Snorkeling in Capri: Blue Grotto, Faraglioni & Four Grottoes

Anchor at four grottoes and snorkel in Capri's clearest waters instead of watching from the boat.

A 3-hour snorkeling tour around Capri visits the Blue Grotto, Faraglioni rocks, and four named sea caves (the White, Green, Saints and Red Grottoes) with anchor stops for swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear water. You'll cruise past Malaparte Villa, the Punta Carena lighthouse, and the Mermaid's Rock while sipping Prosecco, limoncello and local snacks aboard a boat with a live guide and a maximum of 12 passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each6 stops

1. Marina Grande5m
2. Blue Grotto1h
3. Green Grotto10m
4. Marina Piccola2m
5. Faraglioni30m
6. White Grotto5m

Capri island boat tour and grotto visits

• Visit Marina Grande beach
• See Bagni di Tiberio coastline
• Enter Blue Grotto cave
• Explore Grotta Iannarella (Heart Cave)
• Visit calm cove with natural beauty
• View Punta Carena lighthouse
• Discover Saints Grotto stalactites
• Swim in Green Grotto cave
• Relax and aperitivo at Punta Ventroso
• Pass Mermaid's Rock
• Explore Grotta dei Marinai cave
• Photograph Faraglioni rock formations
• See Malaparte Villa cliffside
• Visit White Grotto cave
• Enter Red Grotto cave
• View cliff near Villa Jovis

The experience

The boat departs from Marina Grande and circles the entire island, stopping at the Blue Grotto first: a low, narrow entrance opens into an iridescent underwater chamber lit by sunlight filtering through the water. The skipper manages the timing. Waiting can run up to an hour depending on conditions. From there you move to the Faraglioni, four stacked rock formations that rise from the sea, where the boat pauses for photos and videos before heading to the snorkeling stops.

At anchor points along the coast, you put on the provided mask and fins and enter water so clear you see the seabed. The White Grotto has limestone walls that glow in the filtered light; the Green Grotto glows emerald from minerals in the rock; the Saints Grotto gets its name from stalactites shaped like praying figures. Between swims, the skipper serves Prosecco, a signature Spritz, homemade limoncello, and local snacks while a Bluetooth sound system plays music. You can stay on deck or swim closer to the shore: most stops keep land just a few meters away.

The route also passes Malaparte Villa, a red modernist house perched on a cliff above the Faraglioni; the Punta Carena lighthouse, the second-brightest in Italy and lit since 1867; and the Mermaid's Rock near Marina Piccola, the legendary site from Homer's Odyssey. The total time includes travel between stops. Bad weather can force a reschedule or full refund, and if the Blue Grotto closes unexpectedly or wait times become extreme, the tour continues to the other grottoes and snorkeling sites without refund adjustment.

What’s included

• Beach towels, snorkel masks and fins.
• aperitif with Prosecco, Spritz, homemade limoncello, water, soda, beer and local snacks.
• live guide in English or Italian.
• skipper, fuel and all port charges and taxes.
• assisted pickup and drop-off at private docks and piers.
• Blue Grotto visit (subject to waiting times and weather conditions).

Options for this experience

2 options

Departure at 10:00Guide in English or Italian · Available from 1 May 2027

Departs at 1:00 pm (13:00)Guide in English or Italian · Available from 1 Apr 2027Lasts 3 hours

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

Before you book

Lasts 3h, from € 169 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 timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sail & Fun

Is this one for you?Choose the 10:00 departure if you want the Blue Grotto and the grottoes before afternoon crowds build. The 13:00 (1:00pm) start suits a later morning in town. Either way, the shared boat keeps the group under 12, so snorkeling stops don't feel crowded and the skipper can hold position long enough for you to explore each grotto at your own pace underwater.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided 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.

What is the Blue Grotto actually like when you get there?

The Blue Grotto is a sea cave with a low, narrow entrance that opens into a chamber lit by sunlight filtering through the water, creating an iridescent blue glow. The ancient Romans considered it sacred, and the crystalline water and play of light inside make it the signature stop on the tour, though waiting times can reach an hour depending on boat traffic.

Can I snorkel at every stop or only at certain ones?

You snorkel at anchor stops along the coast (typically at the White, Green, Saints and Red Grottoes), where the boat holds position and the water is calm. The Blue Grotto itself is viewed from the boat because the entrance is too narrow and the current too strong for swimmers. Masks, fins and towels are provided.

What drinks and food are included during the tour?

The aperitif includes Prosecco, a signature Spritz, homemade limoncello, water, soda and beer, plus local snacks and fresh appetizers. These are served during the anchor breaks while you relax on deck.

How many people travel on the boat?

The tour is shared, with a maximum of 12 passengers per departure, so the group stays small enough to move easily between snorkeling stops and the boat deck.

What happens if the Blue Grotto is closed or the wait is too long?

If the Blue Grotto closes unexpectedly or wait times become so long that the skipper judges it would damage the overall experience, the tour proceeds without that stop and visits the other grottoes and snorkeling sites as scheduled. No refund is issued in this case because the remainder of the itinerary is provided in full.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. Masks, fins and beach towels are included. You only need to bring sunscreen and a swimsuit. Charging stations are available on board if you want to charge a phone or camera.