Ultimate Sea Kayaking Tour of Kekova

Kekova is one of Turkey’s finest places to explore from the water. From a tandem kayak, you paddle past half-submerged ruins, empty-looking coves, and long stretches of stone where the sea and ancient settlements meet. You get history without being shut inside a museum.

I like the gentle introduction for beginners and the small-group feel, with guide Barbaros setting a pace that suits the group. I also like the balance between paddling, swimming, lunch, and time in Simena. The main consideration is that drinks cost extra, lunch is simple, and you need basic swimming skills plus enough fitness for several hours outdoors.

Key Points

• Learn in a sheltered bay: Beginners receive a short kayak lesson before heading toward Kekova Island.
• See ruins from water level: The route brings you near ancient remains, rocky channels, and the celebrated sunken remains around Kekova.
• Stop in Simena: Lunch, village wandering, and optional access to Simena Castle add time on land.
• Small groups matter: The tour requires at least four people and accepts no more than 14.
• Plan for the sun: Bring a hat, sunscreen, water shoes, swimwear, towel, and a change of clothes.
• Good value for an active day: At $68.36 per person, the price includes transport, a guide, kayak use, and lunch.

Why Kayak Kekova Instead of Taking a Boat

Kekova Island National Park is best understood from the water. A boat can carry you past the coast, but a kayak lets you move slowly and quietly. You can pause beside a rocky inlet, look down into clear water, or ask your guide about a wall fragment that might otherwise pass in seconds.

The route is not built around nonstop athletic effort. You paddle for part of the day, then stop for swimming, lunch, and short walks. That rhythm makes the tour workable for many fitness levels, including people who are new to kayaking.

You should still be comfortable around water. Basic swimming ability is required, and the operator describes the outing as suitable for people with moderate fitness. If you can walk for an hour, you should be able to manage the physical side of the day, though the sun and heat can make any Mediterranean activity feel harder.

The tour uses tandem kayaks, with only a limited number of single kayaks. Tandems are stable and practical for beginners, but you and your partner need to paddle together. If one person wants to move quickly and the other wants to stop often, agree on a relaxed rhythm before setting out.

A Calm Start for First-Time Paddlers

The day begins with transport by minivan from selected hotels in Kas and nearby areas. Pickup and drop-off are included where available. Some people have also used the service from Kalkan, with the drive giving Barbaros time to talk about Turkey, local culture, and the region.

Once you reach the kayaking area, the guide explains the basics. You learn how to hold the paddle, steer, and work as a pair. The sheltered bay opposite Kekova provides a more forgiving place to get comfortable before the route opens out.

That teaching matters. A first kayak lesson can feel awkward for the first few minutes, especially when the boat turns more sharply than expected. The instruction is designed to get you moving quickly, and the pace stays patient rather than competitive.

The group size helps here. With a maximum of 14 people, the guide can keep an eye on the kayaks and help anyone who needs another explanation. A minimum of four participants applies, so the trip may not operate if that number is not reached.

Paddling Around Kekova Island

The central portion of the tour takes place around Kekova Island, within the national park. You see a coast shaped by both nature and ancient settlement, with rocky shores, small harbors, and ruins close to the water.

The most memorable feature is the chance to view submerged and partly submerged remains from your kayak. You are not simply passing a ruin on land. You are sitting at water level, looking across a place where old stone meets the sea.

Your guide is an important part of this section. Barbaros, also referred to as Barbi or Barbie, leads the group and explains the history, geography, plants, animals, and local culture. His background in the region gives the route more meaning than a quiet paddle alone.

Expect regular stops rather than a single long push around the island. The day includes time to swim and explore, and the pace is adjusted so the group stays together. If you are an experienced paddler, you may find the physical challenge modest. That is useful if you want a full day outside without exhausting yourself, but less satisfying if you are seeking a hard training session.

The water and scenery are the main reward. Warm Mediterranean conditions make the swimming stops especially appealing in summer. In early spring or autumn, the water may feel cooler, and a wind jacket becomes useful for the ride and the open-water sections.

Quiet Bays, Rock Channels, and Swimming Stops

The route includes secluded bays and rocky passages that are hard to appreciate from a road. Kayaking brings you close to the shoreline without the engine noise of a motorboat. You can look into narrow spaces, pause for photographs, and listen to the guide without shouting over a boat motor.

Several swimming stops are built into the day. These breaks are not an afterthought. They give your shoulders time to rest and let you enjoy the water instead of treating the outing as a race between landmarks.

Bring a waterproof camera or phone if you want pictures while paddling. The kayak hatches are small, and the operator provides a few dry bags to share for items that must stay dry. Pack lightly, leave valuable belongings at your hotel, and use a plastic bag for items such as a towel or sunscreen.

Water shoes, surf shoes, or sandals are better than flip-flops. You may walk over uneven surfaces at stops, and loose flip-flops are not useful around a kayak. A sun hat and sunglasses with a neck strap are also practical, since there is little reason to expect shade on the water.

Lunch and Time in the Village of Simena

One of the day’s best changes of pace is the stop in Simena. The village is reached by water, and you get time for lunch and additional sightseeing away from the kayak.

Lunch is included, which helps the tour’s overall value. Expect basic local fare rather than a polished restaurant meal. It can be filling and welcome after paddling, but the meal has been described as quite salty, and drinks are not included. Bring money for beverages, ice cream, or small souvenirs.

