Kekova Daily Tour: Experience Nature's Best in a Day

Demre Çayağzı sits on the south Lycian coast of Turkey, between Kaş and Antalya — a small fishing port on the mouth of the Demre River, with a working marina that serves as the closest day-charter base to the famous Kekova sunken city. Kekova is a 7-kilometre-long offshore island that runs parallel to the coast; on its north side, the 4th-century BC Lycian city of Dolichiste was partly submerged by a 2nd-century AD earthquake — the visible underwater foundations, staircases, and amphora-storage rooms make it the most-photographed shallow-water archaeological site in Turkey. The mainland behind Demre holds the Church of Saint Nicholas (the 4th-century AD church of the original Bishop Nicholas of Myra, basis of the Father Christmas legend). Demre Çayağzı is 90 minutes from Kaş and 4 hours from Antalya. Season runs April through October.

Explore the mesmerizing secrets of Kekova Island as you embark on a unique adventure through the Sunken City. This ancient city, submerged beneath the crystal-clear waters, was devastated by an earthquake in the 2nd century. The underwater ruins provide an impressive glimpse into the city's storied past.

While swimming is not permitted in this protected area, our boat will glide alongside the ruins, offering you the chance to discover the remnants of history and capture unforgettable photographs. Experience the beauty of the submerged structures and gain insight into the rich heritage of the region. This extraordinary journey allows you to appreciate the underwater wonders and the surrounding historical and natural treasures.

Aquarium Cove sits on the Lycian coast of Turkey, in the Kekova area between Demre and Kaş — a small clear-water cove that takes its informal name from the visibility of the rocky reef seabed (\"akvaryum\" = aquarium). The cove cuts into a steep wooded shore for about 200 metres, with depths of 4-12 metres over a mix of sand patches and rock outcrops. The clarity allows seabed visibility to 18 metres in calm summer conditions, with reef fish and the occasional small grouper visible directly from the surface without a mask. There is no village and no road access. The cove is a standard snorkel and lunch stop on the Kekova–Kaş day-sail circuit. Aquarium Cove is 60 minutes from Demre Çayağzı and 90 minutes from Kaş by sail. Season runs May through October.

Simena Castle (modern Kaleköy, literally \"Castle Village\") sits on a steep hilltop on the mainland Lycian coast opposite the Kekova sunken city. The medieval fortress was built by the Knights of Saint John on the foundations of an earlier Byzantine acropolis, which itself sat on the Hellenistic and Lycian-period Simena city. The fortress walls enclose the smallest surviving Greek theatre in the ancient world — a 4-row, 300-seat amphitheatre cut into the bedrock. The modern village of about 300 people sits below the castle on a steep slope, with no road access; goods and supplies arrive by boat. The shallow waters offshore hold the Lycian sunken ruins (5th-4th century BC) of the lower Simena city, partly submerged by a 2nd-century AD earthquake. Simena is 30 minutes from Demre Çayağzı by sail. Season runs April through October.

Burc Bay sits on the Lycian coast of Turkey, in the Kekova area east of Kaş — a sheltered cove cut into the limestone shore between the larger Kekova channel anchorages and Kaş harbour. The bay cuts about 250 metres inland, with the seabed reaching 6-15 metres over sand and weed and good holding for day stops. The cove offers shelter from the prevailing summer southwesterly wind and is used as a lunch and swim stop on the Kekova–Kaş day-sail circuit. The surrounding hills are wooded with juniper and carob, with no road access. There are no facilities — provisioning is done in Kaş or Demre. Burc Bay is 60 minutes from Kaş and 90 minutes from Demre Çayağzı by sail. Season runs May through October.

Gokkaya Bay sits on the Lycian coast of Turkey, just east of the Kekova channel — a wider open bay with a sand-bottom seabed and depths of 6-15 metres, suitable for safe anchoring in moderate weather. Unlike the deeper Kekova channels, Gokkaya is open to the sea on the south side and so offers less shelter from the open wind, but the wider bay allows multiple yachts to swing at anchor without crowding. The bay holds a single small waterfront restaurant accessible only by boat, with the surrounding pine-covered hills holding no other development. The location is a popular evening anchorage for charters working east along the Lycian coast from the Kekova area, and a standard overnight on the Kaş–Demre route. Gokkaya Bay is 90 minutes from Demre Çayağzı and 90 minutes from Kaş by sail. Season runs May through October.

Korsan Cave (\"Pirate Cave\") sits on the seaward side of Kekova Island, on the Lycian coast of Turkey — a sea cave cut into a limestone cliff at sea level, named for the local tradition that 18th-century pirates hid here from Ottoman patrols. The cave entrance is wide enough at the mouth (about 6 metres) for a tender to enter, with an inner chamber that opens to about 15 metres across. The water inside is calm and clear, with reflected blue light from the sand bottom. The cliff above the cave drops vertically to the sea, with no road access; yachts anchor in 10-18 metres offshore and tender to the cave entrance. The cave is a standard day-stop on Kekova-area charter routes. Korsan Cave is 30 minutes from Simena Castle and 60 minutes from Demre Çayağzı by sail. Season runs May through October.

As we return to our final stop at Demre Port, you'll carry the enchanting memories of Kekova in your heart. Don’t miss the moments where nature and history come together on this unique boat tour; join us to set sail for new adventures!