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First Time Sea Kayaking with Dragoman: “Kekova Classic Route”

06/05/2022 By Dragoman

Kaş… A home for some, and a distant land for others… But it is a fact that everyone who comes to Kaş, leaves their hearts and minds in here. Kaş ,which is recently one of the most important tourism centers of Turkey, continues to preserve a unique atmosphere and clearest shades of blue.

Everyone who wants to explore Kaş properly should try some extreme sports thanks to which they can get out of their comfort zone. Kaş and it’s surroundings provide many extreme sports like sea kayaking, trekking, diving, paragliding, coasteering and mountain biking tours. All these experiences allow us to touch life, ecosystem, history and people warmheartedly. That’s why I want to share my first experience of sea kayaking in Kaş.

Dragoman Sea Kayak Kekova Claasic

SEA KAYAKING IN KAŞ

First, let me briefly mention what is sea kayaking. Sea kayaking is a great sport based on arm strength and performed by paddling in the sea. There are various routes with different difficulties that you can choose one from. Kekova is definitely one of the most beautiful places to be discovered by sea kayak. The routes that you can choose from can be; the Kekova Classic, Kekova East, Kekova West, Kaş Bucak Sea and Kaş Archipelego routes.

THE FIRST EXPERIENCE AT SEA KAYAKING

Sea kayaking is a very special discipline that takes you out of your comfort zone. For many years, I have been interested in extreme sports. For this reason, I am aware that each sport has certain rules within and each of them is actually a discipline in itself. However, I must say that every extreme sport has a beginner level and it welcomes everyone who is ready for it. “I wonder if I can do it?”

Dragoman Sea Kayak Kekova Claasic

Yes, you will do it very well! And you will also love it!

Let me give you some technical details about this now. Although I tried it for the first time, I had no problem balancing on the sea kayak or using the paddle. Our guide asked us to practice paddling before we started the actual route. This practice helps us to understand the logic of sea kayaking. Thera are two types of sea kayak, single and double. Inexperienced ones are usually recommended double sea kayak, which I used also. The critical point in double sea kayaking is to ensure coordination with your partner.The person sitting in the back controls the foot pedals. I was sitting in the back so I tried to follow my partner in the front. After a while, you are literally starting to flow on the water. For example, I had a feeling that I had palettes on my hands instead of my arms. Even so, our beautiful arms are getting a little tired of course…But you feel that “yeah, look at me I’m doing this properly“

I just needed a little time to work on “going back” and “turning” moves. It is very normal to say “what now” for a moment but after a few tries everything is okay.

And the risk of capsizing is a situation that only might happen if there are excessive waves. These kind of tours are not organized at such times anyway.

In short, if the weather conditions are good and you have a guide you can trust in all conditions, then you are ready to leave all worries behind and paddle on the eternal blue…

SEA KAYAKING – KEKOVA CLASSIC ROUTE

Let’s have a look at the route now… I tried the Kekova Classic route, so I will give information about this route.

The meeting point is the famous King’s Tomb at the end of Uzunçarşı or (The SlipperyStreet as some may call it) in Kaş center. We got on the transfer van from here at 07:30 am and arrived at Üçağız after about 45 minutes. After that, we made preparations to get on the sea kayak. Then our guide gave us the necessary gear like life jackets, dry bags and fallout skirts. Afterwards, he gave a brief information both to adjust the foot pedals and to see how the pedals work. In the next step, he introduced all the equipments and we did hands-on practices for paddling in the most effective way.

And Now we are ready paddling! We start to explore Kekova Region, Tersane Bay, Sunken City and Simena. Everyone’s energy is very high, the weather conditions are perfect and the sea is very calm!

Dragoman Sea Kayak Kekova Claasic

DETAILS OF KEKOVA CLASSIC ROUTE

The Kekova Classic Sea Kayak Route can be divided into four sections:

Second part:

Üçağız – Tersane Bay: We paddled for about 45 minutes from Üçağız to Tersane Bay and took a half-hour break at Tersane Bay. In here, you can rest in the shade and have some snacks or look at the Xera Ruins or swim in crystal clear waters. After half an hour, we started paddling towards the Sunken City.

Second part:

Tersane Bay – Sunken City: On our way to the Sunken City, we are actually paddling into history. It is not possible to see the Sunken City up close as much with boats because it is forbidden to swim here since it is a “protected area.” Therefore, while sea kayaking we can discover more closely underwater ruins, steps, ruins of old houses and other details. After our guide gave us information about the history of the Sunken City, we continued paddling towards Simena (Kaleköy).

Third part:

Sunken City – Simena: We paddled from the Sunken City and reached Simena which is an incredibly beautiful Lycian city! Dating back to the 4th century BC. Simena has an atmosphere that will always be remembered with its unique historical texture, cute houses, colorful flowers, small shops and famous ice cream. Also, you can see the historical castle located on its peak hill. When we arrived at Simena, our guide gave us enough time after lunch to explore and wonder around all of the castle village.

The second and third parts are together the longest paddling distance and take about an hour.

Last part:

Simena – Üçağız: We had a lot of fun and, it is time to leave Simena. This is the final paddling part and it only takes about 20 minutes. During this time, we pass through the tombs that are still “standing” in the water. Upon reaching Üçağız our guide gave us some time to see around while they washed and cleaned the kayaking gear. Then we go back to Kaş and congratulate ourselves for having a wonderful day.

I am waiting for the opportunity to try the Kekova West Route as soon as possible. In the meantime, sea kayaking tours can be done not only daily, but also with accommodation on different routes. I recommend sea kayaking tours to anyone who say the motto “What makes a holiday, is a new experience”.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You cannot rent a sea kayak in Kaş and Kekova Regions because the region is under protection. Therefore, organizing this activity with a guide is very important for both your safety and respect for nature.

Thanks!

Filed Under: Blog, Seakayak

Coast of Light Boat & Kayak Journal

02/04/2022 By Dragoman

Coast of Light Seakayak Journal

Day 1 – Meeting the group

Hey there, this is Oğuzhan, an outdoor adventure guide at Dragoman. What follows are journal excerpts about the fun and unique boat-accommodated sea kayak trip!

The first day, I met the group at Dragoman’s office in Kaş. When the whole group arrived, I was already at the office but there was so much commotion and chatter that I didn’t get to introduce myself, so I just stayed back and observed. I always observe. Thankfully, after observing the people and their interactions, I knew that it was gonna be a fun and easy-going group. I finally interrupted the chatter and introduced myself. O-ğ-u-z-h-a-n! Yup, a little confusion with the name thanks to the soft G!

After gathering everybody, we carried all the bags and suitcases to the boat and the group settled in their rooms. The name of the boat is Naos; a classic 65ft (21mt) wooden Turkish Gulet, with 5+1 luxurious en-suite cabins accommodating up to 12 guests and it was built in Kaş in 2016. It is run by a family: a dad, a mom and their son. The captain was Mustafa but his son Berat is also a very skilled young captain. As is usually the case, the mother, Azime, is the cook, the cleaning lady, the captain assistant and helper for everything else.

