Reviewed · BOAT TOURS IN CAPRI

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri

★ 4.5 · 25 reviews 8 hours (approx.) From $601 Operated by Sorrento Sea Tours · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this tour is its freedom: you can spend the day moving between Capri’s sea caves, Faraglioni rocks, and Positano’s Spiaggia Grande without being tied to a large group schedule. The boat carries only your party, up to 12 people, and the captain can adjust the day around swimming, sightseeing, and time ashore.

I like the included snorkel gear, towels, snacks, and drinks, and I like that the boat enters the Green and White Grottos instead of simply pointing them out from offshore. The main drawback is cost. At $601.79 per person, plus a stated €300 fuel charge per booking and possible extra fees, this is a high-priced outing that needs careful cost checking before you pay.

Key points to know before booking

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - Key points to know before booking

  • Four hours around Capri: See the Faraglioni, White Grotto, Green Grotto, Blue Grotto area, and Capri town.
  • Two hours in Positano: Step ashore at Spiaggia Grande for shops, views, and the principal church.
  • Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group does not share the activity with strangers.
  • Swimming equipment included: Towels, snorkels, drinks, snacks, and insurance are provided.
  • Blue Grotto costs extra: The cave entrance is listed at €18 per person, with a separate wooden rowboat required.
  • Confirm the departure point and full price: The tour can start from Sorrento, Positano, or Capri, but an incorrect meeting address caused one party to lose 45 minutes.

Capri and Positano by private boat in one long day

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - Capri and Positano by private boat in one long day

This is an eight-hour coastal outing built for people who want the famous sights but do not want to spend the whole day on roads or crowded ferries. You travel by private boat from Sorrento, Positano, or Capri, depending on the booking arrangement, and combine open-water views with time on land.

The route gives you a taste of two very different places. Capri is polished and scenic, with caves, rock formations, gardens, shops, and the Piazzetta. Positano is a steep seaside town where the main pleasure is walking ashore, looking up at the stacked houses, and browsing boutiques near the beach.

I see the tour’s flexibility as its strongest feature. If your group cares more about swimming than shopping, you can spend more time in the water. If Capri town is the priority, you can use the free time there rather than treating the island as a quick photo stop.

Still, the schedule is full. Capri takes about four hours, Positano about two, and several cave and shoreline stops fill the remaining time. You will see a lot, but this is not a slow, thorough visit to either destination.

More Boat Tours in Capri

The Capri run includes caves, rocks, and time ashore

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - The Capri run includes caves, rocks, and time ashore

Capri is the main part of the day, with roughly four hours assigned to the island. The boat route includes several of the island’s most recognizable coastal sights, while free time gives you a chance to go ashore and choose your own pace.

The Faraglioni rocks are the classic Capri sight. These tall sea stacks sit near Marina Piccola, and one is associated with the Arc of Love. The tour description also refers to the rare blue lizard connected with one of the rocks, a small detail that adds character to what could otherwise be a quick postcard stop.

You will also pass the White Grotto. Its name comes from the pale stalactites that reflect in the water, and a small Madonna is built into the rock inside. The planned stop lasts about 15 minutes, so think of it as a short look and possible swim rather than a long cave visit.

The Green Grotto is another 15-minute stop. Here, the boat enters the cave and you can jump into the clear water. This is one of the tour’s most useful features for active visitors: snorkels and towels are supplied, and the itinerary allows time in the water instead of keeping the boat moving constantly.

The Blue Grotto is the island’s headline attraction, but it works differently. The boat does not simply carry you inside. To enter, you pay the €18 fee per person and transfer to one of the small wooden rowing boats used inside the cave. The Blue Grotto entrance is optional, and the sea conditions and access process can affect how much time you have for the rest of Capri.

That extra cost matters. If four people in your group want to enter, the cave fee alone is €72, before considering the separate port charge and fuel cost. Ask exactly how the timing and payment work before setting your heart on this stop.

Capri town gives you several ways to spend free time

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - Capri town gives you several ways to spend free time

During your free time ashore, the Piazzetta is the natural starting point. It is the central square of Capri town, with paths leading toward shops, gardens, and higher viewpoints.

You can browse Via Camerelle, the island’s well-known shopping street, or walk to the Gardens of Augustus. The gardens are described as one of Capri’s main attractions, with striking views over the coast and the Faraglioni. You can also consider Mount Solaro or Marina Grande, though the available time may not allow all of these choices.

This is where the private format helps. You are not forced into one walking route, and your group can decide what matters most. The tradeoff is that the boat time and shore time are limited. If you want a leisurely garden visit, extensive shopping, and Mount Solaro in the same stop, four hours may feel tight.

The itinerary uses free time rather than promising a guided walking tour of Capri. That is good for independent visitors who like choosing their own route, but less helpful if you want detailed information about every street and sight.

Positano means two hours at Spiaggia Grande

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - Positano means two hours at Spiaggia Grande

The boat drops you at Spiaggia Grande, Positano’s main beach, rather than leaving you at a distant point above town. That saves some uphill walking and puts you close to the town’s most familiar views.

You have about two hours ashore. Use that time to walk along the beach, browse the famous boutiques, and visit the principal church. Positano is compact in area but steep, so sensible shoes are more useful than dress shoes, even though the stated dress code is smart casual.

Two hours is enough for a clear first look. It is not enough for a relaxed exploration of every lane, shop, and church interior. If shopping is important to you, keep track of time. The boat schedule still has to include the return route and the sea stops.

The shore access also makes this tour appealing for people who want both water and town time. You are not limited to viewing Positano from offshore, yet you avoid giving the whole day to a land excursion.

