From Kas: Guided Kekova Sea Kayaking Tour

Kekova is best seen at water level, where your kayak slips past ancient walls, stone tombs, and the half-submerged remains of the Sunken City. This six-hour trip from Kaş combines steady paddling with swimming, a castle visit, and lunch in Üçağız, so you get more than a quick look from a sightseeing boat.

I like the small group of up to 15 and the motorized support boat, which carries your belongings and can assist when wind or tired arms become a problem. I also like guide Yaşar’s mix of clear instruction, humor, and local history. The main consideration is effort: you paddle about eight kilometers, and heat or wind can make the day harder than the calm blue water first suggests.

Key points to know before you book

• The Sunken City is seen from your kayak: Swimming is not allowed in this protected zone, but paddling gives you a close, quiet view of the ruins.
• Guide Yaşar works well with beginners: You receive safety and paddling instruction before setting off, and the support boat stays nearby.
• Tersane Bay provides a real swimming break: You have about 40 minutes for a swim and a rest before the most famous section of the route.
• Simena adds a worthwhile climb: The castle ruins and hilltop view reward you with a broad look across the Kekova area, though the entrance ticket costs 4 euros.
• Lunch is included in Üçağız: The meal comes after the kayaking, a useful finish after several hours on the water.
• Come prepared for active sightseeing: Bring a change of clothes, expect sun and heat, and remember that wind can turn an easy paddle into a workout.

Why Kekova works so well by kayak

Kekova is not simply a place to point a camera at from a boat. The coast holds traces of Lycian life in several forms: submerged ruins, hillside tombs, castle remains, and sarcophagi beside the village of Theimussa. A kayak lets you move slowly enough to notice them.

That pace matters. A motorboat can cover more ground, but you are usually watching the shoreline pass. In a kayak, you are close to the water and can pause for a better look. The group moves with a guide, so you are not left to guess which stonework matters.

This is still an active excursion, not a beach cruise. The route covers roughly eight kilometers, and the tour includes around four hours of kayaking, broken up by swimming and sightseeing. I would describe it as similar to a long, brisk walk on the water. Complete beginners can manage it, but you should be comfortable with sustained physical activity.

The support boat makes a real difference. It escorts the group, holds your belongings, helps in an emergency, and can tow or assist you if wind builds or your arms tire. You still need to paddle, but you are not completely on your own.

From Kaş to Üçağız at 8:00 a.m.

The day begins with pickup in front of Smiley’s Restaurant in Kaş. The exact time can change by season, and the operator sends the final pickup details by WhatsApp or email one day ahead. The drive to Üçağız takes about 45 minutes.

I like this transfer because it removes a common nuisance. You do not need to arrange your own ride to the kayak base, and the return to Kaş is included. The morning start also gives you a cooler beginning before the strongest heat settles over the coast.

At Üçağız, the group receives a safety briefing and an introduction to the kayaks. You learn how to paddle and steer, then spend an initial session close to the village getting used to the boat and practicing navigation. This short warm-up is especially useful if you have never handled a sea kayak.

The group departs Üçağız around 9:30 a.m. with the support vessel nearby. A small group of no more than 15 people is large enough to feel social but small enough for the guide to keep an eye on the paddlers. One larger group found staying together slightly difficult, so do not expect a private outing or a completely free-form route.

Tersane Bay gives you the first proper break

The route heads southwest along the Lycian coast toward Kekova Island. You reach Tersane Bay at about 10:15 a.m., after roughly 45 minutes of travel from Üçağız.

Tersane Bay is the point where the outing shifts from instruction to pleasure. You can swim, rest, and enjoy the clear water for about 40 minutes. This break is well placed because it comes before the most concentrated sightseeing section, when you will want enough energy to pay attention.

You should pack a change of clothes. The kayaks and equipment are described as clean and well maintained, and snorkeling equipment is available, but you will still want something dry for the later parts of the day and the ride back.

The water is a major part of the appeal, but do not confuse beautiful conditions with effortless conditions. Wind picked up during one outing and made the route more demanding. The guide can help, and the support boat can tow you if requested, yet you should arrive ready for a physical session rather than assuming the sea will remain perfectly calm.

Paddling above the Sunken City of Kekova

From Tersane Bay, the group paddles slowly over and alongside the ancient Sunken City of Kekova. This is the tour’s main event.

The ruins were partly submerged, and the protected area must be treated carefully. You cannot swim here, and the group does not land among the remains. Instead, you view the stone traces from your kayak, which is one of the best ways to appreciate their position along the coast.

The restriction is not a flaw. It keeps the site from becoming a free-for-all and gives you a quiet way to see it. Your kayak sits low, so you get a closer water-level perspective than you would from a larger vessel. The guide points out the features and explains what you are seeing while the group moves through the area.

This is also the stretch where your camera can be useful. Keep it secure, and remember that your main job is to steer and stay with the group. The support boat carries personal belongings, which means you do not have to balance a large bag in the kayak.

The stop itself is fairly brief, listed at about 10 minutes for sightseeing. That does not mean the whole route is rushed. The kayaking between stops provides time to take in the coastline, but the Sunken City portion is a passing visit rather than a long archaeological tour.

