Phaselis Bays Boat Trip with Lunch from Kemer
4.4 (239 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience
Overview
Our Phaselis bays boat trip from Kemer is a relaxed full-day cruise along one of the prettiest stretches of the Turkish Riviera. A shared boat takes you past pine-covered cliffs to swim in Paradise Bay and Cleopatra Bay, then on to the ruins and beaches of ancient Phaselis. Lunch is served on board, with a host for the group. Choose the option with hotel pickup in the Kemer region, a meeting at Kemer Marina, or pickup from Antalya, Belek and Lara. The trip is for families and couples.
Highlights
- Swim stops in Paradise Bay and Cleopatra Bay, with clear turquoise water
- Time at the ruins and beaches of ancient Phaselis, a port city founded in the 7th century BC
- Lunch served on board, with a sun deck and a shaded lower deck
- Views of the Kemer coastline, pirate caves and the Taurus mountains, with Mount Tahtali above the sea
- Hotel pickup from Kemer, Kiris, Tekirova, Camyuva and Beldibi in our main option
- Other options: meet at Kemer Marina, or pickup from Antalya, Belek and Lara
- English-speaking host on board, and a calm trip for families and couples
Full Description
The Kemer coast and Kemer Marina
Kemer sits where the Taurus mountains fall into the Gulf of Antalya, and the best way to understand its landscape is from the water. Our Kemer boat trip leaves from Kemer Marina and follows the coast south-west, past pine forests that reach the shoreline, small pebble beaches and sea caves that local stories link with pirates. The sea is usually calm in the morning, which makes the first hour a pleasant time to settle on deck.
Many guests ask how to get to Kemer Marina. If you choose the pickup options, a vehicle collects you at your hotel and brings you to the boat, so there is nothing to organise. With the marina option, you reach the meeting point yourself before the 10:00 departure; taxis from Kemer centre take only a few minutes. The best time to visit Kemer for sea trips is from May to October.
Paradise Bay and Cleopatra Bay
The two swim stops are the heart of this Phaselis boat tour. Paradise Bay is a sheltered cove with clear green-blue water and rocky sides that cut off the wind, so it feels calm even on breezy days. Cleopatra Bay is another quiet inlet along the same shoreline; the name comes from a popular local legend and not from any recorded visit, but the swimming is just as good as the story.
The boat anchors a short way from the cliffs, so you swim straight from the deck, and you can also stay on board in the shade. Bring a swimsuit, a towel and sun cream. If you are searching for the best bays near Kemer, Paradise Bay and Cleopatra Bay are the ones most visitors choose, and from the sea you see views the road never reaches.
Ancient Phaselis
Phaselis was founded in the 7th century BC and grew rich as a port between Lycia and Pamphylia, with three harbours that made it a stopping place for merchants crossing the eastern Mediterranean. Today the ruins sit among pine trees beside golden-sand beaches. You can walk along the old paved main street, then see the city walls, the Roman aqueduct, bath ruins, the small theatre and Hadrian's Gate, built for the emperor's visit.
Is Phaselis worth visiting? Most guests say yes, because few ancient sites let you swim beside the harbour afterwards. Opening hours change by season. Visiting Phaselis by boat is much easier than by road, since the boat takes you straight to the bay. The entrance ticket to the archaeological site is not included in any option, and the walk around the ruins is relaxed and independent, with our host available for orientation.
Lunch on board and the return along the coast
After the swim stops, lunch is served on the lower deck of the boat while the coast passes by, and it is included in every option. Drinks, photos and tips are not included. The upper deck has room to sunbathe, and the lower deck offers shade, which suits families with children and guests who prefer to stay out of the midday sun.
On the way back to Kemer the boat sails with Mount Tahtali, which rises above two thousand metres, in front of you, and the light over the water is softer in the late afternoon. Our Phaselis boat trip is a good choice for a day with a mix of swimming, history and rest. If you want a quieter experience, choose a weekday and bring a light layer for the breeze on deck.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup or meeting at Kemer MarinaWith the pickup options, a vehicle collects you from your hotel in the morning; with the marina option you meet at Kemer Marina before the 10:00 departure.
- Cruise along the Kemer coastThe boat leaves Kemer Marina and sails past pine-covered cliffs, beaches and sea caves while your host gives practical information.
