Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer

The most striking part of this day is the boat ride over Kekova’s sunken city, where earthquake-damaged walls and other remains sit below clear water. You also get two very different historical stops: the rock-cut Lycian tombs at Myra and St. Nicholas Church, tied to the man who inspired Father Christmas.

I like the way this trip combines a sea outing with major ancient sites, rather than giving you a full day of ruins. I also like the practical value: hotel pickup, lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle, and the Kekova boat ride are included in the $50 price. The main drawback is the long day and the extra entrance fees, with St. Nicholas Church listed at $18 and Myra at 300 TL.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova comes first: Pickup from Kemer is scheduled between 7:30 and 8:30 am, with the boat leaving around 10:00 am.
• The sunken city is viewed from the water: The boat passes over earthquake-damaged remains near Kekova Island, with time described for swimming in the sea.
• Myra’s tombs are the visual highlight: The Lycian necropolis dates to the 4th century BC and includes impressive rock-cut facades.
• St. Nicholas Church costs extra: The listed entrance fee is $18, so add it to the advertised price.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: You receive a meal during the day, but breakfast and beverages are your responsibility.
• Expect a group of up to 45 people: This is a shared coach and boat excursion, not a private sightseeing day.

Why this Kemer day trip works so well

Kemer is a useful base for reaching the ancient Lycian coast, but the best sights are spread out. This tour solves that problem in one long day, taking you by road to Demre and then combining a boat trip with two important historical sites.

You leave early, with hotel pickup scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 am. The exact pickup time depends on your hotel, so keep your morning flexible and be ready before the beginning of that window. The return to Kemer is expected around 7:00 pm, making this a full 7 to 10-hour outing.

I like this format because it gives you several kinds of scenery in one day. You get the road journey through the region, a stretch at sea, a church linked to Saint Nicholas, and the remains of Myra. You will not get a slow, scholarly visit to every site, but you will see the main attractions without arranging several separate transfers.

The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters on a long road day. The group can reach 45 people, so expect a shared excursion with a fixed schedule. That keeps the price down, but it can also mean less flexibility if you want to linger at one tomb or spend extra time by the water.

Kekova by boat, with ruins below the surface

The first main stop is Kekova Island. According to the historical account given for the site, the island was once connected to the mainland and formed part of a larger settlement. Severe earthquakes damaged the city, leaving sections beneath the sea and separating the island from the mainland.

The boat ride is scheduled to begin at about 10:00 am in Demre. The description gives the ride a duration of roughly two hours, although the stop is also listed as four hours, so you should allow several hours for the full boat portion, including boarding and time around the coast.

The key point is that you see the sunken remains from the boat rather than walking through them. Clear water can reveal parts of the old settlement below the surface. The view is best understood as a coastal archaeology experience: you are looking down at traces of a damaged city while moving past the island and surrounding waters.

The program also includes time to swim in the turquoise sea. The water is described as a former haunt of pirates, which adds a touch of old seafaring romance to the stop. Still, swimming depends on the day’s schedule and conditions, so bring a swimsuit if you want to use that opportunity.

This section is likely to be the most relaxed part of the excursion. After the early pickup and road journey, a boat gives you room to look around rather than follow a guide through one narrow path. I would keep your camera ready, but remember that underwater remains can be hard to see if the water is not perfectly clear.

The boat trip is included in the $50 price, which helps the overall value. A dedicated boat ride to Kekova could otherwise require separate planning and transport. Here, it is built into a day that also covers Myra and St. Nicholas Church.

St. Nicholas Church and the story behind Santa Claus

After the boat portion, the tour takes you to the Church of St. Nicholas. The church is dedicated to the saintly figure who became the model for Father Christmas, making this more than a standard ancient building visit.

The stop is planned for about one hour. That is enough for a focused visit, but not a leisurely study of every detail. If you enjoy religious history, early Christian sites, or the development of the Saint Nicholas story, this stop gives the day a different tone from the pagan Lycian remains at Myra.

Admission is not included. The listed price is $18, a significant extra beside a $50 tour, so check the current local fee and carry enough money. The tour information also lists the Myra entrance separately at 300 TL, meaning the advertised price does not cover every major site on the schedule.

The order of the day places St. Nicholas Church before Myra Ancient City. That sequence works well thematically, since you first see the church connected with Saint Nicholas and then move to the older Lycian remains nearby. The church and Myra are not far apart, reducing the amount of extra road time between the two sites.

The guide is expected to provide information at the historical stops. One positive aspect of the experience is the chance to hear context rather than simply walk around with no explanation. The quality of a shared tour can depend on the guide assigned that day, and no guide name is provided in the booking details, so you should not book expecting a particular person or language unless that is confirmed separately.

Myra’s rock-cut tombs and ancient theater

Myra Ancient City is the strongest reason to take this trip if ancient Anatolian history interests you. The name is explained as meaning Land of the Sun, and the site preserves a Lycian necropolis with tombs dating to the 4th century BC.

The most memorable sight is the row of rock-cut tombs. Lycian tombs were carved into cliff faces, often with facades shaped to resemble houses or other structures. Their position high on the rock makes them easy to spot and gives the site a distinctive appearance, even if you have visited other Greco-Roman ruins in Turkey.

