Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer

Kekova is the star here: from a boat, you look down through clear water at the remains of a city damaged by earthquakes and partly lost to the sea. That unusual mix of archaeology and open water gives this day more variety than a standard ruin visit. The two-hour cruise and the chance to swim are the parts I like most, followed by Myra’s dramatic rock-cut tombs.

I also like that lunch and air-conditioned transport are included, which matters on a long day from Kemer. The main catch is the early start and the extra admission fees: St. Nicholas Church costs $18, while Myra is an optional 300 Turkish lira. The schedule can also feel rushed if transport runs late or the group is large.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova’s sunken ruins are viewed from the boat, not explored on foot.
• A swim stop is included, so bring swimwear, a towel, and sun protection.
• Myra’s Lycian tombs date to the 4th century BC and are the day’s most striking land-based sight.
• Lunch, the boat trip, and air-conditioned transport are included, but entrance tickets and drinks are not.
• Hotel pickup begins around 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., with a return to Kemer at about 7 p.m.
• The group may reach 45 people, so expect a shared coach and a less personal touring style.

Why Kekova makes this day special

Many historical tours ask you to walk from one stone site to the next. This one gives you a change of pace. You ride across the sea toward Kekova Island and view the remains of the so-called Sunken City from the water.

Kekova was once connected to the mainland, according to the tour’s historical account. A series of severe earthquakes damaged the settlement, and part of it became an island. From the boat, you may see submerged walls and other traces below the surface. The water is clear enough in suitable conditions to make the ruined city feel close, even though you cannot walk through it.

That is the key point to understand before you book: this is a viewing experience from a boat, not an underwater archaeological visit. You will not be getting off to inspect every ruin. The pleasure comes from seeing ancient remains beneath the sea while moving through a beautiful coastal setting.

The cruise is scheduled to begin at about 10 a.m. and lasts roughly two hours. The stop is listed as four hours in the overall schedule, which likely allows time for arrival, boarding, and the broader Kekova portion of the day. Exact timing can shift, so do not plan an important evening activity immediately after your expected 7 p.m. return to Kemer.

The Kekova boat trip and swim stop

The boat ride is the most relaxed part of the day. After the early pickup and road journey to Demre, you get a seat on the boat and a chance to see the coast from a different angle.

The water around Kekova is described as turquoise, and swimming is part of the experience. You will want to pack swimwear even if you think you are booking mainly for archaeology. A towel, hat, sunscreen, and a secure bag for your phone are sensible additions, since the boat stop combines sightseeing with time in the water.

The swimming area is presented as a former haunt of pirates, which adds a bit of character to the setting. The useful thing here is not the pirate story alone, but the contrast it creates. You are looking at a coast tied to ancient settlements, earthquakes, seafaring, and local legends, then using the same water for a pleasant swim.

Boat conditions depend on the weather. This activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking your usual precautions before boarding. The provided information does not specify the boat’s facilities or seating arrangements, so it is wise to keep your expectations simple: this is a shared sightseeing cruise, not a private yacht outing.

St. Nicholas Church in Demre

After the boat trip, the tour visits the Church of St. Nicholas. The church is associated with the saintly man who became the model for Father Christmas, making this stop appealing even if you are not normally drawn to Byzantine religious sites.

The church gives the day a different historical layer. Kekova and Myra connect you with Lycia and the ancient Mediterranean world. St. Nicholas adds the later Christian story and the memory of a figure whose reputation traveled far beyond southern Turkey.

You should budget about an hour here. The entrance ticket is not included and is listed at $18. That extra charge is important when comparing the tour price, since the advertised $50 does not cover every major admission.

The church is close to Myra, so there is no need to treat this as a separate long transfer. Your guide is expected to provide information at the historic sites. One positive account specifically praised the guide’s explanations of the sights, but guide names are not provided, and the language arrangement may vary. If you require a German-speaking guide, confirm this before booking. A German-guided departure was reportedly canceled at short notice on one occasion, with notice sent the evening before.

Myra and the Lycian rock-cut tombs

Myra is the most visually powerful land stop. Its name is explained as meaning Land of the Sun, and the ruins include a large Lycian necropolis, or cemetery, with tombs cut into the rock.

The tombs date to the 4th century BC. Their position on the cliff face makes them easy to appreciate even during a fairly short visit. You can see how important the dead were in Lycian society by the care given to the tomb fronts and their prominent placement above the ancient city.

You also view the ancient amphitheater. Together, the theater and the tombs give you two useful views of Myra: one shows public life, and the other shows burial customs and social status. The site is not just a collection of broken walls. Its strongest features are large, visible, and easy to understand without needing hours of archaeological study.

The planned visit lasts about two hours. The guide provides background, followed by free time. That arrangement suits you if you want a basic explanation and then prefer to take photographs at your own pace. It may feel brief if you want to inspect every carved detail or read everything at the site.

The main drawback is the optional entrance fee, listed as 300 TL. Because the price can change, check the current amount before departure. The word optional also matters: you should clarify whether you can skip the site or if the fee is simply payable separately. In practical terms, Myra is a major reason to take the tour, so most people interested in Lycian archaeology will likely want to include it.

