Seven hours on the Kekova coast beats sightseeing. This Ucagiz boat day mixes big-moment history with real time in the water, with a swim-and-snorkel schedule built right in. I like that you’re not just looking out from land—you’re moving from bay to bay, stopping for views and for getting wet. You’ll also hear the story of the flooded city Dolchiste as you cruise the coastline.

My favorite part is the Simena stop at Kaleköy, where you get an hour in a small, lived-in village with castle ruins and a necropolis. I also appreciate the onboard food rhythm: morning snack, lunch, and fruit service keep the day from feeling like a long haul. One drawback to plan for: your time in Simena Castle is limited to about an hour, so comfy shoes and quick decisions matter.

Key things I’d highlight before you go

• Memedim boat with Captain Mehmet: you’re starting and ending right back at the harbor meeting point.
• One full swim hour at Aquarium Bay with Turkish tea and biscuits during the break.
• Dolchiste’s Sunken City story (flooded in the 2nd century after an earthquake) with guided interpretation on the water.
• Pirates Cave and the larger, curved entrance that’s worth seeing up close by boat.
• Gökkaya Bay lunch on board with a proper meal break built into the schedule.
• Simena Castle at Kaleköy: ruins, necropolis, and a short hillside hike for views.

Ucagiz to Kekova: a smart way to see more water, not more lines

Ucagiz is a small harbor base, and that’s a big part of why this works. Instead of spending your day commuting between sites, you’re already where the boats leave from, and the coast does the moving for you. The tour is set up to give you multiple scenic bays plus a couple of history moments without turning the day into a checklist sprint.

The day runs about 7 hours, with departures listed between 10:20 and 10:40. That timing is great for avoiding the worst heat while still getting full daylight for snorkeling and photos.

I also like that the experience includes an audio guide in English and Turkish, plus an English-speaking host/greeter. And when the guide goes beyond the audio track, you feel it—there’s real back-and-forth happening. (On one boat day, I’ve seen how someone like Mustafa can explain the story in English and answer lots of questions, which changes the whole tone of the cruise.)

Meeting the Memedim boat: keep it simple, but don’t guess

You meet at the harbor with the Memedim boat and Captain Mehmet. The trip returns to the same meeting point, which is a big convenience when you’re done with swimming, sun, and salt.

Here’s the practical bit: harbor logistics can shift depending on the season, and the boat’s exact spot matters. If you’re traveling in shoulder season or off season, do yourself a favor and confirm the running details directly the day before (or early in the morning). That small step can save you the stress of hunting for the wrong vessel.

On board: snacks, tea, and enough space to actually relax

This is not one of those tours where you’re stuck hovering around a tiny deck. The boat is described as big, with room inside and on top. Even better, there are places to chill on mattresses as you cruise between stops.

You’re fed along the way: morning snack, lunch, and fruits service. And at Akvaryum Koyu (Aquarium Bay), there’s Turkish tea and biscuits served right during the main swim window. That matters because the day is active. Food and tea keep energy steady without you having to buy snacks between swims.

If you hate the feeling of rushing, this boat day helps. You get repeated breaks that feel real, not just quick dips.

Aquarium Bay: the one-hour swim and snorkel break that sets the pace

Your first big water stop is Akvaryum Koyu (Aquarium Bay), with about 1 hour for swimming and snorkeling. This is one of the signature breaks because it gives you time to gear up, get comfortable, and actually enjoy the water instead of doing a rushed hop-in.

During this hour, you also get welcome refreshments—Turkish tea and biscuits. So you can rinse off emotionally (and physically) between the waves of sun and seawater.

Practical tip: if you’re new to snorkeling, you’ll be happiest here because you get that full hour to figure out how things feel. Bring your towel (they specifically note that you should), and consider having a simple dry bag for your phone and camera.

Cruising the Sunken City of Dolchiste: history you can see, not just hear

Next comes the Kekova Island and Sunken City segment. The schedule gives you a guided tour plus a cruise with scenic views, and it lasts about 20 minutes in the core stop around the ruins.

What you learn here is the reason Kekova is so famous: the ancient city Dolchiste was flooded after an earthquake in the 2nd century, and the underwater remains still shape the coastline today. When you’re on a boat looking over the water, that story lands differently than it does from a viewpoint.

One note on expectations: this is not a long museum-style lecture. You’re getting short, focused interpretation while you’re moving. That’s a good fit for a day trip because it keeps the energy up and keeps you looking out at the water instead of settling into a single location.

Burç Bay and the cooler water effect

You’ll also hit Burç Bay for another swim break. The reason this one feels different is the note that the sea can be a little cooler here due to cold underwater natural springs. It’s the kind of detail that sounds small until you’re in the water and suddenly the temperature feels less punishing.

You’ll also have stops described as “hidden” or smaller cove time, with swimming and snorkeling in a block of about 40 minutes. Together, these breaks create a rhythm: cruise, stop, water time, recharge, repeat.

If you’re the type who wants to do more than one swimming session, this itinerary helps you do that without adding extra travel.

