Amalfi Coast boat tour: Sea grottoes and swimming

Swim into sea caves and drift through limestone arches on the water

A six-hour boat tour along the Amalfi Coast that takes you into sea grottoes, past natural limestone formations and down to secluded swimming coves, with a local captain steering the route based on what interests you most. The boat carries snorkel masks, towels, water and soda. You choose your vessel category at checkout, and the Emerald Grotto entrance fee is optional. The captain adjusts the itinerary to match sea conditions and your pace, so no two days follow the same path.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Amalfi Coast sea grottoes

• Board private boat in Sorrento
• Visit Pandora's Grotto cave
• Pass by Minori town
• Pass by Ravello with villas
• Pass by Atrani village
• Swim near coastal waterfall
• Pass by Amalfi town
• See Lover’s Arch at Conca dei Marini
• Tour Emerald Grotto by row boat
• Visit secluded inlet with pebble beach
• Pass by Praiano grottoes
• Pass by Fornillo Beach near Positano
• Pass by Positano village
• Lunch stop at a small bay
• Continue cruising and swimming

The experience

The boat leaves from the Amalfi Coast and heads into the grottoes that line the shoreline between Positano and Praiano. You'll pass Pandora's Grotto, a sea cave filled with stalagmites and coral, then move toward the Emerald Grotto, where the water shifts to deep green as light filters through the cave mouth. You board a small rowboat for a closer look. The route also takes in Lover's Arch, a natural limestone formation near Conca dei Marini, and a secluded inlet carved into towering cliffs where turquoise water meets a pebble beach.

Swimming happens at multiple stops along the way. You'll find spots to jump in below a waterfall that cascades straight into the sea, explore grottoes from the water itself, and drift through coves that locals favor. Snorkel masks come aboard, so you can see what lies beneath. Around lunchtime, the captain can pull into a quiet bay if you want to eat. You arrange your own meal or bring provisions. Towels and bottled water are provided, along with soda, beer and a bottle of Prosecco.

The boat category you select at checkout shapes the experience: Open Deck, Premium, Leisure or the larger 46-50ft Luxury Leisure option each offer different comfort levels and views. Your captain speaks English or Italian and will customize the stops and timing based on sea conditions and what you want to see. If weather turns unsafe on the day, the captain makes the call to reschedule or refund. Contact your representative the day before to confirm final details and provide your accommodation information.

What’s included

• Local captain speaking English or Italian.
• snorkel masks.
• towels.
• bottled water and soda.
• beer and a bottle of Prosecco.
• fuel, taxes and port fees.

Options for this experience

4 options

Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English or Italian9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:30

Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Italian9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:30

Up to 8 per booking · Guide in English or Italian9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:30

Up to 12 per booking · Guide in English or Italian9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:30

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:30Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Exclusive Cruises

Is this one for you?Choose the boat size that fits your group and comfort level at checkout. The Open Deck option gives unobstructed views and direct sun, while the Leisure and Premium boats offer cabin space and shade. The captain adjusts stops and timing to your pace, so whether you want to linger in one grotto or hit all the highlights, the six hours shape themselves around what you came to see.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What are the sea grottoes like that we'll swim into?

Pandora's Grotto is a sea cave accessible only by boat, lined with stalagmites and coral formations. The Emerald Grotto glows with deep green light and requires a transfer to a small rowboat for entry. Praiano's coast holds multiple natural grottoes where you can swim directly inside or admire them from the boat.

Can we really swim in the water, or is it just viewing from the boat?

You swim at several stops. The boat pulls into coves where you jump in, and you can swim into some of the grottoes themselves. One stop features a waterfall flowing directly into the sea where swimmers gather. Snorkel masks are provided if you want to look below the surface.

How long is the tour and can we choose which stops to visit?

The tour runs six hours, and the captain customizes the route based on your interests and sea conditions. Stops are flexible. You decide how much time to spend at each spot, so the itinerary adapts to what you want to see most.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is not included, but around midday the boat can pull into a quiet bay where you can eat. You bring your own food or arrange a meal beforehand. The captain will find a spot to anchor while you eat before continuing.

What's the difference between the boat options at checkout?

You choose from an Open Deck Boat, Premium Boat, Leisure Boat or a larger 46-50ft Luxury Leisure Boat. Each offers different cabin space, comfort and viewing setup. Read the descriptions at checkout to see which suits your group size and preference.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

The captain monitors sea conditions continuously and decides if conditions are safe. If deemed unsafe, the tour is refundable and the provider will reschedule you or issue a full refund. If the captain says it's safe to go, the tour is firm and non-refundable.