JillDavis

I have a few questions about the boat tours around Capri:

1) What is the best tour company to do this with? I would like a nice boat for a decent price.

2) Is it better to take one of those smaller boats so you can go in and out of the grottos? I know with the blue grotto you need to get into a row boat. However, what about all of those other grottos? I would think it would be really fun to enter in some of these grottos and swim a little bit.

3) Have you done the nighttime tour of the blue grotto? I am curious about that....

4) Alternatively, it might be cool to do everything on a jet ski so you can get in and around these grottos easily. Just a thought???

We are staying in Positano, so it might be kind of nice if it left from Positano. However, it doesn't have to leave from there.

Steve_James

Hi Jill -

Gennaro & Salvatore get good reviews for boat tours from Positano:

http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it/

Others from the Amalfi Coast include:

http://www.amalficoastyacht.it/en/yachts/index.htm
http://www.amalfisails.it/
http://www.amalficoastlines.com/amalfi_yachts_tour.html
http://www.amalficoastlines.com/engl...y_cruises.html

From Capri itself you will find some links for island tour companies at:

http://www.capri.net/
http://www.caprieventi.com/en/transfers

Hope this helps ...

Steve

JillDavis

Steve - thank you so much for the information. I appreciate you providing all those websites.

I have actually looked into all of those websites, however I was looking for personal experiences because it is hard to determine which company may be the best price for the best experience. Also, I had some questions. (as you can tell from my post)

Dayle

Jill,

When I was there, I took a 2 hour (approx.) tour around the island on a relatively small, open air wooden boat. I believe there were 15 passengers. I'm sorry I've lost the ticket and don't remember the name, but it wasn't expensive.

I chose this one because I didn't want to be on one of the larger boats with cabin areas and so many more people. I like the wind in my hair and the sun!

We didn't get to go into the Blue Grotto because the seas were too rough that day. I didn't miss it. Our tour guide did take us in close to some other grottos where we could see the effect of the sun reflecting, bellisima! We also saw a grotto where red coral was growing and went right between the Farogolini (SP?). Great pictures!

This was definitely the highlight of my 2 nts in Anacapri. Didn't care much for the town or piazza area of Capri itself. Not into overpriced, designer shopping.

Don't know about jet skis. With as rough as the Bay of Naples was that day, I wouldn't have wanted to be on one. The opposite side of the island was very calm.
Buon viaggio!

bardo1

<i>We are staying in Positano, so it might be kind of nice if it left from Positano. However, it doesn't have to leave from there.</i>

Just take one of the many boats that leave from the docks at Capri. They all have similar seats and the views are exactly the same no matter which one you take. I would just go to the dock and get a ticket on the next boat leaving so you're not waiting around on the docks.

If you'll allow - I feel you are SERIOUSLY overthinking this. You'll have a wonderful experience no what which boat you are on. This is just something that doesn't need pre-planning.

MoonGirl

We had a good experience with Capri Relax when we were there a few years ago: http://www.caprirelaxboats.com/en/index
It was a private tour of 3-4 hours; I don't recall the price but it was definitely a highlight of the trip. I'm sure there is a significant price difference between private and small group tours, but if you are interested in stopping and swimming, private may be the way to go -- the captain is at your beck and call. With respect to the Blue Grotto, it is effectively staked out by boatmen in small rowboats who will prevent your boat from entering -- you really have no choice but to transfer into one of their rowboats (and pay extra) to go in and out of the grotto.

We booked through our hotel once we arrived on Capri. Depending on what time of year you travel (we were there in October, which is a shoulder/almost off- season) weather may play a factor, so I would allow some flexibility in your planning. Our hotel owner looked out the window each day and said "not today," "not today," and then finally "today is the day for your boat trip."

Enjoy!

nytraveler

I think jet skis are a really BAD idea. You have no idea how rough the water can be - or how small are the entrances to some of the grottos- the Blue Grotto particularly - are. there is no way a jet ski could get inside. IF the water is very calm a rowboat can get in - but everyone inside has to be lying down in the boat - no heads or arms above the level of the boat or outside - or you could be smashed against the rocks.

