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

Sunken ruins by boat feel like a time machine. This private full-day route links Kekova with Demre and Myra in one long, comfortable day.

What I like most is the way the day splits cleanly between water time and on-land ancient sites, so you are not exhausted by nonstop walking. I also like that it is truly private, meaning your boat day feels flexible and paced for your group.

One thing to consider: some key sights have separate admission fees, and the captain may not speak English, so plan to communicate with the essentials or ask ahead.

Key highlights to expect

• A true private boat day along Kekova’s coast, with cruising views of submerged ruins
• Swim breaks at multiple bays, with swimming not allowed in the protected Sunken City area
• Kaleköy (ancient Simena) for village time, castle ruins, and a hillside viewpoint moment
• Demre and Myra on land including St. Nicholas and the ancient theatre setting
• Optional museum and theatre/tomb stops so you can trim paid entries based on your budget
• Hotel pickup in Antalya and an air-conditioned ride to keep the day comfortable

Why this Kekova, Myra and Demre route works as a full-day trip

This is one of those Antalya-area days where the travel time is the price of admission. You will spend a good chunk of the day on the road, but the payoff is that you get two different kinds of ancient wonder: sunken ruins on the water and big, dramatic monuments on land.

The smart part is the balance. You start early, you reach Demre, and then you shift into a boat rhythm with stops for swimming and short breaks. Later, you switch to Demre and Myra, where the pace is more about stepping into archaeological settings and getting your bearings fast.

For me, the value is less about ticking boxes and more about doing a place most visitors skip when they stay only in the main coastal zones. Kekova’s submerged city ruins, plus Myra’s theatre and rock-cut tomb scenery, are not the kind of sights you stumble into by accident.

If you enjoy structure but still want room to breathe, this format fits. Just remember that the on-land stops are mostly short, so you will see highlights rather than spend hours deep in every corner.

Price and what it really covers for a private boat day

The price is $703.96 per person for a private tour, and it is set up as one fee based on your group size. That matters because private tours can swing wildly in cost depending on how many people share the boat time and vehicle time.

In terms of what you get for that money, the included basics are solid: lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle. The boat cruise is also a core part of the experience, and the day is arranged as a full circuit from Antalya to Demre and back.

What is not included are several entrance fees. If you plan to visit everything with paid admissions, budget for:

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

That means the final spend depends on which optional stops you choose to enter. If you are trying to keep costs down, you can still enjoy the main flow and many parts of the scenery, but you will likely pay if you want the big-ticket sites like St. Nicholas and the Ancient City of Myra.

Getting from Antalya to Demre early, without killing your whole day

This day starts early. The meeting point time is listed as 7:00 am, and the departure to Demre lines up with an early start around 7:30 am. The transfer time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, in an air-conditioned vehicle.

That early start is not just about logistics. Kekova boat time feels best when you are not rushed, and morning departure helps you get into the water stops and viewpoints while the day is still fresh.

Once you arrive near Demre, you head to the harbour area. There is a short window to settle in, then the boat trip begins once the anchor is raised. This is where the day shifts from road trip energy to sea-time mode, and it is usually the moment when people start relaxing.

A practical note: bring swimwear and something easy for changing, because you will have swimming windows later and you do not want to waste time hunting for basics.

Boarding at Demre Harbour and cruising Kekova’s Sunken City

After you reach Demre Harbour, the boat trip takes you along Kekova’s coast. The focus is Sunken City style viewing, meaning you cruise by ruins and see the remnants from the water rather than standing above them.

A big standout is the underwater ruins linked to an earthquake in the 2nd century. Dolchiste was flooded, and the submerged remains remain visible enough that you can take meaningful photos from the boat.

You also get rock-cut tombs and natural coastal scenery in the same stretch, so it is not just one theme. The coast itself is part of the story, and the boat angle makes it feel different from what you would see on a shore visit.

