Capri on a private boat is a different world. This Amalfi-to-Capri cruise is all about custom time on the water—swims in quiet coves, passing famous rock formations, and getting a captain who can shape the day around your group.

I especially love the swim-first style of this outing. You’re not stuck watching from a deck while the masses shuffle around; you’ll have real chances to jump in at scenic spots, including off the Li Galli islands.

One thing to keep in mind: not everything is included. The Blue Grotto has an entry fee, and lunch is on your own dime, so you’ll want a little budget flexibility if you want the full Capri experience.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Private boat, up to 5 people: your group controls the pace.
• Choose your boat category: open deck, speedboat, leisure boat, or a larger yacht-style option.
• Swim stops at Li Galli and around Capri: the best moments are often the water breaks.
• Capri highlights from the sea: Faraglioni, Marina Piccola, and the hole in Faraglioni.
• Grottos and lighthouse views, with fees: Blue Grotto entry costs extra.
• Snorkeling gear + towels: bottled water and masks are part of the package.

Why this Amalfi-to-Capri day feels worth the money

A boat trip is the one way to see the Amalfi and Capri coastline the way it’s meant to be seen: sideways. From the water, the villas, fishing villages, and cliffside towns don’t look like postcards—you get the geography, the curves, and the scale.

This particular tour is priced for a private group up to 5, which matters. If you fill the boat, the cost per person drops fast compared to paying for separate shared excursions. Even if you don’t fill it, you’re buying something most people can’t: the ability to move when you want, stop where you want, and spend extra time at the best water spot instead of the schedule “checklist.”

The “custom” part is not marketing fluff. The day is built around cruising to Capri, then spending time where your captain thinks you’ll get the best mix of views and swimming. The itinerary includes major sights you’ll pass and optional stops you can use (or skip). That means you can travel like a planner—or like someone who just wants their feet wet and their phone packed away.

Choosing your boat: open deck vs speed vs leisure (and why it matters)

When you book, you can pick a boat category. The differences aren’t just comfort—they change the whole feel of the day.

• Open boat / open deck: Great for sun, great for that full coastal feeling, and usually the most “classic” option. If it’s hot (and Amalfi in summer can be brutal), plan on sunscreen and shade breaks.
• Speedboat options: You usually gain a bit of flexibility and easier time moving between stops. If your group wants more cruising and less waiting, this category can fit better.
• Leisure boat / larger yacht-style option: More shade and more comfort. For late-summer heat, families, or anyone who just wants to chill, this choice can feel like the smarter day.

In real terms: if you’re the kind of group that loves long sun time and doesn’t mind splashing around, open deck can work. If your group is more “we want shade and a calmer ride,” go for a roofed option. Also, if someone gets seasick easily, consider a category that sounds more stable and shaded—your captain will monitor sea conditions and can adjust the plan if needed.

Either way, you’ll be out for about 6 hours, and you’ll still have the freedom to add or reduce time at sights.

From Darsena Pier to Li Galli: the calm start and the Sirens stop

Your day begins at Darsana Pier in Amalfi. After you meet your captain, you board your selected boat and head away from the dock life and into the coastal scenery.

The early cruise is where you start collecting the “why this is private” moments. You’ll pass villas and fishing villages along the route, and the captain can help you spot what you’d otherwise miss from the road.

Then comes a standout optional stop: Li Galli, a tiny archipelago near Positano. This is where the tone changes from cruising to playing. You can stop to swim off the boat, and it’s one of those places that feels removed from the big-tour world. The mythology angle (Sirens and Ulysses) is part of the charm, but what you’ll actually remember is the water and the quiet.

If you’re trying to build an Amalfi day that feels like an escape, put some of your energy into these first water stops. They’re often the hardest to replicate once Capri crowds start rolling in.

Capri from the water: Faraglioni, Marina Piccola, and grotto choices

When you arrive in Capri, you’re not stuck with a bus rhythm. Your captain guides you around the island’s signature features from the sea, and you decide how long you want at each area.

Here are the big “Capri from the water” hits you’ll see or pass by:

• Faraglioni rock formations, including cruising “right through the hole” in the center of them. This is the kind of view that doesn’t land the same in photos.
• Marina Piccola, a rocky area near the Faraglioni where the coastal mood feels more rugged than the postcard center.
• Punta Carena lighthouse, one of the island’s dramatic points.
• Beach clubs and coves you can spot from offshore (some areas like La Fontelina are included as pass-by highlights).

You’ll also have grotto time, but with a budget note. The Blue Grotto is included as a stop idea, yet entry costs €18. That means your captain can take you to the right moment, but you’ll still pay the ticket separately if you want to go inside.

Green Grotto viewing is also part of the day plan, with the option to enjoy a swim in incredibly beautiful water. The key word here is option. A private tour works best when you treat it like choices, not like a checklist.

The practical trade-off: grottos take decisions

Even when a tour includes multiple grotto stops on paper, your real day depends on timing and sea conditions. Grotto entries can add waiting time, and some areas are better suited to quick looks from the boat plus swimming nearby. The “value” of this outing is that you’re not locked into the same order as every shared tour.

If you know you want Blue Grotto entry no matter what, plan for the extra €18 per person and expect that it may shape the rest of your timing. If you’re more of a swim-and-sun person, you can treat the grotto stops as optional “nice to have” moments and keep your day fluid.

