REVIEW · SORRENTO
Half day around Capri by Itama 38 speedboat
Capri looks different when you fly by. This half-day ride on an Itama 38 speedboat keeps you close to the limestone sea scenery, with quick stops at highlights like Faraglioni and the caves. I like the tight route, because you get variety without long waits ashore. One catch to plan for: Blue Grotto entry is not included, and in peak season the wait can run an hour or more.
You also get the kind of comforts that make a short tour feel like a real outing. The boat includes bottled water, soda, beer, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom on board, and it’s set up for a private group (up to 6). My only note for most people is simple, good weather matters, since the experience can be changed or refunded if conditions are poor.
Key things I’d highlight before you go

- Private group up to 6 people means less crowd noise and easier group logistics
- Itama 38 speedboat is ideal for fast, sea-close sightseeing in about 4 hours
- Cave and rock stops are short but frequent, so you’ll see more than one Capri “type” of view
- On-board drinks and snorkeling gear are included, so you can jump in without scrambling for basics
- Blue Grotto needs a separate ticket, and timing can be the deciding factor
Why the Itama 38 half-day format works so well in Capri

Capri is beautiful, but it’s also a place where time can evaporate fast. Roads are busy, lines form quickly, and “just one more stop” can turn into a whole afternoon. This tour is designed to solve that problem. In roughly 4 hours, you cover a full loop of iconic sea-side sights, with multiple quick stops that let you look, snap photos, and keep moving.
I love the value of a route like this because it matches how Capri actually feels from the water. The big rocks, the cliffs, the little coves, they all make sense in motion. A speedboat also means you’re not stuck at one location hoping the day plays nice.
The Itama 38 itself matters, too. It’s a classic Capri-style craft, built for maneuvering near shoreline sights. That translates into more time looking at the island than time waiting for transfers.
Price and group size: when this tour feels like a bargain

The price is $1,364.85 per group up to 6, so you’re not paying per person the way many public boat tours do. For a private outing, that pricing can feel fair, especially when you factor in what’s included: bottled water, soda, beer, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom.
Here’s how I think about it: you’re paying for speed, convenience, and a crew that can put you at the right sea spots. Those small advantages add up fast in a place like Capri, where getting between sights can cost you time and energy.
If you’re traveling as two or three people, this can still be good value because you get the same private experience and freedom with less splitting required. If you’re a larger group up to 6, the per-person cost drops in a way that makes the tour feel more like a shared hire than a splurge.
Where you start and how the meeting point fits into your day
You’ll start at Via Cristoforo Colombo, 34, 80076 Capri, then finish at Porto Turistico di Capri Marina di Caterola. That end location can be useful because it keeps you on the waterfront side, rather than forcing you into a second round of walking or repositioning right after the tour.
It’s also listed as near public transportation, and you’ll use a mobile ticket, which tends to be easier than dealing with paper passes. Confirmation comes within 48 hours if space is available, so it’s smart to book with enough lead time if you’re traveling in summer.
The itinerary flow: White Grotta and Faraglioni first

The route is built for views, then a little architecture, then the big Capri icons. You start with caves and cliff scenery, and you work toward the southern shoreline where the sea stays dramatic.
Stop 1: White Grotta (about 10 minutes)
This stop is named for the white limestone and it’s tied to the nearby Wonder Cave, known for its stalactites and stalagmites. Even when you only have a few minutes, this is a good early stop because you’re fresh, the boat is setting into its pace, and the rock colors show well against the water.
What to watch for here: how the light hits the limestone. The difference between shaded cliff rock and sunlit surfaces makes Capri look almost unreal from the water.
Stop 2: Villa Malaparte (about 10 minutes, ticket not included)
This is one of Capri’s famous modernist houses, built on the promontory of Capo Massullo in the late 1930s at the request of writer Curzio Malaparte. The key thing for you is the framing. Even if you’re not going in, you get a direct line of sight at the house’s dramatic position.
Ticket note: entrance is not included, so if you want to tour it on land, you’ll need your own planning.
Stop 3: I Faraglioni (about 10 minutes)
The Faraglioni are the rocks you picture when someone says Capri. They’re also the best kind of photo stop, because you can spot them from different angles quickly. This short window is enough to get your bearings, take photos, and keep the day moving.
I like starting with Faraglioni because it sets the tone for everything else: this island is mostly drama, not mild scenery.
Marina Piccola, Green Grotto, and why these stops feel different

