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!

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

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 (4^th 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

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

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.

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

Central Lycia Coast Sea Kayaking Tour

5 nights – 6 days paddling trip

2 hotel/pension nights (B&B), 3 camp overnights

Price:  800 €

The dates are determined in accordance with traditional Fisherman Storm Calendar.

A unique sea kayak adventure along Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast 6 days paddling & camping tour along beautiful, spectacular and unspoiled coastline.

Escape from the crowds to crystal clear waters of Lycian coast for paddling, walking, swimming and snorkeling. Like the ancient Lycians you will be able to reach places accessible only by sea. An English speaking guide will accompany you to further illuminate the history of the sights you will see.

CENTRAL LYCIA REGION 

Visiting natural harbors and fascinating islands along Central Lycian Coast; explore the impressive rock tombs of ancient cities, spectacular cliffs, headlands, and the tranquil forested beauty and beaches of the many islands, learn about ancient Lycian history, coastal ecology, natural history and the coastal culture along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. Days spent paddling on kayaks and campgrounds in secluded coves, the whisper of ancient voices in the maquis or pine trees above, just another hectic day on the Lycian Coast.

Previous kayaking experience is an advantage but is not essential. However paddlers should be in a good physical and mental fitness for the itinerary described below. A flexible state of mind and a sense of humor are also important when experiencing ” Lycian time “.

Remember to leave your clocks, deadlines and schedules behind so you can enjoy a state of mind where the local concept of time is measured by the seasons.

Come prepared for spectacular Lycian sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away. Light along Lycian Coast, especially in spring and autumn days, has the clarity and pureness that photographers crave. Add to that an incredible variety of photographic subject matter-people, landscapes, architecture and wildlife. Nested between Mediterranean Sea and Teke Peninsula Range, Lycian coast’s deep blue waters shimmer with life, providing surreal contrast to the surrounding landscape.

Experience mythical Lycian Coast like no one else has… via sea kayak!

Tour Details

• Tour Duration: 5 Nights, 6 Days
• Destination: Kas(AntiPhellos)- Demre(Myra)
  TURKEY: Antalya- Mediterranean Coast; Ancient Lycian Coast
• Speciality Categories: Sea Kayaking (paddling) and Camping & Walking
• Airfare Included?: NO
• Tour Customizable?: YES for min 5 peoples
• Number of Participants:
  Minimum group: 4 paddlers + 1 guide
  Maximum: 12 +2 staff* paddlers
  *(Group leader and an assistant).
• Accommodation: Overnights in tented camps and hotel / pension
• Meals: Lunch box / restaurant / camp cooking / hotel
  Vegetarian rations are possible.
• Transfer & transport: by minibus and/or 4 x 4 vehicle
  A 4 x 4 vehicle and/or a support boat is provided for logistics and security matters, if necessary.

TOUR PROGRAM – THE COAST OF LIGHT

Day 1: Antalya-Kas: Arrive in Turkey.

Transfer from Airport. Check-in to the hotel. Tour briefing and dinner.

Hotel in Kaş, Dinner

Day 2: Sea Kayaking: Kaş Archipelago-Factoria Bay-Üzümlü

Start your kayaking adventures right off by learning/reviewing essential paddling and safety skills on calm waters of Kas Archipelago.

This training session could be replaced by a longer trip on the peninsula for experienced groups, before your first open sea experience in this excursion: making a large arc like track, we first pass through Kas Archipelago islands.

We can take our first break either on the islands or at the Shepard’s Bay for a late lunch time on board. The last leg of the day will also cover the 3 small island opposed to Ufakdere (Factoria) Bay and Üzümlü where we will end the first day’s paddling.

Paddling Time : 4 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping

Day 3: Sea Kayaking: Üzümlü-Aperlai

Today we paddle along remote coasts to Inonu Cove, where the landscape becomes more bizarre by the hour.Here the coast is brittle and rocky. Twisted claws of stone emerge from the water. Jagged islets seem to rise and fall with the tides – no wonder Greek sailors named them “barbs of Poseidon’s trident”.

After our breakfast, we will paddle over the waves of Cape Uluburun, where oldest known shipwreck has been excavated by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology. After this cap we paddle towards Inonu cove; you see the splendid rock tombs carved into the hills, powerful remnants of Lycian civilization.

Arriving to the ancient city of Aperlai at the end of a long bay, you will see the ancient port, now mostly underwater, as a result of earthquake subsidence over the centuries.

We camp at this hidden cove where is also one of the campsites on Lycian Trail.

Paddling Time : 5 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Camping

Day 4: Sea Kayaking: Aperlai-Simena

Paddling along the coastline, passing through Akar Bogazi (Sicak Peninsula narrows), we reach the other side we explore the sheltered waters of Kekova Sound & Kekova Island(s); explore ancient towns of Teimioussa and Simena, both the most evocative of all Lycian burial grounds.

This trip to Kekova and Ucagiz will be the highlight of your stay in antique Lycia. The ‘three mouths’ of Ucagiz are the openings South, East and West of Kekova Island.

Kekova is famous for its Sunken City that can only be reached by sea. With its ruins just below sea level, mysterious chambers, steps and walls carved directly into the rocks, Kekova is a long thin island that separates the open sea from the mainland.

We then continue to Kalekoy (ancient Simena) which can only be reached by kayak/boat or along footpaths.

The little village of Kalekoy that lies below and around the Simena Castle is one of the most romantic settings of the entire trip. Level walks then a short, steepish climb up to the castle of the Knights of Saint John is well worth it for the fantastic panoramic views it offers. We camp or alternatively stay overnight in a pension.

Paddling Time : 5 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel in Simena

Day 5: Sea Kayaking: Simena-Andriake

Early morning paddling eastward take us to Kisneli island and Asirli Island with its big sea cave used at one time by pirates, then to quiet and beautiful Gokkaya harbor. We then return inland for a long tea break while discovering the coastal ruins of Istlada and the coastal features of Gokkaya Bay where a short walks to ancient ruins nearby the landing beach is possible. It was as though you enter an ancient water maze, with a thousands coves hidden from the rest of the world.

After the break, heading East we paddle to Demre-Cayagzi river mouth. If time permits, we will paddle up a spring flow in search of birds and natural springs.

If we arrive on time, the afternoon is spent relaxing and visiting Myra, St. Nicholas Church and Demre.

Paddling Time : 5 hours

Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel in Kaş

Day 6

Free morning and checkout. Transfer to Airport.

Breakfast

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