Private Kekova Sailing Day Tours from Kas Marina

Kekova is best seen from the water, and this private yacht trip gives you a full day to do it at an easy pace. You glide over the Sunken City of Kekova, swim in clear bays, and step ashore at Simena, a small village crowned by a Lycian-era castle.

I especially like the combination of quiet swimming stops and ancient sites, plus the fact that a chef prepares lunch while you enjoy the sea. The main consideration is price: at $1,375.67 for up to six people, this makes the most sense for a full group rather than one or two passengers.

Key points at a glance

• The Sunken City is viewed from the yacht: The boat moves slowly past the underwater ruins while the captain explains what you are seeing.
• Four swimming breaks are built in: You stop at İnönü, Aquarium, Tersane, and Çamlık bays.
• Simena gives the day a land-based highlight: You have about an hour to visit the castle, walk through the village, and try handmade ice cream.
• A chef travels with you: Lunch, afternoon tea, coffee, and tea are included.
• The boat is private for your group: Up to six people can share the yacht, with no unrelated passengers aboard.
• Kaş is both the start and finish: You meet at Setur Kaş Marina at 9:30 a.m. and return there around 6 p.m.

Why this Kaş sailing day works so well

A standard boat outing can feel like a race between swimming stops. This one has a more useful mix. You get long stretches on the water, several chances to swim and snorkel, a proper lunch, and time at one of the coast’s most memorable archaeological sites.

The private format matters. With only your own group aboard, you can settle into the boat without adjusting to strangers, and you have more room to discuss what you want from the day. If your group cares more about ancient sites than long swims, that preference can be shared with the captain. Past arrangements connected with the operator have included WhatsApp communication before departure, which is handy for confirming interests and practical details.

The crew setup is another strong point. A skipper handles the route while a chef prepares lunch. That means you are not buying snacks at each stop or trying to organize food in a hot marina before departure. Earlier sailing experiences connected with the company have involved Captain Erdem, as well as crew members such as Mohammed, Ufuk, and chef Ezra. The exact crew for your date should be confirmed when you book.

Leaving Kaş Marina at 9:30 a.m.

You begin at Setur Kaş Marina in Andifli, at Uğur Mumcu Cd. The tour starts at 9:30 a.m., so plan to arrive with time to find the marina and board without rushing. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so reaching the meeting point is your responsibility.

The first part of the trip is about settling into the yacht and watching Kaş recede behind you. The coastline is best appreciated from the sea, where the peninsula, islands, and coves form the setting for the day. One past sailing description identifies a Beneteau Oceanis 48 from 2018, but you should not assume that exact boat is guaranteed for this departure. The experience is described as a yacht tour, not a bare-bones open-boat ride.

A private yacht also gives you a comfortable base between stops. You can swim, dry off, eat, and rest without repacking your things every time the boat moves. For families, that simple convenience can make an eight-hour day much easier.

İnönü Bay, your first swim

The first stop is İnönü Bay, reached after leaving the marina. The boat anchors near a small sandy beach at the left side of the bay, and you have about 30 minutes for a first swim.

This is a good opening stop because it is short and uncomplicated. You can get used to the water, test the snorkeling equipment, and decide how much time you want to spend in the sea later. The bay is also a chance to take in the pace of the trip before the longer sailing stretch.

The 30-minute stop may feel brief if you like to swim slowly or explore underwater. I would treat it as a welcome dip rather than the day’s main water session. Snorkeling equipment is included, though drinks are not, so bring or purchase anything beyond the included coffee, tea, and lunch service.

Aquarium Bay and lunch on board

The route then continues toward Aquarium Bay, with about an hour of sailing from İnönü Bay. This is one of the more useful parts of the schedule because the crew prepares lunch while you swim.

You get roughly an hour at Aquarium Bay. The name suggests clear water, and this is one of the stops where the included snorkeling gear can add something beyond a quick swim. You do not need to choose between enjoying the bay and waiting for a restaurant meal. The food is prepared on board, letting you eat at sea rather than lose more time going ashore.

Food has been a recurring strength in the sailing experiences connected with this operator. Past passengers have singled out the quality, presentation, and care put into meals. That does not mean you should expect a fixed restaurant menu or a specific dish, since none is provided here, but the chef is a meaningful part of the package.

Lunch is included, as are coffee and tea and afternoon tea. Other drinks are not included. If you have dietary needs, ask about them before the day begins rather than waiting until lunch.

Seeing the Sunken City from the yacht

After lunch, the yacht heads toward the Sunken City ruins of Kekova. This is not a stop where you walk among the remains. The boat moves slowly along the shoreline, and the captain explains the ruins as you pass.

That approach is important. The underwater remains are protected, so the view from the water is the experience. You will have about 15 minutes in this section, although the actual sailing pace and viewing time can depend on conditions and the captain’s route.

This is the historical heart of the day. The ruins are not presented as a large museum site with signs and pathways. Instead, you see traces of an ancient settlement in relation to the sea, the islands, and the rocky coast. A captain who enjoys history can make a real difference here, so tell the crew before departure if you want more explanation rather than a quick pass-by.

Do not expect to swim over the ruins. The supplied itinerary describes a slow viewing cruise, not a swimming or snorkeling stop at the Sunken City.

An hour at Simena Castle

After Kekova, you reach Simena Castle and have about an hour ashore. This is the day’s main chance to stretch your legs and experience a small coastal settlement rather than simply looking at the shore from the yacht.

You can explore the village, try handmade ice cream, and visit the historic castle. The castle is the most active part of the itinerary, so wear shoes suitable for walking and uneven ground. The tour does not include an admission ticket for the castle, so allow for that separate cost.

