Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer

What makes this Kemer tour interesting is the mix of big-deal scenery and clear, on-the-ground sites: a Kekova Sunken City boat ride plus the Lycian rock-cut tombs at Myra. I like that it moves at a steady pace, so you get multiple highlights without having to rent a car or plan connections.

The other thing I appreciate is the structure: hotel pickup, a timed boat segment, then Demre and Myra in a logical order. The possible drawback is simply that it is a long day, and some key entrances are not included, so you should budget extra for tickets like St Nicholas Church.

Key takeaways before you go

• Kekova Sunken City boat time is about 2 hours, which is usually enough to see the highlights without feeling rushed
• Myra’s rock-cut tombs are the stop most people come for, and they are the kind you can actually picture after you leave
• St Nicholas Church is worth the view, but plan for the separate entrance fee
• A lunch break is included, which helps when you are out for 7 to 10 hours
• Good-weather dependence matters, because the tour can be rescheduled or refunded if conditions are poor

A long day in the Lycian coast: Demre, Myra, and Kekova

This is the kind of day trip that feels like two trips stitched together: history on land in Demre and Myra, then water and ruins on the Kekova coast. From Kemer, you are looking at roughly a 7 to 10 hour outing, and the pace is designed to fit the boat tour in the morning and the main sites after lunch.

The coolest part for most people is the contrast. On the boat, you look down at what remains of an ancient city after earthquakes changed the coastline. Then you shift back to land and stand in a Roman-era space, plus the older Lycian necropolis carved into rock. If you like travel that stays visual, not just lecture-based, this schedule works.

Hotel pickup and drive timing from Kemer

Pickup starts between 7:30 am and 8:30 am. That early start is not random. The boat tour begins around 10:00 am in the Demre area, so you need the ride out of Kemer to line up with the departure window.

A practical way to handle this: keep breakfast simple or accept that breakfast is not included. Bring water, and wear shoes you can walk in comfortably because you will do short-to-moderate walking at sites. The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle, which is helpful in Turkey’s warm season, but once you are outside the bus, you are on your feet.

Kekova Sunken City boat trip: the best part is what you can see from above

Your first big stop is the Kekova Sunken City boat ride. It starts around 10:00 am and lasts about 2 hours, with the admission ticket included for this segment.

Here is what makes this stop special for your eyes. Kekova Island was once part of the mainland, and earthquakes caused a major collapse. The result is a coastline and underwater remains that you can spot from the water, with ruins visible beneath clear conditions. That “from the sea” perspective is key. Land ruins are one thing, but seeing broken structures in the water gives you a different kind of connection to time.

What to expect in practice:

• You are on the water long enough to take photos, track what the guide is pointing out, and get a sense of the geography.
• You will have a chance to swim in the turquoise waters if conditions allow.
• You also visit a cemetery area with tombs, which keeps the boat day from feeling like only a sightseeing cruise.

One caution. This tour is weather-dependent. If conditions are poor, plans can change, including being offered a different date or a refund. If you are traveling in peak months, build in flexibility and avoid booking other tight departures the same day.

St Nicholas Church in Demre: worth it, but budget the entrance fee

After the boat ride, the next stop is the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre. You are scheduled for about 1 hour here.

Two things to know before you arrive. First, the church entrance ticket is not included, and the tour lists a price of 18 USD. Second, this is not just a pretty building. It is tied to the story of the saint who became a model for Father Christmas, so the site gives you a cultural layer that goes beyond Roman ruins.

What you should plan for during the hour:

• Time to look around at the main church space
• Time for a slower read of details if you like to notice carvings and architectural clues
• Quick regrouping if you arrive in a group rhythm

If you are trying to keep costs down, this is the moment where you decide if you truly care about the church. For many people, the connection to the Christmas legend makes it a memorable stop, not just another ticket.

Myra Ancient City: Lycian rock-cut tombs are the headline

Then comes Myra, and this is the stop the day is really built around. You visit the Ancient City of Myra after the church, and you get about 2 hours on site.

Myra is described as the Land of the Sun, and the highlight is its Lycian necropolis, including tombs that date back to the 4th century BC. These are not museum-style displays. They are rock-cut tombs, meaning the landscape itself carries the story. When you stand there, the whole area reads like a burial zone built into the hills.

