From Antalya: Private Tour to Kekova Island, Myra and Demre

The best part of this long day is the private boat ride through Kekova, where the ruins of the ancient city of Dolchiste lie below the water. You’ll glide past submerged walls, stairways, and rock-cut tombs, then stop for swims in Aquarium Bay, Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay. The water time is the star.

I like the freedom of a private trip and the chance to visit places many Antalya visitors skip. I also like the mix of archaeology and simple seaside pleasure: one hour you’re looking at a Lycian tomb, and the next you’re eating lunch from a small boat while floating in a quiet bay.

The main drawback is the day’s length. With about five hours of driving, a boat program, and several optional archaeological sites, this is a full schedule rather than a lazy outing. The captain may not speak English, so you should be comfortable with limited spoken explanation on the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova’s Sunken City is viewed from the boat: Swimming is not allowed in the protected ruins area, but the boat gives you a clear look and good photo angles.
• The tour is private: Only your group takes part, with an air-conditioned vehicle and a private boat.
• You get several swim stops: Aquarium Bay, Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay are built into the day.
• Kaleköy adds a land-based break: You have time to see Simena Castle, the village, and the hillside views.
• The archaeology costs extra: Myra, St. Nicholas Church, the Museum of Lycian Civilizations, and Simena Castle have separate entrance fees.
• The boat experience is relaxed but simple: The boat named EGEMENİM has been praised for good food, kind hosting, and comfort, though it is described as picturesque rather than polished.

A very long day from Antalya to the Lycian coast

Your pickup is scheduled around 7:00 or 7:30 in the morning, depending on the final arrangements. From Antalya, the drive to Demre takes about two and a half hours, followed by the return drive of roughly two hours. That is a lot of time on the road, but it gives you access to a coastal area that is difficult to cover by ordinary sightseeing from Antalya.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and hotel pickup is offered. Since this is a private outing, you avoid collecting a large group from several hotels or waiting for strangers at every stop. That matters on a 14-hour day.

I’d treat the drive as part of the price of reaching Kekova, not as wasted time. Still, be honest with yourself: if you want a short excursion with lots of free time, this is not it. If you want to combine the coast, ancient Lycia, and a boat day in one outing, the long transfer makes more sense.

Demre harbor and the change from road to sea

At Demre harbor, the land portion gives way to the boat ride. The listed harbor time is about 30 minutes, enough for the changeover before heading toward Kekova.

The boat is private for your group, which is a meaningful advantage in this setting. You can enjoy the coastline without being tied to a large public cruise schedule. The boat EGEMENİM has been praised for its friendly owners, comfortable setup, and very good food. It is not presented as a luxury yacht, so set your expectations correctly. Think of a small, personal boat with a relaxed feel rather than polished resort service.

One practical point is language. The captain may not speak English. That does not prevent you from enjoying the scenery, swimming, and meals, but it can limit historical commentary and make questions harder to handle. If you want detailed interpretation at every stop, you may need to arrange a separate guide or rely on your own reading.

Kekova’s Sunken City, seen from the water

Kekova is the reason to make this trip. The ancient city of Dolchiste was partly submerged after an earthquake in the second century. The remains now sit beneath and beside the sea, protected from ordinary access.

Swimming is not allowed in the Sunken City area because it is protected. That rule may disappoint anyone expecting to snorkel directly over the ruins, but the boat is the proper way to see them. From the water, you can look for submerged stonework, old walls, and the outline of streets that once belonged to the settlement.

Bring a phone or camera with a secure case. The boat moves past the ruins, so you’ll want to be ready rather than waiting for a long stop. The angle changes as the boat travels, and the clearest views may last only a short time.

This portion feels different from a standard land-based ancient site. You are not walking through columns or reading signs. Instead, you’re piecing together what you see below the surface while the boat carries you along the coast. That makes it memorable, but also less detailed than a formal archaeological visit.

Swimming at Aquarium Bay

After the protected ruins, the boat reaches Aquarium Bay for about an hour. This is your first proper chance to get into the Mediterranean water.

The stop is simple and welcome. After the early start and long road transfer, you can cool off, stretch your legs in the water, and enjoy the setting without trying to fit in another monument. You’ll want swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a way to protect valuables.

Because this is a full-day trip, these breaks are not filler. They keep the schedule from becoming a string of ancient sites and museum rooms. I like that the program gives the water real time rather than treating swimming as a quick photo stop.

Kaleköy and Simena Castle

The boat then stops at Kaleköy, the small village associated with ancient Simena. You have about an hour in the port area, with time to walk through the village and visit the castle ruins if you choose.

Simena Castle sits uphill and offers broad views across the Kekova region. The climb is the important detail here. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes for the castle portion, so you should wear shoes with a good grip and move at a steady pace if you want to reach the top.

You can also stay closer to the water and admire the castle from below. That is the better choice if you want another swim or if the heat makes the uphill walk unpleasant. The private format gives you more freedom to shape this stop around your interests, though the total time remains limited.

Simena Castle has a separate entrance fee of 4 euros. The village itself is the more atmospheric part of the stop, while the castle provides the views and the archaeological interest. You do not need to force both if your group would rather enjoy the shoreline.

Lunch and three bays around Kekova

The longest boat section covers Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay, with about two hours set aside for lunch and swimming.

Lunch is included, which helps the value of the trip. The food served aboard EGEMENİM has received particular praise, and the meal is part of what makes the boat portion feel personal rather than purely transport-based. Exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu.

