Blue Grotto Tours
Boat Tours
Capri and Blue Grotto Private Boat Tour with aperitivo and Swim
Blue Grotto and Capri Boat Tour with Aperitivo Swim and Snorkel
Capri by boat: grottoes, Faraglioni and natural wonders
Clicquot Half-Day Private Capri Cruise
The Capri Blue Grotto, Italy
To visit the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), you need to reach the entrance of the sea cave either by land or by sea. Once there, all visitors must board small Italian rowboats, the only type of boats allowed to enter the cave. Each boat ride carries two passengers plus the boatman, and only five or six boats can enter at a time.
When sea conditions are rough or the wind is strong, the grotto is closed for safety reasons. For this reason, it’s not possible to book a ticket in advance for the cave itself — you can only book a boat trip that includes a stop at the Blue Grotto entrance. The entrance ticket must be purchased directly at the floating ticket booth located at the cave.
Because only a few boats can enter at a time, the queue at the entrance can be quite long — in high season, the wait can reach up to an hour. The visit inside the grotto lasts about five minutes, just enough to admire the incredible blue light reflected on the water.
You can check the sea conditions a few days in advance on major weather websites. Keep in mind that when the wind comes from the north, the grotto is almost always closed.
More information about the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra)
How to Visit the Blue Grotto from the Capri Port
How to Visit the Blue Grotto from the Capri Port
At Marina Grande, the main port of Capri, look for the Motoscafisti and Laser Capri ticket offices. These two local companies offer boat trips around the beautiful island that include a stop at the Blue Grotto, as well as direct transfers to the cave entrance on larger shared boats. You can also choose a private boat ride or transfer aboard a traditional Italian gozzo boat for a more exclusive experience.
Group Boat Tours from Capri’s Port (around €24 per person)
Choose a classic boat tour around Capri with a stop at the Blue Grotto. The boat will cruise along the coastline, passing by the Faraglioni Rocks, the White Grotto, and the Green Grotto, before stopping outside the cave entrance. Here, passengers transfer to small rowboats to enter the grotto itself.
The only drawback of this type of boat tour is that the boat often doesn’t stop at the Blue Grotto during the cruise because of the long queue and wait times at the cave entrance. In this case, passengers are offered an additional ticket to reach the grotto later, after returning to the port, on another boat ride.
If your main goal is to visit the Blue Grotto itself, it’s best to book a direct transfer to the sea cave instead, to maximize your chances of getting inside.
Private Boat Tours from Capri’s Port (from about €300 per boat)
For a personalized experience, you can book a private boat tour with a gozzo and skipper. These tours include a visit to the Blue Grotto, plus time to swim in hidden coves and enjoy the full beauty of Capri from the sea. Most boats can accommodate up to seven passengers, with larger vessels available for groups. A 3–4 hour tour costs from around €300, offering the best way to explore the island’s coastline and its iconic sea caves at your own pace. By booking a 4-hour boat tour, you’ll have plenty of time to visit the Blue Grotto (weather and sea conditions permitting) and enjoy some snorkeling in Capri’s most beautiful coves.
Boat tours also depart from Marina Piccola, which can be a convenient option for those staying on the beautiful island of Capri.
Visiting the Blue Grotto from Anacapri
Visiting the Blue Grotto from Anacapri
Another option is to reach the cave entrance by land, taking a local bus from the center of Anacapri. Visitors wait in a queue on the stairs leading down to the grotto — this is the most budget-friendly way to visit the Blue Grotto, as you only pay the entrance ticket without any transport fare.
It also has the advantage of waiting on solid ground rather than on a small boat , making it the best choice for those who suffer from seasickness.
If you arrive early in the morning, before 9:30 a.m., you’ll likely find little waiting time.
How to Visit the Blue Grotto from Sorrento
How to Visit the Blue Grotto from Sorrento
Sorrento is an excellent base for visiting Capri since the island is only a 30-minute hydrofoil ride away (tickets cost about EUR 20/person one way). You can take the ferry on your own and then book a boat tour from the Capri port to the Blue Grotto, or book a tour that departs directly from Sorrento, either with a small group or with a private tour.
Group Boat Tours from Sorrento (from EUR 100/person)
Large- and small-group tours set off directly from Sorrento and offer an excellent balance between price and service. These tours cruise around the island then stop outside the Blue Grotto entrance. Here passengers will be loaded onto small rowboats to enter the grotto itself. Afterwards, the boat returns to Sorrento.
Budget Tours from Sorrento
Private Boat Tours from Capri's port (from EUR 600/boat
You can also book a private tour with a gozzo boat and skipper to visit the Blue Grotto plus stop to swim in the coves along the coastline. These boats can fit up to 7 passengers, though there are larger boats for more passengers.
Private Boat Tours from Sorrento
How to Visit the Blue Grotto from the Amalfi Coast, Ischia, or Naples
How to Visit the Blue Grotto from the Amalfi Coast, Ischia, or Naples
To visit the Blue Grotto and island of Capri, take an early morning ferry to Capri and book your group boat tour or private boat tour of Capri in advance to make the most of your time. Otherwise, reserve a private boat with skipper that departs directly from one of the towns on the Amalfi Coast, Ischia, or Naples.
However, in our opinion, it’s not worth taking a day trip from Rome or Florence, as the travel times are too long and there’s never a guarantee that the Blue Grotto will be open — access depends entirely on sea conditions and safety regulations.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter the Blue Grotto?
The entrance fee to the Blue Grotto is EUR 18 (EUR 12 for the rowboat) and is paid at a floating ticket office. Children up to 6 years enter for free, while there are discounted rates for teenagers. It is possible to pay only in cash.