Kekova looks unreal from the water. This private cruise puts you on a boat all day, with clear-bay swimming and the famous sunken-city scenery—without sharing the experience with strangers.

I really like how the crew builds in real water time, not just quick stops. You get snorkeling equipment, tea/coffee, and snacks, then you choose between swimming breaks at Aquarium Bay or Tersane Bay based on conditions and crowd level.

One thing to plan for: some of the Kekova area is protected, so you won’t land everywhere. You’ll cruise past the historic island zones, and swimming is mainly at the bays where boats can safely anchor.

In practice, you’ll also spend time on land with the dramatic approach to Castle of Simena. The captain and host—Musa and Sevda—come across as warm and organized, which matters when you’re juggling sea time, swimming, and a climb.

Andriake Ancient City → Cayagzi Harbour area

You start and end at the same place in the Cayagzi River area, known in Roman times as Andriake—an old name for Cayagzi Harbour. This spot served as a natural harbour through Roman-Byzantine and Ottoman periods, so even before the boat heads out, you’re in a setting with real maritime roots.

There’s a ticket mention here, but the admission is free. It’s also a nice early leg-stretcher: you’re not rushed into the day, and it helps you get your bearings for what’s coming next.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 6 means a quieter day and more control over timing
• Multiple swimming options (Aquarium Bay or Tersane Bay) help you match your day to the water
• Snorkeling gear included so you can get in the water fast
• Simena Castle stop gives you the classic ruins-and-views feel on land
• Protected Kekova areas are pass-by only, so expectations are part of the value

Private Kekova boat tour: what you’re really buying

This is priced per group (up to 6 people) and typically runs about 7 to 8 hours. The start time is 10:00 am, and you’ll finish back at the same meeting point in Demre/Çayağzı area.

If you’re traveling with a small group, this private setup can feel like a smart trade. Instead of hopping between crowded day boats, you get your own route pacing and your own crew attention—especially useful when you want more time in the water or a less chaotic castle visit.

Language is English, and you’ll get a mobile ticket. That sounds minor, but it reduces hassle at the start—no hunting for paperwork while you’re excited (and sunburn-prone).

One more detail that affects comfort: this experience requires good weather. If the sea gets rough, you can be offered a different date or a full refund, so plan with some flexibility.

Getting to Andriake (Cayagzi Harbour) and setting the mood

Your day begins at Ayla Boat Tours / Kekova Tekne Turu in the Büyükkum–Çayağzı Yolu area near Demre. You’ll board, settle in, and start cruising from the Cayagzi River harbour zone, tied to ancient Andriake.

This is not a stop-and-stroll city tour. It’s more like a strong preface to the day’s real star: Kekova’s coastline and the underwater ruins you see from above.

Because you start and end in the same spot, you don’t get the “bus, transfer, switch boats” fatigue that can wear down the last hour of a long coastal day. That alone makes the whole experience feel smoother.

Cruising Kekova without landing on the island

Kekova is an island off the coast near Kaleköy and Üçağız, close to Demre in Antalya Province. The key expectation here: you won’t stop on the island itself, and you won’t swim there. You’ll cruise past protected historical areas instead.

As you move along the north side, you may see hints of shipwrecks connected to an ancient city named Dolkisthe, destroyed by earthquakes in the 2nd century. That kind of detail is easy to miss on a larger group boat, but on a private cruise it feels like you’re being guided through the coastline like a story.

The coastline also reflects the layers of time: Kekova was developed again in the Byzantine period, but progress didn’t last due to Arab invasions. Even if you never step onto land here, the perspective from the water is what makes it stick.

If your dream photo is the sunken-city look, know that this tour is built around watching—scanning the water for the submerged remains—rather than touching the site.

Sunken City views: turquoise water with a serious backstory

Kekova’s sunken city is famous for that turquoise look, but the draw is the underwater ruins. From the boat, you look over the water and see the remains of a once-flourishing settlement that’s now submerged, with only a few traces still visible above the shoreline.

You should treat this part as “slow looking.” The magic isn’t only in the view—it’s in taking a moment to focus. If you’re the type who loves spotting shapes in the water from a distance, this segment will feel rewarding.

And since this is a private cruise, you’re not stuck in a line of people trying to get to the same side of the boat for the best angle. You can adjust without having to negotiate space.

Aquarium Bay and Tersane Bay: your main swim time

Most of your swimming energy will be spent in the bays where boats can anchor safely. You’ll have a choice between swimming breaks in Aquarium Bay or Tersane Bay, and the total swim break is around 30 minutes for those first water stops.

In peak season, you can expect other boats doing similar tours. The crew’s goal is to find a less crowded spot for you, which matters because it changes how pleasant your time in the water feels.

Aquarium Bay and Tersane Bay both fit well with snorkeling. With snorkeling equipment included, you’re not forced to decide between swimming or gear—this is set up so you can do both if you want.

Practical tip: if you’re sensitive to time in the sun, do your swim earlier rather than later. The day is long, and the coastline is bright.

Castle of Simena: the views come with stairs

After cruising toward Kaleköy by boat, you’ll see the castle walls above the shoreline. The route to the top involves a steep path from the beach, and yes, there’s a chance to grab ice cream if you want a quick break before climbing.

Once you reach the castle, you’ll find royal tombs, with the most concentrated graves in the Necropolis area on the right. You’ll have about 1 hour here.

