Private Kekova Sailing Day Tours from Kas Marina

History meets the open sea. This private day sail from Kaş gives you a full Mediterranean day without the crowds of a shared boat. You cruise toward Kekova, swim in İnönü, Aquarium, Tersane, and Çamlık bays, pass the Sunken City of Kekova, and spend time at Simena Castle. A skipper and chef remain with your group, so the day feels personal rather than packaged.

I especially like the private format for families and small groups, and I like that lunch, snorkeling gear, coffee, tea, and afternoon tea are included. The main drawback is simple: at $1,375.67 for up to six people, this is a serious day-trip expense if you are traveling alone or as a couple. The price makes much more sense when the boat is full.

The route also has a fair amount of sailing time. That is part of the pleasure if you enjoy the water, but you should not book this expecting nonstop sightseeing or swimming. You will spend about eight hours on board, from 9:30 a.m. until roughly 6 p.m., and drinks, hotel transfers, and admission to Simena Castle cost extra.

At a glance

• Private yacht for up to six people: Your group has the boat, skipper, and chef to itself.
• Four swimming breaks: Stop at İnönü Bay, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Bay, and Çamlık Bay near Kaş.
• Slow pass by the Sunken City: The captain explains the submerged ruins while the boat moves carefully along the coast.
• One hour at Simena Castle: Explore the castle and village, with time for handmade ice cream.
• Lunch prepared on board: You can swim at Aquarium Bay while the meal is being prepared.
• Kaş marina departure: Meet at Setur Kaş Marina at 9:30 a.m. and return to the same place around 6 p.m.

Starting at Setur Kaş Marina at 9:30 a.m.

Your day starts at Setur Kaş Marina, on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi in Kaş. The tour does not include hotel pickup, so you need to reach the marina yourself. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at the marina.

I would arrive early enough to find the correct berth without rushing. A marina can feel confusing when several boats are preparing to leave, and a relaxed start matters on a day with this much time on the water. Confirmation is provided when you book, so keep the meeting details handy.

The boat is staffed by a skipper and chef. Past sailing experiences connected with this operator describe a well-kept sailing yacht, including a Beneteau Oceanis 48 in one account, though you should confirm the current vessel when booking if the boat itself matters to you.

The private setup changes the mood right away. You are not adjusting your day around a boatload of strangers, and the skipper can pay closer attention to your group’s preferences. One particularly useful detail is the operator’s habit of communicating through WhatsApp before departure. That can help you clarify food preferences or tell the crew that your group cares more about ancient sites than long swimming stops.

İnönü Bay: an easy first swim

The first stop is İnönü Koyu, or İnönü Bay. The boat anchors here for about 30 minutes, and a small sandy beach sits at the left corner of the bay.

This is a gentle way to begin. You can get used to the boat, test the water, and use the included snorkeling equipment without giving up a large part of the day. The beach also gives you an option if you prefer a short wade or a little time on shore rather than jumping straight into deeper water.

The stop is free, but do not expect a major shore visit. Thirty minutes goes quickly, especially if you need to collect a mask, swim, dry off, and return to the boat. I would keep your belongings organized and have your swimwear on under your clothes before leaving Kaş.

Aquarium Bay: swimming while lunch is prepared

After about an hour of sailing from İnönü Bay, the boat reaches Aquarium Bay. You get roughly an hour here, and the crew prepares lunch while you swim.

This is one of the smartest parts of the schedule. The meal preparation does not take away from your sightseeing time because it happens during your swim. You can choose between swimming, snorkeling, relaxing on board, or simply watching the crew work.

Lunch is included, along with coffee and tea and an afternoon tea service. The food receives some of the strongest praise connected with this sailing operation. It has been described as carefully presented, high quality, and among the best food served on a boat. That matters because a long day at sea can feel disappointing when lunch is an afterthought.

Still, you should remember that drinks are not included. The tour includes coffee and tea, but the supplied details do not promise soft drinks, bottled water, beer, or wine. Ask before departure what you should bring or purchase. That small bit of planning can prevent an expensive surprise for a group of six.

The Sunken City of Kekova from the water

After lunch, the boat heads toward the Sunken City ruins of Simena, part of the Kekova area. The boat moves slowly along the ruins for about 15 minutes while the captain explains what you are seeing.

This is not a shore landing at the Sunken City. You view the remains from the boat, which is important to understand before you book. The water and the low speed give you a good chance to look closely, take photographs, and hear the explanation without the noise and crowding that can come with a large group boat.

The short time listed for this section does not mean it is unimportant. The underwater ruins are best understood as part of the coastal setting, not as a place where you spend hours walking around. Keep your camera ready, but also listen to the captain. The value here comes from seeing the remains in their proper setting, with the shoreline and sea explaining how the site looks today.

If ancient places are a priority for your group, say so before the boat leaves. The skipper has been praised for adjusting the route and sailing close to historic sites when that is what the group wants. The route still follows the day’s schedule, but a private boat gives you more room to express those interests than a standard shared excursion.

Simena Castle and the village for one hour

After the slow pass by the Sunken City, you go ashore at Simena. The tour allows about one hour of free time to explore the village, visit Simena Castle, and try handmade ice cream.

This is the main land-based portion of the day. The castle gives you a different view from the one you get on deck, and the village offers a chance to stretch your legs after the sailing time. Handmade ice cream is a fine practical reward after walking in the sun.