This is also where your guide can make a real difference. One of the strongest themes in the feedback is that the guides explain what you are seeing, and the rock-cut tombs land much harder when you understand what they represent. So if your guide is talking, don’t treat it like background noise. Even short explanations can help you spot the logic of the site fast.

Ticket note: the Ancient City of Myra entrance is listed as optional, with a price shown as 300 TL. That means you might see some viewpoints without the full entry, depending on how the tour organizes it on the day. If Myra is a top priority for you, plan the cost and arrive ready to spend those 2 hours fully.

Lunch, breaks, and what to bring for a 7 to 10 hour day

Lunch is included, and there is a lunch break of about 45 minutes. That is a reasonable window, especially because you likely have not eaten since early pickup.

Here is how I’d plan the rest of the day:

• Keep your schedule realistic, especially after the boat segment. The sun and time on the water can make the afternoon feel longer than it looks on paper.
• Bring sunscreen and a hat. Even if you are not swimming, you will still be out by the water.
• If you plan to swim, pack a quick-change plan (simple towel, water shoes if you have them). The tour does say swimming in the turquoise waters is part of the experience.

Drinks are not included, so you will probably want to carry a bit of cash or a card you can use on the day.

Infant seats are available on request for 15 USD, if you need that.

Price and value: is $50 a good deal from Kemer?

At $50 per person, this tour can be good value because it bundles the big mover: transportation, lunch, and the boat trip. In a typical region like this, the boat segment and your day of guided transport are often the hard parts to replicate cheaply if you book on your own.

Where the value can shift is in what is not included:

• St Nicholas Church entrance is 18 USD
• Myra Ancient City entrance is optional at 300 TL
• Drinks are not included
• Breakfast is not included

So the real question is your priorities. If you care most about the Kekova boat and you are fine treating the church as a pay-what-you-think stop, then the base price plus your chosen entrances can still feel fair. If you want to do everything fully, your total day cost will be higher, but you still get a full, organized loop instead of stitching together separate trips.

Also consider timing. This is usually booked about 6 days in advance on average, and that early booking can matter if you want a spot on the day you prefer. The group size caps at 45 travelers, which is fairly large, but it helps explain how they manage the schedule.

Group size and guide quality: what to watch for

The tour runs with a maximum of 45 travelers, so you should expect a group pace. That is not automatically bad. With a route like this, the guide needs to keep everyone aligned for the boat timing and the transfers.

Where quality shows up is in interpretation. The positive feedback highlights two things: the rock-cut tombs felt impressive, and the guide provided a lot of useful context about the sights. On this kind of day trip, that context helps you notice details faster and feel like you learned something instead of just collecting photos.

One caution from real-world experience: sometimes last-minute changes can happen, including issues around the language of the guide. If you are traveling with a language-specific expectation, I’d keep a close eye on your confirmation and be ready for a Plan B in case the guide details change near departure.

Should you book the Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City from Kemer?

Book it if:

• You want a single day that covers Kekova, Demre, and Myra without extra planning
• You like sites you can picture, especially the Lycian rock-cut tombs
• You care about guided context, not just stop-and-go photos

Consider skipping or switching tours if:

• You do not want to pay add-on entrances like St Nicholas Church
• You are traveling with no flexibility and cannot handle weather-based changes
• You hate long days, since you are out about 7 to 10 hours

Overall, I think this is a solid choice when your goal is clear: a good day in the Lycian coast where the ruins are not only on land, but also visible from the sea.

FAQ

What time does pickup start in Kemer?

Pickup starts at 7:30 am, and pickups can be scheduled between 7:30 am and 8:30 am.

How long is the tour from start to finish?

The tour duration is listed as about 7 to 10 hours.

How long is the Kekova Sunken City boat trip?

The boat tour starts at approximately 10:00 am and lasts about 2 hours.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport, lunch, and the boat trip to Kekova Sunken City.

Are entrance tickets included for St. Nicholas Church and Myra?

No. St. Nicholas Church entrance is not included and is listed as 18 USD. Ancient City of Myra entrance is shown as optional at 300 TL.

Will I have drinks during the day?

Drinks are not included.

What time will we be back in Kemer?

You should be back in Kemer around 19:00.

Is there a limit on the number of travelers?

Yes. The maximum group size is 45 travelers.

What happens if weather is bad or if I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.