complete tour of the island of Capri by private boat

Capri’s famous cliffs look different from the water: you pass close to the Faraglioni, peer into caves and get time to swim in the island’s clear coastal water. This private three-hour boat tour visits several of the island’s best-known sights without asking you to share the boat with another group.

I like two things in particular: the freedom to swim and relax at Marina Piccola, and the included water, soft drinks and beach towels that make time aboard more comfortable. Your captain may also help with photos and music, depending on the crew and what you request.

One consideration is the Blue Grotto. Its €18 entry fee is extra, and you have to transfer to a small rowboat with a separate sailor. The visit is listed as an hour, so it takes a notable share of a three-hour outing.

At a glance: a private boat and five coastal stops

• The boat is reserved for your group: The advertised price is $546.10 for up to six people, not a per-person fare.
• The route mixes sights with swim time: Expect the Faraglioni, White Grotto, Blue Grotto, Green Grotto and Marina Piccola.
• Blue Grotto entry costs extra: Budget €18 per person, then board a small rowboat with another sailor to enter.
• Useful comforts are included: Bottled water, soft drinks, towels, a cooler and SCUBA equipment are listed.
• Boat facilities can vary: A bathroom is available on board some boats, but not all.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

The Faraglioni: Capri’s headline view from the water

The tour begins at Il Pennello, at Piazza Angelo Ferraro, 2, in Capri. From there, your captain takes you along the coast toward the Faraglioni, the tall rock formations rising from the sea. At the base, you get about 15 minutes to take photos before the boat continues through the Arco dell’Amore, or Arch of Love.

This is a good opening because it gives you time to appreciate the scale of the rocks from close range, rather than just spotting them from shore. The boat’s position and the light can shape your photos, so have your camera ready before the stop begins. Fifteen minutes is enough for a few pictures and a look around, but not a long pause.

Captains on this tour have included Pepe, Antonio, Giuseppe, Marco, Fernando, Enzo and others. The person steering your boat can make a difference to the feel of the outing: several have been praised for being kind, accommodating and willing to take group photos. The crew can change, though, so do not book expecting a particular captain.

Some captains also share details about the island and its coastline. The level of conversation can vary, and one account noted that a skipper’s English was limited. English is the stated tour language, but if a lively, detailed commentary is essential to you, ask about the guide’s language skills before booking.

White Grotto: imaginative rock shapes

The next listed stop is the White Grotto, where you have about 15 minutes to admire stalactites and stalagmites. The formations create unusual shapes, and the appeal here is the cave itself rather than a planned swim stop.

The short visit keeps the boat moving around the island, but it does mean you should be ready to look and take photos without expecting a long stay. If caves interest you, this is one of several chances to see how the coast changes from one inlet to the next. The tour gives each cave its own brief moment rather than asking you to spend the whole trip in one place.

Blue Grotto: allow for the separate rowboat

The Blue Grotto is the tour’s most complicated stop. Your boat cannot take you inside. Instead, you transfer to a small rowboat with another sailor, who guides you into the cave. Entry costs €18 per person and is not included in the tour price.

The listed stop is one hour, substantially longer than the other cave visits. That makes the Blue Grotto a major part of the schedule, not a quick add-on. The actual visit depends on access and sea conditions, and some trips may not enter. One account described missing the grotto, so treat it as a possibility rather than a guarantee. If it is a must-see, confirm the day’s conditions with the operator and understand that the boat outing still has other coastal stops if entry is not possible.

The separate ticket also changes the overall cost. A group of six pays about $91 per person for the boat before adding the Blue Grotto fee of €18 each. For two people, the boat price works out to about $273 each, again before the grotto fee. The private format can be good value for a full group, but is a larger spend when shared by only one or two people.

Green Grotto: a short look at changing light

The Green Grotto is known for an emerald-colored reflection against a white sandy backdrop. The itinerary allows about 20 minutes here, and says that entering the cave by swimming is possible when sea conditions are right.

That conditional detail matters. You may be able to get into the water, but the captain has to judge whether conditions allow it. Even if you stay aboard, the color and shape of the cave make this a distinct stop from the White Grotto and the Blue Grotto. Bring a camera, but keep it secure and follow the captain’s instructions near the water.

Marina Piccola: the best stretch for a swim

The tour allows about 30 minutes at Spiaggia di Marina Piccola, a large bay with calm water and good seabed for swimming and snorkeling. This is the longest planned stop outside the Blue Grotto, and likely the most appealing one if you want time in the sea rather than more photographs from the boat.

