Antalya: Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip w/ Lunch

Kekova’s half-submerged ruins are the star here. You sail over the remains of ancient Simena, then stop in clear water for swimming and snorkeling before visiting Myra’s Lycian tombs and theater. I especially like the mix of ancient sites and open water, plus the fact that transport, entry to Myra, the boat, and lunch are included.

The tradeoff is the road from Antalya. The trip can begin early, and the drive to Demre may take more than three hours each way. Lunch is basic, so I would bring snacks, water, and sunscreen. Guide Alp has earned praise for being friendly, clear, and honest, which matters on a long day.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova is the main event: Sail over the underwater ruins of Simena, where parts of the ancient settlement can be seen beneath the sea.
• Myra adds serious history: Walk through a Greek amphitheater and view the striking Lycian rock-cut tombs.
• Swimming is built into the day: Pack a swimsuit and expect time for swimming and snorkeling in clear coastal water.
• The road trip is long: Pickups are available from Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Side, and Alanya, but the southern coast is far from many of these resorts.
• Lunch keeps costs down: A meal is included, though it is described as simple rather than a highlight.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: The stop is included, but its entrance fee is not.

Why this full-day trip works

This is a good choice if you want to see several major sights in Antalya Province without arranging separate transport. In one long day, you get ancient Myra, the small town of Demre, a boat ride around Kekova, time in the sea, and the chance to visit the church linked with St. Nicholas.

I like the range. This is not only a ruins tour, and it is not only a beach outing. You move from carved stone tombs to a theater, then from a restaurant to a boat deck and clear coastal water. That change of pace helps the day feel varied, even though the total schedule is demanding.

The tour costs $78 per person. That price has real value if you are staying in Antalya, Belek, Kemer, Side, or Alanya and would otherwise need to organize a long-distance transfer, a guide, entrance fees, lunch, and a boat trip separately. The value is weaker if you mainly want a relaxed day on the water, since a large part of the experience is spent on the road.

The tour lasts about nine to ten hours. Pickup time depends on your location and the date, so check the available start time carefully. From Antalya, the drive can be more than three hours each way, according to the practical experience described by one guest. That makes this a sunrise-to-evening sort of outing, not a casual half-day trip.

Myra’s theater and Lycian tombs

The first major sight is Myra, an ancient town beside the River Myros. The visit focuses on two features: the Greek amphitheater and the Lycian necropolis cut into the rock.

The theater gives you a sense of the town’s public life. You can look across the old seating area and imagine performances taking place here, while your guide explains what you are seeing. A live guide is useful at a site like this because the stones alone do not tell you how the theater fit into the ancient town.

The rock-cut tombs are Myra’s most memorable feature. They are carved into the cliff face above the site, with decorated fronts that resemble houses or small temples. The height and placement make them easy to spot, and they show how the Lycians marked burial places in a very visible way.

You should wear comfortable shoes. The tour includes several historic locations, and even a short walk over uneven ground can become tiring after a long bus ride. Bring water with you, since the day combines outdoor sightseeing, sun, and time on a boat.

Myra was also connected with St. Nicholas, the Christian bishop later associated with the modern figure of Santa Claus. That connection gives the day a second historical thread, linking the ancient Lycian town with the later church at Demre.

Lunch is practical, not a reason to book

Lunch is included before the boat trip to Kekova. This is convenient, especially because the tour runs all day and you do not need to find a restaurant on your own.

Keep your expectations modest. The meal has been described as basic, and one account raised concerns about the restaurant’s cleanliness. I would treat lunch as a useful break rather than a special dining experience. If you are particular about food, bring a few snacks so you have a backup.

The same advice applies to drinks. Drinks are not included, so carry money for them or bring water with you. Sunscreen and water are especially important because the boat portion exposes you to direct sun, and swimming can make you feel thirstier than expected.

The timing of lunch also matters. You visit Myra first, then eat before sailing toward Kekova. That order gives you a chance to see the ruins while you are still fresh, but it also means you should not rely on the included meal if you need an early breakfast or a snack during the morning drive.

Sailing above the sunken city of Kekova

Kekova is the reason many people choose this tour. The boat takes you across the waters around Kekova Island, where parts of the ancient settlement of Simena were submerged after earthquakes and changes in the coastline.

You view the remains from the boat rather than walking through them. Look into the water for traces of walls and other stone structures beneath the surface. The sight is unusual because the ruins are not gathered in one open archaeological field. They appear in relation to the sea, the island, and the boat’s route.

This is a place where the guide adds real value. A live explanation helps you understand which features are ancient remains and how the sunken settlement relates to the surrounding coast. The guides speak English or Russian, and Alp is specifically praised for clear explanations and an honest approach.

The boat ride also gives you a welcome break from the road. After hours in a vehicle and time among ruins, sitting over the water changes the mood completely. You can take in the coast, watch the water below, and enjoy the scenery without having to navigate or arrange a private boat.

The experience is not a scuba expedition. The supplied details describe sailing over the ruins, swimming, and snorkeling in the surrounding waters. If you want an archaeological visit on foot, Myra provides that part of the day. Kekova is best understood as a sea-level view of an ancient settlement.

