From Antalya: Private Tour to Kekova Island, Myra and Demre

Kekova, Demre, and Myra in one long day is interesting because you get the coast from the water and the ancient ruins on land, all tied together by one private itinerary. I love the private boat ride along Kekova’s coast, especially the chance to see submerged ruins up close without crowds. I also like that lunch is included and the pace is relaxed with multiple water breaks. The main drawback to plan for is the extra cost of several key entrances, and some parts are marked as optional.

This trip starts early from Antalya and runs about 14 hours, so it’s best when you want one big day instead of squeezing these sites across several trips. One detail to keep in mind: swimming is not allowed at the Sunken City area, even though you’ll be on the water there.

Key Things I’d Pay Attention To Before You Go

• Private boat time on Kekova’s coast with cruising alongside underwater ruins
• Clear rules for swimming, Sunken City is off-limits, other bays are swim-friendly
• Kaleköy (ancient Simena) village stop plus ruins you can walk through at your own pace
• Myra and St Nicholas options so you can mix theatre, tombs, and churches based on your interests
• Entrance fees are separate, so the final total depends on which stops you choose

Why Kekova and Myra Feel Like Two Different Trips (in a Good Way)

This is one of those days where the scenery changes fast, and that’s exactly why it works. First you’re in the Mediterranean light, watching the shoreline from a boat. Then you switch to the Demre and Myra sites, where theatre seating, carved tombs, and church architecture tell a different story.

Kekova is about geology and history you can actually see from the water. An earthquake in the 2nd century flooded the ancient city of Dolchiste, and the underwater ruins are still visible today. Myra, by contrast, is about human carving and construction, with rock-cut tombs and a theatre built into a steep slope.

I like that the plan mixes both without forcing you to rush through everything. You get multiple breaks to cool off and a long enough window to see the big-ticket ancient anchors, instead of treating this like a quick photo dash.

Price and What You Really Get for $703.96 Per Person

The headline price is $703.96 per person, and it’s designed for a private setup where the cost can vary based on your group size. That matters, because private boat days can get expensive fast if you compare them to group tours.

What you should know upfront is what’s included versus what’s not:

• Included: lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle (plus the overall private day structure)
• Not included: multiple entrance fees, including the Ancient City of Myra, St Nicholas Church, the Museum of Lycian Civilizations, and Simena Castle

So the best way to judge value is this: you’re paying for the comfort of a private day and the boat portion built around Kekova. Then you decide how many land attractions to add by paying their entrances.

If your group is small and you want a private boat plus a relaxed pace, this can still pencil out well. If you only care about one or two sights, you might find a cheaper alternative makes more sense.

The Morning Start in Antalya, Then Down to Demre

The schedule starts early. There’s a meeting point around 7:00 am, and the tour kicks off with pickup from your hotel in Antalya around 7:30 am. From there, you ride by air-conditioned vehicle to Demre.

This transfer is more than just logistics. Driving in the morning means you reach the harbour with time to settle, then you board the boat when it’s ready. That reduces the stress factor when you’re doing a full-day itinerary.

Demre is where the water portion begins. After arriving, you make your way to the harbour area, and the boat trip along Kekova starts as the anchor is raised.

Kekova Sunken City by Boat: Seeing Dolchiste Up Close

The core of the day is the boat cruise along Kekova’s coast, focused on the Sunken City area. Here’s the key detail: because it’s a protected site, swimming is not permitted at the ruins themselves. You still get a great experience, though, because the boat cruising pass is built for viewing and photos.

You’ll learn how Dolchiste, the ancient city, ended up flooded after the 2nd-century earthquake. The effect is what you came for. You watch submerged ruins and rocky features from the boat, so you get that rare mix of coastal scenery and archaeology without needing special gear or complicated logistics.

Practical note: because you’re not swimming here, dress for comfort and photos. You’ll be near the water again later in the day at bays where swimming is allowed.

