Kekova feels like time stopped. This full-day Turkish Riviera tour strings together Myra’s Lycian tombs and a boat ride over the sunken island waters of Kekova.

I especially like the mix of on-land ruins and water time. You get a proper stop in Myra (amphitheater and rock-cut tombs) and then a sailing day where you can swim and snorkel in clear, turquoise conditions.

The main drawback is the day runs long and starts early, especially if you are staying in the Antalya area. One warning to take seriously: the drive can run about three hours each way, so it may not be ideal for kids.

Key Highlights You Should Care About

• Kekova sunken city viewpoint from the boat, with underwater ruins you can actually see from the water
• Swimming and snorkeling time in the waters around Kekova Island
• Myra’s Lycian necropolis and amphitheater, a strong mix of Greek and Lycian period sights
• Teimiussa necropolis visit, adding more Lycian rock-cut tomb context to the day
• St. Nicholas stop in Kale (Demre), with visit time but note the church entry is not included
• Lunch included before you head out on the water, handy even if it is basic

The Big Picture: Demre, Myra, and Kekova in One Long Day

This is one of those Riviera itineraries that covers a lot of territory, but it does it in a logical order. You start on land in the Demre area with Lycian and Greek-era sights, then shift to the boat for Kekova. By the time you circle back to Kale (Demre) for St. Nicholas, you’ve seen the region as more than a beach stop.

For $78 per person, you are not just buying a ride. You are getting a live tour guide, entrance fees for Myra and Demre, lunch, and the boat trip to Kekova’s sunken city area. You still need to budget for drinks, and you should also plan for St. Nicholas Church entry since it is listed as not included.

So the value is strongest if you want structure for the day. If you prefer to wander on your own with zero timing pressure, you might find a guided full-day format a bit tight.

Pickup, Ride Time, and the Early Start Reality

Most departures are set up with hotel pickup. You can get picked up from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer, with pickup explicitly noted for Belek in the tour details. That is a big convenience if you do not want to manage buses and transfers yourself.

Still, here’s the practical issue: this is a 9 to 10 hour day, and it is typically an early start. If you are staying in the Antalya area, expect the drive to be substantial. One clear heads-up from real-world experience is that the Antalya-area drive can run upwards of three hours, with an early departure. That long travel time is the trade for hitting Myra and Kekova in the same day.

What I’d do if I were planning your schedule: pack with the drive in mind. Bring sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and comfortable shoes. The tour itself lists comfortable shoes as your go-to item, and the day gets easier when you are not stuck in stiff footwear on uneven stone.

Myra First: Amphitheater Views and Rock-Cut Tombs

Myra is where this tour earns its cultural points fast. You visit the ancient Greek amphitheater and then move into the Lycian necropolis area with rock-cut tombs.

Why this stop matters: you are not just seeing one monument. You are stepping into a whole burial landscape. The rock-cut tombs help explain how the Lycian world shaped the cliffside geography into architecture. And the amphitheater gives you that big, open-air sense of an old civic center, where public life and ceremony would have happened in full view.

You also get entrance fees to Myra included, so you are not juggling separate tickets for this portion. Plus, the tour offers a guided experience in English or Russian and includes a guide for the day. If your language matters, this is a solid setup since English is available.

A practical note: amphitheaters and tomb areas often mean uneven ground and frequent walking between vantage points. Comfortable shoes are not optional for this one.

Lunch Before the Boat: Simple Fuel for a Sea Day

After the morning sites, you stop for lunch. Lunch is included in the price, and it comes before the sailing part of the day. That is helpful because Kekova involves swimming and snorkeling, meaning you want energy and you do not want to wait until you are already on the water.

Now the balanced part: lunch is described as basic. One experience also flags that the restaurant did not look especially clean. That doesn’t mean the meal will be bad, but it does mean you should manage expectations.

My advice for you:

• If you have specific dietary needs, consider bringing a snack as backup.
• If you snack lightly throughout the day, you’ll probably feel better during the boat time.
• If you get heat-related fatigue easily, plan for hydration since drinks are not included.

Sailing to Kekova: The Sunken City Experience from the Water

Then comes the highlight most people are thinking about: sailing to Kekova and seeing the sunken city ruins. The tour includes a boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova and includes a visit connected to Simena’s underwater ruins.

This is one of those places where the boat ride is not just transportation. From the water, the sunken structures create a very direct visual story. You get to see how the coastline and submerged areas connect, which is hard to capture from land alone.

If you enjoy photos, this is a prime time. But do not treat it like a single photo stop. Think of the boat segment as your chance to connect the idea of a sunken city to the physical layout around the island.

Swim and Snorkel Time in Crystal Clear Water

The tour includes time for you to swim and snorkel around Kekova Island. That’s a major perk because you are not just watching scenery. You are actively using the setting.

