Blue Grotto Visit and Capri Semi-Private Boat Tour

Recommended by 94% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Capri, Italy

High interest

Booked 2 times today.

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.7

· Christopher_O ·

May 2026

This is a great way to see the island. Our excursion was 3 hours, wish it could have been longer. Our guide, who is a native of Capri, was excellent, and was very accommodating. He allowed us to decide what sites we would see, and offered great suggestions. He provided interesting information about the island and recommendations for what to explore when the tour was finished. Grazie Mille !!

· Stacy_B ·

Jun 2026

Claudio was an exceptional captain and host of the day! Beautiful boat, wonderful experience! And, his homemade, multigenerational limoncello was the BEST I’ve ever had! Best way to enjoy the azure seas of Capri!

Explore our promoted experiences

Blue Grotto and Capri Boat Tour with Aperitivo Swim and Snorkel

Capri, Italy

4.4

(56)

Blue Grotto and Capri Boat Tour with Aperitivo Swim and Snorkel

from $197

Capri, Italy

4.6

(310)

Private Island of Capri by Boat

from $195

Price varies by group size

Special Offer

Capri, Italy

Capri Private Boat Tour Sea Caves Swim and Optional Blue Grotto

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Circle the entire island of Capri on this small-group cruise with swimming stops and brunch. The route hits the Blue Grotto, Faraglioni rocks, and more natural treasures, with swimming and snorkeling stops built into the day. Prosecco, limoncello, and beer are served on board along with a brunch of local specialties.

Set sail on a full island circuit covering every major grotto and landmark around Capri
Enjoy a more personal experience with groups capped at 12
Snorkeling gear and beach towels provided—nothing extra to rent
Set the mood with your own playlist via the Bluetooth-enabled sound system

What's Included

Skipper, Hostess / Steward and Fuel
Live Guide
Restroom on board and Cabins available boats
Water, Soda/POP, Beer, Prosecco, Limoncello, Spritz
Aperitif and Brunch with local food specialties
Stops for swimming and snorkeling and Beach Towels
Floatings and Snorkeling Equipment
Blue Grotto visit (subject to estimated waiting times not exceeding 60 minutes).

Blue Grotto Ticket (Buy-Able directly on site) € 18 PP

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Porto Turistico di Capri
Darsena, Marina di Caterola, 80073 Capri NA, Italy
Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll send all details. The meeting and boarding point are easy to find, just 2 minutes from the ferry docks. You’ll receive exact coordinates, a Google Maps link, PDF/JPG maps, and the contact of our crew member who will assist you.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Spiaggia Marina Grande (Pass By)

Spiaggia Bagni di Tiberio (Pass By)

Blue Grotto

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Cala del Rio

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Faro di Capri (Pass By)

Grotta dei Santi

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grotta Verde

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Punta Ventroso

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Via Marina Piccola (Pass By)

Grotta Albergo dei Marinai

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Faraglioni

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Casa Malaparte (Pass By)

Grotta Bianca

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grotta Rossa (caverna)

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Tiberius' Leap (Pass By)

Gennarino Scugnizzo Di Capri (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate

In the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as exceptionally long waiting times for access to the Blue Grotto that, in the sole discretion of the skipper, would significantly impact the overall duration and quality of the tour, or in the event of a temporary closure of the Blue Grotto by the competent authorities, the tour will proceed as scheduled without this stop. In such cases, no refunds, whether full or partial, will be issued, as the remainder of the experience will be provided in accordance with the advertised itinerary and duration.
This is a shared tour. The group will be, at the maximum, of 12 people
Bad weather could affect the experience. If cancelled, you will be kindly ask to move to a different date or you can get a full refund.
Please note that in the event of circumstances beyond our control, we may need to adjust our itinerary to ensure the safety, quality, and overall satisfaction of your travel experience
Although our daily trips generally have a fixed duration, external factors may occasionally extend the length of the tour slightly. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we strive to provide you with the best possible experience.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

richa_z

Just got back from an incredible trip to Capri, and the highlight was without a doubt a semi private boat tour around the island. It was the most perfect way to experience its breathtaking beauty. Our captain and guide, Andrea, was truly fantastic. He skillfully navigated the crystal-clear waters, sharing fascinating facts and stories about the island along the way. Also kept giving us bottomless prosecco and beer. The tour offered a unique perspective, allowing us to see hidden coves and grottos that you simply can't appreciate from the land. The sun's warmth and the gentle sea breeze created the perfect atmosphere. While the famous Blue Grotto was interesting to see, the true highlight was getting to swim in the sea around the island. The crystal-clear water was absolutely perfect and provided a refreshing, unforgettable experience. We also admired other incredible rock formations and the captivating coastline. The entire journey was a delightful adventure filled with stunning views and lasting memories. I wholeheartedly recommend booking this tour to anyone visiting Capri. It was the best experience of our trip and a truly memorable adventure.

