Kekova Sunken City boat tour
The classic full day over the drowned harbour of Dolchiste.
In the 2nd century AD a series of earthquakes dropped the Lycian town of Dolchiste — on the northern shore of Kekova island — several metres into the Mediterranean. What is left is the famous Sunken City: staircases that walk into the sea, house walls under glass-clear water, and a quiet channel where boats slow down so everyone can look over the rail.
A typical day runs from morning to early evening: cruising the Kekova channel past the ruins, swim stops in permitted coves, and a visit below Simena (Kaleköy) — a castle village with no road, where a Lycian sarcophagus stands in the shallows. Lunch is usually cooked on board. It is the single most popular day out on this coast, and it earns that.
Highlights
- Sunken walls and staircases of Dolchiste from the boat rail
- Simena (Kaleköy) castle village and its half-submerged sarcophagus
- 3–4 swim stops in clear, calm coves
- Lunch on board on most boats
Included
- Boat trip with captain and crew
- Lunch on most shared boats
- Swim stops
Not included
- Drinks
- Simena castle entry
- Hotel transfers on some operators
You complete your booking on the licensed operator's or agency's own channel. Prices shown are typical 2026-season starting prices with licensed operators.
Questions people actually ask
Can you swim over the Sunken City?
No. The ruins sit in a protected first-degree archaeological zone, so swimming and diving over them is forbidden. Boats cruise slowly past the walls, and you swim at permitted coves nearby instead.
Does the tour leave from Kaş harbour or Üçağız?
Both formats exist. Some boats sail all the way from Kaş; many tours drive you 40 minutes to Üçağız village and board there, which puts you next to Kekova in minutes. Check the departure point when you book.
How long is the Kekova boat tour?
Plan for a full day — roughly 7 to 8 hours door to door, most of it on the water with long swim breaks.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The channel is sheltered and the swim stops are in calm bays, which makes it one of the easiest full-day trips on this coast for families.
How much does it cost?
Shared boats typically start around €55 per person in the 2026 season, including lunch. Small-group premium boats and private charters cost more.