Li Galli Islands and Capri Small Group Boat Tour from Amalfi

Capri looks best from the water, where its cliffs, caves, and Faraglioni rock towers come into view without the island’s crowded lanes. This small-group gozzo cruise gives you swimming stops, a prosecco toast, snacks, and about three hours to explore Capri before returning to Amalfi.

I like the easy port-to-port plan and the friendly onboard hosting. Crew members such as Lucia, Desi, and Alessandra are praised for clear directions and warm hospitality, while the swim at Punta Campanella and the final stop at Li Galli add something a ferry cannot. The main drawback is time: Capri can swallow three hours quickly, especially when you lose time waiting for transport or lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Traditional wooden gozzo: You cruise in a classic Amalfi Coast boat with a sundeck and room for a maximum of 12 people.
• Two planned swimming stops: Punta Campanella comes early, and Li Galli is the final stop on the return to Amalfi.
• About three hours on Capri: Enough for lunch, a short walk, shopping, and gelato, but not enough to see every corner of the island.
• Blue Grotto is not included: The boat does not build in the long wait for the grotto, and entry is not part of this experience.
• Simple onboard refreshments: Each person receives two bottles of water, snacks, and a welcome prosecco toast.
• Extra cost to remember: A €5 destination fee per person is charged separately, and lunch, snorkeling equipment, and other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Why seeing Capri by boat makes sense

A ferry gets you from Amalfi to Capri. This outing gives you the journey itself.

From the deck, you see the Amalfi Coast from the side that postcards usually miss. Cliffs rise above the water, small coves appear between headlands, and the rock formations around Capri come into view before you ever step ashore. The pace also lets you stop for a swim, something a regular ferry cannot offer.

The boat is a traditional gozzo, a wooden coastal craft associated with southern Italy. It has a sundeck, and the small group size keeps the ride more personal than a large sightseeing vessel. The stated maximum is 12 people, although the exact boat and crew may vary.

You meet at 9:40 a.m. in Amalfi’s port, at the Molo Darsena near Piazza Flavio Gioia. The meeting point is opposite the main square, but give yourself time to find the correct stretch of dock. One host, Desi, has even called guests to make sure they knew where to go, and the crew has helped people who arrived confused.

Once everyone is aboard, the day begins with a prosecco toast. That small ritual sets a relaxed tone, but remember that extra alcoholic drinks are not included. You receive two bottles of water per person and snacks, while lunch remains your responsibility.

Punta Campanella is your first swim

The boat leaves Amalfi and follows the coast toward Capri. The first water stop is at Punta Campanella, a Marine Protected Area known for clear, turquoise water.

The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes. That is enough time for a refreshing jump from the boat, but not a long beach session. You should be comfortable climbing in and out of the water from the boat’s swimming access, since this is not a shore-based beach stop.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry layer for the ride afterward. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own mask if looking below the surface matters to you. The tour description presents swimming and snorkeling as part of the outing, but the amount of snorkeling can depend on sea conditions, timing, and the crew’s exact stop.

This is also where expectations matter. Some departures have offered only a short swim, while others have made several water stops. Think of the activity as a scenic boat trip with chances to swim, not as a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The Faraglioni are best seen from the water

As you approach Capri, the boat stops near the Faraglioni, the island’s famous rock formations. These tall sea stacks are one of Capri’s main symbols, and the water gives you a clear view of their shape and scale.

The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes. You may swim or snorkel near the rocks, subject to conditions and the captain’s judgment. The boat does not necessarily take you ashore or linger at every cave, so keep your camera ready as you approach.

Several departures have included views of caves, including the White Grotto. Do not assume that every cave named in a general description will be visited. Routes can shift with weather, traffic, sea conditions, and the needs of the group.

The boat’s motor can make spoken explanations hard to hear. If your host is describing the coast while the engine is running, move closer and ask for details to be repeated. Hosts such as Lucia and Alessandra have been praised for explaining the sights and keeping everyone informed, but the captain may not speak much English.

Capri gives you freedom, but not much spare time

The boat drops you at Capri for roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. This is independent time, not a guided land tour. You choose how to spend it, which is useful if you already know your priorities.

You could have lunch, browse the shops, get gelato, walk through Capri town, or try to reach another part of the island. You might also attempt the chairlift or funicular, but transport queues can eat a large part of your visit.

This is the crucial planning point: three hours sounds generous until you include getting around. Waiting for the funicular can take 30 to 45 minutes, especially in hot weather. A taxi may save time, and one outing used a taxi to reach the other side of the island for lunch and a quick swim.

Plan before you step off the boat. Decide if your priority is Capri town, Anacapri, the chairlift, lunch, or shopping. Trying to do everything will leave you watching the clock.

The island’s beaches are rocky rather than sandy, so pack footwear suited to uneven ground if you plan to swim from shore. The boat’s swimming stops are often more convenient for a quick dip than trying to build a beach visit into your short island stay.

Why the Blue Grotto is not part of the plan

This tour deliberately skips the Blue Grotto stop because boats can wait a long time for entry. That choice protects your swimming time and your hours on Capri, but it may disappoint you if the grotto is a top priority.