Shortly after settling in the boat, it was time for lunch. Azime prepared an amazing meal. It was all vegetarian and all Turkish mama style! After lunch, I informed the group about what our days would be like. That first day we would practice kayaking so that everybody had a feel for paddling and the kayaks for the rest of the trip. After resting and digesting a little bit, the dingy dropped us off at Limanağzı where we got in our kayaks. We paddled in the bay for 3 kms, checking out the rock-cut tombs on the cliffs and enjoying the coastal rock formations, finally finishing at our boat.

We had another delicious meal for dinner and went to bed fairly early. I slept on the deck with my sleeping bag and all the others were in their rooms.

Coast of Light Boat & Kayak Map

Day 2 – Limanağzı to Üzümlü bay by seakayak

– Good morning everybody! How did you sleep?

– Didn’t sleep well.

– Did anybody sleep well?

– I slept well. (Frank)

Well, except Frank, who seems to have the ability to sleep through anything, no one slept well because of the battleship that came into the bay and its generator that was on all night long! Also, there was a woman in the boat anchored next to ours and let me tell you she had a very specific and loud laughter!

Thankfully, despite the early wakeup call and not having slept well, the group was in good spirits during breakfast and excited to jump on the kayaks. Without losing too much time after breakfast everybody got in their kayaks and we started paddling towards Üzümlü bay. The weather forecast was showing some strong winds in the afternoon, so we left early to safely arrive at our destination in advance of the winds

Coast of Light Boat & Seakayak Tour

The morning was glorious! Paddling by the rocks and seeing how the winds shaped the brush and spotting wild goats on the cliffs were moments to be remembered! Solihin, my all-knowing, all-teasing banter man, a father, a photographer and a well-travelled gentleman with “unique” sweatpants, took some photos of the goats and the coastline. Still waiting for him to send me those photos from the trip though…! After paddling for a while, we arrived at Shepherd bay for a short break. Hassina had to go on the boat since she had a shoulder problem and did not want to force it too much, so I jumped in the double kayak with Miriam. She enjoyed having the guide paddle with her. Guess why…?  While I was tying my single kayak to the boat, Solihin managed to slip and fall on the rocks and hit his head but luckily, he just had a little scratch. The rest of the day was incident-free mostly because Solihin was in his kayak and not wandering on the rocks. 

In the afternoon, the winds did pick up, so I decided to shorten the route a little bit and we anchored in İnönü bay instead of Üzümlü. The group liked and appreciated the idea a lot. It was a beautiful spot with crystal clear waters and a little canyon crevice. Miriam took the SUP board that was on the boat and did some yoga and enjoyed a nap in the crevice. We had another mouth-watering dinner, some drinks and the group had nice conversations and lots of laughter! Soon enough it was time for bed.

Coast of Light Seakayak Journal

Day 3 – From İnönü Bay to Aperlai

Thankfully everybody slept like Frank, meaning well! Today was a shorter day compared to the second day, so we did not have to get up as early and the group was thrilled because of it. After breakfast, we got ready and into our kayaks. The last ones to get in the kayak were Hassina and Miriam since Miriam’s gloves were too big for her hands. We suspected Jay took hers. There was a whole commotion to find out the answer to this mystery. We followed the shoreline until we reached a beautiful hidden bay close to Aperlai–it’s so beautiful a movie was shot here recently. There is a small pebble beach and the back side of the beach connects to a freshwater stream. In the stream we found a baby squid and followed it around, enjoying seeing its amazing colors and how it glided in the water effortlessly. Lots of cute little pufferfish accompanied the ladies in the water while little shrimps were having a taste of their sun-kissed skin. We ate our snacks and got back in our kayaks. Not so long after we reached our boat anchored in front of the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Aperlai founded around the 3rd century BC and continued its existence for about 1300 years until the 7th century AD.

It started to get quite windy by that time, so I tied the kayaks on the boat and we, well the whole group except for me, got on the boat for lunch. While I was trying to tie all the kayaks to the boat, I somehow managed to capsize my kayak. Normally, this is not a problem being an experienced sea kayak guide; I just do a 360-degree eskimo roll under the water and come back up to the surface. (Side note: the eskimo roll is not only to show off, it is first and foremost a self-rescue technique.)

However, the back hatch of my kayak had come open, and despite me doing 4 eskimo rolls back-to-back, each time I would capsize because of the water that was creating an imbalance as it was filling the open hatch. The back of my kayak started to sink because of the amount of water in it. I tied a rope around the back of the kayak and pulled it up to the boat and then I spent at least a half an hour or so hand pumping the water out of my kayak from within the kayak. When I came to the boat, Alicia’s comment was: “Oh, you look wet!” After lunch, Miriam and Jay wanted to go on land so that they could see the ruins and go around the ancient city of Aperlai.

The rest of the group took their time to enjoy a couple of drinks, read and just relax. After getting Miriam and Jay back to the boat we went back to the open sea and then anchored in the protected inner bay of Kekova. We spent the afternoon just relaxing on the boat and swimming. For dinner we had tunny fish that Berat, the captain’s son, had caught early in the morning. Captain Mustafa grilled the fish and Azime prepared all sorts of Turkish meze. It was all amazing. We had a few more drinks and the group played a game. Everyone seemed to enjoy it a lot while I was taking some notes and reading my book; giving them time amongst themselves. This night though more people joined me on the deck instead of sleeping in their rooms. The moon was getting fuller and brighter.

Coast of Light Seakayak Journal

Day 4 – visiting Kaleköy, Simena

Throughout the week, I had to make adjustments to our routes and the plan of the tour because of the winds and for the sake of the safety and pleasure of the group. Nobody wants to paddle in crazy winds and waves and be stressed. It may be fun for some but for most it is not at all. And today the weather forecast showed extremely high winds, so I decided to cancel the kayaking part of the day. Instead I took the group to Simena, a small Lycian city, where there is a castle at the top of the village with an amazing panoramic view of the whole bay and Kekova island (it is known today as Kaleköy, which means castle village in Turkish).

Coast of Light Seakayak Journal

The group happily explored the village’s windy foot paths, bought nice little hand-made things and tried the homemade delicious ice cream and excellent Turkish coffee in one of the cafes. We hiked back to the new shipyard behind the castle, through the ancient Lycian tombs and spotted million-year-old fossils. We met a sweet dog on the way as well. We also tried Turkey’s national sport: it is called bulldozer gazing. It is like stargazing but instead of watching the stars and being mesmerized you just stare at the bulldozer and dream on! (It isn’t a realy sport btw, yet it is a common thing and it has become a common Turkish joke). The rest of the afternoon was spent on the boat in a sheltered bay. I think it was nice for the group to take a break from paddling and therefore to be ready for the next day. Miriam did more yoga-ish moves on the deck and she also taught soul cleansing rituals to the others. Lemme tell ya, there were some very creative moves by Solihin and Frank…!

Yes, the dinner was delicious again! And nothing went to waste!

