Capri Boat Tours

Do you want to spend your holidays on a beautiful magical island? The island of Capri awaits you with paradisiacal tourist destinations.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

Capri Boat Tours

Sailing in Capri | ©Matt Hardy

Among the best things to do on Capri are boat trips. They give you the chance to reach hidden areas, explore the scenery and swim in the crystal clear water that surrounds the island of Capri. The island is located in the Bay of Naples in Italy and is easy to reach from the Amalfi Coast and beyond.

The beauty of Capri has been attracting tourists since Ancient Rome. Important historical figures such as Tiberius or Augustus used to rest there. Nowadays, many celebrities also choose to spend their holidays on this small island. What are you waiting for to live this experience?

1. Full day boat trip on Capri

Boats of Capri| ©lhourahane
Boats of Capri| ©lhourahane

Taking a tour of Capri is one of the first things I recommend you to do in Capri. If you do it by boat your experience will be much better as you will be able to enjoy the sea, the wind and the beautiful scenery that can be seen from a boat. The average cost of these trips is €130 and they last around eight hours.

These types of trips usually depart from the Amalfi Coast to the beautiful island of Capri. They can depart specifically from Positano, Amalfi or Praiano. Any of these points allow you to reach the island in less than an hour. It is worth noting that on the boat you will have towels, showers and music to liven up your experience.

On the boat you will be able to navigate through different sites that will dazzle you. You will pass by the White Grotto, Arco Naturale, Casa Malaparte and the Faraglioni rocks. Your guide will be sure to tell you all the interesting facts about these natural paradises. One of the most awaited stops is commonly made at Marina Piccola, where you can have a nice swim.

Other spots you will visit on board the boat are Punta Carena and Marina Grande. While doing this tour, you can enjoy wines, glasses of prosecco and various aperitifs. After the entertaining ride you can return to your starting point and continue to enjoy the island.

Interesting details

  • Price: around 130 €.
  • Duration: approximately 8 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: with this tour you will get to know all the most important parts of the island of Capri. It also includes snacks and drinks.
  • Disadvantages of this option: no extra activities are included.

Book a private boat trip

2. Boat tour with visit to the Blue Grotto

Blue Grotto| ©Eduardo Antonio
Blue Grotto| ©Eduardo Antonio

One of the best things to do in Capri is to visit the Blue Grotto. To do so, I recommend taking a boat trip from somewhere along the Amalfi coast to the island of Capri. Once there, you will be able to explore the island and this beautiful sea cave. This type of experience lasts about eight hours and has an average price of €130.

On this type of tour you will first pass through the fishing village of Marina Grande and an ancient Roman villa. Then you will visit the Faraglioni rocks, as well as the Green Grotto, the White Grotto and the Punta Carena lighthouse. These sites are undoubtedly hidden treasures in the Gulf of Naples.

After passing all these sites on the boat, you will finally stop at the Blue Grotto. It is a marine paradise and the most outstanding tourist attraction on the paradise island of Capri. When you enter, you'll notice how the water seems to be illuminated from below - it's a natural spectacle! Here you can swim, take the best pictures and enjoy yourself to the fullest.

Depending on the time you decide to do this walk, you will be able to enjoy the colours of the sky. My recommendation is to do it in the afternoon. This way you can return to your starting point admiring the different colours of the sky reflected in the sea.

Interesting details

  • Price: approximately 130 €.
  • Duration: about 8 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: on this trip you will be able to spend much more time in the Blue Grotto, so you can swim and enjoy the cave much more.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it does not include an extra stop.

Book a private boat trip

3. Small group boat and snorkel tour

Snorkelling day in Capri| ©Edgardo W. Olivera
Snorkelling day in Capri| ©Edgardo W. Olivera

If you like to accompany your sightseeing tours with extra activities, a Capri boat tour with snorkelling included is the best option for you. These experiences are usually organised for small groups and cost on average €150. The duration is approximately four hours, so dare to try a different sport on your visit to the island of Capri!

