FAQ
Booking a boat tour of Capri
- How can I take a boat tour of Capri?
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There are three options:
- Rent a boat without a skipper
- Rent a boat with a skipper
- Join an organized group tour
- How much does it cost?
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- Boat rental without skipper: from €90 for two hours, max 5 passengers
- Boat rental with skipper: from €140 for two hours, max 6 passengers
- Group tour: €15/person by purchasing your ticket online
- Which is the best option?
- If it's in your budget, the best option is a boat rental with a skipper who can take you on a private tour of Capri by sea and show you the famous grottoes while you relax on the sundeck. The biggest difference between a private boat tour and a shared tour is that you can stop for a swim when on a private tour.
- I have never driven a boat. Can I rent one?
- Yes, as there are small boats and dinghies which can be rented without a skipper even if you don't have a boating license. We recommend a minimum amount of boating experience to rent a boat independently, however.
- How long does it take to tour Capri by boat?
- On a medium boat, it takes about an hour to sail around the entire island. If you want to take your time and stop to explore some grottoes or swim, you'll need a couple of hours. Boat rental companies offer tours with a skipper that last 3 to 4 hours so you have plenty of time to enjoy your sail and take a dip. If you love to be on the water, you can book a full-day tour and have lunch at a seaside restaurant, spend plenty of time in the water, and relax for the whole day.
- Which boats are used for tours?
- Organized tours use large boats that can carry up to 100 passengers. The Motoscafisti tour company, however, also uses smaller lancia boats, which are traditional wooden boats that carry up to 35 passengers. Rental companies that offer private boat tours with a skipper usually use traditional wooden gozzo boats.
- What is a gozzo boat?
- A gozzo is a traditional wooden boat used by fishermen in Capri and Sorrento that has a large sundeck and awning.
- What do I need to bring on board?
- You need to bring a swimsuit and sunblock. If you would like to visit the Blue Grotto, remember that there is often a long wait and you will be moored outside the cave under the sun, so bring a sun hat and water. Private boat tours always have an ice chest on board with water and beverages.
- What is the minimum age for children for a boat tour?
- There is no minimum age. Children under 3 are free on Laser Capri and Motoscafisti organized tours. We do not recommend a boat tour for children who are a few months old.
- Can I bring my dog on board?
- Yes, small dogs are allowed on all boats. Larger dogs are only allowed on private boats, but you must arrange for your pet in advance.
Boat Tour Information
Rent a boat
- Where can I rent a boat on Capri?
- Most boat rental and charter companies on Capri are located in Marina Grande, the island's port and marina. This is where most private boat tours will depart from and where you can hire a dinghy or boat without a skipper. There is only one boat rental company based in Marina Piccola, on the southern coast of the island.
- What types of boats can I rent?
- Based on your budget and the size of your group, you can rent a number of different types of boat, including rubber dinghies, wooden gozzo or lancia boats, speedboats, and yachts. Private boat tours of the island are usually aboard Capri's traditional gozzo or lancia boats, but we recommend a larger speedboat or yacht for a transfer or tour of the Amalfi Coast or Bay of Naples. Here you can find a complete guide to renting a boat on Capri
- What is the average cost of a private boat tour with a skipper?
- The classic boat tour around Capri lasts 2 hours and costs around €150. In high season, including July and August, prices can increase, though there are often discounts the remaining months of the year.
- How many hours should I rent a boat?
- You can sail around the entire island of Capri (without stopping) in an hour, but most boat companies offer tours of 2 or 4 hours or for the full day.
A two-hour tour is perfect for those visiting the island for one day who also want to see the island by land. A full-day tour is best for those who want to stop for lunch at a waterfront restaurant or take time to swim, but can be tiring for those who are not used to being out on the water. The ideal tour is a four hour trip, which includes enough time to sail around the island, visit the sea caves, and stop for a swim.
- Do I need a boating license to rent a boat on Capri without a skipper?
- There are small boats and dinghies which can be rented even if you don't have a boating license. We recommend a minimum amount of boating experience to rent a boat independently, however.
- Where can we go by boat in one day from Capri?
- Day trips by boat from Capri can include a number of locations in the Bay of Naples, including Nerano, Positano and Amalfi, Sorrento, and Ischia...all of which are easily reached by boat.
