Kekova: The Sea Kayaking Odyssey Across Islands & Bays

Kekova’s great attraction is best seen from water level. From your kayak, you can paddle quietly past ancient walls, stairways, and stone foundations beneath the clear sea, then pull into quiet coves where larger boats cannot linger. I like the way the tour pairs this unusual view with a local picnic and a visit to Simena Castle. I also like the small-group pace and the calm, patient instruction from guides such as Barbaros, also called Barbie by some guests.

The main consideration is physical: you cover about 8 kilometers by kayak over the day. The water is sheltered, and beginners are welcome, but you still need moderate fitness. You will also get wet, and the castle entrance fee is extra.

At a glance: what makes this Kekova tour worthwhile

• Kayak over the Sunken City: See submerged Lycian ruins from a quiet, low position on the water.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: Certified guides explain paddling and safety before you set off, then help you conserve energy.
• A generous day out: The tour combines transport, equipment, swimming stops, a picnic lunch, sightseeing, and free time.
• Simena from the sea: Reach the old village by kayak and walk up toward its medieval castle for wide views over the bay.
• Small-group atmosphere: The route is designed for an easy pace rather than a rushed race between stops.
• A guide who adds real value: Barbaros is praised for his explanations of local food, ancient cultures, and the sites along the coast.

Why seeing Kekova by kayak changes the day

Kekova is not simply a place to look at from a boat deck. A kayak puts you close to the water and lets you move at a slower speed. That matters here. The coast is dotted with stone remains, small islands, limestone cliffs, and quiet inlets, and a motorboat can pass them before you have taken in the details.

The Sunken City is the headline sight. Part of the ancient settlement slipped beneath the sea after earthquakes, leaving walls, steps, and other remains visible below the surface. You paddle alongside the protected area and look down into the clear water. You cannot swim in the Sunken City itself, so the kayak is the best way to get close while respecting the site.

This is an active history tour, not a formal archaeological visit. The ruins are partly underwater, and only limited archaeological work has been done in the area. If you want a museum-style explanation of every stone, you may find the information fairly broad. If you enjoy hearing stories while moving through the setting itself, the format works very well.

Your guide is an important part of that experience. Barbaros, often called Barbie, receives especially strong praise for his clear explanations, calm manner, and ability to make first-time kayakers feel secure. He also shares details about local ingredients and daily life, which gives the picnic and the villages more meaning than a simple sightseeing stop.

From Kaş or Kalkan to the launch at Üçağız

The day begins with transport to Kaleüçağız, the village used as the kayaking base. Pick-up options are available from Dilan Café in central Kaş, a taxi stop, or Sea Kayak Türkiye. From the Kaş Peninsula, collection is usually from the main road near your accommodation. Kalkan pick-up is normally at the main taxi rank.

The stated drive from Kaş is about 45 minutes, with the peninsula taking about an hour and Kalkan about 75 minutes. The detailed schedule allows roughly an hour each way, so confirm your exact meeting point and departure time when booking. The ride is useful if you do not want to find the launch village or deal with parking yourself.

The early start is a real advantage in summer. It helps you reach the main sights before the busiest part of the boat traffic. You may still share the water with other groups, but the quieter first part of the day gives the Sunken City a calmer feel.

Once in Kaleüçağız, you receive a kayak, paddle, and safety equipment. Small barrels are provided for valuables. Bring only what you need, since anything not secured properly may get wet.

Your first 45 minutes: safety, technique, and finding your rhythm

The opening instruction lasts about 45 minutes and includes a safety briefing, equipment check, and basic paddling guidance. You do not need previous kayaking experience. The guides explain how to steer, how to use your body rather than just your arms, and how to keep a steady pace.

That coaching makes a difference over an 8-kilometer route. Several people who had not kayaked before found the day manageable after learning to use their whole body and preserve their strength. You should not treat the beginner-friendly label as a promise of effortless exercise, though. You will paddle for several hours, with breaks and sightseeing between sections.

A group that sets a fast pace can make the day feel harder, particularly if you are new to kayaking. The guides are there to control the rhythm, and the intended plan is relaxed, but tell them early if you need a slower pace or a short rest.

The kayaks are stable enough for beginners according to the supplied information, though one experienced participant wished different kayak sizes were available for different body weights. The tour is not suitable for anyone over 120 kilograms or for people with mobility impairments.

Paddling across Kekova Island and the Sunken City

The first major kayaking section takes you toward Kekova Island. The water is sheltered, and the clear turquoise color makes it easy to see why this coast is so popular. The kayak gives you a low viewpoint, close to the waterline and the ruins.

As you pass the Sunken City, the guide points out what can be seen beneath the surface and explains the ancient remains. The view is not a single dramatic monument. Instead, it is a collection of submerged stone traces that make sense as you move slowly along the shoreline.

This is one place where expectations matter. You cannot paddle freely through every ruin, and swimming in the Sunken City is not permitted. You also cannot expect to see an entire city clearly underwater. The reward is the combination of the water, the coast, and the visible remains, not a complete underwater archaeological tour.

After the first viewing, the route includes another sightseeing and kayaking section around Kekova Island. You may pass more ruins, watch for local wildlife, and pull into a suitable place for swimming. The exact stop depends on conditions, but the day is built around pauses rather than nonstop paddling.

Swimming stops in water clear enough to see the bottom

Swimming is one of the best counterpoints to the historical sites. After paddling, you can get out of the kayak and cool off in a cove or beside another section of ruins. The water is repeatedly praised for its clarity, and the breaks give your shoulders and arms a chance to recover.

The guide may take free photos during these pauses. That is useful because your phone should be protected, and you may not want to carry a camera while paddling. Bring a waterproof phone strap if you want easy access to your own device, but do not rely on a regular phone case.

