REVIEW · POSITANO
Capri Private Boat Tour from Positano, Praiano or Amalfi
Book on Viator →Operated by Blue Star Positano · Bookable on Viator
Capri looks different when you’re not packed on a ferry. On this private boat day, you get drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear built into a 7-hour plan that you can shape to your interests. You’ll cruise past the big coastal sights, then choose how long you want to roam Capri versus jump in the water.
One note before you book: the Blue Grotto visit costs extra and can involve waiting time.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll actually feel
- Why this private Capri boat feels calmer than the ferry day
- From Positano out to I Faraglioni and the Blue Grotto
- Capri free time: Augustus Gardens, Villa San Michele, and Mt. Solaro
- Swimming and snorkeling at Punta Campanella marine park
- Price and what you’re really buying (up to 12 people)
- Logistics that matter: meeting point, sea comfort, and timing
- Captains make the difference: the human touch you’re paying for
- Should you book this private Capri boat tour from the Amalfi Coast?
- FAQ
- How many people can be on the private boat?
- Where is the meeting point and what time does it start?
- Is the Blue Grotto included in the tour price?
- What food and drinks are included?
- Is snorkeling equipment provided?
- How much free time do I get in Capri?
- Is there a vegetarian option?
- Can I cancel for a full refund, and what if weather is bad?
Key highlights you’ll actually feel

- Private 36-foot boat for up to 12: you’re not squeezed with strangers all day.
- Captain-led pacing: stops for photos, swims, and grottos without rushing you off the water.
- Capri on your terms: a few hours for land exploration, or just enjoy sea views and breaks.
- Snorkeling at Punta Campanella: protected-water swimming with tropical fish.
- On-board comforts: beverages, snacks, towels, and a shower make the day feel easier.
Why this private Capri boat feels calmer than the ferry day

If you’ve ever tried to do Capri by ferry, you know the rhythm: get on, get off, stand in line, and repeat. This tour flips that. You start in the morning at a fixed harbor meeting point in Positano (Via del Brigantino, 1) and then head out on a 36-foot (11-meter) boat reserved for your group up to 12. That matters because the day becomes about your pacing, not the schedule of a big public boat.
The other thing I like is the way the tour mixes structure with choice. You don’t have to plan the whole day yourself—cruising past the coast’s icons and getting to Capri is handled. But once you reach Capri, you get a few hours to decide what you care about: walking, viewpoints, gardens, chairlift views, or simply enjoying a slower pace.
Your main consideration is simple: the tour still includes a Blue Grotto moment, and that attraction is a separate add-on with potential waiting. If you hate lines, go in knowing you may spend some time on that plan.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Positano.
From Positano out to I Faraglioni and the Blue Grotto

At 9:30 am, you check in near the Positano harbor. Then you board your boat and get a welcome drink as you pull away and watch the Amalfi Coast slide past. Early on, you’re seeing the coastline the way it’s meant to be seen: from the sea, with angles you just can’t get from the road.
A big visual stop is the stretch around I Faraglioni, the famous rock formations near Capri. It’s one of those landmarks where seeing it from the water makes everything click—these are dramatic, close-up shapes, not distant “photo spots.”
Then you enter the Capri area and the Blue Grotto. Here’s the practical side:
- The Blue Grotto entrance is not included. Plan on paying about €15–€16 per person when you do it.
- Waiting time can run up to about 1 hour.
- The grotto time is on top of the boat time, so it can affect the pace of your Capri day.
One real advantage of having a captain is that crews understand local flow and how to handle access as best they can. In past days, captains like Gianfranco, Andrea, Roberto, Francesco, Antonio, and Hermes have been praised for running the day smoothly and staying flexible. You still shouldn’t treat Blue Grotto like a guaranteed “walk in and out” moment, but your odds of experiencing it well are better than trying to brute-force it as an independent traveler.
Capri free time: Augustus Gardens, Villa San Michele, and Mt. Solaro
Once you cross over to Capri, the tour shifts gears. You get a few hours of free time on the island. This is where the day becomes personal. You can explore by land, do viewpoints, or choose the “slow tourist” approach—coffee, walking, and enjoying the island rhythm without feeling like you must sprint.
The island highlights you’ll likely run into (or plan around) include places such as:
- Gardens of Augustus
- Villa San Michele
And if you like heights and big views, the tour gives you an option to take the chairlift to the summit of Mt. Solaro. That viewpoint is where Capri’s sea panorama really gets real, but it’s also one of those “you decide” moments. Your ticket and activities while in Capri are at your own expense.
A practical note: because this time is free-form, you’ll want to think about how you move. Capri can reward comfortable shoes and a patient schedule. If your group includes mixed mobility, it can help to decide early what the minimum plan is—enough to see the views you came for, without making everyone hurry.
This is also a good moment to remember what the tour already gives you. You’re not paying for “Capri entertainment.” You’re paying for access from the water plus a private day with controlled stops. Capri time is your chance to connect the sea views to the island sites.
Swimming and snorkeling at Punta Campanella marine park

