Tony

When is the best time of the day to see the famous Blue Grotto on the Isle of Capri? Any other tips? We'll be there in early May.

Myer

Wasting over 2 hours to see the Blue Grotto was the worst mistake we made on our last trip. A day on Capri is short enough as it is.<BR><BR>After getting off the boat from Sorrento we immediately boarded another for the Blue Grotto. We then bobbed in the water for an hour waiting our turn as you must get into little row boats and lie down to enter the Grotto. You pay about 3 times to everyone who can get their hands on you.<BR><BR>After finally entering the grotto, your guide sings Volare and you see a bit of blue light in the water. Basically it's a cave with water in it.<BR><BR>After exiting we got back on the boat and bobbed some more as we waited for the rest of the people to go through this.<BR><BR>As a result we spent a few hours walking around Capri and never got to Annacapri.<BR><BR>Capri is a beautiful island. Don't waste half your time bobbing in a boat!!!

evelyntrav

Myer said it all. The best time we had on Capri was walking alsong the coast as far away from the center of the tourist shops as possible.

Pauline

Tony,<BR><BR>Have to agree with Myer. Buy a post card. Unless seeing the Blue Grotto is a "MUST SEE. MUST SEE", don't bother. For me, it was a time consuming, dissappointing, waste of money.

Sharon

We went to Capri during the month of October and in the morning of the day we were to take the boat out to the Grotto it was too turbulent, but later it cleared up and we took the short cruise. Afterwards, we said to each other--was that it? I would have rather gone back to Sorrento. However, the view from Anacapri is beautiful and much more interesting.

joy

I'm glad that we weren't able to go to the Blue Grotto last summer. Its not for lack of trying but the water was rough so they suspended the boat trips that day. My son was disappointed but I told him there is another grotto we can go to (Grotto Smeraldo or Green Grotto along the Amalfi Coast). Instead we had a glorious time in Capri wandering through the narrow streets, got to Anacapri and even met a wonderful Italian family whom we shared a taxi ride to the shore for our trip back to Sorrento. <BR><BR>BTW, the Green grotto, when we went, has no line, quite short (its a very small cave) and probably just as wonderful!!.

Maria

I saw the Blue Grotto about 25 years ago on my first trip to Italy. I was part of a group of about 10 people and we rented a sailboat and spent the better part of the day sailing around the island and stopping by to see the Grotto was part of the trip. It was wonderful, and I think definitely worth it. <BR>Since then I have tried to take my daughter twice to see the Grotto and both times, we were told the water was too choppy or too high to get in. THE SECRET IS TO PLAN YOUR TRIP FOR LATER IN THE DAY. Don't get off the hydrofoil and immediately march over to get on the boat for the Blue Grotto. That's what everyone does, and most people end up coming back from a wasted trip without making it in. <BR>On the same day when we were told we couldn't get in, we ran into some people who had successfully visited the Grotto later in the afternoon. That's when the water is usually calmer and less people are in line to visit it. Another tip: we spent well over an hour in line to take the bus up the hill, and another hour to come back down and it was a very crowded bus. These same people we spoke to hired a driver as soon as they arrived and he drove them all around all day, so they got in more sightseeing and he then made sure they were back at the dock in time to catch the boat for the Blue Grotto. If you only have a short time on Capri, that's the most efficient use of your time.

Tess

Myer has said it all. This is a MUST MISS tourist rip-off. <BR><BR>I will repeat Myer's words,<BR><BR>&gt;&gt; After finally entering the grotto, your guide sings Volare and you see a bit of blue light in the water. Basically it's a cave with water in it.&lt;&lt; <BR>That's all there is to it! I promise you, cross my heart, there is nothing else to the experience. A waste of time & money.<BR><BR>Repeat after me, "JUST SAY NO TO THE BLUE GROT-TO ... " <BR><BR><BR>

JB

I thought the Blue Grotto was one of the highlights of our last trip to Italy! We stayed 4 nights in Anacapri, so had plenty of time away from the tourist hordes. On our last day on the island we went for a long walk, meandering in the direction of the grotto. When we got there, we walked right down to the water, got right in a boat and went right in! No big expectations, no big wait, but totally big fun! The sea was pretty choppy that day so getting through the "hole" was an adventure...we all got a little wet, were just amazed at the whole thing, and it was very, eerily, beautiful. And I liked the cheesy singing! Once we were in the waves were momentarily closing up the entrance hole as they crashed in (freaked me out a bit!), but there we were bobbing around in our little blue heaven and our boat-guy singing "Torna a Surriento". Magical! The only problem was that I wanted to stay in there all afternoon instead of 5 minutes. <BR><BR>Anyway, as you can guess, I recommend the Blue Grotto! We were also there in May, and I think walking down (as opposed to doing all the boat transfers and waiting, like the others experienced) is the way to go. As for time of day, if the sea is too rough they won't go in, so you have to play it by ear. We went in the afternoon, so that is what I would advise to try (but get your hotel to call first to make sure it's open.)