Day 5 – Shipyard Bay (Tershane) to Gökkaya

Today’s route had to be adjusted a little bit because of the winds again. We had breakfast and started paddling towards Shipyard bay across the bay where we spent the night. Shipyard bay is located on Kekova island and it is the only spot on the island where you can swim on top of the sunken ruins. It is also the narrowest part of the island so you can walk to the open seaside and see the ruins over there.

The group preferred to just paddle on the shore over the ruins since they all had been here before (they were mainly expats living at least part-time in the Kaş/Kalkan area). Then we followed the shoreline along the island, and just before the sunken city of Kekova we stopped, and I explained the history of the area and the Lycians. The light was great, and it made the experience of paddling over the ruins even more special! After the sunken city we paddled across to Hamidiye bay.

The group was pretty pumped to paddle today, especially Hassina and Miriam, so they did not want to take a break there. We continued to paddle and stopped at Burç bay. At this bay, there is a spring water and it is pretty cold, so it was refreshing to have a dip here and have our snacks of fruit and peanuts. Solihin did not fall this time but he did drop his camera bag! Thankfully it was all good; no damage.

Coast of Light Seakayak Journal
Coast of Light Seakayak Journal

After the break, we paddled around the little islands and found our way to the so called “pirate cave.” We went into the cave which is pretty big. The cave is a nesting ground for big bats. There were many of them sleeping in the dark crevices, but we could see and hear them pretty clearly once we got close to them.

After the cave, we paddled to our boat, Naos, which was anchored somewhere near the small islands. The lunch was ready for us upon arrival. At this moment, the winds started to slowly pick up. We had our lunch and I explained to the group that the winds would be stronger and that we should probably call it a day and get going towards Kaş. The group agreed, so I tied the double kayaks to the back of the boat in pairs on each side of the boat and I put my single kayak on the boat. Little did we know that once we left the sheltered islands, it was going to be a LOT choppier and windier…

As soon as we left the sheltered area, the wind got stronger and the waves got bigger. I knew that this was going to be the case a bit later but was surprised that it happened so early in the day. Well, now there was no going back. We pushed forward albeit with a very slow pace so that our kayaks tied behind the boat wouldn’t capsize because of the waves. Azime and I were nervous watching the waves hit the kayaks from side to side, but we were doing great with our slow pace. We managed to reach the castle village and if we could have just gone a bit further, we would have had really calm weather and water in Üçağız bay.

Coast of Light Seakayak Journal

However, it was not going to be that easy; just as we were approaching the castle village, the rope of the kayak that was tied to the boat snapped, and in a matter of seconds, our kayak was drifting away with the waves. You can imagine our reaction, but Berat threw off his shirt and swam to the dingy that was tied to the boat. He reached the dingy and climbed up on it despite the waves, managing untie and start it. He steered the dingy safely towards the drifting kayak until he managed to bring it back.

In the meantime, so that the same thing didn’t happen to them, I decided I needed to pull the double kayaks that were in the water onto the boat. I untied the first kayak and struggled to lift it up 2 meters or so onto the boat myself but finally managed to do so. It was a real struggle because the back of the boat is like a high wall and when I tried to pull the kayak up, the kayak had to be completely vertical with the back of it in the waves before I was able to start pulling it onto the boat. Berat brought the second drifted kayak and gave the rope to me and I pulled it up onto the boat with the help of Azime as well. It was strenuous!

Now we had three kayaks on board and two tied to the back of the boat. We still had to reach Üçağız. The waves were that big that even the coast guard’s zodiac was trailing behind our boat to have a bit of a shelter. It was going smoothly but unfortunately just as we were making the turn to Üçağız one of the kayaks capsized in the waves. There was not much to do at that point, so I told our captain to go full throttle and get us in the bay. He did so. It was so much calmer in the bay. I will not bore you with the details but Berat and I had to tow all the kayaks to the shore and store them on our trailer. The capsized kayak had a ton of water in it, so I had to pump it all out with my hand pump as well. We had to wait for the wind to calm down for a while and then we started our route back to Kaş which was via the open seaside. It was no surprise that it was windier and choppier out in the open. We sought shelter in a bay where we anchored and had dinner. Captain Mustafa decided that it would be even choppier if we were to leave the bay that night, so we had to wait a little longer and maybe spend the night where we were. And that was the case; we spent the night in that bay.

Coast of Light Seakayak Journal

Obviously, it was no big deal for anybody; the group was gonna spend an extra day on the boat! The only thing was that everybody, including our families and the Dragoman office, knew that we would be coming back to Kaş that evening, and where we had anchored there was no cell phone reception. Not to create panic, Berat and I went out on the open sea with the dingy in huge waves in order to capture a cell phone signal so that I could very briefly let the office know about the situation. In the evening, we played games and finished whatever drinks were still on the boat. Lisette came up with great variations to describe some things in English like “utensils, tools” that I will not explain here what she meant by those. I played Scrabble (in English) for the first time with Gillie, Miriam and Alicia and guess what…? I won! (I am Turkish by the way…) Of course, as Miriam said, it is beginner’s luck… Right, uh-huh!

I must admit that I had so much more fun than I thought I would have. Normally I don’t like to spend so much time on a boat, but the group was amazing! Lots of great conversation and stories and bantering. I think they liked me too. Alicia was laid back and enjoyed paddling and all. Solihin likes to banter like me and so I tried to be a good match for him. Lisette and Frank shared jokes and stories with me and always listened to me as well. Hassina was happy as long as she had a cup of hot water, so easy! She couldn’t drink cold water, so we always had hot water ready for her! Gillie and Jay were just plain joyful and full of appreciation. I think Miriam enjoyed the paddling the most when I was in the double with her (not paddling so much as talking and sharing her story, which I appreciated a lot). 😛

We went to bed with a sense of great achievement and the sensation of having done something pleasurable.

Day 6, the extra unexpected morning only – There is not much to say except for one thing: we will all remember dawn: the sun rising in the east and the full moon in the west, both visible in the sky at the same time!

Filed Under: Blog

An incredible archeological site : Aperlai, the city of “royal purple”

02/03/2022 By Dragoman

Kekova West Aperlai Seakayak Tour

Aperlai is an ancient Lycian city, which existed from late 4th century BCE to early 7th century AD, near Theimussa (today known as Üçağız) and the island of Kekova near Kaş, Antalya. You may have heard of Kekova, Simena or Üçağız since they are more popular tourist spots, but perhaps not Aperlai. It never was a very significant city in history yet during the course of its existence, it had its moments of prosperity. You may ask yourself, Why should I continue reading if it was not even an important city? Well hang on a minute. You see, even if it was a small city of maximum a thousand people, they managed to create something beautiful and magical: the dye for royal purple! They produced the die by crushing murex (a mollusk) shells, and as it was traded to different parts of the world via merchant traders who would come by ship to the region and was much coveted among the elite in faraway lands, the people of Aperlai were able to live a wealthy life. Experiments done today show that they needed 12.000 snails to be able to produce 1.4 grams of the royal purple dye and the proof this lies buried in the surface of the earth on the hills of Aperlai as the hills are formed by the piles of Murex shells. The dye itself cost 20 times its weight in gold and that should give you a good idea of its value at the time.

