Capri Boat Tour from Sorrento: Swim, Grottos & Lunch

Summary

Capri’s grottos, Faraglioni rocks and sweet limoncello memories

You’ll cruise from Sorrento along Capri’s coast with an English-speaking skipper, swim by glowing grottos, pass under Faraglioni rocks, then spend hours exploring Capri town at your own pace before returning with homemade limoncello and new stories stuck in your head.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t drop your phone!” our skipper Marco shouted as we drifted close to the White Grotto — I laughed because honestly, my hands were shaking (from excitement or just the sea breeze?). We’d left Sorrento that morning after a quick transfer from the parking lot — not glamorous but efficient — and by the time we reached the boat at Porto di Piano di Sorrento, everyone was already swapping sunscreen and stories. The water was this unreal blue-green color you only see in postcards. I remember the smell of sunscreen mixing with something sweet from someone’s bag. Marco pointed out the ruins at Bagni della Regina Giovanna — he said Roman nobles used to swim there. I tried to imagine it but mostly just wanted to jump in myself.

The Capri boat tour hugged the coast so close I could almost touch the cliffs. When we stopped near the Green Grotto, sunlight hit the water and suddenly everything below us glowed emerald. That’s when Marco handed out snorkels and said “Go for it!” I hesitated (cold water isn’t really my thing), but ended up floating next to a Canadian couple who were trying to spot fish — they kept laughing every time one darted past their toes. There were only 12 of us on board, so it felt easy to chat or just sit quietly with a beer and watch Faraglioni slide by. At one point someone asked about Villa Malaparte perched on its cliff; Marco shrugged and said you can only get there on foot or by sea — “even Italians don’t bother,” he joked.

We had about four hours of free time after docking at Marina Grande. I wandered up to Piazzetta di Capri (the funicular is worth it if you’re lazy like me), grabbed a sandwich with mozzarella that tasted way better than anything back home, and watched people drift in and out of boutiques. The sun was hot but not punishing; old men sat in doorways fanning themselves, tourists snapped photos everywhere. On the way back, Marco passed around homemade limoncello — honestly stronger than expected — and some kind of sweet pastry I never caught the name of. Everyone looked a little sunburned but happy. That last stretch toward Sorrento felt slow in a good way; maybe just tired or maybe not wanting it to end yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Capri boat tour and island exploration

• Meet driver at Parking Achille Lauro
• Transfer to Porto di Piano di Sorrento
• Board boat and cruise toward Capri
• Admire Marina Grande harbor
• Stop at Bagni della Regina Giovanna ruins
• Explore White Grotto and Marvelous Grotto
• Visit Green Grotto light show
• Cruise past Faraglioni sea stacks
• See Villa Malaparte from sea
• View Punta Carena lighthouse
• Disembark at Marina Grande for free time
• Explore Piazzetta di Capri and shops
• Enjoy lunch or leisure on island
• Reboard boat for return cruise
• Enjoy farewell limoncello tasting
• Arrive back at Sorrento port

Top questions

How long is the Capri boat tour from Sorrento?

The full experience lasts most of the day, including about 3-4 hours of free time on Capri itself.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes, there are stops for swimming and snorkeling near Capri’s clear waters and grottos.

What’s included for lunch?

A Caprese sandwich with mozzarella, tomato, basil and olive oil is provided onboard.

How many people are on each boat?

The group size is small, limited to a maximum of 12 travelers per boat.

Is pickup included from my hotel?

The tour includes one-way transfer from a central meeting point in Sorrento to the port; return transfer can be arranged separately if needed.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Yes—soft drinks, water, beer, wine, Prosecco and limoncello are available onboard.

Is entrance to Blue Grotto included?

No—the standard option does not include Blue Grotto entry; it’s available as an extra option for an additional fee paid onsite.

Where does the tour start and end?

You meet at Parking Achille Lauro in Sorrento for transfer to Porto di Piano di Sorrento; return is to Sorrento port near central restaurants and shops.

What’s included

Your day starts with a one-way transfer from central Sorrento to Porto di Piano di Sorrento for boarding. You’ll have an English-speaking skipper guiding you along Capri’s coast with stops for swimming or snorkeling near famous grottos. A Caprese sandwich lunch plus snacks are served onboard alongside soft drinks, beer, wine, Prosecco—and homemade limoncello as you cruise back toward Sorrento port at sunset.