Blue Grotto & Capri Day Trip from Sorrento: Boat into the Grotto

Paddle into the Blue Grotto, then walk two towns on the same island

A full-day guided tour from Sorrento to Capri includes hydrofoil transport, entry to the Blue Grotto, a walking tour of Anacapri and Capri town, and a local guide in English, Spanish or French. The Blue Grotto requires a descent down a long flight of steps and a transfer by small paddle boat; if sea conditions close it, a boat tour of the island replaces the entry. Free time in Anacapri lets you choose between Villa San Michele, the chairlift up Mount Solaro, or exploring the town center on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day tour of Capri and Anacapri

• Meet guide in Sorrento
• Take hydrofoil to Capri
• Arrive at Marina Grande port
• Climb steps to Blue Grotto
• Boat ride inside Blue Grotto
• Explore Anacapri town
• Visit Villa San Michele and chairlift
• Enjoy free time in Anacapri
• Head to Capri center
• See Faraglioni Rocks and Via Camerelle
• Visit Piazzetta di Capri
• Return to port by funicular
• Hydrofoil back to Sorrento

The Experience

You meet your guide in Sorrento and board a fast hydrofoil across to Capri's Marina Grande. From there, a series of stops unfolds: the descent to the Blue Grotto (a long flight of steps, downhill and uphill, with a slippery surface), where you transfer to a small paddle boat that glides you into the grotto's ethereal blue chamber. After that comes free time in Anacapri, the hilltop town at the island's center, where you can visit Villa San Michele, ride the chairlift (Seggiovia) up Mount Solaro for views across the Gulf, or simply wander the winding streets and cafés.

The afternoon moves to Capri town itself. You walk the Piazzetta—the central square with its majolica clock—and stroll Via Camerelle, the fashion street lined with designer boutiques and artisan shops. There is time to sit for an espresso, take photographs of the Faraglioni Rocks, or visit the Gardens of Augustus (both at your own cost). A local minibus shuttles you between stops on the island as the itinerary requires. When the day ends, you return to the port by funicular and hydrofoil back to Sorrento.

The guide is multilingual and travels with the group throughout. If the Blue Grotto becomes inaccessible due to sea level, the entrance fee converts to a boat tour of the island instead. Lunch is not included, so you'll eat at cafés and restaurants you find in Anacapri or Capri town. The full day runs seven to eight hours from departure to return.

What’s included

• Hydrofoil transport from Sorrento to Capri and return.
• Blue Grotto entrance fee and paddle boat ride.
• walking tour of Anacapri and Capri town with a live guide.
• free time to explore Anacapri independently.
• local minibus transfers on the island.
• funicular ride from Capri town down to the port.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by IAMME IA! - Gray Line Amalfi Coast

Is this one for you?Book the group tour if you want a guide who knows the island's history and mythology and prefer sharing the cost with other travelers; choose the private tour if you'd rather set your own pace through Anacapri and Capri town without a fixed group schedule. Either way, the hydrofoil and Blue Grotto entry are arranged, so you skip the logistics of ferries and boat operators on arrival day.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Blue Grotto and how do you get inside it?

The Blue Grotto is a sea cave on Capri famous for its luminous blue water, caused by light reflecting off the seafloor through an underwater entrance. You descend a long flight of steps to a small dock, then board a low paddle boat that glides you through the cave's narrow opening and into the chamber itself. The steps are steep and the surface is slippery, so sure footing matters.

Can I choose what to do during free time in Anacapri, or is the schedule fixed?

Free time in Anacapri is yours to spend as you wish. You can visit Villa San Michele (a historic villa with gardens), ride the chairlift up Mount Solaro for panoramic views, explore the town's shops and cafés, or simply rest. Your guide will tell you when to regroup for the next part of the tour.

Is lunch included in the tour, and where do people usually eat?

Lunch is not included. You eat at restaurants and cafés in Anacapri or Capri town during your free time. Both towns have options ranging from casual to upscale, and your guide can point you toward places nearby.

What happens if the Blue Grotto is closed when we arrive?

If sea conditions make the Blue Grotto inaccessible, your entrance fee is replaced with a boat tour around the island instead, so you still see Capri from the water and get the full island experience.

Do I need to book a hotel transfer, or do I meet the guide in Sorrento town?

Hotel transfers to the meeting point are optional and depend on which tour option you choose at checkout. Some options include transfer; others do not. Confirm this detail when you select your option, as it affects your morning logistics.