From Amalfi: Li Galli and Capri Islands Boat Tour

Capri is best seen from the water, where the island’s cliffs, grottoes, and Faraglioni come together in one long coastal show. This full-day trip adds swimming stops, time ashore, and a final visit to the private islands of Li Galli.

I like the traditional gozzo boat, which gives the outing a more local feel than a large ferry. I also like the easy rhythm: swim, snack, cruise, explore Capri, then swim again. Alessandro, Alessandra, and Captain Mello are part of the crew experience.

The main drawback is the price: $258.29 per person, plus a €10 destination fee, and snorkeling gear and beach towels are not included. You also need to reach the Amalfi port yourself by 9:30am.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming areas: Punta Campanella, the Faraglioni near Capri, and Li Galli provide different settings for time in the water.
• A classic gozzo: You cruise in a typical local boat rather than simply taking a fast transfer to Capri.
• Two and a half hours on land: The Capri stop gives you time to explore independently, not just admire the island from the deck.
• Grotto views from the sea: The route includes the Marvellous Grotto, White Grotto, and Green Grotto.
• Blue Grotto is not part of the boat route: You can try to visit it during your free time on Capri, but waiting times can be long.
• Return to Amalfi around 4:45pm: The day runs from 9:30am to late afternoon, with no hotel pickup or drop-off.

Setting off from Amalfi in a traditional gozzo

You meet the crew at Molo Darsena, Amalfi’s port, at 9:30am. Plan your morning carefully. Hotel pickup is not included, and the tour ends at the same meeting point around 4:45pm.

The boat is a typical gozzo, the kind of small wooden vessel closely linked with the coast of Campania. That matters because the boat is part of the experience, not just transportation. You see the Amalfi Coast from the water, with the cliffs and towns changing as you move toward Capri.

The day begins with a welcome prosecco toast. Non-alcoholic drinks and dry snacks are included, so you have basic refreshments on board. Bring cash for the €10 destination fee, and bring extra food if you prefer something more substantial than light snacks.

The crew works in English and Italian. Alessandro and Alessandra are named members of the team, while Captain Mello is identified as the skipper. The available information does not give a set group size, so you should not book this expecting a private boat unless your reservation specifically confirms that.

Punta Campanella gives you the first swim

The first stop is Punta Campanella, a marine park at the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula. The water here is described as crystal clear, making it a strong early stop for swimming and snorkeling.

This is a good way to begin the day. You can get into the water before Capri, cool off, and settle into the boat routine. If you prefer staying dry, the stop also gives you time to sit back and watch the coast from the deck.

Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you have it. The same goes for a beach towel. A swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat belong in your day bag, not buried in luggage.

Use biodegradable sunscreen. You will spend much of the day near protected marine areas, and this small choice is more respectful of the water and wildlife.

Capri’s Faraglioni are best from sea level

Near Capri, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling by the Faraglioni. These three great rock formations are the island’s familiar symbols, but seeing them from the water gives them more scale and drama than a postcard does.

This is one of the strongest parts of the outing for anyone who wants a mixture of scenery and activity. You can swim with the rocks nearby, take photos from the boat, or simply enjoy the view without joining the water stop.

The sea conditions will shape how much you get from this part of the day. The tour can be canceled for bad weather, with the choice of another date or a full refund. Even on a scheduled sailing, wind and waves may affect the timing or comfort of the swim stops.

The boat route also includes the Marvellous Grotto, White Grotto, and Green Grotto. These coastal caves are among Capri’s most attractive sights, with openings, pale rock, and changing water color best appreciated from the sea. Exact time spent at each grotto is not given, so think of them as part of the coastal cruise rather than separate long excursions.

Two and a half hours to make your own Capri plan

The tour allows 2 hours and 30 minutes to explore Capri on land. This is a valuable part of the schedule because you are not limited to looking at Capri from the boat.

You have enough time to walk around, find a place for a meal, browse shops, or enjoy the island’s atmosphere at your own pace. The tour does not prescribe a land itinerary, so you should decide in advance what matters most to you.

That freedom is useful, but it comes with a tradeoff. Two and a half hours is enough for a taste of Capri, not a full island visit. You will need to watch the clock and return to the agreed meeting point on time.

The Blue Grotto is not included in the regular boat route because the wait can be long. You may try to visit it during your free time on Capri, but the available information gives no guarantee of entry or a specific arrangement. If the Blue Grotto is your main reason for visiting Capri, this tour may not be the best fit. If you care more about swimming, scenery, and a relaxed boat day, its omission keeps the schedule moving.

