Kekova: Cruising Turkey's Mediterranean Coast
How does cruising on a boat in the crystal-clear turquoise waters along Turkey’s Mediterranean Sea coast sound to you? This summer we visited Kaş and decided to jump on the boat tour bandwagon.
Kaş harbor
Turkey is surrounded by water on three sides and has a hopping maritime life. Tucked away on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast is a natural bay called Kekova (kay-ko-vah). There are full-day boat tours most days from both Kaş and Demre to this protected area. However, the group I was traveling with was enjoying our seaside villa so much we decided to drive ourselves to Kekova and do a half-day tour instead. The tours launch from the little fishing village of Üçağız. This is the only village in the Kekova area that can be accessed by car. The rest require a boat or a really strong swimmer.
Kekova is famous for its Lycian and Byzantine ruins, especially the sunken city. Our boat cruised along the coast and we were able to peer over the railing at ancient ruins suspended in a watery existence below. Our boat even had a glass bottom to allow for better viewing. There was also an area with sarcophagi that once towered overhead but now appear to be floating atop the water.
Some of the ruins are also half above and half below the water.
While snorkeling is not allowed around the sunken city for its protection, our boat captain did take us to few different coves for some really amazing snorkeling. The water is clean and clear, always allowing for an unobstructed view to the bottom.
We finished our half-day cruise in the little village of Üçağız with a lunch of fresh fish at a harbor restaurant and then happily returned to our Kaş villa.
To our friends in the West, keep looking East!
Leslie Connors
Leslie is a co-founder of West2East. Originally from Tennessee, Leslie has called Turkey home for the past eight years. To read more about her, click here.