SCUBA equipment is included, and the tour also provides beach towels. The listing does not specify exactly which pieces of equipment are supplied, so ask ahead if you need a particular mask, snorkel or other item. Bring swimwear under your clothes if you want to make the most of the stop, and keep in mind that time in the water depends on the day’s conditions and the captain’s schedule.

The swim stop is one reason this private format works well for families and groups of friends. The pace can feel more personal than a larger shared excursion, and captains have been described as accommodating about requests. Child buoys are available on request, so arrange those in advance if they would help your child feel secure in the water.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

The tour is advertised as approximately three hours, with the five stops taking up the bulk of that time. The Blue Grotto is allotted an hour; the Faraglioni and White Grotto 15 minutes each; the Green Grotto 20 minutes; and Marina Piccola 30 minutes. Those listed stop times already total two hours and 20 minutes, leaving the rest for travel along the coast and transitions between boats.

That is a full itinerary for a short trip. You get several different views of Capri, but you should not expect a leisurely, unstructured day at sea. If you want to linger longer at a swim spot or spend extra time photographing the cliffs, ask the captain what can be adjusted. The private setup offers more room to tailor the outing than a shared boat, but it does not create extra time.

A few accounts describe a late start or an early return, including one case where the group had to insist on receiving the full three hours. Confirm your departure time at the meeting point, and speak up promptly if the tour seems to be ending early. Arriving with a little time to find the meeting place can help avoid a rushed start.

What is included, and what to check before boarding

The price includes fuel for the full tour around the island, bottled water, soft drinks such as Coca-Cola and iced tea, a beach towel and SCUBA equipment. A cooler is also listed. Those details make the boat more comfortable, especially when you are out in the sun and want a drink or a place to keep refreshments cool.

A bathroom is available on board some boats, but not all. Do not assume yours will have one. If that facility matters to you, check with the operator before you book. Lunch and dinner are not included, so plan to eat before or after the excursion rather than expecting a meal on the boat.

The trip starts and finishes at Il Pennello, Piazza Angelo Ferraro, 2, Capri. The marina can be confusing to navigate, and a hostess has sometimes helped people find the boat. That may not be part of every departure, so allow time to locate the meeting point and confirm any directions you receive.

The tour is private, meaning only your party joins the boat. It is offered in English, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Those practical details make it suitable for many types of groups, though the route includes boat transfers and water activities that may not fit every person’s needs.

Is $546.10 good value for your group?

The price is $546.10 for a group of up to six. It is a flat group rate, so the cost per person drops as your party grows: about $273 each for two, $137 each for four, or $91 each for six. Add €18 per person if you plan to enter the Blue Grotto.

For a full group, the price buys a private boat, fuel, drinks, towels and a set of stops around Capri. You also have the chance to swim and ask the captain for small adjustments, rather than sharing the boat with strangers. For a couple, it is a more expensive way to see the coast, though the privacy may be exactly what you want for a special occasion.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 32 reviews, and 94% of participants recommend it. Praise most often centers on the captains’ warmth, the scenery, the swim stops and the freedom of having the boat to yourselves. There are also real cautions: one group reported a late start and a dispute over the scheduled duration, while another did not get into the Blue Grotto. A strong overall rating is reassuring, but it does not remove the need to confirm timing and expectations.

Who should book this Capri boat tour?

I would consider this tour if you want to see Capri from the water, value privacy and plan to make use of the swim stop. It is especially appealing for a group of four to six, since the flat fare becomes easier to justify when divided among more people. Families can ask for child buoys, and couples may find it a worthwhile splurge for an anniversary or other special day.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a long, unhurried visit inside every cave or a guaranteed Blue Grotto entry. The itinerary is busy, the grotto fee is extra, and weather can affect what is possible. If you are comfortable with those limits, this outing offers a practical mix of Capri’s signature rock formations, caves and swimming water in one compact trip.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. The tour requires good weather; if poor weather leads to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours. The listed time includes the route around the coast and stops at the Faraglioni, White Grotto, Blue Grotto, Green Grotto and Marina Piccola.

How much does the boat cost?

The price is $546.10 per group of up to six people. The Blue Grotto entry fee is separate.

How much is the Blue Grotto ticket?

Entry costs €18 per person. To enter, you transfer to a small rowboat with another sailor.

Is the Blue Grotto entry included?

No. The ticket is not included in the boat-tour price, and entry is subject to conditions on the day.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Il Pennello, Piazza Angelo Ferraro, 2, 80076 Capri. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What is included on the boat?

Bottled water, soft drinks, fuel, a beach towel, a cooler and SCUBA equipment are included. A bathroom is available on some boats, but not all.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group takes part in the activity, with a maximum group size of six.

Can children join the tour?

Most participants can take part, and child buoys are available on request.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour starts.