Full-day tour with swim and lunch on board: the review
Usually included
- Hotel pickup in the specified area
- Skipper on board
- Visit to the Blue Grotto, weather permitting
- Sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil and basil
- Seasonal fruit and dried snacks
- Drinks: prosecco, beer, water, soft drinks
- Limoncello tasting
- Safety equipment and life jackets included
Not included
- Entry ticket to the Blue Grotto
- Capri landing tax, payable in cash
- Snorkelling mask and snorkel hire
What to expect
You’re picked up from your hotel in Piano di Sorrento, Meta, Sant’Agnello or Sorrento, then sail for around forty minutes before your first stop—the Blue Grotto, weather permitting. After disembarking, you’ll have four hours of free time on the island. The afternoon is the highlight: the Faraglioni, White Grotto, a swimming stop at Marina Piccola, Green Grotto, Punta Carena lighthouse, and on the return journey, Cala di Mitigliano and the Bagni della Regina Giovanna, which are on the Sorrento coast, not Capri. The day ends with limoncello.
A group of no more than eight people transforms the experience more than you’d expect: you eat seated, chat with the skipper, and the swim stop doesn’t turn into a towel scramble. A Caprese sandwich is included, but masks and snorkels aren’t—you can rent them, so bring your own if you have them.
What passengers say
All 366 reviews are remarkably consistent in tone. Victoria from the UK calls it a «splendid day, the best part of our stay in Italy». Michael from the US says, «It was an absolutely perfect day. The crew were first-rate». Donna, also from the UK, writes that it was «the highlight of our holiday in Sorrento».
Three hundred and sixty-six isn’t five thousand: a rating built on a smaller sample size is easier to shift, for better or worse. That said, no recurring complaint stands out. The two things to know upfront are that you pay for Blue Grotto entry yourself and the disembarkation tax requires cash.
Who it’s for
Ideal for two couples travelling together, those who dislike large groups, and anyone who’d rather eat on board than hunt for a spot in the Piazzetta at peak time. It’s not suited to budget-conscious travellers—this is above average in price, as we explain in how much it costs—nor for those already on the island, who’d be better off with a tour from Marina Grande.
What works best
- Maximum of eight people: the lowest group size among the six excursions
- Proper lunch on board, including a Caprese sandwich, fruit and drinks
- Hotel pickup in the Sorrento area
- Swimming stop at Marina Piccola and pass by the Bagni della Regina Giovanna
- 4.8 average rating, same as the site’s most booked tour
What to know beforehand
- Only 366 reviews: a smaller sample size makes the average more sensitive
- Blue Grotto entry and disembarkation tax at your own expense
- The landing tax must be paid in cash on the island
- Mask and snorkel are hired separately and not included
- A full eight hours: a long day with small children
Keep some notes in your pocket before boarding: the landing tax is paid on the island, almost always in cash, and the queue at disembarkation isn’t the place to start looking for a cashpoint.
Dates and availability
Alternatives
With twelve spots instead of eight and a van transfer, there’s the small-group tour; for the most booked day trip, the exclusive tour remains an option—compare them all in tours from Sorrento.
Up to 12 peopleCapri: full-day small-group boat tour
Most booked experienceSorrento: exclusive Capri boat tour with optional Blue Grotto visit
Free time on the islandFrom Sorrento: small-group Capri tour with Blue Grotto and free time
Frequently asked questions
What’s served on board?
A sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil and basil, seasonal fruit and dry snacks, with prosecco, beer, water and soft drinks. On the return, there’s a limoncello tasting.
How many people are on the boat?
Up to eight: it’s the smallest group among the six boat trips we compare in all boat tours. If you’re looking for even more privacy, check the private options.
Is the landing tax included?
No, it’s paid on the island and almost always in cash, just like entry to the Blue Grotto. The details that vary between tours are listed in each review.
Is the Blue Grotto always included?
The visit is weather-dependent: if the sea is rough or the tide is high, the grotto doesn’t open and the itinerary continues. The practical details are in the Blue Grotto guide.