- How do I visit the Blue Grotto with a private boat or tour?
- The Blue Grotto is managed like a museum, so no private boat tour includes the entrance ticket to the cave. You must purchase your ticket separately at the grotto entrance, where there is a floating ticket office.
Visits inside the grotto are possible only when the weather and sea conditions permit. On this page which explains how to visit the Blue Grotto, you can check for updated information about whether the grotto is open or closed.
If you rent a boat without a skipper, you can moor at the buoys near the grotto entrance and a skipper will come pick you up with a rowboat to take you inside the grotto.
- Is there a less expensive alternative to a private boat rental on Capri?
- Yes, you can join a group boat tour which navigates around the entire island stopping at the Blue Grotto. Tickets cost around €18 per person, the tour lasts about two hours, and departs from Marina Grande. The tour companies which organize group tours are Laser and Motoscafisti.
Visiting the Blue Grotto
- When is the Blue Grotto open?
- The Blue Grotto is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm when weather and sea conditions permit. Boats can only enter the grotto when the sea is calm and there is no crosswind or high wave as the cave mouth is only a meter above sea level.
- How can I find out in advance if the Blue Grotto is open or closed?
- Unfortunately, the weather forecast can only give an indication as to whether the grotto will be open or closed. For a final decision, you have to wait until the skippers arrive at the cave entrance at 9 am to verify the weather and sea conditions and check that the cave can be entered safely. For updated information about whether the Blue Grotto is open or closed for the day, check this page.
- How much do tickets to the Blue Grotto cost?
- Tickets to enter the Blue Grotto cost €14, with a discount for children.
- How long is the visit inside?
- The visit inside the grotto lasts about 5 minutes, but you can tip your skipper for additional time :)
- Can you swim in the Blue Grotto?
- No, it is both illegal and dangerous to swim in the grotto. That said, many people swim into the cave after it closes in the evening.
- Is there a way to skip the queue to enter the grotto?
- To avoid a long wait (which can reach up to two hours in high season), the best option is to leave for the grotto before 9 am so you are among the first to arrive in the morning. You can even arrive with the skippers on the first Motoscafisti boat from Marina Grande to the Blue Grotto in the morning. Midday is the most crowded time to visit the grotto.
- When is the best time of day to view the colors inside the grotto?
- The color is most intense inside the grotto at noon.
- Can you walk to the entrance of the Blue Grotto?
- Yes, you can take the bus which departs from the center of Anacapri and stops near the entrance of the grotto. Take the stairs down toward the sea where you can take a rowboat inside the grotto.
- Can I buy Blue Grotto tickets online or reserve in advance?
- No, you can only buy tickets for the boat transfer from Marina Grande to the Blue Grotto in advance. Tickets to enter the Blue Grotto must be purchased at the cave entrance upon arrival.
Informazioni utili sulla Grotta Azzurra
Amalfi Coast Tours
- How do I get to the Amalfi Coast?
- You can reach the Amalfi Coast by car from Sorrento or Salerno along the scenic highway 163, otherwise you can reach the coast by sea from Capri, Sorrento, or Salerno.
- How to I get to the Amalfi Coast by public transportation?
- Ferry routes between Capri and the Amalfi Coast run from the beginning of April through October. During the rest of the year, you can take a bus to Sorrento and take a ferry from there.
- Are there water taxis between Capri and the Amalfi Coast?
- Yes, all the boat rental agencies offer this service.
- When is the best way to visit Capri from the Amalfi Coast?
- If you are staying on Capri, the best way to visit the Amalfi Coast is by boat tour so you can combine a day at sea with stops in Amalfi and Positano and enjoy the view of the coast from the sea. If you are staying in both Capri and the Amalfi Coast, book your boat tour on the day you are travelling from the island to the coast or vice versa, so you can use your day at sea as a transfer service, as well.
- How long does it take to get to the Amalfi Coast from Capri?
- It takes less than an hour by boat.
- Can I stop to visit the villages during a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast?
- Yes, boat tours from Capri to the coast include a stop at Positano and Amalfi. From Amalfi, you can take the bus or taxi up the cliffside to Ravello.