Snorkelling or snorkelling is a type of scuba diving that is practised without the need to dive into the depths of the water. It is an ideal activity for those who are afraid of the deep sea. It is also a good option if you have never been scuba diving before, as it can be a way to familiarise yourself with the activity.

In order to practice this sport on the island of Capri, you must first take a boat from the Amalfi coast. This way you will have the opportunity to appreciate the panoramic scenery from the boat. Your tour guide will tell you details and fun facts about everything you see.

Finally when you arrive on Capri your guide will take you to one of the caves of your choice. It can be the Blue, White, Green or Red Grotto. For the activity, you will be provided with all the equipment you need. At the end, you will return to your starting point and you will have another chance to appreciate the marine landscape.

Details of interest

  • Price: approximately 150 €.
  • Duration: around 4 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: you'll be able to do an entertaining activity led by trained staff. In addition, everything you need to do it is included in the final price.
  • Disadvantages of this option: as it is oriented towards snorkelling, you won't be able to see much of the island of Capri.

Book a private boat trip

4. Kayak tour of Capri's caves and beaches

Kayaking Capri| ©Trey Ratcliff
Kayaking Capri| ©Trey Ratcliff

One of the best things to do in Capri is without a doubt a kayak tour of the caves and beaches. For these activities you normally have to be on the island of Capri and from there meet up with a group of tourists and guides. The average cost is €50 and the activity lasts on average two hours.

When you meet up with your group, you'll be given all the equipment you need to get started. You'll also be able to listen to some tips for your kayaking adventure. Don't worry, it's an activity that beginners and experienced pad dlers can do. While paddling, you can learn about all the history and interesting facts that your guide will tell you.

This is an ecological and environmentally friendly activity that is well worth enjoying. That's why I also recommend you to use sunscreens that are good for you and the planet. This way you will avoid pollutants and help preserve the environment, as well as your kayak tour.

The kayak tour usually has a much awaited stop for everyone: the iconic Faraglioni rocks. This is a great place to take some amazing pictures. Some of these experiences include snacks and drinks for you to enjoy. You can also dive into the water and enjoy the natural paradise at the end of the kayak tour.

Interesting details

  • Price: approximately 50 €.
  • Duration: around 2 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: kayaking is an ecological sport that will help you exercise while you get to know the island of Capri and its most beautiful corners.
  • Disadvantages of this option: although the experience can be adapted to all kinds of people, some may get tired faster due to the effort. Keep this in mind if you are a sedentary person.

Traveller tip
If you want to live your holiday to the fullest and you are interested in extreme sports, I suggest you exercise a little before your trip. You can do simple things like jogging a few times a week, stretching and simple exercises every day. This will help you move better when swimming or paddling.

5. Cruise to Capri with Happy Hour

Capri Cruise| ©Erin Lillis
Capri Cruise| ©Erin Lillis

Although boat trips are usually a quiet time to relax and enjoy yourself, if you like to party, a happy hour cruise may be right for you. These cruises can be taken from the island or from a nearby point. They last on average eight hours and cost approximately €100.

With this type of cruise you also have the opportunity to visit different tourist sites such as the sea caves. You can even pass by the Arco Naturale del Paleolithic. You will continue your tour to the Malaparte House in Punta Massullo, a classic of the island's architecture. You will also see the majestic rocks of Faraglioni.

During the tour you can sip your favourite liqueurs and taste a variety of aperitifs. At one point of the tour, preferably near a beach, the party will start, dance and enjoy the atmosphere! You will listen to good music, have fun with the other passengers, dance, swim and enjoy the beautiful sea.

This can be a good plan if you travel to the island of Capri in November, as it allows you to enjoy all the scenery and also have fun at a party without the need to swim. Keep in mind that from this month onwards the temperatures drop, so it may not be very pleasant to swim on colder days. After the tour and the party you can return to the starting point.