- Swim stop in Paradise BayAnchor in a sheltered cove for swimming, snorkelling if you bring your own mask, and sunbathing on deck.
- Swim stop in Cleopatra BayA second stop in clear water along the same coast, with time to swim or relax on board.
- Lunch on boardLunch is served on the lower deck while the boat heads towards Phaselis.
- Ancient PhaselisGo ashore at the beach beside the ruins to swim, walk the old main street and see the harbours, aqueduct and theatre at your own pace.
- Return to Kemer MarinaThe boat sails back with views of Mount Tahtali; pickup options then continue by vehicle to your hotel.
What's included
- Boat trip along the Kemer coast with swim stops
- Visits to Paradise Bay and Cleopatra Bay
- Time near the ruins of the ancient port city of Phaselis
- Lunch on board
- English-speaking host
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Phaselis entrance ticket
- Drinks
- Photos
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Groups of men travelling alone: this trip is for families and couples only
- Guests who cannot climb stairs between the decks or go ashore on a beach
- Anyone who gets seasick easily when the sea is rough
- Guests who want a guided archaeological tour: at Phaselis you explore independently, with a host for orientation
Meeting point
The main option includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Kemer, Kiris, Tekirova, Camyuva and Beldibi, and the 10:00 time in the booking panel is the boat departure. A separate option includes pickup from hotels in Antalya, Belek, Lara and Konyaalti, which makes the day longer, and a third option lets you meet at Kemer Marina and make your own way there and back. The exact pickup time depends on your hotel and is sent to you after booking, so please keep your phone available and be ready at the lobby.
Important information
- Bring swimwear, a towel, sun cream, sunglasses, a hat and a light layer for the breeze on deck
- Wear non-slip sandals or soft shoes; the rocks at Phaselis can be hot and uneven
- The Phaselis entrance ticket is not included, so keep some cash for it if you wish to enter the archaeological site
- Drinks, photos and tips are not included in any option
- The trip is for families and couples; groups of men travelling alone cannot be accepted
- Please arrive on time at your pickup point or at Kemer Marina, because the boat leaves at its set departure time
- Sea conditions and the route can change on windy days, and the captain decides the safest plan
- Opening hours at Phaselis change by season, and the boat season runs mainly from spring to autumn
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Phaselis bays boat trip ticket cost?
The price depends on the option you choose: Kemer Marina meeting, Kemer-area hotel pickup, or Antalya, Belek and Lara pickup. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and for children where it applies.
Is hotel pickup included?
It depends on the option. The option with pickup from Kemer, Kiris, Tekirova, Camyuva and Beldibi and the option from Antalya, Belek, Lara and Konyaalti include pickup and drop-off, while the Kemer Marina option does not.
How long is the Phaselis boat tour?
It takes about 6 hours with the marina meeting, about 7 hours with pickup in the Kemer area and about 8 hours with pickup from Antalya, Belek and Lara, because of the transfer time.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch on board is part of every option. Drinks, photos and tips are not included.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes, it is designed for families and couples, with a shaded lower deck and relaxed swim stops. Children must be supervised near the water, and the booking panel shows which age groups are available.
Can men travelling alone or in a group join?
No. This trip is for families and couples only, and bookings from groups of men travelling alone cannot be accepted.
What is the difference between the options?
The boat trip, the swim stops and lunch are the same in each option. The difference is how you reach the boat: you meet at Kemer Marina, or you are collected from hotels in the Kemer area, or from Antalya, Belek and Lara. Longer transfers make the day longer.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
If seats are available you can book a short time ahead. Choose your date in the booking panel and the available dates and departure time appear there.
Is the Phaselis entrance ticket included?
No. The entrance ticket to the archaeological site is not part of any option. You can swim and relax at the beach, and pay locally if you also want to walk through the ruins.
What is the best time to take a boat trip to Phaselis?
From May to October the sea is warm and calm enough for swimming, with July to September the warmest. Spring and autumn are quieter, and the water is cooler.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear swimwear under light clothes and bring a towel, sun cream, a hat, sunglasses and non-slip shoes. Bring some cash for the entrance ticket and for anything you want to buy on board.
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