Sea Kayak Tour Over the Sunken City of Kekova Kas(Small Groups)

Kekova’s sunken city is best seen from the water, and a sea kayak puts you low enough to study the shoreline, ruins, and quiet coves at an easy pace. This trip also reaches Simena Castle and Tersane Bay, so you get more than a single photo stop.

I like the small maximum of 10 people and the chance to swim during the day. I also like that lunch, equipment, and transportation are included, with guide Umit earning repeated praise for his care and good local explanations. The catch is simple: kayaking for several hours takes effort, and the submerged ruins may be difficult to see clearly from the surface.

Key points to know before you book

• Kekova’s sunken city is viewed from a kayak: You paddle through the area where the ruins lie, but clear underwater views are not guaranteed.
• Tersane Bay adds swimming time: This is one of the more relaxing breaks in a day that can otherwise feel physical.
• Simena Castle gives the route a land-based highlight: You get historic scenery as well as open water and coves.
• Small groups mean a more personal outing: The maximum is 10 people, and Umit has been praised for attentive guiding.
• Lunch and gear are included: You receive a kayak, paddle, life jacket, transportation, and lunch, but not drinks containing alcohol or photos and videos.
• Plan for more than five hours door to door: The paddling program is about five hours, though travel from Kaş can make the total day closer to seven hours.

Why this kayak trip is different from a standard boat outing

Kekova is famous for ruins along and beneath the shoreline, but a large motorboat gives you only a passing view. A kayak changes the pace. You move quietly, stop at coves, and sit close to the water instead of looking down from a high deck.

That matters at the sunken city. The main appeal is not necessarily seeing a complete underwater street through crystal-clear water. It is the combination of partially submerged ruins, stonework along the coast, and the knowledge that sections of an old settlement slipped below the sea. You should expect a historic coastal route, not an underwater archaeology expedition.

The day begins at the Tatil Sihirbazı Travel office on Bahçe Street in Kaş. The listed program takes about five hours, though transportation to and from the kayaking area can stretch your total outing to roughly seven hours. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The group limit of 10 is useful here. Kayaking requires the guide to keep people together, explain the route, and help with basic technique. A small group makes that easier than a crowded boat tour, especially when you want to ask questions or need a short pause.

From Kaş to Üçağız, the gateway to Kekova

Üçağız is the first listed stop and the starting point for the Kekova water route. Transportation is included, so you do not need to arrange your own way from Kaş to the launch area.

This transfer also affects how you should think about the advertised five-hour duration. The water portion is only part of the day. If you have an evening booking, leave room for the journey back to Kaş rather than treating the activity as a strict five-hour appointment.

Üçağız gives the day a useful sense of place before you paddle out. It is the landward starting point for exploring the bays and historical sites around Kekova. From here, the scenery becomes the main event: open sea, rocky coast, sheltered inlets, and old stone remains.

You should arrive ready for sun and heat. The activity takes place outdoors, and there is no promise of shade while you are on the water. A hat, water, sunscreen, and a waterproof bag for valuables are sensible choices. The operator supplies a life jacket, paddle, and sea kayak, but personal protection from the sun is up to you.

Tersane Bay brings the best break in the paddling

Tersane Koyu, or Tersane Bay, is one of the strongest parts of the route because it gives you a chance to get out of the kayak and swim. A day spent paddling can become tiring, so this pause is more than a pretty stop. It breaks up the physical work and lets you enjoy the water without holding a paddle.

The bay is also known as shipyard bay, which fits the historical character of the route. You can expect a sheltered coastal setting connected with the wider Kekova story, rather than a developed beach resort. Swimming here helps make the outing feel like a sea adventure instead of a moving history lesson.

Do not count on swimming for the entire stop. The exact timing can depend on the group and the day’s conditions. Still, the itinerary specifically includes Tersane Bay, and time for swimming is an important reason to bring a swimsuit and towel.

The kayaking itself is manageable for people with moderate fitness, but it is not passive sightseeing. One person who brought children aged 9 and 10 found the day enjoyable but needed support from a boat to tow the kayaks. That tells you something useful: younger children may manage the route, but families should not assume the full paddle will be easy.

Basic kayaking experience would help. You do not need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable using a paddle and keeping your kayak moving for extended periods. If you tire, the group may need to adjust its pace, and assistance from a support boat may be possible, as happened on one outing.

Seeing the Kekova sunken city from the surface

The sunken city is the reason many people consider this trip. As you paddle through the area, the route passes the shore and waters associated with the submerged ruins. Your low position in the kayak gives you a direct angle toward the remains and the coastline.

Keep your expectations precise. The ruins are not guaranteed to appear as a clear underwater city beneath your boat. Water conditions, glare, depth, and viewing angles can make the submerged remains hard to identify. One person felt no sunken city could be seen, while the operator explained that the route did pass through the area where the ruins are located.

