Capri Caves and Beaches Guided Kayak Tour with Photos

Marina Piccola: the start of the paddle

Marina Piccola is the small southern harbour of Capri, reached from Capri town by the zigzag road of Via Krupp or by a short bus or taxi ride. It has a pebble beach, a few boats and a view of the Faraglioni, and it is the natural launch point for a Capri kayak tour because the water is sheltered and the best coastline lies just around the point.

On the beach your guide gives a safety briefing, explains how to use the paddle and assigns kayaks, either single or double according to availability. You then paddle out along the cliffs. Visitors often ask about the best time to visit Capri for water activities: from late spring to early autumn the sea is warm and calm.

Caves and hidden beaches

Where big boats must stay offshore, a kayak can glide right up to the rock. Along the south coast you reach small beaches with no road access, and enter sea caves cut into the limestone. In one of the Green Caves the light reflected from the sea floor gives the water an unreal blue-green colour, and the walls seem to glow.

Your guide also takes you to the Cave of the Water and explains its history and the way the coast was used in ancient times. Because the group is small and the pace is gentle, the tour suits beginners, and the tour respects the marine ecosystem by paddling quietly and without touching the rock.

The Arch of the Star and the Faraglioni

A highlight of this sea kayak tour is paddling through the Arch of the Star, a natural rock opening you can enter only from the water. The sea breeze and the quiet of the paddle make it one of the most memorable moments of the tour.

The trip ends near the Faraglioni, the three rock stacks that rise over a hundred metres from the sea and are the symbol of Capri. The guide takes photographs of you in your kayak with the Faraglioni behind you, and shares them with you free of charge. There is also time for a swim in the clear water.

Before you go: swimming, weather and what to bring

Knowing how to swim is mandatory, so this tour is not for non-swimmers. Please also note that it is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems or people over 120 kg. In bad weather the route may change, or the tour may be cancelled if conditions are particularly poor.

Arrive 30 minutes before the start to check in and change. Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, sunglasses and water, and use the luggage storage provided. If you are looking for the best things to do in Capri that combine sport with scenery, this one is hard to beat.