After you reconvene with your captain, the tour heads to Punta Campanella marine park. This is the part I’d call the “your body will thank you” segment of the day.
Here’s what to expect:
- You’ll cruise to a spot with crystal clear water.
- You can plunge in and snorkel in protected waters.
- The setting is described as rich with tropical fish, which is exactly what you want for snorkeling—visibility and life, not just a random swim.
You get snorkeling equipment included, along with towels. There’s also a shower on board, which is a nice detail if you want to wash off salt before heading back.
This segment is one of the strongest value points because you’re getting actual water time without the stress of booking a separate activity. Your day stays one flow: cruise, Capri time, then back to water for snorkeling.
Price and what you’re really buying (up to 12 people)

The price is $2,297.81 per group for up to 12 people, for about 7 hours. That number looks big until you think about what’s included and what it replaces.
You’re paying for:
- a private boat charter (your group only)
- beverages and snacks
- snorkeling gear, towels, and a shower
- landing and facility fees as listed under included items (you should still expect an additional €100 per booking landing and facility fee to show up in the details)
- guided sea stops to reach the sights with less hassle than ferry hopping
What’s extra:
- Blue Grotto entrance (about €15–€16 per person)
- lunch and most activities in Capri (food and entrance tickets once you’re on the island are your own cost)
- hotel pickup and drop-off (you handle getting to the meeting point)
To judge value, do this math in your head: divide the group price by your headcount. If you fill close to the max, the per-person cost drops dramatically. Even if you’re not maxing out the boat, this can still be a great option when you want to avoid two problems at once: ferry crowd time and scheduling friction.
Also, note that demand is high—on average it’s booked about 117 days in advance. That’s your clue to reserve early, especially if your dates are fixed.
Logistics that matter: meeting point, sea comfort, and timing

You meet at Via del Brigantino, 1, 84017 Positano with a start time of 9:30 am. The tour is set up for flexibility in where you depart from:
- If you choose Positano, you’ll greet your captain and crew at the Positano harbor.
- If you choose Praiano or Amalfi, you’ll receive alternative departure info before the tour.
This flexibility is useful if you’re staying along the coast rather than in Positano. But keep it simple: confirm which harbor you’re using and build extra buffer time so nobody is sprinting down a dock.
One more reality check: this tour is not recommended if you have sea sickness issues. A private boat can feel more comfortable than a crowded ferry, but if you’re sensitive to motion, you should plan differently (or bring your own medical plan).
And because you’ll be on the water most of the day, pack like it’s a real sea day:
- sun protection (even when it clouds over)
- a light layer for the ride
- swim-ready clothes and quick-dry options
Captains make the difference: the human touch you’re paying for

A private boat isn’t only about space. It’s about how your captain reads the day—wind, water feel, crowd timing, and when to pause for photos versus when to keep moving.
In the captain stories tied to this tour, names like Gianfranco, Andrea, Roberto, Hermes, Francesco, and Antonio come up often. The common thread is that they’re described as informative and caring, with a real talent for finding good stops for swimming and caves from the water.
You’ll likely feel that in two ways:
- You’re not just transported. You get a guide who points out what you’re seeing and why it matters.
- When it’s time to swim, the boat doesn’t just drift into a generic “anywhere is fine” spot.
That’s why this tour repeatedly earns top marks: the day doesn’t feel like a checklist. It feels like a plan with room for you.
Should you book this private Capri boat tour from the Amalfi Coast?

Book it if you want a classic Capri day with less crowd stress and more actual water time. This works especially well for groups who value privacy, like couples, families with older kids, and friend groups up to 12 who want to share the boat cost.
Skip it (or rethink it) if the Blue Grotto fee and the possibility of waiting time will annoy you. Also pass if you know you get sea sick.
If you’re deciding between a DIY Capri day and a private charter, I’d lean this way for one reason: you’re paying to reduce friction. Less time coordinating ferries and lines, more time choosing swims, exploring Capri on your schedule, and enjoying the coastline from the water.
FAQ
How many people can be on the private boat?
This is a private boat tour for your group, with the booking listed for up to 12 people.
Where is the meeting point and what time does it start?
The tour starts at Via del Brigantino, 1, 84017 Positano SA, Italy, with a start time of 9:30 am. The activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is the Blue Grotto included in the tour price?
No. Blue Grotto admission is not included, and there is an extra entrance fee of about €15–€16 per person. Waiting time can be up to about 1 hour.
What food and drinks are included?
The tour includes beverages and snacks. Lunch is not included, and any food you buy during your free time in Capri is at your own expense.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with towels and shower access.
How much free time do I get in Capri?
You’ll have a few hours of free time in Capri. Activities in Capri during this time are at your own expense.
Is there a vegetarian option?
A vegetarian option is available. You’ll need to advise at the time of booking if it’s required.
Can I cancel for a full refund, and what if weather is bad?
You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

























