Snorkeling in Kas: Private Yacht to Kekova Island

Anchor in turquoise bays and swim above a city buried since the second century

A 10-hour private sailing yacht trip from Kas visits six stops around Kekova Island: you snorkel in Aquarium Bay above the Sunken City, swim in Yaglica Bay and Sulu Island, see the Lycian ruins at Simena and Kalekoy, and sail past the stony coastline where goat farmers and charcoal makers work the hillsides. The crew handles navigation and anchoring. Lunch and Turkish tea are included.

The Experience

The yacht leaves Kas and heads west toward Kekova Island, the most popular anchorage on the Turkish Riviera for day trips. You spend the morning and afternoon moving between five named bays and islands, with the crew choosing when to drop anchor so you can get in the water. Inonu Bay is the first stop. A tranquil spot where you can swim before the boat moves on to Aquarium Bay, where the snorkeling is the centerpiece of the day. The water is shallow enough to see the seafloor clearly, and the crew knows where the fish congregate.

The Sunken City is the historical anchor of the route. An earthquake destroyed this Lycian settlement in the second century, and it now sits underwater just offshore from Kekova Island. You snorkel above it rather than dive, so the ruins stay visible from the surface. From Simena and Kalekoy, you can see the surrounding islands and the Lycian necropolis: chest-style tombs carved into the mainland cliffs. The crew can take you ashore to walk the tracks if you want to leave the water, or you can stay on the boat and watch the rocky environment from the deck. Yaglica Bay comes next, where you swim again and the crew serves Turkish tea and coffee. The final stop is Sulu Island before the return to Kas.

Lunch and bottled water are provided during the day. The crew speaks English and manages the boat's movement between stops, so you don't navigate or make decisions about the route. You just decide when to swim and when to rest on deck. The trip suits anyone comfortable in the water for several hours across the day, with multiple entry and exit points so you can pace yourself.

What’s included

• Lunch.
• bottled water.
• Turkish tea and coffee.
• English-speaking crew.
• all fuel and local taxes.
• transportation by private sailing yacht for the full 10 hours.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by BoatTripTurkey / Travel & Yachting

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private boat and crew for the day, with the freedom to swim and snorkel at your own pace across multiple stops. The fixed route means you see all the significant landmarks (the Sunken City, the islands, the ruins) without deciding where to go next.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Sunken City, and can I really see it while snorkeling?

The Sunken City is a Lycian settlement destroyed by an earthquake in the second century and now submerged near Kekova Island. You snorkel above it from the surface, so the ruins remain visible underwater without needing to dive.

How many times do I get in the water during the day?

You stop at five different bays and islands where swimming and snorkeling happen: Inonu Bay, Aquarium Bay, Yaglica Bay, Sulu Island, and the waters around Simena and Kalekoy. The crew anchors at each stop and you choose when to enter the water.

Is this trip suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The bays are shallow and calm, and you can stay on the boat at any stop or swim for as long as you're comfortable. Multiple entry and exit points let you control how much time you spend in the water, so the pace is yours to set.

How long is the drive from Kas to the first snorkeling stop?

The trip is 10 hours total from departure to return, spent sailing and anchoring at the five stops. The crew handles all navigation, so you don't need to worry about timing or distances between bays.