per person for a 10-hour day trip, value is the big question. Here’s what you’re getting for that price:

Included items:

• Pickup and drop-off from Kaş city Centre
• Lunch
• Snorkelling
• The highlights of the boat trip, including the underwater ruins viewing of the Sunken City
• Village wandering time in Kaleköy
• Myra ruins time, including rock-cut tombs

Not included:

• Additional food and drinks
• Archaeological site entrance fee

This is a pretty reasonable deal if you want a full day that combines transportation, lunch, and organized sightseeing. You’re not paying extra for each bay stop, and you’re not arranging your own boat movement between Kekova, Demre, and the Myra area.

The only thing that can make it feel less “cheap” is that archaeological entrance fee. Plan for that, because it’s easy to forget when you’re focused on the boat and swims.

Who should book this tour, and who should think twice

This tour fits best if you:

• Want a one-day hit of Kekova, Demre, and Myra without driving a route yourself
• Like water stops, especially frequent swim breaks
• Enjoy ruins but prefer a lighter, self-guided pace for at least part of the day
• Care about value and want lunch included

It may not be ideal if you:

• Want constant, detailed English storytelling from start to finish
• Are expecting to swim through or access the Sunken City ruins underwater
• Get frustrated when a stop feels timed tightly, like castle time plus views plus possible swim windows

Should you book this Kaş to Kekova, Demre and Myra tour?

I’d book it if your ideal day includes boat cruising, swimming in multiple bays, and major sights like Myra’s theater and cliff tombs, all in a single push. The lunch quality and the sheer amount of water time are the strongest reasons to choose this specific format.

I’d think twice if you’re the type who needs deep guided history at every stop, because the onboard guidance can be minimal. Also, go in knowing the Sunken City is mainly a boat-view experience, not an underwater dig.

If that matches your style, you’re likely to enjoy a relaxed, photo-friendly day with real coastal atmosphere.

FAQ

How long is the Kaş day trip to Kekova, Demre and Myra?

The tour duration is 10 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off from Kaş city centre, lunch, snorkeling, and sightseeing highlights are included. You also get time for Kaleköy wandering and for Myra rock-cut tomb areas.

Are archaeological entrance fees included?

No. Additional food and drinks are not included either, and the archaeological site entrance fee is not included.

Does it skip the ticket line?

Yes, the tour includes skipping the ticket line.

Where is the meeting point, and how do I know my pickup time?

The meeting point is Smiley’s. Pickup times vary by season, and you will be notified one day before the tour via WhatsApp or email.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.