REVIEW · POSITANO
Positano to Capri Private Boat Tour – Scenic Mediterranean Cruise
Book on Viator →Operated by Excursion Boat Sorrento · Bookable on Viator
Capri’s coastline looks different from a private boat. I like the small-group freedom to pick your pace and the fact that you get real time in the water with snorkeling gear, towels, and a swim stop built in. One thing to watch: Blue Grotto access isn’t guaranteed, and you may also need to cover a fuel surcharge on arrival.
Starting from Positano Spiaggia means you skip the ferry shuffle and spend the day on the route instead of in line. The plan mixes iconic Capri sights (Faraglioni, lighthouse views) with natural caves and a practical swim at Marina Piccola—plus a stop at Li Galli that’s ticketed and timed for good viewing.
This is an 8-hour private cruise (up to 7 people) with a local skipper and English offered. You’ll have drinks and a snack on board, but the best experience depends on good weather and keeping the day’s timing realistic.
In This Review
- Key things you’ll notice on this private Positano to Capri cruise
- Why a private boat from Positano feels easier than the ferry day
- Your skipper and the freedom to set the route (Alberto and Tony included)
- Stop-by-stop Capri itinerary: Blue Grotto, Grotta Bianca, and Faraglioni
- Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra): the famous electric-blue cave
- Grotta Bianca (White Grotto): usually admired from the boat
- Faraglioni: Capri’s iconic sea stacks (and the good-luck arch)
- Punta Carena Lighthouse and Marina Piccola: when the day turns into a swim-and-view cruise
- Punta Carena Lighthouse: dramatic cliffs and long-range sea views
- Marina Piccola: clear water, easy decompression
- Li Galli islands: sirens, myths, and a quick ticketed viewing window
- What’s included on board (so you don’t feel nickel-and-dimed)
- Blue Grotto timing and weather reality (how to protect your day)
- The price question: $1,123.78 per group, plus fuel
- Who this tour is best for (and who should pass)
- Should you book this Positano to Capri private boat tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the private tour start?
- Where does the tour begin and end?
- How many people are in the group?
- Is English available?
- What is included in the price?
- What extra fee should I expect?
- Is the Blue Grotto included?
- Does the tour include Li Galli?
Key things you’ll notice on this private Positano to Capri cruise

- Private start from Positano: more time at sea, no ferry day pressure
- Blue Grotto logistics: depends on sea conditions and waiting times; ticket not included
- Snorkeling-ready setup: masks and towels provided, life jackets for everyone
- Iconic Faraglioni passing: guided by your skipper, including the central arch good-luck story
- Li Galli with admission included: a short but meaningful view of the siren islands
- Fuel surcharge on arrival: €300 per booking to budget for
Why a private boat from Positano feels easier than the ferry day
From Positano, the coast already gives you those postcard angles—but the ferry day can steal time from the views. This tour is built around leaving directly from Positano and staying on the water, so your day doesn’t hinge on timetables, transfer lines, or crowding at docks.
You also get the benefit of traveling with your own captain and your own group. With a maximum capacity of 7 people, the day feels like a shared adventure rather than a big-boat herd move from stop to stop. That matters most on Capri, where some caves and viewpoints can get crowded and timing gets tight.
And yes, you still get classic Capri. You just see it from the sea, where the lines, cliffs, and coves actually make sense.
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Your skipper and the freedom to set the route (Alberto and Tony included)

The heart of this experience is the skipper. In the feedback, the standout names are Alberto—praised for being patient, kind, fun, and great at the day’s flow—and Tony—described as thoughtful and informative about the caves and attractions you can visit from the water.
What this means for you in practice: you’re not just buying transportation. You’re buying someone local who can explain what you’re seeing and adjust the day based on conditions. The tour is marketed as customizable, letting you choose your rhythm and itinerary preferences within what’s possible by sea.
The catch is that a skipper can’t control the sea. Blue Grotto access can fail due to water and waiting time, and if the day runs late, a scheduled grotto visit can close. The key is to treat this as a day at sea with your captain’s plan—not as a rigid checklist you can force no matter what.
Stop-by-stop Capri itinerary: Blue Grotto, Grotta Bianca, and Faraglioni

Here’s what your Capri portion looks like, and what to expect at each stop.
Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra): the famous electric-blue cave
This is Capri’s headline sea cave. The light effect comes from sunlight entering an underwater opening, creating that glowing, electric-blue water look.
Two practical notes:
- Entry is by small rowboat, and access depends on sea conditions and waiting times.
- The admission ticket isn’t included, so you should expect a separate charge if you get in.
When conditions work out, it’s truly special. When they don’t, you still get Capri by boat, but the cave moment may have to be swapped, shortened, or moved. That uncertainty is the trade-off for seeing something this famous.
Grotta Bianca (White Grotto): usually admired from the boat
The White Grotto is known for bright, white rock formations and dramatic stalactites. Sunlight reflects off limestone walls, giving it a glowing look.
Unlike the Blue Grotto, this stop is typically viewed from the boat, so you’re not dependent on landing and waiting for rowboat access in the same way.
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Faraglioni: Capri’s iconic sea stacks (and the good-luck arch)
Then you hit the signature rock formations: the Faraglioni. These towering stacks rise from turquoise water, and each has its own name and story.
A classic bit of folklore here: passing through the arch of the central stack, Faraglione di Mezzo, is said to bring good luck. It’s the kind of detail a good skipper will time for you, and it’s exactly the sort of sight that feels best from the water, not from shore.
Punta Carena Lighthouse and Marina Piccola: when the day turns into a swim-and-view cruise