Agree you are overthinking this. there are a large number of very beautiful wooden launches - which take about 20 to 25 people all seated in the open - and with all of them you will get a tour around the island (unless you pick one just going to the Blue Grotto).

and be sure to check the weather before you go. Our hotel told us not to the first day we had planned to - they said the water was too choppy - in May. the next day they said the water was calm enough and we went. And getting into the Grotto was still tricky.

suec1

It used to be that if you went by bus to the Blue Grotto, and I think late in the day when the rowboats had stopped, you could jump in and swim into the Blue Grotto. I'm a pretty good swimmer and the thought made me nervous - the opening is tight! and the water swells up - no way I'd try to enter on a jet-ski. I can't remember if we even saw any on Capri when we were there in May. If the weather is good for the grotto you can either do a round the island tour that maybe off-loads to the grotto rowboats OR do just the grotto from the main dock. If you are only doing a day trip to Capri that might be a good idea - then you have more time to explore the rest of the island. There is more to see than just the high-priced shops near the piazetta. Its a wonderful island for strolling / hiking plus Anacapri and the chairlift. Enjoy!

JillDavis

That's exactly what I am trying to avoid. I have seen pictures of those boats with 25 people jammed into the boat like sardines. A lot of the boat companies that I have been looking into requires pre-planning because you have to book them in advance. You can't just show up at the dock.

Good points about the jet skis. Glad I posted this question.

Dayle

Jill,

When I was there, I stayed in Praiano for 3 nts, then went to Anacapri for 2. I knew from Fodor's postings to get my tickets from Positano to Capri reserved ahead. My hotel did this for me on 24 hrs advance. Lots of people trying to do a "day trip" to Capri don't realize how much demand there is out of Positano, and end up having to wait for the later boat. I had reserved the 9:30 a.m. departure (if I remember approximately) and the next departure wasn't until 11:30 a.m. All those people waiting now had a 1/2 "day trip" to Capri.

My tour around the island was impromptu. I just caught the jammed little shuttle bus down from Anacapri and checked out the marina for something that looked good. The small boat I was on didn't feel crowded at all. No one was packed in, but we did not stop to swim. I did see other, smaller wooden boats with about 4 -6 people. They were stopping to swim in the grottos.

My experience (second visit to Amalfi Coast) was in mid-Sept. I decided if I ever go back, I will go during shoulder season, plant my butt in a beautiful villa, relax, eat and drink. No more SITA buses unless it's in the winter. Then, they are great.....

Hope this helps!

peter80

We had an amazing Capri Island Boat tours with the Amalfi Coast Private Tours company (http://www.amalficoastprivatetours.c...ast-boat-tours) and it was amazing.The tour started at around 9 am until 6 pm and included, the tour of the island and the following grottos Blue Grotto, The Red Coral Grotto, Faraglioni Rocks, The White Grotto and several stops for swimming and snorkelling, 3 hours by yourself exploring the Island plus towels, refreshments like fresh fruits, cheeses and salami platters and some home made Italian dishes, Prosecco, Beers, soft drinks and water. It incredible and the skipper spoke great English and it was very funny!

Rubicund

Peter80, this thread is almost 5 years old, I'd guess that the OP's been to Capri by now!

jk20f

Thank you peter80 for input. Other people are interested in the topic & still read and appreciate the information.

Klem_sorrento

Hello everyone, maybe this advice will no longer be useful for gills but it can help someone.
I can recommend a company that I contacted for my boat tour in Capri starting from Sorrento (but you can also leave from Capri, Positano and Amalfi), the name of the company is while that of the skipper Alberto.

https://www.excursionboatsorrento.com

Personally I advise you to enter the blue cave in one of the many small rowing boats at the entrance. I refer you to this link where everything is specified including faq, prices and times, about the boat tour in Capri and the Blue Grotto:

https://www.excursionboatsorrento.co...e-blue-grotto/

I hired a private boat with a skipper and once arrived near the blue grotto Alberto explained how to do it. I refer you the link with private rental boats with prices and personalized routes.

https://www.excursionboatsorrento.co...-boats-rental/

In any way you decide to do the tour I highly recommend it, it's a fantastic experience!

giesen5

If you want to drive a boat yourself, take a look at: https://www.capri.com/en/c/capri-boat-banana-sport

Last summer we rented a boat and drove around the island ourselves, it was the highlight of our three week trip! We did not go in the grottos, but were able to swim many, many times off the boat. It was so great.