
Çayağzı Harbor Demre
Gateway to Kekova and a prime spot for swimming with loggerhead turtles, offering unique river-meets-sea swimming.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Calm waters, fewer crowds

Çayağzı Harbor Demre
Best Time
Calm waters, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Gateway to Kekova and a prime spot for swimming with loggerhead turtles, offering unique river-meets-sea swimming.
"Ideal location for swimming with loggerhead turtles and exploring Kekova."

🐢 Turtle Etiquette
Observe turtles from a distance. Never feed or touch them to ensure their well-being.
🚤 Book Boat Tours Locally
Many boat tours depart from the harbor. Compare prices and itineraries for the best value.

Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.6 · 408 reviews
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Loggerhead Turtle Spotting
Çayağzı Harbor
Witness majestic loggerhead turtles in their natural habitat. A truly unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Kekova Boat Tours
Departing from Çayağzı Harbor
Cruise to the sunken city of Kekova and explore stunning bays. Enjoy swimming and soaking in the picturesque scenery.

River Meets Sea
Çayağzı Beach
Experience the unique sensation of swimming where a river flows into the sea. Refreshing and invigorating.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Turtle Encounters & Boat Tours
Best Time for Clear Waters
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🐢 Turtle Etiquette
Observe turtles from a distance. Never feed or touch them to ensure their well-being.
🚤 Book Boat Tours Locally
Many boat tours depart from the harbor. Compare prices and itineraries for the best value.
🏊♀️ Swim in River & Sea
Enjoy the unique experience of swimming where the river meets the sea.
📸 Capture the Views
The harbor and Kekova offer stunning photo opportunities. Don't forget your camera!
Tips
from all over the internet
🐢 Turtle Etiquette
Observe turtles from a distance. Never feed or touch them to ensure their well-being.
🚤 Book Boat Tours Locally
Many boat tours depart from the harbor. Compare prices and itineraries for the best value.
🏊♀️ Swim in River & Sea
Enjoy the unique experience of swimming where the river meets the sea.
📸 Capture the Views
The harbor and Kekova offer stunning photo opportunities. Don't forget your camera!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Çayağzı Harbor is celebrated as an ideal departure point for boat tours to Kekova, offering a more efficient journey than from Kaş. Visitors rave about the chance to swim with loggerhead turtles and enjoy the unique experience of the river meeting the sea. The picturesque scenery and pleasant boat trips make it a memorable destination.
"It's the ideal location for swimming with loggerhead turtles. I love swimming in the sea and the river that flows into it."
Mustafa Hami
"Kekova is a very suitable location for the tour. It is much more effective to do the tour from here instead of Kaş in terms of the distance and time you will spend in the sea. This way, you do not spend time in the open sea. This allows you to spend much longer time in the bays and swim."
Vera Nova Group
"A good boat cruise with great views...was awesome to see the turtles in the harbour."
David Upstone
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take a bus from Antalya to Demre, which takes approximately 2-3 hours. From Demre's bus station, Çayağzı Harbor is a short taxi ride or a local dolmuş (minibus) trip away.
Yes, there are usually parking areas available near the harbor, especially if you arrive earlier in the day. Some boat tour operators might also offer parking for their customers.
Yes, local dolmuş services connect Demre town center to Çayağzı Harbor. These are frequent and an economical way to travel.
While many tours depart from Kaş, traveling to Çayağzı Harbor in Demre for a boat tour is recommended for saving time. You can take a bus from Kaş to Demre, which is a shorter journey than a direct boat trip from Kaş to Kekova.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Çayağzı Harbor itself is a public area and generally does not require an entrance fee. However, boat tours and activities departing from the harbor will have their own costs.
Boat tours typically start in the morning, around 9-10 AM, and run until late afternoon. It's best to check with individual tour operators for their specific schedules.
Swimming with turtles is a natural encounter and there are no specific fees for it. However, if you join a boat tour that includes swimming stops, the tour price will cover access to those areas.
Yes, private boat tours are often available. You can inquire directly with boat captains or tour agencies at the harbor to arrange a customized trip.
While Kekova is a protected archaeological site, access is typically via boat tour. The boat tour price usually covers the passage through the area, and there isn't a separate entrance fee for the sunken city itself.
🎫 🏊♀️ Onsite Experience
The most common way is to join a boat tour from Çayağzı Harbor. Turtles are often seen in the harbor area and around the swimming spots near Kekova. Snorkeling can enhance your viewing experience.
Boat tours typically last between 3 to 6 hours, depending on the itinerary and stops. Some tours might be shorter half-day trips, while others are full-day excursions.
You can go swimming, sunbathe on the beach, take boat tours to Kekova, and enjoy the unique experience of swimming where the river meets the sea. It's also a great spot for wildlife observation, especially turtles.
The waters in the bays around Kekova and at Çayağzı are generally clean and clear, making them ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The river meeting the sea offers a unique, refreshing mix.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and a waterproof bag for your electronics. Snorkel gear is also recommended if you plan to explore underwater.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are several restaurants and cafes located along the harbor and beach area, offering local Turkish cuisine and refreshments. Many boat tour packages also include lunch.
Most boat tours offer drinks for purchase, and some may include lunch or snacks as part of the package. It's advisable to confirm this when booking your tour.
Lunch on boat tours often consists of simple, fresh Turkish dishes like grilled fish or chicken, pasta, salads, and seasonal fruits.
📸 📸 Photography
The harbor itself, with its boats and clear waters, is picturesque. The point where the river meets the sea offers unique photographic opportunities. The coastline leading to Kekova is also stunning.
Yes, with patience and a good zoom lens, you can capture great shots of the loggerhead turtles. Waterproof cameras or phone cases are useful if you plan to photograph them while swimming.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer softer light, ideal for landscape and wildlife photography. The golden hour before sunset provides beautiful warm tones.







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