Çayağzı Harbor (Demre Port) - Image 1
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Çayağzı Harbor Demre

4.6
·408 reviews·, Türkiye

Gateway to Kekova and a prime spot for swimming with loggerhead turtles, offering unique river-meets-sea swimming.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer mornings

Calm waters, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
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Çayağzı Harbor (Demre Port) - Image 1

Çayağzı Harbor Demre

Best Time

Summer mornings

Calm waters, fewer crowds

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Gateway to Kekova and a prime spot for swimming with loggerhead turtles, offering unique river-meets-sea swimming.

4.6
(408 reviews)

"Ideal location for swimming with loggerhead turtles and exploring Kekova."

Vertical photo
TIP

🐢 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.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 408 reviews

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Loggerhead Turtle Spotting

Loggerhead Turtle Spotting

Çayağzı Harbor

Witness majestic loggerhead turtles in their natural habitat. A truly unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Kekova Boat Tours

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

River Meets Sea

Çayağzı Beach

Experience the unique sensation of swimming where a river flows into the sea. Refreshing and invigorating.

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Planning Your Visit

Turtle Encounters & Boat Tours

Çayağzı Harbor is your gateway to swimming with loggerhead turtles and exploring Kekova. Opting for a boat tour from Demre saves time compared to Kaş, allowing more swimming and bay exploration.

Best Time for Clear Waters

Visit during the warmer months for the best swimming conditions. Early mornings or late afternoons can offer calmer waters and fewer crowds, enhancing your chances of spotting turtles.

Best Times

When
Summer mornings
Why
Calm waters, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoons
Why
Golden hour views
Crowd
Medium

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

4.6
(408 reviews)

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

Swimming with turtles
Kekova boat tours
River meets sea

What People Dislike

Can be crowded in peak season

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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