Reviews

4.7

based on 82 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

Highlight of my trip

valerie, Jul 2026

Our boat day in Capri was the highlight of our trip! The boat was extremely spacious as we had the boat to ourselves and we visited several important landmarks around Capri. Our skipper, Claudio was amazing and his extensive knowledge broadened our horizons and we were able to apply this knowledge when observing the architecture reflected throughout the island. Swimming in the Mediterranean ocean was a bucket list item and the water was extremely clear and blue. We also visted the blue grotto which felt like a once in a lifetime experience as the boatmen sang songs inside the grotto and created an ethereal atmosphere. Overall, I cannot recommend this experience enough!

The experience was...

Chris_S, Jul 2026

The experience was fantastic and the captain was even better. My wife forgot her purse on the boat and the captain hand delivered it to our hotel. Phenomenal service!

No Blue Grotto

Darryl_D, Jul 2026

First and foremost, this tour with Blue Grotto in the name didn't give us the option to visit it. The guides said the line was too long and the tickets too expensive, but never asked us if we wanted to try. The boat was also overcrowded in my opinion. There were ten of us on board, but only seats for six unless you count sitting on the bow in full summer sun for three hours. Aside from that, the experience was enjoyable. Good opportunities to swim and a very gorgeous coastline. The guides were polite and helpful, and offered occasional details about sites we were seeing.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed the coastline, the swimming stops, and that you found our crew polite and helpful. It's great to know those aspects of the day made your experience enjoyable. At the same time, I'm sorry that some parts of the tour did not meet your expectations. Regarding the Blue Grotto, access is always optional and depends on sea conditions, waiting times and the queue at the entrance. On busy days, the wait can often exceed two or even three hours, which would significantly reduce the time available to enjoy the rest of the island and the swimming stops. For this reason, our skippers generally explain the situation and recommend whether it's worthwhile. I'm sorry if, in your case, you felt that you were not given enough information or the opportunity to discuss the option. As for the number of guests on board, we always operate within the certified capacity of the vessel and in full compliance with safety regulations. We understand, however, that comfort is subjective, and we appreciate your comments as they help us evaluate the overall guest experience. Thank you again for your balanced and constructive review. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on board in the future.

Wonderful tour! Crew was...

Leslie_C, Jul 2026

Wonderful tour! Crew was great and we were able to get into Blue Grotto quickly! Then we had a tour around the island with a wonderful swim!

Misleading

Christopher_W, Jul 2026

The whole Blue Grotto tour is very misleading. The scene is extremely chaotic and if your captain is not willing to advocate for your people then it is a big waste of time. They sell you on that you will do the blue grotto and the other grotto and swimming but it is a lie. They went directly to the blue grotto and then say "ok we have to choose to either do the blue grotto or go and do everything else but not both" The Captain was fine with staying atbthe blue grotto because the longer we stayed there the less he had to do. He made little to no effort to get boats to come to us and we watched other boats come in and get in before us. We had to take matters into our own hands and after some monetary encouragement, we were able to get some boats to take us. We had enough time to circle the island and swim for about 10 mins. The lunch was day old mini pizzas and stale pastries but at least the prosecco was tasty.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry that your experience did not meet your personal expectations. However, we feel it is important to clarify several points for the benefit of future readers. Our tour has never been advertised as guaranteeing a visit to the Blue Grotto.As clearly stated in the tour description, entry to the Blue Grotto is always subject to sea conditions, the official opening status, and waiting times. When waiting times become excessive (over 60minutes), the skipper can decide to switch it and continue the tour. Your suggestion that the skipper preferred to remain waiting because "the longer we stayed there, the less he had to do" is simply unfounded. Our captains have every interest in providing the best possible experience for their guests, and waiting in line offers no advantage whatsoever to them. On the contrary, prolonged waiting significantly reduces the time available for the rest of the excursion. Regarding access to the Blue Grotto, the transfer boats operate independently under a public concession. No tour operator has the authority to influence their order of service or to obtain priority. If, as you mention, you personally chose to offer additional money to one of those boats, that was entirely your own initiative and was neither requested nor encouraged by our crew. As for the refreshments, our aperitivo consists of local specialties prepared daily by our suppliers. We respectfully disagree with your description, which does not reflect either the quality of the products we serve or the overwhelmingly positive feedback we consistently receive from thousands of guests each season. We fully understand that you would have preferred more time for every activity. However, with a three-hour shared excursion, time must inevitably be balanced between navigation, swimming, and, where possible, the Blue Grotto. This balance is precisely why guests are asked to decide whether spending a significant portion of the tour waiting in line aligns with their priorities. While we respect your right to express your personal opinion, we believe this review reflects disappointment that circumstances beyond any operator's control did not perfectly align with your expectations, rather than any failure to deliver the service as advertised. We nevertheless thank you for choosing us and wish you all the best in your future travels.