Lunch and the long road from Kemer

Lunch is included after the St. Nicholas Church visit, with about 45 minutes set aside for the meal. That is enough for a practical break, but it is not a long restaurant experience. You should think of lunch as fuel for a full day rather than a major culinary stop.

Drinks are not included, so bring money for water or other beverages. Breakfast is also not provided. Since pickup begins between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., arrange your own breakfast before departure or carry something with you.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a real benefit. This is a long excursion, with a morning pickup, the journey to Demre, several stops, and a return to Kemer around 7 p.m. Air conditioning makes the road portions more manageable, particularly during warm weather.

A maximum of 45 people may join the tour. That is a fairly large group, and it affects the pace. You may need to wait while people board the boat, gather after free time, or return to the vehicle. In exchange, a shared group keeps the price low. If you want a quiet vehicle, flexible stops, or long conversations with your guide, a private tour would be a better fit, though this experience is clearly aimed at a budget-conscious shared outing.

What the $50 price really covers

At $50 per person, the tour offers a useful bundle for a long day: hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and the Kekova boat trip. Those inclusions cover several costs that can add up if arranged separately.

The price does not cover the $18 St. Nicholas Church admission, the optional 300 TL Myra ticket, or drinks. Infant seats can be requested for an additional $15. You should add the entrance fees to the headline price when setting your budget.

The value is strongest if you want to see all three main places in one day and do not want to arrange transport between Kemer and Demre. The road distance and the coastal boat logistics would take planning on your own. The tradeoff is control. You pay less, but you accept a fixed route, an early start, a large possible group, and limited free time.

I would not choose this tour solely for a slow archaeological study. I would choose it because it combines sunken ruins, a swim, a church, Lycian tombs, and lunch in one organized day. That range is the reason the price makes sense.

The guide and the group experience

Your guide is meant to explain the historical sites and give you free time at Myra. One available account praised the guide’s explanations, which is encouraging because the quality of interpretation matters at both Myra and St. Nicholas Church.

At the same time, you should not assume that every departure has the same guide or language service. No guide name is supplied, and one German-language booking was canceled the evening before departure, at 7:23 p.m., with the booking moved to another day. If language is important to you, ask for confirmation rather than relying on the original selection.

A group of up to 45 people changes the feel of the day. You will have a social, organized outing rather than a quiet private visit. Keep close to the meeting instructions, return promptly after free time, and listen for announcements around the boat and coach.

The tour is described as suitable for most people. Infant seats are available on request for $15. No detailed mobility information is provided, so anyone who needs specific assistance should confirm the arrangements before paying.

Who will enjoy this tour most

You are likely to enjoy this day if you want to see several major sights without renting a car or arranging separate transfers. It suits first-time visitors to the Demre and Kekova area, families who like mixing history with swimming, and anyone who wants a full day away from Kemer.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy ancient sites but do not want an entire day spent among ruins. The boat ride breaks up the archaeology, while the swim gives you a physical change from walking and sightseeing.

You may want another option if you dislike early starts, long coach days, or group schedules. The tour begins in the morning and returns around 7 p.m., so it takes most of the day. It is not ideal for someone who wants to linger at Myra, photograph every tomb, or explore the coast independently.

Pack light but practical: swimwear, towel, water money, sun protection, comfortable shoes, and a phone or camera. Because breakfast is not included, do not leave your first meal to chance.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when booking, and pickup is offered from Kemer. The stated start time is 7:30 a.m., though the pickup window runs from about 7:30 to 8:30. Be ready at the stated meeting point and allow for local pickup variation.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather can cancel the experience, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Since the tour is commonly booked several days ahead, booking early gives you more room to adjust if plans change.

Should you book the Demre and Kekova tour?

Book it if you want a broad, good-value day that links the Kekova Sunken City, St. Nicholas Church, and Myra with transport and lunch handled for you. The sunken ruins viewed from the boat and the carved Lycian tombs are the strongest reasons to go.

Before paying, add the two entrance fees to your budget, confirm the guide language if needed, and accept that a group of up to 45 people may move at a steady pace. If those conditions suit you, this is an efficient way to reach one of southern Turkey’s most interesting archaeological areas from Kemer.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and the boat trip to Kekova’s Sunken City. Hotel pickup is also offered.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. St. Nicholas Church costs $18 according to the provided information. Entrance to Myra is optional and listed at 300 Turkish lira.

How long does the tour last?

The complete experience takes approximately 7 to 10 hours. Pickup begins around 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and the return to Kemer is expected at about 7 p.m.

How long is the Kekova boat trip?

The boat trip is scheduled to begin at approximately 10 a.m. and last about two hours. The broader Kekova portion of the schedule is listed as four hours, including related timing around the stop.

Is swimming part of the experience?

Yes. The Kekova portion includes time to swim in the turquoise water. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Is breakfast included?

No. Breakfast and drinks are not included, so plan to eat before pickup or bring something with you and carry money for beverages.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to another date or a full refund.