6 BEST Capri Boat Tours from Sorrento (by an Italian)

Sorrento is one of the easiest and most popular places to visit Capri from, but the experience can be very different depending on how you do it. You can take the ferry with everyone else, or you can spend the day out on the water, swimming in turquoise coves and cruising past some of Capri’s most famous sights.

I’m Italian and I’ve been to Capri several times, and for me, seeing the island by boat is always the highlight. You get to admire the Faraglioni, the sea grottoes, the dramatic cliffs, and little bays you’d completely miss otherwise, and most tours also include time to explore Capri on land.

There are quite a few options, from small-group tours and Blue Grotto trips to more affordable outings and private boats. To help you choose quickly, I’ve selected the best Capri boat tours from Sorrento based on quality, reviews, and overall experience.

At first glance, many of these tours can look quite similar, but they’re not. The main differences are usually group size, Blue Grotto access, and how much free time you get on Capri, so those are the things I paid most attention to when choosing the ones below.

Why should you trust me? I’m Italian and I’ve traveled extensively around the Amalfi Coast, including multiple trips to Capri. I only recommend tours that are highly rated, well-organized, and actually worth your time and money.

All the tours below can be booked on the GetYourGuide and Viator platforms, which I personally use. They offer flexible cancellation policies and reliable customer service, so you can book with confidence.

Capri Boat Tours from Sorrento: Quick Picks

Short on time? These are the tours I recommend most:

OUR PICK: The Best Overall Capri Boat Tour

Duration: Full day
Type: Small-group boat tour
Best for: First-time visitors who want an easy, well-organized experience

This Small Group Boat Day Excursion to Capri Island from Sorrento is my top pick if you want a simple, stress-free way to visit Capri without having to deal with crowded ferries or complicated logistics.

You’ll cruise along the Sorrento coast toward Capri, passing cliffs, sea caves, and rock formations on the way. Once around the island, you’ll get to admire highlights like the Faraglioni, the White Grotto, the Green Grotto, and the Natural Arch, with time to stop for a swim in the clear water.

After the boat tour around Capri, you’ll also have free time on the island to explore on your own. You can wander around Capri town, head up to Anacapri, enjoy lunch with a view, or use my guide to the best things to do in Capri to plan your time before sailing back to Sorrento with snacks, drinks, and limoncello.

Why this is the best tour

It’s the most balanced and complete option if you’re staying in Sorrento. You get the full boat experience around Capri, with swimming stops and beautiful coastal views, but you also get enough free time on land to explore the island properly.

I also like that it’s a small-group tour, so it feels much more enjoyable than a crowded excursion. It’s the kind of trip that lets you experience Capri from both the sea and the island itself, which is exactly what most people want.

Pros

• Small-group format feels more relaxed and enjoyable
• Includes both a boat tour around Capri and free time on the island
• Swimming stop, snacks, drinks, and limoncello are included

Cons

• Blue Grotto is not included in this tour

Read what the reviews say:

“This boat experience was above and beyond our expectations! Beautiful day with gorgeous views! Antonino and Francesco were knowledgeable and friendly as they navigated us around Capri, stopping at all the most amazing spots and educating us on the sites and culture. It was a wonderful day that we will remember forever!”

Lisa_G – Read more reviews

This tour includes a boat tour around Capri, swimming stops, snorkel equipment, free time on the island, snacks, drinks, and limoncello. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Capri Boat Tour with Blue Grotto

Duration: Full day
Type: Small-group boat tour
Best for: Travelers who really want to include the Blue Grotto in their day trip

If seeing the Blue Grotto is high on your list, this Capri Blue Grotto Small Group Boat Day Tour from Sorrento is one of the best options. It’s designed to give you a better chance of visiting Capri’s most famous sea cave without wasting too much of your day.

You’ll depart from Sorrento and cruise toward Capri, admiring the coastline and the island’s most famous landmarks along the way, including the Faraglioni, Punta Carena Lighthouse, and the Natural Arch. If conditions allow, you’ll also visit the Blue Grotto, which is the main reason most people choose this tour.

