Capri by Private Boat: the Island from the Sea

Every tour to Capri is fully private: the boat is reserved for your group only, the itinerary is flexible, and the skipper adapts the day to your pace. No shared groups, no fixed timetable.

The island rewards time on foot as much as time on the water. The Piazzetta, the Gardens of Augustus, the narrow streets of Anacapri, the chairlift to Monte Solaro,  Capri on land is a different kind of beauty. For private guided tours of Naples, Pompeii, and the surrounding area, visit Luca Tour Guide.

The boat tour around Capri covers roughly seventeen kilometers of coastline. Departing from the north, the route follows the eastern coast past the headland of Villa Jovis, the clifftop palace where Emperor Tiberius governed Rome for the last decade of his life, and the Grotta Bianca, named for the white limestone formations inside. Further south, the red silhouette of Villa Malaparte appears on the promontory of Capo Masullo, one of the most photographed buildings in the Mediterranean.

Then come the Faraglioni: three rock stacks rising over a hundred meters from the sea, with a natural arch carved through the middle one. Passing beneath the arch, when sea conditions allow, is one of the defining moments of any boat tour of Capri. Just beyond, the bay of Marina Piccola opens up, offering one of the best swimming stops on the island, with clear shallow water and views back toward the rocks.

The western side of the island, below Anacapri, is defined by sheer vertical cliffs. The Grotta Verde, with its green reflections, lies along this stretch, followed by the Punta Carena lighthouse at the island’s western tip. The coves below the lighthouse, Cala di Limmo and Cala del Rio, are among the quietest swimming spots in the entire Gulf of Naples and are accessible only by boat.

The return route along the northern coast passes the entrance to the Blue Grotto, Capri’s most famous sea cave. Visiting the grotto requires transferring into a small rowboat at the entrance because the opening is less than a meter high. Entry depends on sea conditions and is subject to an admission fee paid on site. On a private boat, waiting time is managed from the comfort of your own deck rather than from a crowded pier.

A private boat tour to Capri can include time on the island itself. Most guests choose to stop at Marina Grande and take the funicular up to the town of Capri, where the Piazzetta, Piazza Umberto I, opens onto one of the most famous small squares in Italy. From here, the narrow streets lead to the Gardens of Augustus, the Via Krupp viewpoint, and the boutiques along Via Camerelle.

Anacapri, higher on the hill, offers a quieter atmosphere: the Villa San Michele, built by the Swedish physician Axel Munthe on the ruins of an imperial Roman villa, and the chairlift to Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island, with a panorama that stretches from the Gulf of Naples to the Amalfi Coast.

The island’s food is part of the experience. The Caprese salad was born here, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, served in its simplest and best form. The torta caprese, a dense chocolate and almond cake, is another local specialty with a history that reaches back over a century. And the limoncello made from Capri’s own lemons is sharper and more fragrant than any version found on the mainland.

Private boat tours to Capri depart from the port of Naples. The crossing takes approximately fifty to sixty minutes depending on the boat and sea conditions. Along the way, the full panorama of the Gulf unfolds: Vesuvius behind you, the Sorrento Peninsula ahead, and Capri rising from the horizon.

The full-day format, typically eight hours, is the right choice for a complete experience of the island: circumnavigation, swimming, Blue Grotto visit, and time ashore. Half-day options are available for guests who want to focus on the boat tour only, without stopping on land.

The best months to visit Capri are May, June, and September. July and August offer the warmest water but the island is at its busiest, both on land and at sea. Early and late season give softer light, fewer boats, and a more relaxed pace.

For guests arriving by cruise ship, departure times can be coordinated with the cruise terminal schedule. For guests staying along the coast, in Sorrento, Positano, or the Amalfi towns, departure from a different port can be arranged at booking.

For guests still choosing between boat options, our private boat charters  page gives a full overview of the available fleet.

All private boat tours to Capri depart from Naples. For a complete overview of every destination reachable by sea from the city, visit our Naples departure page. 

Capri, Full Day

The complete island experience: a full circumnavigation by boat, swimming stops in the quietest coves, the Blue Grotto when conditions allow, and time ashore in Capri town or Anacapri. The most popular itinerary from Naples. Explore the Capri itinerary.

Capri and Positano

Two of the most iconic destinations in the Gulf combined in a single full-day tour. Capri by sea in the morning, Positano in the afternoon, or the reverse, depending on the light and the sea. Explore the Capri and Positano itinerary.

Capri and Sorrento

The island paired with the Sorrento coastline: the Baths of Queen Giovanna, the cliffs of the Peninsula, and the full circuit of Capri in one day. Explore the Capri and Sorrento itinerary.

Nerano and Capri

Capri combined with the bay of Nerano, one of the finest swimming spots in the Gulf and the birthplace of Spaghetti alla Nerano. A route for travelers who want both the island and the hidden coast. Explore the Nerano and Capri itinerary.