Reviewed · CAPRI BOAT TOURS
Full-Day Private Capri Boat Tour
From Sorrento, the trip to Capri is a day of cliffs, caves, clear-water swimming, and the island’s famous Faraglioni rock stacks, all seen from your own private boat. You can shape the day around time at sea or a stop ashore, rather than following a fixed group itinerary.
I like two things in particular: the flexibility to explore Capri by boat or on land, and the chance to swim in several spots instead of only looking at the coast from a distance. Captains including Simone and Ciro have also helped with lunch plans, which can make a long day easier to organize.
The main consideration is the real price: the advertised group fare is $771.27, but fuel adds €300 per booking, and Capri landing and Blue Grotto fees are extra if you choose those options. The day also depends on good weather, so this is not a plan to build around a fixed, must-do date without some flexibility.
At a glance

- Private boat for up to six: Your group is the only one on the tour, so the pace and balance of boat time and island time can be tailored to your preferences.
- A full day on the water: Plan on about seven to eight hours, with the route taking in the Sorrento Coast, Capri, and the island’s coves.
- Swimming and snorkeling stops: Snorkeling equipment is included, but confirm whether the kit includes an actual snorkel before you set off.
- Capri’s famous sights: The Blue Grotto and Faraglioni are key highlights, with time for optional land visits such as the Piazzetta and Gardens of Augustus.
- Drinks and basics aboard: Water, soft drinks, beer, Prosecco, snacks, WiFi, and a restroom are included. More substantial food is not promised.
- Extra costs matter: Budget separately for the €300 fuel surcharge, the optional €100 Capri landing tax, and the €18-per-person Blue Grotto admission.
Leaving Sorrento along the coast

The route begins with a boat ride along the Sorrento Coast, with views of steep cliffs and landmarks including Marina della Lobra and Punta Campanella. A natural waterfall is also part of the scenery described for this stretch. From the water, the peninsula’s dramatic edges are the show: you get a broad view that is hard to take in from a road or a single viewpoint.
This first section is listed as about two hours, including the journey toward Capri and back along the coast. That is a substantial share of the day, but it is not dead time. It gives you a chance to settle in, enjoy the views, and get a feel for the scale of the coastline before the boat reaches the island.
The tour is private, so you can tell the skipper what matters most to your group. If you want to linger at sea or make more time for a landing, discuss that early. The exact balance will depend on the day’s route and the choices you make, so do not assume every stop will receive equal time.
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Deciding whether to enter the Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is famous for the bright blue glow created when sunlight enters through an underwater opening. The tour allows around 30 minutes for this stop, but entry is not included in the price. Admission is listed at €18 per person, so a group of six should allow €108 if everyone chooses to go in.
This is a distinctive natural sight, but it is an optional extra, not a guaranteed included attraction. If it is high on your list, ask the operator how the stop will work on your date and confirm the admission cost before departure. The provided details do not promise entry, and conditions can affect the day’s plan.
There is also a practical choice to make: time at the grotto comes out of a day that already has several possible priorities. If your group would rather swim, circle the island, or spend time ashore, say so. A private trip is most useful when you agree on the trade-offs before you are underway.
Choosing how to spend time on Capri

The tour allows roughly three hours for Capri, with the option to explore by land or stay focused on the sea. If you go ashore, the suggested sights include the Piazzetta and Gardens of Augustus, with Anacapri and Monte Solaro also named as possibilities. The information does not specify a land transport plan or promise that every sight fits into the available time, so treat these as choices rather than a checklist.
The alternative is to make the island itself the day’s focus from the boat: caves, coastal views, and stops in the water. That works well if your group values swimming and scenery over town visits. If you want both a leisurely boat circuit and a substantial land visit, be realistic about the clock. Seven to eight hours sounds generous, but the journey, swimming, and any landing all share that time.
A Capri landing tax of €100 is listed as optional and is not included. Check whether it applies to your planned stop ashore, and factor it into the total before deciding. This fee is separate from the Blue Grotto admission, so the add-ons can stack up if you want both.
Swimming around Capri and the Faraglioni

