Sea Kayak Tour Over the Sunken City of Kekova Kas(Small Groups)

The main draw is simple: you paddle across the clear waters around Kekova, where ancient ruins lie below the surface and old stone remains line the shore. I like the small maximum group of 10, which should make it easier to keep pace and hear guide Umit’s explanations. I also like the mix of paddling, swimming, Simena’s old town, and a fresh lunch rather than a day spent only on the water.

The catch is the physical effort. This is a real kayak trip, not a motorboat cruise, and strong sun can make it tiring. The submerged ruins may also be hard to see from the kayak, depending on water and viewing conditions, so book it for the whole coastal experience rather than for a guaranteed close look at every underwater stone.

At a glance

• Paddle above the Sunken City: You pass the Kekova ruins by kayak, with ancient remains visible below or along the shoreline depending on conditions.
• Swim at Tersane Bay: Tersane Koyu adds a welcome break from paddling and a chance to get into the water.
• Visit Simena Castle and old town: The route includes one of the area’s most striking historic stops, reached from the water.
• Keep the group small: A maximum of 10 people makes this more personal than a large boat excursion.
• Expect lunch and transport: Lunch, kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and transportation are included in the listed price of $60.34.
• Allow more than five hours door to door: The kayaking itself is listed at about five hours, but travel from Kaş can make the full outing closer to seven hours.

Why Kekova is best seen from a kayak

Kekova is not just a pretty stretch of Mediterranean coast. It is a place where the water, shoreline, and past are tied together. The Sunken City refers to the remains around Kekova Island, partly submerged after ancient earthquakes. From a kayak, you move slowly enough to notice details that can pass quickly from a larger boat.

That slow pace is the real value here. You can look down into the water, follow the shape of old walls, and study stonework along the coast without the constant engine noise of a boat trip. The experience is active, though, so you will trade some comfort for a closer connection to the setting.

I would not book this expecting a dramatic underwater archaeological site visible in perfect detail. One guest felt no ruins could be seen, while the operator explained that the route did pass the area where they are located. Both points are useful. The ruins are part of the route, but visibility can vary, and a kayak sits low on the water. The day works best when you value the full combination of history, sea, views, and exercise.

Starting in Üçağız

The trip begins at the Kaş meeting point listed for Tatil Sihirbazı Travel, on Bahçe Sokak in Andifli. Transportation is included, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. One past booking included a pickup option, so it is worth confirming the exact arrangement when you book rather than assuming you need to make your own way to Üçağız.

Üçağız is the gateway to the Kekova coast. From here, the route moves away from ordinary beach time and into a more historic corner of the Turkish Mediterranean. The transfer matters because the kayaking does not begin in central Kaş. Your five hours on the water are part of a longer outing, and the total day can approach seven hours once transport is included.

At the start, you receive a sea kayak, paddle, and life jacket. The provided equipment keeps the price sensible, but it does not remove the need for basic skill. If you have kayaked before, you will likely settle in faster. If you have not, listen closely to the instructions and pace yourself from the beginning.

Tersane Bay gives the day a needed pause

Tersane Koyu, or Tersane Bay, is one of the route’s main stops. The bay is used for swimming, and it breaks up the physical work of paddling. This is important because five hours on the water can feel long in the sun, especially if you are trying to keep up with a group.

The water is also part of the history here. The bay is associated with old stone remains and a former shipyard setting, giving the stop more character than a random swim break. You get a chance to cool off, look back at the coast, and enjoy the setting without holding a paddle.

Bring water and protect anything you do not want wet. One useful tip from the trip experience is to use waterproof bags and leave valuables secured in the boat where appropriate. Photos and videos are not included, so your phone or camera needs extra care around the kayak. The guide may take pictures or videos on some departures, but you should not count on that as part of the formal package.

The Sunken City is the headline, with a practical warning

The route passes over the area known as Kekova’s Sunken City. Ancient walls, foundations, and other remains are partly below the water, and the kayak gives you a direct view from the surface. This is the historic heart of the outing, but it is also where expectations need careful handling.

You may see ruins under the water or along the coast, yet the exact view depends on water clarity, light, and your position in the kayak. A low seat gives you a close angle, but it can also make it harder to see submerged details than you might expect from photographs. The tour is not presented as a snorkel or scuba experience, and you should not plan on entering the water to examine the ruins.

The route also has rules and sensitivities around the archaeological area. The best approach is to observe from the kayak and follow the guide’s instructions. Umit has been praised for explaining the area and keeping the group well looked after, which matters here because the historical setting is easier to appreciate when you understand what you are seeing.

Simena Castle adds a real destination

The third major stop is Simena Castle and the old town around it. This gives the trip a change of rhythm after the open-water paddling and the swim at Tersane Bay. Instead of only passing historic sites from a distance, you get time to explore the settlement and see the coast from another angle.

Simena is especially useful for anyone who wants more than a beach outing. The castle and old town make the history feel physical and immediate. You can connect the ruins seen from the kayak with a place where people lived, worked, and defended the coast.

The stop may also include time for shopping and ice cream, according to the experience details shared by past participants. That sounds small, but it can make a long active day feel more relaxed. A cold treat and a little free time are welcome after hours of paddling.

