Compare all boat tours around Capri
There are six excursions, divided into two categories that visitors often mix up. On one side, tours departing from Marina Grande on the island itself: one or two hours, perfect for adding to an already planned day. On the other, full-day trips starting from the mainland. If you’ve already booked the ferry, the second option means paying twice.
Exclusive tour from Sorrento with optional Blue Grotto
The most booked and top-rated: 4.8 out of 5,215 reviews. Five to eight hours, pick-up from multiple points around Sorrento, disembarkation at Massa Lubrense. Skipper, guide, masks and drinks on board, landing tax included. Twenty minutes at the Faraglioni, ten at the Green Grotto, half an hour for a swim, and four hours free on Capri.
Ideal for those staying on the peninsula who want a fully organised day; less so for anyone already on the island or with just an afternoon. Douglas from the UK writes that you leave early but arrive on Capri before the crowds. It’s the only tour where entry to the Blue Grotto can be included: the review explains how.
Boat tour of the island with grotto visits
Departs from Via Don Giobbe Ruocco in Marina Grande and completes the circuit in one or two hours: Faraglioni, Marina Piccola, Casa Malaparte, Green Grotto, Punta Carena lighthouse. Live commentary, life jackets and onboard facilities. The most budget-friendly option on the site, with a 4.3 out of 5,888 reviews.
Perfect for those who’ve already booked the ferry and want to add a sea excursion to a day on land. Larisa from Latvia calls it excellent value for seeing the whole island in an hour. Skip it if you’re after a swimming stop—there isn’t one—or if you assume grotto entry is included. See how long the tour lasts and the review.
Short tour with a stop at the Blue Grotto
Ninety minutes from Dock 0, departures every thirty minutes from 9:30 to 14:00, daily. Passes all the sea grottoes and through the Faraglioni, with more photo stops than other short tours. Grotto entry is an extra, paid on-site with the rowboat operators.
At 4.1, it’s the lowest-rated of the six, based on 2,579 reviews, and the reason is almost always the same: the grotto stop is also the wait stop, and in August, the queue can stretch to two hours. If you’re arriving mid-morning and leaving in the afternoon, it’s manageable; if you have young kids, weigh up that wait—just as we explain in boating with children and the review.
Full-day tour from Sorrento with swim and lunch on board
Eight hours, maximum eight guests—the smallest group size. Hotel pick-up from Piano di Sorrento, Meta, Sant’Agnello or Sorrento, forty minutes at sea, Blue Grotto, four hours free time, then Faraglioni, White Grotto, swim at Marina Piccola and Bagni della Regina Giovanna. Lunch is a sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, olive oil and basil.
Rated 4.8 but from 366 reviews, so less tried-and-tested than the exclusive tour. Donna from the UK calls it the highlight of her Sorrento holiday. Note: landing tax payable in cash on the island, grotto entry not included, masks available to hire. It’s not the cheapest option, nor does it pretend to be. See the review.
Full-day small-group tour with van transfer
Eight hours, maximum twelve passengers, and a van that collects you from one of the meeting points—Parking Mandara, Massa Lubrense, Bivio Montepertuso, Euro Frutta 2000, Bar Internazionale—for a twenty-minute ride to the boat. White Grotto, Faraglioni, Punta Carena, swim stop, four hours free time. The operator covers the landing tax.
4.6 from 257 reviews, with Luka describing the guide and captain as knowledgeable and attentive. One caveat outweighs the rating: here, the Blue Grotto is viewed from the sea—you don’t go inside. If entering is your main reason for the trip, choose a different tour. Not suitable for pregnancy or wheelchair users: the review has full details.
Small-group tour from Sorrento or Positano with free time
Eight hours, maximum twelve people, meeting point in Sorrento or near Positano beach depending on the option. Scenic coastal drive along the peninsula, Faraglioni, White Grotto with swim, Marina Piccola, around three and a half hours of free time on Capri, Green Grotto and Punta Carena. Caprese sandwich, drinks and snorkelling included; hotel pickup available for a fee.
4.4 from 94 reviews: the smallest sample of the six, so interpret the rating with caution. Adam, from the UK, says three hours on Capri is enough to reach the chairlift. If you're departing from Positano, convenient alternatives are limited; those wanting a full four hours should choose one of the other two. See the review and Capri or Positano.
The three options that cover almost everyone
Once you rule out special cases, it all comes down to where you're staying and how much time you have.
| Capri: full-island boat tour with grotto visits | Best choiceSorrento: exclusive Capri boat tour with optional Blue Grotto | Capri: island boat tour with stop at the Blue Grotto | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departure point | Marina Grande | Sorrento and surrounding area | Pier 0, Marina Grande |
| Duration | 1–2 hours | 5–8 hours | One and a half hours |
| Rating | 4.3 from 5,888 reviews | 4.8 from 5,215 reviews | 4.1 from 2,579 reviews |
| Swimming stop | No | Yes, about 30 minutes | No |
| Free time on Capri | You’re already on the island | Around 4 hours | You’re already on the island |
| Landing fee | Paid separately | Included | Paid separately |
| Price range | The most affordable | The highest | Among the most reasonable |
| For those who | Those who’ve already taken the ferry | Those staying on the mainland | If you’ve only got a two-hour window |
| View details → | Book this → | See → |
Rosaria Cimmino, who grew up in Marina Grande, has been saying it for years: by eleven, the dock is a bottleneck. In August, the only viable departure is at 9:30, and if the mistral wind blows, the Blue Grotto stays shut. No one tells you that until you’re already there.
Book your full-day tour from Sorrento
Still weighing it up? Check out the cost, the best tour, the complete guide, tours from Sorrento, and small-group tours.
Frequently asked questions
How many Capri boat tours have we compared?
Six, all bookable on GetYourGuide: two depart from Marina Grande and last one or two hours, while four set off from the Sorrento area and take up the whole day. We’ve tried every single one—read about them in our reviews.
Which is the best boat tour around Capri?
It depends where you’re staying. From Sorrento, the full-day exclusive tour is the top-rated and most popular; if you’re already on the island, the island circuit with grotto visits does the job in just an hour. The full breakdown is in which is the best tour.
Is entry to the Blue Grotto included?
Almost never. You can only enter in small rowing boats, lying flat, and the entry fee is an extra charge paid on the spot. The only exception among the six is the exclusive tour, where it *might* be included if you select it when booking—read how the Blue Grotto really works.
Do I need to book in advance?
Not essential for the ferry, but on weekends and in July and August, it’s wise—especially for the afternoon return. The same goes for boat tours: morning departures sell out first. See how to get to Capri.
What happens if the sea is rough?
Trips get cancelled or shortened, and the Blue Grotto closes even at high tide. Refund policies vary by tour—check the backup plans in rough seas and cancelled trips.