Kekova Travel Guide
Travel to Kekova - Kayak Over a Sunken City
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Over recent years travellers have been coming to nearby Kaş solely to sea-kayak over the ruins of the sunken Lycian city of Kekova, the best way of appreciating the ruins. The attraction is not hard to see – kayaking over these short distances is easily mastered even by a beginner or nervous paddler and conditions are ideal with the water being both warm and crystal clear. On a calm day you’ll look down onto streets and into houses 2000 years old.
Kekova was destroyed in antiquity by an earthquake, sinking below the waves yet still visible. The island on which is set faces the shore and the little village of Uçağiz and the area hereabouts is liberally scattered with interesting ruins.
The best way to see the remains of Kekova is to take a sea-kayaking excursion from Kaş. You’ll be transported to the put-in point, be fitted with safety gear (but take a hat with a brim and sunglasses/sun protection) and receive instruction from your guide before being lead on a paddling excursion across to the island – a superb adventure and well within the grasp of first time paddlers and even families with young children.
Paddling through the generally calm waters and along the coast you’ll look down onto houses, pavements and the wall of the quay. There are breaks for swimming and good food is available at Uçağiz. After lunch and energy permitting you could climb to the castle on top of the hill behind the village for great views before setting off again paddling past stranded sarcophagi back to the start point.
An alternative way for those who prefer less active pursuits is to take a boat trip from Kaş from where you can look down from the deck.
Attractions in Kekova
The ancient sites of Aperlae, Teimiussa and Simena can all be visited easily from Uçağiz (or, with time, from Kaş).
Activities in Kekova
Sea kayaking can be arranged from Kaş with half-day or longer trips available. Note that snorkelling or diving over the sunken ruins is strictly prohibited.
Boat trips that take in Kekova and the ancient sites of Aperlae, Teimiussa and Simena can all be arranged, again leaving from Kaş.
Relaxing
Kaş provides the perfect place to chill after a hard day’s paddling over the ruins. With its many restaurants and bars you can enjoy a meal and a few beers in comfort and look back on a great day out.
Getting Around
Trips can be arranged through a specialist local travel expert before arrival in Kaş, saving time. These generally leave from Kaş, travelling to the kayaking put-in point by road. Boat trips are also available leaving from Kaş harbour.
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