Private Kekova Sailing Day Tours from Kas Marina

The best part of this Kaş boat trip is the mix of quiet coves and ancient ruins. You are not simply spending a day at sea. You swim in clear bays, glide slowly past the Sunken City of Kekova, step ashore at Simena Castle, and finish with more time in the water before returning to Kaş.

I like the private format, since your group controls the mood and can speak with the skipper about your interests. I also like that a chef is on board, so lunch is prepared while you swim rather than treated as an afterthought. The main drawback is the price: $1,375.67 for up to six people is a serious outlay, and drinks, hotel transfers, and the castle admission are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A full private yacht for up to six: The price makes most sense for a family or group sharing the boat.
• Several swimming stops: You have time at İnönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık Bay near Kaş.
• Kekova from the water: The boat passes the Sunken City slowly while the captain explains the ruins.
• One hour at Simena: You can climb to the castle, stroll through the village, and try handmade ice cream.
• Lunch prepared on board: Lunch, afternoon tea, coffee, and tea are included.
• A long day in the sun: Bring practical beach clothing, sun protection, and cash or a card for extras.

Why this private Kaş sailing day works

This is a good choice if you want the Mediterranean at your own pace. A private boat avoids the fixed feel of a large shared excursion, and your group can spend the day swimming, eating, and sightseeing without strangers beside you.

The route also gives you variety. Some boat trips around Kaş focus almost entirely on swimming. This one adds the Sunken City, Simena Castle, and Lycian tombs near Üçağız, so you get several short history stops without giving up most of the day on the water.

The crew setup matters. A skipper handles the boat while a chef prepares lunch, leaving you free to enjoy the bays. Past sailing trips connected with the operator have included Captain Erdem, with other crew members such as Mohammed, Captain Ufuk, and chef Ezra appearing in accounts of longer cruises. For this specific day, confirm the names of your skipper and chef before departure if that matters to you.

From Kaş Marina to İnönü Bay

Meet at Setur Kaş Marina at 9:30 in the morning. The marina is at Andifli, on Uğur Mumcu Cd., and the tour returns to the same place at about 18:00.

The first stop is İnönü Bay, where the boat anchors for a 30-minute swim. A small sandy beach sits at the left side of the bay, which gives you an option to wade ashore rather than stay on the yacht.

This opening stop is brief, but that is useful. It gets you into the water early and breaks up the first part of the cruise. If you prefer a slow start, you can simply sit on deck and enjoy the setting. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins, though you may prefer personal gear if you have it.

Aquarium Bay and lunch on board

After about an hour of sailing from İnönü Bay, the boat reaches Aquarium Bay. You have roughly an hour here for swimming while lunch is prepared.

This is one of the more practical features of the trip. You are not losing sightseeing time while waiting for a restaurant, and you can eat soon after your swim. Lunch, coffee, tea, and afternoon tea are included, but drinks are not, so ask what water and other beverages are supplied before setting out.

The hour at Aquarium Bay should feel less rushed than the first swim. You can snorkel, float, or stay aboard while the chef works. Food has been a major strength of the operator’s sailing service, with past outings praised for generous presentation and quality. That does not guarantee a particular menu, so tell the crew about allergies or dietary needs before the day begins.

Passing the Sunken City of Kekova

After lunch, the yacht heads toward the Sunken City ruins of Kekova. The boat moves slowly along the ruins while the captain explains what you are seeing.

This is a viewing stop from the water, not a landing among the remains. That distinction matters. You will not get out to walk through the submerged ruins, but the slow passage lets you look from the boat and take photographs without a long stop.

The attraction here is the contrast between the quiet sea and the traces of an ancient settlement along the shore. Keep your expectations measured. This is not a large, fully visible underwater city. It is a coastal archaeological site best understood from the boat, with the captain’s explanation helping give the remains meaning.

One hour at Simena Castle

From the Sunken City, the route continues to Simena Castle. You have about one hour of free time to explore the village, visit the historical castle, and try handmade ice cream.

This is the main land stop of the day, and you should use the hour carefully. The castle admission is not included, and the tour information does not state the ticket price. You may need to divide your time between the climb, views, village lanes, and a snack.

Simena is especially valuable because it gives the day a human scale. After several hours of swimming and sailing, you can walk on solid ground and see the coast from above. The time is limited, though, so do not expect a long archaeological visit. If the castle is your priority, head there first and leave ice cream and village wandering for the remaining minutes.

