From Antalya: Day Trip to Demre, Myra and Kekova Boat Trip

The best part of this long day is the contrast: Kekova’s half-submerged ruins glide past from the boat, then Myra’s huge theatre and cliff tombs put you face to face with ancient Lycia. Between the two, you get clear swimming water, a Turkish lunch, and one of the country’s most memorable coastal views.

I especially like the seven-hour boat portion and the stop at Kaleköy, where you can climb toward Simena Castle and look over the islands. The captain and his wife have been praised for their kindness, clean boat, and delicious homemade-style lunch. The main drawback is the pace: the trip lasts about 13 hours, and the hour at Kaleköy may feel short if you want to see both the castle and necropolis properly. One booking also reported no guide and a missing glass-bottom feature, so set your expectations around scenery rather than constant interpretation.

Key points to know before you book

• Kekova is seen from the boat: You cruise alongside the Sunken City, but swimming and walking directly among the ruins are not part of the visit.
• Kaleköy gives you the best uphill view: Use the one-hour stop wisely by heading toward Simena Castle, then turning left toward the necropolis on the way back.
• The boat ride is the heart of the day: Seven hours on the water include swimming at Gökkaya Bay, Pirates Cave, Karemlik Bay, and scenic coastal cruising.
• Myra adds serious archaeology: The Roman theatre is Lycia’s largest, while the rock-cut tombs rise above the site in the cliffs.
• Lunch is included, but entry fees are not: Expect lunch, salad, and fruit or dessert, while archaeological entrance costs extra.
• The day begins early: Pickup runs from 6:45 to 7:40 AM at listed Antalya points, followed by a drive of under two and a half hours to Demre.

The long road from Antalya to Demre

This is not a quick outing. The full day lasts around 13 hours, with early pickup in Antalya and a drive south toward Demre. That sounds demanding, but it is the practical price of reaching Kekova from the city. The coast and ancient sites are far enough away that a shorter schedule would leave out either the boat or Myra.

Pickup points begin at 6:45 AM at Guzeloba Kipa and continue through Terra City, Laura, Dedeman, Mark Antalya, 5M Migros, and other listed points. The final Antalya pickup is at Liman ATM Park at 7:40 AM. Additional collection points follow near Çıralı, Olympos, Kumluca, and Finike.

You should choose the pickup point carefully and arrive ready to leave. The first part of the day is transportation, not sightseeing, but the drive makes the day possible without arranging your own car, boat, and site visits.

A past booking described the vehicle as ordinary and criticized the first driver’s safety. That is worth keeping in mind, especially if you are sensitive to road travel. The supplied information does not give a group size or a specific guide’s name, so you should not book this expecting a small private tour or a named historian.

Seven hours on the Kekova water

At Demre Harbour, you board the boat for about seven hours around Kekova. This is the main event, and it is where the trip earns much of its appeal. The boat lets you see long stretches of the coast without changing vehicles or walking between scattered bays.

The boat passes the Sunken City of Kekova, a group of ancient ruins partly below the water. Your view is from the boat, so keep your camera ready as the vessel moves alongside the remains. The setting is especially striking because the old stonework appears against the bright sea and steep coastal slopes.

Do not expect a glass-bottom boat simply because you are visiting a sunken site. One booking specifically noted that the advertised glass bottom did not exist. You can still see and photograph the ruins from above, but the experience is scenic cruising rather than an underwater archaeology tour.

That distinction matters. If your main goal is to inspect submerged walls below the surface, this may leave you wanting more. If you want a relaxed ride past an unusual ancient site, with time for swimming and shore stops, it fits much better.

Kaleköy and the climb toward Simena Castle

The boat stops for about one hour at Kaleköy, a small village reached by water. The village is one of the most appealing parts of the day because it feels connected to the ruins around it rather than separated from them by a modern visitor complex.

Your time here is limited, so make a plan before stepping ashore. The strongest use of the hour is to walk uphill toward Simena Castle. From higher ground, you get broad views across the Kekova area, with the village, sea, islands, and ancient remains spread below.

The climb is worth doing, but comfortable shoes are important. The tour specifically recommends them, and you should take that advice seriously. The route involves a hillside walk, and the stop is not designed as a long, gentle village stroll.

A useful route tip is to visit the castle first, then descend and turn left toward the necropolis. That order gives you the high view before you spend time among the lower ruins. If you want a leisurely visit, one hour will feel tight. You may need to choose between a full climb, time in the village, and a swim before returning to the boat.

After the climb, you can use any remaining time for a dip in the clear water. That combination, ancient stone above you and a swim below, is what makes Kaleköy more than a simple photo stop.

Gökkaya Bay, Pirates Cave, and the swimming stops

Gökkaya Bay is the main swimming stop. The boat anchors so you can get into the water and enjoy the coast at a slower pace. The supplied details also mention several water sports available in the area, although the price and exact activities are not specified. Treat them as optional extras, not part of the included package.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. You will want both, and the boat schedule is built around getting into the water rather than merely looking at it. If you prefer to stay dry, the bay still gives you time to relax on board and enjoy the scenery.

The route also includes Pirates Cave, a naturally formed cave known for its large size and curved opening. You may find the cave more impressive from the water than from any formal visit, since the boat’s position provides the useful scale and shape of the entrance.

At Karemlik Bay, you have the chance to look for five of the eight turtle species known worldwide in their natural habitat. This is a wildlife opportunity, not a guaranteed sighting. Bring patience, and do not expect a structured animal encounter or a guide-led search unless your host provides more detail on the day.

The repeated swimming stops make the boat portion feel generous, but they also explain why the trip can feel like mainly a boat excursion. One booking expected more land visits and found only one landing. That is a fair warning: Myra and Kaleköy provide the walking and archaeology, while most of the day is spent afloat.