Admission to the castle is not included, so bring money for that ticket. The supplied information does not give the price, and it does not promise a guided walk inside the castle. Think of this as independent exploration rather than a formal land tour.

One hour is enough for a focused visit, but it is not generous. You will want to decide quickly whether the castle, village lanes, ice cream, or photographs matter most. Wear shoes suitable for uneven ground and bring sun protection. Those are sensible choices for any stop that combines a historic site with a coastal village, even though the tour details do not specify the exact walking surface.

The hour also creates a useful balance. You are not trapped on the boat all day, but you are not spending half the excursion away from the water. Families may appreciate the break, while younger children may prefer the ice cream and views to a detailed visit inside the castle.

Lycian tombs near Üçağız

After Simena, the boat comes to Üçağız Village to see the Lycian tombs. The schedule does not give a separate duration for this stop, so treat it as a viewing point along the route rather than a long village visit.

The tombs add another layer to the day. You see ancient remains from the sea, then follow them with the Sunken City and Simena Castle. That sequence gives the excursion more substance than a simple bay-hopping cruise.

Because there is no stated admission or separate walking time for Üçağız, I would not assume you will get an extended shore tour there. If you have a special interest in Lycian sites, tell the skipper at the start and ask how much time the route normally allows.

Tersane Bay: the third swimming stop

Tersane Koyu, also called Shipyard Bay, is the third main swimming break. You have about 30 minutes before the return journey to Kaş begins.

By this stage, the stop works as a reset after the castle and ancient sites. You can cool off, snorkel with the included equipment, or sit quietly while the boat rests at anchor. The short duration keeps the day moving, but it also means you should be ready to swim as soon as the anchor is down.

The name and setting are part of the appeal, but no separate admission is needed. As with the other bays, the exact feel of the stop can depend on the sea and the day’s conditions. The schedule gives you the planned time, not a promise of a particular water temperature or visibility.

Çamlık Bay near Kaş and the ride home

The return route includes another 30-minute swim at Çamlık Bay, near Kaş. The listed timing places this after about an hour of sailing from Tersane Bay.

This final swim is useful because it breaks up the ride back to the marina. You get one last chance to use the snorkeling gear and enjoy the water before returning to town. It also keeps the journey from feeling like a long straight run after the main sights.

The boat returns to Setur Kaş Marina at around 6 p.m. The full day includes several swimming stops, so take a dry layer for the ride home. The tour details do not state that towels are included, although accounts of longer sailing trips with the operator have described clean sheets and towels. For this specific day tour, confirm what is supplied rather than relying on amenities from another sailing package.

What the private price really buys you

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

That calculation tells you who should book. A family of six or a group of close friends can receive good value from the private format, especially with a skipper, chef, lunch, snorkeling equipment, coffee, tea, and afternoon tea included. You are also paying for control over the group dynamic, not just a seat on a boat.

For a couple, the same experience becomes a luxury purchase. You may still think it is worth it for a birthday, anniversary, or special day, but you should compare it with shared boat trips from Kaş. The private boat is most compelling when privacy, food, and a tailored pace matter more than keeping the cost low.

The strongest practical value comes from the crew. The captain handles navigation and the historical explanations, while the chef prepares lunch. Several sailing accounts praise the service, food, boat condition, and careful return to Kaş. One family also appreciated how warmly the crew involved a child in the experience, which suggests that the atmosphere can work well for families when children are supervised by an adult.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want several different experiences in one day:

• A relaxed sailing day rather than a fast sightseeing transfer
• Swimming and snorkeling in more than one bay
• A look at the Sunken City from the water
• Time to explore Simena Castle and village
• A private boat for your family or friends
• A prepared lunch instead of arranging food yourself

It is especially well suited to families and groups of up to six. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate according to the supplied activity details. You should be comfortable with swimming stops, boat movement, and several hours at sea.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a long guided archaeological tour. Simena Castle gets about one hour, the Sunken City is viewed from the boat, and the Lycian tombs at Üçağız do not have a stated walking period. I would also hesitate if you dislike sailing time. The boat takes about an hour between some stops, and the day runs from morning into early evening.

What to bring and what to clarify

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a hat, a dry change of clothes, and secure footwear for Simena Castle. A waterproof pouch can help protect your phone during the swimming stops.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but the details do not specify every item of beach equipment. Drinks are excluded, so ask what water and other beverages are available before departure. Confirm the current yacht, the lunch menu, and the plan for castle admission if anyone in your group has special needs.

The cancellation terms are friendly but firm. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Kaş to Kekova sailing day?

Book it if you can fill most of the six places and want a polished private day with good food, swimming, and a useful mix of coastal scenery and ancient sites. The combination of a skipper, chef, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and flexible attention gives the high group price a clear purpose.

I would book this for a family celebration, a small friend group, or anyone who values quiet time on the water. I would skip it in favor of a shared excursion if you are traveling alone, watching every lira, or mainly want a long walk through archaeological sites. The best reason to choose this boat is not simply reaching Kekova. It is having one unhurried day where the sea, meal, and historic coast all belong to your group.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from Setur Kaş Marina at Andifli, Uğur Mumcu Cd., 07580 Kaş, Antalya, Türkiye.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting time is 9:30 a.m.

When does the tour return to Kaş Marina?

The boat is scheduled to return to Kaş Marina at around 6 p.m.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Drinks are not included. Coffee and tea are listed as included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is the entrance fee for Simena Castle included?

No. Admission to Simena Castle is not included.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the activity ends back at the marina.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.