Do not expect an extensive guided land tour based on the information provided. The clear focus remains the sea kayak route, with Simena as a featured stop. You will get the most from it if you are happy with a compact visit rather than a long museum-style explanation.

Lunch is part of the value

Lunch is included, and it is served as part of the day rather than treated as an extra expense. Fresh food at the end of a morning of paddling is one of the strongest practical features of the package. Several comments singled out the meal as delicious and fresh, so it appears to be more than a token sandwich.

That included lunch helps explain the $60.34 price. You are paying for transportation, equipment, a guide, access to a carefully planned route, and a meal, not just kayak rental by the hour. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so budget separately if you want them.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise need to arrange transport from Kaş, find a kayak operator, and plan stops around Kekova alone. It is less compelling if you only want a short swim or a quiet boat ride. This outing asks you to work for the scenery.

How demanding is the paddling?

The operator recommends a moderate fitness level, and I would take that seriously. The route lasts about five hours, with time divided between paddling, stops, swimming, and visits. Even with breaks, you need enough stamina to sit in a kayak and use a paddle for much of the day.

One family with children aged nine and 10 needed a support boat to tow them at times. That does not mean children cannot take part, but it shows that the pace and distance can challenge younger participants. The tour has a maximum of 10 people, yet the group still needs to move together, so you should be comfortable with a shared schedule.

The operator does not describe the outing as motor-assisted. You are booking a paddle trip. If you have basic kayaking experience, that will help with balance, steering, and conserving energy. If you are new to kayaking, you can still consider it, but be honest about your fitness and ask about the expected route before booking.

Heat is another factor. A previous participant found the day hot and tiring. That is not a flaw unique to this company, but it is a real planning issue in southern Turkey. Wear suitable sun protection, carry drinking water, and avoid treating the included lunch as your only food or fluid plan unless the operator confirms what is supplied.

What the small group changes

A group capped at 10 is a strong feature for this kind of outing. Kayaking requires coordination, and a smaller group can make instructions easier to hear. It also gives the guide a better chance to notice if someone is falling behind or needs help with technique.

Guide Umit receives repeated praise for his care, explanations, and service from start to finish. That is particularly useful on a historic route, where a guide can turn a series of old stones into a clearer story. The tone of the experience seems friendly and personal rather than formal.

Still, a small group does not mean a private tour. You will share the pace, stops, and lunch arrangements with other people. If you want complete control over when to stop or how long to swim, a private kayak hire may suit you better, though that is not the product described here.

What to bring and how to prepare

Keep your packing simple. A waterproof bag is the most useful item because your kayak and clothes will be close to the sea throughout the day. Protect phones, wallets, cameras, and other valuables before you launch.

I would also bring:

• Drinking water
• Sun protection
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• A secure way to carry small personal items
• Comfortable clothing suitable for several hours outdoors

The tour supplies the kayak, paddle, and life jacket, so you do not need to arrange those separately. Photos and videos cost extra or are not included, so decide in advance how much you want to document the day. It is easy to spend the whole route worrying about a phone when you should be watching the coast.

Wear something that can handle getting wet. Even careful paddling can send water into the kayak, and swimming is part of the route. You should also keep your schedule flexible after the activity, since transport and stop times can make the outing longer than the five-hour estimate.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this tour if you want to combine history and activity in one half-day-plus outing. It fits people who like being on the water, want more than a standard boat cruise, and are prepared to paddle for several hours.

It is also a good match for visitors who want to see Kekova without organizing transport and stops on their own. The included lunch and equipment keep the planning simple, while the small group gives the day a more personal feel.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a guaranteed, close-up view of underwater ruins. I would also think twice if you dislike heat, have limited fitness, or want a completely relaxed excursion. A support boat may help in some cases, but the basic product remains sea kayaking.

The 96 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 83 ratings point to a strong overall experience, with the same caveats about effort and visibility. The highest praise centers on the scenery, Umit’s guidance, the fresh lunch, and the chance to swim and explore at a comfortable range of stops.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

The price is $60.34 per person, and confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is offered in English, and it accepts a maximum of 10 participants. It is booked, on average, 17 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible if your dates in Kaş are fixed.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The trip also depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If weather or low enrollment cancels the outing, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Kekova kayak tour?

Book it if you want to earn your views. You will paddle through a historic sea route, swim at Tersane Bay, visit Simena Castle, and finish with lunch, all with equipment and transport included. The small group and Umit’s personal guidance add real value.

Skip it if you want a passive boat day or need a certain underwater view of the ruins. For most reasonably fit visitors who enjoy the sea and can handle sun and steady paddling, this is a well-priced way to experience Kekova from the water, not just look at it from a deck.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Tatil Sihirbazı Travel in Andifli, Bahçe Sokak no. 6/d, Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Kaş.

How long does the tour last?

The sea kayaking experience lasts about five hours. Including transportation from Kaş, the full outing may take closer to seven hours.

What places does the route visit?

The route includes Üçağız, Tersane Bay, and Simena Castle and its old town. It also passes the area of Kekova’s Sunken City.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a sea kayak, paddle, and life jacket. Transportation is also included.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.