One hour is enough for a focused visit, but it is not a leisurely half-day exploration. You will need to choose your priorities. If the castle matters most, go there first. If you prefer the village and ice cream, you may have less time for the climb and views.

This is also the point where the private format can help. Your group can decide how to use the hour instead of waiting for a large party to finish at several different places. Children may enjoy the village and the break from the boat, but they must be accompanied by an adult throughout the tour.

Lycian tombs near Üçağız Village

After Simena, the route includes a view of Lycian tombs near Üçağız Village. This is a short cultural addition rather than a long village visit, and the supplied schedule does not give a separate duration for it.

The tombs help connect the coastline’s natural beauty with the ancient Lycian world. You are not simply moving from one swimming cove to another. The day gives you several ways to see the area: underwater ruins, a hilltop castle, village life, and rock-cut tombs.

Because there is no detailed stop time listed for Üçağız, do not plan on a lengthy independent visit there. Consider it part of the scenic and historical sailing route.

Tersane Bay for another swim

Tersane Bay is the third named swimming break, with about 30 minutes in the water. By this point, you will have had lunch and visited Simena, so this stop works as a refreshing reset before the return journey.

The bay is also called Shipyard Bay in the schedule. That alternate name can help when confirming the route, especially if you see both names in local references. As at the earlier coves, admission is free and snorkeling equipment is included.

Thirty minutes gives you enough time for a swim but not much room for a long snorkel session, a leisurely float, and a full change of clothes. Keep your belongings organized and have a towel or cover-up ready so the boat can leave on time.

Çamlık Bay and the final swim near Kaş

The return sailing from Tersane Bay takes about an hour before the yacht reaches Çamlık Bay near Kaş. Here you get another 30-minute swim.

This final stop is a smart way to end the day. You are near home, but the trip does not finish with a straight motor back to the marina. You have one last chance to get in the water before returning to Setur Kaş Marina at around 6 p.m.

The total day is listed as approximately eight hours. Sailing times can vary, so keep the evening flexible rather than scheduling an immediate dinner reservation or airport transfer. The tour ends where it begins, at the marina.

What the $1,375.67 price really means

The price is $1,375.67 per private group of up to six people. At six passengers, that works out to about $229 per person. For four people, it is about $344 per person, and for two, about $688 each.

That makes group size the key value question. For six friends or a family group, the cost buys a private yacht, skipper, chef, lunch, several swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, coffee, tea, afternoon tea, and a full route to Kekova. Compared with booking separate boat seats, arranging food, and trying to visit Simena independently, the convenience has real value.

For two people, the price is much harder to justify unless privacy and a full yacht experience are central to your holiday. A shared boat would likely cost less, though it would not offer the same control over the group or schedule.

Taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. Drinks and castle admission are not. Hotel transportation is also not included, so add the cost and time of getting to Setur Kaş Marina.

What the crew and service add

The skipper and chef are not minor extras. The captain controls the timing, explains the historical sites, and manages the boat through a long day at sea. The chef handles lunch while you swim, which keeps the schedule efficient and makes the experience feel more like a private day out than a basic transfer between bays.

Communication before departure has also been a practical strength in past arrangements. Captain Erdem has used WhatsApp to settle details and ask about interests, including a group’s preference for historical information. That kind of early exchange is worth using. Tell the operator if your group includes young children, strong swimmers, first-time snorkelers, or people who would rather spend more time ashore.

Some earlier sailing trips have also included unexpected extras such as drone photographs, GoPro use, or video. Those touches appear in past experiences, but they are not included in the stated tour package. Do not book this trip expecting aerial footage unless the operator confirms it for your date.

Who should book this private yacht day?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want a private base, food on board, and flexible attention from the crew
• Groups of friends who can divide the group price six ways
• Visitors who want both swimming and archaeological sites in one day
• Anyone who prefers a yacht and chef to a crowded shared excursion
• First-time sailors who want a managed experience rather than bareboat rental

It is less suitable if you want a long, serious snorkeling session at one location. The itinerary gives you several short swimming breaks, not one extended underwater outing.

It may also disappoint you if you expect to walk through the Sunken City ruins. You see them from the yacht, which is the planned and protected way to view them. Simena is the place for walking, climbing, and exploring on land.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour is private, and most people can participate. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The marina is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided.

Confirmation is received at booking. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes for Simena, and any personal drinks you want beyond the included tea and coffee. Keep the schedule in mind: an eight-hour day with multiple swims and an hour ashore is full, but it is not rushed if you arrive prepared.

Should you book this Kekova sailing tour?

Book it if you are a group of up to six and want a private day that combines Mediterranean swimming with Kekova’s ancient sites. The chef, included lunch, snorkeling gear, and crew attention give the high group price a clear purpose.

I would pause if you are booking for only one or two people, or if your top goal is extended snorkeling. For a full group, though, this is a well-rounded way to see the Kaş coast, especially if you value a calm yacht day, a proper meal, and the chance to shape the experience around your own interests.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at Setur Kaş Marina in Andifli, Kaş, Turkey.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts approximately eight hours and returns to Kaş Marina around 6 p.m.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, with up to six people included in the group price.

What swimming locations are included?

The route includes İnönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık Bay near Kaş.

Can I swim at the Sunken City of Kekova?

The itinerary describes a slow cruise past the Sunken City ruins while the captain explains them. It does not list swimming there.

Is Simena Castle admission included?

No. Admission to Simena Castle is not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, afternoon tea, coffee, and tea are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Setur Kaş Marina yourself.