One rule you should plan around: because this is a protected area, swimming is not permitted there. That is not a deal-breaker, because the schedule still includes multiple swim breaks later, but it does mean you should not expect to jump in right where the ruins are.

If you care about photos, this is a good time to keep your phone or camera handy and charged. The viewing moments are brief, and the boat positioning is the whole point.

Aquarium Bay and the bay-hopping rhythm for your swim breaks

Your day includes swim time in several places, with a mix of relaxed water and scenery-driven stops. The first named swim break is Aquarium Bay, with about 1 hour on the water.

Aquarium Bay is described as a picture-perfect stop, and the real value is simplicity. You cool off after the travel, you swim without having to hike, and you get a calmer break between archaeological scenes.

After that, the itinerary moves into Kaleköy and Simena-related sightseeing, then returns to more water time. Esmeralda Bay is listed as your lunch and swim break. That is a smart combo, because it keeps the day from feeling like you keep eating on the move.

Burç Bay is another swim stop, and it is noted as feeling cooler thanks to cold underwater natural springs. Even if you just treat that as interesting trivia, you will probably feel it in the water temperature.

Gökkaya Bay comes with another swim window and mentions that you can opt into water sports offered there. You do not have to do anything extra, but it is nice that the day gives you options besides swimming and photos.

A final water-adjacent point: there is also time tied to a naturally formed cave with a large size and a curved entrance. You will likely get your chance to see it as part of the route rather than doing a long hike.

Kaleköy (ancient Simena): village time and castle ruins on a short timeline

Kaleköy port, listed as ancient Simena, is where the boat anchors and you get about 1 hour to explore. This is one of the better parts of the day because it is not only ruins. It is a small village setting with a slower feel.

The itinerary highlights castle ruins and a necropolis here. The entrance fee for Simena Castle is listed as 4 euro and is not included, so if you want to go in, it is an add-on.

Then there is a second Simena ruins moment where you can hike up the hillside for magnificent views. If you prefer a lower-effort option, you can spend remaining time admiring Simena Castle from below or go for another dip in the blue waters.

This is the kind of stop where you should decide what you want most:

• Quick village wandering plus a photo circuit
• Or short climb plus higher viewpoint rewards

Either way, it stays manageable because your time on shore is limited.

Demre Harbour, Lycian Civilization Museum, and the walk past Andriake

Back on land, the itinerary returns you to Demre Harbour, and the day continues with museum and ancient-city viewing. The Museum of Lycian Civilizations is optional and has an entrance fee listed as 4 euro.

What I like about this part is that the museum is connected to ruins you can see along the way. The route from the visitor reception area includes walking paths past the Andriake ruins. The museum itself is described as housed in a 2nd-century ancient granary that has been converted into the museum.

That detail matters. You are not just paying for indoor rooms. You are stepping through an archaeological setting with context.

There is also an optional stop connected to Andriake Ancient City. It is framed as a place where artefacts from nearby Lycian cities survived and help explain the region. It is not a long stop, but it is a good add if you enjoy grounding the bigger names you are seeing around Myra.

St. Nicholas in Demre: church and museum-style time travel

Demre’s religious sites are a major emotional anchor for many people, and the schedule treats them as short, focused visits rather than long museum marathons.

St. Nicholas Church is optional, with an entrance fee listed as 17 euro. The church is described as originally built in 520 A.D. and later operating as a church in memory of St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century patron saint.

Next up is the Santa Claus Museum, also optional, with time to explore remains of the former church. It is described as a way to step back in time when the ancient city of Myra was still there.

Then you have a brief St. Nicholas Church overview stop that mentions the saint’s importance for both Catholics and Orthodox Christians, including the Russian Orthodox tradition calling him St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

This is also where you should be mindful of pace. You do not get hours to read every panel. You get a guided sense of what you are looking at and a short visit window. If you want deeper time, plan to spend a bit more time during your optional stays and be ready to skip a paid site if it feels too rushed.