Serenity, nature and history

The ancient city ruins are about 9 km from Üçağız to the west, and if you are staying anywhere in or near Kaş or Demre you should definitely consider a visit. Only a few hikers and a handful of tourists make the effort to see Aperlai during the tourist season. If you want to experience an ancient city that is not packed with tourists even at the heart of the tourist season (which is pretty rare!), then Aperlai is for you. Aperlai guarantees uninterrupted serenity and the sounds of nature and little sea waves lapping at the shore as you explore its ancient ruins.

How to get there

As it is connected to the mainland, you can hike there by following the Lycian Way Trail from Üçağız to the city. You can also take a boat to Polemos bay and then hike two kilometers to the city. However, the best way to reach the city is by sea kayaking!

Dragoman is the only company that offers regular sea kayak tours to Aperlai.

Kekova West Aperlai Seakayak Tour

What to expect from Dragoman’s sea kayak trip

While on the tour with Dragoman, you also get to visit the other well-known and beautiful sites in the sea along the way, such as the sunken city of Kekova, Tersane (shipyard bay) and Aquarium bay. First of all, when you paddle past Aquarium bay all the buzz and noise of the tourist boats come to an end and you find yourself paddling in peace in the crystal-clear waters of another bay surrounded by green mountains. You will surely feel a sense of calmness and reconnection with nature listening to the sounds of locusts and seeing fast-flying handsome blue kingfishers or playful flying fish! You will paddle several kilometers away from the tourist boats all the way to the end of Polemos bay where you will have a delicious lunch at a tiny “local” restaurant called Yörük Ramazan‘s that is definitely off the beaten path but well worth the visit!

The best fries in Turkey

Don’t be mistaken when I call it a restaurant; it is not a fancy place. As his nickname suggests, “Yörük” Ramazan used to be a nomad but he now lives at the tip of the bay serving food to those lucky adventurers who make it that far. His specialty is his chips, or french fries, which are unmatched in
taste! Your well-deserved (thanks to your paddling!) meal is usually freshly caught grilled fish, accompanied by a local tomato and onion salad and the best fries you will find in Turkey. And even an ice-cold Turkish beer or soft drink if you fancy one! It is just a delight to enjoy his simple but delicious food.

Like walking on Mars

After lunch, you will hike a 2-kilometer section of the Lycian Way until you finally reach another bay where picturesque Aperlai overlooking the water awaits you. The walk takes you through an open field where the earth is red and dry and scattered with rocks as if placed by extraterrestrial creatures. You might feel like you are walking on Mars. I know, none of us has walked on Mars yet but it’s probably how you would imagine it! You get to rest in the shade of carob trees and your guide will have interesting anecdotes about the trees or the Lycians to share with you along the way.

Kekova West Aperlai Seakayak Tour

Walking or snorkeling the ancient ruins

As soon as you walk into Aperlai, your eyes take in the impressive fortified walls of the city. There are about eighty Lycian tombs along the path to the city walls and one of which is quite unique with its two room-joined sarcophagus, maybe an eternal bed or a home for the Lycian lovers, who knows. Also don’t forget to look for the different reliefs on the tombs, for example, try to find the with the bull on the lid or the one with the turtle shape. Your imagination will be your best friend when and if the shapes look too obscure. There are a couple of Roman baths and churches. Along the edge of the city, in the sea, you can see tombs that have sunk into the water due to earthquakes that took place almost 2000 years ago, as well as rooms that you can explore by snorkeling. You can swim over the sunken murex workshops and maybe catch a glimpse of the murex shells unified with the rocks under the water. Unlike the sunken city of Kekova where swimming is forbidden, you are allowed to swim and snorkel in Aperlai.
It is waiting to be explored by you! It is such a freeing feeling listening to the constant winds of Aperlai and feeling the pleasant disconnect from city life.

Sailing back by kayak!

You will spend about an hour or so in Aperlai and then hike back to Yörük Ramazan’s. If you are lucky enough to have the winds of Aperlai on this side of the land, you will be able to sail back to Üçağız! Yes, we can put sails on the kayaks! Our kayaks did not originally have sails, but we managed to find a simple and effective way of putting V-shaped sails on the kayaks for casual and laid-back sea kayak sailing at the end of a full exploratory day.

Obviously, if there is not enough wind–“enough” being the key word–then there will be no sailing. You will paddle back to your starting point at Üçağız and work on those arm and core muscles a bit longer!

Kekova West Aperlai Seakayak Tour

To summarize, here are the key points of why you should be interested in sea kayaking to Aperlai:

  • First of all, since sea kayaking necessitates an early departure, we get to escape from the boat and tourist traffic of the middle of the day. The bays will be mostly empty and noise-free.
  • You get to see not just one but two sunken cities!
  • Since you are in a sea kayak, you get to be the closest to (and paddle over) the sunken city ruins.
  • You have more time to explore the unspoiled spots.
  • We paddle and therefore we exist! Seriously though, paddling is a much healthier way to spend a day of your holiday and it enables you to stay fit and sleep like a baby that night too!
  • Let’s not forget, you get to eat the best fries!
  • You can taste a carob picked right from the tree! (Have you ever tasted a carob pod?)
  • You will feel like you are on the surface of Mars!
  • You may get to sail on a sea kayak. I bet you didn’t even know that was possible!
  • Last but certainly not least, the whole Kekova region is a marine protection area to protect the loggerhead sea turtles and the endangered Mediterranean monk seals, so you have the chance to encounter some amazing animals!

To visualize all of this, visit our Instagram page here.

Sign up for or inquire about your Dragoman Aperlai sea kayak (Kekova West) tour here!

WANT TO JOIN

Filed Under: Blog

Lycian Spring Botanical Tour

16/01/2022 By Dragoman

Likya Orkidesi

It is time to escape the boring crowds, grey buildings and black tarmac of the city. We invite you to the heart of Lycia to discover its wild flowers with hundreds of different colours, and its turquoise sea.

Lycian Spring Botanical Tour

Lead by an Assistant Professor in Botanics

18 – 22 April 2022
(4 Nights, 5 Days)

In Double Occupancy, Per Person 6700 TL

Single Supplement 960 TL

Who Lives in Kaş (Without Accommodation) 4200 TL

  • %10 Discount for Children & Member of Kaş Turizm Tanıtma Derneği
  • Accomodation will be at our hotel in Kaş.

Catching the colors and odours of Autumn… A visual feast searching for flowers, crocuses, orchids…

This botanical tour will give you a unique opportunity to discover wonders of Lycian plants. During this five-day program you will have the chance to see more than 200 different plants and the most beautiful flowers of the Mediterranean coastline.

A trip that no nature lover, plant enthusiast, hiker or photographer should miss… Each day you will study a different Meditteranean flora at a different altitude, following different trails. You will be immersed in Nature the whole day, hiking and listening to the mythological stories about these plants, and learning what they are good for.

