Kekova Boat Trips

Last updated: 22 October 202611 min read

A Kekova boat trip is a day tour from Üçağız that passes slowly over the Sunken City, leaving at around 10:00 and returning by 16:00–17:00. It stops at Tersane Bay and the village of Kaleköy (Simena), with swims in bays such as Aquarium Bay and Gökkaya Bay. Andrea Yachting offers two options: shared trips priced per person, and private trips where the whole boat is yours. Below you'll find the route, times and the rules worth knowing.

What is a Kekova boat trip like?

A Kekova boat trip is a day at sea among Kekova Island, the village of Kaleköy and the bays around them. The stops are close together, so time under way is short and the swim and sightseeing stops are long.

A typical day has four parts:

1. Boarding in Üçağız in the morning and departure at around 10:00.
2. A first stop at Tersane Bay, then a slow pass along the Sunken City.
3. A midday stop at Kaleköy, with lunch on board.
4. One or two swim stops in the afternoon, then back to Üçağız between 16:00 and 17:00.

Which Kekova boat trip is right for you?

The most popular trip from Üçağız is the full-day tour that combines the Sunken City with Kaleköy. On a private trip you choose the length and plan the route with the captain.

To hire the whole boat, see Kekova boat hire. To spend a few nights on board, see the Kekova blue cruise.

Shared or private trip?

On a shared trip you join other guests on the same boat and pay per person. On a private trip only your group is on board, and the price is per boat.

Capacity, menu and facilities vary from boat to boat; each boat's details are on its own page.

We compare the two options in everything you need to know about boat rental in Turkey.

How are Kekova boat trip prices set?

On a Kekova boat trip the price is per person on shared trips and per boat on private trips. The amount depends on the boat you choose, the length of the trip, the date and the size of your group. The current price is on each boat's card and page.

The main factors:

• Boat: Its type, size and level of comfort.
• Length: Full day, half day, hourly or sunset.
• Date: June to September is peak season; demand is lower in April, May and October.
• Group size: On a private trip the boat's price is shared by your group, so the cost per person falls as the group grows.
• Menu and drinks: Lunch and drinks arrangements vary by boat.
• Child price: Each boat sets its own; the age range and price are on the boat's page.

Lunch is included on most shared trips. Entry to the castle in Kaleköy is charged separately and isn't included in the trip price.

Which stops are on the route?

Trips from Üçağız usually call at Tersane Bay, the Sunken City, Kaleköy and Aquarium Bay; some also include Gökkaya Bay. The captain decides the stops and their order depending on the day's wind and sea.

1. Tersane Bay: On the north-west of Kekova Island. The remains of an old shipyard and a Byzantine church stand on the shore, and trips usually stop here for a swim.
2. Sunken City: The ancient town of Dolichiste on the island's north coast. An earthquake in the 2nd century partly submerged it, and it revived in the Byzantine period.
3. Kaleköy (Simena): A small village with a medieval castle on the hill above it. Lycian tombs, half sunk in the sea, can be seen along the shore.
4. Aquarium Bay: A bay with clear water, popular for snorkelling; the long afternoon swim is usually here.
5. Gökkaya Bay: A calm bay for swimming; on some trips it's the last stop of the day.

A sample day:

Times and stops are examples; each boat's daily programme is on its own page.

We describe the stops one by one in our Kekova boat tour route guide.

Can you swim at the Sunken City?

No. Swimming is forbidden in the area of the Sunken City; you see the ruins from the boat as it passes slowly. Swim stops are made in nearby bays such as Tersane Bay and Aquarium Bay.

Kekova was declared a Special Environmental Protection Area in 1990, and unpermitted swimming and diving were banned across the area. The ban was later lifted, except in the area of the Sunken City. Diving is allowed only at points set by the ministry, under control.

What is there to do in Kaleköy?

In Kaleköy you can wander the narrow lanes, climb up to the castle or swim from the shore. There's no road for cars into the village; you arrive by boat or on foot from Üçağız.

The castle stands on the site of ancient Simena. Inside it is a small theatre cut into the rock, with 7 rows of seats for about 300 people. Entry to the castle is charged and the steps are steep, so wear comfortable shoes.

Where and when do trips depart?

Kekova boat trips leave Üçağız at around 10:00 and return to the same place between 16:00 and 17:00. The exact departure time is in your booking.

Üçağız is 33 km from Kaş, about 45 minutes by car. The road from Antalya Airport to Kekova is about 181 km, around 3 hours. Hotel pick-up varies by boat; whether it's offered, and any other departure point such as Çayağzı near Demre, is shown on the boat's page.

What time is a sunset trip?

A sunset trip in Kekova lasts about 2–3 hours, and the departure time is set by the time of sunset. In June and July the sun sets at around 20:19, and in October at around 18:26.

Times were calculated astronomically for Üçağız's coordinates; they're in Turkish time and may differ by ±2 minutes. The exact departure time is in your booking.

What should you know before you go?

A small bag is enough for the day. Rules and facilities vary from boat to boat, so read the boat's page before you book.

• Bring: Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a change of clothes and some cash.
• Kaleköy: If you plan to climb to the castle, bring comfortable shoes and water.
• Snorkel: Bring your own if you have one; the boat's page says whether gear is provided.
• Drinks: Some boats don't allow drinks from outside; the rule is on the boat's page.
• Seasickness: If you're prone to it, choose a larger boat and sit in the middle, where the motion is smallest.
• Route: Stops may change at the captain's discretion, depending on weather and sea.

When can you take a boat trip in Kekova?

Day trips in Kekova run from April to October, and the busiest period is June to September. In July and August the Mediterranean averages 27–28 °C.

Figures are MGM averages for the Mediterranean, 1970–2025; they aren't measured in Kekova.

For the best months for a longer trip, read our guide to the best time for a blue cruise in Turkey.

Sources: Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change (Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area), Wikipedia (Kekova, Kaleköy), Küre Encyclopedia (Kekova Island), Milliyet (Kekova diving regulation, 21 March 2020), Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Simena archaeological site), UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) sea temperature statistics, Turkey Travel Planner (Kaş–Üçağız distance), Ulaşım Transfer (Antalya Airport distance); sunset times by astronomical calculation. Last updated: 22 October 2026 · By Andrea Yachting