Li Galli finishes the day on a quieter note

After leaving Capri, the boat heads back toward Amalfi and makes a final swim stop at Li Galli. These private islands are also a protected marine park, so the stop is about the water and the setting rather than going ashore.

Li Galli is sometimes linked with old coastal legends and famous visitors, but this excursion keeps the emphasis on the sea. You swim, cool off, and enjoy the last stretch of the boat ride before returning to Amalfi.

The final stop is a smart choice in practical terms. After walking around Capri, you get another chance to relax on the boat and wash away the heat of the day. The crew also promises a final surprise, though the details are not specified, so do not book based on a particular expectation.

The return to Molo Darsena is scheduled for about 4:45pm. That makes this a full day, but not a late-night commitment. You still have the evening in Amalfi for dinner or a quiet walk.

What the $258.29 price really covers

At $258.29 per person, this is not a bargain sightseeing cruise. The €10 destination fee brings the required cost a little higher, and it is paid locally. You also pay separately for anything beyond the included non-alcoholic drinks and dry snacks.

The price makes more sense if you value the boat itself and the range of stops. You are combining a transfer-style cruise to Capri, several water stops, grotto viewing, free time on land, and a return swim at Li Galli. Booking separate boat transportation and swimming outings could take more planning and may not follow the same route.

Still, you should compare the inclusions carefully. Hotel pickup is not provided. Snorkeling equipment is not provided. Towels are not provided. Food is limited to dry snacks, so plan for lunch during your time on Capri or bring additional food if allowed by the operator.

The welcome prosecco is a pleasant start, but it should not be confused with an all-day drinks package. The listed inclusions specify non-alcoholic beverages and dry snacks. If you want wine, beer, or a full meal, check what is available before departure.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want Capri as part of a wider coastal day rather than as a stand-alone island visit. It suits people who like swimming, sunbathing, music, and scenic cruising, with enough free time to walk around on land.

It is also a good match if you want several chances to enter the water. Punta Campanella, the Faraglioni, and Li Galli each give the day a different setting, although the exact swim duration can vary.

You should think twice if you want a detailed guided tour of Capri’s streets and monuments. Your 2 hours and 30 minutes ashore are independent, and the driver language is English and Italian. The tour also is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The experience will be less appealing if you dislike boats, strong sun, or a fixed schedule. You need to reach Amalfi’s port on your own, return to the boat on time, and manage your own belongings during the swimming stops.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive at Molo Darsena with time to spare. The meeting time is 9:30am, and the boat cannot be treated like a hop-on service.

Wear swimwear under light clothing. Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a camera, and cash. A towel and snorkeling mask are especially useful because neither is included.

Use a waterproof pouch for your phone and any money you carry to the water stops. The supplied information does not specify storage arrangements on board, so keep your essentials compact.

Plan your Capri stop before you leave Amalfi. Decide if you want to focus on a walk, lunch, shopping, or the Blue Grotto. Trying to do everything in 2 hours and 30 minutes can turn free time into a race.

The music and happy-hour mood may appeal to you if you want a social, easygoing day. If you prefer a quiet boat ride, bring that expectation only loosely. The activity is designed around relaxation, drinks, swimming, and good music rather than silence.

Bad weather can cancel the trip. In that case, you receive either an alternative date or a full refund. For other cancellations, you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.

Should you book the Capri and Li Galli trip?

Book it if you want a full day that combines the Amalfi Coast, Capri, swimming, grotto scenery, and a traditional gozzo boat. The strongest reason to choose it is the balance between time on the water and 2.5 hours to explore Capri independently.

Skip it if your priority is the Blue Grotto, a long guided visit on Capri, or the lowest possible price. You should also budget for the €10 destination fee, lunch, and any equipment you need.

For the right person, this is a well-packed day with a clear coastal focus. The chance to swim near the Faraglioni and finish at Li Galli gives it more character than a simple ride to Capri and back.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Molo Darsena in the port of Amalfi.

What time should I meet the crew?

The meeting time is 9:30am.

What time does the tour return to Amalfi?

The scheduled return to Molo Darsena is around 4:45pm.

How long is the boat tour?

The activity lasts eight hours.

Is the Blue Grotto included?

No. The Blue Grotto is not included in the boat route because waiting times can be long. You may try to visit it during your free time on Capri.

How much free time is available on Capri?

You have 2 hours and 30 minutes to explore Capri on your own.

Are drinks and food included?

Non-alcoholic beverages and dry snacks are included. The tour also begins with a welcome prosecco toast.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you should bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour begins and ends at Molo Darsena in Amalfi.