Kekova feels like a time machine. This private full-day route strings together a Sunken City boat cruise with the Demre and Myra sights most people skip, and it does it with a relaxed pace plus lunch. I especially like the boat time on the water and the chance to see places tied to Lycia and St. Nicholas. One thing to consider is the day runs long, and a few land stops have extra entrance fees plus you cannot swim in the protected ruins zone.

If you want a day that mixes sea views, swimming breaks, and real archaeology, this is a strong fit. You get a private transfer from Antalya, then a boat that drops anchor for swims and village time at Kaleköy (ancient Simena). On the water, the hosts can be very kind, but the captain may not speak English, so a simple phrasebook can help.

Key things to know before you go

• Private boat cruise around Kekova with cruising alongside the submerged ruins
• Multiple swim stops including Aquarium Bay and several bays on the way back
• Protected ruins rule means no swimming in the Sunken City area, only cruising and photos
• Good value if you split the group cost since the private fee works based on group size
• Extra entrance tickets for major sites like Myra Ancient City and St. Nicholas Church
• Long day structure that starts early, runs about 14 hours, and includes land visits in Demre and Myra

Morning transfer from Antalya to Demre harbor

This tour starts early, with pickup around 7:00 am and a morning departure described as beginning near 7:30 am. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters because you are covering ground before you even reach the harbor.

Your first land base is Demre (Kale). The schedule is straightforward: you get transferred to Demre, then head to the harbor where the boat is ready. That simple rhythm is one reason this day works well, you are not stuck with lots of stops before the water part begins.

The Kekova Sunken City cruise, where the best photos happen

Once the boat is underway, your main focus becomes Kekova’s underwater remains. The ancient city of Dolchiste was flooded after an earthquake in the 2nd century, and the ruins you see are a quiet reminder that nature and history often share the same stage.

You do not just pass by. You cruise alongside the submerged areas, which is the practical difference between viewing ruins on land and actually seeing the scale underwater. Since this is a protected area, swimming is not permitted where the ruins are. That’s a drawback if you were hoping for a direct swim with ruins beneath you, but it also keeps the experience calm and photo-friendly.

Bring your camera mindset for the Sunken City stretch. The boat setup is good for getting shots from different angles, especially when you are moving slowly along the coastline. It’s also when your day feels most “Kekova,” because this is the moment that makes people book in the first place.

Aquarium Bay swim break: simple, sunny, and time to cool off

After the protected ruins segment, the plan shifts to fun and comfort: a stop at Aquarium Bay. There’s about 1 hour here for sun and a swim break, with no entrance fee listed for the stop.

This is your practical breathing period in the day. The water in this region is a big part of the appeal, and getting a swim before you go back to land helps you stay comfortable for the rest of the itinerary. If you’re visiting in warmer months, this is the segment you will feel most grateful for.

Kaleköy (ancient Simena): the small village stop you actually use

Next comes a dock time at Kaleköy port for about 1 hour. This is your chance to stretch your legs in the charming village area, and it also ties into the ancient side of the trip, since Kaleköy is linked with ancient Simena.

In the tour flow, you get time for village wandering, plus you can connect it with the surrounding ruins and necropolis area. The schedule keeps it flexible enough that you can choose how much you want to do on foot versus just enjoy the atmosphere.

If you are the type who likes “one good village stop” instead of racing between viewpoints, this portion is a sweet spot. It’s short enough to avoid fatigue, but long enough to feel like you left the boat for a real reason.

Simena Castle and the hillside views: worth the extra effort

The day continues with a viewpoint-style experience tied to Simena Castle and the surrounding area. There is a stop described as a hike up the hillside for views, and the schedule also notes an option to see Simena Castle from below if you prefer.

Expect that one part of this stop is more active than the rest. It is not described as difficult, but you are on a hillside and you’re choosing between looking up close or keeping it easier. Also note the Simena Castle entrance fee is listed as 4 euro, and it is marked as not included.

Even if you skip the ticketed bits, the timing gives you time to soak in the Kekova region’s coastline feel. This is the part where the day stops being only “boat and swim,” and becomes “walk and look.”

Esmeralda, Burç, and Gökkaya bays: the best water breaks

After Kaleköy, you get several water breaks that are grouped by bay name in the itinerary. First is Esmeralda Bay for a lunch and swim break, then Burç Bay, and later Gökkaya Bay.

Here’s the practical logic of these stops:

• Esmeralda Bay is where lunch happens plus you get time to swim and relax.
• Burç Bay is described as having cooler water because of cold underwater natural springs.
• Gökkaya Bay includes swim time, with the note that you can opt into water sports if they are offered.

The time listed for these segments is part of the reason this tour feels balanced. You’re not just doing one swim stop and then rushing back. You get a sequence that makes the day feel less like a “schedule marathon” and more like a slow cruise with real breaks.

If you’re planning what to bring, pack accordingly for multiple swims, because the itinerary repeats the water theme. You’ll also want to be ready for the fact that the boat days can mean sun exposure in bursts.

A naturally formed cave: a quick curiosity stop

Between bays, the route includes a stop for a naturally formed cave described as renowned for its large size and a curved entrance. There is no extra detail on climbing or how long you spend there in the provided flow, but it is clearly part of the coastline sightseeing.

Think of this as the small “wow, look at that” interlude. You’re already surrounded by dramatic coastal scenery, so this is a short change in pace that keeps the boat route from feeling monotonous.

Back to Demre: museum path and Demre harbor time

Once you return toward Demre, you transition from boat to land. The schedule notes that after the boat tour, the boat anchors in Demre port, where the tour continues with a visit to a nearby museum.