The final part of the stated itinerary gives about an hour and a half to explore Capri by sea, swim in attractive spots, and reach the Faraglioni. These rock stacks are among the island’s defining sights, and seeing them from water gives the boat route a clear high point.
Swimming is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat over a simple transfer. You can take breaks in more than one spot, and the captain can adjust the day to your group’s interests. Snorkeling equipment is included, but one useful detail from a past outing is worth checking: the gear may not include an actual snorkel. Ask what is aboard rather than assuming the kit is complete.
Bring what your group needs for a day of swimming and sun, and ask the operator what is already supplied. The listed inclusions cover drinks, snacks, and snorkeling equipment, but do not specify towels or other personal items. Do not plan on a full meal onboard; one party found that the snacks were limited to a bag of chips and advised arranging more food ahead of time.
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Lunch, drinks, and the captain

Lunch planning can be a real help on a full-day outing. Captains have arranged reservations, including at a small fishing village and on Capri. These are useful examples, not a guarantee of a particular restaurant or meal, so tell the operator what kind of stop you want and confirm any arrangements in advance.
On board, the supplied drinks include water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, beer, and Prosecco, along with snacks. Wine is available by request but is not included. Alcohol is provided only to people over 18. If you want more than light snacks, bring food or request it before the trip; do not count on a substantial lunch being served on the boat.
Names associated with the operation include Simone, who handles pre-trip communication, and captains such as Ciro, Mario, and Marco. Their roles may vary by departure. The personal touches described include pointing out landmarks, explaining local history, choosing scenic stops, and helping with lunch reservations. Those details can make a private outing feel more connected to the place, especially if you ask questions as you go.
What the price really covers

The listed price is $771.27 per group of up to six. That works out to about $129 per person if all six places are filled, before extra charges. For a couple or a smaller family, the per-person cost rises, though the benefit is that the boat is reserved for your own party rather than shared with strangers.
The €300 fuel surcharge is additional per booking. Add the optional €100 Capri landing tax if you plan to go ashore and €18 per person if you enter the Blue Grotto. The total can therefore be notably higher than the headline fare, particularly for a full group that wants both paid stops. Confirm how these charges are collected and which ones apply to your preferred plan before booking.
The value comes from privacy, a long day with a skipper, and the freedom to adjust the balance of sightseeing, swimming, and time on land. The included restroom, WiFi, drinks, and snacks are practical comforts on a day at sea. But this is not the cheapest way to reach Capri. If your priority is simply getting to the island, compare it with other transport options; if you want the boat itself to be a central part of the day, the private format makes more sense.
Who will get the most from this trip

This tour suits families and small groups who want a shared day on the water and are willing to pay for privacy. Families with children have used it successfully, and the captain can make the day patient and enjoyable for younger passengers. The private setup also helps if your group has different ideas about swimming, sightseeing, and lunch.
It is a particularly good fit if you want to see Capri from the sea, swim in several places, and leave room for a meal ashore. It is less suited to anyone who needs a rigid schedule or wants every extra expense included in one price. The route and stops offer choice, but that means you need to make decisions together.
The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is received at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour depends on good weather; if poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. It is typically booked about 60 days in advance, so reserve early if your dates are fixed.
Should you book the Sorrento to Capri boat tour?

Book it if your ideal Capri day includes coastal views, swimming, and a skipper who can help tailor the route, rather than just transport from one port to another. The private format, flexible mix of boat and land time, and lunch-planning help are the strongest reasons to choose it.
Before you commit, calculate the full cost for your group, decide whether the Blue Grotto and a landing ashore are priorities, and ask exactly what snorkeling gear and food will be aboard. If you are happy with those details and have some flexibility for weather, this is a practical way to make the boat ride part of the holiday, not merely the way to get there.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
It lasts approximately seven to eight hours.
How many people can join the private tour?
The price is for a group of up to six people, and only your group participates.
Where does the tour start?
The tour is based in Sorrento, Italy.
Is the Blue Grotto admission included?
No. Admission is listed at €18 per person.
Is the Capri landing tax included?
No. An optional Capri landing tax of €100 is listed as an extra.
Is there an additional fuel charge?
Yes. The fuel surcharge is €300 per booking.
What drinks and snacks are provided?
Water, Coca-Cola, Fanta, beer, Prosecco, and snacks are available aboard. Wine can be requested, and alcohol is provided only to people over 18.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes, snorkeling equipment is included. Confirm with the operator whether the kit includes an actual snorkel.
Can I explore Capri on land?
Yes. The tour allows time to explore by land or by sea. Suggested places include the Piazzetta, Gardens of Augustus, Anacapri, and Monte Solaro.
What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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