REVIEW · ITALY
Full day private boat tour to the Island of Capri
Capri is best seen from the water, and this private boat trip gives you the freedom to shape the day around swimming, caves, photos, and lunch. Captain Gianni, also called Giovanni, handles the route and can adjust the pace instead of moving a large group from one fixed stop to the next.
I especially like the chance to swim at Li Galli and Tordigliano, places that give you a break from Capri’s crowded streets. I also like the easygoing comforts: fresh fruit, snacks, soft drinks, beer, Spritz, limoncello, beach towels, snorkeling gear, a bathroom, and a small changing cabin. The main drawback is that this is mostly a sea tour, so you may have little or no time to explore Capri town on foot.
Key things to know before booking

- Private boat for up to six people: You get the boat and captain to yourselves, with room to adjust the plan.
- Captain Gianni or Giovanni: He is praised for careful boat handling, local insight, photos, and friendly service.
- Swimming is central to the day: Li Galli, the Green Grotto area, and Tordigliano provide chances to get in the water.
- Lunch is usually best in Nerano: The fishing village is known for fish restaurants, and a small boat can ferry you ashore.
- The Blue Grotto costs extra: Entry is 18 euros per person, and queues can be long.
- Bring sunscreen: It is not supplied, and the tour is not recommended for people with serious mobility problems.
A private way to see Capri from Amalfi
This six to seven-hour trip begins at 10 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point. The exact pickup location is not stated, so confirm that detail when booking, especially if you are staying in Amalfi, Maiori, Minori, or another coastal town.
The price is $2,102.77 for the whole group, up to six people. That is a steep total, but the calculation changes when you fill the boat. Split six ways, it is about $350 per person. For two people, the cost is much harder to justify unless privacy, a custom route, and a full day on the water matter more to you than saving money.
This format works best for a family or group of friends who want one boat, one captain, and no strangers sharing the day. You are not buying a simple ferry ride. You are paying for private transport, local guidance, drinks, swimming stops, and the ability to spend more time in the places that suit your group.
The captain’s flexibility is a major advantage. You can ask for more time to swim, spend less time at a cave, or make Nerano the main lunch stop. One useful detail from the experience is that lunch may involve a separate small boat carrying you from the main boat to shore. That keeps the main boat offshore and lets you reach a restaurant without looking for a road transfer.
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Li Galli gives you an early swim

The first listed stop is Li Galli, a small island group opposite Positano. The boat allows about 40 minutes here, making it a good first chance to swim and settle into the day.
This is one of the strongest parts of the route because it gives you time in the water before the cave and rock stops begin. Snorkeling equipment is included, and towels are supplied, so you do not need to pack bulky beach gear. You should still bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, and any personal prescription items you need.
Li Galli is reached by boat, so it offers the kind of swimming break that is difficult to arrange from land. The setting near Positano also gives you a fine coastal view without adding another town visit to an already full day.
Keep your expectations practical. This is not a long beach stay, and the schedule includes many later stops. If your group wants a relaxed swim rather than a quick dip, tell Gianni early in the day. A private trip gives you more room to make that request than a scheduled group cruise.
The caves are about color, light, and short visits

The route includes several caves, each with a different look. At the Red Grotto, or Grotta Rossa, the name comes from red coral inside the cave. The listed stop is about 15 minutes, so expect a close look and photographs rather than a long visit.
The White Grotto gets its name from pale tuff that colors the cave in light shades. You have about 20 minutes here. These two stops are useful contrasts, but they are also brief. If you are most interested in swimming, you may prefer not to linger at every cave.
The Green Grotto receives much more time, about one hour and 20 minutes. Its emerald color reflects along the walls and rocky ceiling, making it one of the most memorable cave stops on the route. The extra time also gives the captain more room to manage the visit around sea conditions and boat traffic.
The word grotto can make these stops sound like indoor sightseeing. In practice, they are sea-level places viewed from the boat, with the surrounding water and rock formations doing most of the work. Bring a phone or camera, but protect it from spray and avoid making photography the only reason you stay in one place.
The Faraglioni are Capri’s signature view

The Faraglioni are three large rock formations rising from the sea and the classic symbol of Capri. The boat allows about an hour in this area, which is generous enough for photos, a close pass, and time to enjoy the view without rushing.
Passing through the Faraglioni is one of the day’s key moments. This is where a private boat feels more special than a standard ferry. You are close to the rocks, the captain can position the boat for pictures, and your group can enjoy the sight without having to compete for a place along a crowded rail.
One particularly useful detail is that Gianni has taken photos for people while they were in the water. If you want pictures of your group rather than only pictures of the rocks, ask him. You will want to keep your phone ready, but also take a few minutes simply to watch the boat pass through the formations.
The Faraglioni stop is scenic, not a land visit. If your dream of Capri includes wandering its lanes, shopping, or visiting the gardens in Capri town, this boat plan may not satisfy you on its own. One guest specifically wished for lunch on the island so there would be time to explore on foot. That is a fair concern, especially for a first visit.
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The Blue Grotto is famous, but it takes planning

