Capri Boat Tour from Positano: Swim, Caves & Light Lunch

Summary

Small group boat trip from Positano to Capri caves swim and local lunch

You’ll board a small-group boat from Positano to Capri with an easy pickup and round-trip transfer included. Swim off hidden coves near Mitigliano Beach, circle Capri’s famous caves and sea stacks with your skipper sharing stories along the way, then enjoy a Caprese sandwich lunch on deck before exploring Capri’s Piazzetta at your own pace. Expect moments that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I barely had time to finish my coffee before we were piling into the minivan in Positano, winding up those hairpin roads. There was this quiet excitement in the air—maybe it was just me, or maybe everyone else felt it too. Our skipper, Marco, greeted us at the Piano di Sorrento port with a grin that said he’d done this a hundred times but still liked it. The boat wasn’t flashy but felt just right—room for twelve of us, not packed in like sardines. As we pulled away from shore, I could smell salt and sunscreen mixing together, and someone popped open a bottle of Prosecco (at 10am, which felt both wrong and perfectly right). We drifted past Marina Grande—colorful boats bobbing around—and Marco pointed out the Baths of Queen Giovanna. He told some story about Roman queens bathing there; I only half-listened because I was busy watching sunlight flicker on the water.

We stopped at Cala di Mitigliano where the cliffs drop straight into the sea. The air tasted cooler here somehow. I jumped in—cold shock at first, then just pure blue everywhere. Later we circled Capri itself: Grotta Bianca with its pale stone teeth overhead; the Green Grotto where even my feet looked green underwater. Someone tried to pronounce “Faraglioni” and Marco laughed—he said it’s easier after your second glass of wine. Honestly? Those sea stacks are bigger than they look in photos; you sort of have to squint up at them as you float by.

Lunch was a Caprese sandwich—soft bread, mozzarella that actually tasted like something (not like back home), tomato juice running down my wrist—and snacks plus more drinks if you wanted them. We landed at Marina Grande on Capri and got three or four hours to wander off alone. I headed straight for the Piazzetta because I’d read about it somewhere; ended up sitting next to an old man who nodded but didn’t say much, just watched people pass by with me for a while. Tried limoncello at a café—burned a little going down but left this sweet citrus thing behind. Capri is busy but not in an annoying way; you can always duck down a side street if you need quiet.

The ride back was quieter—everyone sun-warmed and sleepy, watching Sorrento’s cliffs slide past again. Just before docking Marco handed out tiny plastic cups of limoncello for a toast (“Salute!”). I still think about that swim under the cliffs sometimes when I’m stuck on the subway back home—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Capri boat tour and island exploration

• Meet at 9:30 AM in Positano
• Travel to Piano di Sorrento port
• Boat departs along Sorrento coastline
• Pass Marina Grande fishermen’s village
• Pass Baths of Queen Giovanna
• Pass Cala di Mitigliano cove
• Boat tour around Capri island
• Visit White Grotto cave
• Visit Green Grotto cave
• Pass Villa Malaparte cliffside
• Sail through Faraglioni sea stacks
• Admire Punta Carena Lighthouse
• Pass Natural Arch rock formation
• Enjoy light lunch with drinks onboard
• Disembark at Marina Grande, Capri
• Explore Capri for 3 to 4 hours
• Cruise back to Sorrento in late afternoon
• Return to Positano by minivan

Top questions

How long is the Capri boat tour from Positano?

The tour lasts most of the day, starting with 9:30 AM pickup in Positano and returning late afternoon after visiting Capri.

Is swimming included during the Capri boat trip?

Yes, there are stops for swimming in places like Cala di Mitigliano and near Capri’s Green Grotto.

What food is served on this Capri day trip?

A light lunch is included—a traditional Caprese sandwich plus snacks and drinks such as Prosecco or wine.

How many people are on each boat?

The group size is small, usually limited to 12-14 travelers per boat.

Is Blue Grotto included in this tour?

No, there isn’t an official stop at Blue Grotto due to long wait times, but you can visit during free time on Capri if you wish.

How much free time do we get on Capri island?

You’ll have about 3-4 hours to explore Capri independently after arriving by boat.

Are transfers from Positano included?

Yes, round-trip minivan or minibus transfers between Positano and Piano di Sorrento port are included.

What sights do we see during the cruise?

You’ll pass Marina Grande, Baths of Queen Giovanna, Mitigliano Beach, White Grotto, Green Grotto, Faraglioni rocks, Punta Carena Lighthouse, Natural Arch and more.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by minivan from Positano to Piano di Sorrento port where you board a small-group boat cruise around Capri—with stops for swimming at scenic spots like Cala di Mitigliano and Green Grotto—plus all drinks (Prosecco, beer, wine), snacks throughout the cruise, a Caprese sandwich lunch on deck and plenty of time ashore in Capri before returning by boat and minivan transfer back to your starting point.