Our botanist expert will explain how you could use these plants for medicinal or for cosmetic purposes.

The Lycian Orchid, Anatolian Orchid, Orchis Italica, Saffron, Clary Sage, Gladiola, Asphodelus, Euphorbia, Thymus or the evergreen oak Quercus coccifera are only some of the plants you will discover during the tour…

Participants will withness historical, archaeological, cultural and natural riches of the Teke peninsula (ancient Lycia) on daily hiking routes.

TOUR PROGRAMME

Likya Orkidesi

Day 18 May 2022

Arrival in Kaş. Checking in.

Accommodation

Day 2 19 May 2022

Patara Route

Meeting at Dragoman Office after breakfast. Transfer to our starting point after a tour briefing. We will start walking on the shores of the small lakes next to Patara. Along the entire route, we will first get detailed information about the lakeside and then the dune plants, learn what they are good for and what they are healing.

Accommodation, Breakfast, Tour Transfers, Lunch

Day 3 20 May 2022

Kuruova Route

We will pick yo up from the hotel and transfer to the starting point. Our approximately 13 km walk will start from the fragrant cedar forests next to the Kuruova pass (1550 m.), the highest point on the Gömbe road. This region, which is always 5-10 degrees colder than Kaş, is also a favorite of the ones who want to play in the snow for once in their lives. The route will take us up to 1850 meters, where we will see the peaks of the Taurus Mountains. As we slowly leave the tree border behind, we will get into a completely different vegetation. We will try to show the tulips, if they have bloomed.

Accommodation, Breakfast, Tour Transfers, Lunch

Day 4 21 May 2022

Kılınçlı-Aperlai-Sunken City with a Boat

We will pick yo up from the hotel and transfer to the starting point. Our target today is Aperlai. A long walk without leaving the path will show us the typical vegetation of the Northern Mediterranean basin, narrow fjord-like canyons that meet the sea, stream beds ending with a pebble beach, small beaches, olive groves and tombs. After visiting the ruins and taking a break, we will walk around 2 km and have lunch at Polemos bend (Siçak Bay).
In the afternoon, we will board our boat and visit Kekova, Tersane (Xera), Batıkşehir (Dolichiste), Simena and Üçağız.

Accommodation, Breakfast, Tour Transfers, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 22 May 2022

Limanağzı Route

We start the walk from the east of Kaş, on the roads decorated with stunning coastal views. During the walk, we come across rock tombs dating to the Lycian Period. On this half-day tour, we will see more coastal and low altitude plants. On the short boat ride on the way back, we will have the chance to see the rock tombs from a different angle. It’s easy to encounter more than one sea turtle!

Breakfast, Lunch

WANT TO JOIN

    Filed Under: Blog, Kaş, News, Outdoor Activities

    The replay of the webinar “And if you came (back) to Kaş this summer ?” is now online!

    12/07/2021 By Dragoman

    Dear friends,

    It is my pleasure to announce that the webinar that I realized on July 17, 2021, is now online!

    Rediscover Kaş

    How about booking your next vacation in Kaş?

    Come and experience unforgettable moments with Dragoman Diving & Outdoors!

    The webinar program:

    • Kaş, the pearl of Lycia: an ancient city of Lycian civilization
    • Kaş, an old port and a marina facing the Greek island Meis (Kastellorizo): a unique geographical location
    • Kekova, another ancient city, submerged, absolutely worth a visit
    • Kaş, a multi-sport destination: sea kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, coasteering, and especially, diving
    • Kaş, a rich underwater cultural heritage and abundant marine life (focus on species coming from the Red Sea)

    Hope to see you soon!

    Murat Draman

    Filed Under: Blog, Events

    Coast of Light – Boat Cruise and Sea Kayak or Hiking Tour

    01/12/2020 By Dragoman

    Coast of Light - Boat Cruise and Sea Kayak Tour

    TOUR DATES & PRICES

    24-29 May 21 – 1350€

    5-10 June 21 – 1400€

    5-10 Oct. 21 – 1500€

    5 Nights, 6 Days

    JOIN

    Combining the beauty of the ancient Lycian region with the comfort of staying on an authentic Turkish luxury wooden sailboat (gulet), our Coast of Light boat cruise sea kayak or hiking tour offers a unique experience to explore the Mediterranean Sea and rich Lycian history while being completely immersed in nature. Sea kayak or hike by day in beautiful marine protected areas, including sunken cities, discover breathtaking bays and enjoy your leisure time in the evenings on a beautiful gulet docked in a cove far from civilization where you may be awestruck by the glow-in-the-dark phosphorescence of the sea or spend a romantic moonlit-night in the castle village of Simena. Visit the ancient Lycian city of Aperlai by sea kayak or hike where you can snorkel over sunken ruins or walk among the ancient tombs and fortress walls to marvel at the stunning sea views. Admire giant sea turtles while paddling to Andriake with its impressive ruins of the once-thriving port-city of Saint Nicolas’ Myra. The tour offers plenty of opportunities to have fun while actively exploring nature and history, as well as ample down time to relax on the boat. There is a lot more to experience, but you will have to discover it all for yourself!

    Coast of Light - Boat Cruise and Sea Kayak Tour
    Coast of Light - Boat Cruise and Sea Kayak Tour
    Coast of Light - Boat Cruise and Sea Kayak Tour

    Day 1: Arrival in Kaş, board the boat, sea kayak or hiking familiarization

    You will board your beautiful gulet around noon. The first afternoon and night are spent in a sheltered bay called Limanağzı. After a delicious freshly prepared lunch on the boat you will be given a general briefing about the tour. You will be able to practice your kayaking skills while admiring the view of Lycian rock-cut tombs above and the incredible blue and turquoise of the Mediterranean Sea below. You may even encounter one of the endangered Caretta Caretta sea turtles!

    Accommodation: Boat

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

    Day 2: Limanağzı – Üzüm İskelesi, Sea kayak or hiking

    After an energizing breakfast, you will paddle or hike along Limanağzı bay towards Çoban bay where you will have a break to swim and a snack. There will be many opportunities to swim and rest along the way while following the Lycian Way by sea. Your guide will be with you at all times and will tell you about the region, culture, history and other interesting anecdotes. The day will end in Üzümlü bay where your boat will dock, and you will have the chance to relax and soak in the incredible starry night sky far from city lights.

    Accommodation: Boat

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Coast of Light - Boat Cruise and Sea Kayak Tour

    Day 3: Üzüm İskelesi – Aperlai, Sea kayak or Hiking

    After breakfast you will start paddling or hiking towards the ancient Lycian city of Aperlai. A narrow but beautiful bay will be your break spot to have a snack and a swim in its refreshing spring waters. When you reach Aperlai, you can park your kayak and snorkel over the sunken ruins or go for a little hike to explore the sarcophagi, Roman bath and fortress walls. To watch the sunset on the horizon from here is a priceless experience!