Lunch on the coast: shore time and the white wine and peaches idea

Lunch is not included, but the tour is designed so you can still eat like you’re on holiday, not like you’re on a schedule.

Your captain can help find a seaside restaurant, and the boat can pull up so you can head in for a meal. Lunch is also a chance to slow the day down a bit—Capri is famous for views, but what’s special here is eating with the sea right there, not across town.

One of the most charming details in the plan is the suggestion to try a local aperitif pairing: white wine and peaches. You’re not required to do it, but if you like small local rituals—this is the kind of “just do it” moment that makes the day feel grown-up and memorable.

If you want the smoothest lunch day, decide in advance what you prefer:

• long lunch + scenic restaurant
• quicker lunch so you can maximize swim time

Either works, and that’s the point of going private.

What’s included onboard (and what you should plan to bring or pay)

This tour is pretty well stocked for a day on the water. Included items are:

• bottled water
• soda
• snacks (note: not available on open deck boat)
• towels
• snorkeling masks
• alcoholic beverages: beer and Prosecco available (how much you get can vary by boat setup)
• a local skipper, plus fuel and taxes

That snacks detail is worth a heads-up if you’re choosing an open deck. If you’re the type who needs steady food (especially with sun and sea air), pick your boat category accordingly—or bring a little backup snack.

The alcohol reality check

Alcohol is described as included (beer and Prosecco available). Still, I’d treat it as a “we’ve got some for you” situation, not as an unlimited bar. One group noted the amount felt light. So if your group wants cocktails or lots of extra drinks, plan to buy more locally.

Extra costs you may run into

From the provided info, the main extras are:

• Blue Grotto entrance fee (€18)
• optional lunch (own expense)
• a €100 port fee if you choose to disembark via Marina Grande Port

If you’re trying to keep things simple and cost predictable, you can build your plan around swimming and boat-side sights and treat Blue Grotto as an optional paid add-on rather than a must.

Price and value: when $1,318.21 per group makes sense

Let’s do the math like a grown-up.

The price is $1,318.21 per group (up to 5) for about 6 hours. If you fill all five spots, you’re effectively paying roughly $264 per person for a private boat day with water access, masks, towels, and a skipper. If you’re only 2 people, it becomes about $659 per person.

So when does it make sense?

• You have a group of 3–5 and want the privacy and swim time.
• You’re celebrating something and want the day to feel personal (your route, your pace, your stops).
• You want to avoid the “everyone boards at once” experience and spend your time where the water is best.

Also consider what you’d pay instead. Shared excursions often cover the famous viewpoints, but they rarely give you control over swim timing and boat-side coves. Here, you’re paying for fewer people and more flexibility—which is exactly what you’re paying for when you choose a private tour.

Practical tips to make your day go smoothly

A few small choices can make a huge difference on the water.

First, time your day for sea comfort. Your captain continuously monitors conditions and can change routes or stops if needed. That matters because the coast can look calm from shore while still being choppy out near the points. If you’re prone to seasickness, plan to take precautions before you leave the dock.

Second, pack like you’re going swimming often. Even with towels provided, you’ll want:

• swimwear you don’t mind rewearing after one swim
• sunscreen you trust (reapply)
• a dry layer for the ride back in case the sea wind cools you down

Third, bring the right mindset. This kind of day is not about ticking every sight. It’s about using the boat as your front-row seat and then choosing your water moments carefully. If you’re the type who gets stressed when a plan changes, remember the tour is flexible for a reason.

Finally, plan for a great day even if you’re not a grotto person. Some people love boat views and water breaks more than cave interiors. Capri’s sea sights still deliver even if you treat grottos as optional.

Should you book this Amalfi to Capri private boat tour?

If you want Capri with less hassle and more time in the water, I think this is a strong yes. The best fit is a small group that values privacy, swim stops, and the freedom to shape the day instead of following a fixed rhythm.

I’d think twice if:

• your group is only two people and you’re feeling price sensitivity
• you’re expecting fully included Blue Grotto entry and a no-extra-cost lunch
• everyone in your party needs a very predictable, never-changing itinerary (the captain can adjust based on sea conditions)

But if your idea of a perfect Amalfi day includes quiet coves, Faraglioni views, snorkeling masks, and a skipper who helps you make it feel effortless, this private boat outing is exactly the kind of experience you remember long after the photos.

FAQ

What is the group size for this private boat tour?

It’s a private tour for your group, up to 5 people.

Where do we meet for the Amalfi to Capri tour?

You meet your captain at Darsana Pier in Amalfi.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 6 hours.

What boat types can I choose during booking?

You can choose among categories such as an open boat, speedboat, leisure boat, or a larger yacht-style option.

Is the Blue Grotto included?

Blue Grotto entry is not included. The entrance fee is €18.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. The tour includes an optional lunch stop on your own expense.

What’s included onboard?

Included items are bottled water, soda, snacks (not available on open deck boat), alcoholic beverages (beer and bottle of Prosecco available), towels, snorkeling masks, fuel, taxes, and a local skipper.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes, snorkeling masks are included.

Is there an extra fee related to Marina Grande Port?

Yes. A €100 port fee applies if you choose to disembark through Marina Grande Port.

What happens if weather is unsafe?

Your captain decides if sea conditions are safe. If it’s deemed unsafe on the scheduled day, the tour is refundable, with the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.