Pirates Cave: the curved entrance you notice from the water

Pirates Cave is on the route as a dedicated sightseeing stop. The key detail here is that it’s naturally formed, known for its large size and a curved entrance.

This is one of those spots where the boat angle matters. From the sea, you get the scale of the opening and how the cave sits along the shoreline. It’s not a stop where you’re expected to hike or climb; it’s a look-and-listen moment that adds character to the day.

Gökkaya Bay lunch and swim: where the meal feels like part of the plan

At Gökkaya Bay, the tour shifts into a comfort zone: you get lunch onboard plus sightseeing and swimming time for about 45 minutes.

This is a great time to eat because you’re already in tour mode—fed, cooled, and on the right schedule for a mid-day reset. And if you care about the quality of lunch, this is one of the stronger points of the whole day. The meal is described as grilled meat cooked straight on the boat, which is exactly what you want from a water-based day trip.

There’s also an option to participate in water sports during this general area. The information doesn’t list which sports, so treat it as a chance to ask onboard what’s available when you arrive.

Quick advice: don’t underestimate sun after lunch. Food plus a swim break often leads to people lying out for “just a few minutes.” That few minutes can turn into a sunburn if you’re not wearing sunscreen.

Esmeralda Bay: peace time in the middle of the cruise

Then there’s Esmaralda Koyu (Esmeralda Bay) for boat cruise time plus swimming and snorkeling for about 40 minutes. The way this stop is described emphasizes calm and tranquility, so it’s a nice contrast to the more structured moments like Sunken City interpretation and the castle-area hike at the end.

This part of the day is often where people decide if they want to keep snorkeling or switch to just floating and watching. Either way, you’ve got a block of time to do it comfortably.

Simena Castle at Kaleköy: the one-hour village break that’s worth the hike

The final major highlight is Simena Castle, anchored at Kaleköy port for about 1 hour of break time.

This stop is built for two types of visitors:

• If you want the views, you can hike up the hillside toward the castle ruins.
• If you’d rather skip the climb, you can use remaining time to admire the area from down below and even get another water dip.

The village here is described as small and authentic, and it includes castle ruins and a necropolis. Also, there’s a note that you can skip the line through a separate entrance, though the Simena Castle entrance fee is not included (listed as 1 euro).

Do plan for the fact that one hour sounds generous until you’re walking. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring enough water for the walk if you tend to get thirsty quickly. And if your goal is photos of the ruins and coastline, move early in that hour so you’re not racing the clock at the top.

Value check: what you pay vs what you get

At $45 per person, you’re paying for:

• multiple scheduled swim/snorkel breaks,
• guided interpretation around the Sunken City area,
• onboard meals (morning snack, lunch, fruits),
• and the included audio guide system in English and Turkish.

When a tour includes two separate swim periods plus lunch cooked onboard, it stops feeling like just transportation. You’re buying time on the water with minimal friction, and that’s hard to replicate on your own unless you already have a plan (and a boat) for the day.

If you’re hoping for long, slow sightseeing with lots of land wandering, you might feel constrained by the boat-day pacing. But for most people—especially those who want Kekova’s highlights without the logistics headache—this is strong value.

Who this boat day fits best (and who should rethink it)

This tour is ideal if you:

• want a classic Kekova route in one day,
• like snorkeling but also want land time at the end,
• appreciate food included in the schedule (and not a random snack stop),
• prefer structured breaks over managing your own timing.

You might want to rethink it if you:

• hate spending days on boats or get seasick easily (no seasickness info is provided, so you’ll have to judge your own needs),
• want more than about an hour in Simena,
• or are looking for a full-on long walking tour rather than a mix of water and short stops.

Should you book this Ucagiz to Kekova boat trip?

If you want sun, stops that actually give you time in the water, and a history story you can connect to the coastline, I think this is a very solid pick. The combination of Aquarium Bay’s long swim hour, the Sunken City interpretation, and the Kaleköy/Simena village break is a practical way to see the region without over-planning.

Before you book, do two simple things:

• Pack for water: swimwear and a towel.
• In shoulder/off seasons, confirm the details directly so you don’t waste time searching for the Memedim boat at the wrong spot.

If those check out, you’ll likely come away feeling like the day moved fast—in the best way.

FAQ

What time does the boat depart from Ucagiz?

The tour departs between 10:20 and 10:40 am (check availability for the exact starting time).

How long is the day trip?

The duration is listed as 7 hours.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a morning snack, lunch, and fruit service, plus an audio guide included in English and Turkish.

Is Simena Castle entrance fee included?

No. The Simena Castle entrance fee is listed as 1 euro and is not included.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the Memedim boat meeting point (Captain Mehmet) and ends back at the same meeting point in the Ucagiz harbor.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. You’re advised to bring a towel, along with swimwear.

Are there swim and snorkeling stops?

Yes. The schedule includes multiple swimming/snorkeling breaks, including a main 1-hour swim stop at Aquarium Bay.

Is the tour guided in English?

There’s an audio guide in English and Turkish, and the host or greeter is listed as English and Turkish.