Besides the grotto, you’ll still get the classic Capri boat tour experience, plus free time on the island to explore on your own. It’s a good choice if you want a full day out, but with more focus on ticking off Capri’s most iconic attraction.

Pros

• Best option if visiting the Blue Grotto is a priority
• Still includes a boat tour around Capri and free time on the island
• Small-group format feels more enjoyable than a large excursion

Cons

• The Blue Grotto can close because of sea conditions
• Wait times can still happen in peak season

This tour includes roundtrip transportation, snacks, drinks, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and the Capri boat experience with Blue Grotto focus. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Best Flexible Capri Boat Tour

Duration: Full day
Type: Small-group boat tour
Best for: Travelers who want a classic Capri boat day with the option to visit the Blue Grotto

If you want a classic day out on the water but don’t necessarily want a tour built entirely around the Blue Grotto, this Sorrento Exclusive Capri Boat Tour and Optional Blue Grotto is a really solid choice. It gives you the full Capri boat experience, but with a bit more flexibility built into the day.

You’ll cruise from Sorrento to Capri in a small group of up to 12 people, which already makes the day feel more relaxed than a larger excursion. Along the way, you’ll admire Capri’s coastline, sea caves, and famous rock formations, with time to swim and enjoy the boat ride itself. If conditions are good and you want to do it, you can also add a visit to the Blue Grotto.

I like this option because it works well for travelers who want the classic highlights without feeling locked into one single feature. You still get free time on Capri, so you can explore the island at your own pace before heading back to Sorrento.

Pros

• Small-group format with a maximum of 12 people
• Optional Blue Grotto visit gives you more flexibility
• Great balance of boat time, swimming, and free time on Capri

Cons

• Blue Grotto entry is optional and not guaranteed
• Not the cheapest option if you’re just looking for a basic boat tour

This tour includes a small-group boat trip to Capri, stops for swimming, free time on the island, and the option to visit the Blue Grotto. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Budget Capri Boat Tour

Duration: Full day
Type: Group boat tour
Best for: Travelers who want a more affordable way to enjoy Capri by boat

If you want a good-value option that still gives you the full Capri boat tour experience, this Coast and Capri Boat Trip with Limoncello Tasting from Sorrento is a great pick. It’s one of the best choices if you want to keep costs a bit lower without giving up the fun part of seeing Capri from the water.

You’ll cruise along the Sorrento Coast and then around Capri, checking out some of the island’s best-known natural sights, including the White Grotto, Green Grotto, and the Faraglioni. There’s also time for a swim if you have selected that option, plus a limoncello tasting on board, which adds a nice local touch to the day.

You’ll then have 6 hours of free time to explore Capri on your own, so you still get that mix of boat trip and island time that makes these tours worthwhile. It’s a nice middle ground if you want the classic experience, just without paying for one of the more premium small-group options.

Pros

• One of the best-value Capri boat tours from Sorrento
• Includes both the boat ride and free time on the island
• Limoncello tasting adds a fun local touch

Cons

• It doesn’t feel as exclusive as the smaller premium tours
• Blue Grotto is not the focus here

This tour includes boat transfers, a tour around Capri, free time on the island, a map of Capri, and limoncello tasting. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Best Private Capri Boat Tours

If you want a more exclusive experience, these private Capri boat tours from Sorrento are the best options. They cost more, of course, but you’ll get a more flexible itinerary, a quieter day on the water, and a much more personalized experience overall.

Luxury Private Capri Boat Tour from Sorrento

Duration: Full day
Type: Private boat tour
Best for: Couples, families, or small groups who want the most exclusive experience

If you want to splurge on a truly memorable day, this Private Capri Boat Tour is the most luxurious option on this list. It’s a great pick if you want to escape the crowds and enjoy Capri at your own pace, without sharing the day with other travelers.

You’ll cruise along the coast in a private boat with your own skipper, stopping to swim and snorkel in quiet coves and passing many of Capri’s most famous sights from the water. That includes the Faraglioni, the sea grottoes, and parts of the coastline you simply don’t get to enjoy properly on a ferry or larger tour.

