Why come here
Kekova is a 7-km-long island sheltering a calm bay on the Antalya coast. On the bay’s south shore are the partly-submerged ruins of Simena — an ancient Lycian-then-Roman town that fell into the sea after one of the great Anatolian earthquakes in the 2nd century AD. Foundations, doorways, stairways descending into water, and amphorae are all visible from a metre or two above the surface. The water is exceptionally clear; the protected status of the site means it has stayed that way.
The neighbouring fishing village of Üçağız (literally "three mouths," for the bay’s entry channels) is the launch point. About 100 stone houses, a working harbour, half a dozen waterfront restaurants serving the day’s catch, and several Lycian sarcophagi sitting between the houses — including one in the middle of the harbour itself, half-submerged. Across the bay, on a small headland reached only by boat, sits Kaleköy / Simena, a village of about 30 houses crowned by a Byzantine castle and accessed by a footpath up from the water.
Most travellers see Kekova as a half-day trip from Kaş. A few stay a night or two for the immersion — sunrise on the bay before the day-trippers arrive, dinner on a quiet harbour, the chance to do the coastal Lycian Way stage between Üçağız and Aperlae.
What to do, by pillar
Sea kayak over the sunken city
The signature experience. Most kayak tours start from Üçağız (or pick you up in Kaş); 4-hour round trip; covers ~6–8 km of paddling along the protected northern shore of Kekova island, directly above the underwater ruins. You stop at small swimming bays (where swimming is allowed), paddle close to Kaleköy castle, and return through the channel.
Around €40–60 per person, including transport from Kaş, equipment, lunch and a guide. Suitable for first-time kayakers; tours run April–October.
We’re onboarding kayak operators for Kekova through 2026 — tell us when this opens.
Glass-bottom boat tours & gulet stops
Two ways to visit Kekova by water: single-seat themed day sails from Kaş (book a seat, themed groups, see below), or multi-day Blue Cruise gulets that overnight in the bay (whole boat, 3–7 nights) via SailTurk.
Boat tours leave Üçağız harbour (and Kaş, and Demre) every morning in season — typically a 3-hour loop around the sunken city, lunch in Kaleköy, swim stop at Tersane bay. Around €20–30 per person.
Most multi-day Blue Cruise gulets sailing the Fethiye → Olympos route stop overnight in Kekova bay — the sheltered anchorage and the drama of the sunken city are why the route exists. SailTurk charters the multi-day boats, with Kekova as one of the most popular anchorages in their 92-anchorage database.
Open SailTurk →The most coastal stages of the Lycian Way
The Lycian Way passes directly through Üçağız. Stage 16 (Aperlae to Üçağız, about 13 km) is one of the trail’s most scenic coastal walks, ending with the descent to the bay. Aperlae itself has its own underwater ruins — you can swim above them at the trail’s start (this site is not protected and swimming is allowed).
Open the Lycian Way platform →Swimming over the sunken city is not allowed. The site is a protected archaeological zone and Turkish coastguard enforces it. Swim at the designated bays around Kekova island instead. Kayaks and tour boats may cross over the ruins from above; jumping out of them is also prohibited.
Where to stay
Neighbourhoods at a glance
Üçağız village
Best for: harbour-side simplicity, fishing-village atmosphere, sunset over the bay. Six or seven family-run pensions with maybe 30 rooms total. Book ahead in season.
- Walk to harbour, restaurants, kayak boats
- Quietest after the day-trippers leave at 4 pm
- $45–120 / night
Kaleköy / Simena
Best for: total disconnection. Tiny village across the bay, accessible only by boat (10 min from Üçağız). Three or four pensions cling to the hillside under the Byzantine castle.
- No road, no cars
- Bring everything you need from Üçağız
- $60–150 / night
Kaş (day trip base)
Best for: most travellers. Stay in Kaş for 5–7 nights; do Kekova as a one-day kayak trip. More on Kaş →
- 1 hour to Üçağız by car
- Most kayak operators include the transfer
- Restaurant + dive scene only available here
Demre / Kale (alternative)
Best for: combining Kekova with St Nicholas’ church and the rock tombs of Myra. Larger town, less atmospheric but more services.
- 20 min from Üçağız by car
- Better value than Üçağız itself
- $30–80 / night
Practical info
Getting there
- From Kaş: 1 hour by car east on the D400, then 12 km south on a winding village road to Üçağız. Most kayak day tours include round-trip transport from your Kaş hotel.
- From Antalya (AYT): 3 hours by car west on the D400. Direct shuttle bus from Antalya otogar runs to Demre / Kale; from there a dolmuş or taxi to Üçağız (20 min).
- From Olympos / Cıralı: 1.5 hours west by car. Doable as part of a westward Lycia road-trip.
Getting around
The bay is best seen from the water. From Üçağız, water taxis run to Kaleköy throughout the day (about €5–8 each way per person). Kayaks and gulet day tours leave from the harbour. There are no taxis or dolmuş between Üçağız and other villages; you need a car or pre-arranged pickup.
The view from here — nearby attractions
- Demre / Myra: 20 min east, with the spectacular Lycian rock tombs of ancient Myra and the basilica of St Nicholas (the historical Santa Claus).
- Kaş & Kalkan: 1 h west, the diving + slow village pair. More on Kaş →
- Aperlae: a separate underwater ruin site reached by Lycian Way Stage 16 or by boat from Üçağız. Less famous, smaller, swimmable.
- Olympos & Cıralı: 1.5 h east, the eastern Lycia anchor. More on Olympos →
Frequently asked
How long do I need at Kekova?
Half a day for a kayak or boat trip from Kaş. Two nights in Üçağız if you want sunrise on the bay, the Lycian Way coastal stage, or one of the nights to be on the gulet. More than two nights starts to feel slow unless you’re using it as a hiking base.
Is the kayak hard?
No. Mostly flat-water paddling in the protected bay; sit-on-top stable kayaks for beginners, or tandem (two-person) for non-paddlers and kids. Tours go at the pace of the slowest person.
Can I see the sunken city without getting in the water?
Yes — both kayak and glass-bottom boat tours give a perfectly good view. The water is so clear you don’t need to be under it.
Is there a road to Kaleköy?
No. Kaleköy is reached only by boat or by a 1.5-hour clifftop walk along the Lycian Way from Üçağız. Pension owners arrange boat transfers for guests.