Capri Island Boat Ride with Limoncello: Swimming & Grottos

Two hours on the water, past three sea caves and the rocks everyone photographs.

You sail Capri's coast for two hours, swimming twice in crystalline water and passing the Faraglioni rocks, three sea caves, and a modernist villa. The boat carries a skipper, snacks, and drinks. You meet at Marina Grande and return there, with no hotel pickup included. Plan your ferry arrival before 1:30pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. White Grotto20m
2. Green Grotto15m
3. Natural Archpassing by
4. Faraglioni20m
5. Marina Grande5m

Capri Island boat tour and swimming

• Meet at Marina Grande at 1:30pm
• Board typical Sorrento boat
• Sail past White Grotto and Marvellous Grotto
• Enter Green Grotto for photos
• Cruise past Natural Arch on east coast
• Admire Villa Malaparte at Punta Massullo
• Stop for swimming and snorkeling near Faraglioni rocks
• Relax with snacks and drinks on board
• Get close to Punta Carena Lighthouse
• Return to Marina Grande

The experience

You're standing under white umbrellas at Marina Grande at 1:30pm, waiting to board a typical Sorrento boat with maybe a dozen other travelers. The skipper does a quick headcount, points you toward the bow, and within minutes the engine turns over and you're moving away from the dock. The coast rises up fast: limestone cliffs striped with age, and then the boat slows near the White Grotto, where the water inside glows almost unreal, pale and luminous. You get maybe five minutes to shoot photos before the boat moves on, and that's the rhythm of the whole thing: a stop, a look, then forward again.

The Green Grotto comes next, and this one you actually enter: the boat cuts the engine and drifts in under a low arch where the water is so clear you can see the rock beneath it, colored green by the light filtering through the opening. After that, the Natural Arch appears on the east side, a Paleolithic formation that's been there longer than anything else you'll see that day. Then the Faraglioni rocks come into view, three massive stacks rising straight out of the sea, and the skipper tells you which one is which while people lean over the rail with phones out. Villa Malaparte sits on the point beyond them: a red modernist house that looks like it might slide into the water any second. The Punta Carena Lighthouse is about three kilometers south, a white tower on a rocky point, and by then you've been moving for maybe ninety minutes.

There are two swimming stops built into the route, and the boat crew sets out snacks and drinks (water, sodas, maybe some local pastries), so you're not paying extra for refreshment. The water is cold enough that you notice it, but not so cold you won't go in. Some people snorkel. Others just float and look back at the cliffs. The skipper doesn't rush you, but he's also not waiting around. After the second swim stop, the boat heads back to Marina Grande, and you're back at the dock by around 3:30pm. The whole Capri boat ride takes about two hours on the water, though you should plan for an extra thirty minutes on either end for boarding and the return.

One thing to know: this is not a private tour, and it's not small in the way a kayak is small. You're sharing the boat with up to fourteen people, so if you want solitude, book something else. Also, the Blue Grotto is not on this itinerary because the wait times there are brutal, and the operator decided the other caves are worth more of your time. If you're not already in Capri, you'll need to catch the ferry from Sorrento or Naples before 1:30pm, and the operator won't refund you if you miss the departure, so book that ferry ahead.

What’s included

• Your two-hour Capri boat ride includes all beverages (water, soft drinks, and alcoholic options), snacks served onboard, and a professional English-speaking skipper. Two swimming stops are built into the route, with time to snorkel or float. You'll pass the White Grotto, Green Grotto, Natural Arch, Faraglioni rocks, Villa Malaparte, and Punta Carena Lighthouse. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
• you meet at Marina Grande and return there.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private TourGuide in English or Italian · 11:30 and 13:30Private tour: follow the same itinerary aboard your own boat, with a dedicated crew for a more intimate experience.

Small group of up to 12 guestsGuide in English or Italian · Available from 1 May 2027Shared tour: join other travelers (up to 12 guests) for a sociable experience as you explore the island's stunning coastline.

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

Before you book

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 11:30 and 13:30, from € 89 per person, with a live guide in English and Italian, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:30 and 13:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (4 to 90 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by You Know!

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see Capri's most famous coastal landmarks and swim in the sea without arranging your own boat: the fixed itinerary and skipper handle the navigation and timing. Plan to arrive in Capri by 1:30pm, since the boat departs on schedule and won't wait for late ferries.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

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.

What's included in the price?

Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), bottled water, snacks, and a professional English-speaking skipper. Swimming stops are part of the tour.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Capri?

Yes. You meet at Marina Grande at 1:30pm. If you're not already on the island, book a ferry from Sorrento or Naples in advance: no refunds if you arrive late.

How many people will be on the boat?

Up to 12–14 travelers. This is not a private tour.

Is the Blue Grotto included?

No. The tour visits the White Grotto, Green Grotto, and Natural Arch instead, skipping the Blue Grotto due to long wait times.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you'll be offered an alternative date or full refund.

Is there a minimum group size?

Yes, a minimum of 4 travelers is required. If the group doesn't meet this after confirmation, you'll be offered an alternative or full refund.

How long is the boat ride?

About two hours on the water, with swimming stops included. Plan for an extra 30 minutes for boarding and return.