Capri Private Boat Tour: Blue Grotto & Hidden Caves

Swim in hidden caves and relax on a sun lounger with cold drinks aboard a traditional gozzo boat

A private boat tour of Capri in a traditional gozzo (wooden fishing boat) with a captain who knows the island's hidden caves, rock formations and coastline. You visit the Blue Grotto, Faraglioni, Green Grotto, White Grotto and Marina Piccola, swim in the sea with snorkelling gear, and relax on sun loungers between stops. Tours run 2 to 7 hours depending on the option you choose. The 3-hour tour is recommended if you want time to enter the Blue Grotto without a long wait. Snacks, drinks, towels and snorkelling equipment are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Natural Archpass by
2. Faraglioni10m
3. Green Grotto10m
4. White Grotto5m
5. Marina Piccolapass by
6. Blue Grotto1h

Private boat tour around Capri island

• Meet guide at meeting point
• Board traditional Capri gozzo boat
• See Scugnizzo Caprese statue
• View the Natural Arch from sea
• Visit the Faraglioni rock formations
• Explore the Green Grotto cave
• Visit the White Grotto cave
• Pass by Marina Piccola bay
• Visit the Blue Grotto cave
• See Villa Malaparte from sea
• Pass by Punta Carena Lighthouse
• Swim in the sea and relax on sun lounger

The experience

The tour starts when your captain meets you at the meeting point and takes you out on the water in a traditional gozzo. The wooden boats locals have used for generations. The first landmark you'll see is the Scugnizzo Caprese statue that greets visitors arriving by sea, then the Natural Arch on the island's east side comes into view. From there the route follows Capri's entire coastline, passing the Faraglioni rock formations and moving into the caves that make the island famous.

The Green Grotto and White Grotto (also called the Wonderful Grotto) are both stops where the boat slows so you can see the rock formations and the way light plays across the water. The Blue Grotto is the centerpiece: the operator recommends the 3-hour tour if you want time to actually enter it, since the line at the entrance can be long. You'll also pass Marina Piccola, the bay lined with yachts on the island's most exclusive side, and see Villa Malaparte from the water, the home of Italian writer Curzio Malaparte. The Punta Carena Lighthouse, the second most powerful in Italy after Genoa, marks another point along the route.

Between the caves and landmarks, you swim and snorkel in the sea with equipment provided. Towels, snorkelling gear, water, soft drinks, beer and prosecco are all on board. The captain and crew handle the boat while you relax on spacious sun loungers. The tour length varies by option (from 2 hours to a full day), so you can pick what fits your schedule. The captain speaks English or Italian and knows which stops to prioritize based on conditions and how much time you have.

What’s included

• Snorkelling equipment and towels.
• water, soft drinks, beer and prosecco.
• snacks.
• captain and fuel surcharge.
• Bluetooth radio on board.

Options for this experience

11 options

Guide in English or Italian15 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:00

Guide in English or Italian18:00

Guide in English or Italian15 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:30

See 8 more options

Guide in English or Italian12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:30

Guide in English or Italian9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 18:00

Guide in English or Italian10:00

Guide in English or Italian18 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00

Guide in English or Italian16 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:00

Guide in English or Italian9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:30

Guide in English or Italian9 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:30

Guide in English or Italian8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:30

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 day19 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Once off the ship, arrived at the port, the meeting point is 200 meters on the left.”

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by CapriMagicBoatTour

Is this one for you?Choose a longer tour (3 to 7 hours) if you want time to swim, snorkel and relax between the caves and landmarks. Shorter 2-hour options move faster and work better if you're tight on time or traveling with small children. The traditional gozzo is smaller and more nimble than a big tour boat, so it can get closer to the rock formations and into narrower cave entrances.

Traveler reviews

4.87★★★★★★★★★★

90 verified traveler reviews

5 ★82

4 ★6

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English 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 I actually enter the Blue Grotto on this tour, or do I just see it from the boat?

The Blue Grotto requires a separate entrance ticket and a small rowboat to get inside, which is not included in this tour. You'll see the cave from your gozzo, and the 3-hour option gives you time to arrange entry separately if you want to go in. The operator notes that lines are often long, so more time helps. Shorter tours pass it by water only.

What's included to eat and drink on the boat?

Snacks, water, soft drinks, beer and prosecco are all included on board. Alcoholic beverages are served only to travelers 21 and older. You bring your own food if you want a full meal, though the snacks and drinks sustain most people for a few hours on the water.

Do I need to know how to snorkel to use the equipment?

Snorkelling equipment is provided and included, and the tour suits all fitness levels. The captain can show you how to use the gear if you're new to it. You're free to swim without the equipment too. The sea is calm in most of the spots where you'll stop.

What's the difference between the 2-hour, 3-hour and longer tour options?

The 2-hour tour covers the main sights (Faraglioni, the caves and Marina Piccola) at a faster pace. The 3-hour tour adds time to enter the Blue Grotto if you want to, and gives you more time to swim and relax. Longer options (4, 7 hours) let you explore more of the coastline and spend more time in the water. The sunset tour is a special evening departure.

Is this tour suitable for small children or infants?

Infants and small children can come on board. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and small children can ride in a pram or stroller if you bring one. The boat is stable and the pace is relaxed, so it works for families, though the length of the tour matters: shorter options are easier with young kids.