Full day private boat tour to the Island of Capri

Capri is best seen from the water, and this private boat trip gives you a full day of cliffs, caves, swimming stops, and open-sea views without sharing the boat with strangers. Captain Gianni can shape the day around your group, from a quiet swim near Li Galli to a leisurely lunch in Nerano.

I especially like the private format, which lets you spend more time swimming or slow down for photographs instead of following a rigid group schedule. The shaded, sheltered rear seating, onboard bathroom, changing cabin, snacks, fresh fruit, and drinks also make this feel like a proper day at sea rather than a simple transfer.

The main drawback is the price: $2,102.77 per group of up to six is a serious splurge, especially for two people. You also need to bring sunscreen, and the Blue Grotto costs an additional 18 euros per person, with possible queues at the entrance.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six people: Your group has the captain and boat to itself, with room to shape the pace and stops.
• Li Galli swim stop: Spend about 40 minutes near the islands opposite Positano before continuing toward Capri.
• Capri’s famous sea caves: See the Red, White, Green, and optional Blue Grotto from the water.
• Faraglioni passage: Allow about an hour around Capri’s three famous sea stacks, with time for photographs and a close look.
• Lunch in Nerano: The fishing village offers a scenic place to stop, eat, and take a break from the boat.
• Drinks and swim gear included: Towels, snorkels, water, soda, beer, Spritz, limoncello, snacks, and fruit are provided.

Why a private boat is the smart way to see Capri

A boat trip around Capri is not the same as a visit to Capri town. This experience focuses on the island’s shoreline, caves, rock formations, and swimming water. You are not promised time to walk through Capri’s streets, shop, or visit the island’s gardens.

That distinction matters. If your main goal is to see the island’s famous sea scenery, a private boat gives you far more control than a standard ferry. You can pass under the Faraglioni, stop for a swim, and pause for photographs without racing from one fixed departure to the next.

The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. and lasts roughly six to seven hours. That gives you a full day without turning the outing into an exhausting dawn-to-dusk commitment. The tour begins and ends at the meeting point, with private transport included.

For a group of six, the price works out to about $350 per person. That is still expensive, but it becomes more reasonable when split among a full family or group of friends. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, so this makes the most financial sense when you can fill the boat.

Li Galli, the first swim near Positano

The first stop is Li Galli, a small island group opposite Positano. You spend about 40 minutes here, usually the kind of opening stop that sets the tone for the whole day.

This is a good place to get into the water before reaching Capri. The stop is not built around a long shore visit. Instead, you get sea air, a swim, and a first look at the coast from a boat that can reach places unavailable by road.

I like the way this stop breaks up the ride early. You are not simply sitting on the boat for hours while Capri slowly approaches. You can use the time to swim, try the provided snorkelling equipment, or relax with a cold drink and fresh fruit.

Bring your own sunscreen and apply it before boarding if possible. The water can feel wonderfully cool, but the sun reflecting off the sea is strong. A towel is supplied, so you do not need to pack one from your hotel.

Capri’s Red and White Grottos

The Red Grotto receives its name from red coral inside the cave. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, which is enough for a close look and photographs, but not a long swim or shore excursion.

The White Grotto follows, with about 20 minutes. Its pale appearance comes from the light-colored tuff forming the marine cavity. These stops are short, but they show how varied Capri’s rock formations can be. One cave feels darker and more strongly colored, while the other has a lighter, softer look.

You should keep your expectations practical. The captain may bring the boat close to the entrances, but sea conditions and boat traffic can affect exactly how much time you spend near each cave. These are viewing stops, not full cave expeditions.

The advantage of a private trip is that you can ask Gianni to explain what you are seeing and take your time with pictures. His local knowledge of the coast is a major part of the experience, especially when you want more than a quick name and a photograph.

The Faraglioni, Capri’s great photo stop

The Faraglioni are Capri’s best-known rocks, three large stone towers rising from the sea. The boat passes close to them and, when conditions allow, through the opening between the formations.

