From Antalya: Day Trip to Demre, Myra and Kekova Boat Trip

Kekova’s half-submerged ruins are the star of this long day from Antalya. You cruise beside the Sunken City, swim in clear bays, climb toward Simena Castle, and finish among the rock-cut tombs and Roman theater of Myra. It is a big day, but the scenery earns the early start.

I like the mix of seven hours on the water and serious ancient sites, rather than a bus ride made up only of photo stops. I also like the friendly, simple feel of the boat, with lunch, salad, fruit or dessert included. The main drawback is the pace: Kaleköy gets about one hour, and the full day can feel tiring. Also, do not book this expecting a glass-bottom boat or constant archaeological guiding.

Key points at a glance

• Kekova’s Sunken City: Cruise alongside ancient ruins partly hidden beneath the sea, with time for photographs.
• Kaleköy and Simena Castle: Spend about an hour in the small village, then climb for views and visit the castle ruins and necropolis.
• Gökkaya Bay swimming stop: Bring swimwear and a towel for a break in the water, with optional water sports available.
• Myra’s cliff tombs and theater: See Lycian rock-cut tombs and one of the largest Roman theaters in Lycia.
• Early pickup, long return: Collection begins from 6:45 a.m. in Antalya, with the trip lasting about 13 hours.
• Important boat detail: A glass bottom is not guaranteed, and one booking account specifically noted that it was absent.

Why Kekova makes the long day worthwhile

This is not a quick Antalya sightseeing outing. You leave early, spend much of the day moving between coast and ruins, and return after roughly 13 hours. The reward is access to two very different parts of Antalya Province in one outing: the sea-battered remains around Kekova and the ancient Lycian center of Myra near Demre.

Kekova works best from the water. The ruins of the Sunken City are viewed from the boat as you pass along the shoreline. You can take photographs and look down toward structures affected by earthquakes and later changes in sea level, but you should not expect to walk through the submerged ruins or leave the boat for this part.

I like this approach because it preserves the shape of the coast. You see the ruins in relation to the hills, coves and old settlements instead of meeting them as isolated monuments. The trade-off is that the experience depends on what you can see from the boat, so it is more scenic than archaeological in a hands-on way.

The early Antalya pickup and ride to Demre

Pickup points cover a long stretch of Antalya, from Guzeloba Kipa at 6:45 a.m. through Terra City, Laura, Dedeman, Mark Antalya, Gulluk Aydin Kanza Park, the area opposite Falez Hotel, 5M Migros, Turkay Hotel and Liman ATM Park at 7:40 a.m. The exact pickup time depends on your selected meeting point.

After the Antalya stops, the vehicle continues toward Cirali Junction, Olympos Junction, Kumluca and Finike before reaching Demre Harbour. The drive from Antalya to Demre is described as taking under two and a half hours, though the many pickup points mean you should allow for a gradual start rather than a single direct transfer.

I would choose a meeting point carefully and arrive early. Missing a pickup on a day with this many connections would be a serious problem. Comfortable shoes matter too, since Kaleköy involves an uphill walk and Myra has uneven archaeological surfaces.

The transport is practical rather than luxurious. One account described the vehicle as regular and raised concerns about the first driver’s safety, while other feedback praised the punctual organization. That mixed picture is worth keeping in mind: the boat is the main attraction, but the road journey is a necessary part of the package.

Seven hours around Kekova Island

At Demre Harbour, you board the boat for the Kekova route. The seven-hour cruise gives the day its character. You are not simply being ferried to one ruin and back. The plan includes scenic cruising, village time, swimming, a cave, a turtle area and a return to Demre before the Myra visit.

The boat trip received the strongest praise in the available feedback. The boat was described as clean and comfortable, and the captain and his wife prepared a Turkish lunch that was well received. That sort of meal matters on a full-day excursion because you do not need to arrange lunch while moving between remote coastal stops.

Lunch includes a seasonal salad, plus fruit or dessert. Extra food and drinks are not included, so bring money for anything beyond the provided meal. Since the trip includes swimming, you may also want water that you can keep close to you, though the exact onboard drink arrangements are not specified.

A key expectation check: this is not necessarily a guided history lecture. English and Turkish host or greeter support is listed, but one account said there was no guide during the excursion. You may get useful explanations, but I would bring your own basic background on Kekova and Myra if historical detail is central to your decision.

The Sunken City from the water

The boat cruises alongside the remains of Kekova’s Sunken City. This is the moment when the tour feels most distinctive. Instead of another theater or temple on dry land, you are looking at a settlement shaped by natural disaster and the sea.

You will have opportunities to photograph the ruins from the boat. The view changes as you move along the coast, with stone remains, water and hillside appearing together. Keep your camera ready, but also take time to look without it. The route is short enough that a missed angle may not come back.

Do not assume the boat has a glass floor or glass-bottom viewing panel. A booking account specifically noted that the promised glass-bottom feature did not exist. The tour remains worthwhile for the coastal views, but anyone choosing it mainly for underwater viewing should ask the provider for the current boat details before paying.

One hour in Kaleköy and the climb to Simena Castle

The boat stops at Kaleköy for about an hour. This small village, also known as Simena, is the most substantial shore visit on the Kekova section. You can walk through the village, see castle ruins and visit the necropolis, then use any remaining time for a swim.

The best use of the stop is to head uphill first. Simena Castle gives you wide views across the Kekova area, and the climb adds a little effort to an otherwise relaxed boat day. The ruins themselves are not a polished museum complex. Their appeal comes from the position above the water and the way the old settlement blends into the hillside.

A useful route tip is to visit the castle before coming back down, then turn left toward the necropolis. That direction gives you a chance to see more of the ancient remains before returning to the port.

