Li Galli Islands and Capri Small Group Boat Tour from Amalfi

Capri looks best from the water, where its cliffs, caves, and Faraglioni rise around you without the island’s packed streets. This seven-hour gozzo cruise combines that fine coastal view with swimming stops and free time on Capri, all in a group of no more than about 12 people.

I like the easy port departure from Amalfi and the friendly, attentive hosts, including Lucia, Desi, Alessandra, and Giovanni on different departures. I also like the welcome prosecco, onboard snacks, and final swim at Li Galli. The main drawback is time: about three hours on Capri can disappear quickly in lines, heat, lunch, and local transport.

Key points to know

• Traditional gozzo from Amalfi: Board near Piazza Flavio Gioia for a classic wooden-boat ride with a sundeck.
• Two main swimming stops: Swim near Punta Campanella and the protected Li Galli islets, with a stop near the Faraglioni as well.
• Capri time is limited: You get roughly two and a half to three hours ashore, so plan one or two priorities.
• Small but not private: The boat holds up to about 12 travelers, creating a friendly group without offering a private charter.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear: Equipment is not included, and some departures may offer more swimming than snorkeling.
• Extra cost to remember: The price is $252.76 per person, plus a €5 destination fee. Lunch, hotel transfers, and other alcoholic drinks cost extra.

A Classic Gozzo Departure From Amalfi

The meeting point is Cruise & Snorkel Amalfi Coast at the Molo, Darsena, opposite Amalfi’s main square, Piazza Flavio Gioia. You meet at 9:40 a.m., then board a traditional wooden gozzo with a sundeck and settle in for the ride toward Capri.

This is a good setup if you are staying in Amalfi because there is no hotel pickup to complicate the morning. You do need to find the port yourself, so allow enough time to reach the dock and locate the boat. One host has helped people who got turned around near the meeting point, but it is still wiser to arrive early.

The day begins with a prosecco toast. Two bottles of water per person and snacks are included, though lunch is not. Other alcoholic drinks are not part of the basic package, and towel rental may be available for an extra charge.

The group is small, but this is not a private boat. The stated maximum is about 12 people, with some information also describing a possible 12 to 14 passengers. That gives you room to move around and makes it easier to talk with the crew, but you still share the boat, swimming stops, and Capri schedule with others.

Cruising the Amalfi Coast Toward Punta Campanella

The first part of the day is a scenic cruise along the coast toward Capri. From the boat, you get a different view of the Amalfi Coast than you do from the road or a crowded town overlook. The cliffs and coastal villages are best appreciated from offshore, where the water gives you distance and a clear view of the shoreline.

The first planned swim is at Punta Campanella, a marine protected area near the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, enough for a quick swim and a few minutes in the clear water, but not enough for a long beach break.

The boat stops in the water rather than bringing you to a sandy shore. That matters because many swimming areas around Capri and the Amalfi Coast are rocky or reached only from the sea. You climb down from the boat, swim, and return to the gozzo, so you should be comfortable using a swim ladder and getting in and out of open water.

Snorkeling is part of the advertised experience, but equipment is not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel if seeing below the surface matters to you. Also keep your expectations measured: several accounts describe the swimming stops as the strongest part of the outing, while one departure provided only a short jump into the water and little actual snorkeling.

Seeing the Faraglioni From the Sea

Near Capri, the boat heads toward the Faraglioni, the island’s famous sea stacks. This is one of the best photo moments of the day. You see the rock formations from the water, often with the boat slowing for photographs and a swim near the area.

The published timing gives this stop about 30 minutes. That is enough to swim, look up at the rock walls, and take pictures, but the exact experience can change with sea conditions and boat traffic.

The crew may explain the sights along the way. Hosts such as Lucia and Desi have been praised for keeping the group informed and helping everyone know where to meet later. Still, the boat motor can make commentary hard to hear, especially when the boat is moving. If you want the historical and geographic details, listen closely when the engine is off or the boat is moving slowly.

The Blue Grotto is not included in this tour. This is an important point because many Capri boat excursions use the grotto as a selling point. Here, the schedule avoids the long wait associated with the grotto. You can try to visit it during your free time on Capri, but the short island stop and local queues may make that difficult.

Three Hours on Capri, If You Use Them Carefully

The boat drops you on Capri for roughly two and a half to three hours. This is the only substantial time on land, and it goes faster than you might expect.

You can use the time for lunch, a walk, shopping, gelato, or a visit to a specific Capri sight. You cannot do everything. The island’s transport lines, heat, uphill streets, and busy central areas can consume a large part of your stop before you even reach your chosen activity.

A practical plan is to pick one main goal before leaving the boat. If you want lunch and a quick look around Capri town, stay focused on that. If you want the chairlift, the funicular, or the far side of the island, check the route and queues first. The funicular can have a long wait, and a taxi may save time compared with the bus. One useful tip from a previous outing is to take a taxi up in Capri when speed matters.

You should also budget for the cost of eating on the island. Lunch is not included, and Capri prices can be high. One departure provided a large sandwich as an extra surprise, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every trip. Bring enough money for food, transport, and any attraction you want to visit.

