Sea kayaking Kekova, Turkey
Always safety and fun first! All tour guides carry 1st aid kits and are trained in 1st aid procedures. All participants are also required to wear safety flotation vests. For the normal tour group with little or no experience, the protected harbor and island area around Kekova cause no problems with the wind and waves. If the guide decides the weather is too rough for the experience of the group, they will do a different activity that day and wait for the wind to calm down. Always safety and fun first!
A “typical” sea kayaking adventure usually starts the day before when the BT sales team gives a small list of equipment and other items that participants should bring along so they may have a fun and safe day. The next morning starts around 8:30 am when everyone gets on the bus in Kaş for the 30-45 minute ride to Uçağiz, the fishing village next to Kekova.
Kekova is actually the name of the region encompassing the island of Kekova, the villages of Kaleköy and Üçağiz and the three ancient towns of Simena, Teimussa and Tersane (meaning “shipyard”). Teimussa is now the village of Üçağiz, where sea kayaks and boats set off for tours of the area.
As the assistant guides start preparing the equipment, MAHO, who is the kayaking senior guide, will begin the 20+ minute safety briefing and short training session for the new kayakers and novices. He stresses that no previous experience is necessary. He demonstrates how to get in and out and paddle and rudder usage, and of course, how to keep your balance! If children under 12 come along, they usually go with their parents or one of the tour guides in a 2 person kayak, fun for the whole family!! MAHO stresses however, that under 7 years of age, for most children, is a bit too young for this sport.
Finally in the water and the start of the first paddling session from Üçağiz so as to get accustomed to the kayak and how to navigate properly. This period takes the group to Kekova island and is followed by a 30-40 minute swim break. From there the group will slowly paddle over the ancient Lycian sunken city so as not to disturb the ruins and also to get a good look at them. From there on to Kaleköy for a break of 20 minutes more or less. Next back toward Üçağiz for a view up close of the necropolis and finally on to shore for lunch and rest up before the trip back. Total distance covered is approximately 9 kilometers and the tour usually take about 3.5 hours.
Lunch is included in the price of the tour but MAHO advises his kayakers to bring some money for extra drinks or snacks or ice cream.
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