Sunken ruins and swims, all in one week. This Kekova–to–Kas gulet cruise turns the Lycian Coast into your daily playground, with UNESCO-listed sights viewed from the water and plenty of time to cool off in the bays. I like the mix of history and real beach time, and I especially like that you get an evening in Kas so the trip feels more like a vacation than a nonstop boat ride.

The main thing to plan around is weather. Your route and where you moor can shift, and if you care a lot about cabin and bathroom setup, confirm the exact cabin category before you sail.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Small group on a shared gulet (max 16), so the week feels personal instead of crowded
• Kekova’s Sunken City from the water, plus Roman and Byzantine stops along the way
• Optional Lycian Way hikes to Aperlai and Simena, with short but scenic ruin time
• Frequent swim stops in clear bays, and it’s the kind of trip where having your own snorkel kit helps
• Big fun day at Gökkaya Bay and a social night at Smugglers Inn by small boat

Why a Demre–Kas–Kekova Gulet Week Feels Different

A lot of coastal tours throw you onto buses and back into seats. This one flips it. You live on the water for nearly the whole week, and most of the “seeing” happens during slow sailing, short stops, and swims right off the boat.

Kekova gives you that wow factor. You’re not just reading about the past, you’re looking at it from the same coastline that shaped the stories: shipyard remains, Byzantine church ruins, and the underwater remains tied to an ancient earthquake.

Then Kas adds a human rhythm. You get a night in Kas Harbour, which is a smart contrast to all the morning swims and midday cruising. It makes the week feel balanced.

Price and What You Actually Get for $1,127.90

At $1,127.90 per person for about 8 days, you’re paying for time on a shared gulet and the convenience of not coordinating meals, transport, and sight stops on your own. This is the kind of trip where you’re buying “friction-free fun” more than museum time.

You also get a clear rhythm of included meals onboard. Day 1 starts with dinner onboard, and later days include breakfast and lunch stops tied to the swimming bays. Some of the stop entries are marked as free where listed, which helps you avoid surprise add-ons at certain ruins.

One more value point: the schedule gives you multiple chances to swim and snorkel-style sightseeing from the water. If you like being in the water, that’s where the week earns its keep.

Cabin, Group Size, and the Shared-Boat Reality

This cruise runs on a shared gulet with a maximum of 16 travelers. That small headcount matters. You’ll generally get a more relaxed atmosphere, with fewer lines and less “everyone at once” energy during meal times and boarding.

That said, shared means you should be thoughtful about expectations. One key consideration is cabin layout. If you’re booking with a specific idea of getting a private setup, double-check what your cabin includes before you go. It’s not the trip to discover you and your cabin photos might not match.

Also remember: where you sleep is fairly standard for boat travel. What changes most is weather-driven planning. Some nights are “depending on conditions,” so the trip is best for people who can roll with small schedule shifts.

Day 1: Demre Harbour to Camlık Bay Dinner and First Night

You start in Demre with a late-afternoon rhythm. Around 4:00 pm, crew assist with luggage transfer to your cabin, and then the gulet heads out toward the Kekova area. Your first night is typically at Camlık Bay, but mooring can shift based on conditions.

This first day is about settling in. After you get your bearings, you’ll have dinner onboard and time to meet your group. It’s a good way to start because you’re not rushing into a tour checklist. You’re just on the water as the coast starts to change.

Practical tip: if you tend to get seasick, bring what works for you. The schedule is built around sailing, not staying dockside all day.

Day 2: Katir İskelesi, Tersane Bay, and Kekova’s Sunken City

Day 2 is the big “past meets water” day. You head toward Kekova Island and arrive at Katir İskelesi in time for lunch and a swim. Then you continue to Tersane Bay.

At Tersane Bay you get a mix of historical stops: a Roman shipyard and a Byzantine church. These aren’t treated like a quick bus-drop photo stop. You’ll moor for the night, which gives the day room to breathe.

Then comes the highlight: the Sunken City of Kekova, flooded during an earthquake around 2,000 years ago. Seeing it from the water helps you understand the scale. It’s not just “ruins in the distance,” it’s a coastline-shaped reminder of how geology writes history.

Day 3: Liman Ağzı Swims and a Real Night Out in Kas

Wake up on the water, have breakfast onboard, and then cruise toward Liman Ağzı. You’ll stop for lunch there and get another swim in clear water. This is where the week’s structure really makes sense: long enough sailing breaks up the day, and the swim stops keep it active.

The day ends in Kas Harbour, where you’ll sleep in the harbour so you can enjoy Kas nightlife. That’s a smart payoff after two days mostly spent aboard. Kas is also a good place to grab a simple meal off the boat and wander without needing a car.

If you’re solo or a couple, Kas night time can be a confidence boost. You don’t feel locked into the boat for “the whole evening.”

Day 4: Ufakdere Bay Swim, Optional Lycian Way to Aperlai

Day 4 starts with breakfast at Ufakdere Bay, followed by another swim break. Then you have a choice: join an optional Lycian Way hike that starts from Aperlai Bay.

The hike leads to Aperlai Ancient City, and you’ll have about half an hour to explore the ruins once you arrive. That half-hour window is short, but it’s also honest. It’s long enough to look around, take in the setting, and appreciate the structure without turning the day into a full trek.

