Kemer Pirates Boat Trip

The main appeal of the Kemer pirate boat trip is simple: you get a full day on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast for $19, with several swimming stops, lunch, music, and views of Phaselis and Cleopatra Bay. The boat gives you a lively day at sea rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise.

I like the low price and the easy hotel transfer, which removes much of the fuss from reaching the marina. I also like the mix of swimming, coastal scenery, and ancient ruins, plus the foam party that gives families and younger groups something playful to look forward to.

The main caution is that this is a busy, entertainment-led boat day, not a carefully guided archaeological visit. Pickup communication has caused problems before, and drinks onboard are not included, so confirm your collection point and bring cash for the bar.

Key points to know before you book

• Three swimming stops: Phaselis Bay, Cennet Bay, and Cleopatra Bay give you plenty of time in the sea.
• Lunch is included: The buffet normally includes schnitzel, three salads, pasta, and rice, with vegetarian options available if requested in advance.
• The boat is set up for a long day: You have toilets, outside showers, a bar, and room to sunbathe or sit in the shade.
• Phaselis costs extra: The ancient city entrance fee is not part of the $19 price.
• The mood is lively: Expect music, a foam party, and onboard entertainment rather than a quiet sailing trip.
• Pickup needs attention: Vehicles collect you at the hotel’s main security gate, not at reception or inside the hotel grounds.

A $19 day on the Turkish Riviera

At $19 per person, this is one of those excursions where the value comes from the amount of time and transport included. You receive hotel pickup and return, a seven-hour boat outing, lunch, guiding support, insurance, and the foam party. That is a lot of holiday activity for a modest price.

The tradeoff is that the base cost does not cover drinks, photographs, videos, or entry to Phaselis Antique City. The bar can be expensive. One booking party reported paying £7 for a beer and £15 for a cocktail, so the advertised price is best viewed as the cost of the boat day, not the total amount you might spend onboard.

I would bring cash for drinks and personal purchases, but I would not assume you need to buy anything. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment, towel, sunscreen, camera, sunglasses, and hat. If you are happy with water, lunch, and scenery, you can keep your extra spending low.

The overall rating is 4.1 from nine ratings, which fits the nature of this trip. The strongest experiences seem to come from the music, friendly activity leaders, swimming, and family atmosphere. The weaker points are the occasional pickup or departure confusion, long gaps between activities, limited information about the sights, and costly drinks.

Getting from your hotel to the pirate ship

Pickup takes place between 9 and 9:30 in the morning, with the return planned for around 4:30 to 5. The vehicle collects you at the main security gate of your hotel. It does not enter the hotel grounds, and the driver will not normally come to the lobby or reception.

That detail matters. I would arrive at the gate a little early and make sure everyone in your group knows the meeting point. One booking party was not collected because the driver said the group could not be found. Even if the cause was confusion rather than poor intent, the result was the same: a ruined start to the day.

There has also been a report of a departure delayed by a couple of hours because the boat had not been fueled. The delay was made worse by poor communication. This does not mean every departure will run late, but it is a fair reason to keep your morning flexible and avoid booking something important for the evening.

Once you reach the marina and board, the boat becomes your base for the day. It has toilets, an outside shower, and a bar. Those facilities are useful because you will spend many hours onboard, often in wet swimwear and strong sun.

Cruising past beaches, caves, and mountain views

The cruise follows the coast around Kemer, with beaches, mountain slopes, and coastal caves along the way. You will spend much of the day looking out at the changing shoreline rather than moving between formal sightseeing sites.

The return journey includes views of Mount Tahtali, one of the most memorable natural features in this part of Antalya Province. The combination of high mountains and clear Mediterranean water gives the boat ride its sense of place. You are not simply being transported between swim stops. The coast itself is part of the attraction.

The overview also notes the possibility of seeing dolphins. Treat that as a lucky extra, not a scheduled part of the tour. Wildlife sightings cannot be promised, but keeping your camera ready is sensible.

The boat is designed more for a social day than for silence. Music, dancing, and onboard animations form part of the experience. That will suit you if you want a cheerful break from hotel routines. If you prefer a small boat, quiet coves, and long periods without music, this is probably not the right format.

Phaselis Bay combines swimming and ancient ruins

The first main stop is Phaselis Bay, where the ancient city of Phaselis sits beside the sea. This is the most unusual part of the route because you can swim in the same broad setting as Greek and Roman remains.

The boat serves lunch here. The buffet includes schnitzel, three kinds of salad, pasta, and rice. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it when booking. I would do that early rather than hope a suitable plate will appear at the serving table.

You have free time to swim and enjoy the view of the ruins. Strong swimmers may be able to reach the shore, but you should not treat that as guaranteed. Conditions, distance, and the boat’s position all matter. If you want to walk among the remains, remember that the entrance fee to Phaselis Antique City is extra.

This stop can work in two ways. You can stay near the boat for a swim and enjoy the outline of the ruins from the water, or you can pay the entrance fee and spend time closer to the archaeological site if access and timing allow. The supplied details do not promise a guided land visit, so do not book this expecting a full archaeological tour.

That distinction is important. The trip gives you a striking view of Phaselis and time in its bay. It does not appear to focus on detailed explanations of the city. One rating specifically noted a lack of information about the places along the route. If you want dates, inscriptions, and a close reading of the ruins, you will need to arrange that separately or use the audio guide options available in English, Turkish, and Russian.

Cennet Bay offers another chance to swim

After lunch, the boat continues to Cennet Bay for a second swimming break. The water is the point here. You can cool off, use your own snorkeling equipment, or stay onboard and enjoy the view.

The phrase swimming break is worth taking seriously. This is not a short photo stop. The schedule gives the day several water-based pauses, and one rating found there were many swimming sessions and some long periods without other activity.

