Capri Private Boat Tour: Blue Grotto, Faraglioni & Hidden Caves

Two hours around Capri's cliffs, four sea caves, and a swim in the water

A private boat tour of Capri's coastline lasting two hours, departing on a traditional gozzo with a local captain who speaks English, Spanish or Italian. You sail past the Faraglioni rock formations, the Punta Carena Lighthouse and the Sailors' Grotto, visit the White Grotto (a cave with freshwater lakes inside) and the Green Grotto (named for the color the light gives the water), stop for a swim in the sea, and return with bottled water, soft drinks and beach towels provided. The tour does not include entry to the Blue Grotto.

Step-by-step itinerary

Capri island boat tour and swimming

• Board typical Capri gozzo boat
• Sail around Capri island coast
• See Faraglioni rock formations
• Pass Punta Carena Lighthouse
• Visit Blue Grotto
• Visit White Grotto
• Visit Green Grotto
• Pass Sailors' Grotto and Champagne Grotto
• Pass Forts of Anacapri
• Stop for swimming in clear waters
• Relax with aperitif on board

The experience

The boat leaves from Marina Piccola on Capri's southern side, a sheltered cove behind steep rock walls where the water stays calm even when the wind picks up elsewhere on the island. A private gozzo (the traditional wooden fishing boat built for these waters) holds your group alone, with a captain who knows the coast and can time the stops around the light and the swell. You get bottled water and soft drinks on board, plus beach towels if you want to swim.

The route circles the whole island over two hours. You pass the Faraglioni, the three limestone stacks that rise from the sea off the eastern shore, and the Punta Carena Lighthouse on the western point. The White Grotto sits on the southern coast, wide at the mouth and narrowing as it goes back. Inside are freshwater lakes formed by centuries of rainwater dripping onto the rock. The Green Grotto, also on the south side, takes its name from the way light plays through the water inside the cave. Between the named stops, the captain finds a place to anchor where the water is clear enough to swim, and you can stay in as long as you want before heading back to Marina Piccola.

The captain speaks English, Spanish or Italian, so you can ask about what you're seeing as you go. Service animals are welcome on board. The tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. If you're staying in Anacapri or elsewhere on the island without a car, the boat departs from Marina Piccola, which is reachable by local bus or taxi from the main town.

What’s included

• Private transportation on the boat.
• a local captain who speaks English, Spanish or Italian.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• beach towels.
• a swimming stop in the sea.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English, Spanish or Italian11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Guide in English, Spanish or Italian11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Guide in English, Spanish or Italian9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Our meeting point is Nautica Capri near the port of Marina Grande Capri, where one of our collaborators named Maria will be there to welcome customers.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Vincenzo Capri Boats

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants the boat to yourselves and you're based in town or elsewhere on Capri without a car: the southern Marina Piccola departure saves you traveling to the north coast.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

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 24 h before the start.

Can we swim during the two-hour tour?

Yes, the boat stops for a swim in the sea during the tour, and beach towels are provided. You can stay in the water as long as you want at the swimming stop.

What is the White Grotto like inside?

The White Grotto is a sea cave on Capri's southern coast, named for the pale color of the rock. It widens at the entrance and narrows deeper inside, where freshwater lakes sit on a rocky platform: formed over centuries by rainwater dripping through the rock above.

Does the tour visit the famous Blue Grotto?

The tour does not stop at the Blue Grotto. It visits the White Grotto, Green Grotto, Sailors' Grotto and Champagne Grotto, plus the Faraglioni rock formations and other coastal landmarks.

How do I get to Marina Piccola if I don't have a car?

Marina Piccola is on Capri's southern side and is reachable by local bus or taxi from the main town of Capri. Public transportation options are available nearby.

Is the boat suitable for infants and small children?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller on the boat. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.