From there, the boat meets you at Sıcak Bay, and you head toward Kocakarı Bay for dinner and overnight. I like this design. It gives you active time without overcommitting when you’re already spending your days sailing.

Day 5: Uçakiz Village Time, Teimussa, and Simena Castle

This day is built around coastline walking and village atmosphere. You’ll start with sunshine time at Aquarium Bay, with a swim break, then cruise toward Uçakiz Village.

You have another optional hike on the Lycian Way, this time from Uçakiz Village to Teimussa Ancient City and Simena Castle. The walk also gives you a chance to explore Uçakiz, described as an authentic village with around 30 houses. That’s small, which means you’ll feel more like you’re moving through a real place than touring staged streets.

Once you reach Simena Castle, your gulet is waiting for you for the night. It’s a great way to connect the inland walking with the sea view payoff, instead of bouncing between modes of travel all day.

Day 6: Burç Bay Natural Springs and Karaloz Bay Swim Break

Day 6 is calm in the best way. You get a peaceful swim break at Burç Bay, where the water feels cooler due to cold underwater natural springs. That little detail is the kind of thing you notice in person because it makes the water feel different from the other bays.

After the swim, there’s lunch onboard, then you cruise toward Karaloz Bay for another refreshing swim in clear water.

This is the day I’d recommend for anyone who wants the trip to be more than ruins. It’s a “reset” day that still keeps you moving and gives you reliable water time.

Day 7: Pirates Cave, Gökkaya Bay Water Fun, Smugglers Inn Night

Day 7 ramps up the energy. You sail on to Pirates Cave, where seals reportedly spend winter and where rumor says pirates used it as a hide-out. Even if you take the rumors as stories, caves always feel like a scene from an old coast legend.

Then you head to Gökkaya Bay for a day of water activities. The program includes options like jet skiing, banana boating, and waterslides. This is the most action-heavy day, and it’s ideal if you’re traveling with someone who loves water sports or you just want to be active instead of sightseeing.

In the evening, there’s Smugglers Inn, a bar location reached by small service boats. It’s a social setup by design, so if you want to meet people from the group without forcing it, this is a good time.

Day 8: Karemlik Bay Breakfast and Back to Demre by 9:30 am

Your final morning is gentler. You sail to Karemlik Bay, enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard, and then your Blue Cruise ends when you arrive back in Demre Harbour around 9:30 am.

It’s a clean finish. You don’t lose the last half day to long travel, and you’re not left facing a chaotic departure.

Tips That Make the Cruise Easier (and More Fun)

If you want the week to feel smooth, pack for water time first and ruins second.

• Bring your own snorkel kit (mask and snorkel) if you like to look underwater. This is a cruise with frequent swim breaks, and having your own gear makes the stops more satisfying.
• Expect variable mooring depending on weather. That doesn’t mean the trip “fails.” It means the crew has to adjust. Bring a flexible mindset.
• For hikes, wear shoes you trust. The Lycian Way segments here are optional, but you’re walking between viewpoints and ruins, so grip matters.
• If cabin setup is important, confirm what’s included. This cruise is shared, and cabin/bath expectations can differ from what you might assume.

Who This Cruise Fits Best

This Sail Turkey cruise is a strong match if you want coastal beauty with minimal planning. It suits solo travelers who enjoy meeting people aboard, couples who like a relaxing rhythm, and groups of friends who want one shared activity with plenty of water breaks.

It’s especially good for people who love swimming and snorkeling-style sightseeing. There are repeated chances to jump in, and the route is built around bays where that’s the main point.

It may not be ideal if you want a packed schedule of museum-level touring or if you hate any chance of weather shifting plans. Boat time is still boat time, even when the schedule is planned carefully.

Should You Book? My Take

I’d book this cruise if your ideal vacation looks like: sailing between bays, jumping into clear water, seeing major Kekova sights from the sea, and adding a couple short hikes without turning the whole week into training.

I’d hesitate only if you’re counting on very specific cabin details without confirming them first, or if weather variability would stress you out. If you’re flexible and you care about swimming and coastline views, this is the kind of trip that can feel like it’s over too soon.

If you do book, double-check your cabin category and bring swim-ready gear plus a snorkel kit. Then let the days run at the pace the coast allows.

FAQ

How long is the Sail Turkey Lycian Coast Cruise Tour?

The tour is listed as 8 days (approx.), running from Demre Harbour out along the Lycian coast through Kekova and back to Demre.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at Demre Harbour and ends back at the meeting point in Demre Harbour around 9:30 am on the last day.

What time does the activity start?

The start time is listed as 2:00 pm, with Day 1 cruising beginning around 4:00 pm in Demre Harbour.

How many people are on the tour?

The cruise has a maximum of 16 travelers.

Are meals included onboard?

Yes. The schedule includes dinner onboard on Day 1, plus breakfast and lunch tied to the sailing and swim stops.

Are entrance tickets included for the stops?

Some stop entries are marked as free in the schedule, including Kas Harbour Day 3 and ancient city/ruin stops like Aperlai.

Is the tour dependent on weather?

Yes. It requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation deadline for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 3 days in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 3 days before the experience start time, the amount is not refunded.

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