Kekova Kayaking: Sunken City, Sarcophagi & Kaleköy

Paddle among the sarcophagi and swim in the ruins

Kayak through Kekova's ancient Sunken City and Tershane Bay with a professional guide, starting with on-site paddling training and ending with lunch in Ucagiz. The route passes Simena Castle and Lycian sarcophagi, with a 45-minute break in Kaleköy to walk the village and explore the local community. Children from age one are welcome. Guides speak English and Turkish.

The experience

You start with a short training session at the gathering point, learning paddling technique and safety before pushing off toward the Sunken City. The paddle takes you past submerged structures and into Tershane Bay, the only swimmable section, where you can enter the water among the remains of a Byzantine church still visible on the beach. The route continues past more of the Sunken City's underwater relics before heading toward Kaleköy.

Kaleköy is where the pace slows. You paddle among Lycian sarcophagi, stone burial chambers carved centuries ago, then beach the kayak for a 45-minute walk through the village. Simena Castle sits above the water, and the walk gives you time to move through Kaleköy itself, meeting locals and seeing how the village sits within this layered history. The afternoon paddle heads toward Theimussa, where more sarcophagi line the water, before the return to the starting point.

Lunch happens in Ucagiz after you're back on land. The full outing runs about four hours on the water and ashore combined. Kayaking equipment is provided, and the guide handles the route and the stops. You handle the paddle.

What’s included

• Kayaking equipment and paddling training at the start.
• professional guide in English or Turkish.
• lunch in Ucagiz after the return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 to 60 years) · Child (1 to 14 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Turkish

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 4.54

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by YourTourKey

Is this one for you?The four-hour outing involves steady paddling and a 45-minute village walk, so it suits anyone comfortable on the water and moving on foot. The early training means no prior kayaking skill is needed, and children from age one can join.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 14 years).

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.

What's the Sunken City and why can you swim in Tershane Bay?

The Sunken City is a submerged settlement in Kekova that you paddle past and through. Tershane Bay is the only part deep enough and safe enough for swimming, and it's where the ruins of a Byzantine church remain visible on the beach so you can see them from the water.

Do I need kayaking experience to join this activity?

No experience is required. The guide runs a training session on paddling technique and safety at the start before the group heads out on the water.

What happens during the break in Kaleköy?

You beach the kayaks and walk through Kaleköy village for about 45 minutes, passing Simena Castle and Lycian sarcophagi on foot, and interacting with locals who live among these historical sites.

What's included in the price?

Kayaking equipment, the professional guide, the training session, and lunch in Ucagiz are all included. Simena Castle entrance is not.