What I like about this one is that the day feels very flexible. You can usually choose whether to spend some time exploring Capri on land or dock at Marina Piccola for beach time instead, which makes it ideal if you want something more tailor-made and less structured than a classic Capri day trip.

Pros

• Most exclusive and comfortable option on this list
• Private boat means a more flexible and relaxed day
• You can often choose between island time and extra beach time at Marina Piccola

Cons

• Much more expensive than group tours

This tour includes a private boat, skipper, snorkel gear, drinks, towels, and a flexible itinerary that may include free time on Capri or time at Marina Piccola. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Private Boat Tour with Blue Grotto Option

Duration: 8 hours
Type: Private boat tour
Best for: Travelers who want a private experience with guaranteed time to explore the island

If you like the idea of a private day on the water but want a tour that’s a bit more focused on Capri’s classic sights, this Capri Island & Blue Cave Private Boat Tour from Sorrento is a great alternative. It’s still private, so you get that same flexibility and comfort, but it’s especially appealing if visiting Capri’s grottoes is high on your list.

You’ll admire the views of Sorrento and Capri from the water, cruising past highlights like the Green Grotto, White Grotto, Blue Grotto (where you’ll stop for a visit if you want to), and the Faraglioni. There’s also time to swim, relax on board, and enjoy the island without being tied to a large group schedule.

This one is a bit more structured than the tour above, which can actually be a plus. It includes around 4 hours of free time on the island, so it’s a better fit if you know you want to get off the boat and properly explore Capri or Anacapri as part of your day.

Pros

• Private tour with a very flexible pace
• Includes Capri’s most famous coastal highlights including a visit to the Blue Grotto
• Around 4 hours of free time on the island is great for exploring Capri properly

Cons

• Still expensive compared to shared tours
• Blue Grotto access depends on sea conditions

This tour includes private transfers, hotel pick-up and drop-off, a skipper, snacks, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and about 4 hours of free time on Capri. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Is a Capri Boat Tour from Sorrento Worth It?

Yes, absolutely. Capri is beautiful from land, but it’s even better from the water. A boat tour lets you see the island’s cliffs, grottoes, rock formations, and little coves in a way you simply can’t from the ferry or once you’re already on the island.

I’ve been to Capri more than once, and for me, being out on a boat is always the highlight. It’s also one of the very best day trips from Sorrento, especially if you want something scenic and easy to organize.

You get the scenic approach, the swim stops, and the chance to admire famous sights like the Faraglioni from the best possible angle. It makes the whole day feel much more special.

On top of that, a boat tour from Sorrento makes the logistics much easier. If you’re still deciding how you want to spend the day, I also have a full guide to planning a day trip to Capri. Instead of just taking the ferry over and figuring everything out yourself, you get a much more memorable experience that includes both the journey and the destination.

FAQ: Boat Tours To Capri

Are Capri boat tours from Sorrento worth it?

Yes. If your budget allows, they’re one of the best ways to experience Capri. You’ll get to see the island from the sea, stop for swims, and enjoy a much more scenic and enjoyable day than just taking the ferry.

Do Capri boat tours from Sorrento include free time on the island?

Most of them do, but the amount of time varies. Some tours include just a couple of hours, while others offer around 4 hours or more (up to 6 on this list). A few private tours are more flexible and may let you choose between exploring Capri on land or spending more time swimming and relaxing by the coast.

Do these tours include the Blue Grotto?

Some do, and some only offer it as an optional stop. Keep in mind that access to the Blue Grotto always depends on sea conditions, so even if it’s included in the itinerary, visits are never fully guaranteed.

Should you book a private or group Capri boat tour?

It depends on your budget and travel style. Group tours are great value and still offer a very enjoyable day, especially if they’re small-group. Private tours are more expensive, but they give you more flexibility, a quieter experience, and a more personalized day overall.

What should you bring on a Capri boat tour?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a towel unless the tour provides one. I’d also bring some cash, especially if you want to visit the Blue Grotto or buy lunch and drinks during your free time on Capri.