Stay away, stay far away

James_D, Jul 2026

I strongly suggest you go with a different company. With this company, there was a large difference between what they marketed and what they delivered. Here is a detailed comparison of what they promised versus what they delivered. 1. Promised: live guide. Delivered: two people who barely spoke a few words in Italian the whole trip. Barely spoke English. Other boats that passed us had a person narrating on a microphone the whole time. Our boat, two people sitting silent. At one point, I asked the woman where we were because it was so picturesque. She actually said “Capri”. I said, of course, I know that, but what is this? She looked at me quietly. 2. Promised: Restroom onboard. Delivered: if this was onboard, no one knew about. 3. Promised: beer, prosecco, limoncello, spritz. Delivered: water and one bottle of cheap prosecco with the cheapest and smallest plastic cups I’ve ever seen. 4. Promised: aperitif and brunch with local food specialties. Delivered: a tray of what looked like a recycled selection of defrosted frozen fried foods from Costco. I ate one piece and regretted it instantly. Looked like they had served the same tray for several tours. In fact, during our tour, they actually passed our uneaten food to another boat. 5. Promised: beach towels. Delivered: two beach towels for the whole boat - we shared one for a family of four. 6. Promised: floatings and snorkeling equipment. Delivered: two child-sized swimming goggles , and only when asked like three times, did they provide two child-sized life jackets (the only two they had for the whole boat). This was probably the least safe boat I’ve ever been on. One woman while swimming experienced shortness of breath, so I asked them to throw out something that floated. They completely ignored this request. Luckily, it wasn’t an emergency and the woman was able to make it back to the boat. Additionally, they had us swim about 20-30 meters from the boat under a beautiful tunnel and then the boat moved to meet us on the other side. This was the highlight of the trip, however, it was completely unsafe. Every other boat that dropped people off to do the same gave every person a floating device. 7. Promised: Blue Grotto visit. Delivered: no Blue Grotto. They said it was closed. We paid $214 per person. This was absolutely not worth it, and you can see above, there were major differences between what they sold vs what they delivered. Additionally, their communication leading up to the trip was weak - we weren’t sure where to meet them, and it turned out that they couldn’t come to dock until about 20 min after the tour start time due to boat traffic. This is understandable, however, it would have been nice of them to let us know. Another couple onboard were yelling about this because they were so upset about it. At one point, a few of us, myself included, were almost thrown from the boat. At the end of the trip, we just floated in choppy waters for about 20 minutes while we waited for the dock space to open. All of us felt sick and nearly got sea sick. Stay away, stay far away. If not for the lack of experience, for your family’s health and safety.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