Interesting details

  • Price: approximately 100 €.
  • Duration: about 2 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: you can tour the whole island and celebrate on board a cruise ship with the best music, drinks, food and company.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it does not make specific stops at caves or tourist sites, but rather tours them and focuses on the experience on board the cruise.

Why is it advisable to take a Capri boat trip?

By boat on Capri| ©alex
By boat on Capri| ©alex

Boat trips on the island of Capri allow you to observe and admire a panoramic view of the entire coastline. Moreover, you can easily visit the best beaches of the island if you travel by boat. As these are guided experiences, you will have a narration to help you understand more about the environment you are visiting and learn about its history and curiosities.

On the other hand, these tours usually include something extra to make your experience more enjoyable. This could be a sport such as snorkelling or kayaking. Others include snacks or a luxury lunch. With all the options available you can choose the one that best suits your plans and preferences.

It is worth noting that only by boat or swimming is it possible to reach the most attractive sites on the island. For example, the sea caves are the most requested by tourists and the boat with a guided tour is the best way to explore them. You always have the option to travel by ferry and once there, explore on your own, but this can be a bit more expensive.

Finally, keep in mind that these tours are one of the things you can do in Capri in September, as the cold of winter does not yet reach the island in that month. It is best to enjoy these tours in summer or autumn, so you can enjoy the water of the beaches and sea caves.

What to see on Capri boat trips?

Faraglioni di Pizzolungo| ©Juan Pablo Aparicio
Faraglioni di Pizzolungo| ©Juan Pablo Aparicio

The island of Capri has been nicknamed "the whim of the gods" for being an exclusive marine paradise. The island has a very small territory of just 6.3 km in length and a width of approximately 2.7 km. In spite of being small, you will find many tourist sites to enjoy.

With boat trips you can visit the different beaches and sea caves. This is an almost magical experience. If you manage to snorkel or scuba dive you can also get to know the interior of the sea. Also, inside the caves you can see how the sunlight reflects on the water and forms a perfect backdrop for great photographs.

On the other hand, on the island you will find a variety of historical sites such as the Villa Jovis. This is a former imperial palace that belonged to the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Exploring the island you can visit it and admire all the luxuries that are still preserved. The Gardens of Augustus is another must-see. It's a beautiful green area located on a beautiful street on the coast of Capri.

It's worth noting that being such an exclusive island, you're bound to see some celebrities during your visit. I recommend you keep your eyes peeled for your favourite artist.

Here is a table comparing all options

  • Full day boat trip around Capri
  • Price: around 130 €.
  • Duration: approximately 8 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: with this excursion you will get to know all the highlights of the island of Capri. It also includes snacks and drinks.
  • Disadvantages of this option: no extra activities are included.
  • Boat tour with visit to the Blue Grotto
  • Price: about 130 €.
  • Duration: about 8 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: on this trip you will be able to spend much more time in the Blue Grotto and thus swim and enjoy the cave much more.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it does not include an extra stop.
  • Small group boat and snorkelling tour
  • Price: approximately 150 €.
  • Duration: about 4 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to do an entertaining activity led by trained staff. In addition, everything you need to do it is included in the final price.
  • Disadvantages of this option: as it is snorkelling oriented, you won't get to see much of the island of Capri.
  • Kayak tour of the caves and beaches of Capri
  • Price: approximately 50 €.
  • Duration: about 2 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: kayaking is an ecological sport that will help you exercise while you get to know the island of Capri and its most beautiful corners.
  • Disadvantages of this option: although the experience can be adapted to all kinds of people, some may get tired faster due to the effort. Keep this in mind if you are a sedentary person.
  • Cruise to Capri with Happy Hour
  • Price: approximately 100 €.
  • Duration: about 2 hours.
  • Advantages of this option: you can tour the whole island and celebrate on board a cruise with the best music, drinks, food and company.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it does not make specific stops at caves or tourist sites, but rather tours them and focuses on the experience on board the cruise.