    Accommodation: Boat

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Day 4: Aperlai – Simena, Sea kayak or Hiking

    On the fourth day you will paddle or hike along impressive rock formations towards the inner bays of Sıçak peninsula and reach the Kekova marine protected area at the end of the day. If the winds are in your favor, you may be able to put sails on your kayaks to glide with the wind over the water! You will know you have arrived in the ancient city of Simena (4th century BC) thanks to its little mighty medieval crusader castle overlooking Kekova island. The castle contains the smallest theatre in Turkey, cut out of a single solid piece of rock. You will surely be mesmerized by the views from the castle and the immersion of culture and history as you lose yourself in the charming flower-strewn narrow streets and houses of the village, which to this day is only accessible by foot or by boat.

    Accommodation: Boat

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Do you want to read our journal of this sea kayak tour?

    Click the link: Coast of Light Boat & Kayak Journal

    Coast of Light - Boat Cruise and Sea Kayak Tour

    Day 5: Simena – Gökkaya, Sea kayak or Hiking

    Paddling in crystal clear waters or hiking through the silent shores towards the east you will see where pirates and warships used to find shelter over the centuries in the hidden inlets of Kişneli, Aşırlı and Gökkaya islands and you will observe the ruins of the city of Istlada. You will spend the night close to Gökkaya island, taking in the calming sounds of nature and the countless stars above.

    Accommodation: Boat

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Day 6: Gökkaya – Andriake, Sea kayak or Hiking

    On the last day of the tour, you will paddle or hike towards Andriake, once the thriving port-city of Myra. Andriake, or locally named Çayağzı, is home to numerous species of birds, both migratory and indigenous. You will experience the excitement of paddling with sea turtles in both deep and shallow water and observing many different birds all at once. If time permits, you will have the chance to visit the excavation site and impressive ruins of Andriake inside the premises of the Lycian Civilization Museum, well worth the visit. After lunch, you will head west for a leisurely return to Kaş, spending the rest of the afternoon fully enjoying your luxury gulet in this unique land where the colours and light never cease to impress, and where time so often seems to stop.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    Coast of Light Sea Kayaking Tour Map

    Prices are per person with double occupancy.

    Number of participants is 8 to 10.  

    Contact our office for more accommodation and activity options prior to/after the tour.

    INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

    • 5 nights on the boat (prices are per person with double occupancy)  
    • Professional guidance services
    • All the necessary equipment for sea kayaking
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner as mentioned above
    • Snacks and water
    • VAT

    NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

    • Gratuities to guide, drivers or crew.
    • Airfare and transport to itinerary starting point. We recommend that you buy/reserve your tickets well in advance: please contact our office for suggestions.
    • Passport or Turkish visa fees.
    • Airport transfers unless specifically indicated in tour description. Please contact our office for more information and pricing of the various transfer possibilities, from private car to shared transfers to public buses.
    • Pre- and post-trip extension: If you are interested in accommodation and other activity opportunities before and after the tour program, please do not hesitate to ask.
    • Items of a personal nature such as soft drinks, water (except for water during activities), alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, medical assistance, shipping and handling of forgotten items, additional hotel nights and meals not specified in the itinerary, traveler’s insurance.
    • Trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance.
    • Expenses incurred as a result of delays or cancellation beyond Dragoman’s control.
    JOIN
    Coast of Light Sea Kayaking Tour Map

    Terms & Conditions:

    Deposits and Payments:

    In order to confirm your reservation, the deposit fee required varies with the trip prices as:

    120 days prior to trip departure = 25% of total trip cost.

    90 days prior to trip departure = 100% of total trip cost.

    If payment is not paid when due, Dragoman Diving & Outdoor reserves the right to treat the reservation as cancelled.

    Cancellation Policy:

    Naturally, we regret the receipt of any cancellation. Nevertheless, a sizeable portion of our trip costs is already committed well in advance of your impending departure.

    Upon receipt of written notice regarding your cancellation, the balance of your trip payment will be refunded to you according to the following schedule:

    91 days prior to trip departure: total payment is reimbursed.

    90-61 days prior to trip departure: 50% of total trip cost is kept by Dragoman Diving & Outdoor.

    60 days or less to trip departure: No refund

    Filed Under: Blog, Kaş, News, Seakayak

    Back to Nature Tour with Dragoman

    15/08/2020 By Dragoman

    Dragoman ile Kaş'ta Doğaya Dönüş Turu

    Taste freedom few are fortunate enough to experience by discovering first-hand the beauties of Lycia. Be your own engine hiking, biking and paddling your way through the most stunning parts of this beautiful region on the Mediterranean Sea. Immerse yourself in history with our 4-day multi-activity outdoor adventure where you will camp next to ancient Lycian civilization sites and enjoy the refreshing crystal-clear sea during the heat of the day as well as at its calmest at night. Explore five different Lycian cities, two of which are sunken: paddle along the ancient sunken city of Kekova or treat yourself to a snorkel along the ruins of Aperlai after a beautiful hike with your family or friends. Seclusion and refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life and modern-day civilization is guaranteed.

    Duration: 3 Nights, 4 Days

    Price: €450

    Minimum number of participants: 4

    All camping spots have the appropriate facilities for hygiene and self-care such as toilets and showers, which are regularly cleaned and disinfected. We only collaborate with hotels, campgrounds and restaurants that adhere to the new hygiene certification standards and we aim to ensure that these are maintained throughout the season.

    I want to join

    Dragoman ile Kaş'ta Doğaya Dönüş Turu

    Tour Program

    Day 1: Apolonia-Aperlai, Hiking, 10-12 km

    We meet at the Dragoman office early in the morning for a 30-40 minute ride in our company van to our hike’s starting point.

    We hike from one ancient Lycian city ruin, Apolonia, to another, Aperlai, encountering ancient tombs and fortress walls along the way and admiring stunning sea views. At the end of the hike we can reward ourselves with a refreshing swim in the spring waters of the bay and maybe snorkel over sunken ruins too. We will camp at the secluded “Purple House” in Aperlai, a small self-sustainable refuge run by a married couple that is organically intertwined with nature and the local landscape. They grow their own food and make delicious vegetarian food from scratch.

    Included: guidance, snacks, lunch, dinner, camping equipment, tour transfer

    Day 2: Aperlai-Kekova-Simena, Sea Kayaking, 10-13 km

    After our early morning breakfast, we pack up our equipment and walk for 2 km to reach our kayaks. Today is an amazing sea kayaking day: we will paddle to the sunken city of Kekova, swim/snorkel near ruins (optional), we will have some free time in the afternoon to swim and/or explore the castle and village of Kaleköy/Simena with its incredible views overlooking all of Kekova. We will camp in the castle village.

    Included: guidance, snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping and kayaking equipment, safety boat

    Day 3: Simena-Gökkaya-Andriake, Sea Kayaking, 15-17 km

    Today we kayak to Andriake along the coast and to an island where wild indigenous goats roam free, passing by a cave where monk seals used to nest as a refuge for their baby pups. We finish at our camp site next to Andriake, the ancient Lycian port-city of Myra. Option to visit the Lycian Civilization Museum and ruins of Andriake (combined visit).