We strongly disagree with this review, which repeatedly confuses personal expectations with the service that was actually advertised and delivered. Our crew's primary responsibility is the safe operation of the vessel, not providing continuous commentary through a microphone. Our hostess explained every point of interest we visited. As for the caves, one can describe their geological features, history, and local legends, but beyond that, there isn't an endless story to tell. They are natural formations, not museums with hour-long guided tours. The vessel is equipped with an onboard restroom, as advertised, it has 2 cabins as well and it is a 12 meters yacht built and launched last year (half million value), we sincerely can't understand. The advertised refreshments were available on board. Describing the Prosecco as "cheap" is simply a subjective opinion, not an objective fact. Prosecco we served is Ferghettina Saten Brut Franciacorta with a value of around 70$ per bottle. Our aperitivo consists of local finger food, exactly as described in the listing, we receive plenty of 5 starts reviews about it and it is genuinely surprising to receive the exact opposite feedback. Suggesting that food was "recycled" or served across multiple tours is an entirely unfounded accusation and frankly absurd. The reason you saw the tray containing the leftover food being transferred to another boat is simply that your boat does not dock in Capri, whereas the other one does. In order to dispose of waste properly and separate organic waste from plastic, paper, and other recyclable materials, all of our boats that do not dock in Capri transfer any waste, including leftover food, empty bottles, plastic cups, and similar items, to boats that are authorized to dock there. This allows us to dispose of everything correctly and in full respect of the environment. Towels are provided on board. Had there been any issue, the crew would have addressed it immediately if informed. Safety equipment is carried on board in accordance with all applicable maritime regulations. The allegation that this was "probably the least safe boat" is particularly serious, yet completely unsupported by any objective evidence. Finally, the Blue Grotto was officially closed on the day of your tour. This was entirely beyond our control and certainly not a decision made by our crew. No operator can visit a site that has been closed by the competent authorities. Minor delays when approaching Capri's commercial docks are also completely normal during the high season due to port traffic and docking priorities. Overall, this review appears to be an attempt to portray normal operational circumstances and subjective disappointment as contractual failures. We respectfully reject that characterization. Thousands of guests enjoy this tour every season with excellent feedback because they evaluate the experience for what it is, rather than against expectations that were never promised.

Grotto no go

Rena_A, Jun 2026

Overall, the tour was enjoyable, but there were several issues that kept it from being a great experience. The biggest disappointment was the Blue Grotto portion of the tour. Before booking, we specifically emailed the company to discuss our plans and set expectations. We were assured that visiting the Blue Grotto would be completely doable and that there would be no issues. Unfortunately, that was not our experience. We were told the wait to enter the Blue Grotto would be about three hours, and the entire process felt disorganized and chaotic, with boat operators yelling at each other throughout the wait. The situation became so heated that police were eventually called to the area. Had we been given a more realistic picture of the situation, we may have made different plans. What was especially frustrating was the way the situation was handled. Rather than providing clear information and allowing guests to make an informed decision, the captain and crew appeared to encourage disagreement among different groups on the boat regarding whether to continue waiting for the Blue Grotto. This created unnecessary tension and made an already frustrating situation even more uncomfortable. The tour description also gave the impression that lunch would be provided, but only small appetizers were served, so plan accordingly. Towels were available only upon request, and while we were able to get some, other guests were told there were no towels left. Additionally, pickup was about 15 minutes late, and we were brought back roughly 10 minutes earlier than scheduled. None of these issues alone would have ruined the day, but together they added up and took away from what could have been a much more enjoyable experience. The scenery was beautiful, but the organization, communication, and expectation-setting could definitely be improved.

Cave Cruise and Swim!

Gemma_R, Jun 2026

Capt Claudio was wonderful!!! EXCELLENT trip!!! LOVED IT!!! Beer and wine and snacks were well done, maybe some chips and nuts - the Blue Grotto was a little disappointing, would be nice if Capri could work something out for private tours to get in there.

We had the best time!!...

Jessica_L, Jun 2026

We had the best time!! Vincenzo and Federica were so wonderful, welcoming and the trip was our favorite part of our time on the Amalfi coast!!

The best!

Stacy_B, Jun 2026

Exceptional boat day

Adalberto_C, Jun 2026

My family and I had the best time. Highly recommend. Best excursion during our vacations at amalfi coast

Personalized service was...

David_N, Jun 2026

Personalized service was excellent. Vincenzo and Federica treated us like family friends and took care of everything. A smaller group allowed us to customize the experience. Beautiful day and fun group.

Recommand

Ed_U, Jun 2026

The captain was great, boat was great could have used the front for more room. However Viator did not provide good info to find boat. But it all worked out at the end.

Most beautiful boat ride in capri

Blake_E, May 2026

Had a beautiful time taken around the entire island of Capri!! 10/10 and our guide Alessio was amazing and showed us everything!

Capri by sea

Christopher_O, May 2026

Bryan and Taylor’s experience

Bryan_C, May 2026

We had a rough start getting to the meeting point, but after that, it was a great experience and the Blue Gretta was amazing. The staff was super friendly and they even turned the boat around to get my hat after the wind blew off. Very enjoyable trip and so worth the extra money do you have a be semi private.