Esmeralda Bay is described as a quiet place for lunch and a swim. Burç Bay has cooler-feeling water because of underwater springs. Gökkaya Bay adds the option of water sports, though the available activities are not specified and may depend on local conditions.

This is where the private boat works best. You can decide how much time to spend eating, swimming, sitting in the sun, or taking photos. You are not locked into the pace of a large group, although the overall route and return time still govern the day.

A naturally formed cave is also included along this part of the route. It is known for its large size and curved entrance. The information provided does not give a formal name or a fixed stop length, so think of it as a scenic feature viewed during the cruise rather than a major guided visit.

Looking for sea turtles at Karemlik Bay

On the return toward Demre, the boat passes Karemlik Bay, where three of the seven known sea turtle species found in the Mediterranean may be present.

This is a chance to look for turtles in their natural setting, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Keep your expectations modest and your eyes open. The appeal is the possibility of seeing animals along a beautiful stretch of coast, not a formal wildlife tour with guaranteed sightings.

After the water program, the boat returns to Demre harbor. From there, your group can continue with the land-based historical stops, depending on the time available and the choices made earlier in the day.

Myra, the Lycian Civilizations Museum, and St. Nicholas

The afternoon archaeological portion offers several optional stops. This is useful because you can adjust the day to fit your group, but it also means you should clarify the final plan before departure. A private tour is not automatically a fully guided archaeological tour.

The Museum of Lycian Civilizations occupies a second-century ancient granary near the Andriake ruins. Walking paths lead from the reception area past the ruins to the museum. It contains artifacts from Lycian cities in the region, giving you context for the places you have just seen.

The museum entrance fee is 4 euros. The visit is listed at about 30 minutes, which is enough for a focused look but not a slow museum study.

Myra Ancient City is the major land site. Its Greek theatre dates to the first century BC and was built into a steep mountain slope. You can see large staircases, barrel vaults, decorative friezes, and the famous rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs above.

The theatre was rebuilt after an earthquake in AD 141, with financial support from several local figures. The site offers a useful contrast to Kekova. At sea, the ruins are partly hidden under water. At Myra, you can walk among substantial remains and examine the stonework up close.

The Myra entrance fee is 13 euros. The schedule gives only about 15 to 30 minutes to this area, depending on how the stops are arranged. That is short for anyone who wants a careful visit, so ask whether you will have enough time for both the theatre and the tombs.

St. Nicholas Church, also called the Santa Claus Museum, was originally built in AD 520 in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century Christian patron saint. The building has importance for both Catholic and Orthodox Christians, and the Russian Orthodox Church honors him as St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The entrance fee is 17 euros. That is the highest individual admission charge on the route, so include it in your budget if the church matters to you. The church is an optional addition, and the schedule includes several references to the same site under different names. Confirm exactly what is included in your chosen plan to avoid confusion.

What the $703.96 price means

The listed price is $703.96 per person, which is a serious amount. The value depends heavily on your group size and on how the private pricing is calculated. You are paying for a private vehicle, private boat access, lunch, hotel pickup, and a custom route that combines several destinations in one day.

For a couple, the cost may feel high. For a family or larger group sharing the private arrangement, it can make more sense than booking separate transport, a boat, meals, and entrance tickets. The tour also saves you from arranging the long journey to Demre and the harbor connections yourself.

Entrance fees are not included. If you visit all four listed paid sites, the known fees total 38 euros per person:

• Myra Ancient City: 13 euros
• St. Nicholas Church: 17 euros
• Museum of Lycian Civilizations: 4 euros
• Simena Castle: 4 euros

The tour includes lunch, but you should still budget for these admissions. Before paying, ask for the final group price and confirm which optional stops will fit into the 14-hour schedule.

Who should book this private Kekova trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, or small groups who want a full private day and care about having their own boat. It suits people who enjoy a blend of ruins, swimming, scenery, and a good meal rather than a purely historical excursion.

It is also a strong choice if you have limited time in Antalya and want to see Demre, Myra, and Kekova without arranging several separate outings. The private setup lets you place more emphasis on swimming, Kaleköy, Myra, or St. Nicholas, within the limits of the day.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long drives, hot-weather walking, or extra admission charges. I would also think twice if you need detailed English commentary from the captain. The boat’s friendly service and food sound like real strengths, but the language barrier is a practical concern.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. The trip depends on good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of seeing Kekova from a private boat excites you more than the high price bothers you. The combination of the Sunken City, quiet bays, Kaleköy, Myra’s theatre and tombs, and St. Nicholas Church gives you a broad view of the region in one demanding day.

Before booking, confirm the pickup time, the final group-based price, the captain’s language ability, and which optional land sites you can realistically visit. If those details suit you, this is a memorable way to reach Kekova from Antalya, especially for a group that values privacy, swimming, and a relaxed boat meal over a tightly scripted historical tour.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 14 hours, including the road journey between Antalya and Demre, the boat trip, and the optional historical visits.

What time does pickup begin?

The tour information gives a start time of 7:00 am, while the itinerary describes the private hotel transfer beginning at 7:30 am. Confirm the exact pickup time when booking.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group takes part in the private tour and private activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Can you swim near the Sunken City?

No. Swimming is not permitted in the protected Sunken City area. You view the ruins from the boat, then swim at places such as Aquarium Bay and the other bays on the route.

Which entrance fees are extra?

The extra fees listed are 13 euros for Myra Ancient City, 17 euros for St. Nicholas Church, 4 euros for the Museum of Lycian Civilizations, and 4 euros for Simena Castle.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.