Capri Blue Grotto Boat Tour from Sorrento: Small Group or Private

Sail past sea stacks and Roman ruins, then wander Capri's Piazzetta on your own time

A boat tour from Sorrento to Capri on an elegant gozzo with a professional English-speaking skipper, visiting the Blue Grotto, Faraglioni rocks, and coastal grottoes before a 3–5 hour island stop. You choose between a small group capped at 8 passengers or a private boat, and both include hotel pickup from Sorrento, drinks, a Caprese sandwich and a homemade sweet treat. The Blue Grotto entrance fee is paid on-site. Snorkeling gear is your own or available to buy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Marina Grandepass by
2. Baths of Queen Giovanna10m
3. Mitigliano Beach10m
4. White Grotto10m
5. Green Grotto15m
6. Blue Grotto40m
7. Natural Archpass by
8. Faraglioni10m
9. Piazzetta di Capri4h

Boat trip and island visit

• Pick-up and transfer to port
• Sail along Sorrento Coast
• Admire Marina Grande village
• See ruins of Roman villa
• View natural waterfall Cascatella
• Visit Marvellous and White Grottos
• Admire Green Grotto
• Visit Blue Grotto (entrance extra)
• See Natural Arch and Villa Curzio Malaparte
• Admire Faraglioni rocks
• View Lighthouse of Punta Carena
• Stop 3-5 hours to explore Capri
• Return to port and transfer to hotel

The experience

The boat leaves from Piano di Sorrento after pickup from your hotel. The route hugs the Sorrento coast first, passing Marina Grande, the ancient fishermen's village, and the ruins of a Roman villa near the Baths of Queen Giovanna, where a natural waterfall called the Cascatella flows from the rock. Along the way you'll see the Natural Arch, Villa Curzio Malaparte and the Lighthouse of Punta Carena. The skipper navigates past the White and Green Grottoes before reaching the Blue Grotto, where you pay the entrance fee separately and may wait up to 90 minutes during peak season.

The Faraglioni rocks (three sea stacks rising from the water) are the moment most people reach for their camera. You'll have time to swim and snorkel in the clear water around them. The boat then carries you to Capri itself, where you step off for 3 to 5 hours on land. That's enough time to wander the Piazzetta, browse the high-end boutiques, sit down for a gelato, or simply sit on a bench and watch the island move around you. There's no guided walk through town. The time is yours to spend as you choose.

The small-group option keeps the boat to 8 passengers maximum, which means less crowding at the grottoes and more space on deck. The private option is the same boat and route but just your party aboard. Both include hotel pickup and drop-off in Sorrento, a professional skipper who speaks English and Italian, soft drinks, water, beer, wine, Prosecco and limoncello, a Caprese sandwich made with fresh mozzarella and basil, and a homemade sweet treat at the end. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total and is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is subject to favorable weather. If the sea is rough, the Blue Grotto closes and you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sorrento.
• a professional English and Italian-speaking skipper.
• a Caprese sandwich and homemade sweet treat.
• soft drinks, water, beer, wine, Prosecco and limoncello throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small group, up to 8 peopleGuide in English or Italian · 08:30Shared tour: a social outing with fellow travelers (up to 8 guests) while you take in the island's stunning coastline. Includes pickup

Private tourGuide in English or Italian · No fixed timePrivate tour: follow the same route aboard your own boat with a dedicated crew for a more personal outing. Includes pickup

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 dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 29

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by You Know!

Is this one for you?Choose the small-group option if you want the company of a few other travelers and the cost savings. Pick the private boat if your group wants the whole vessel to itself and the flexibility to linger longer at any stop without waiting for others to board.

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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 4): 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 is the Blue Grotto and do I have to visit it?

The Blue Grotto is a sea cave on Capri famous for the electric blue light that fills it when sunlight reflects off the water inside. The tour includes a boat ride to the entrance, but the ticket to go inside is paid on-site (usually €15–20) and is not mandatory: some travelers skip it to spend more time swimming or exploring the island instead. During peak season, the wait to enter can stretch to 90 minutes.

Can I swim and snorkel on this tour?

Yes. You'll have time to swim and snorkel around the Faraglioni rocks and in other clear-water spots the skipper chooses. Bring your own snorkeling gear or buy a mask (€15) and snorkel (€9) before boarding. The water is typically calm enough for swimming, though the tour is subject to weather and sea conditions.

How much free time do I get on Capri itself?

You have 3 to 5 hours on the island to explore on your own. Most people spend the time in and around the Piazzetta, the main square, where you can shop, eat, or simply sit and watch. There is no guided walk. The skipper does not lead a group tour of the town.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sorrento are included in both the small-group and private options. If your accommodation is outside Sorrento, you will need to arrange your own transport to Piano di Sorrento port.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is subject to favorable weather and sea conditions. If the Blue Grotto closes due to high tides or rough seas, the operator has no responsibility for the missed visit. If the entire tour is cancelled due to poor weather, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

What's included to eat and drink?

The tour includes a Caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil and olive oil; a homemade sweet treat at the end; and drinks throughout the day: soft drinks, water, beer, wine, Prosecco and limoncello.