Kekova Private Full-Day Boat Trip

Turquoise coves with a family-run touch. This private full-day boat trip is built around swimming breaks in crystal-clear bays and slow passes of the Sunken City ruins by boat. The whole day feels relaxed because you start with front-door pickup from your hotel or villa and end the same way.

What I like most is the pace and the people. You get a captain’s call on where to stop, plus a traditional Turkish lunch that includes olive oil mezes made by the captain’s wife, followed by fruit, tea, and snacks. The second big win is how the ruins are handled, you’re not rushing to galleries, you’re watching sunken houses and cisterns appear from the waterline.

The main thing to consider is that it is a full day on the sea, so if you hate heat or sun, or you want long, on-foot exploring everywhere, you may feel the timing is tight at each stop. Also, this trip needs good weather, so plan it with flexibility if you can.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Hotel or villa pickup from around Kaş and Kalkan makes the day start easy
• Aquarium Bay delivers seriously clear water plus tea
• Sunken City ruins are best seen slowly from the boat, not from far away
• Aşırlı Island lunch includes open-buffet mezes and grilled chicken or fish
• Multiple swimming stops are part of the plan, so bring swim gear and sun protection
• Simena old town (Kaleköy) gives you a one-hour break on land after the sea time

Getting to Üçağız and Why the Harbor Sets the Tone

Most of the day starts with a short drive to Üçağız village, the gate to the Kekova region. It is about 30 km from Kaş and about 60 km from Kalkan, so the travel time is manageable even when you are coming from town.

Then the boat is simply ready at the harbor, which matters. No train-station chaos, no long meet-and-wait loops. You are on the water faster, and that makes the whole day feel like a true escape.

Aquarium Bay Swim Time and the Tea-Stop Rhythm

The first swim break is at Aquarium Bay, where the water is described as clear like an aquarium. You can see below the surface, which is exactly what you want if you are planning to snorkel or just watch fish and the seabed.

You get about 45 minutes here, plus Turkish tea served at the bay. That tea break is small, but it gives you a real pause instead of just swimming and burning through the morning.

If you are sensitive to sun, this is a good stop to go early in your swim time. After that, plan to alternate water time with shade on the boat.

Sunken City Views From the Waterline at Simena Ruins

After the first swim, the route shifts into the signature part of the region: the sunken ruins near Simena. A major earthquake caused the city to sink, and the boat passes the remains slowly so you can see things like a sunken house, cistern, and stairs.

This stop is about 40 minutes. That is not meant for museum-style sightseeing, it is for drifting past the ruins and taking photos at the angles the sea allows.

One practical tip: keep your phone and camera ready as you approach. From a boat, the details appear and vanish quickly as the coastline moves, so you get more if you are prepared rather than scrambling.

Tersane Koyu Shipyard Bay, Ruins Underwater

Next up is Tersane Koyu, also called the Shipyard bay. Here you stop for another swimming break, and the area includes sunken ruins that you can swim over.

You have about 45 minutes at this stop. That pairing, swimming plus ruins, is a big reason this cruise gets high marks. You get the wow factor without needing a long hike or a complicated entry ticket.

A consideration: swimming areas like this can feel busy inside your own group’s water time, since you all choose the same general space to enter and exit. Bring an easy plan for who goes first, who follows, and who stays on the boat to keep belongings safe.

Aşırlı Island Lunch on the Boat, Mezes and Grilled Choice

Then the day turns into the meal moment you will remember. At Aşırlı Island, you get a longer stop of about 1 hour 30 minutes for lunch and swimming.

Lunch is served as an open-buffet on the boat. You can taste five different Turkish local olive oil mezes made by the captain’s wife, and they are described as fresh and delicious. After the meze comes your grilled main, either barbecued chicken or barbecued fish, based on your choice.

This is the time when the private aspect really pays off. Because the boat is your group, lunch is organized around you instead of you fitting into someone else’s schedule.

If you like variety, plan your first plate as a tasting set. Once you hit the grilled item, you can go heavier. Also, even in a sea breeze, boat meals can feel hot, so bring or wear something light and breathable.

Pirate Cave Stop, Quick Photos and a Small Reality Check

After lunch, the boat heads to Aşırlı Island again for a short stop at a natural cave named Pirate Cave. Expect about 10 minutes for pictures.

This is one of the few spots that feels quick. That does not mean it is not worth it, but it is not a long hangout or a walk-through type of stop.

If you are the type who likes photos with time to adjust your angle, aim to do that fast. The scenery may be great, but the clock is part of the deal here.

Kekova Island Bays and Fruit on Board

Next come the calmer, scenic swimming bays. You first stop opposite Kekova Island at a bay called Burç for about 45 minutes. Then you move to an island bay opposite Kekova Island for about 30 minutes, with fruits available on the boat.

