From Antalya: Private Tour to Kekova Island, Myra and Demre

The best part of this long day is the boat ride through Kekova’s Sunken City, where ancient walls and steps disappear beneath clear Mediterranean water. You see the ruins from the deck because swimming is forbidden in this protected zone, then swim in open bays nearby.

I like the privacy and the range of the day. Your group gets its own vehicle and boat, while the route combines sea time, a village visit, Lycian ruins, and lunch. I also like that you can shape the land portion around Myra, St. Nicholas Church, the Lycian Civilizations Museum, or simply more time by the water.

The main drawback is the 14-hour schedule. Antalya is about two and a half hours from Demre each way, so this is a demanding day with an early start. The captain may not speak English, and the listed price of $703.96 per person deserves a careful check against your group size before booking.

The day’s most useful details

• Kekova’s flooded ruins are viewed from the boat: Swimming is not permitted around the protected Sunken City.
• Kaleköy gives you a real village stop: You have time to walk uphill toward Simena Castle and its necropolis, or swim instead.
• Four bays shape the sea portion: Aquarium Bay, Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay offer several chances to swim.
• The small boat creates a personal setting: The boat called EGEMENİM is described as picturesque, comfortable, and hosted by a kind couple.
• Several major sites cost extra: Myra, St. Nicholas Church, the Lycian Civilizations Museum, and Simena Castle are not included.
• The trip suits a private group best: Families or friends who value control over the pace can make better use of the flexible stops.

Antalya to Demre: a long but worthwhile opening drive

The day begins around 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. with pickup from your Antalya hotel. An air-conditioned vehicle takes you south toward Demre, a drive listed at about two and a half hours.

This transfer is not a minor detail. You spend roughly five hours on the road in total, so the tour makes the most sense if Kekova and the Lycian sites are high on your list. It is less appealing if you want a slow beach day or dislike early starts.

The advantage is efficiency. Instead of arranging a separate hotel transfer, boat booking, and ancient-site visits, you handle the whole route in one day. The private format also means your group does not have to match the pace of a large coach.

Demre harbor and the small-boat setting

At Demre harbor, you board the private boat for the coastal section. This is where the trip changes character. The road journey gives way to open water, rocky coves, old ruins, and swimming stops.

The boat is described as small, comfortable, and somewhat picturesque rather than polished like a luxury yacht. That can be a plus if you prefer a more personal outing. The boat named EGEMENİM is run by a captain and his wife, and the food and hospitality are central parts of the experience.

One practical point deserves attention: the captain does not speak English, according to the information provided. That does not prevent you from enjoying the sea route, but it may limit detailed explanations during the cruise. If you want a lecture-style archaeology tour, ask about language support before paying.

Kekova’s Sunken City from the water

The main sight is the submerged ancient settlement of Dolchiste, often called Kekova’s Sunken City. An earthquake in the second century flooded part of the city, leaving stone walls and other remains beneath the water.

You cruise alongside the ruins instead of swimming over them. The protected status of the area means no swimming is allowed there, but the boat gives you a steady view and a good angle for photographs. Bring a phone or camera that is easy to use on deck, since the boat may not pause for long at every section.

This is one of the trip’s strongest features because it joins archaeology with a moving coastal view. You are not simply walking through an enclosed ruin. You are seeing old masonry at the edge of the sea, with the remains partly visible below the surface.

The experience is also weather-dependent. Calm, clear conditions will make the water and ruins easier to see. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can accept another date or receive a full refund.

Aquarium Bay: your first proper swim

After the archaeological cruise, the boat reaches Aquarium Bay for about an hour. This is a straightforward pleasure stop: sunshine, clear water, and time to swim.

The contrast with the Sunken City works well. The first section asks you to look and take photographs. Aquarium Bay lets you get into the water and relax. If you want a towel, sun protection, and dry clothes for the later land visits, pack them in a waterproof bag.

The itinerary offers several swimming breaks later, so you do not need to treat this as your only chance. Still, an hour can pass quickly once you include anchoring and getting ready. Keep your swimming gear accessible rather than buried under your day bag.

Kaleköy and Simena Castle

The boat stops at Kaleköy, ancient Simena, for about an hour. This small village is one of the more appealing land stops because it combines daily life with castle ruins and a necropolis.

You can walk uphill for views across the Kekova area and toward Simena Castle. The climb is part of the reward, but it may feel demanding after the early start and the morning on the water. The alternative is to stay lower down, admire the castle from below, and use your time for another swim.

Simena Castle has its own entrance fee, listed as 4 euros. That cost is not included, so decide before you arrive if the climb and interior visit matter to you. If you care most about the view, the hillside walk may be the better use of your hour. If you want a closer look at the ruins and necropolis, plan to pay and allow enough time.

Kaleköy is also the point where the private format helps. Your group can choose between walking and swimming without being split from a larger scheduled party.

Lunch and three bays around Kekova

The next section covers Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay, with about two hours assigned to the group of stops. Lunch is included, and this is likely the most relaxed part of the boat ride.

At Esmeralda Bay, you have time for food and a swim in a quieter setting. Burç Bay is known here for cooler water caused by natural underwater springs. That gives the stop a small point of difference, especially after swimming in warmer shallows.

Gökkaya Bay adds another chance to swim and may offer water sports. The available information does not specify which activities operate or what they cost, so ask on the day before assuming anything is included.

A naturally formed cave is also part of the route. It is noted for its size and curved entrance. The cave is a pleasant change from the open bays, though the exact time spent there may depend on the boat schedule and sea conditions.

