That quiet water makes history feel close.

This Kekova and Simena sea kayaking trip turns a protected archaeological coastline into a hands-on experience: you paddle over calm water where the Sunken City sits beneath the surface, with rock-cut walls, rooms, and stairs you can spot from your kayak. It’s also a rare combo of water time plus a classic area stop in Simena, where you get the big views and stonework tied to the Knights of Malta.

Two things I especially like about this experience are the format and the access. First, paddling your own kayak is a much more personal way to see what’s down there than only looking from above the water. Second, the small group size (limited to 6) keeps the pace friendly and makes the guide’s explanations easier to hear and act on. One possible drawback to consider: it’s not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, so be honest about your comfort level before you go.

Key Things You’ll Notice on the Water

• A true “from-the-water” view of the Sunken City ruins, right under where you paddle
• Shipyard Bay and Kekova Island stop points that help you understand the wider site, not just one spot
• A guided intro to sea kayaking in a well-known historical area
• Small group pacing (max 6) for more time where it matters
• Simena after the ruins, so you finish with panorama and Knights of Malta castle walls
• Snack included, but plan on buying drinks separately

From Kas to Uçakğız Harbor: How the Day Starts Smoothly

The day runs about 6 hours, with pickup and transfer from Kas to Uçakğız Harbor. That matters because you avoid wasting part of your limited time figuring out transport, parking, or where to stage your gear. Once you reach the harbor area, you’re set up for the main event: time on the water.

The transfer is included, and that’s one of the quiet value points of this tour. At $79 per person, the price isn’t just “kayak time,” it’s also logistics handled for you plus a live guide and basic supplies (kayak and snack). If you’ve ever done day trips around Antalya Province, you know the hidden cost is often the effort and coordination, not the activities.

You’ll also want to keep the basics ready: bring a passport or ID card. That’s all you’re told to bring, and it’s a good sign that the process should be straightforward.

Sea Kayaking 101 in a Protected Kekova Area

This is built as an introduction to sea kayaking, and it takes place in a calm-water setting where you can actually focus on what you’re seeing. The Kekova region is environmentally protected, and the whole concept of this trip leans on that: paddling is portrayed as the best way to discover the “sunken city” beneath the surface.

What that means for you in practice: you’re not just paddling for the sake of it. Your kayak becomes your viewpoint, and you’ll likely spend more time scanning and looking than checking your route. The guide also adds context about what you’re seeing—both historical and natural—so the trip feels like a story, not just motion.

Since the group is limited to 6, you’re also less likely to feel lost or rushed. With a bigger crowd, kayak mornings can turn into a pacing contest. Here, the smaller size is one reason people highlight the guides and the personal feel.

Shipyard Bay: Setting the Scene Before the Ruins

One of the first named areas you’ll encounter is Shipyard Bay. Even if you’re not a marine-history specialist, this kind of stop is useful because it frames the rest of the day. It’s easier to understand the “why” of the Sunken City when you’re also getting cues about how the coastline and human activity connected.

In a place like Kekova, history isn’t a museum display behind glass—it’s tied to geography. Bays like this help explain where boats could have sheltered, where people built and worked, and why a location could become significant enough to leave ruins behind.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes context before the big wow moment, this is a smart order. You’re warming up to the setting and the guide’s explanations before you reach the most visually striking parts.

Kekova Island and the Quiet Power of Rock-Carved Walls

Next is Kekova Island, and the day builds toward the Sunken City. This step matters because Kekova isn’t a single point on a map. It’s a protected coastal zone where ruins sit in relation to islands, bays, and underwater contours.

When the tour describes walls, rooms carved into rocks, and stairs, that’s not a vague promise. It’s the kind of detail that makes the experience feel real—because you’re not just told the city is “down there.” You’re given cues for what to look for as you paddle.

The visual payoff of this part is also why kayaking is the star. From a boat, you may glance down and move on. In a kayak, your speed is slower and your attention can stay anchored on the underwater shapes. That’s how the ruins start to feel like architecture instead of a label.

The Sunken City: Where the Tour Becomes a Real Discovery

The centerpiece is the Sunken City, and the experience is described as beginning just above the sea surface and revealing mysterious walls, rooms, and stairs carved into rocks. That phrasing is important: you’re not only looking at vague silhouettes. You’re being guided to notice structural elements.

Here’s what I’d suggest you do to make the most of this segment:

• Slow down your movements whenever the guide signals.
• Keep your eyes trained on the rock shapes, not just the water glare.
• Listen for the quick explanations, because they help your brain “connect the dots” faster.

This is also where the tour’s format pays off. Reviews highlight that kayaking around Kekova can feel more personal than the usual boat-view approach. I understand the appeal: you’re part of the scene instead of hovering at a distance. You get to spend time with details rather than being whisked past.

