Kekova Boat Tour
Book a Kekova boat tour departing daily. Sail over the Sunken City ruins, visit Simena Castle by sea, swim in Aquarium Bay — hotel pickup from Antalya, Side, and Alanya included.
Cultural & Historical Tours in Kekova
Peer through the waves to find the Sunken City’s submerged walls and the ancient Rock Tombs of Teimiussa. We avoid dry facts, instead sharing the captivating Lycian myths that still echo among these coastal ruins.
Boat Trips & Cruises in Kekova
Cruise the vibrant blues of the Mediterranean on a vessel equipped with viewing windows to see history beneath the surface. Our sea journeys focus on finding the quietest corners of Aquarium Bay for a truly peaceful swimming break.
Kekova Boat Tour — Sunken City & Lycian Coast
Kekova is a protected island off the Lycian Coast, 170km west of Antalya. The island is uninhabited and designated a Special Environmental Protection Area — no construction, no hotels, no roads. What lies beneath the water on the north shore is what draws visitors here: the ruins of an ancient Lycian city, partially submerged by a series of earthquakes in the 2nd century AD. You look down from the boat and see walls, staircases, and doorways three to six meters below the surface.
Swimming over the Sunken City is prohibited to protect the ruins, but the boat passes close enough to see the structures clearly through the water. Simena Castle sits on the hillside above the village of Kaleköy, accessible only by boat — there is no road to the village. The castle dates to the medieval period but was built on Lycian foundations. The walk up from the harbour takes 10 minutes and gives views over the entire bay.
Aquarium Bay is the swimming stop on most Kekova boat tours — a sheltered inlet with flat rock beaches and water clear enough to see the bottom at 8 meters. The name comes from the water visibility rather than any facility. The bay has no beach bars or facilities — just the boat, the water, and the canyon walls above.
All Kekova boat tours include hotel pickup from Antalya, Side, Alanya, and surrounding areas. The drive to Üçağız harbour takes 2.5-3 hours from Antalya — tours depart early morning. No upfront payment — you pay in cash on the day.
Planning Your Kekova Trip
- Best time to visit: May through October. Summer is peak season — July and August are busiest. May, June and September offer warm weather with fewer boats on the water. The site is open year-round but winter boat tours are limited.
- Getting there: Kekova is 170km from Antalya — about 2.5 hours by road to Üçağız harbour. All tours include hotel pickup and transport to the harbour. No need to arrange separate transfer.
- Sunken City rules: Swimming directly over the ruins is prohibited by law — heavy fines apply. The boat tour passes the ruins for viewing from above. Snorkeling is permitted in other areas of the bay including Aquarium Bay.
- Simena Castle: The walk up from Kaleköy village takes 10 minutes on a stone path. Entrance fee approximately €3, paid at the gate. The view from the top over Kekova Bay is the best vantage point in the area — worth the climb.
- What to bring: Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, snorkel mask if you have one (provided on most tours). Water shoes useful for rocky entry points. Camera — the underwater ruins and castle views are the highlights.
- Hotel pickup: All tours pick up from Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Side, and Alanya. Due to the long transfer, pickup is early — typically 6:00-7:00 AM. Return to your hotel late afternoon.
Kekova Excursions FAQ
Most of our trips depart from the harbor of Üçağız, the gateway to the sunken ruins. We provide direct hotel transfers to the pier, ensuring you don’t have to worry about the winding coastal roads.
Swimming is strictly protected and prohibited directly over the ruins to preserve history. However, our boats stop at the nearby Aquarium Bay or Tersane Bay, where you can snorkel in the same turquoise waters.
No. You can reserve your spot online without sharing card details. We offer a flexible “Pay on the Day” system, allowing you to settle the payment in cash when you arrive at the boat.
We recommend reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and your snorkeling gear. Don’t forget your camera; the views of Simena Castle and the underwater Lycian sarcophagi are world-famous.
We offer a no-stress cancellation policy. Just message us on WhatsApp 24 hours before the tour. Since no pre-payment was made, there are no fees or refund delays.
The Sunken City is a Lycian settlement that was partially submerged by earthquakes in the 2nd century AD. The ruins — walls, staircases, doorways — lie 3-6 meters below the surface on the north shore of Kekova Island. The boat passes close enough to see the structures clearly through the water. Swimming over the ruins is prohibited by law to protect the site.
Accordion Content
Kekova is 170km west of Antalya — about 2.5 hours by road to Üçağız harbour. All tours include hotel pickup from Antalya, Side, and Alanya, with transport to the harbour included. Due to the transfer distance, departure is early morning — typically 6:00-7:00 AM.
Yes, swimming is permitted in most areas including Aquarium Bay — the main swimming stop on boat tours. Swimming directly over the Sunken City ruins is prohibited by environmental protection law. Snorkeling equipment is provided on most tours.
Simena Castle sits above the village of Kaleköy, accessible only by boat — there is no road to the village. The castle has medieval walls built on Lycian foundations. The walk up from the harbour takes 10 minutes. Entrance costs approximately €3. The view from the top over Kekova Bay is considered one of the best on the Lycian Coast.
Aquarium Bay is a sheltered inlet near Kekova with exceptionally clear water — visibility reaches 8 meters on calm days. It is the main swimming stop on Kekova boat tours. The bay has no facilities or beach bars — flat rock entry points and calm water make it suitable for snorkeling and swimming.
