Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo) on the Amalfi Coast. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Full Day Private Amalfi Coast Tour from Sorrento
• Small Group Amalfi from Naples
• Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour from Positano, Praiano or Amalfi
• Small Group Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Positano or Praiano
• Private Boat Tour Along the Amalfi Coast or Capri

It depends on if you visit by land or sea. By land, you can take the stairs down to the grotto entrance and pay €7 for admission and a short row-boat tour. By sea, a boat tour departing from the Pennello pier in Amalfi costs €10 but may not include admission.

No, you can’t swim inside the Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo) on the Amalfi Coast. While you can easily (and safely) visit the sea cave on guided boat tours, swimming is prohibited to help preserve the marine environment and ensure the safety of visitors​.

Just about 30 minutes—boat tours of the Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo) on the Amalfi Coast departing from the grotto entrance accessed via stairs (or elevator) below the SS 163 highway typically take around 30 minutes—but boat tours departing from Amalfi can take significantly longer and don’t usually include admission.

To reach the Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo) on the Amalfi Coast from Positano, you can make the roughly 25-minute drive along the SS 163 highway or take Sita Sud buses. From Amalfi, it’s a 10-minute drive or a short ride on boats departing from the Pennello pier.

To avoid crowds and long waits at the Emerald Grotto on the Amalfi Coast, steer clear of summer weekends. For the best experience, visit on a sunny day with calm seas to fully enjoy the emerald light. Note that the grotto might close unexpectedly due to weather or sea conditions.