Simena Castle rewards the uphill walk

The group reaches Simena, also known as Kaleköy, at around 11:30 a.m. You have about 45 minutes to an hour here, depending on the day’s schedule. This is your chance to leave the kayak and explore a small, authentic village with castle ruins and a necropolis.

The best use of the stop is the climb toward Simena Castle. The hillside path leads to wide views over Kekova, the islands, and the water you have just crossed. I would spend the available time walking uphill if you are comfortable with uneven or steep ground. The view gives the whole excursion a sense of place that is hard to get from sea level.

The castle entrance costs an additional 4 euros. That is a small extra charge, but carry it in mind when working out your budget. You can still enjoy the village and view from below if you choose not to enter.

You may also use the stop for another swim. This is a practical choice if the heat is strong or if you would rather spend your limited time in the water than on the climb. Simena works because it offers two different experiences: a short cultural visit for those who want ruins and a relaxed pause for those who have had enough uphill walking.

Do not expect a large town or a long shopping session. The appeal is the compact village, the tombs, the castle remains, and the view. You are here for a focused stop, not a full afternoon of independent sightseeing.

Theimussa adds a final look at Lycian tombs

After Simena, the route turns back toward Theimussa. Here you get a closer look at Lycian sarcophagi before returning to the kayak base.

This is a useful final stop because it broadens the history beyond the Sunken City. The submerged ruins are dramatic, but the sarcophagi show how Lycian remains also survive on dry land. You get two very different ways to see the area’s past during one morning: from a kayak and from the village roads.

The historical explanations are part of what makes Yaşar important to the experience. Several outings singled out his clear explanations, lively manner, and patient help with first-time paddlers. A guide who can explain both the route and the ruins keeps the day from becoming a series of pretty views without context.

Lunch in Üçağız finishes the hard part

After returning to the kayak base, you head into Üçağız for lunch at about 1:15 p.m. Lunch is included in the $65 price, which matters because you have spent several hours exercising in the sun.

I see the meal as more than a convenient add-on. It gives the day a proper finish and means you do not need to search for food while wet, tired, and ready to sit down. The food has been praised as delicious, though the supplied details do not specify the menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish.

The tour then returns you to Kaş. With the morning pickup, transfer, kayaking, swimming, Simena visit, and lunch, the total day runs about six hours. That is a good length for this route. A shorter trip would have to cut one of the swimming or historical stops, while a much longer day could feel tiring in hot weather.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, the tour includes the Kaş to Üçağız transfer and return, kayak equipment, about four hours of sea kayaking, the guide, support boat, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. The only stated extra is the 4 euro Simena Castle ticket.

That is solid value if you want an active day with transport and food already handled. A kayak rental alone would not provide the safety briefing, route guidance, archaeological context, or escort boat. The support vessel is especially important because it carries your belongings and provides help when conditions become difficult.

The small-group format also adds value. You are not being moved through the area in a large crowd, though the group is still big enough that the guide must keep everyone together. The 4.7 rating from 71 bookings supports the view that the package delivers what it promises, but I would still judge it by your fitness and interest in kayaking.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. Those policies are useful, but they do not change the main decision: you need to want an active day on the water.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want to combine nature, archaeology, swimming, and exercise without managing transport yourself. It suits first-time kayakers, couples, friends, and families with active teenagers. One reluctant 15-year-old ended up enjoying the day, which suggests the mix of swimming and ruins can work for young people who are not eager for a pure history tour.

You should be ready to paddle for long stretches. Clear instructions make the first session manageable, but beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. Heat, sun, and wind are the main variables.

Bring a change of clothes and expect to get wet. Secure anything you carry, use the support boat for valuables when offered, and take sun protection seriously. If you dislike physical activity or want to spend most of the day relaxing, a boat cruise may fit you better.

Should you book the Kekova kayak tour?

I would book it if your ideal Kekova day means seeing the Sunken City at close range, swimming in open water, and adding Simena Castle to a guided route. The combination is stronger than a single sightseeing stop, and the support boat makes the kayaking feel manageable for newcomers.

I would hesitate only if you want a very easy outing or dislike fixed group pacing. The route can be hot and tiring, and wind may make the paddle harder. For everyone else, the $65 package offers a practical way to experience Kekova from the water, with Yaşar’s instruction, lunch, transport, and a useful safety net built in.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin in Kaş?

Pickup is in front of Smiley’s Restaurant on Liman Street. The exact pickup time may vary by season and is sent one day before the tour by WhatsApp or email.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts about six hours, including the transfer from Kaş, kayaking, swimming, sightseeing at Simena, lunch, and the return journey.

How much kayaking is included?

The tour includes about four hours of sea kayaking. The route covers roughly eight kilometers, with breaks for swimming and sightseeing.

Can a complete beginner join?

Yes. The day begins with a safety briefing and paddling instruction, followed by a practice session near Üçağız. The guide also helps beginners during the route.

Is swimming allowed at the Sunken City?

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

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes. Lunch in Üçağız is included. The $65 price also includes the Kaş transfers, kayaking, guide, and equipment.

Is the Simena Castle ticket included?

No. The entrance ticket costs 4 euros. You can still spend time in the village and admire the area without purchasing the ticket.