Myra Ancient City and its theatre setting, plus the rock tomb option

After Demre, you move into Myra territory. One optional paid entrance here is the Ancient City of Myra, with an entrance fee listed as 13 euro.

The theatre of Myra is described as Greek and built in the 1st century BC on a steep mountain slope. It has impressive staircases and barrel vaults made of masonry, plus decorative friezes noted as well-preserved. The schedule also mentions that the theatre was rebuilt after an earthquake in 141 A.D., with donations tied to Opramoas of Rhodiapolis, Jason of Kyaneai, and Licinius Langus of Oinoanda.

Even with only about 15 minutes listed for Myra Ancient City, this is still a powerful stop because theatres are built for sightlines. You will likely get that sense quickly when you stand in the setting.

There is also an optional stop for rock tombs in Myra. That includes the Roman-style theatre, described as the largest in Lycia, and rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs above.

If you are choosing between these two, I’d pick based on your favorite kind of ancient sight. Want architecture and crowd-scale stonework? Go for the theatre emphasis. Prefer cliff-carved funerary shapes and dramatic views? Lean toward the rock tomb option.

Also keep in mind: entrance fees are not included, so if you want both Myra Ancient City and the additional rock tomb time, your day budget will rise.

Pace, comfort, and small practical things that matter on a 14-hour private day

This is about a 14-hour day, and that time is doing a job. You have:

• Early transfer from Antalya to Demre
• A long boat portion with several swim breaks
• Short on-land visits at each stop

Because the on-land segments are mostly 15 to 30 minutes, the day works best if you are okay with highlights rather than deep reading. You will likely get the feel of each place and enough time for photos and quick orientation.

Comfort-wise, you have an air-conditioned vehicle and you get lunch included. The boat is described as relaxing and comfortable in accounts, and the food is part of the sailing experience. You may find the boat crew is hands-on, which can make the day feel warmer and more personal.

One consideration: language. If you are counting on lots of English narration, note that the captain may not speak English well. You can still enjoy the day, but you may get more meaning if you come with a short list of questions to ask at key moments.

Weather also matters. This tour is marked as requiring good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor conditions, you should be offered a different date or a full refund.

Who this private tour is best for

This is a great fit if you want a private boat day and you care about Kekova’s submerged ruins enough to do the extra drive from Antalya.

It is also a good choice for couples and families who want fewer logistics headaches. You are not coordinating with strangers, and the schedule is paced so you can swim, eat, and visit highlights without feeling like you are sprinting.

It may be less ideal if you hate long travel days or if you want slow, detailed museum time. The on-land stops are short, and entrance fees can add up if you want to do every optional site.

Should you book this Antalya to Kekova, Myra and Demre private tour?

If you want one big day that delivers both sunken ruins views and major Demre and Myra monuments, I’d book it. The structure is built around what makes the region special, and the included lunch plus air-conditioned transport makes the long day easier to take.

I’d hesitate only if you are extremely sensitive to language gaps or you have no interest in paying additional admission fees for the core sites like St. Nicholas and the Ancient City of Myra. In that case, you can still enjoy the overall flow, but the best value comes when you plan to enter a few of the paid highlights.

If you match what this tour is designed for, you will leave with that rare feeling that you saw something different from the usual Antalya route, and you did it from the water.

FAQ

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

The duration is approximately 14 hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Antalya?

Pickup is offered, and the tour starts with a private transfer service from your hotel in Antalya.

What is included in the tour price?

Lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Are entrance fees included for the main sites?

No. Entrance fees are not included for the Ancient City of Myra (13 euro), St. Nicholas Church (17 euro), the Museum of Lycian Civilizations (4 euro), and Simena Castle (4 euro).

Is swimming allowed in the Sunken City area?

Swimming is not permitted in the protected Sunken City area, but there are other swim breaks at places like Aquarium Bay and multiple bays around Kekova.

Is this tour private or shared with other groups?

It is a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.