CAPRI BOAT TOUR FROM POSITANO: A FULL-DAY ITINERARY WITH THE FARAGLIONI, SEA CAVES, AND LUNCH ON LAND

What's the perfect Departure time?

The most useful advice is also the simplest: leave in the morning for a full-day tour. Not because you need to rush, but because you gain freedom. You’ll have more flexibility for swim stops, more chances to pick the right spot, and more time to go ashore without watching the clock. Capri is always beautiful, but with an unhurried rhythm, it becomes even better.

From Positano to Capri: The Crossing

The Positano to Capri crossing takes about 30 minutes (depending on the boat you choose), and it already feels like a preview of what’s ahead. Positano slowly fades into the distance, the coastline stretches out, and the island comes into view off the bow, sharp and bright in that clean light that makes everything look better.

And it’s from the sea that Capri truly shines, because its fame was born along its coastline: sculpted rock, natural arches, caves, and reflections that shift throughout the day. In this setting, arriving from Positano, you’ll see the Faraglioni among the first sights to catch your eye: three dramatic sea stacks rising just off the island’s southeastern coast.

• Faraglione di Terra, the closest to the shore
• Faraglione di Mezzo, famous for its natural arch
• Faraglione di Fuori, the outermost and often the most scenic. Here, it’s worth stopping for a few minutes not only to take a photo but also to enjoy the silence between the rocks and the sound of the water.

Capri’s Most Famous Sea Caves, Beyond the Blue Grotto

A boat tour around the island is a continuous sequence of cliffs, arches, and inlets. Capri keeps changing its face, and the caves appear as small surprises set into the rock.

The Blue Grotto is a ritual, as long as you take it in the right spirit. Access depends on sea conditions and, at times, on the waiting time. The visit is made in small, low wooden rowboats, which are more maneuverable and are run by local boatmen. It’s the only way in.

The entrance is a narrow, very low opening, so you slip through, lying back as the boat glides inside. Once you’re in, the space opens up and everything shifts. Light filters through an underwater opening, and the water glows an intense, almost “electric” blue. That’s what made this place so famous.

And if the Blue Grotto isn’t accessible on the day of your boat trip, Capri doesn’t end there. Along the coast, you’ll still find the Green Grotto, the White Grotto, and the Red Grotto (also known as the Coral Grotto), each with its own light and personality.

The Swim Stop, The Simplest and Best Moment

Swimming in Capri isn’t a “stop.” It’s the part of the day when everything truly slows down. The best advice is not to postpone it. When you find a sheltered stretch of sea and the water looks inviting, it’s worth dropping anchor.

Often, the best spots aren’t the most talked about, but those chosen wisely based on the day’s wind. That’s the easiest way to find calm, clear water. This is where knowing the coastline and real-time reading conditions makes the difference. Together with your skipper, you can decide when to take a break in the water and where, simply by following the rhythm of the day.

Time Ashore: Exploring Capri and Enjoying a Typical Lunch

On a full-day tour, spending a few hours on land is the perfect choice. Capri is beautiful on foot, but the key is to enjoy it without pressure: a stroll, a great view, and a proper lunch.

Once you dock in Marina Grande, you’ll have about 3 hours to explore the island and visit its most iconic spots: La Piazzetta, Capri’s true living room, and the Gardens of Augustus, a small oasis of exotic plants with views of Marina Piccola, the Faraglioni, and the sweeping Via Krupp. Nearby, you can also visit the Certosa di San Giacomo, once a monastery and later a prison, now home to a museum dedicated to the German painter Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach.

At the table, Capri is at its best when it stays simple and Mediterranean. If you’re wondering what to eat in Capri, go for straightforward local classics:

• Caprese ravioli
• Squid and potatoes
• Caprese salad, when the ingredients are truly top quality
• Catch of the day, always very fresh

For wine, the most natural choice is a crisp, mineral local white, ideal with seafood and the island’s pace. Capri has its own labels, and staying local is always a good idea.

To finish:

• Torta Caprese
• Limoncello, if you feel like it

If You Have Less Time: The Half-Day Version

If you have only a few hours and want a shorter experience, the half-day tour is ideal for focusing on the essentials:

• Crossing and coastal cruise
• Sailing past the Faraglioni and the main caves
• One well-chosen swim stop

It’s shorter, but still a wonderful way to see Capri from its best perspective.

Small Tips To Make the Day Better

•  Bring a light shirt or a pareo, it can be very useful on board
•  Sunglasses and sunscreen: the light on the water is beautiful, but intense.
•  If you go ashore, wear comfortable shoes: Capri is more “uphill” than it looks.

FAQ about the Boat Tour to Capri

Is the Blue Grotto always accessible?
No. It depends on sea conditions and wind.

Full day or half day: which is better?
Full day if you also want lunch and free time to explore the island. Half-day if you primarily want a coastal cruise, caves, and time at sea.

Is it possible to do a full circumnavigation of the island by sea?
With a full day, yes: it’s the ideal option. Of course, the order of the stops may change depending on the weather.

How much time do you need on land for lunch and a walk?
A few hours are more than enough, especially if the goal is to enjoy a good lunch and see one or two spots without rushing.

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