That difference is important when deciding if this is right for you. If your only goal is to see obvious underwater walls, you may come away disappointed. If you enjoy paddling through a historic coastal zone and looking for traces along the shore and beneath the surface, the experience makes more sense.

The kayak also gives you time to look. A boat may pass the ruins quickly, while a paddle group can move more slowly. The guide can point out features and explain what you are seeing, though the clarity of the water remains outside anyone’s control.

Umit is the guide name most often associated with the strongest praise for this outing. His role is not only to lead the kayaks but also to explain the places along the route, keep an eye on the group, and help with photos and videos when possible. The tour is offered in English.

Simena Castle adds a climb and a change of pace

The third listed stop is the Castle of Simena, linked with the old town of Simena. This changes the rhythm of the day. After open water and low shoreline views, you get a more elevated historic setting with broad views back across the coast.

You should think of this as a sightseeing stop within an active outing, not a separate full castle tour. The available information does not promise a detailed archaeological presentation or a set amount of time at the castle. Your exact time there can depend on the day’s pace and conditions.

The stop is valuable because it gives you a different way to understand Kekova. From the kayak, you see the coast at water level. At Simena, you can look across the surrounding bays and connect the ruins, shoreline, and villages as one historic area.

Wear footwear that can handle both the kayak and time on land. The tour information does not specify a particular walking surface or accessibility arrangements, so people with limited mobility should ask the operator before booking. The stated fitness level is moderate, and the route includes more than sitting in a boat.

Lunch is part of the value

Lunch is included, and it comes after the kayaking portion according to the information provided. Fresh food at the end of a warm, active morning can make a real difference. You are not left to find a meal on your own after paddling.

One particularly positive account called the lunch fresh and delicious, with time also available for swimming, shopping, and ice cream. Those extras are not presented as guaranteed fixed stops in the formal itinerary, so treat them as possible parts of the day rather than promises.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. Photos and videos are also excluded, although Umit may take pictures or clips during the outing when circumstances allow. Bring a waterproof phone pouch or dry bag if you want to protect your own device.

A waterproof bag is one of the most practical tips for this activity. Kayaks and paddles mean your belongings may get wet even on a calm day. Keep passports, wallets, cameras, and other valuables protected, and bring only what you need.

What the $60.34 price really covers

At $60.34 per person, the price is reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, kayak rental, safety equipment, a guide, lunch, and a half-day activity. The included list covers the major practical costs: transportation, sea kayak, paddle, life jacket, and lunch.

The small group cap makes the price more appealing. A maximum of 10 allows for more attention than a large group outing, and it should be easier to hear explanations and stay together on the water.

The value drops if you are mainly chasing a guaranteed underwater view. The route passes the sunken city area, but the ruins may not be clearly visible. You are paying for a full coastal experience that combines paddling, swimming, historic sites, and lunch, not for a controlled underwater viewing session.

You should also factor in the physical demand. A motorboat ride would require much less effort. This tour earns its price through participation, so it suits you best if the paddling is part of the appeal.

Who will enjoy this, and who should think twice

I would recommend this outing to active adults, couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle a moderate amount of paddling. It works especially well for people who want to see Kekova at a slower pace and prefer a small group over a crowded boat.

You should book it if swimming in a quiet bay sounds as appealing as seeing historic ruins. You should also book it if you like having a guide nearby and want lunch and equipment handled in one package.

I would hesitate if you dislike heat, physical activity, or getting wet. A complaint about the day being hot and tiring points to a real issue, even though those conditions are part of an outdoor kayak trip rather than a service failure.

Families with young children should ask about the expected paddling effort before paying. A support boat may be able to tow kayaks if needed, but that should not be treated as the normal plan. Children must still be comfortable wearing a life jacket and spending extended time on the water.

The tour also requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but later cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Final call: book it for the paddling, not only the ruins

This is a strong choice if you want an active half-day around Kekova with a guide, swim stop, lunch, and a small group. The most memorable parts are likely to be the quiet movement through the bays, Tersane Bay, and the view from Simena Castle.

Book with realistic expectations about the sunken city. You may see traces and pass through the correct historic area, but clear underwater ruins are not guaranteed. If you accept that limitation and enjoy kayaking itself, the $60.34 price offers good value. If you want effortless sightseeing or a guaranteed underwater view, choose a boat trip or another activity instead.

FAQ

Where does the sea kayak tour start?

The meeting point is Tatil Sihirbazı Travel at Bahçe Sk. no: 6/d in Andifli, Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Kaş.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours. Transportation to and from Kaş can make the total outing closer to seven hours.

What places are included in the route?

The listed stops are Üçağız, Tersane Bay, and the Castle of Simena. The route also passes the Kekova sunken city area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Is kayaking equipment provided?

Yes. A sea kayak, paddle, and life jacket are included.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is included.

Are photos, videos, or alcoholic drinks included?

No. Photos and videos, as well as alcoholic beverages, are not included.

How fit do I need to be?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level. The activity involves paddling for several hours, and the tour is not designed as a fully passive sightseeing trip.