Kekova Boat Tour (myra St.nicholas Church)

If you love ruins and sea views, this is a winning combo in one day. The Kekova boat portion gives you those postcard-smooth waters, then the land stops bring you to Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas area. I like that lunch in Demre is built in, and I also like the structured timing that keeps the day from turning into chaos. One thing to watch is expectations, the only swimming time is about 30 minutes at Burç Bay, even if you hope for more.

Here’s the practical truth: you are spending a long day on a mix of boat time, site time, and driving. The tour runs about 8 to 10 hours, so you’ll want good shoes, a hat, and a plan for photos between stops. If you show up prepared for a wooden-boat ride and a packed schedule, this tour can be a great value for seeing Kekova plus Myra.

Key things you will notice on this Kekova and Myra day

• Kekova island boat ride from Üçağız, including the wreck-city scenery
• A short swim window at Burç Bay on the way back
• Myra Antique City and the Church of St. Nicholas, each scheduled for about an hour
• Lunch included in Demre, so you are not hunting for food on your own
• Small group size on paper, but you should still expect a typical wooden boat feel on the water
• Air-conditioned vehicle with pickup, which matters when you are moving between multiple sites

Kekova and Myra in one long day, what you are really buying

This tour is really two experiences glued together: a scenic boat cruise along Kekova’s coast, and a concentrated cultural day in and around Myra and Demre. That is why the day is longer than you might expect. You are not just hopping on a boat for two hours. You are doing a full loop, from Üçağız port out toward Simena and Kekova island, then switching gears to ancient sites, tombs, and lunch.

For me, the best part is the blend. Kekova gives you water, light, and views that are hard to recreate on land. Then Myra and St. Nicholas bring you a different mood, stone, carvings, and a sense of place in Lycia. If you want one day that feels like you got two locations instead of one, this is built for you.

The main consideration is pacing. The schedule packs in multiple stops: Myra Antique City, the Church of St. Nicholas, a Kekova island cruise, a swim break, and then Demre with lunch plus time for the Lycian rock tomb area. If you like unhurried visits, this may feel like a lot. If you like momentum and you are okay with switching activities, you’ll likely enjoy it.

Üçağız to Kekova island: the 2-hour boat cruise and wreck-city views

Your day starts at Üçağız port. Then the boat route moves along the coast toward Simena village and the area associated with the wreck city before reaching Kekova island. The boat portion is listed as about two hours, which is a good chunk of time for enjoying the water without turning it into an all-day sea slog.

What makes this cruise worth it is how the coastline is experienced from the water. You get angles on the ruins and shoreline that are simply not the same from land. Also, the water conditions on this route tend to be what people dream about for photos, bright, clear, and constantly changing as the boat moves.

A practical note: the boat is described as a wooden boat with typical capacity in the 30 to 40 range. Even if your tour group is capped at 15, you may not feel like you have the boat to yourself. Expect benches, limited space to stretch, and the kind of practical seating that comes with a shared day on a boat.

The upside is that you get a classic Kekova experience at a reasonable price compared with private boat options. The tradeoff is comfort. If you are prone to getting motion-sick, bring your preferred remedy and keep your gaze toward the horizon when the boat is moving.

Swim break at Burç Bay: how to make the most of the 30 minutes

On the return trip, you stop at Burç Bay for about half an hour to swim and relax. This is short by design, because the tour still needs time for land stops. But it can be a sweet moment if you treat it like a quick recharge rather than a full swim session.

Here is how to make those 30 minutes work for you:

• Wear quick-dry swimwear under your clothes so you do not burn time changing.
• Bring a towel if you have one, even if you might be able to find a dry spot, you want to be ready.
• Sunscreen matters, because the sun on the water can feel stronger than you expect.
• If you do not swim, use the time to sit, cool off your feet, and take photos while the boat is close to the waterline.

If you booked hoping for hours of swimming, set expectations now. The schedule you are given is very clear on a swim window, and the rest of your time is about viewing and moving between stops. That expectation mismatch is also the sort of thing that can lead to disappointment, so read your day plan carefully before you arrive.

Myra Antique City and the Church of St. Nicholas: where the day gets historical

After the boat portion, or depending on the exact flow of your day, the itinerary focuses on Myra and St. Nicholas sites. Myra Antique City is listed as a one-hour stop with admission ticket included, and then the Church of St. Nicholas is also listed as about one hour with admission ticket included.

So what should you expect during that hour? You will not be doing a slow museum-style tour. You are getting a guided, curated experience focused on the big highlights. Myra Antique City gives you the feel of Lycia’s ancient urban life. Then St. Nicholas adds the religious and cultural layers that make this area famous.

One important detail to double-check: the tour information also notes that the Nicolas church entrance ticket is not included. At the same time, the itinerary section says a ticket is included for the Church of St. Nicholas. That conflict is real enough that you should verify it on your booking confirmation or voucher before you go. If you are asked to pay an entrance fee at the site, you will be glad you planned for it.

The good news is that your time is scheduled. With about an hour per site, you get enough to see the main points without losing the day to long lines or missed meeting points.

Demre lunch and Lycian rock tombs: timing your photos and resting your legs

Demre is where your day breathes a little. Lunch is included, and it happens after the boat and swim portion as the tour continues. The value here is simple: you get a meal without needing to figure out where to eat, what to order, and how to time it with your next stop.

