From Ucagiz: Kekova Sea Guided Kayaking Tour

Kekova’s great attraction is best seen from water level. From your kayak, you can paddle beside the Sunken City of Kekova, then stop for a swim at Tersane Bay and walk up to Simena Castle for wide views across the coast. I like the mix of active sightseeing and ancient ruins, and I like that a motorized support boat follows the group. The main catch is time: four hours passes quickly, and 45 minutes in Simena may not allow both a proper castle visit and a swim.

I especially like that the tour gets close to ruins that are difficult to appreciate from a larger boat. I also like the simple lunch in Üçağız, which may include fresh fish and gives you an easy finish after paddling. Bring water shoes and waterproof phone protection, since the beaches are rocky and your phone will be very close to the sea.

Key points to know before you book

• The Sunken City is viewed from the kayak: You paddle alongside the protected ruins, but swimming is forbidden in this area.
• Tersane Bay provides the best swim stop: You have about 30 minutes for kayaking and swimming in clear water.
• Simena is both a village and an uphill viewpoint: The 45-minute stop is short but gives you time for castle ruins, a necropolis, and scenic views.
• A support boat escorts the kayakers: The motorized boat accompanies the group from Üçağız toward Kekova Island.
• Lunch is included after the paddle: You return to Üçağız around 1:15 pm for the meal.
• The castle ticket costs extra: Entry to Simena Castle is 4 euros.

Why kayaking is the right way to see Kekova

Kekova is a place where the water tells much of the story. Ancient walls, steps, foundations, and other remains lie partly below the surface around Kekova Island. From a high sightseeing boat, you get a broad view. From a kayak, you can move slowly along the shore and look down at the ruins from a much closer position.

That closeness is the strongest reason to choose this tour. You are not simply passing a ruin while someone points from a distance. You paddle beside it, stop for photographs, and see how the old settlement meets the sea. Clear water helps, but do not expect every submerged detail to be easy to identify. Sun, ripples, and the water’s depth can make the ruins hard to see.

The protected status of the Sunken City matters. You cannot swim there, climb on the remains, or treat the site like an ordinary beach. Kayaking is a low-impact way to view it, and the guide will give you the rules you need to follow. Stay close to the group and listen carefully when the guide explains where you may paddle.

The tour is led in English and Turkish. Yaşar is specifically praised for being pleasant and helpful, so if you are looking for a guided outing rather than an independent rental, this is a useful feature. The guide also takes photographs during the trip, usually offered for an extra charge. You can use your own phone, but protect it properly.

9:30 am departure from Üçağız

The tour begins in Üçağız at 9:30 am. The listed meeting point is given as the code 8G8F5RWX+Q54, so check the exact location before setting out. One practical complaint about the meeting details is that the coordinates can be confusing. Do not leave this until the last minute.

The group first travels southwest with a motorized support vessel escorting the kayaks. This gives the outing a useful safety net and helps the group cover the open-water distance toward Kekova Island. You are not expected to paddle every mile from the starting point at full effort.

The support boat also makes the tour more approachable for people who want active sightseeing without committing to a long, hard paddle. Still, you should be comfortable sitting in a kayak and paddling for several short stretches. The activity includes swimming, getting in and out near shore, and walking uphill at Simena.

Tersane Bay: your first swim at about 10:15

The first major stop is Tersane Bay, reached at roughly 10:15 am. You have around 30 minutes here for swimming and kayaking. This is the most straightforward water stop of the day, so it is a good place to cool off and get used to the kayak before reaching the protected ruins.

Pack swimwear and a towel. Water shoes are a smart addition because rocky shorelines can be uncomfortable under bare feet. One useful distinction from the day’s later swimming opportunity is that Tersane Bay is the proper swim break. At Simena, the water stop can be less of a conventional swim and more of a walk through shallow water near old remains.

The timing is short, but that is part of the tour’s design. You get a swim without losing the morning’s main sightseeing. If you want a long beach session, this will feel limited. If you want a quick, refreshing break between historical sites, it works well.

Paddling over the Sunken City of Kekova

After Tersane Bay, the group paddles slowly over and alongside the Sunken City. This is the tour’s main event. The kayak’s low position puts you near the water, and the guide can direct your attention to visible walls, foundations, and other traces of the Lycian settlement.

Do not picture a fully visible underwater city laid out like an open-air museum. The remains can be difficult to make out through the surface, even when the water looks clean. What makes the stop special is the combination of place, history, and viewpoint: you are moving over a protected ancient site while the surrounding coast remains quiet and open.

Swimming is not allowed here. That rule can disappoint people who arrive hoping to snorkel around the ruins, but it protects the site. Your best option is to keep your camera ready and take photographs from the kayak. A floating bag or transparent waterproof phone case is worthwhile. A standard phone can be lost quickly if it slips from a wet hand.

The guide may take photographs of you during the paddle and offer them for an additional fee. If you do not want to pay for those, bring your own secure camera setup. A waterproof case is more useful than an expensive camera that you cannot safely handle from the kayak.

Simena Castle and Kaleköy in a 45-minute stop

The group reaches Simena, also called Kaleköy, at about 11:30 am. You have 45 minutes to leave the kayak area and explore the small village, the castle ruins, and the nearby necropolis. This is the tour’s best land-based stop.

The castle sits uphill and gives you broad views over the Kekova region. The walk is the reason to bring sensible footwear, even if you plan to spend most of the day on the water. The climb is not described with a precise duration, so pace yourself and leave enough time to get back to the kayaks.