Lycian tombs near Üçağız

After Simena, the boat passes by the Lycian tombs near Üçağız Village. This is a short sightseeing segment rather than a long shore visit.

The tombs add another historical layer to the route. You have already seen the Sunken City from sea level and Simena from land. The Lycian remains near Üçağız help connect the coastal villages, ruins, and ancient settlements into one broader story.

Since no separate duration is given for this stop, expect to view the tombs as part of the cruise. If ancient sites are important to you, ask the captain to point out the details clearly and explain what you are passing.

Tersane Bay and the return toward Kaş

The third listed swimming break is Tersane Bay, where you spend about 30 minutes in the water. The name is often rendered as Shipyard Bay, and the stop offers another chance to snorkel before the return run.

By this point, the day has a steady rhythm: sail, swim, eat, see ruins, walk ashore, then swim again. That balance is one reason the route works for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the water time, while anyone who wants a quieter break can remain on deck.

After about an hour of sailing from Tersane Bay, the boat reaches Çamlık Bay near Kaş. The schedule allows another 30-minute swim before the final run to the marina. This last stop is useful if you feel the day needs one final swim, but it may also feel optional after several earlier water breaks.

The advertised return is around 18:00. Sea conditions and the route can affect exact timing, so avoid scheduling a tight dinner reservation or onward transport immediately afterward.

What the private price really buys you

The listed price is $1,375.67 per group of up to six. At full capacity, that works out to about $229 per person before any extra drinks or castle admission. For two people, the same total becomes much harder to justify.

You are paying for privacy, a skipper, a chef, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and a full day on the water. You also avoid the compromises of a shared boat, such as a fixed group pace or limited personal space. The value improves sharply when six people share the cost.

I would compare this with the price of several separate activities in Kaş: a boat trip, lunch, transport to the Kekova area, and a visit to Simena. The private yacht remains expensive, but it combines those elements in one day and gives you a more personal setting.

The tour includes all taxes, fees, and handling charges, along with coffee, tea, afternoon tea, lunch, and snorkeling gear. It does not include drinks, hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, or the Simena Castle admission. Those exclusions are easy to manage, but you should budget for them rather than assume the package covers everything.

Comfort, crew, and communication

The boat itself is not fully described in the tour details, but the operator’s sailing service has previously used well-kept yachts, including a 2018 Beneteau Oceanis 48. Do not assume that exact vessel will be used for your date. Confirm the yacht model and onboard facilities if comfort, shade, or sleeping space matters to you.

Past sailing arrangements connected with the operator have been praised for clean boats, good food, careful handling, and quick communication through WhatsApp. That is useful for a private booking because you can discuss preferences before departure rather than trying to explain them at the marina.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Still, the day includes swimming, movement around a boat, and a visit to a castle, so families should consider whether every child is comfortable with those conditions.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied information confirms snorkeling equipment, but it does not confirm towels, lockers, or a shower. Keep valuables to a minimum and ask where personal items should be stored.

Who should book this day on the water

I would choose this tour for a family celebration, a group of friends, or anyone who wants a special day without sharing the boat. It suits people who value good food, open water, and a little ancient history in the same itinerary.

It is also a strong fit for groups with different interests. One person can snorkel while another rests on deck. History lovers get Kekova, Simena, and the Lycian tombs. Children have repeated swimming breaks, though adults remain responsible for supervision.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The flat group price favors six people. I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is a long, detailed archaeological tour, since the historical stops are short and Simena allows only one hour.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 9:30 start are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Kekova sailing tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the six places and want a polished private day combining swimming, lunch, and coastal history. The route covers the best-known sights around Kekova without turning the day into a nonstop history lesson.

I especially like the combination of a chef-prepared lunch and several well-spaced swimming stops. The real value comes from having the yacht to yourself, not from the cheapest possible access to Kekova.

Skip it if the group is small and the price feels uncomfortable, or if you want a long castle visit rather than a broad day at sea. Before paying, confirm the assigned skipper, yacht, menu, drink arrangements, and castle admission. For the right-size group, this is one of the more complete ways to experience the coast around Kaş.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Setur Kaş Marina, Andifli, Uğur Mumcu Cd., 07580 Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the tour begin?

The meeting time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and is scheduled to return to Kaş Marina around 18:00.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, coffee, tea, and afternoon tea are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Are hotel transfers and drinks included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and drinks are also excluded. Simena Castle admission is not included either.