    Included: guidance, snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping and kayaking equipment, safety boat

    Dragoman ile Kaş'ta Doğaya Dönüş Turu

    Day 4: Sarılar-Kaş, Mountain Biking, 22-25 km

    After our breakfast we pack up our equipment and our van will transfer us to Sarılar for a mountain biking tour among the trees, hills and Ottoman-era house ruins. Our trip ends in the afternoon at the Dragoman office in Kaş.

    Included: guidance, snacks, breakfast, lunch, biking equipment, tour transfer

    INCLUDED:

    • Professional guidance
    • Camping and essential tour equipment
    • Tour transfers to/from Kaş as mentioned in the program
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner as mentioned in the program
    • Safety boat for kayaking days
    • VAT

    NOT INCLUDED:

    • Gratuities to guide, drivers or crew
    • Airfare and transport to itinerary starting point
    • Passport or Turkish visa fees
    • Airport transfers (please inquire for more information)
    • Pre- and post-tour extension (please inquire for possibilities)
    • Items of a personal nature such as soft drinks, water (except for water during activities), alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, medical assistance, shipping and handling of forgotten items, additional hotel nights and meals not specified in the itinerary, traveler’s insurance
    • Trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance
    • Expenses incurred as a result of delays or cancellation beyond Dragoman’s control
    I WANT TO JOIN

    Filed Under: Blog, Outdoor Activities

    Confirmed Outing: 26-28 Aug. 2020 – Kekova Sound Kayaking Trip

    22/07/2020 By Elif Turgut

    Discover the two sunken cities on Kekova Island and Sıçak Peninsula on the first day of the tour! You will be spending the night in a pension located in one of the most attractive Lycian cities. Simena (Kale Köy) will mesmerize you with its view at night. On the second day of the tour, Hamidiye Bay that witnessed WWI and the sea cave on Aşırlı Island once used by pirates will be some of the surprises waiting for you to discover. At the end of the day, you will be paddling towards Myra and then to Andriake which used to be the harbour of Myra until the Byzantine period.

    Kekova Körfezi Deniz Kanosu Tur Rotası

    Tour Program

    DAY 1

    Sea Kayaking: Kekova West

    Eary morning transfer from Kaş to Üçağız. After pre-instruction for sea kayaking and test-drive; we start paddling from Ucagiz(Teimiousa) to visit Simena – Sunken City – Tersane (Shipyard) Creek – Karakol Islands-Polemos Bay and get finished at the village of Simena. This is a trip to a magnificent place, Kekova Sunken City (Dolichiste) that can only be reached by sea kayaks or boat. You can discover the magical world of Kekova Sunken City with its ruins just below the sea level and the mysterious chambers, steps, ducts and walls carved directly into the rocks. We will take break on Tersane (Shipyard) beach to swim or snorkel. Then, paddling westwardly we plan to arrive in Sicak isthmus by lunchtime. Guided tours tend to ignore the ancient site of Aperlai, located west of Ucagiz on the mainland and accessible only by boat from the sea and by the ancient trail on foot; the effort required to get there has ensured the preservation of another “sunken city” here, and you can plan some time on land to explore these ruins on foot. You will then have an opportunity to visit Aperlai ruins to witness history, after a 2+2-km walk.
    By the late afternoon sea breeze we can set our sails back to Simena.

    Kalekoy (Simena) which faces Kekova is remarkable with its historical cites left from the Lycian era. The Lycian Castle, which has been restored during the Middle Ages, still stands proudly with a small amphitheatre. You will then visit Kalekoy, to witness history and traditional village life intermingles.

    Paddling Time : 4-5 hours

    Incl: Accommodation in Pension or Camping, Tour Transfers, Equipment, Guidance, Safety Boat, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 2

    Sea Kayaking: Kekova East

    Today we start the trip at Simena and paddle eastwardly to Kisneli island and Asirli Island with its big sea cave used at one time by pirates, then to quiet Gokkaya harbor.

    Having the pleasure of paddling in the crystal clear blue waters, sunbathing, snorkeling or swimming on the isolated beaches makes the impact of the trip much stronger. We then return inland for a break while discovering the coastal ruins of Istlada and the coastal features of Gokkaya Bay. After the break we paddle to Demre-Cayagzi river mouth, also called Kokar Bay. If time permits, there we will paddle up a spring flow in search of birds and natural springs and we disembark at the ruins of Andriake, port for Myra, home of St. Nicola’s church known to the world as Father Christmas.

    After trip ends at Andriake port, the group will be transferred back to Kaş.

    Visiting to Myra Ruins and St.Nicholas Church are optional.

    Paddling Time : 4 – 5 hours

    I WANT TO JOIN

    Filed Under: Blog, Seakayak

    At Dragoman, more measures, less risk!

    19/07/2020 By Elif Turgut

    Dear DRAGOMAN guest :

    We have taken the below-mentioned measures to protect you and ourselves during the COVID-19 outbreak.

    • We use masks and gloves during activity briefings and transfers as well as in our office.
    • We also use face shields if and when there is close contact with our guests.
    • We check if our guests show any of the COVID-19 symptoms before allowing them into our van or office.
    • We have prepared a series of Dragoman COVID-19 guidelines and we strictly follow those guidelines.
    • Each guest fills in a COVID-19 form prepared by Dragoman as well as an official COVID-19 form for diving and we archive each form for later reference.
    • We maintain a safe social distance during our activities and interactions with our guests.
    • We have divided the seating and sunbathing areas of our boat into sections for safe social distancing, and we disinfect these areas at regular intervals using an ULV device filled with hypochlorous acid or we apply a 1% bleach-water mixture with a spray pump.
    • We clean our pool mats on our boat and our office with the same mixture.
    • After each activity, our transfer vehicle is disinfected using an ULV device filled with hypochlorous acid. We wipe the frequently contacted spots such as door handles, seat belt buckles etc. using a cloth with hypochlorous acid. The disinfected equipment is left ready for the next activity in an open-air space.
    • In our vehicle, office and our dive boat, we have hand disinfectants available for our guests to use at will.
    • During any outdoor activity or diving, each guest is given numbered equipment for personal use.
    • For diving, we rinse and dry the disinfected materials and wrap the parts that come into contact with the mouth with 100% bio-soluble stretch film made of potato starch.
    • Due to the prohibition of self-service of beverages and foods, we handle your hot or cold beverage service using gloves and masks. We use disposable paper cups and sachets. We use disposable plates, forks, spoon etc for meals.
    • We have a separate trash bin for COVID-19-related waste such as masks, gloves, etc.

    For the sake of everyone, we kindly ask you to strictly follow the same measures.

    • Please wash your hands with soap and water or use a disinfectant frequently. Refrain from touching your eyes, mouth or nose and publicly used surfaces.
    • Keep a safe distance from other guests and our staff.
    • Use only the equipment that has been designated for you.
    • Wear a mask whenever necessary and carry a spare one with you at all times.

    We wish you safe and happy Dragoman adventures!