Boating around the island...

Gail_D, May 2026

Boating around Capri was a beautiful and relaxing day! It was a great experience that we highly recommend.

Capri - Blue Grotto Joy

leticia_s, May 2026

The skipper and crew were kind, attentive to all our needs in the boat, and very knowledgeable about the area providing enough commentary of things we stopped and passed by. Although, the tour got delayed twice because of weather changes and clearance the communication was very, very good. Experiencing the grotto was a once in a lifetime unforgettable blessing, so happy we paid the extra $ to make it happen.

Great time !

Bill_H, May 2026

It was a great time and lived up to all that we expected Unfortunately, this day, the blue grotto was closed, but no one to blame The driver into our guide were excellent We did not go swimming as it was a little chilly, but most everyone else in the group did so plan accordingly

Amazing!

Teresa_P, Sep 2025

Marco was absolutely wonderful and the tour was amazing. We saw so much and swam in the most beautiful waters. Definitely would recommend. The address listed in the description brought me to a shop?? But the one provided in the greeting email brought me to the pier. So I had just a little confusion since I didn’t have much service and the address I saved in my maps was for the shop. Was a few mins behind because I was lost but I got on WiFi and Marco texted to check on our location.

Worth the trip!

WAYNE_W, Sep 2025

Really enjoyed Pasquale and Antonio on our ride around Capri. Fun, accommodating and humorous. Food was solid (maybe some additional local pasta salads would be nice) and drinks were very available.

Ochel 2025

Alexander_O, Sep 2025

The Day before the tour find the exact dock that you will depart from by asking locals or Hotel staff because the meeting point that was sent to us was in a parking lot. They have 2 main docks in Amalfi one is strictly for the Ferry's the other are for tours. This knowledge will eliminate A Lot of stress. Other than that it was one of the most incredible adventures ever ❤️ Our Captin was Marco If you are lucky enough to get him you'll be blessed. We stopped for lunch at Maria Grazia the whole experience was the best. Our group of 10 from different parts of the country by the end of the tour we became like family.

Great experience

Melba_L, Sep 2025

What a beautiful experience!!! The boat tour was espectacular showing the amazing views of Capri. The crew Antonio and Pasquale made the trip more enjoyable. Swimming in the turquoise blue water and later having prosecco/limoncello completed a marvelous experience!!! Grazie !!

A Beautiful Way to Explore Capri!

Jessica_S, Sep 2025

We had such a wonderful time on our Capri boat tour! While we didn’t visit the Blue Grotto during the tour due to the long wait, our group decided it wasn’t worth the delay, (We went back the next day on foot and only waited about 20 minutes, which worked out perfectly.) The tour itself was fantastic and brought us to some of the most beautiful spots around Capri. The boat was well-equipped with towels, snacks, drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and even limoncello. Overall, it was an amazing experience that we would highly recommend!

Blue Grotto

George_H, Sep 2025

Tour was good, but over hyped. We walked down to the entrance after taking the bus. Got on small row boat and went into the grotto.

Perfect

Craig_R, Sep 2025

Outstanding. Captain and crew did exactly what was promised. Got us into the Blue Grotto. They wee very personable. Did a great job getting us into all the best views.

Best Day on the coast in Capri

richa_z, Sep 2025

Wonderful tour around Capri

Jennifer_R, Aug 2025

We had the best time on our boat tour around Capri! The Blue grotto was closed because of the rough water, but we still enjoyed the experience!

Must know!

Omid_A, Aug 2025

Great experience! Only thing i will mention is that THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE GOING INTO THE BLUE GROTTO! That is a separate fee when you get to the grotto. ALSO, you will not be going in the island of Capri, but rather exploring around the island via boat. If you’re not easily nauseous, this is a great experience and you’ll have great hosts!

This boat trip was one of...

Joey_M, Aug 2025

This boat trip was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy. Antonio and Ortiz were our hosts and were awesome! Unfortunately a part of the group missed the boat due to issues with their ferry from Sorrento, but it made for an amazing trip for us since there were only 3 guests on the boat! Antonio and Ortiz had drinks and snacks ready for us and made the entire trip educational, informative, and so much fun. We got to swim in multiple places, saw unbelievable views, and just had a ton of fun. Don’t hesitate to book this trip!

From

-6%