Kalkan: Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip

Sunken ruins, swim breaks, and Simena ice cream. I love the direct sunken city sightings from the boat, and I love having real time in Simena to hunt down homemade goat-milk ice cream. The tradeoff is that Kekova is popular, so the bays can get busy with lots of boats at once.

This is a full-day 9-hour cruise with pickup from Kalkan or Kaş and a transfer to Üçağız, where the boat journey starts. Your guide speaks Turkish and English, and the schedule builds in multiple swim opportunities, so bring your swimsuit and a snorkel if you have one.

Key highlights to look for on this Kekova cruise

• Tersane Bay first swim with sunken-city ruins visible from the water
• Ancient ruins through the boat (you’ll see them during the stops, conditions permitting)
• Gokkaya Bay buffet lunch plus more time to swim in clear water
• Pirate Cave and Burc Bay for the mid-day scenery and photo moments
• Simena stop for either the castle viewpoint or a slower village hour with ice cream
• Final swim near Üçağız before the return drive to Kalkan or Kaş

From Kalkan or Kaş to Üçağız, the ride that sets the pace

Your day starts with pickup from Kalkan or Kaş accommodation. Transfers are included, and you head toward Üçağız Village (the main launch point for this part of Kekova). It is not a private car experience, so you may share the transfer with other people, but it keeps things simple.

Once you reach Üçağız, you get on the boat and sail toward the Kekova area. There is about an hour of cruising before the day’s first big stop, which is perfect if you want a slow start and you do not mind the road-to-water transition.

One practical tip: if you want good photos, plan to keep your camera or phone accessible during the first stretches. The coastline views start early, and everyone ends up filming the same dramatic coves.

Tersane Bay and the sunken-city ruins you see from the water

The heart of the Kekova story shows up early. You sail for around an hour to reach the area near Tersane Bay, and that is where you get your first swim break. The key attraction is the sunken city ruins, visible from the boat as you float above the bay.

Here is what matters for your expectations. Some boats make it easier to view the submerged sections, while others depend more on angle, water clarity, and where the boat can stop that day. One booking noted the lack of a glass-bottom feature compared with what was advertised, so it is worth knowing that underwater views may vary.

Even with that, the overall effect is still impressive. You are not doing a museum version of this. You are in the Mediterranean, looking at ruins where the waterline and the broken masonry tell the story by themselves. And since you can go for a swim while you are there, you get the best kind of “seeing,” the kind that also feels like a vacation.

Also, if you have a snorkel, bring it. This trip is not built like a reef safari, but having basic gear lets you check out what you can when you float near the ruins.

Gokkaya Bay lunch plus swim time, how the day stays balanced

After Tersane Bay, you will head to Gokkaya Bay for lunch. This is your main food moment of the day, and it is an open buffet with plenty to eat. The big value here is that lunch is built into the sailing schedule, so you are not rushing to find food on land.

In multiple experiences, the buffet is described as genuinely filling and tasty, with guests returning for seconds. One person specifically called out an abundance of food, and another said the lunch was absolutely delicious, with lots to choose from.

Then comes the smart part: after lunch, you get a second chance to swim. That timing matters. You eat, you cool off, you reset, and you do not feel like the day is only about heat and waiting around.

Drinks work differently. Drinks are not included, so you will buy water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and whatever else is available on board. One booking mentioned coffee and drinks were priced in line with what you would expect elsewhere, which usually means it does not feel like a tourist trap.

Pirate Cave and Burc Bay, the in-between stops that make it feel like a full day

After lunch, the route keeps moving. You will visit Pirate Cave and then Burc Bay as the day goes on. These stops are shorter than the main swim bays, but they are what make the cruise feel like more than one long swim session.

In plain terms, this is where you catch the scenery without overthinking it. The cave area gives you that “this coast has stories” feeling, and Burc Bay is another clear-water stop that helps break up the day so you are not stuck only in one spot.

One thing to plan for: this is a popular cruising route. You should expect other boats to be at or near the same points during the day. That does not ruin the trip, but it does mean the most comfortable strategy is to keep your expectations realistic.

If you care about photos, be ready to move with the crowd. When the boat arrives, everyone aims for the same angles. The best trick is to take your shots quickly, then focus on swimming or simply relaxing while the water resets your brain.

Simena Castle viewpoint or village time, your choose-your-own-hour moment

Simena is the break in the cruise rhythm. You arrive, and you can choose what you want to do with your time there.

Option one is walking up to Simena Castle for big bay views. If you enjoy viewpoints and you do not mind stairs, this is often the better choice because you are stepping off the boat’s schedule for a bit and seeing the whole coastline from above.

Option two is staying closer to the village and taking a slower pace. Simena is known for home-made ice cream, and the most repeated mention is goat-milk ice cream served in local cafes. If you want a reward that is tied to the place, this is it.