This segment works well if you want to slow down. By now, lunch is done, the day is warm, and another swim break feels like resetting your energy rather than rushing you.

I also like the fruit detail because it is practical. After meze and grilled food, fruit gives you something lighter before your Simena visit later.

Simena Old Town (Kaleköy) Walk, Castle Views, and Optional Swim

The last major stop is Simena old town, also known as Kaleköy, where you leave the boat. You get about 1 hour to explore, with options to walk around the village or go up toward the castle.

There is also time to swim here if you want. That can be a nice capstone to a day filled with sea time, as long as you still feel comfortable managing your swimwear and towel while transitioning back onto land.

This one-hour window is not designed for deep strolling and long cafés. It is for quick wandering, a few viewpoints, and getting back to the group in time to return by boat toward Üçağız.

Price and Value: When $780.95 Feels Fair

The price is $780.95 per group for up to 12 people, for a day around 7.5 hours. That means the real comparison is not against solo tours, it is against splitting costs with friends or family.

If you travel with 4 to 8 people, the cost per person starts to feel more reasonable, especially because several things are included. You get private transportation, lunch with mezes and grilled choice, fruit and snacks, and coffee or tea at the first and last bay. Admission tickets are listed as free for the stops, so you are not adding extra line-item costs as the day unfolds.

Also, this is private, which changes how the day feels. You can linger on a swimming break if conditions are good, and you avoid getting pushed along by a big group schedule.

One caution on value: if you are just a couple, you will pay the full group rate. In that case, the trip can still be a great splurge, but you should know that you are paying for privacy and a home-style lunch, not for an economy price.

What Makes the Day Feel Easy: Pickup, Shade, and Communication

A big part of the smoothness is the front-door pickup and drop-off. You send your hotel or villa location by WhatsApp, and you get collected around Kaş or Kalkan. That is a real time-saver, especially on travel days when you do not want to coordinate buses.

The day also supports the way people like to travel: mobile ticket, simple handoff, then you are off. And the hosting style comes across as personal. In the family-run spirit, you may hear English from the captain, and you may also meet the captain’s daughter, including names like Elif, along with the captain and his wife who help with the food.

On practical comfort, boat time matters. One of the recurring themes is that the boat feels spacious and comfortable, with shade available if you need a break from direct sun. That matters when you are doing multiple swims in a row.

What to Bring (So You Actually Enjoy Every Stop)

Since the day is built around swimming, pack like you are spending most of the day outdoors. I suggest these basics:

• Swimwear plus a light cover-up for between swims
• Sun protection (hat and sunscreen)
• Water shoes if you like more grip for rocky entries
• Towels and dry clothes in a bag
• Snorkel gear if you have it, even if you might find options available onboard

The schedule has several short-to-medium stops, so having your gear ready saves time. The more prepared you are, the more you relax instead of managing logistics while everyone waits for you.

Who This Cruise Suits Best

This is a great fit for people who want the Kekova experience without the crowd energy. It is also a smart choice for families and friend groups who can share the group price across several people.

If you care about good food and not just sightseeing boxes, you will likely love this. The meze setup, plus a hot lunch with a grilled main, makes the day feel like more than sightseeing. Add the clear-water swimming at Aquarium Bay and you get both beauty and comfort.

If you are a solo traveler or a couple on a tight budget, it may not be the best value compared with shared boat trips. But for privacy, flexible pacing with the captain, and a true full-day format, it can be a memorable splurge.

Should You Book This Kekova Private Full-Day Boat Trip?

I think this is worth booking if you want an easy, private day that mixes ruins by boat with real swim time, plus a proper Turkish lunch that is included. It is also a strong pick when you travel with 3 to 12 people, because the group pricing makes the per-person cost much more sensible.

Before you commit, check your weather window. The trip requires good weather, and if conditions are poor, you may need to change dates or get a refund. If you can, build it into a part of your trip where you have at least one backup day.

My last piece of advice: message the boat host with your pickup location quickly once you book, and bring snorkel gear plus sun protection. Those small steps make the day go from good to great, because you spend less time preparing and more time enjoying the water and the ruins.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Kekova Private Full-Day Boat Trip?

The trip runs about 7 hours 30 minutes.

How much does it cost, and is it per person?

It costs $780.95 per group, for up to 12 people.

Is hotel pickup included, and where do you pick up?

Pickup is offered from your hotel or villa in the Kaş or Kalkan area. You send your location by WhatsApp, and they arrange pickup around those areas.

What is included in the lunch and snacks?

Lunch is included, along with snacks, fruit, and coffee and/or tea. Turkish tea is also offered at the first bay.

Can I bring my own alcohol?

Alcoholic beverages are not included, and you can bring your own drinks if you wish.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.