Sea Kayaking over the sunken city at Kekova, Turkey
Sea Kayaking is one of the most exciting and fun ways to explore the famous Kekova region of Turkey. Kekova is one of our oldest and most popular day trip destinations. Imagine piloting your sea kayak, at your own pace, over an ancient Lycian Sunken City! This is an enjoyable alternative to explore the famous Kekova region.Your chance to
- Explore the ancient sunken city of Kekova at your own pace
- Get out onto the water
- Try a new sport or enjoy a favourite pastime
At a glance
- Travel by single or double kayaks
- Lunch and transport included
- No experience necessary
- Suitable for children 12 and over (please enquire for exceptions)
What´s included
- All transport (incl. free pick-up from peninsula villas & hotels)
- Safety briefing and training session
- All safety and technical equipment
- Lunch
What´s not included
- Swimming and snorkelling gear
- Extra drinks or snacks
- Travel insurance
Remember to bring
- Sun protection, sun hat and sunglasses
- Swimsuit and towel
- Dry clothes
- Sandals, dive booties or canvas/tennis shoes
- Swimming goggles or snorkel gear is recommended
- It is recommended that you wear a t-shirt under the life vest while kayaking to provide you more protection from both the sun and the movement of your arms under the life vest
Duration
1 day.Activity briefing
Kekova is the name of the region encompassing the island of Kekova, the villages of Kaleköy and Üçağız and the three ancient towns of Simena, Teimussa and Tersane (meaning “shipyard”). Teimussa is now the village of Üçağız, where sea kayaks and boats set off for tours of the area. Kekova was once joined to the mainland but it suffered a series of earthquakes and these geological influences caused it to sink six metres below the sea.The area is off-limits to swimmers and divers, so kayaking is the closest you can get to the underwater foundations, walls and mosaics dating back over 2000 years. The group often disembarks at the village of Simena, inaccessible by road and surmounted by a castle with brilliant 360° views.
No previous experience is necessary, all training is provided by Bougainville Travel Tour Guides and assistants. Bougainville Travel provides all of the technical equipment you will need including flotation vests.
For sea kayaking it is recommended that you bring swimming goggles or a dive mask and snorkel as part of the trip includes swimming in the area of the sunken city.
We also offer week-long kayak tours on demand for groups.
“What had drawn this rather unlikely mix of people together was the desire to try out an increasingly popular outdoor pursuit, sea kayaking. And what better place to try it than the tiny islets, rocky headlands and submerged ancient ruins around Kekova, just a half-hour drive east of the deservedly popular resort of Kaş”
Starting time
07:30 a.m from the Bougainville Travel office in Kaş. We do pick-ups from the Peninsula at no extra cost.Itinerary
The tour starts around 7:30 am when everyone gets on the bus in Kaş for the drive to Uçağiz (three mouths) village, which takes about 45 minutes. As the assistant guides start preparing the equipment, the BCU-certified senior kayaking guide will begin the 20 minute safety briefing and short training session for the new kayakers and novices. Your guide will demonstrate how to get in and out and paddle and rudder usage, and of course, how to keep your balance!You will then enter the water and start your first paddling session from Üçağiz to get accustomed to the kayak and practice proper navigation. This period takes the group to Kekova Island and is followed by a swimming break. From there the group will slowly paddle over the ancient Lycian Sunken City to get an unparalleled view of the ruins but also so as not to disturb them. From there, the group will set off for Tersane Bay and then Simena. Following this you will move on to Kaleköy for a break or to enjoy lunch.
On most excursions there is the option to walk up to the ruined castle and explore the extensive necropolis. In the afternoon we head back towards Üçağiz for an up close view of more impressive Lycian sarcophagi and then return to our kayak base. This is followed by our vehicle transfer home.
