A Boat Day out of Kemer

Kemer is where the Taurus mountains stop pretending and drop straight into the sea. Pine forest runs down to the waterline, the seabed shelves away fast, and the result is water clarity that makes the boats look like they are floating on nothing. Six hours out of the marina is enough to see a good stretch of it.

The day is built around swim stops rather than sightseeing. The boat anchors in a bay, the ladder goes down, and you have time in the water before moving on to the next one. Between stops most people are on the sun deck watching the coast slide past. There is no route commentary to sit through and nowhere in particular you have to be.

This is the seaward edge of the Beydağları range, protected national park for much of its length. The ancient port of Phaselis lies just south of Kemer, three small harbours on a wooded peninsula with a ruined aqueduct and a paved main street running down to the sand. Further along are Tekirova and Adrasan, and behind everything the mountains stack up — snow on the summits well into spring, while people swim below.

Lunch is fresh seafood served on the boat, and there is a drinks bar and music through the day. Bring a towel, sun cream, a hat and something for your shoulders: the breeze at sea disguises how strong the sun is, and the reflection off the water doubles it.

The trip is family-friendly and children under seven travel free. Bring armbands or a float for younger swimmers — the anchorages are open sea, not a pool, and the boat crew are not lifeguards.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with air-conditioned transport, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees, bottled water and insurance. Departures also run from Antalya marina, Side, Alanya and Kaş if you are staying elsewhere on the coast.