And because you’re in a protected area, the calm setup is part of the value. You’re seeing the site in the way it’s meant to be experienced—respectfully, at a human pace.

After the Ruins: Simena and Knights of Malta Castle Views

Once the Sunken City segment is done, the tour continues to Simena. The big draw here is the castle built by the Knights of Malta, plus the chance to admire a stunning panorama and the romantic walls of the area.

This portion shifts the mood in a good way. After hours looking downward at underwater remains, you get to look outward—toward coastline and views. It’s a change of perspective that makes the day feel complete rather than repetitive.

The castle entry fee is not included, so plan for that cost if you want to go inside. If your priority is photos and walking the surrounding areas, you might not feel forced to pay immediately. But if you’re interested in how the Knights of Malta shaped the story of this region, budgeting for the entry fee is smart.

Also, drinks are not included. After time in sun and on the water, a cold drink is rarely a luxury—you’ll want one.

What’s Included (and Why It’s Better Than a Cheap-Seat Deal)

Here’s what you get for your $79 per person:

• Transfer from Kas to Uçakğız Harbor
• Kayak
• Snack
• Guide (live, Turkish and English)

This is the part many tours skip. You’re not only paying for equipment. You’re paying for the whole experience to be organized around the kayaking window.

In particular, the included kayak and guide reduce the usual hassle of finding instructors, getting gear, and matching your pace to others. And the small group limit (6) is a real quality factor here, not just a line on a page. When you’re learning or refreshing sea kayaking, too many people can mean longer waits and less attention from the guide.

Guides, Group Size, and the Personal Feel

The experience is run by Boat Trips by Captain Ergun. The guide side is also repeatedly praised—specifically the Dragoman team being awesome and engaging, with interesting explanations that make the underwater and historical details easier to hold onto.

I love that this trip leans into the human side of the experience. If you’re going to spend time paddling in a protected archaeological area, you want the story told clearly and the rules explained calmly. A smaller group helps a lot with that, because there’s room for questions and for the guide to keep you safe without turning the day into a lecture.

What You Should Bring (So You Don’t Waste Time)

The information given is simple: bring a passport or ID card. Beyond that, you’ll want to use basic common sense for a water day (sun protection, and something you’re okay getting damp). Since only the ID is explicitly listed, I won’t pretend other items are included—just plan for the typical realities of a sea kayaking outing.

Also think about comfort. This trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Even if you can physically manage a short paddle, the kayaking position and getting in and out of the kayak can be uncomfortable. If that applies to you, look for an alternate tour format.

Price vs. Value: Is $79 Really Fair Here?

At $79 for about 6 hours, you’re paying for a tight package: transfer, a guided kayak experience, and a snack, all in a famous archaeological setting. Since drinks and the castle entry fee are not included, your total might creep a bit higher depending on how much you eat and whether you go inside the castle.

But the value equation still works because:

• You’re doing more than kayaking; you’re also getting the Kekova historical context and the Simena castle viewpoint.
• The small group size reduces the “mass-tour” feel.
• A live guide is included, with Turkish and English.

If you love hands-on sightseeing—where you’re not just standing and looking—this price is in the reasonable range for what you get.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a strong match if you:

• Want a sea kayaking intro in a famous site
• Like history but also enjoy being outside and moving
• Prefer small group days with room for questions
• Enjoy guided explanations about both nature and archaeology

It may not be a fit if you:

• Need an easy, fully accessible format (it’s not suitable for pregnant travelers and people with back problems)
• Want an itinerary that’s mostly on land or mostly on a big boat
• Get uncomfortable with water-based activities, even in calm conditions

If you’re unsure about kayaking comfort, be candid with yourself. The tour’s main value comes from being on the water.

Should You Book This Kekova and Simena Kayaking Day?

I’d book this if you want the Sunken City in a way that feels personal—by seeing those underwater rock-cut walls, rooms, and stairs from a kayak, in a protected area. The combo with Simena and the Knights of Malta castle views is also a smart way to end the day, because it gives you both underwater ruins and sweeping perspective.

The one reason to pause is physical suitability. If you have back issues or are pregnant, this isn’t the right choice based on the tour’s stated limitations. If you’re comfortable and ready for a guided water day, the overall package looks like solid value at $79—especially with the small group size and included transfer, kayak, guide, and snack.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova and Simena sea kayaking trip?

The tour duration is listed as 6 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll want to check availability for the exact departure.

How much does it cost?

The price is $79 per person.

What’s the group size?

It’s a small group limited to 6 participants.

Is a guide included, and what languages do they speak?

Yes. The tour includes a live tour guide, and languages listed are Turkish and English.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are transfer from Kas to Uçakğız Harbor, kayak, snack, and the guide.

What is not included?

Castle entry fee and drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Who should avoid this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women and for people with back problems.

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