Swimming and snorkeling in clear water

Time is set aside for swimming and snorkeling around Kekova. The water is described as crystal clear, making this a pleasant contrast to the stonework at Myra and the boat viewing of Simena.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and drinking water. Comfortable shoes are listed as an essential item for the day, but they do not replace water gear. If you plan to spend much time in the sea, pack what you need rather than assuming the boat will provide every item.

The swimming stop is a strong part of the trip for people who want activity mixed with sightseeing. You are not simply looking at the coast from a bus window or walking between ruins. You get a chance to cool off and see the water from within it.

Still, the swim should be viewed as one part of a packed schedule. This is not a dedicated snorkeling cruise with an entire day devoted to the sea. The amount of time in the water may depend on the day’s route and timing, so book this tour for the full combination, not for snorkeling alone.

Teimiussa and the stop in Demre

The itinerary also includes the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This adds another layer to the region’s ancient story and gives you a second look at Lycian burial architecture.

Teimiussa is valuable because it reinforces what you see at Myra. Instead of treating the tombs at Myra as an isolated attraction, you get another place to see how Lycian communities honored their dead. The two sites help you compare different settings along the coast.

The day ends in Kale, the small town also known as Demre. Here, you can visit the church of St. Nicholas. The church entrance is not included, so plan for an additional fee if you want to go inside.

This is an important detail when comparing the tour price. Myra’s entrance fee is included, as is the Demre entrance listed for the tour, but St. Nicholas Church is separate. If the church is a major reason you want to come, check the cost and allow enough time for the visit.

The church makes sense as the final stop because it connects the ancient Lycian setting with the later Christian tradition surrounding St. Nicholas of Myra. Even if you skip the paid entrance, the stop gives you a chance to see the town and understand why Demre is linked with this famous religious figure.

Guides, language, and the pace of the day

A live guide is included, with English and Russian offered. That matters because the tour covers several different sites and historical periods. You will get more from the theater, tombs, necropolis, and sunken ruins if someone explains the details as you go.

Guide Alp is singled out for friendly, clear, and honest guidance. That is useful feedback for a long excursion. A guide who explains the sites well can make the driving time feel more worthwhile, while poor commentary would make the same route feel much longer.

The schedule is active. You have a hotel pickup, a long transfer, a site visit, lunch, a boat ride, swimming and snorkeling, another historical stop, Demre, and the return journey. I would not choose it if you want a slow day with long breaks.

Families should think carefully about the timing. The attractions themselves may appeal to older children, especially the boat ride and swimming, but the early start and long drive from the Antalya area can be hard for young children. The day works best for people who can handle a full schedule without needing much downtime.

What to pack for Myra and Kekova

A little preparation will make this trip far more comfortable:

• Wear comfortable shoes for Myra, Teimiussa, and the other historic stops.
• Bring sunscreen, especially for the boat and swimming periods.
• Carry drinking water because drinks are not included.
• Pack snacks in case the included lunch does not suit you or you need food during the long transfer.
• Bring swimwear and a towel for the water stop.
• Keep some money available for drinks and the separate St. Nicholas Church entrance.

These are simple items, but they matter on a nine to ten-hour day. The tour combines heat, walking, road time, and water activity, so comfort is more important than dressing up for the historical sites.

Cancellation and pickup details

Pickup is included from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer, with the wider tour information also listing Side and Alanya. Confirm your exact hotel and pickup time when booking, since the starting time varies by availability and location.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your schedule is still changing. These terms are useful for a long excursion because weather, family plans, or a change in your coastal base can affect your decision.

The tour offers skip-the-ticket-line access where applicable. That can save some waiting time, though the overall day remains long because of the distance between the resort areas and Demre.

Who should book this Demre and Kekova tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to the region and prefer having transport and a guide arranged for you. It suits anyone who wants to combine ancient sites, Lycian tombs, church history, a boat trip, and swimming in one day.

It is also a sensible choice for a first visit to Antalya Province if you are based in one of the listed resort areas. The $78 price covers enough separate elements to make the package practical: guide, lunch, Myra entry, Demre entry, and the Kekova boat ride.

I would hesitate if you dislike long bus journeys, need a late start, or want a leisurely beach day. From Antalya, the drive can take more than three hours each way, and the included lunch is functional rather than memorable. The tour also asks you to pay separately for St. Nicholas Church.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of sailing above a sunken ancient town appeals to you and you want Myra, Demre, and Kekova handled in one day. The combination is strong, the guide adds useful context, and the included boat trip makes the price reasonable.

Skip it if the road time will outweigh the sights for you. Before booking, check your pickup location, prepare for an early start, bring snacks and water, and decide if you want to pay extra for St. Nicholas Church. For an active day with ancient ruins and clear coastal water, it is a solid choice, but it is not a relaxed outing.

FAQ

How long does the Antalya, Myra, and Kekova tour last?

The tour lasts about nine to ten hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is available from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer. The tour information also lists Side and Alanya, so confirm your exact hotel when booking.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide is available in English and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, but drinks are not. The meal is described as basic, so bringing snacks is a sensible choice.

Is the entrance to St. Nicholas Church included?

No. The church stop is part of the day, but the entrance fee is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, drinking water, snacks, swimwear, and a towel. You may also want money for drinks and the separate St. Nicholas Church entrance.