Capri Small-Group Boat Trip from Amalfi or Positano

Along the Amalfi Coast from Amalfi to Positano

The day starts in Amalfi, the old maritime republic that gave the coast its name, with its cathedral bell tower rising behind the harbour. Heading west, the boat follows the cliffs past Conca dei Marini, the Furore fjord and Praiano, villages of white and pastel houses linked by a road carved into the rock in the 19th century. Your skipper points out the 16th-century watchtowers built against pirate raids.

Then Positano appears, its houses stacked down a ravine to the beach. Just beyond lie the Li Galli islands, three small islets tied by legend to the sirens of ancient myth. Seeing this stretch from the water is the best answer to how to get to Capri from the Amalfi Coast in style: no bus transfers or ferry queues, just a direct cruise from your own departure point.

Crossing to Capri past the Sorrento peninsula

After the Li Galli islands the boat rounds the tip of the Sorrento peninsula at Punta Campanella, a protected marine area where the Bay of Naples meets the Gulf of Salerno. Ahead, Capri rises sharply from the sea, a limestone island of cliffs and pine woods only a few kilometres offshore. The crossing on the open water takes about 30 minutes, depending on the sea.

From a small boat the island's scale is striking: sheer walls fall straight into deep blue water, and you quickly see why Roman emperors chose Capri for their villas. Have your camera ready as the boat approaches Marina Grande, the island's main harbour, where you step ashore for your free time.

Free time on Capri: Marina Grande, Capri town and Anacapri

You have about three hours to explore Capri on your own, with no extra fee to go ashore. From Marina Grande a funicular climbs in a few minutes to Capri town and its famous Piazzetta, the small square of cafes at the heart of island life. From there, lanes lead to viewpoints over the Faraglioni and to quiet gardens high above the sea.

Alternatively, local buses run up to Anacapri, the island's higher and calmer village, where a chairlift rises to the summit of Monte Solaro at 589 metres, the highest point of Capri, with views across both gulfs. Lunch is at your own expense; seafood and vegetarian dishes are easy to find, while halal food is very limited on the island. Is Capri worth visiting on a day trip? With three hours ashore and the coast seen by boat, you see the best of both.

The Faraglioni rocks and Marina Piccola

Back on board, the boat tour around Capri takes about an hour and a half. On the south coast you pass Marina Piccola, a sheltered bay with small beaches, then reach the Faraglioni, three tall limestone stacks rising from the sea. The middle stack has a natural arch wide enough for small boats to pass through, and on the outer one lives a rare blue lizard found nowhere else.

Your skipper slows down for photos and, sea permitting, passes under the arch, a moment every guest remembers. The cliffs here are among the most dramatic on the island, with pine trees clinging to the rock and the town of Capri high above. This is the view most people have in mind when they picture a Capri boat tour.

Green Grotto, White Grotto and Punta Carena

Capri's coast is full of sea caves. The Green Grotto, on the south side, owes its name to the emerald reflections the sunlight makes on the water and the rock, while the White Grotto, on the east coast, is known for its pale limestone formations. At the south-western tip stands the Punta Carena lighthouse, built in the 19th century, with rocky coves and clear water below.

The Blue Grotto is not included, because its queues can be very long and would cut your time on the island; if you wish, you can visit it on your own during the free time using local boats from Marina Grande, when the sea allows entry. The tour ends with a swim and snorkelling stop in a clear bay before the cruise back to Amalfi, about 8 hours after departure.