Simena also gives you a chance to stretch your legs. The walking is limited and optional, with no more than about 30 minutes required. You can explore at an easy pace, ask questions about the area, and see a different side of the coast.

Simena Castle is an optional extra. The entrance fee is 140 TL, so budget for it separately if you want to visit. The castle adds a historical viewpoint, but you do not need to pay the fee to enjoy the village stop or the lunch.

This pause is especially useful for anyone who worries that a full day in a kayak will feel repetitive. You get paddling, swimming, food, village life, and history in one outing. The day has variety without requiring a long hike.

The Guide Makes the Difference

Barbaros is the guide most closely associated with this tour. He is described as fluent in English and able to explain Turkish culture, local politics, economic history, geography, and the ancient remains around Kekova.

That range is useful because the area is not just a collection of old stones. You can ask about what you are seeing, how the settlements developed, and why the coastline looks the way it does. The guide also points out details you might miss while concentrating on your paddle strokes.

His teaching style suits mixed groups. First-time paddlers get encouragement and practical help, while experienced kayakers can settle into an easier rhythm. The group is kept together, and the guide adjusts the pace rather than leaving slower pairs behind.

The tour may be operated by a multilingual guide, so the language arrangement can vary. If having a particular language is important to you, confirm it before booking. The guide’s role is central enough that this small check is worthwhile.

What the $68.36 Price Includes

At $68.36 per person, this is a solid price for a 7 to 8 hour day. You are paying for transport by minivan, hotel pickup and return from selected hotels, a professional guide, tandem kayak use, and lunch.

The value is strongest if you need transport from Kas or a nearby pickup point. Arranging your own way to the coast, hiring equipment, and finding a separate guide would add cost and effort. The included instruction also matters if you are a beginner.

Keep a small extra budget for drinks and the 140 TL Simena Castle entrance. Alcohol is available to buy, but it is not included. Since you will be outdoors for most of the day, carrying money for water and other drinks is sensible.

The price does not turn this into a luxury excursion. Lunch is straightforward, kayaks are shared, and single kayaks are limited. I would choose it for the access, the guide, and the chance to see Kekova under your own paddle, not for high-end catering.

Who Should Book This Day

This tour fits couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where some people are experienced and others are learning. Children must be accompanied by an adult, with a minimum age of five when traveling with parents. Children aged 14 require written permission.

It is also a good choice if you want an active day but not a demanding expedition. The operator describes only a few hours of paddling, with plenty of time for stops. Someone who can manage an hour of walking should find the physical demands reasonable, assuming they are comfortable swimming and sitting in a kayak for part of the day.

You may want another activity if you dislike sun, open water, or shared kayaks. It is not designed as a serious fitness session, either. Strong paddlers may wish for more distance, while cautious beginners may need to accept that the boat can feel unstable for the first few minutes.

The tour runs in all weather conditions, so dress for the forecast. Poor weather can lead to cancellation, with a new date or full refund offered. Spring and autumn call for a wind jacket, while summer calls for strong sun protection.

Practical Packing Advice for the Water

Pack a swimsuit, towel, spare clothes, and spare shoes. You may get wet while entering or paddling, and a dry change makes the return journey much more comfortable.

Use sunscreen before pickup and bring more for later. Add a sun hat, sunglasses with a strap, and suitable water shoes. If you need emergency medication, such as an asthma inhaler, keep it accessible and protected from water.

Keep bags small. Kayak hatches are narrow, and shared dry bags are limited. Waterproof cameras and phones are sensible, but leave jewelry, passports, large wallets, and other valuables at your hotel.

You should also bring small change for drinks and souvenirs. The tour includes lunch, but beverages are extra, and you may want something cold after the paddling or while visiting Simena.

Booking, Cancellation, and Timing

The experience usually lasts about seven to eight hours, making it a full day rather than a quick morning activity. It is commonly booked around 16 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible during the busier season.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded. The same 24-hour rule applies to changes, so check your plans before the cutoff.

The tour needs at least four participants. If the minimum is not met, the operator offers another date or experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can lead to the same choices.

Should You Book the Kekova Kayak Tour?

I would book this if you want to combine ancient sites, swimming, a village visit, and a manageable amount of exercise. The small group, patient instruction, and strong guiding from Barbaros make it a safer choice for beginners than simply renting a kayak and setting out alone.

The tour is also good value for anyone staying in Kas or a nearby hotel, since transport, equipment, lunch, and guidance are included. Just bring suitable shoes, protect your phone, and budget for drinks and Simena Castle.

Skip it if you want a luxury meal, a long-distance paddle, or a completely private outing. For most people seeking an active and informative day around Kekova, though, this is a practical way to reach ruins and coastal corners that are best seen from the water.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova kayaking tour take place?

The tour operates around Kekova Island in Kekova National Park, with a stop in the village of Simena.

How long does the tour last?

Plan on approximately seven to eight hours, including transport, paddling, stops, lunch, and time in Simena.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels. Transport is provided by minivan.

Do beginners need kayaking experience?

No. Beginners receive instruction in a sheltered bay before paddling toward Kekova Island.

What type of kayak is provided?

Tandem kayaks are provided. A limited number of single kayaks are available.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Simena is included, but drinks are not included and can be purchased separately.

How much does it cost to enter Simena Castle?

The entrance fee is 140 TL and is not included in the tour price.

What age restrictions apply?

Children must be at least five years old when accompanied by their parents. Participants aged 14 require written permission.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.