I have read that the Smeraldo Grotto near Amalfi is a good alternative to the Blue Grotto on Capri, any recommendations? How long does it take to do the Blue grotto experience from the jetty and return?

If we take a ferry Positano Capri Sorrento do you get a reasonable look at Capri from the water? Is it worth taking a boat trip around the island? Do you have any idea what it costs to do a boat trip around Capri and how long it would take? ?Thanks

Two summers ago, our private boat tour around Capri cost $60/hour. We stopped at the Blue Grotto, ( my kids actually swam inside the Grotto and really enjoyed that) and the whole trip took about 4 hours.

On the ferry, you'll get a peak at Capri, but nothing like what you'd see if you took a real tour. One that is highly recommended here on the forum seems to be the Salvatore and ( help! BLANKING ON OTHER NAME!) guided boat tour that leaves from the dock at Positano. If you check previous posts, you should be able to find it easily.

There is no comparison between the Smerlado Grotto and the Blue Grotto on Capri. The Blue Grotto can be beautiful in the right sunlight and it is amusing to be taken inside with the different boats,etc. but you have to be in the right mindset which is laid back both literally and mentally.

The Emerald Grotto is sort of cheesy and overall I was disappointed in it. If you have time you can do both otherwise I would recommend the Blue Grotto.

I would also recommend taking a boat around the Isle of Capri, it is amazing.

You should bear in mind that access to the blue grotto is only possible if the sea is really calm because the entrance is so small, so it is often closed. The emerald grotto near Amalfi is entered on dry land so should always be open. The boat trip around Capri is stunning, and takes about an hour if the boat doesn't stop at the blue grotto. One operator is Laser Capri but the web site -www.lasercaprisrl.com - doesn't seem to be working. Also see www.motoscafisticapri.com. The boats are fairly frequent and there is no need to hire a private boat to do this trip.

You won't see much of Capri going via the ferry, as it docks at the port and does not go around the island or make other stops. If you take the ferry home at sunset at it is a clear evening you will get a stunning silhouette of the island as the sun sets behind it. (Go to sunrisesunset.com for sunset times all year in various locations.)

As noted above, you could hire a small motorboat with a driver to take you around the island. Waters can be a bit choppy and boats look a bit low in the water. If you are interested in a one-day charter on a cabin cruiser, I can recco one.

I believe Weadles is referring to:

Gennaro e Salvatore Capraro
Via Trara Genoino, 13
Positano - ITALY
Email: [email protected]

www.syrene.it/gennaroesalvatore

If can't find the website, " Gennaro e Salvatore Capraro" on a search and then their website should be the first link.

Cabin: +39 089 811613
Office: +39 089 875 211
Officce2: +39 089 875475
Fax: + 39 089 875475
Gennaro: + 39 368 455818
Salvatore: +39 368 445434

I have not used them but they do get excellent reccos on this site.

Although I cannot speak to the Blue Grotto, my vote is not to waste your time on the Emerald Grotto.

We'd hired a car and cruised the Amalfi Coast, including the Emerald Grotto, Amalfi, Positano, Ravello & Paestum. While in the grotto I found myself thinkin' "what am I doing wasting my time with this cheesy side show?"

Oh I don't know - I didn't find the Emerald Grotto THAT cheesy - it was kinda fun, and the kids loved it. The boatman was funny. He said to a couple of Americans "awesome", and they said "don't know what you are talking about - we Americans never say awesome". Sure you don't!

I thought the emerald grotto rather a waste of time too! We hired a private boat to take us to Capri for the day. We toured around the island and it was wonderful. We spent a few hours on Capri, but even in May, it was so crowded, we did not enjoy it. I believe others recommend that if you don't spend the night, don't go. I would definitely not recommend a day trip unless you just have to see it.

They don't compare really. They are both beautiful, however, the Blue Grotto is much more famous than the other. If you are taking the ferry from Positano-Capri-Sorrento is it not stopping in Capri? I have not heard of that route before....The cruise around the island is about 11 euros and you can get one of the boats in the harbor (near the boats for the Blue Grotto). I was interested in the cruise but didn't take it, I understand that it takes over 1 hour. Someone else that has done this can give you more information.

Huitres, we were planning on the ferry from Positano to Capri, spending the day there then ferry to Sorrento. Thanks everyone for your info. Any other suggestions of things to do on Capri if we only have 1 day. We also have 2 boys 12 & 10 so doing a walk and climb on the rocks etc would be fun.

Blue Grotto, if you can get in. If not, go to the Smeraldo Grotto. Absolutely worth taking a boat trip around the island. Cost is about 7 euro (we took Laser), and you got to see THAT green grotto, or rather water, which was incredible, all of the rocks, natural arch, white grotto, etc etc. And if the blue grotto is open, they stop there where you can jump into one of the small boats that go inside, pay them 8 euro per person (plus tip), for the peak inside which, at least for me and all the people who went with me, an experience not to be missed. I even took pictures with my camera phone!