Aquarium Bay and the Swim Break Rhythm

After the Sunken City viewing, the plan includes a swim-friendly stretch at Aquarium Bay. The timing is simple: you get about an hour there, and the idea is straightforward. You cool off in the Mediterranean, then you’re back on the boat for the next set of sights.

Later you’ll repeat the same pattern, with multiple bays and breaks. This is where the private format really pays off. Instead of one long, tiring stretch, you get natural pauses built into the route.

The tour also includes a stop connected to a natural cave. The plan mentions a naturally formed cave with a large size and a curved entrance. The time at this part is not spelled out separately, so treat it as a short viewing moment where you’re mainly looking rather than planning a long walk.

Kaleköy (Ancient Simena): A Small Village With Ruins

Back on land, you get one hour anchored at Kaleköy port, described as ancient Simena. This is the kind of stop that helps you break up the day because it’s not just ruins. It’s also a village feel, with castle ruins and a necropolis in the area.

You can walk around at your own pace and explore the area around the port. And because the stop is timed, you’re not stuck in endless transit to reach the main points. It’s enough time to get the feel for the place, then return to the boat or continue.

There is an entrance fee listed for Simena Castle, and that’s important for your budgeting. If you’re on the fence about paying for the castle portion, think about what you prefer: village wandering and viewpoints, or formal archaeological sites with timed entrances.

Esmeralda Bay, Burç Bay, and Gökkaya Bay: Cooling Off in Different Water Conditions

The boat day continues with a set of swim breaks, each with its own “reason to stop.” Here’s what’s described:

• Esmeralda Bay: lunch and swim break, with a calmer pace
• Burç Bay: swimming break where the water feels cooler due to cold underwater natural springs
• Gökkaya Bay: swim break with an option to try water sports offered there

Each bay also shifts the mood. Esmeralda is built for food and downtime. Burç is for that quick “why does it feel colder” moment that you’ll notice once you’re in. Gökkaya is more active if your group wants it, though you can keep it simple and just swim.

One more practical detail: swimming rules vary by location. Sunken City is off-limits, but these bays are included as swim breaks. So plan your swim gear based on the bays you care about most.

Demre Harbour and the Nearby Museum Chance

After the boat portion, you return to Demre harbour. The tour continues right away, with a visit to a nearby museum. The listed time here is short, around 30 minutes, and the entrance is indicated as free for this part.

This is a good moment to get oriented. By the time you’re on land, the story you saw underwater in Kekova connects better to what you see in Demre and Myra. It also helps you break up the day so the archaeological stops don’t blend into one long blur.

Museum of Lycian Civilizations, Andriake Ancient City, and Optional Stops

The plan then moves into the Demre area for several optional cultural stops. You’ll see a theme: Lycian and ancient Greek influence across multiple layers.

Museum of Lycian Civilizations

You can visit the Museum of Lycian Civilizations, with access via walking paths that pass the Andriake ruins. The museum highlights a 2nd-century ancient granary turned into museum space. Entrance is listed as a paid extra.

If you like museum interpretation that helps you “read” the ruins you’ll see later, this stop can make the rest of the day click.

Andriake Ancient City

Next is the option to visit Andriake Ancient City, described as showing artefacts from nearby Lycian cities that survived through time. This is listed as a free entrance stop with around 30 minutes.

This is the kind of archaeological area where you benefit from a slower pace. If your group wants more time on the water-to-land connection, take your time here. If your group wants only the biggest monuments, you might treat it as a quick but useful stop.

St Nicholas Museum and St Nicholas Church

There’s an option to visit the Santa Claus Museum in Demre town center, linked to a church built in 520 A.D. and associated with St Nicholas of Myra, plus the later church story connected to how he’s revered. Entrance is listed as an extra.

Then there’s the St Nicholas Church stop, described as important to Catholics and Orthodox Christians. This part is short, about 15 minutes, and entrance is paid extra.

These are small time investments that can feel meaningful if you enjoy how religious history shapes later culture.