After the famous rocks and caves, the itinerary shifts toward viewpoints and water time.
Punta Carena Lighthouse: dramatic cliffs and long-range sea views
Punta Carena is on Capri’s southwestern tip and is one of Italy’s most picturesque lighthouses. It sits atop cliffs and has guided sailors since 1867.
Here’s a fun factual detail that makes the view feel less random: Capri is also home to the second most important lighthouse in Italy by visibility, with a maximum range of 25 miles, built in the late 1800s. From the water, you don’t just see a structure—you see it in context of open sea and rugged coast.
If the timing lines up, this is the kind of stop that helps you catch that softer light people love around late afternoon.
Marina Piccola: clear water, easy decompression
Marina Piccola is a sheltered bay on Capri’s southern coast. The water is known for being clear, and the Faraglioni backdrop makes it feel instantly photogenic.
This is where you get your practical payoff: relax, cool off, and swim. Since snorkeling masks and towels are included, you can treat this as a main swim moment rather than a quick dip.
Li Galli islands: sirens, myths, and a quick ticketed viewing window

After Capri, you’ll cruise past Li Galli, a small group of private islands off the Amalfi Coast. They’re known for crystal-clear water and mythological connections.
The legend says they were once home to sirens who tried to lure Ulysses. Today, they’re best seen from the boat, and the tour includes a 20-minute stop with admission included.
Li Galli is short on time compared with Capri, but that’s the point. It’s a clean add-on that gives your day more variety—especially if you’re already focused on caves and coastline rock formations.
What’s included on board (so you don’t feel nickel-and-dimed)
This tour is one of those setups where the included items make the day more comfortable, not just more “tour-like.”
Included:
- Drinks: water, Coca Cola, Coca Zero, beer, limoncello, and Prosecco
- Snorkeling masks
- Towels
- Snack: appetizer
- Toilet on board
- Life jacket for each person
Not included:
- Fuel surcharge €300.00 per booking, payable upon arrival
- Blue Grotto admission ticket is not included (entry only happens if conditions allow)
Value check: even if you ignore everything else, you’re getting a full set of day-comfort basics—mask/towel for the swim, toilet access, and drinks for the hours on the water. Add in life jackets for everyone and you’re not scrambling for rentals.
Blue Grotto timing and weather reality (how to protect your day)

This experience runs about 8 hours and is offered in English. It also requires good weather. When the sea is rough, cave access and timing can tighten fast, and your plan adapts.
Here’s the biggest practical “heads up”: Blue Grotto access depends on sea conditions and waiting times. Even in good weather, the logistics can mean you might see less cave time than you expected if crowds are high or if the day runs late.
A useful way to think about it: treat the Blue Grotto as a priority, not a promise. If your schedule on Capri encourages you to return late to the boat, you can lose the window when a grotto closes.
To keep things smooth:
- Stay on top of time once Capri time starts
- Don’t assume you can slow down and still guarantee the cave visit
- Let your skipper handle the sequence based on what’s workable that day
The price question: $1,123.78 per group, plus fuel
The price is listed as $1,123.78 per group (up to 7). That’s how private-boat pricing works: you pay for the boat, not per ticket.
Budget reality with the fuel surcharge:
- You’ll also pay €300 per booking on arrival
- Your total cost then depends on how many people are in your group
If you fill the boat with 7 people, your per-person cost drops a lot. If you’re a smaller group, it becomes a more “treat-yourself” purchase. The main reason it can still feel worth it is that you’re getting a private captain, cave and coastline cruising, swim time, included drinks, and snorkeling gear.
If you’re expecting a cheap day, this won’t be it. If you want a day that feels like your own plan on Capri’s water, this is in the right price lane.
Who this tour is best for (and who should pass)
This tour fits you if:
- You want a private day with up to 7 people
- You care about swimming and snorkeling with gear included
- You like seeing Capri’s highlights from the water: Faraglioni, caves, and lighthouse views
- You appreciate a skipper who can explain what you’re seeing (and the feedback names Alberto and Tony here)
It may not fit you as well if:
- You need guaranteed entry into the Blue Grotto every time, no matter what
- You’re looking for extensive, guided walking-style storytelling on land (this tour is about boat access and views)
- You’re on a tight budget and want something that costs less per person
Should you book this Positano to Capri private boat tour?
I’d book it if you’re the kind of traveler who wants the sea portion to be the main event: caves by boat when possible, Faraglioni close-up, a real swim window at Marina Piccola, and a chance to see Li Galli with admission included.
Skip it if you’re counting on a perfect Blue Grotto rowboat timing or you know your group tends to move late. This experience works best when you treat it like a day with your skipper’s flow.
If you do book, set yourself up for success: be on time for the 10:00 am start from Positano Spiaggia, and keep a little flexibility in your expectations about cave access.
FAQ
What time does the private tour start?
It starts at 10:00 am and runs for about 8 hours.
Where does the tour begin and end?
The meeting point is Positano Spiaggia, Italy, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.
How many people are in the group?
This is a private tour with a maximum boat capacity of 7 people, and only your group participates.
Is English available?
Yes. The tour is offered in English.
What is included in the price?
The tour includes drinks, snorkeling masks, towels, an appetizer snack, a toilet on board, and life jackets for each person.
What extra fee should I expect?
A fuel surcharge of €300.00 per booking is not included and is payable upon arrival.
Is the Blue Grotto included?
Blue Grotto entry requires an admission ticket that is not included, and access depends on sea conditions and waiting times.
Does the tour include Li Galli?
Yes. Li Galli is part of the route and has admission included for the stop (about 20 minutes).





