The limited island time is the central tradeoff. If Capri itself is your main priority, a ferry or a longer island visit may give you more time ashore for less money. If you want the coast, swimming, and a small-group boat ride as much as Capri, the shorter visit makes more sense.

The Return Ride and Li Galli Swim

After meeting the group back at the boat, the return journey heads toward Amalfi. The crew usually adds a surprise along the way. Past departures have included extra snacks, drinks, limoncello, or a sandwich, but the exact surprise is not fixed.

The final swim is near Li Galli, a group of protected private islets between the Amalfi Coast and Capri. The islets are linked with old legends and are now a marine protected area. You do not go ashore. The appeal is the quiet setting and the chance to swim from the boat in clear water before the ride back.

This last stop can be the most relaxing part of the day. You have already seen Capri, and the pressure to get somewhere has ended. You can dry off on the sundeck, share a drink with the group, and watch the coast from offshore.

The boat is scheduled to return to Amalfi at about 4:45 p.m. Since the tour depends on sea and weather conditions, the timing can shift. The provider can cancel for poor weather and offer another date or a full refund.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Different departures have included hosts named Lucia, Desi, Alessandra, Giovanni, Elena, Daisy, and others, so you should not book expecting one particular person unless the provider confirms it.

The strongest reports describe hosts who explain the sights, check that everyone knows the meeting time, pour drinks, organize swimming stops, and handle small problems with care. That personal attention matters on a boat day, especially when you are sharing a tight schedule and need to return to the boat on time.

Communication can vary. Some captains speak limited English, while the onboard host handles explanations in English. Engine noise can also drown out commentary. If learning every detail about Capri is important to you, this is not a substitute for a dedicated guided island tour.

The crew also has to balance different interests. Some people want to swim, others want photos, and others want to reach Capri quickly. The small group helps, but the boat cannot wait indefinitely for every individual plan once you go ashore.

What the $252.76 Price Really Covers

At $252.76 per person, this is an expensive day compared with simply taking a ferry to Capri. The price is easier to justify if you value the sea time: a traditional boat, a small group, two bottles of water, snacks, a prosecco welcome, several coastal viewpoints, and swimming stops.

The €5 destination fee is extra. Hotel pickup, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and additional alcoholic drinks are also excluded. The total cost can rise once you add transport to the port, food on Capri, and taxis or attractions on the island.

A ferry gives you more control over your island schedule and may cost less, but it does not give you the same sequence of swimming stops, Faraglioni views, Li Galli, or an onboard host. A private boat would offer more freedom but usually costs far more. This tour sits between those choices: more personal than a large ferry, less flexible than a private charter.

I think the value is strongest for a couple or small group that wants one active sea day and does not want to organize separate boat tickets, swimming locations, and island transport. The value is weaker if your only goal is spending as much time as possible exploring Capri.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Tour Most?

This suits you if you like being on the water, can swim from a boat, and enjoy a planned day with several short stops. It is also a good fit if you are staying in Amalfi and want to avoid arranging a separate trip to Capri.

You will get the most from it if you bring a swimsuit, sun protection, a towel, comfortable shoes, and your own snorkeling gear. Keep your phone protected from spray, and do not count on having time to change fully between the swim stops and Capri.

The tour is less suitable if you dislike boats, need a long beach stay, want a fully guided visit inside Capri, or expect a Blue Grotto stop. It may also frustrate you if you want a slow island day with no timetable.

Most people can participate, but the activity involves boarding a boat, moving around a deck, and climbing in and out for swimming. Ask the provider if you have mobility concerns, as the supplied information does not describe special access arrangements.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if your ideal Amalfi day includes clear-water swims, coastal views, a small boat, and a taste of Capri. The attentive hosts, comfortable gozzo, prosecco, snacks, and Li Galli stop create a pleasant full-day outing.

Choose a ferry instead if Capri is your main event and you want more than three hours on the island. Choose a private boat if you need total control of the route. For everyone else, this is a good compromise, provided you understand that the boat ride is the main attraction and Capri is a timed stop.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before departure. The tour needs favorable weather and at least six people, so a poor forecast or low enrollment can lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet the skipper at Cruise & Snorkel Amalfi Coast, Molo, Darsena, 84011 Amalfi, opposite Piazza Flavio Gioia and Amalfi’s main square.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled meeting and departure time is 9:40 a.m.

When does the boat return to Amalfi?

The scheduled return is about 4:45 p.m., making the experience roughly seven hours long.

How much time do I get on Capri?

You get about two and a half to three hours to explore Capri independently.

Is the Blue Grotto included?

No. The tour does not include a Blue Grotto stop because of the long waiting time. You may try to visit it during your free time on Capri.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome prosecco toast, snacks, and two bottles of water per person. Lunch and other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is this a private boat tour?

No. It is a small-group tour with a maximum of about 12 people, though some details describe a possible group of 12 to 14.

What happens if the weather is bad or the group is too small?

If poor weather or insufficient enrollment causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.