The itinerary includes a stop at the Museum of Lycian Civilizations in Demre, described as sitting by walking paths that pass the Andriake ruins. This museum is placed in a path-based way, meaning you are not only seeing inside walls, you are moving through the ancient area approach.

The museum ticket is listed as 4 euro and not included. Timing is short, about 30 minutes, so treat it as a quick orientation to the region’s Lycian setting rather than a deep museum day.

St. Nicholas in Demre: church complex timing and entrance fees

The most famous religious site element in the region centers on St. Nicholas. The itinerary lays it out in steps, with a church museum and then the church itself.

You’ll see a stop described as the Santa Claus Museum in Demre town center and then the St. Nicholas Church. The church is described as a building with roots in 520 A.D., tied to St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century patron saint, and it’s framed for both Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Another note connects Russian Orthodox tradition to the St. Nicholas “Wonderworker” title.

From the practical side, these are not included in the base price. The St. Nicholas Church entrance fee is listed as 17 euro, and the Santa Claus Museum stop is also shown as not included in the provided flow. The times are short, about 15 to 30 minutes per segment depending on which part you choose to focus on.

If you like religion-historical layers, this part makes the day feel more rounded. If you prefer only major archaeology, you might choose to move faster through the church complex and focus on what you can see.

Myra Ancient City and the theatre: the big archaeology hit

Next up is Myra Ancient City, the major archaeological stop in the Demre area. The tour mentions a Greek theatre built in the 1st century BC on a steep mountain slope. It also notes that the theatre was rebuilt after the earthquake of 141 A.D., thanks to donations mentioned from named figures.

You get a short viewing window at Myra Ancient City, and there is also a further stop listed as Demre’s most famous site with ruins dating back to the 5th century B.C. Since both are marked with not included tickets (and Myra entrance fee is listed as 13 euro), you should plan how long you want to linger.

There’s also an extra optional layer described as rock-cut tombs in Myra, including a Roman-style theatre and cliffside tombs above. That is a nice “two-hit” for architecture lovers, because the theatre gives you the stage-and-stones feel, while the tombs are eerie and very photoable.

In a long day like this, Myra is where you decide your priorities. If you want the highest impact archaeology, this is where time is most worth it.

Lunch and the private pace: why “private” can feel less stressful

This tour includes lunch, which helps a lot on a day that runs roughly 14 hours. It also reduces one of the biggest problems with sea-and-land mix days, food hunting.

More importantly, private usually means you spend less time waiting around. You have a vehicle and a boat experience arranged for your group, and the itinerary is described as customizable. That matters when you have different interests, for example, if one person wants more photo time by the Sunken City and someone else wants extra swim time later.

One small clue about the boat experience: the boat name in the experience details is EGEMENiM, and the hosts are described as friendly and kind, with a couple running the day. One review also notes the captain did not speak English, so keep expectations realistic and rely on gestures and a simple plan.

Price and value: what $703.96 per person buys you

The price listed is $703.96 per person, and it’s positioned as a private tour with group discounts and a fee that depends on group size. That means the value equation depends on who you travel with.

Here’s how I’d frame it:

• You’re paying for a private transfer plus private boat time, not just tickets.
• You also get lunch included, which helps you avoid spending time and money figuring out meals on the coast.
• Several big sights on land (Myra, St. Nicholas, the Lycian museum, Simena Castle) have separate entrance fees, so your final cost will rise if you choose all ticketed stops.

If you’re traveling as a pair or small group and you want to do Kekova in a way that feels relaxed, private is often worth it. If you’re a solo traveler who would rather pay less, you may want to compare against shared-boat options, since private pricing can jump.

The main “value risk” is time and preferences. If you do not care about multiple swim breaks or the Sunken City cruise, then the added private cost may not pay off for you.

Best for who, and who should skip this day

This tour is a great match if you want:

• A Kekova Sunken City boat experience plus land archaeology in Demre and Myra
• A day with real swim breaks at multiple bays
• A flexible private format where you can adjust how you spend short viewing windows

It might be less ideal if:

• You get motion sick easily on boats, since you are doing a long sea portion plus cruising
• You hate early starts, because pickup and departure are morning focused
• You only want free sights, since multiple key sites list entrance fees not included

If you’re traveling with kids, the lunch inclusion and the mix of swimming and short stops can work well. Just remember that some parts are limited-time and some parts are ticketed.

Should you book this Kekova, Demre and Myra private day?

I think you should book if you’re aiming for one day that covers a lot of ground without feeling rushed, and you want the Sunken City cruise as a centerpiece. The combination of private boat time, a Demre-to-Myra archaeology arc, and multiple swim breaks is exactly the kind of “one-day sampler” that can still feel substantial.

I’d hesitate if budget is tight, because ticketed attractions add up, and the day runs long. I’d also set your expectations on language if English is important to you. The hosts are described as kind, but the captain may not speak English, so simple communication planning helps.

If your priority is authentic Lycia sites plus Kekova’s water, this private day is a strong choice from Antalya.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It lists a start time of 7:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 14 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes, it is private. Only your group participates.

Do you get pickup from your hotel in Antalya?

Yes, pickup is offered from your hotel in Antalya, then you transfer to Demre.

What is included in the price?

Lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

What entrance fees are not included?

Entrance fees not included include Myra Ancient City (13 euro), St. Nicholas Church (17 euro), Museum of Lycian Civilizations (4 euro), and Simena Castle (4 euro).

Is there swimming during the boat portion?

Yes. There are swim breaks at Aquarium Bay and multiple bays later in the cruise.

Can you swim in the Sunken City ruins area?

No. The Sunken City is in a protected area where swimming is not permitted.

Are there boat and museum visits in the day?

Yes. The day includes a boat ride along Kekova plus land visits in Demre and Myra, including the Lycian Civilizations museum and St. Nicholas Church area.

What happens if weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.