The schedule allows about an hour here. That is generous compared with a quick sightseeing pass. You can take photographs, admire the rocks from different angles, and enjoy the feeling of being right in the middle of Capri’s most recognizable view.

This is also one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat. A ferry can give you a distant look at the Faraglioni, but a smaller private vessel offers a more personal view. You can stay on the shaded rear seating, move around for better photographs, or ask for a pause before continuing.

The Faraglioni are famous, so this is not a secret corner of the island. Still, seeing them from sea level gives them a different scale. From the water, they feel less like a postcard background and more like huge natural gates.

The Green Grotto and its emerald water

The Green Grotto is scheduled for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, making it one of the longer Capri stops. Its name comes from the green light reflected across the cave walls and rocky roof.

This is a particularly good place for people who want the boat day to include real time in the water. The color can change with the sun, the angle of the boat, and the condition of the sea. Bring the snorkelling equipment if you want to look below the surface, though the tour does not promise a guided snorkel session.

The long stop also gives you breathing room after several sightseeing points. Capri can feel busy from land, but floating beside a cave with a drink or a piece of fruit is a much calmer way to experience the island.

The schedule is approximate, not a guarantee that every stop will receive exactly its listed time. The captain may need to adjust the route for weather, sea conditions, or the timing of the Blue Grotto. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not treat the timetable like a train schedule.

The Blue Grotto, famous but optional

The Blue Grotto is Capri’s headline attraction. To enter, you transfer to a small rowing boat and lie back as the boat slips through a low opening. Inside, the water appears intensely blue against the dark cave.

The visit is optional and costs 18 euros per person. That fee is not included in the tour price. You should also expect queues, since the cave attracts large numbers of people and the entrance process is slow compared with simply cruising past the cave.

This is the one stop where your private boat does not remove every delay. The actual cave visit uses the small rowing boats, so you may still wait outside. The listed time is about one hour, which includes the process around the visit rather than a full hour inside the cave.

I would choose the Blue Grotto if seeing the famous blue water is high on your Capri wish list. I would skip it if you dislike queues or would rather spend the time swimming at the Green Grotto and Tordigliano. The captain can help you make that call based on conditions and timing.

Lunch at Nerano, with time to slow down

Nerano is a fishing village on the Amalfi Coast, known for its coastline and traditional fish restaurants. The schedule allows about 1 hour and 30 minutes here, making it the natural lunch break.

This stop adds an important local touch. A full day on the water needs more than snacks, and Nerano gives you a chance to sit down for a proper meal. One arrangement described for the tour uses another small boat to ferry passengers ashore, so you should expect the final transfer to lunch to be by water rather than a standard dockside walk.

The exact restaurant is not specified, so lunch is not included in the stated tour price. Ask Gianni for his recommendation and confirm the menu and payment arrangements before ordering. His suggestions are one of the useful benefits of having a local captain rather than simply following a large excursion route.

One point to consider: Nerano is not Capri town. If you want to walk through Capri’s center, visit a shop, or explore the island on foot, this lunch stop will not replace an island visit. It is better suited to a relaxed meal by the coast.

Tordigliano, a quiet final swim

Spiaggia di Tordigliano is close to Positano and is described as a more secluded stretch of coast reached by boat. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and comes near the end of the day.

This is a fine closing stop because it brings you back toward the Amalfi Coast without ending the outing abruptly. You can take one last swim, use the snorkel gear, or simply stretch out on the rear seating while the boat rests offshore.

The appeal here is access. Tordigliano is not presented as a conventional beach stop with a full set of land facilities. Its charm comes from the clear water, the natural setting, and the fact that a boat makes the visit possible.

Do not assume every stop will suit every group. If you have children who need easy shore access, or someone who cannot manage a boat transfer, ask about the day’s exact plan before booking. The activity is not recommended for people with serious mobility problems.