Admission is not included. You’ll need a museum card for entry (or whatever the standard ticketing system is when you go). If you don’t have one, factor that into your arrival plan so you don’t feel rushed.

This stop is where the day shifts from sea-level wow to land-level perspective. If you like ruins that you can actually walk around, this is a strong add-on that keeps the tour from feeling like only sightseeing from a distance.

Esmeralda Bay: a quick reset between bigger stops

After the castle visit, you’ll go to a smaller bay called Esmeralda Bay for a fresh-up. This is a gentler pacing moment—think rinse-off, relax, and enjoy another swim window.

You’ll have about 1 hour here. It’s a good place to cool down and reset before moving into the more extended bay segments.

Since you’ve been in the sun and salt, having a longer, calmer bay stop helps the day feel enjoyable rather than exhausting.

Burc Bay’s clear water and shell-sand look

Burc Bay is known for very clear water. The sea floor has fine broken-down shells, which can make the water-and-bathymetry look like white sand beneath the surface.

It’s scheduled as a 1-hour stop. If you like snorkeling and want that “see-through” feeling, this is the kind of place that can deliver.

Admission isn’t included for this segment, but you’re not buying a museum experience. You’re paying with your time on the water, so bring your expectations back to simple: clear water, swim, relax.

Gokkaya Bay, Pirates Cave, and a classic swim-and-walk rhythm

Gokkaya is a natural bay where boats stop for a swimming break. You’ll get about 1 hour total here, and after swimming, you’ll visit Pirates Cave.

This part adds a small sense of exploration without turning the day into a hiking tour. It’s the kind of stop that gives you variety: water time, then a land/rocky attraction nearby.

If you’re traveling with mixed ages or energy levels, this pacing can work well. You can spend more time floating in the water and still enjoy the cave visit without committing to long walks.

Karemlik Bay: turtles and a short time window

Near the end of the tour, you’ll reach Karemlik Bay & Beach, opposite where the tour begins. Karemlik is famous for Caretta carettas (loggerhead sea turtles), and you have a chance to swim with them or feed them.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here, so this is not a long turtle session. It’s more like a focused opportunity tied to the bay’s reputation.

Because this is time-limited, bring a ready mindset. If you want your best chance at seeing turtles, you’ll be grateful for that short, dedicated window rather than trying to fit turtle spotting into the earlier parts of the day.

Food, drinks, and what to pack for a smooth day

The tour includes coffee and/or tea plus snacks, and snorkeling equipment. Some reviews also mention lunch being cooked onboard, but since lunch is listed as not included, treat meals as something to confirm with the operator on your day.

What you do know is this: bottled water isn’t listed as included, and alcohol isn’t included. So if you get thirsty easily, bring a water plan. Sunscreen and a hat are also non-negotiable—sun in this region can hit hard.

Pack basics:

• A swimsuit you can wear right away
• A light cover-up for castle and cave time
• Reef-safe sunscreen if you have it (and if you don’t, just bring something you trust)
• Towel if you like one, though you may find boat comfort varies by operator
• Any required museum access item for Simena Castle

You’ll spend hours between boat deck time, swimming breaks, and a climb. If you dress for that rhythm, you’ll feel relaxed instead of constantly adjusting.

Price and value: $361.12 per group up to six

At $361.12 per group (up to 6), the headline price is not small. The value comes from what you get for that group cost: a private boat day, snorkeling gear included, multiple swimming opportunities, and a structured itinerary that balances sea and land.

A good way to think about it is this: you’re paying to buy comfort and time. If you’re a pair, it may feel pricey per person compared with larger group boats. If you’re traveling as a small family or group of friends, it can start to feel very reasonable fast.

Booking pace is also telling. This tour is often reserved about 27 days in advance on average. That suggests people want prime dates for calm seas and good light—two things you’ll definitely care about on a Kekova cruise.

Who this private cruise fits best

I’d point this tour toward you if you want:

• A private day at sea without the stress of crowd positioning
• Snorkeling-ready stops with gear provided
• The full Kekova vibe: sunken-city views plus Simena Castle
• A practical pace that includes several swim windows, not just one

It may not be the best match if you want lots of land hiking or long museum-style time. This is still a boat-focused route with limited land time—especially in the areas where the Kekova island zones are protected and pass-by only.

Should you book this private Kekova boat tour?

If your priority is seeing Kekova from the water and getting meaningful swim time, this private cruise makes a lot of sense. The combination of sunken-city viewing, castle views, and multiple bay options is exactly the kind of day that feels better as a private group than as a crowded scramble.

I’d book it if:

• You’re traveling with up to 6 people and can split the group cost
• You want English-guided clarity for what you’re looking at
• You care about having snorkeling equipment ready from the start
• You’re happy with a watch-and-cruise approach for protected areas

I’d think twice if:

• You’re expecting to swim directly on the Kekova island itself (this tour is pass-by only there)
• You need meals fully included from the package list (lunch is listed as not included)

If you’re flexible with weather days and you plan for the castle admission separately, you should end up with a satisfying, well-paced day on Turkey’s southern coast.

FAQ

How long is the Private Kekova Boat Tour from Demre?

It lasts about 7 to 8 hours.

What is the group size limit?

It’s a private tour for your group, up to 6 people.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Ayla Boat Tours / Kekova Tekne Turu in Demre and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included.

Is Simena Castle admission included?

No, admission for the Castle of Simena is not included.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

It requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.