You can try to visit the Blue Grotto during your free time on Capri, but the operator does not guarantee that you will have enough time. The island’s transport lines alone can take much of the available window.

Look closely at the exact trip description when booking. Some guests have expected several grotto visits after reading broader wording, then found that the Blue Grotto was excluded. For a first visit to Capri, this boat trip works better if you value the coast, swimming, and a short island visit more than checking off every famous cave.

Li Galli adds a quiet final swim

After Capri, the boat heads back toward Amalfi and stops at Li Galli, a group of private islets and a Marine Protected Area. The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes.

Li Galli is not a conventional sightseeing island visit. You remain on the boat and swim in the surrounding water. It is a pleasant way to break up the return ride, especially after time in crowded Capri.

The crew often prepares a small surprise before or during the return. The exact treat can vary, but onboard snacks and drinks are part of the warm, social feel of the day. Past departures have included a limoncello toast, sandwiches, or extra snacks, but you should not book based on one particular surprise.

The boat is scheduled back in Amalfi at about 4:45 p.m. That makes this a full day, so avoid planning a tight evening connection or an important dinner reservation immediately afterward.

The crew can shape the whole day

This experience depends heavily on the skipper and onboard assistant. The strongest part of the operation is the personal hosting. Lucia has been described as energetic and informative, Desi as attentive and good with directions, and Alessandra as friendly and clear when explaining the coast. Other named crew members include Giovanni, Tony, Elena, and Daisy.

Crew assignments can change, so do not expect one specific host unless the operator confirms it. The common pattern is a skipper handling the boat and an assistant helping with explanations, drinks, meeting times, and safety.

The crew also watches the clock and tells you where to meet after your Capri stop. Pay close attention before going ashore. You are exploring independently, and the boat cannot wait indefinitely for someone who gets delayed in town.

Communication is not always perfect. A captain may speak limited English, and the engine can drown out commentary. The assistant usually fills that gap, but if local history and sightseeing narration are very important to you, a land-based guided tour may serve you better.

What is included, and what you still pay for

At $252.76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Capri. A ferry can cost less and gives you more control over how long you spend on the island. The value here is the combination of transportation, coastal sightseeing, swimming, refreshments, and a small group.

Included in the price are:

• A professional skipper and onboard assistant
• Welcome prosecco toast
• Snacks
• Two bottles of water per person
• Boat transportation from Amalfi and back
• Swimming stops at selected coastal areas

You pay separately for lunch, additional alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, and any towel rental offered onboard. A €5 destination fee per person is also excluded. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the Amalfi meeting point yourself.

I see the price as fair for someone who wants a full boat day and does not want to organize separate ferry tickets, coastal sightseeing, and swimming stops. It is harder to justify if your main goal is simply spending a long day on Capri.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this for a first Amalfi Coast visit when you want to combine Capri with time on the water. Couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers should appreciate the relaxed boat setting and short island visit.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a small group to a large day boat. With a maximum of 12 people, you get more space and easier contact with the crew than on a crowded vessel. The sundeck is useful for drying off and taking in the coast between stops.

You should think twice if you want a long, thorough Capri visit. Three hours may feel rushed once you account for queues, taxis, lunch, and the walk from the landing area. It is also not ideal if you require guaranteed snorkeling, a Blue Grotto visit, or a detailed English commentary throughout the ride.

The tour requires favorable weather and at least six participants. If poor weather cancels the departure, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. If the minimum group size is not met, the same basic options apply.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:40 a.m. start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

My verdict on the Amalfi to Capri cruise

Book this tour if your perfect day includes a wooden boat, clear water, coastal views, two or more chances to swim, and a compact visit to Capri. The most memorable parts are likely to be the water stops, the Faraglioni from the sea, and the easygoing hospitality from the onboard team.

Skip it if you want maximum time on Capri or if the Blue Grotto is essential. In that case, use the ferry and spend your budget on the island itself.

For most people, the best plan is simple: wear your swimsuit, bring a towel and mask, carry sunscreen, book lunch with the clock in mind, and use a taxi if you need to cross the island quickly. With those expectations, this is a pleasant and scenic way to see Capri without treating the island as the entire day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet at Cruise & Snorkel Amalfi Coast, Molo Darsena, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy, near the port opposite Piazza Flavio Gioia.

What time does the tour begin?

The meeting and departure time is 9:40 a.m.

What time does the boat return to Amalfi?

The scheduled return to the port of Amalfi is about 4:45 p.m.

How long is the tour?

The full experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How much time do I get on Capri?

You get roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to explore Capri independently.

Is the Blue Grotto included?

No. The Blue Grotto is not included because of the long waiting time. You may try to visit it during your free time on Capri.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What refreshments are included?

You receive a welcome prosecco toast, snacks, and two bottles of water per person.

Is lunch included?

No. You are responsible for lunch during your free time on Capri.

Is the tour private?

No. It is a small-group tour with a maximum of 12 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour may be canceled in poor weather. You will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.