Lunch aboard the boat

Lunch is included, along with a seasonal salad and fruit or dessert. The food has received especially warm praise, with one booking describing a typical Turkish lunch prepared by the captain and his wife. Another described the meal as great and the boat as clean and comfortable.

That kind of meal suits the day. You are not losing sightseeing time searching for a restaurant, and eating on board keeps the schedule moving. It also gives the trip a more personal feel than a standard transport stop, particularly if the same captain and his wife are serving the food.

Additional food and drinks are not included. Pack or buy what you need if you prefer regular snacks, and check what is available on the boat before relying on refreshments. The provided information does not specify a drinks package.

The boat itself has been praised for comfort and cleanliness, but conditions can vary by departure. Since no group size or exact vessel layout is provided, I would not assume there will be unlimited shade, quiet seating, or a glass-bottom viewing area.

Myra’s theatre and Lycian tombs

After the boat returns to Demre Port, the tour continues to Myra, Demre’s best-known ancient site. Myra reaches back to at least the fifth century BC, giving the day a strong archaeological finish after hours of coastal scenery.

The two major sights are the Roman-style theatre and the rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs. The theatre is described as the largest in Lycia, so it is not a minor ruin added to fill the schedule. Its scale helps you understand the importance of the ancient city.

Above it, the tombs are cut directly into the rock face. Their position is visually powerful, and the worn details make the site feel less polished than a restored monument. Look up as you approach, since the tombs are the feature you could miss if you focus only on the theatre floor.

The tour also includes a visit to a nearby museum, though the provided information does not name it or describe its exhibits. The archaeological entrance fee is not included, so budget for that separately. The activity indicates skip-the-ticket-line access, but that does not mean admission itself is free.

Myra comes late in the day. That timing works well for the overall route, but you may be tired after the early start, drive, boat ride, swimming, and Kaleköy climb. Wear shoes you can use both on the boat and at the ruins, and save some energy for the final site.

What the price includes at $128

At $128 per person, this is not a cheap Antalya day out. Its value depends on how you count the day’s moving parts. The price includes hotel pickup and return, the long transfer to Demre, a seven-hour boat trip, lunch, seasonal salad, and fruit or dessert.

Arranging those elements independently would be awkward. You would need transport to Demre, a boat around Kekova, food, and a separate route to Myra. For someone without a rental car, the convenience has real value.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a short boat ride or a single archaeological site. You are paying for a very long day and several destinations, not a relaxed half-day cruise. Additional food, drinks, and the archaeological entrance fee push the final cost higher.

I would see the tour as good value for a first visit to the Kekova area, especially if you want both sea time and ancient ruins without handling the logistics yourself. It is a weaker choice for anyone who dislikes early departures, long transfers, or scheduled stops.

Language, guiding, and the practical details

English and Turkish support are listed, with a host or greeter available in those languages. Still, one booking reported that no guide appeared during the day. This suggests you should be ready for a trip where transport, boating, and basic coordination are stronger features than detailed historical explanation.

That does not ruin the experience, since Kekova and Myra are visually rewarding on their own. But if you want a full account of Lycian history, Roman engineering, and the Sunken City, confirm the level of guiding before you pay.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when weather or holiday plans are not settled. Pets are not allowed.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes for Kaleköy, Simena Castle, and Myra
• Swimwear and a towel
• Extra money for drinks, food, and the archaeological entrance fee
• A camera or phone for the Sunken City and the high views from Kaleköy

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad sample of Antalya Province in one day. You get an ancient theatre, cliff tombs, a castle village, a sunken settlement, wildlife possibilities, swimming, lunch, and a long coastal boat ride.

It is particularly suitable for people who enjoy mixing ruins with time outdoors. The boat keeps the day from becoming a sequence of dusty archaeological stops, while Myra gives the swimming-focused outing more substance.

Families may appreciate the water and fruit or dessert, but the 13-hour duration and hillside walking require stamina. The activity does not provide age guidance, so judge the day according to your group’s ability to manage the early start and long return.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you need detailed guiding, guaranteed turtle sightings, a glass-bottom boat, or lots of time in each village. The schedule covers a great deal, but it cannot give every stop a leisurely pace.

Should you book the Kekova and Myra day trip?

Book it if your ideal day includes clear water, ancient ruins, and a full boat schedule rather than one carefully paced attraction. The strongest parts are the long cruise, Kaleköy’s uphill views, the friendly onboard service, and Myra’s theatre and rock tombs.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is mainly a boat trip with two important land visits, not a fully guided archaeology tour. The glass-bottom feature may not be present, the Kaleköy stop is short, and the drive from Antalya makes for a tiring return.

At $128, the package makes sense when you value transport, lunch, and convenience. If those tradeoffs suit you, this is a strong way to reach one of Turkey’s most memorable coastal areas in a single day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 13 hours, including hotel pickup, the drive from Antalya to Demre, the boat trip, visits to Kaleköy and Myra, and the return to Antalya.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at 6:45 AM at Guzeloba Kipa. Listed Antalya pickup times continue through the morning, with the final Antalya pickup at 7:40 AM at Liman ATM Park.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, seasonal salad, and fruit or dessert are included. Additional food and drinks cost extra.

Is the archaeological entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee for the archaeological site is not included in the tour price.

Can I swim during the boat trip?

Yes. Swimming is scheduled at Gökkaya Bay, and you may also have time to swim during the Kaleköy stop. Bring swimwear and a towel.

What languages are available?

Host or greeter support is listed in English and Turkish. One booking reported having no guide, so confirm how much historical commentary will be provided if that is important to you.