    Filed Under: Blog, Kaş, News

    Why I love coasteering as a tour leader in Kaş

    01/05/2020 By Dragoman

    Understanding why coasteering is so much fun and actually quite familiar to us all!

    Coasteering at Dragoman Diving and Outdoor, Kaş

    Coasteering is an outdoor activity that you probably already know very well. It has been practiced for many years by all of us in one form or another. You may be thinking, “Hmm. I am not sure about that…” Well think of yourself trying to climb a little wall or a rock in your neighborhood or when you went to the sea on vacation and the child version of you wanted to climb the rocks on the shore and jump into the water. That is the root of coasteering right there. And even if you weren’t that adventurous, I am sure you have seen others do such things.

    What is coasteering?

    Alright, so let’s describe coasteering.

    Origin of the word “coasteering”

    The word “coasteering” was used for the first time by John Cleare in his book Sea Cliff Climbing (1973); it is the combination of coast and mountaineering. Separately, somewhere in Wales in 1985, Andy Middleton coined the same word combination.

    To “coasteer” is to…

    To “coasteer” (I looked it up; “to coasteer” doesn’t officially exist as a verb but it does now thanks to me) all we need are some rocks and some water. Coasteering consists of following a route on the rocks along the shoreline, bouldering, traversing, cliff jumping, swimming and some willingness and determination to have fun and feel alive. While coasteering, we do not use ropes or technical climbing equipment; instead we use protective gear such as a helmet, wet suit, life jacket, gloves and rubber shoes (all provided by Dragoman).

    In my opinion, not having to deal with technical climbing gear that you may not already be familiar with is one of the advantages of coasteering over technical climbing; with coasteering you are free – it is you, your determination, your courage and your own limits that will determine how much fun you can have; not how good you are at using technical gear or how fast you learn to use a descender.

    Coasteering with Dragoman in Kaş

    Let’s further jump into it (pun intended). I will tell you about Dragoman’s coasteering route and will explain why it is special. This will give you a much better idea of what it is all about.

    Dragoman, located in the beautiful town of Kaş, Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea in southwestern Turkey, is the only outdoor adventure tour and travel agency in Kaş – and in all of Turkey! – that offers coasteering as an activity. We follow a 3km route along the shoreline starting from Büyükçakıl (Big Pebble) beach and ending in Limanağzı bay. I always tell my coasteering groups that the tour has three sections.

    Coasteering in Kaş consists of three parts

    Coasteering at Dragoman Diving and Outdoor, Kaş

    1: The warm-up

    The beginning is a nice and soft start to familiarize yourself with the rock formations and learn to keep your balance while walking on the rocks. At the end of this section there is a little jump into the refreshing water that is quite enjoyable. Your guide, in this case me, will tell you how to jump, how to walk and everything else you need to know to feel comfortable from the start. You will get lots of tips and help along the way, so you won’t need to worry about not knowing what to do.

    I really like the warm-up as it builds confidence right at the start with a little kick of fun adrenaline! At the same time, you will admire the giant beauty of the mountains above and the feast-for-the-eyes turquoise waters of the Mediterranean literally right at your feet. You will embrace it, be inside it, jump into it, swing along it and feel it… Right; I digress! Back to the topic.

    2: The fun part

    I call it the fun part not because it is the only part where we have fun but just because we get to have extra fun in this section. After we finish the warm-up and mostly walking on the rocks, we begin to do more rock climbing and bouldering. There are also a couple of cliff jumps, including the highest in the tour (you can see a photo of it below) and it is literally breathtaking! The cliff has a little balcony ledge that is perfectly flat and therefore a good spot to rest and enjoy the view after all that climbing.

    Most importantly, it’s where you’ll listen to your guide (me) tell you about how fun it is to jump off the ledge and scream fun words (or sounds!) while you do it. So far, I haven’t seen anybody who did not have a big smile of true fun and achievement after they have jumped off that ledge. I have had a few that were not so willing to jump (for some it appears to be a bit high and a bit challenging to get up there…) but I have managed to encourage them all and I always get a thank you for it afterwards.

    You won’t know how much fun it is until you do it!

    The best part is it is all safe! The water is deep, and it is so clear and beautiful; it is definitely not the Celtic or the North Sea! Brrr… This is the warm and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean! We usually spend the most time in this section, climbing the ledge a couple of times just for fun!

    Coasteering at Dragoman Diving and Outdoor, Kaş
    The breathtaking cliff jump!

    3: The so-called technical stretch

    Well, it is “so-called” by me only. By the time you get to this last section of the tour, you will have already climbed and cliff jumped several times which means you are all warmed up and ready to try some more technical stuff. I call it the technical stretch because the third section starts with long arm and leg stretches traversing along the rock facade at a level that is very low to the sea. There are lots of finger holes, angled boulders and walls that might seem flat and unmanageable, but anyone who has done this tour would surely say that it is more doable than you might first think!

    This section allows you to test your limits in a very safe manner. If you fall trying to creep around the side of a rock, you just fall a couple meters max into the sea; something that is quite refreshing in the intense summer heat (trust me!), so you even enjoy the fall.

    After a point when you (and I) will be low on energy and muscle power, our support boat will take us to nearby Limanağzı beach for a well-deserved lunch (see photo of where you will eat below). Upon arrival you can change into dry clothes, or you can go for a quick refreshing swim in the shallow turquoise waters while waiting for your food and drinks. And then you get to enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in Kaş!

    I can assure you that you will feel a great sense of self-confidence thanks to your coasteering accomplishments and all the jumps that you did. You will deserve a big pat on the back!

    After lunch, you can relax and have one more drink before we head back to Kaş harbor with our support boat.

    (It would be greatly appreciated if you help me carry some of your gear back to the office, which is within a very short walking distance from the harbor drop off point. Thanks in advance!)

    Limanağzı beach, your coasteering lunch spot. Who wouldn’t want to eat here, right?

    To summarize

    Coasteering is one of the most unique ways that you can explore the coastline while being fully immersed in nature, admiring the beautiful colors and sights of the Mediterranean Sea. Limanağzı is reachable only by boat or via the Lycian trail over the hills of our coasteering route. Choosing coasteering as your means to get there surely is way cooler than walking or taking a boat! Imagine your photo in a boat or walking and compare it with dozens of photos climbing across rocks like Spiderman (your wetsuit is your super gear!) and jumping off rocks and cliffs into the sea.

    Coasteering is great fun, it is safe, and it is a good workout too!

    And yes, you can do it regardless of your age as long as you are comfortable walking across rocks and can swim.

    See you soon hopefully for some coasteering fun!

    Oğuzhan Durmuş, Dragoman Outdoor Tour Guide, coasteering since 2011!

    Sign up for your Dragoman coasteering tour here!

    Red Bull says that Dragoman’s coasteering route in Kaş is one of the 12 most breathtaking coasteering spots in the world.

    Kernow Coasteering, a coasteering and rock climbing provider in Cornwall (UK), wrote about the origins of coasteering and how Dragoman was a global pioneer in the field.

    Filed Under: Blog, Outdoor Activities

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