One later stop may include cliff jumping if the sea and weather allow. This is optional in spirit, and it should not be the reason you book the tour. The safer assumption is that you will receive a swim break or another activity suited to the conditions.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Water shoes are a smart choice for getting in and out at rocky edges. Also bring a change of clothes. You should plan to be soaked, not merely splashed.

Lunch and free time near Simena Castle

The route continues to Simena, the old village reached by water. Stone houses climb above the bay, and the medieval castle sits higher up with broad views over the inlet. The setting gives you a strong sense of how closely village life here is tied to the sea.

Lunch is a Mediterranean picnic made from locally sourced ingredients. The meal has been a major strength of the day, with home-cooked dishes, fruit, nuts, and local flavors. Some participants particularly enjoyed carob and carob molasses with tahini, a small detail that turns lunch into a chance to try something specific to the area.

Allow about an hour for the picnic, then another hour for sightseeing at Simena Castle and the village. This is welcome breathing room. You can eat without rushing, swim if conditions and timing allow, explore the village, or sit in the shade.

The castle entrance fee is not included and costs 200 Turkish lira. Bring cash for this and for any other personal spending. The walk up to the castle adds effort after the morning’s paddling, but the view is the reason to make it. If you prefer a gentler day, you can use the free time to rest rather than push all the way uphill.

Simena is also where this tour differs from a short kayak outing. You are not simply paddling past the village and turning around. You have time to step ashore, eat a proper meal, and see the place from above.

The return route through a final cove

After Simena, you kayak back toward Kaleüçağız in shorter sections. The schedule includes roughly 20 minutes of paddling, a possible 30-minute swim at a quieter cove, and another 25 minutes back to the launch village.

This final stop is useful because it breaks up the return journey. By then, your arms may be tired, and another swim can feel better than one more uninterrupted paddle. The guide decides what is suitable based on the sea and weather, so the exact cove and any cliff jumping are not guaranteed.

Back at Kaleüçağız, there is about half an hour to change, gather your belongings, and take a break before the drive back. The full day usually lasts between five and eight hours, depending on the selected departure, conditions, and the pace of the group.

What the $89 price really covers

At $89 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to see Kekova. You are paying for far more than a kayak rental, though. The price includes transport from listed collection points, kayaks and paddles, safety gear, certified instruction, guiding throughout the route, storage barrels, and a Mediterranean picnic.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Kaş or Kalkan and do not want to arrange your own transport to Üçağız. It is also strong for first-time paddlers who want instruction and a guide who can explain the ruins rather than simply lead the group along the coast.

The price includes several hours on the water and a substantial shore stop. It also avoids the feel of a short, one-note excursion. You receive history, exercise, swimming, food, and village time in one day.

There are two extra costs to remember. Simena Castle charges 200 Turkish lira for entry, and personal drinks or purchases are not listed as included. Water is on the recommended packing list, so bring enough for yourself.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. The activity is offered in English and Turkish.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want to see Kekova actively and do not mind physical effort. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who like a full day with several different elements rather than a quick photo stop.

It is especially good for:

• First-time kayakers who want patient instruction
• People interested in ancient sites but happy with an outdoor format
• Swimmers who want clear water and several chances to cool off
• Visitors based in Kaş or Kalkan who prefer arranged transport
• Anyone who values a local meal and time in Simena
• Paddlers who prefer small groups and an unhurried route

You should think twice if you dislike getting wet, struggle with sustained paddling, or want a purely archaeological experience. The route is active, the ruins are partly underwater, and the castle walk may feel demanding after several hours at sea.

Practical preparation for a better day

Wear swimwear beneath quick-drying clothes and bring a full change of clothes. Pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, water, cash, and any personal medication.

Use the supplied barrels for valuables, but still protect phones and cameras in waterproof cases. A waterproof phone strap and water shoes are particularly useful. Do not bring more than you can secure comfortably.

The tour does not list a strict age limit, so the important test is fitness and comfort on the water. Anyone joining should understand that about 8 kilometers of kayaking is involved, even though the route includes breaks.

Check the exact pick-up point before the day. The meeting place changes with the option booked, and the transport time varies between Kaş, the peninsula, and Kalkan.

Should you book the Kekova kayaking tour?

Book it if you want the closest practical view of Kekova’s Sunken City, enjoy swimming and light exercise, and value a guide who can connect the ruins with local life. The combination of sheltered water, a generous picnic, Simena Castle, and several breaks gives you much more than a basic paddle.

Skip it if you need a fully passive sightseeing day or cannot manage moderate physical activity. For everyone else, the $89 price is fair because it covers equipment, instruction, transport, food, and a full route rather than a brief outing.

My strongest tip is to choose an early departure, bring water shoes and waterproof protection for your phone, and listen to the guide’s advice about conserving energy. That leaves you fresh enough to enjoy Simena instead of spending the final hour counting paddle strokes.

FAQ

How long does the Kekova sea kayaking tour last?

The activity lasts between five and eight hours, depending on the selected departure time and the day’s conditions.

How far do I kayak?

The tour involves about 8 kilometers of sea kayaking in sheltered waters, broken up by sightseeing, lunch, and swimming stops.

Do I need previous kayaking experience?

No. The tour includes an introduction, safety briefing, equipment check, and instruction from a certified guide. You do need a moderate level of fitness.

Can I swim in the Sunken City?

No. Swimming in the Sunken City itself is not allowed. You can view the ruins from the kayak and swim at nearby approved stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mediterranean picnic prepared with locally sourced ingredients is included. The tour information recommends bringing your own water.

Is the Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. Entry costs 200 Turkish lira and is paid separately.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, water, cash, personal medication, and suitable footwear. Water shoes and a waterproof phone strap are useful additions.