Then you move into the Church of Nicholas, Myra, and Lycian rock tombs area. The exact breakdown of which tomb viewpoints you will have time for can vary by day and flow, but the overall intention is clear: you will see stone-carved tombs and the surrounding historic setting that defines Lycia.

This portion is where your footwear choices matter. Rock surfaces can be uneven, and you will likely do more walking than you think, even if the scheduled stops are around an hour each. Take a water moment when you can, because bottled water is not included. You can always buy it, but it is better to control how you handle hydration.

Also, if your goal is photos, plan to shoot in short bursts. You will have transitions, group meeting points, and moments where the guide is pointing out key views. Keep your camera accessible so you do not miss the angle while you are putting it away.

Price and group comfort: is $95.78 good value here?

At $95.78 per person, you are paying for a full day that mixes transport, boat time, and site access plus lunch. The included list covers lunch, all fees and taxes, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

So what are you really getting for the money?

• A boat cruise along the Kekova coastline with enough time to see key sights, including the wreck city area.
• A scheduled swim break at Burç Bay for about 30 minutes.
• Myra and St. Nicholas time blocks, each around an hour, with admissions listed in the itinerary.
• Lunch in Demre, which can be one of the biggest hidden costs in long tours.

The possible downside is that you still have “not included” items like bottled water and drinks. Also, the church ticket note is inconsistent. So while the price looks straightforward, you may want to budget a small extra amount for on-the-spot needs and confirm the St. Nicholas entrance fee status.

Group size is listed as a maximum of 15 travelers. That usually helps you feel less lost. But remember the wooden boat capacity discussion, the boat itself can be in the 30 to 40 range. In practice, you should assume shared space and plan accordingly, especially for seating and personal room.

If you want a calm private boat with quiet seating and lots of swimming time, this tour is not that. If you want a balanced day that hits the highlights efficiently, the price feels more reasonable.

Pickup, communication, and how the day usually flows

This tour offers pickup and uses an air-conditioned vehicle, which is a big deal on a long day in Antalya region heat. It also uses a mobile ticket, which tends to reduce last-minute paperwork stress.

One theme in the feedback I saw is that pickup can be smooth and not overly stressful, which matters when you are dealing with a morning start and a boat departure schedule. If you prefer having clear steps, the mobile ticket and scheduled stops typically help.

Still, do yourself a favor: confirm your exact pickup time the day before, and keep your phone battery healthy so you can access your mobile ticket at the meeting point. Long tours succeed on timing, and you control timing more than you think.

What to pack for a Kekova boat and ruins day

You’ll be in sun, on uneven walking areas, and on a boat, sometimes moving quickly between stops. Pack for practical comfort, not style.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and a quick-dry layer
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable walking shoes with grip
• A light rain layer in case of sudden weather shifts (weather can affect the day)
• A small bag for your phone and wallet
• A refillable water bottle if you like, though bottled water is not included, having your own option can reduce stress

On the day itself, remember that drinks are excluded. You can usually buy what you need, but it’s better when you are not counting on a drink being included with lunch.

If you tend to get motion-sick on boats, consider medication before you board. It is listed as a boat cruise day, and boat rides can be the wild card.

Who this tour suits best, and who should think twice

This is a strong match if you:

• Want Kekova water views and also want Myra and St. Nicholas without doing everything separately
• Like guided structure with set stop times
• Are okay with a long day and a packed schedule
• Appreciate value pricing that includes lunch and transportation

Think twice if you:

• Want hours of swimming. The plan is about 30 minutes at Burç Bay.
• Get uncomfortable on boats with shared seating and a wooden-boat feel.
• Hate the idea of checking whether the St. Nicholas entrance fee is covered in your specific booking.

If you are traveling as a couple or a small group and you want one efficient itinerary, this tour can make sense. If you are traveling with someone who needs a very relaxed pace, you might want a shorter, more focused option.

Should you book the Kekova Boat Tour and Myra St. Nicholas Church?

I’d book it if your priority is seeing Kekova’s coast and getting to Myra and the St. Nicholas area in one day, with lunch and major fees handled. The two-hour boat ride plus the wreck-city scenery is the core draw, and the land stops help you leave with more than just photos of water.

I would not book it if your main goal is extended swimming, private boat comfort, or extra downtime. The day is efficient, not slow. Also, double-check the St. Nicholas entrance ticket status on your confirmation, because the information available includes both included and not-included notes.

If you match the tour’s style, you’ll likely feel you got your money’s worth for a full Kekova plus Myra hit in a single outing.

FAQ

How long is the Kekova boat tour?

The full experience runs about 8 to 10 hours.

Where does the boat portion start?

The boat tour begins at Üçağız port.

How long is the boat cruise to Kekova island?

The Kekova island boat trip is about 2 hours.

Is there time to swim?

Yes. You get about half an hour to swim at Burç Bay on the way back.

What land stops are included after the boat?

You visit Myra Antique City and the Church of St. Nicholas. The day also includes exploring the Church of Nicholas, Myra, and the Lycian rock tombs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included.

Are drinks and bottled water included?

No. Bottled water and all drinks are excluded.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and you travel by an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes. A mobile ticket is included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time, and the tour requires good weather, with an offer of a different date or a full refund if canceled for poor weather.