One boat, one crew, and Capri without the squeeze. This private Capri boat tour from Positano (or nearby Amalfi/Praiano) is built for slow sightseeing from the water, with time to swim and optional cave entry. I love the calm, customized feel of having a 36-foot boat reserved for your group, and I love that you get snorkeling gear, towels, and on-board snacks and drinks so the day stays low-effort. The main drawback to plan around is weather, since the experience is described as requiring good conditions.

You also get a smart rhythm: cruise, cave option, free time on Capri, then a protected swimming and snorkeling stop. If you are prone to motion sickness, this is also not recommended, since you will be out on the water for hours. Still, if your goal is classic Amalfi Coast scenery with less crowd pressure, this is one of the cleaner ways to do it.

Key points before you go

• Private 36-foot boat for up to 12 means you control your pacing and you are not packed in with strangers
• Blue Grotto is optional and paid separately, with waiting time that can run long
• Snorkeling gear, towels, shower, snacks, and drinks are included, so you travel lighter
• Capri free time lets you choose land sights or a chairlift ride, then return to the boat
• Punta Campanella marine park swim is the protected water stop with tropical fish

Why a private Capri boat day feels different from the big boats

Capri is one of those places where crowds can steal the mood. From the water, the island is breathtaking, but the mass ferries and tour boats can turn the whole day into line-watching. This tour is designed to dodge that. You are on a boat reserved for just your group, and you get multiple stops that feel like you are moving with the coast instead of being swallowed by it.

Two things make that difference immediately. First, the boat itself is large enough to spread out, at 36 feet (11 meters), which helps when you are hopping between viewpoints and swim stops. Second, the day is structured so you get actual water time, not just a quick pass-by, with a swim and snorkeling session at the Punta Campanella marine park.

The one trade-off is simple: you are planning around the sea. If conditions are rough, the tour depends on good weather, and rescheduling or a full refund may apply.

Start at Positano harbor, then let the coast fall behind you

Your day is set to begin at 9:30 am at Via del Brigantino, 1, 84017 Positano. You check in at the Blue Star Boat Tours area, and the check-in time listed is about 10 minutes. The tour includes a morning welcome drink as you leave, and then the Amalfi Coast scenery takes over.

One smart benefit is that pickup is flexible depending on what you choose at checkout. You can depart from Positano, Praiano, or Amalfi, and you will receive alternative departure information if you choose Praiano or Amalfi. That matters if you are staying away from Positano or you want to build a route that makes sense for your schedule.

Cruising the I Faraglioni rock formations on the way to Capri

After you cast off, you glide past the iconic rock formations called I Faraglioni. This is one of those “seen in photos, better in real life” moments, because from the water you can appreciate scale and angles. It also sets the tone for the rest of the day: you are getting the coastal views without needing to fight for a spot on a crowded viewpoint.

From here, you head toward Capri and the option of the Blue Grotto. The important thing to know is that you are not forced into every stop. Some of the most popular cave experiences on this coast come with long waits and separate fees, so having options keeps your day flexible.

The Blue Grotto choice: pay extra, expect possible waiting

The Blue Grotto is listed as a stop you can enter at your own expense. The entrance fee is given as about €15 to €16 per person (it is listed as ca. 15€ per person in one place and €16.00 per person in another). That is normal for this kind of sea cave experience, but it is still a cost you need to budget for.

Waiting time is a real consideration. The data provided says waiting time can be up to 1 hour at minimum, and it also notes waiting time can reach up to 1 hour 30 minutes. That means you should treat the Blue Grotto as a “worth it if the timing works” stop, not a guaranteed quick hit.

Is it a make-or-break feature? For many people, the Blue Grotto is the headline. The cave is described as appearing luminescent blue inside. If your group is okay with paying the extra fee and spending time waiting, it can be a memorable Capri moment. If you are short on patience or your group would rather maximize swim and hang time, you might skip it and keep the day easy.

Capri free time: choose sights, chairlift views, or seafood on your own plan

Once you arrive, you get a few hours of free time in Capri. What you do in that window is fully up to you, and the tour does not include land activities or entrances on the island. The goal here is to give you breathing room after time on the water.

From the details provided, you have a few well-known options. The tour specifically points you toward historic areas such as the Gardens of Augustus and Villa San Michele. You can also take the chairlift up to Mt. Solaro for big ocean views, and sample the seafood Capri is known for. Since these are at your own expense, you should plan for some separate spending if you want to do a chairlift ride or paid attractions.

The practical upside of having free time is that your group can pick a pace. Want a more sightseeing-focused Capri stop? You have that option. Prefer to enjoy the island atmosphere and save energy for the water later? That works too. The downside is that Capri can be busy, so your “few hours” can feel tighter if you spend a lot of time navigating on foot.