You also see the ancient amphitheater. The theater adds a sense of scale to the visit and helps you picture Myra as a functioning city, not just a collection of tombs. The supplied schedule allows about two hours at the ancient city, with the guide giving information followed by free time.

That balance suits most people. You receive an explanation of what you are seeing, then have room to look at the tombs, theater, and remaining ruins at your own pace. Two hours is useful, though it may feel short if you want detailed photographs or prefer to read every sign.

The tour places lunch after the church and before Myra. The meal is included, with a break of about 45 minutes at a local restaurant. Drinks are not included, and breakfast is also excluded, so I would eat something before pickup or bring a simple morning snack.

The free time at Myra is an important detail. A tightly managed group tour can make ancient sites feel rushed, but this arrangement gives you some control once the guide has provided the basic explanation. Keep track of the meeting time, since the coach still has to return to Kemer.

What the $50 price really covers

At $50 per person, this is a strong value if you want to visit all three headline attractions in one day. The price includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and the Kekova boat trip. Those inclusions remove several pieces of planning that can be awkward when the sights are far apart.

You should treat $50 as the starting price, not the final cost. St. Nicholas Church is listed at $18, and Myra is listed as an optional 300 TL entrance. Drinks, breakfast, and any other personal purchases are extra.

The entrance fees can change, so verify the current amounts at booking or before departure. Even with the added fees, the tour can still make financial sense for you if you value convenience and want a guide. If you already have private transport and plan to visit only one site, the shared excursion may be less appealing.

Lunch is a welcome inclusion on a long day. You do not need to search for a restaurant between sites, and the 45-minute meal break gives you a chance to rest. Since drinks are not included, carry Turkish lira or another accepted payment method for beverages, though the exact payment arrangements are not specified.

The group limit is 45 people. That is large enough to keep the price accessible but large enough that boarding, head counts, and movement between sites may take time. If you prefer quiet visits, private timing, or a guide focused only on your interests, this is not the right format.

Timing, comfort, and possible weak points

The day begins early and ends around 7:00 pm. You spend much of it moving between Kemer, Demre, the coast, and the archaeological sites, so this is best treated as a full excursion rather than a casual half-day outing.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a practical advantage, especially during warmer months. You should still expect a mix of coach travel, walking around ruins, and time in the sun. Comfortable shoes and sun protection are sensible choices, based on the amount of time spent at Myra and around the boat.

The program requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The excursion also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

There has been at least one reported problem with a German-language departure being canceled on short notice, followed by a change to the next day. That makes one practical point clear: if language service matters to you, confirm it before you rely on this tour, and avoid placing an important connection immediately after the excursion.

The general feedback is mixed but useful. One account describes the operation as unprofessional after a late change, while a five-star account praises the impressive rock tombs, the boat trip, and the information provided by the guide. In plain terms, the sights are the dependable part of the day; the exact organization and guide experience may vary.

Who should book this excursion

I would recommend this tour to you if you are staying in Kemer and want to see the main Demre and Kekova sights without renting a car or arranging several transfers. It is especially suitable if you like mixing history with time on the water.

Families can consider it because pickup, transport, lunch, and the boat ride are arranged in one package. However, the long day, early start, walking around ancient ruins, and possible group delays may be tiring for very young children. Infant seats are available on request for $15, which should be arranged in advance.

History fans will appreciate Myra and the Lycian tombs most. People drawn to the Saint Nicholas story will want to budget for the church entrance fee. Anyone mainly interested in swimming should remember that the boat trip is centered on Kekova and its ruins, with swimming described as part of the program but not as the whole purpose of the day.

You should think twice if you need a private guide, a guaranteed language-specific departure, or a slow visit at each site. The group can reach 45 people, and the timing leaves limited room for personal changes.

Should you book the Myra and Kekova tour?

Book it if you want a good amount of sightseeing for $50 and are happy with a long shared day. The combination is hard to beat: Kekova from the water, the Saint Nicholas connection, and Myra’s remarkable Lycian tombs, with transport and lunch handled for you.

Before paying, confirm the language of the guide, the current entrance fees, pickup time, and the exact boat duration. Also budget for the $18 church admission, the 300 TL Myra fee, drinks, and breakfast.

I would choose this trip for convenience, variety, and access to major sites that are difficult to link together independently from Kemer. I would skip it only if you dislike early starts, large groups, or extra payments at the entrances.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts with pickup from hotels in Kemer. The stated pickup window is between 7:30 and 8:30 am.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 10 hours. You are expected to return to Kemer at around 7:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour begins with collection from your hotel in Kemer.

Is the Kekova boat trip included in the price?

Yes. The boat trip to Kekova’s sunken city is included, along with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and lunch.

How long is the Kekova boat trip?

The boat ride is described as lasting approximately two hours. The Kekova stop is also listed as four hours, so allow extra time for boarding and the wider boat portion of the visit.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with a break of about 45 minutes at a local restaurant. Drinks and breakfast are not included.

Are the entrance fees included?

No. St. Nicholas Church has a listed entrance fee of $18. Myra Ancient City is listed as an optional 300 TL ticket.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity can have a maximum of 45 participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.