John

Hi Tony,<BR><BR>Another vote for the Blue Grotto . . . in the afternoon.<BR><BR>Rather than take a boat filled with tourists, my wife and I rented a boat (with driver) for a leisurely tour around the island (about $10 more than the crowded tourist boat).<BR><BR>We spent 1/2 day touring the island, swimming and did the Blue Grotto as a small part of a pretty romantic 1/2 day.<BR><BR>Was the Blue Grotto the highlight - no. Was it a complementary piece - yes.<BR><BR>Have fun.

abc

Blue Grotto boat trip is a rip off. It lasted about 5 seconds and wasn't very impressed with it. I heard you can swim into the Blue grotto after the boats stop going their, around 5 o'clock. That might be fun.

Michelle

I was leery about going to the Blue Grotto after reading posts on this sight. However, my kids really wanted to go so we did and I don't regret it. Fortunately, although we went before lunch (in June!) we didn't have much of a wait at all. Part of the experience was scrambling in and out of the little rowboat. Inside the grotto, the rowers sang an Ave Maria-type hymn. It was lovely! I definitely thought it was more than a bit of blue light in a cave!

abc

Blue Grotto boat trip is a rip off. It lasted about 5 seconds and wasn't very impressed with it. I heard you can swim into the Blue grotto after the boats stop going their, around 5 o'clock. That might be fun.

Patrick

We spent three wonderful days and nights on Capri and managed to "escape" the Blue Grotto, despite being nearly attacked by hawkers begging us to go. NOT seeing it appears to be one of the smartest travel decisions I have made.

Grasshopper

I liked the Blue Grotto. We had no wait at all and it lasted much more than 5 minutes. Inside the cave the boatman waited while we jumped out and swam around a bit. And he waited willingly I might add. I thought it was well worth the time although maybe we were just lucky that we got there when there were perfect conditions and no wait?

hamlet

Since Tony asked "when," not "should" I inferred that he was set on going, but the part asking for any other tips opens up for all the naysayers.<BR><BR>I would agree that the Blue Grotto pretty much ranks as just a tourist attraction, but I wouldn't say it was a complete rip off and/or total waste of time either. I've gone (1996) and I don't regret it. I don't remember how much it costs which tells me I didn't think it was a rip off, otherwise I'd remember!<BR><BR>I took a morning ferry to Capri and got on a boat to the grotto right away. I didn't think it took all that much time out of my day on Capri. I don't know if going late in the day is actually less time consuming or not.<BR><BR>Tony, how much time will you be spending in Capri? If you've just got a day, then I would think about it. If you're there for a few days, then I would say you should definitely go.<BR><BR>Is it hokey and commercialized? Absolutely. Is it a pretty sight? Yes. You could certainly live without seeing it, but I wouldn't give up the chance to go.

Tess

Okay you grotto lovers. Has anybody been to both the Blue Grotto AND the Green Grotto (the Smeraldo, along the road between Positano & Amalfi) ??? The Green looks easier to get to and is less hyped. Maybe it'll do for your grotto experience. Personally I think the Blue Grotto is way oversold. If you'll be on Capri for a week & have time to kill, then okay, go see it. As for tips?<BR>(1) Make sure it's bright & sunny when you go. My 5-minute trip was cloudy & I didn't get the "full magical experience". Maybe that's why I'm a naysayer on seeing it.<BR>(2) Wear tennis shoes or rubber soled shoes. You'll be stepping from ferry into a small row boat. Also, as you enter the grotto they ask you to lie down in the row boat so as not to hit your head --- avoid any white pants or shorts!

ttt

Up for those going to Amalfi area.<BR><BR>

syl

Whatever you do, make sure you get up to Anacapri and take the chairlift to the top. It's breathtaking.

Michael Strickland

We spent two days in Capri last fall but didn't try to see the Blue Grotto. I figured it would be a zoo. But I too have heard one can try to swim in at the end of the day, when the boats have gone. I'm a strong swimmer, so am certainly willing to give this a try this fall, when we return to the Naples area. Has anyone tried this?