Punta Campanella marine park swim and snorkeling: the protected water moment

After reconvening with your captain, you cruise to Punta Campanella marine park. This is where the itinerary shifts from sightseeing to water play. The water is described as crystal clear, and the stop is specifically set up for you to plunge in and snorkel in a protected environment with tropical fish.

This part is a key value driver of the whole experience. Even if you skip the Blue Grotto, you still get the memorable water time, and you get it at a place focused on marine viewing. That is a different kind of Capri experience than cave entry alone.

Good to know: snorkeling equipment is included. You also get towels and access to a shower. That means you can do the swim and not turn the rest of the day into a scramble to find gear or deal with saltwater discomfort.

On-board comfort: snacks, drinks, towels, and a shower

The day is intentionally set up to be hassle-free on the boat. Included items are beverages and snacks, plus towels, a shower, and snorkeling equipment. For a half-day on the water (this is listed as about 7 hours total), this kind of inclusion adds up because you do not have to plan meals the same way you would on a do-it-yourself boat rental.

Another practical comfort point is how the boat is used. Your group is not constantly doing chaotic transfers or waiting around in a crowd line. The captain and crew handle the sailing and anchoring so you can focus on the experience.

In several accounts of this tour, people highlight the feeling of not being cramped and the way captains shape the stops. You should expect a day that feels guided, but not frantic.

How the itinerary flows, and where you spend your time

The day has a clear progression:

• You meet in the morning at Positano harbor and head out (with a welcome drink).
• You pass I Faraglioni, then reach Capri.
• You have Blue Grotto as an optional paid entrance with potential waiting time.
• You get free time in Capri for sightseeing or chairlift views, and any food is at your own expense.
• You return to the boat and shift to the Punta Campanella marine park swim and snorkeling.
• You come back to Positano in the early evening.

This structure matters because it balances “iconic must-sees” with breathing room. Some tours cram Capri into a short land visit and then rush you back to the boat. Here, the design is more like: see the coast, handle one major cave option if you want it, then enjoy an actual block of Capri time before your best water stop.

Price and value: what $2,297.81 gets you for a group

The listed price is $2,297.81 per group, for up to 12 people, and the tour lasts about 7 hours. That grouping is the core value. Instead of buying a per-person ticket and hoping the timing works out, you get exclusivity for your whole party.

To understand the math, here is the simplest way to think about it:

• If your group is full at 12 people, the base boat price works out to roughly $191 per person before extras.

Now add the items that are not included. Blue Grotto entrance is extra at about €15 to €16 per person. Lunch is not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. There is also a landing and facility fee of €100 per booking listed under not included.

So the cost can land differently depending on your group size and whether you do the Blue Grotto. Still, for a private boat day, the included snorkeling gear and the protected marine park swim are meaningful. They are not “extra add-ons,” they are part of the day.

A final timing note: the tour is described as booked on average 117 days in advance. That suggests it is a popular planning choice for the season, so if you want your dates, earlier booking tends to help.

Who this tour is best for, and who should think twice

This is a private experience with service animals allowed, and it is stated that most people can participate. The most important limitation is sea sickness: it is not recommended for travel with sea sickness issues.

So here is how I would sort it:

• Best fit: couples, families, and friend groups who want a private boat with real swim time and who do not want to juggle public ferries and crowded tour logistics.
• Also a good fit: groups who value having snorkeling equipment and towels included, since it removes planning friction.
• Think twice: anyone who knows they get sick on boats, because the itinerary involves several hours on open water.

The meeting point is fixed back at the start location, and the tour ends back at Via del Brigantino in Positano.

A practical decision guide: should you book this private Capri boat?

Book it if your priority is a private, low-crowd Capri day where you can choose how much you want to do on land. The combination of private cruising, included snorkeling gear, and a marine park swim is a strong match for people who want both sightseeing and water time.

Skip it or compare options if:

• Your group is strict about keeping extra fees low, since Blue Grotto costs extra and can include waiting.
• You know you are sensitive to motion, because the tour is not recommended for sea sickness issues.
• You prefer a package with lunch and hotel transport, since lunch and hotel pickup/drop-off are not included.

If you want a day that feels like your schedule, not a rigid public timetable, this is the kind of tour that delivers. The main question is not whether Capri is beautiful, it is whether your group wants to spend the time waiting for a sea cave, or using that time to maximize swimming and Capri strolling.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Via del Brigantino, 1, 84017 Positano SA, Italy.

What time does the tour start?

The start time listed is 9:30 am.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 7 hours.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour, and only your group participates, up to 12 people.

What is included on the boat?

Included items are beverages, snacks, towels, shower, snorkeling equipment, and landing and facility fees.

What does Capri cost extra?

Blue Grotto has an entrance fee of about €15 to €16 per person, and any Capri activities are at your own expense.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

Is the tour affected by weather?

Yes. It requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is it okay if someone in my group gets seasick?

It is not recommended for travelers with sea sickness issues.