This stop is also where you can break the sun and regroup. After several swims and salty air, a calm village hour can feel like a reset button. I like that it is not forced. You can do the castle climb and still have time to get ice cream, or you can skip the climb and simply enjoy the village atmosphere.

Swimming and snorkel reality check, what you should bring

You will swim multiple times during the day, and buoyancy aids are available, which makes the whole experience easier for families and casual swimmers. If you are traveling with kids, this matters because they can enjoy the water breaks without needing to be confident long-distance swimmers.

Bring a snorkel if you have one. The trip is not marketed like a coral-diving operation, and one recent booking suggested there is not a huge amount of fish to see. But even without fish, snorkeling can still be worth it because underwater ruins and seabed shapes show up when conditions are good.

One more practical thought: the sea can change the day. If it gets windy, the order of stops can shift, and that can affect how much of the sunken city you are able to view from the boat. That is not a deal-breaker, but it does explain why two days on the same route can feel slightly different.

Pack simple swim essentials, and keep valuables zipped away. You will be on and off the boat, and the day moves fast enough that it is easy to misplace small items if you do not set up a system.

Price and value, why this $80 cruise often feels fair

At about $80 per person for a 9-hour outing, the value mostly comes from what is included. You get two-way transfer between Kalkan or Kaş and Üçağız, a buffet lunch, and guidance from your tour leader.

That bundle is important. Many day trips along this coast look cheap until you add transport, food, and the cost of paid entry points. Here, lunch is included, and the guided aspect helps you get more out of what you are seeing, especially when you are looking at ruins through the boat’s perspective.

Drinks are not included, and entrance fees are not included. Those costs add up if you plan to drink coffee all day, but you also have options. You can buy refreshments on board, and at least one booking described onboard drink prices as reasonable for the setting.

One small caution for value thinking: a few details can vary by departure. One booking mentioned the boat looked a little dated, and another noted differences around glass-bottom viewing. If you are paying for a specific type of underwater viewing, manage expectations and know that conditions and boat setup can change.

Still, when the day hits its stride, the cruise gives you exactly what you came for: multiple swim coves, sunken-city ruins, and a Simena village stop that turns the day from a boat ride into a full experience.

Who should book, and who might want a different style of trip

This tour is a good fit if you want a classic Kekova day with real water time. It works well for couples who want variety, for groups who like an easy schedule, and for families who appreciate that the day is built around regular swims and included lunch.

I would also consider it if you like guided history in small doses. The guide style you hear about is not heavy or academic, just enough background to make the ruins make sense while you are staring at them from the water. One booking highlighted Mehmet by name, saying he spoke English well and shared history throughout the trip.

On the other hand, you might want to think twice if your top priority is high-end snorkeling with lots of fish or guaranteed glass-bottom views. Based on how the underwater viewing can be described, it sounds more like a ruins-and-swim cruise than a marine-life expedition.

Also, if you hate crowded tourist routes, this one may feel busy. Kekova draws a crowd, and the shared bays reflect that. You can still have a great day, but it helps to accept that the coves can be lively.

Should you book the Kalkan Kekova Sunken City boat trip?

If you want an easy, full-day way to see the sunken city from the water and still fit in proper downtime, I think this is the kind of tour that delivers. The included lunch, multiple swim breaks, and the Simena add-on with goat-milk ice cream make it feel like more than a simple transfer to a single viewpoint.

Before you book, do two things to set yourself up for success. First, confirm what kind of underwater viewing you should expect on your specific departure, especially if glass-bottom access matters to you. Second, pack for swimming and bring a snorkel if you have one, because the best moments are the ones where you are in the water, not just watching from the edge.

If that sounds like your ideal day on the Turkish Riviera, book it and plan to enjoy the simple formula: boat, ruins, swim, lunch, Simena, repeat.

FAQ

Where are the pickup locations for this tour?

Pickup is included from Kalkan or Kaş accommodation. The trip also has two drop-off options, Kalkan and Kaş.

How long is the boat trip?

The total duration is 9 hours.

What does the price include?

The tour includes two-way transfer from Kalkan or Kaş to Üçağız Village, a buffet lunch, and guidance.

Are drinks included on board?

No. Drinks are not included, but you can buy refreshments during the day.

Are entrance fees included?

Entrance fees are not included.

Can I visit Simena Castle, or is it just the village?

You will have a choice at Simena. You can walk up to the castle for views, or explore the village, including the cafes known for home-made ice cream.

Is the trip good if I want to snorkel?

If you have a snorkel, bring it. You will have swim opportunities, but the tour is mainly set up for enjoying the water and the ruins rather than a long focused snorkeling session.

Is free cancellation available, and is pay later offered?

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