Amalfi Coast Day Cruise from Positano: Emerald Grotto & Swimming

Twelve people on a boat, the Emerald Grotto waiting below

You board a small boat in Positano and spend the day drifting past fishing villages and sea cliffs, stopping to snorkel and explore the Emerald Grotto (weather permitting). The boat holds 12 people maximum, includes one drink and snorkeling gear, and leaves you free time in Amalfi to explore on your own or take a bus to Ravello. Book all passengers together to guarantee you're on the same boat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Amalfi Coast Day Cruise and Exploration

• Check in at starting point
• Cruise along Amalfi coast
• Pass Praiano fishing village
• View Furore fjord cove
• Stop at Emerald Grotto cave
• Swim and snorkel stops
• Free time in Amalfi or Ravello

The experience

The water changes color as you round the first headland, from deep blue to something almost unreal, a green so bright it looks lit from underneath. That's the Emerald Grotto, and you're heading straight for it. The boat leaves Positano in the morning with a maximum of 12 passengers, which means you're not jammed shoulder-to-shoulder with fifty other tourists. Your skipper knows the coast the way someone knows their own street, and he'll cut the engine near Praiano, where the village climbs the cliff so steeply you wonder how anyone built it there at all. Then comes the narrow opening of the Furore fjord (a crack in the rock that opens into a hidden cove), and after that, Conca dei Marini, where the water turns that impossible green.

The Emerald Grotto itself depends on the wind and the light. Some days the entrance opens wide. Other days it's too rough to go in. When it does open, you drift into a sea cave where the water reflects off limestone in shades you don't have names for. There's an entrance fee of around 6 euros per person once you're there. Between the grotto and Amalfi, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. You get a mask (no tube) and time to actually be in the water instead of just looking at it. One drink comes with the ticket, either soda or mineral water, and the skipper handles the boat while you handle the rest.

Once you reach Amalfi, you have free time to walk the town or catch a bus up to Ravello if you want the view from above. That's about 30 minutes each way by road, so you need to plan it. The whole day is built around not rushing. Small groups on the Amalfi Coast day cruise mean you're not competing for space at the rail or waiting for the group to reassemble. Bring sunscreen, swimwear, and something to change into. The boat takes infants in strollers and service animals, and it's suitable for most fitness levels, though if rough water makes you queasy, this probably isn't the one.

What’s included

Your day includes boat transport along the Amalfi Coast, one drink (soda or mineral water), a snorkeling mask, and a professional skipper. You'll have stops for swimming and snorkeling, access to the Emerald Grotto (subject to weather and sea conditions, with a separate entrance fee of around 6 euros per person), and free time in Amalfi to explore or take an optional bus to Ravello.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30Last departure this season: 29 Oct

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 12 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Our Info desk "Bluestar Boat Tours" is opposite the Restaurant Chez Black - Main Beach Positano Spiaggia Grande”

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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Blue Star Positano

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Amalfi Coast from the water without the chaos of a large group tour. The 12-person limit is what keeps the boat feeling intimate instead of crowded, and the flexible stops mean you're not locked into a rigid schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

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's included in the Amalfi Coast day cruise?

Transport by boat, one drink (soda or mineral water), snorkeling mask, and a professional skipper. The Emerald Grotto entrance fee (around 6 euros per person) is separate.

Can you enter the Emerald Grotto every day?

No. Access depends on wind and sea conditions. Your skipper will decide on the day whether it's safe to enter.

What if I get seasick?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with sea sickness issues. The Amalfi Coast can have rough water, especially in certain conditions.

Can I book separate tickets if I'm traveling with a large group?

No. All passengers must be booked together as one unit to guarantee you're on the same boat. For groups of more than five people, separate bookings will result in different boats.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. You get a snorkeling mask. Tubes are not provided.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, sunscreen, shorts, and a change of clothes. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.