One hour passes quickly. You probably cannot inspect every corner, linger over lunch, swim at length and make the full climb without watching the clock. I would put the castle and necropolis first, then swim only if time remains.

The village is described as authentic and small. That means you should expect a compact settlement, not a large resort area with endless shops and services. Wear shoes with a firm sole, especially if you plan to climb toward the castle.

Gökkaya Bay, Pirates Cave and Karemlik Bay

The stop at Gökkaya Bay shifts the mood from ruins to open water. You can swim, enjoy the setting and, depending on the available arrangements, try one of the water sports offered in the bay. The activity details do not specify which sports are available or whether they cost extra, so ask before taking part.

This is the place to use your towel and swimwear. The day includes more than one chance to get into the water, and the blue sea was one of the most praised parts of the experience. If you prefer to stay dry, the boat stop still gives you a break from the road and a chance to enjoy the coast.

The route also includes Pirates Cave, a naturally formed cave known for its large size and curved entrance. You view it as part of the boat route. The information does not promise that you will go inside, so treat it as a coastal sight rather than a cave excursion.

At Karemlik Bay, the boat may give you a chance to look for sea turtles in their natural setting. The area is associated with five of the eight turtle species known worldwide, according to the activity information. This is wildlife watching, not a guaranteed encounter. Keep your expectations sensible and avoid treating the stop like a formal animal-spotting tour.

These swimming and nature stops are valuable because they break up the ruins. Thirteen hours of ancient sites and road travel would feel heavy. The water gives the day a more relaxed rhythm, though passengers who dislike boat trips or long sun exposure may find the middle of the day tiring.

Returning to Demre for Myra

After the boat returns to Demre Harbour, the land-based history continues at Myra. This is Demre’s best-known archaeological site and the most substantial ancient stop on the trip.

Myra dates back as far as the fifth century B.C. The two major sights are its Roman-style theater and the rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs above. The tombs are the first thing many people notice. Their facades were cut into the rock, creating a dramatic wall of ancient burial architecture above the site.

The theater gives you a different view of Myra. It was built in the Roman style and is described as the largest in Lycia. Look at the scale of the seating and the surviving stone details, then compare its setting with the tombs on the cliff. Together, they show how the city used both the hillside and the valley floor.

The archaeological entrance fee is not included in the tour price. The activity information says skip-the-line access is available, but you still need to budget for the entrance. This is an important cost detail when comparing the $128 price with other Demre and Kekova excursions.

The visit to Myra comes after the boat, not before it. That order works well if you prefer to start with the sea and finish with concentrated ancient remains. It can be less ideal if you are tired after swimming, sun and a long drive. Bring water, wear proper shoes and save enough energy for the final site.

A nearby museum is also included in the continuation of the Demre visit, though the supplied details do not specify the museum’s name or collection. Treat it as an added cultural stop rather than planning around a particular exhibit.

Is $128 a fair price?

At $128 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. It is a full-day package that combines hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation from Antalya to Demre, a seven-hour boat trip, lunch, salad, fruit or dessert, Kaleköy, swimming stops and Myra.

I think the price makes sense if you want to see Kekova but do not want to arrange separate transport, a boat, meals and an ancient-site visit. The logistics are spread across a large area, and doing it independently would require careful timing.

The value drops if you mainly want a short swim or a slow visit to one archaeological site. You are paying for the range of stops and the convenience of a single organized day. You are also paying with time: the early pickup and late return leave little room for a quiet evening in Antalya.

Remember to add the archaeological entrance fee and any extra food, drinks or water sports. The included lunch helps, and the boat was praised for comfort and cleanliness, but the glass-bottom feature should not be assumed.

Who should book this Kekova and Myra trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to the Antalya coast and ancient Lycia in one day. It suits active sightseers who enjoy switching between a boat, a village climb, a swimming cove and an archaeological site.

It is especially appealing if you have limited time in Antalya and want to reach Demre and Kekova without arranging your own transport. The combination of Sunken City views, Simena Castle, turtle habitat and Myra is unusually varied.

I would hesitate if you need a slow pace, detailed guided commentary or generous time at each site. The Kaleköy stop is only about an hour, and the day is long. If continuous historical explanation matters to you, confirm exactly what guiding is provided in English or Turkish before booking.

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear and a towel. Pets are not allowed. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Antalya plans are still changing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is the full Kekova package: Sunken City views, swimming, Simena Castle and Myra without organizing several separate services. The boat portion appears to be the strongest part, with good food, pleasant water stops and a comfortable setting.

Skip it if you want a quiet archaeological day or a guaranteed glass-bottom boat. For most people who can handle an early start and a 13-hour schedule, the mix of sea and ancient ruins gives the $128 price solid value, provided you budget separately for the site entrance fee.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The full experience lasts about 13 hours.

What time does pickup begin?

The earliest listed pickup is 6:45 a.m. at Guzeloba Kipa. Other pickup times run through Antalya until 7:40 a.m. at Liman ATM Park.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with listed meeting points across Antalya.

How long is the boat trip?

The Kekova boat portion lasts seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, a seasonal salad, and fruit or dessert are included.

Are drinks included?

Additional food and drinks are not included.

Is the archaeological entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee for the archaeological site is not included.

What can I see at Myra?

Myra includes a Roman-style theater and rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs. The ancient remains date as far back as the fifth century B.C.

Will I visit Simena Castle?

Yes. The Kaleköy stop gives you time to visit the village, castle ruins and necropolis.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear and a towel.

Is the tour available in English?

English and Turkish host or greeter support is listed. Continuous guiding is not guaranteed, so confirm the guiding arrangements if that is important to you.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.