Marina del Cantone adds a local food connection

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - Marina del Cantone adds a local food connection

The route includes Marina del Cantone, an area known for restaurants and for the creation of spaghetti alla Nerano. That dish, associated with zucchini and cheese, is one of the region’s best-known local specialties.

The stop is useful as a possible meal setting, but restaurant arrangements deserve clear questions. One party was directed toward a restaurant and then learned of an extra charge, so the meal did not go ahead. I would not assume lunch is included in the tour price or that a suggested restaurant has no additional costs.

If you want to eat ashore, ask before departure about the restaurant, menu prices, reservation arrangements, and any boat or landing charges. The supplied snacks and drinks can help cover you if you prefer not to commit to a restaurant stop.

Caves, swimming, and the boat itself

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - Caves, swimming, and the boat itself

The swimming element is more than a small add-on. You have access to snorkel equipment and towels, and the boat carries soft drinks, water, Coke, fresh tea, beer, prosecco, limoncello, and snacks. The information also states that alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, so clarify which beverages are included and which may cost extra.

The boat is meant for a relaxed day on the water. You can sunbathe, swim, and take in the shoreline without repeatedly packing and unpacking for road transfers. A swimsuit is suggested, and smart casual clothing is the stated dress code for time ashore.

Sea conditions are still a real consideration. One family found that motion sickness and heat sickness affected the day, while a child was uncomfortable swimming at ocean level. The crew responded with floating noodles, life jackets, a boat shower, and alternate ways to cool down, but those problems cannot be removed entirely by a private booking.

If anyone in your group is new to open-water trips, plan conservatively. Bring any personal motion-sickness treatment you normally use, take the weather seriously, and tell the crew early if someone needs a slower pace. The private format gives the captain more room to help, but it does not make the sea calm.

Alice and Captain Tommy received especially warm praise

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - Alice and Captain Tommy received especially warm praise

Alice and Captain Tommy were singled out for patient, considerate service. Their handling of a difficult day was particularly notable: they helped with motion sickness and heat, supplied flotation support, offered the shower and swimming as cooling options, and helped the group find another restaurant after the first suggestion brought an unexpected charge.

If you can request them, it is worth asking. The tour may also be operated by a multilingual skipper guide, so the exact crew is not guaranteed. The larger point is that the quality of a private boat day depends heavily on communication with the captain.

Tell the crew what you want to see before setting off. The tour is flexible, but the booking information does not automatically make your priorities clear. If you want the Blue Grotto, extra swimming, more Capri town time, or a restaurant stop, say so in advance.

Is the $601.79 price good value?

Capri-Positano Private Boat Tour from Sorrento,Positano or Capri - Is the $601.79 price good value?

The advertised price is $601.79 per person, which places this outing in the luxury category. It can make sense for a group that values privacy, a flexible route, included refreshments, and a full day combining Capri and Positano.

The value improves when the cost is divided among several people and the private boat is genuinely useful to your group. Families, couples traveling with friends, and groups with different swimming or sightseeing priorities may get more from this setup than from a fixed shared cruise.

You also need to budget for listed extras:

  • A €300 fuel cost per booking
  • A possible €100 Marina Grande Capri port fee
  • An €18 Blue Grotto entrance fee per person
  • Alcoholic drinks that may be available for purchase
  • Any restaurant meal or additional restaurant charges

The fuel charge is especially important because it is listed separately from the included items. Ask for the complete total in writing before booking. Also confirm the meeting location, since the departure may be Sorrento, Positano, or Capri and one incorrect address resulted in a 45-minute delay.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 25 reviews, with 92 percent recommended. That is a strong record, though the small number of reviews means I would still focus on the practical details above rather than treating the rating as a guarantee.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

I would choose this tour for a group that wants the famous Amalfi Coast sights with room to adjust the day. It suits people who like swimming, coastal scenery, informal sightseeing, and a little independence once ashore.

It is also a good choice for families or mixed groups because the private format allows the crew to respond to different needs. A swimmer can use the snorkel gear while someone else stays aboard, and a child can use a life jacket or floating noodle if open-water swimming feels intimidating.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight, if you dislike boats, or if you want a detailed guided tour of Capri and Positano on foot. The price climbs quickly with fuel, port, cave, and restaurant charges, and the eight-hour schedule gives you only a short visit to each town.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that period are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund. Since the experience requires good weather, keep that policy in mind when planning a short trip.

Should you book it?

Book this private Capri and Positano boat tour if your priority is a personal day on the water, with cave stops, swimming, drinks, and the freedom to shape the route. It is particularly appealing for a group of several people who can share the fixed fuel cost and who value personal service from the skipper.

Before paying, confirm three things: the correct departure point, the full price including the €300 fuel charge, and what you want to do during the limited shore time. If Alice and Captain Tommy are available, request them. If those details are clear and the budget works, this is a strong way to see the coast from the sea rather than only from crowded roads.

FAQ

How long is the Capri and Positano private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Where can the tour start?

The experience can start from Sorrento, Positano, or Capri. Confirm the exact meeting location before the tour, since the departure point matters and an incorrect address previously caused a substantial delay.

How many people can join the private tour?

A maximum of 12 people can participate in one booking, and only your group takes part in the private activity.

Is the Blue Grotto entrance included?

No. The Blue Grotto entrance is optional and listed at €18 per person. Entering the cave also requires a small wooden rowing boat.

Is fuel included in the price?

A fuel cost of €300 per booking is listed separately. Ask the provider to confirm the complete price before departure.

Are snorkel equipment and towels provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and towels are included.

What food and drinks are included?

The included refreshments list contains snacks, water, Coke, fresh tea, beer, prosecco, and limoncello. Alcoholic drinks are also listed as available for purchase, so clarify which items carry an extra charge.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

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