Myra Ancient City and Theatre: The Big Steep-Slope Moment

Myra is where you shift from churches and museums to architecture built into the land itself. The plan includes:

• Myra Ancient City: around 15 minutes (entrance paid)
• Myra Antik Kenti: an additional option, around 30 minutes (entrance paid)
• Rock tombs in Myra: another optional stop, around 30 minutes (entrance paid)

The most striking detail mentioned is the ancient Greek theatre of Myra. It’s described as built in the 1st century BC on a steep mountain slope, with impressive staircases and barrel vault masonry, plus decorative friezes. After an earthquake in 141 A.D., it was rebuilt thanks to donations.

So what you’re really looking at is a theatre that feels like it grew out of the mountain. Even if you’ve seen Greek theatres elsewhere, this one has a strong sense of scale and texture because it’s tied to the cliff and the slope.

Then you can add the rock-cut tombs above the cliffs, which gives you a darker, more eerie visual contrast to the theatre.

If you only have energy for one land cluster, I’d choose based on what you want: performance-space views (the theatre), or the cliff tombs for a more atmospheric feel.

Small-Cruise Comfort and the Boat Experience With EGEMENiM

This is billed as a private tour, and what that means in practice is that your group shares the boat day, with hosts focused on your schedule. From the way the boat portion is described, lunch is included, and the day feels relaxed rather than rushed.

One specific name comes up: the boat is called EGEMENiM, and the people running the trip are described as a kind couple, also credited with providing a good meal. That aligns with the itinerary’s lunch inclusion and the calmer swim-and-view flow.

One caution from a past experience matters for planning: in at least one case, the captain was not English-speaking. That doesn’t automatically mean you’ll struggle, but it does mean you should set expectations. If English is important to you, consider asking ahead what language(s) are used on the boat.

Budgeting the Extras: Entrance Fees That Add Up

Entrance fees not included are listed clearly. The ones tied to major sites are:

• Ancient City of Myra: 13 euro
• St Nicholas Church: 17 euro
• Museum of Lycian Civilizations: 4 euro
• Simena Castle: 4 euro

Depending on which optional stops you actually choose, your final total could be notably higher than the headline rate. The trick is to decide what you want before you go. If Myra and St Nicholas are musts for you, plan to pay for those entrances. If you’re mainly there for Kekova’s boat day, you can choose fewer paid land stops.

I like having this spelled out, because it keeps the day honest. You can enjoy the boat portion without assuming land entrances are automatically covered.

Who This Private Day Is Best For

I think this works best if you:

• Want a private boat experience rather than squeezing into a larger group
• Like the mix of coastal scenery and ancient ruins
• Enjoy swimming breaks and don’t mind a long day clocking around 14 hours
• Prefer an itinerary with some flexibility, since several sights are described as optional

It may not be ideal if:

• You hate paying separate entrance fees for multiple sites
• You want a very short day, since this is a full-day outing

Should You Book This Antalya to Kekova, Myra, and Demre Private Day Trip?

Yes, I’d book it if you’re craving a “two worlds” day, boat archaeology in Kekova plus land monuments in Demre and Myra, with lunch built in and a pace that allows multiple water breaks. The private format makes it easier to enjoy the day without constantly negotiating with other groups.

I’d think twice if your priority is only one or two sights. In that case, entrance fees and a long schedule can feel like you’re paying for more than you plan to use. If you’re excited by Kekova and you can handle the add-on entrances for the Myra and St Nicholas parts, this private day is a strong way to spend your time from Antalya.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Antalya to Kekova, Demre, and Myra?

The duration is listed as approximately 14 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and a private transfer from your hotel in Antalya are offered.

What’s included in the tour price?

Lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Which entrance fees are not included?

The Ancient City of Myra (13 euro), St Nicholas Church (17 euro), Museum of Lycian Civilizations (4 euro), and Simena Castle (4 euro) are not included.

Can I swim at the Sunken City ruins in Kekova?

No. Swimming is not permitted in the protected Sunken City area, but swimming breaks are included at other bays like Aquarium Bay and several others later on.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting point is at 7:00 am, and the tour starts with pickup and transfer around 7:30 am.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.