What Gianni adds to the day

Captain Gianni is central to the experience. He handles the boat, explains the coast and grottos, suggests lunch options, and can adapt the route to your group. The personal attention is especially useful on a private tour, where the captain is not trying to satisfy dozens of people with different interests.

You can expect a friendly, hands-on style rather than a formal lecture. Gianni has also been praised for taking photographs while people swim, which is a small but valuable touch. It lets you enjoy the water without asking one member of your group to stay behind with the phone.

The boat has shaded seating at the rear, a bathroom, and a small cabin for changing into and out of swimwear. It is also described as well maintained and free from a strong exhaust smell. Those details matter on a six-to-seven-hour outing, when comfort becomes just as important as the views.

Drinks include water, Coca-Cola, beer, Spritz, limoncello, and other refreshments. Snacks and fresh fruit are available, and homemade limoncello is part of the captain’s personal touch. The supplies do not replace lunch, but they keep the day easy between stops.

Price, group size, and practical value

At $2,102.77 for up to six people, this is a luxury day on the Amalfi Coast. The value depends almost entirely on how many people share the cost and how much you care about privacy.

For six people, you receive private transportation, a boat, a captain, snacks, fruit, drinks, towels, snorkelling equipment, several swimming opportunities, and a full coastal route. Compared with booking separate boats, transfers, and drinks, the package is easier to manage. It also avoids the social compromise of joining a mixed group.

For two people, the price is harder to justify unless this is the main splurge of your holiday. A ferry to Capri costs far less, but it does not give you the same access to caves, swimming spots, or a captain who can shape the day around you.

The Blue Grotto fee is extra at 18 euros per person. Lunch at Nerano is also not listed as included, so budget for that separately. Bring sunscreen, and remember that the tour depends on good weather. If rough conditions cancel the trip, you can receive a full refund or take another date.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, so watch the local cut-off time.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this experience to a family, group of friends, or couple marking a special occasion. The private setting works especially well when everyone wants the same kind of day: swimming, photographs, sea caves, and a long lunch rather than a packed walk through Capri.

It is also a strong choice for people staying around Amalfi, Positano, Minori, or Maiori who want to connect the coast and Capri by water. The tour can include local swim spots that are difficult to reach without a boat, and the captain’s route advice helps you use the limited daylight well.

You should think twice if your priority is land-based sightseeing on Capri. The stated itinerary gives you only coastal stops and lunch in Nerano, not a walking tour of Capri town. You should also reconsider if anyone in your group has serious mobility limitations or cannot manage boat transfers.

The experience suits people who value ease and personal service over the lowest price. Towels, drinks, shade, a changing cabin, and a bathroom make a long day much more pleasant. The private boat also means you can spend less time negotiating with strangers and more time enjoying your own group.

Should you book this Capri boat tour?

Book it if you want Capri as a sea experience: caves, rock towers, swimming water, coastal views, and a captain who can adjust the day. The strongest parts are the private format, Gianni’s attentive service, the comfortable boat, and the range of included drinks and swim gear.

Skip it if you mainly want to explore Capri on foot or if the price is difficult to share among a larger group. You will also need to accept that the Blue Grotto can involve a queue and an extra fee.

For a group of six celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or family holiday, this can be a very worthwhile splurge. For two people on a tight budget, compare the cost with a shared boat or ferry before committing. The key question is simple: do you want to reach Capri, or do you want to spend a full private day experiencing the coast from the water?

FAQ

How long does the private Capri boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six to seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour is for your group only, with up to six people included in the group price.

Is the Blue Grotto included in the price?

No. The optional Blue Grotto visit costs 18 euros per person.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks and fresh fruit are available on board. Drinks include water, Coca-Cola, beer, Spritz, limoncello, and more. Lunch in Nerano is not listed as included.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is included, along with beach towels.

Do I need to bring sunscreen?

Yes. You must bring your own sunscreen.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the start time.