Private Kekova Boat Cruise from Demre Harbour

Kekova is best seen from the water, where the ruins of the Sunken City of Simena slip below the surface beside Turkey’s bright Mediterranean coast. This private cruise keeps the day calm and flexible, with room for only your group of up to six people rather than a boatload of strangers.

I like the quiet swim stops, especially Tersane Bay and Aquarium Bay, and I like that the captain can avoid the biggest boats when choosing where to pause. The catch is that lunch, bottled water, drinks, and admission to Simena Castle are extra, so you need to plan for those costs.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: The quoted $415.57 is for the whole group, not each person.
• Kekova’s sunken ruins by boat: You cruise past the underwater remains rather than walking through them.
• Two swimming stops: Tersane Bay allows about 30 minutes, while Aquarium Bay gets about 15 minutes.
• Simena Castle visit: You can stop at Kalekoy Harbour and visit the castle, but admission is not included.
• Snorkeling gear included: Equipment is provided for the swimming breaks.
• Seven hours on the water: The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. from the Ayla Boat Tours meeting point and returns there.

A private route through Kekova’s clear water

This is a sea day with an archaeological bonus. The main appeal is not a long list of formal attractions. It is the combination of a private boat, open water, underwater ruins, and time to swim without being tied to a large group’s schedule.

You meet at Ayla Boat Tours on Büyükkum, along Çayağzı Yolu in Demre, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting point is listed as the start and end of the activity, so you return to the same place after roughly seven hours. The first listed stop takes only about five minutes and functions as the launch point for the outing.

Because the boat is private, the day suits people who want to sit back and set their own pace within the planned route. You are not joining a shared excursion where every swim, photo, and meal break has to fit a fixed group rhythm. The captain also has room to choose quieter water when possible. That matters in Kekova, where the pleasure comes from being on the sea rather than simply checking off stops.

The setting is especially good for a small family group, a couple who wants privacy, or friends splitting the cost. The boat holds up to six people, and the price becomes much more attractive as you fill the available places. At $415.57 for the group, six people pay about $69.26 each, while two people would pay about $207.79 each, before extra costs.

Cruising past the Sunken City of Simena

The cruise through Kekova Island’s sunken ruins is the central sightseeing moment. You see the remains from the boat during a passage of about 30 minutes, then return to the ruined area later for another short cruise of about 15 minutes.

The important point is that this is a viewing experience from the water. You are not walking among the ruins or entering the water to explore them. The boat lets you look down toward the submerged remains while moving along the coast, so keep your camera ready and listen for the captain’s directions about what you are seeing.

Kekova’s appeal comes from the unusual meeting of archaeology and sea. Ancient remains are not set apart behind a fence here. They appear along a rocky shoreline and below the water, best understood from a boat moving slowly past. The view can be easy to miss if you treat this as only a swimming trip, so I would give the first cruise your full attention.

The second passage through the sunken ruins gives the route a useful return to its main theme. Still, it is brief. If you want a long, detailed archaeological tour, this cruise may feel light on explanation. If you want to combine a memorable coastal view with swimming and a castle stop, the balance works well.

Kalekoy Harbour and the climb to Simena Castle

The boat stops at Kalekoy Harbour for about one hour. This is your chance to go ashore and visit Simena Castle, depending on your request. A separate itinerary entry also gives about an hour for the castle itself, so the practical takeaway is simple: confirm with the captain how much shore time you want and how the stop will be arranged.

Admission to Simena Castle is not included. Bring extra money if you plan to enter, and remember that the main tour price covers the boat rather than every activity on land.

The castle stop changes the pace nicely. After sitting on the boat and swimming, you get time on shore and a higher viewpoint over Kekova. The visit is best for anyone who wants more than a postcard view of the coast. You can also skip or shorten it if your group would rather spend more time in the water, though the supplied details indicate that the castle visit is handled according to your request.

I would not treat the castle as a quick photo stop. The available hour gives you a reasonable block of time, but your total schedule still includes the harbour visit, two swimming breaks, and the underwater ruins. Ask about the exact timing before you leave the boat so you know how much freedom you have ashore.

Tersane Bay gives you the longer swim

Tersane Bay is the first major swimming break, with about 30 minutes in the schedule. That is long enough to make the stop feel like a real part of the day rather than a quick dip between sights.

The water is described as clear and full of fish, and snorkeling equipment is included. I would use this stop for your main swim and save Aquarium Bay for a shorter second look. You can get in, float, snorkel, and dry off without feeling rushed by the next sightseeing point.