The Blue Grotto is the optional paid stop. Entry costs 18 euros per person, and that fee is not part of the tour price. To enter, you transfer to a small rowing boat, lie down on the bottom, and pass through a low opening. Inside, the water appears intensely blue in the dim cave.
The visit itself may last only a few minutes, while the wait can be much longer. Long lines form at the entrance, so an hour in the schedule does not mean an hour inside the cave. You may spend much of that time waiting for your turn.
I would treat the Blue Grotto as an add-on, not the reason to book the day. The Faraglioni, Green Grotto, Li Galli, and swimming stops already give you a full experience. If the cave is a priority, ask about the expected wait and sea conditions before committing to the extra fee.
The transfer into a low rowing boat also matters for comfort. People with serious mobility problems may find this part difficult, and the overall tour is not recommended for them. If your group includes someone with limited movement, ask the operator for a clear explanation before booking.
Nerano is the natural lunch stop

Nerano is a small fishing village on the Amalfi Coast, known for its coastline and traditional fish restaurants. The planned stop is about one hour and 30 minutes, the longest break on the route apart from the Green Grotto timing.
This is where I would plan the main meal. You can reach shore by another boat, enjoy lunch, and return to the main boat afterward. The arrangement gives you a proper restaurant meal without turning the day into a road excursion.
The captain’s local suggestions matter here. Gianni has been praised for recommending lunch places, and that is useful in Nerano, where the choice of restaurant can shape the whole afternoon. Ask about the plan before departure, especially if your group has dietary needs or wants a long, relaxed meal.
Nerano also solves one weakness of a full boat day: after hours of swimming and sitting in the sun, you may want a real table and a break from the water. The tradeoff is time. A long lunch leaves less room for Capri town, so decide whether food or land sightseeing is more important to your group.
Tordigliano finishes the day with another swim

Spiaggia di Tordigliano is near Positano and is described as a quiet coastal spot reached by boat. The schedule allows about 45 minutes, making it a pleasant final pause before returning to the meeting point.
This stop is aimed at people who want clear water and a natural setting rather than another town. It is also a good reason to keep your swimsuit on under your clothes. With the towel and snorkeling gear supplied, you can make the most of the final swim without a large amount of equipment.
The route includes many stops, so timing may feel tight if your group wants long swims, a full lunch, and the Blue Grotto. The private format helps, but it cannot create extra daylight. I would choose two or three priorities before leaving: perhaps swimming, the Faraglioni, and Nerano, with the paid cave added only if the wait looks reasonable.
Onboard comforts make a long day easier

The boat has a shaded rear area where you can lounge, according to the available tour details. It also has a bathroom and a small cabin for changing out of wet clothes. Those features matter more than they sound after several hours at sea.
Food and drink are part of the package. You receive snacks and fresh fruit, along with water, Coca-Cola, beer, Spritz, limoncello, and other drinks. Homemade limoncello is a memorable local touch, but remember that alcohol and strong sun do not mix well. Drink water throughout the day.
The boat has been described as well maintained and free of an unpleasant exhaust smell. Captain Gianni is also praised for careful handling, which matters when you are moving near caves, rocks, and other boats. You still need to follow his instructions, especially during transfers and swimming stops.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a dry bag for phones and wallets. Sunscreen is specifically your responsibility. The tour is offered in English, and service animals are allowed.
Who will get the most from this tour
I would choose this trip for a group that values privacy and time on the water. It suits families, couples celebrating a special occasion, and friends who want to swim, take photos, and enjoy drinks without joining a large cruise.
It is also a strong choice if you are staying along the Amalfi Coast and want to combine Capri with coastal views in one day. The captain can point out local places and adjust the route, which gives the outing a personal feel rather than a transport-only service.
I would look elsewhere if your main goal is Capri on foot. You might see the island’s coastline in detail, but this schedule does not promise time in Capri town. A ferry or land-based Capri day would be better for shops, cafés, gardens, and streets.
The tour is also a poor fit for anyone with serious mobility problems because of the boat transfers and the low rowing boat used for the Blue Grotto. Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.
Should you book this Capri boat day?
Book it if you can share the cost with up to six people and you care more about a private sea day than a low-cost visit to Capri. The strongest reasons are the captain’s flexible approach, the careful boat handling, the swimming stops, and the easy access to Nerano for lunch.
Before paying, decide if you are comfortable giving up most land time on Capri. Also ask about the meeting point, lunch plan, and likely Blue Grotto wait. If your group agrees that the sea, the caves, the Faraglioni, and a long lunch are the main event, this is a polished and personal way to see the coast.
FAQ
How much does the private Capri boat tour cost?
The tour costs $2,102.77 per group, with up to six people included. The Blue Grotto fee is separate.
How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately six to seven hours. It begins at 10 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.
Is the tour private?
Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of six people.
Is the Blue Grotto included?
No. The optional Blue Grotto visit costs 18 euros per person. Long queues can form at its entrance.
What is included on the boat?
The tour includes beach towels, private transportation, snacks, fresh fruit, water, Coca-Cola, beer, Spritz, limoncello, other drinks, and snorkeling equipment.
Where does the tour stop?
The planned stops are Li Galli, Grotta Rossa, White Grotto, the Faraglioni, Green Grotto, Blue Grotto if selected, Nerano, and Spiaggia di Tordigliano.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
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