What you’ll see from the sea around Capri
We set off from Marina Grande
The island’s commercial port is where almost everything departs: short loops from Molo 0, longer circuits from Via Don Giobbe Ruocco, and the ferries that brought you here. The moment the boat pulls away from the quay, Capri transforms—on land it’s steps and walls, but from the water it’s a sheer cliff plunging straight into the sea.
The Blue Grotto
It’s the first stop on most itineraries. The boat anchors offshore, and if it’s open, you transfer to rowing dinghies to enter lying down. If it’s closed, you admire the entrance from the water and move on. How it really works—queues and all—is explained in our Blue Grotto guide.
Punta Carena Lighthouse and the Green Grotto
The lighthouse marks the island’s most exposed point, where you’ll feel the wind if there’s any. Nearby, the Green Grotto offers a different hue to its famous blue counterpart, with light filtering in from below. On full-day tours, the stop lasts around ten minutes, sometimes with an optional dip in front of the entrance.
Marina Piccola and the White Grotto
Marina Piccola is the sheltered side, which is why most tours include a swimming stop here. The White Grotto is the third of the island’s grottos, less photographed and often quieter—on some full-day trips, this is where you’ll take the plunge instead. Sara, from the US, recalls a guide who dived in to show the group the colourful starfish.
The Faraglioni
There are three, each with its own name: Stella, the one attached to the coast; Faraglione di Mezzo, with the arch boats pass under; and Scopolo, the furthest out. Sailing beneath the arch is the moment when, on smaller boats, everyone falls silent. On full-day tours, the photo stop lasts about twenty minutes.
Casa Malaparte, the Natural Arch and Tiberius’s Leap
Casa Malaparte is unmistakable—a bold red block with a staircase on its roof, perched on a rocky outcrop, and it’s far more striking from the sea than from any path. Just beyond lies the Natural Arch, followed by Tiberius’s Leap, the sheer cliff tied to legends of the emperor. These are sights to admire as you pass, without stopping.
The Bagni della Regina Giovanna aren’t on Capri—they’re on the Sorrentine coast, and only some full-day tours glimpse them on the return leg. If you’ve seen them in a photo and go looking for them on the island, you won’t find them.
How many of these stops are included depends on the tour’s length, and the full range is covered in our how long does a tour last guide. Those staying on land only see a fraction—an honest comparison is in Capri without a tour. The tour that covers the most in a single day is highlighted in which is the best tour, and all departures are compared in our tour hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do we sail under the Faraglioni arch?
Yes, on small boats the passage beneath the central Faraglione is one of the fixed stops on the circuit. You’ll find them listed in our tour hub.
How many sea caves can you see?
Three: the Blue Grotto, Green Grotto and White Grotto. You only go inside the first one, and only after paying an on-site supplement—just as we explain in our Blue Grotto guide.
Where do you swim during the tour?
Usually at Marina Piccola or in front of the White Grotto, with stops of about half an hour. One- or two-hour tours don’t include a swim break—see how long the tour lasts.
Can you see Casa Malaparte from the sea?
Yes, and much better than from land. It’s one of the highlights of the circuit, along with the Natural Arch and Tiberius’s Leap. If you’re keen on the best viewpoints, read our guide on whether it’s worth it.