The private format helps here. The captain can pick a suitable place away from the largest tourist boats when conditions allow, and your group does not need to wait for dozens of people to climb back aboard. This is one of the strongest reasons to pay more for a private boat instead of choosing the cheapest shared cruise.

There is no promise of a particular water temperature, and the tour depends on good weather. One useful detail from the experience is that swimming was still comfortable in November, but conditions vary. If you are booking late in the season, bring the right attitude: the water may be pleasant, but the weather policy exists for a reason.

Aquarium Bay is a short second water stop

Aquarium Bay allows about 15 minutes for swimming. That is much shorter than the Tersane Bay break, but it gives the day a second chance to get in the water and see a different section of the coast.

You may find this stop best for a quick snorkel or a refreshing swim rather than a long session. Have your gear ready before the boat arrives, since fifteen minutes passes quickly. The included snorkeling equipment keeps you from needing to bring your own, although you should still bring any personal swimming items you prefer.

The stop also gives the captain a chance to vary the day. Instead of spending all your time at one bay, you get two separate water breaks, along with the harbour and ruins. That variety is valuable on a seven-hour outing, especially if different members of your group want different amounts of swimming.

What the private price really buys you

At $415.57 per group of up to six, this is not the cheapest way to see Kekova. It can be good value if you have five or six people sharing the cost, but it becomes expensive for a solo visitor or a pair.

What you are paying for is control. Your group gets the boat to itself, the captain’s attention, a route that includes both sightseeing and swimming, and some ability to request the Simena Castle stop. You also avoid the crowded feeling that can come with a large boat excursion.

The price does not include lunch, bottled water, or other drinks. That is an important practical detail. You need to budget for food and beverages separately, and you should not assume that refreshments are waiting on board. Castle admission is also extra.

For a group of six, the cost compares well with the privacy and space provided. For two people, I would book only if avoiding shared boats matters a great deal to you. If the lowest price is your main goal, a private cruise is probably not the right fit.

Timing, comfort, and the small practical details

The boat departs at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about seven hours. That gives you most of the day on the coast without requiring an early morning start. The activity ends back at the same Ayla Boat Tours meeting point in Demre.

A mobile ticket makes arrival simple, and confirmation is provided when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, although the supplied details do not specify the exact transport connections or journey times. You should check your own route to Büyükkum before the morning of the cruise.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is private, meaning only your group joins the activity. That does not mean every part of the trip is fully customized, so I would confirm your interest in the castle stop and any preferences about swimming when you meet the captain.

Bring practical sea-day basics, including swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. Since drinks and lunch are not included, arrange those before departure unless you have confirmed another option. A phone with a mobile ticket is useful, but keep it protected around the water.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. If your plans are uncertain, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation or change made less than 24 hours ahead is not refunded or accepted.

Who will enjoy this Kekova cruise most

I would recommend this for a small group that values space, quiet, and a flexible feel. Six friends or family members can make the price sensible, while couples may appreciate the privacy enough to accept the higher per-person cost.

It is also a strong match for anyone who wants several kinds of activity in one day. You get an archaeological view from the water, a shore visit to Simena Castle, two swimming breaks, and a full coastal cruise. You are not stuck choosing between a sightseeing boat and a swim boat.

This may not suit you if you want a detailed guided history lesson, an included meal, or a long walk through ancient ruins. The submerged city is viewed from the boat, the castle costs extra, and the schedule divides the day among several stops.

I would also think carefully if you dislike sea-based plans that depend on weather. The operator can change the date or refund you when poor weather cancels the outing, but that does not remove the need to keep some flexibility in your itinerary.

Should you book the private Kekova boat cruise?

Book it if you have a group of up to six and want Kekova without the noise and crowding of a large boat. The best parts are the private setting, the clear swimming water, the captain’s ability to seek quieter spots, and the chance to combine Simena Castle with the sunken ruins.

Before paying, make sure you are comfortable with the extras. Lunch, bottled water, drinks, and castle admission are not included. Ask how the Kalekoy and castle timing will work, then bring enough food and water for a full seven-hour outing.

For a full group, the price is reasonable for a private day on the Mediterranean. For two people, it is a special splurge rather than a bargain. If that tradeoff suits you, this cruise offers a relaxed and memorable way to see Kekova from the water.

FAQ

Where does the Kekova boat cruise start?

It starts at Ayla Boat Tours, Büyükkum, Çayağzı Yolu, 07570 Demre, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point where the boat departs.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of six people.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Are bottled water and drinks included?

No. Bottled water and drinks cost extra.

Is admission to Simena Castle included?

No. Admission to Simena Castle is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded.