Snorkeling Kekova Island from Demre: Private boat, sunken city

Swim above a sunken city, then anchor in the clearest bays

A private boat tour from Demre to Kekova Island lasting seven to eight hours, with snorkeling equipment, swimming breaks in multiple bays, and a guided stop at Simena Castle overlooking the underwater remains of an ancient city. The tour includes snacks and hot drinks. Lunch and bottled water are not included. An English-speaking guide leads the route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private Kekova Island Boat Tour

• Start tour at Andriake harbour
• Cruise past Kekova Island
• View sunken city ruins from boat
• Swim break in Aquarium or Tersane Bay
• Visit Simena Castle and royal tombs
• Swim break in Esmeralda Bay
• Swim break in Burc Bay
• Swim break and visit Pirates Cave at Gokkaya Bay
• Swim with Caretta Carettas at Karemlik Bay
• Return to starting harbour

The experience

The boat leaves Demre's Cayagzi Harbour (the same natural anchorage used in Roman and Byzantine times), and heads straight for Kekova Island. You cruise past the north shore where shipwrecks from the ancient city of Dolkisthe sit underwater, destroyed by earthquakes in the second century. The sunken city of Simena is the centerpiece: you'll see the remains from the water, a once-thriving settlement now submerged except for a few structures still visible on land. The boat passes through protected waters where swimming is not permitted near the ruins themselves, but the guide will point out what lies beneath.

The day splits between two kinds of stops. At Simena Castle, you climb a steep path from the beach to explore the fortress walls and the royal tombs scattered across the Necropolis area: a full hour on land with the option to buy ice cream at the base. The castle requires a museum card for entry. Then the boat moves to the swimming bays: Tersane Bay or Aquarium Bay (the guide picks the less crowded one in peak season), Esmeralda Bay for a quick refresh, Burc Bay with its fine white shells, and Gokkaya, where you'll have time to snorkel and explore Pirates Cave. The final stop is Karemlik Bay, opposite where you started, known for Caretta sea turtles. You can swim near them or feed them if they're present.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you'll have multiple chances to use it in the clear water. Snacks and coffee or tea come with the tour. Bring your own lunch and water or plan to purchase them. The boat is private, so you're not sharing the route with other groups, and the guide speaks English throughout the day.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• snacks.
• coffee and tea.
• English-speaking guide.
• private boat.
• one-hour stop at Simena Castle with access to the royal tombs and Necropolis area.
• swimming breaks in Tersane Bay or Aquarium Bay (guide selects the less crowded option), Esmeralda Bay, Buuc Bay and Gokkaya.
• Pirates Cave visit.
• and a final stop at Karemlik Bay where sea turtles may be present.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Kekova Tekne Turu - Kekova Boat Trip

Is this one for you?The seven to eight hour commitment means you'll spend the full morning and early afternoon on the water, leaving the rest of your day free for a late lunch in Demre or a return to your hotel. If you need a shorter outing or have evening plans, a full-day private boat tour is not the fit. If you want to snorkel multiple bays without the logistics of arranging transport and stops yourself, this one holds the day together.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the boat ride from Demre to Kekova Island?

The full tour runs seven to eight hours from start to finish, including all stops, swimming breaks and the visit to Simena Castle. Travel time between bays is built into that window, so you're not spending the whole day in transit.

Can I swim and snorkel at the sunken city of Simena?

You cannot swim directly at the sunken city itself because it is protected land. The boat cruises past so you can see the underwater remains from the water, but your main snorkeling happens at Tersane Bay, Aquarium Bay, Buuc Bay and Gokkaya, where the water is equally clear and the guide chooses the least crowded spot in season.

What's included in the snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling equipment is provided with the tour, so you don't need to bring your own or rent it separately. You'll have it available at every swimming stop.

Do I need to climb Simena Castle, or can I skip it?

Simena Castle is a scheduled stop lasting about an hour, and the guide will take the group there. The path from the beach is steep, but the castle itself is optional. You can rest at the base or explore the royal tombs and Necropolis area at your own pace. Entry requires a museum card.

Will I see sea turtles on this tour?

Karemlik Bay, the final swimming stop, is known for Caretta sea turtles. They are present seasonally, and if they appear, you'll have the chance to swim near them or feed them, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring for food and water?

Snacks and hot drinks (coffee or tea) are included, but lunch is not. Bring your own food or plan to purchase it at one of the stops. Bottled water is also not included, so bring a refillable bottle or buy water along the way.