A smart way to prepare is to remember this is a full-day schedule. You’ll want sunscreen, and it helps to hydrate before you hit the water. One practical tip from lived experiences: bring sunscreen and water, then consider bringing snacks if you have them.

What you should expect from this part:

• You’ll likely move between boat time and short water sessions.
• Visibility can be excellent in clear conditions, but you still need to be comfortable in the water.
• Comfortable footwear matters less here, but having easy-on items can make transitions smoother.

And since drinks are not included, plan hydration like it matters. A long day plus sun and water is how people get tired fast.

Teimiussa Necropolis: More Lycian Tomb Country

After the boat and water time, you visit the Lycian necropolis at Teimiussa. This stop adds depth to the Lycian theme started in Myra.

Why it works: once you’ve seen rock-cut tomb styles in the Myra area, Teimiussa helps you spot patterns. Even if you do not know the fine details, you can still read the landscape: the way tombs relate to cliffs, the way the sites are chosen for prominence, and how the region shaped burial architecture.

Entrance fees for Demre and Myra are included, so you are paying into the experience rather than managing payments at each turn.

Kale (Demre) and St. Nicholas Church: A Worthwhile Ending

At the end of the day, you return to Kale (Demre) and visit the church of St. Nicholas.

This is a meaningful finish. The St. Nicholas connection ties the itinerary to one of the region’s best-known historical figures, and it gives you a calmer, more grounded final stop after the boat and tomb areas.

Just be sure you understand the catch: St. Nicholas Church is listed under not included. That usually means entry is extra, even if your visit time is part of the tour flow. So budget for it in your day planning.

Then you head back to your hotel by transfer. With a 9 to 10 hour day, that return travel matters. It is nice to have pickup handled for you, especially if you are not driving.

Price and Value: What $78 Really Buys You

Let’s talk value in real terms, not marketing terms.

For $78 per person, you get:

• a live guide (English or Russian)
• lunch (included, basic expectations)
• entrance fees to Myra and Demre
• entrance and guided components tied to the listed sites
• the boat trip to Kekova’s sunken city area

What you do not get:

• drinks during the day
• St. Nicholas Church entry

When this feels like a good deal:

• You want a guided day that handles transport and major logistics.
• You want the boat and snorkeling component without organizing it yourself.
• You like having entrance fees and a plan handled, so you spend your time looking at the places.

When it might feel less ideal:

• You are highly price-sensitive and prefer to DIY.
• You hate early starts and long drives.
• You have a family situation where 9 to 10 hours could feel like a lot.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This itinerary is a strong fit if you want to cover the Turkish Riviera’s highlights in one shot. It suits you if:

• you want Myra’s necropolis and amphitheater with real guiding
• you want Kekova from the water, plus swimming and snorkeling time
• you are okay with a full travel day and not just a half-day beach outing

It is less ideal if:

• you will be traveling with kids and the early start plus long drive sounds exhausting
• you need a lot of flexible time on your own, since it runs as a set schedule

Practical Tips So Your Day Feels Easier

Here are the details that most affect comfort.

Pack for sun and walking:

• comfortable shoes
• sunscreen
• water to stay hydrated (drinks are not included)
• a light snack if you are the type who gets hungry between meals

Plan for lunch expectations:

• lunch is included, but it is basic, so do not assume a restaurant-level meal
• if you care about cleanliness and food quality, bringing backup snacks is a smart safety net

Know what you pay for:

• St. Nicholas Church entry is not included, so keep that in mind for your spending plan

Should You Book This Demre, Myra, and Kekova Boat Trip?

Book it if you want the best of this region packed into one guided day. The combination of Myra’s Lycian tomb landscape, a boat visit to the Kekova sunken city area, and included snorkeling and swimming is hard to beat for convenience.

Skip or reconsider if you know long travel days will drain you. If you are based near Antalya, the drive can be lengthy, and the early start is a real factor. Also, if you cannot handle basic lunch standards, you’ll want to bring snacks.

If your goal is an organized day where the boat and ruins both happen, this tour is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Demre, Myra & Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip?

The tour runs about 9 to 10 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll need to check availability for the exact departure.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in Antalya, Belek, and Kemer, with pickup explicitly noted for Belek.

What’s included in the price?

The included items are a live guide, lunch, entrance fees to Myra, entrance fees to Demre, and the boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova.

Is lunch included, and what should I expect?

Lunch is included and is described as basic. It’s meant to keep you fueled for the boat and water time.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

Do I need tickets for St. Nicholas Church?

St. Nicholas Church is listed under not included. The tour includes a visit to St. Nicholas in Kale (Demre), but you should plan for extra entry costs.

Is the boat trip and snorkeling included?

Yes. You take the boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova and have time to swim and snorkel in the surrounding waters.

What languages are the tours offered in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Russian.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring comfortable shoes. It also helps to come prepared for sun and water since you’ll spend time walking and swimming.