I need some suggestions about our day trip to Capri in July 2009. We will be coming from Naples by ferry or hydrofoil early morning. I will be traveling with my 10 year old son & my 65+ father. Walking needs to be minimal due to my father's slow pace. We definately want to take one of the boat tours around the island, still haven't decided how long of a tour we will need to take...2 hr, 4 hr, or 6 hr.

The sites which i would like to see on the boat tour are: THE GREEN CAVE, FARAGLIONI, THE WHITE CAVE WITH ITS MYSTERIOUS STALACTITES, MARINA PICCOLA , CALA DEL RIO, THE LIGHTHOUSES, PUNTA CARENA, BLUE GROTTO, THE URCHIN ROCK, THE SAINTS CAVE, THE CORALS CAVE AS A THROAT OF A WHALE, SIRENS ROCKS ETC

On land we would like to see: Capri...Villa Jovis & From Anacapri catch the chairlift, Via Caposcuro 10 to Monte Solaro

...and back in enough time to catch the ride back to Naples.

another question is it better to take the boat tour in the morning and visit the cities in the afternoon or vice/versa????

First of all, there's now way you're going to see all that in the limited time you have (the last ferries go back to Naples late afternoon).

Second, the Villa Jovis is quite a long walk on a somewaht paved track (no cars or transport)for someone with minimal walking ability. (Perhaps a cab can be hired to get close - I'm not sure.)

Third, to see the Blue Grotto from a launch you have to be able to transfer from the launch to a rowboat and back in the open sea. (Only row boats, in which you lie down, one person leaning back on the next - are small enought to get through the entrance. If the seas are a little rough you can get in only under water.) You can also catch a row boat from the shore to do the trip - but I beleive have to walk down (then back up) a fairly long staircase to get to the boats. (We went via launch so don;t have details on the staircase.)

Fourth, Capri and Anacapri are small towns - not cities. the former is primarily pedestrian only.

Capri is not really convenient for those with mobility problems.

Well as I remember you can get the boats that circle the island from the harbor area where the ferry docks so it should be possible to do one of the boat tours. Maybe you and your son can go into the grotto and have gramps wait on the boat. Also at the harbor there are buses that go up to Anacapri and a funicular that goes to Capri and of course taxis. You could decide which of those are most accessible to see more of the island but I really don't think you can see it all!

I have to say there was a great deal of walking involved when we did our day trip there. My husband has emphysema-we took it slow...

That is an awful lot for just a day trip and I agree with the above that Capri is difficult for people who can't walk much.

Be advised that the Blue Grotto is not something you can visit on any given day due to tides. I've been to Capri twice and both times I was unable to get in. I hope your luck is better than mine.

Ok, I think i've got it....

Leave Naples on 7:am hydrofoil, arrive by 8:am
Take the Funicular to Anacapri to the Monte Solaro Chair lift
it opens at 9:30am, plenty of time to look around.

Then return to Capri to see the Villa Jovis and have lunch,

Arrange our boat tour of the island around 2m. We could do a 2 hour boat tour or 4 hour and return in enough time to catch the hydrofoil back to Naples, last one leaves at 7:55pm.

All of the other sights were mentioned when inquiring about the boat tours.

I think the 2-hour boat tour that I took covered all of the places you list. It certainly covered most of them. If the Blue Grotto is a priority for you, you might consider checking with the boat operators at soon as you arrive. They should know about the tides, so they can advise you when it would make most sense to take the boat tour. (As others have noted, tides can prevent access to the grotto.) I would also urge you to confirm the ferry schedules when you reach Capri - as I understand it, they are subject to change. (Not to mention that they can end up being full.) Good luck!

Scratch Villa Jovis from the itinerary, I just realized how far it is from everything.

What about the Villa San Michele instead?

The Blue Grotto would be wonderful for my son to experience but not so much a necessity. We will still be seeing alot of other things for him to enjoy.

When we went to Capri we also only had a day. We took the boat over from Amalfi for the day. We had met people at dinner the night before who had done the same thing. They told us to negotiate hard with one of the open air taxis when we got off of the boat. We had the best day! Our dirver was Mauritzio. He took us up to Capri Town and we walked around and then met back up with him at the appointed time and place. We drove up to Anacapri and again walked up down and around the tiny streets and Augustus Park and took in the beautiful views. After that we drove to the other side where the Blue Grotto is. The drive was spectacular-seemed like we were driving through the Garden of Eden. We didn't go down to the grotto, but we did have a marvelous lunch at Il Riccio which hangs over the water high above. After lunch we drove to a beautiful site of Ancient Roman ruins in a pine forest park with pathways going to more overlooks. The open air taxi could be a good solution. It is a good way to see a lot in one day. Have a fabulous time whatever you decide.

misstfy - You commented you're taking the funicular to Anacapri...unless that was a typo, the funicular doesn't go to Anacapri. You'll need the bus or a taxi.

oops, funicular was a typo...i've been reading so much i was confused