Lunch is a real value point, particularly because the day is long and food options away from Antalya are not part of the early transfer. The boat hosts are credited with preparing a very good meal, but the menu is not specified. If you have dietary needs, confirm them before departure.

Karemlik Bay and the return to Demre

On the way back toward Demre harbor, the boat passes Karemlik Bay. Three of the seven known sea turtle species in the Mediterranean can be found in the region, and you may have the chance to look for them in their natural setting.

This is an opportunity, not a guarantee. Do not book the tour expecting a certain wildlife sighting. The value is in having time on the coast where turtles may appear, along with another look at the surrounding coves.

The boat returns to Demre after the sea portion. From here, the day can continue to the cultural sites, depending on the pace and the choices made earlier.

Myra’s theatre and rock-cut tombs

Myra is the most important archaeological stop on the land portion. Its ancient Greek theatre dates to the first century BC and was built against a steep mountainside. Large stairways, masonry vaults, and decorative friezes remain visible.

The theatre was rebuilt after an earthquake in AD 141, with support from several local benefactors. That detail helps you read the site as more than a set of old stones. The building was part of a functioning city, and its repair tells you how important public life was in ancient Lycia.

Above the theatre are rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs. These are among the most memorable features at Myra because they are visible as a dramatic band of carved burial spaces above the site. The listed time for Myra is about 30 minutes, though the itinerary also gives separate short periods for the theatre and tombs.

That timing may feel tight. If Myra is a priority, tell the tour team early and avoid spending too much time at optional stops that matter less to you. The entrance fee is 13 euros and is not included.

St. Nicholas Church in Demre

Demre is closely connected with St. Nicholas of Myra, the fourth-century Christian figure associated with the later Santa Claus tradition. The church in town began in AD 520 and was built in his memory.

The site is important to both Catholic and Orthodox Christians. The Russian Orthodox tradition honors St. Nicholas as a wonderworker, so this stop has religious weight as well as archaeological interest.

The attraction may appear under several names, including St. Nicholas Church, the Santa Claus Museum, and the Church of St. Nicholas. They refer to the same general Demre visit in the supplied route. The entrance fee is listed as 17 euros and is extra.

You should choose this stop if religious history, early Christian buildings, or the Santa Claus connection interests you. It is less essential if your main reason for booking is the boat and you would rather spend the available time at Myra.

The Lycian Civilizations Museum and Andriake

The Lycian Civilizations Museum occupies a second-century ancient granary at Andriake. Walking paths from the visitor reception area lead past the Andriake ruins before reaching the museum.

Inside, objects from nearby Lycian cities help explain the wider region. This is a useful addition if you want context for Myra and Kekova rather than isolated stops. The museum gives the ancient sites a broader frame, showing that the area was part of a network of Lycian settlements.

The entrance fee is 4 euros. The museum and Andriake visit are optional, and each is listed at about 30 minutes. That makes the full land itinerary ambitious. You may need to choose between a longer look at Myra, time at the church, and the museum.

How the private format affects value

The quoted price is $703.96 per person, which is a serious amount. The description also says the private boat fee is based on group size and that group discounts may be available, so you should confirm the total price for your exact party rather than treating the per-person figure as the final answer.

The value is strongest for a group that would otherwise need to arrange several separate services. You receive hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, a private boat, lunch, swimming stops, and access to a route that combines Kekova, Demre, Myra, and Kaleköy.

The price is harder to justify for one or two people who mainly want a boat ride. In that case, compare the cost with a shared Kekova cruise and separate transport to Myra. The private option earns its premium through control, privacy, and the ability to adjust the day.

Four entrance fees are extra:

• Myra Ancient City: 13 euros
• St. Nicholas Church: 17 euros
• Museum of Lycian Civilizations: 4 euros
• Simena Castle: 4 euros

If you visit every paid site, add 38 euros per person to the quoted tour price. Lunch and the air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Who should book this 14-hour outing

I would recommend this day to families, couples, and groups of friends who want a private experience and do not mind a long road transfer. It works especially well if you want both sea time and ancient sites, rather than choosing between a boat excursion and an archaeological tour.

It is also a good match for people who value flexibility. You can spend more time swimming, climb toward Simena Castle, or focus on Myra and St. Nicholas Church.

I would be cautious if you have limited time in Antalya, dislike early departures, or want detailed explanations in English throughout the day. The long drive and optional paid stops require some planning. The language issue with the captain is worth confirming before booking.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that period are not accepted, and bad weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal day includes a small private boat, several swims, lunch on the coast, and a serious look at Kekova and Myra. The most valuable feature is not any single stop. It is the combination of protected ruins, quiet bays, Kaleköy, and Lycian sites in one private day.

Skip it if the $703.96 price is for too few people in your group, or if five hours of driving sounds exhausting. Before booking, confirm the final group price, the boat language support, which optional land stops will fit, and whether your priority is the water or the ruins.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is around 7:00 or 7:30 a.m., with hotel pickup in Antalya.

How long is the tour?

The full experience lasts approximately 14 hours, including the drive between Antalya and Demre.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the experience includes a private transfer and private boat tour.

Can I swim near the Sunken City ruins?

No. The Sunken City is in a protected area, so swimming is not permitted there. Swimming is available at other stops, including Aquarium, Esmeralda, Burç, and Gökkaya bays.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Myra, St. Nicholas Church, the Museum of Lycian Civilizations, and Simena Castle have separate entrance fees.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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