That can be a plus on a hot day. If you have children who want to spend their holiday in the sea, or if you simply want a low-cost boat day rather than a packed sightseeing program, the pauses give you plenty of time to enjoy yourself. If you need constant commentary and a tightly filled schedule, the slower rhythm may test your patience.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. The tour allows personal snorkeling equipment, but the supplied information does not promise rental gear. A towel is also essential, since the boat provides showers but not a replacement for your own dry clothes.

Cleopatra Bay is the final long water stop

The last stop is Cleopatra Bay, where you get about an hour for swimming. This is linked to the familiar story that Cleopatra swam here, though the tour presents that as legend rather than documented fact.

The bay works well as the final major stop. By this point, you have eaten, spent time at Phaselis and Cennet Bay, and can settle into one last long swim before the return to Kemer. The turquoise water and surrounding coast make this a strong photo stop, so keep your camera protected from splashes.

As with every swim break, you need to judge the water for yourself. The information does not describe a lifeguard service, special flotation equipment, or a sheltered swimming area. People with heart problems are advised not to take the tour, and anyone who is not a confident swimmer should stay close to the boat and follow the crew’s instructions.

After the hour at Cleopatra Bay, the boat heads back to the marina. The planned arrival is between 4:30 and 5, followed by hotel drop-off in the waiting vehicles.

Foam party, music, and the social side of the day

The foam party is included in the price, along with various animations. This is one of the reasons families and groups may enjoy the trip. Children can treat the boat like a floating play area, while adults can join the music and dancing or simply watch from a dry spot.

The human side of the trip seems important. Ali has been singled out for his energy and dancing, while Metin is noted for his welcoming manner and work at the music controls. Staff personalities can vary from one departure to another, but these names give you an idea of the upbeat style to expect.

Do not come expecting a refined yacht cruise. The foam, music, and dancing are central to the day. If you want a peaceful reading day, the sound and activity may be too much. If you like a holiday outing with a bit of silly fun, it is a useful extra that costs nothing beyond the booking price.

The foam also creates a practical issue: keep phones, cameras, and sunglasses secure. A waterproof pouch would be sensible, although it is not listed as a supplied item. Bring clothes that can get wet and a towel for the ride home.

Lunch, drinks, and what the price really covers

The included lunch is a straightforward buffet rather than a special Turkish food experience. You get schnitzel, salads, pasta, and rice, which should offer familiar choices for a mixed group. Vegetarian alternatives are available with advance notice.

Drinks are not included. The onboard bar is convenient, but the reported prices are high enough to change the value calculation. A $19 trip can remain excellent value if you bring cash only for essentials. It becomes less of a bargain if you plan to buy several cocktails, beers, or soft drinks during seven hours at sea.

Photos and videos are also extra. You can bring your own camera, but protect it during the foam party and swimming stops. Cash is listed among the recommended items, so I would carry a small amount rather than rely on cards onboard.

Who will enjoy this Kemer boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and groups who want a full day of swimming with some music and scenery at a low price. The hotel transfer is useful if you do not have a car, and the onboard toilet and shower make the long day easier.

It also suits anyone who wants to see Phaselis from the sea without spending the day on a land-based archaeological visit. The ruins beside the bay provide a memorable setting, even if the historical explanation is limited.

You should think twice if you have heart problems, need wheelchair access, or dislike active boat entertainment. Wheelchair users cannot take this experience, and the published information does not describe special accessibility arrangements.

I would also choose another excursion if your main goal is a quiet cruise or detailed guiding. English, Russian, and Turkish live guiding are available, and audio support is offered in the same three languages, but the day still centers on swimming and entertainment. The historical side is more visual than academic.

Practical packing advice for seven hours at sea

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Add a camera if you want photos of the coast, Phaselis, Mount Tahtali, and Cleopatra Bay.

Your own snorkeling equipment is allowed. That is useful if you care about fit or already carry a familiar mask. The tour does not promise snorkeling equipment, so bringing your own is the safest plan.

I would also pack a dry change of clothes for the return transfer. The boat has outside showers, but you may still be damp after the final swim and foam party. Keep cash handy for drinks, the Phaselis entrance fee, and personal purchases.

The activity runs in English, Russian, and Turkish, with audio guide support in those languages. Vegetarian lunch must be requested at the time of booking. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve now, pay later option gives you some flexibility when your plans are not fully fixed.

Should you book the Kemer pirate boat trip?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, lively day on the water with hotel transfer, lunch, three swim stops, Phaselis views, Cleopatra Bay, and a foam party. At $19, it offers strong value when you keep onboard spending under control.

Skip it if you want quiet sailing, precise departure communication, or a detailed tour of the ancient city. Confirm the hotel security gate pickup point, allow patience for possible delays, and remember that drinks and Phaselis entry cost extra. For families and fun-seeking groups, this is a good-value sea day. For serious history fans, it is best treated as a swimming cruise with ruins in the background.

FAQ

How long does the Kemer Pirates Boat Trip last?

The activity lasts seven hours. Pickup is planned between 9 and 9:30 in the morning, and the boat aims to return between 4:30 and 5 in the afternoon.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel transfers both ways, guiding service, full insurance, lunch, and the foam party.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, and personal spending is extra. The boat has a bar, so bring cash if you want to purchase something onboard.

Is the Phaselis entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee to Phaselis Antique City is separate from the tour price.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch is buffet style and includes schnitzel, three types of salad, pasta, and rice. Vegetarian alternatives are available if you request them when booking.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup takes place at the main security gate of your hotel. Vehicles do not enter the hotel grounds, and the meeting point is not the lobby or reception area.

What languages are available on the tour?

Live guiding is available in English, Russian, and Turkish. Audio guide support is also listed in English, Russian, and Turkish.