Simena Castle is historically important, but the visit is brief. You must choose how to use your time. Go uphill for the views and ruins, stay lower for the village, or use part of the stop for another dip in the water. Trying to do all three can leave you rushing.

Castle admission is not included. The extra charge is 4 euros. That is a modest cost, but it is worth knowing before you arrive with a tightly planned budget. If you are interested in the site, I would pay the fee and make the uphill walk the priority. The panoramic view is one of the clearest rewards of the stop.

The area around the castle also includes a necropolis, with Lycian tombs among the remains. This adds useful context to the Sunken City. You are not looking at one isolated ruin, but at traces of a wider ancient settlement spread around the water and hills.

Pirates Cave and the coastline between stops

Pirates Cave is listed as one of the tour’s highlights, but the timed itinerary does not give it a separate stop or a guaranteed visit duration. Treat it as a coastal sight you may pass or view during the kayak route rather than planning your day around a long cave exploration.

That uncertainty is worth noting because the tour covers several points in a compact morning. The guide must balance paddling time, swimming, the protected Sunken City, Simena, and the return route. If Pirates Cave is especially important to you, ask the operator how it is handled on your departure date.

The coastline itself is part of the pleasure. You get shifting views of rocky shore, clear water, old stone, and hillside ruins. The support boat keeps the outing moving and helps the group follow a practical route instead of spending too long at one place.

Returning past Theimussa and the Lycian tombs

After Simena, the group heads back toward Theimussa, the ancient settlement near Üçağız. The kayak route includes an up-close view of more Lycian sarcophagi before returning to the base.

This final sightseeing section is easy to overlook, but it gives the morning a useful ending. You have already seen ruins partly beneath the sea and castle remains above it. At Theimussa, the tombs show another form of Lycian memorial architecture close to the modern village.

The listed stop is about 10 minutes, so expect a short viewing and pass-by rather than a long archaeological visit. Still, the sarcophagi are a worthwhile final detail, especially if you enjoy seeing ancient remains in their original setting instead of inside a museum.

You return to the kayak base and then continue to Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 pm. The schedule makes this a true half-day activity. You still have the afternoon available for another outing, a relaxed meal, or time by the water.

Lunch, cost, and what the $47 includes

At $47 per person, the tour offers a good amount for a four-hour outing. The price includes the guided kayaking experience, the motorized escort boat, and lunch. It does not include the 4 euro Simena Castle ticket or any optional photographs taken by the guide.

Lunch is simple rather than a formal dining experience. Fresh fish has been served, and it can be a satisfying end to an active morning. The meal is part of the value here: you do not need to arrange lunch immediately after paddling, and the group returns directly to Üçağız for it.

The price makes the most sense if you want several experiences in one booking: a swim, sea kayaking, ancient ruins, a hilltop view, and lunch. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long swim or a quiet visit to Simena, since the schedule keeps moving.

The 4.8 rating from 37 reviews supports the idea that the basic package works well, especially for people who enjoy active sightseeing. The strongest praise centers on the guide, the kayaks, the food, and the chance to get close to the ruins. The common cautions are practical: unclear meeting directions, limited time, and uncertainty about what to bring.

What to pack for a smoother morning

Bring swimwear and a towel, as required for the two water opportunities. Add water shoes for the rocky beaches and shallow areas around the castle.

For your phone, use a floating bag or a transparent waterproof case. A regular zip bag is not as secure when you are paddling, swimming, or passing a camera between people. Keep only what you need with you and protect anything that cannot get wet.

Wear footwear suitable for the uphill walk at Simena. You do not need to dress for a serious hike, but flimsy sandals may make the castle stop less comfortable. Bring some money for the 4 euro entrance ticket and for optional guide photographs.

The tour runs in English and Turkish. Since some instructions concern paddling and protected ruins, make sure you understand the guide before setting off. Follow the group’s route and do not swim at the Sunken City.

Who should book this Kekova kayaking tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see Kekova actively, prefer a small-water viewpoint, and like having a guide organize the route. It suits couples, friends, and independent-minded families who are comfortable with kayaking, swimming, and a short uphill walk.

It is also a good fit if you have only half a day. The morning departure and early afternoon lunch leave room for other plans. The support vessel makes the route feel more manageable than a fully self-powered kayaking trip.

I would think twice if your main goal is a long visit inside Simena Castle, extensive swimming, or a slow archaeological tour. The 45-minute stop is useful but tight, and the Sunken City is viewed from above the water rather than explored on foot or underwater.

Booking is flexible, with cancellation allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Confirm the meeting coordinates, bring water shoes and waterproof phone protection, and budget for the castle ticket.

FAQ

How long does the Kekova kayaking tour last?

The activity lasts four hours. It departs Üçağız at 9:30 am and returns for lunch at about 1:15 pm.

Where does the tour start?

It starts in Üçağız at the listed location code 8G8F5RWX+Q54. Check the directions carefully because the coordinates may be unclear.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Üçağız is included after the kayaking portion of the tour.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The castle entrance ticket costs 4 euros and must be paid separately.

Can I swim at the Sunken City of Kekova?

No. The Sunken City is protected, so swimming is not permitted there. You view the ruins from the kayak.

Is there a swimming stop?

Yes. The tour stops at Tersane Bay for about 30 minutes of swimming and kayaking. There may also be a water opportunity near Simena.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Water shoes and a floating bag or waterproof phone case are also useful for the rocky shore and wet kayaking conditions.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Turkish.