How long does a boat tour around Capri take?

Step by step

One or two hours. This is the no-frills circuit: you leave from Marina Grande, circle the island, and return. Faraglioni, Marina Piccola, Casa Malaparte, Green Grotto, Punta Carena lighthouse—all seen from the water with photo stops and no swimming. The shortest tour from Dock 0 is even briefer, at an hour and a half, with departures every thirty minutes from 9:30 to 14:00.

Around four hours. This is the standard duration for a full tour with swimming stops and a visit to the Blue Grotto. Here, the water truly becomes part of the experience: half an hour of swimming and snorkelling transforms the day’s memory more than any extra sightseeing stop.

Six or seven hours. These are the tours that include a stop at a seaside restaurant. The extra hours aren’t spent sailing—they’re spent lingering ashore.

Eight hours. Full-day trips from the Sorrento Peninsula: pickup or van transfer, around forty minutes’ sail to Capri, the highlights, a swimming stop, three and a half to four hours of free time on the island, and a one-hour return. Private tours have a wider time range, from five to eight hours, depending on the option.

How many hours do you need in total?

For a quick look at the Piazzetta and Anacapri, you’ll need at least four hours on the island. Add the boat tour, and the minimum rises to seven. To truly see Capri’s landmarks, three days isn’t excessive—which is why a day in Capri is all about cutting back. If you only have one day, the full breakdown is in how many days you need.

Duration also has the biggest impact on cost, as we explain in how much a boat tour costs. And if you’re wondering which option suits you best, the answer by traveller type is in which is the best tour.

Frequently asked questions