After Faraglioni, the tour shifts toward the southern side, where the coastline looks more rugged and the sea caves feel more central to the island’s identity.
Stop 4: Spiaggia di Marina Piccola (about 15 minutes)
This is the southern side of Capri, known for exclusive beach resorts and private villas rising from the cliffs. You likely won’t get a long beach day here, but you do get the shoreline context, the scale of the cliffs, and the sense of why this part of Capri feels special.
Practical tip: if you want a quick photo near the waterline, do it early in the stop. The boat can be busy with people positioning for shots.
Stop 5: Grotta Verde (about 15 minutes)
The Green Grotto is named for the color of the water, shaped by the cliff environment. This stop is long enough to enjoy the visuals, and it’s also a good one for people who want a different mood than the limestone-white cave look from the beginning of the tour.
Stop 6: Punta Carena Lighthouse (about 15 minutes)
Punta Carena is the second most important lighthouse in Italy after the Lanterna in Genoa. Construction began in 1862 and it came into operation in 1867. Even though you’re mainly seeing it from the sea, it’s a nice change of pace from caves and rocks. It also helps you understand the coastline geography, because lighthouses are built to mark real navigational points.
Bagni di Tiberio and the Roman connection, seen from the water

Stop 8: Spiaggia Bagni di Tiberio (about 10 minutes, ticket free)
These are the remains of an ancient Roman villa built by Emperor Augustus in the first century A.D. This is a quick stop, but it gives the day an extra layer without turning the tour into a museum day.
The value here is perspective. From the boat, you’re not just seeing ruins, you’re seeing why the Roman world cared about this coast: sheltering coves, strong sea access, and natural vantage points.
Blue Grotto: the stop people plan around

Stop 7: Blue Grotto (about 30 minutes, ticket not included)
The Blue Grotto is the famous one. It gets its name from the way light refracts inside, and it was used in Roman times as a nymphaeum. This is the stop where planning matters most because entry is extra, and during high season the wait can be more than an hour.
Here’s how I’d handle it so it doesn’t ruin your day:
- Decide early if you’re willing to wait. If yes, build patience into your expectations.
- If you only want the view from outside, you can still enjoy the area, but your time on the water will feel more about coastal scenery than cave time.
- Pack your “small patience kit,” which is just basics like water (you already have it on board), sunscreen, and a hat.
Also, since the Blue Grotto ticket isn’t included, you’ll want to budget extra for it. The tour sets aside time, but it can’t erase the reality of peak-season lines.
On-board comfort and the anchor-stop moments that make it feel special

The included snorkel setup is a big reason to choose this kind of tour. You’ll have snorkeling equipment on board, plus a restroom, plus drinks. That means the day stays easy, even if you decide on the spot to swim.
The best part of these speedboat tours is usually the anchor moments, when the boat slows down and you can actually use the water. In reviews, the experience is often described as relaxing, with skippers anchoring on the sound side and letting people swim against the rock formations. One name that comes up again and again is Antonio, praised for being fun and attentive, and another is Giovanni, praised for helpful boarding and lots of useful info along the way.
What you should take from that for your planning: show up ready to move. The boat is built for quick changes of pace, and you’ll benefit from being comfortable stepping on and off and switching from cruising to swimming.
If you’re prone to motion sensitivity, consider timing in the day and how you sit. Your comfort will matter more on a speedboat than on a large ferry.
What kind of traveler should book this?
This tour fits well if you want:
- Sea-close Capri views without spending your day in transit
- A private group setup (up to 6) with an easy pace
- Caves, rocks, and a couple of iconic landmarks, all in one half-day
It may not fit if you’re mainly hoping for a long beach day or a heavy walking tour. The itinerary times at each stop are short by design, and even the longer cave stop is still about viewing and entry logistics rather than lingering all afternoon.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the half-day Capri boat tour?
It runs for about 4 hours.
How much does the tour cost?
The price is $1,364.85 per group, up to 6 people.
Is this a private tour or shared with other groups?
It’s private, so only your group participates.
What is included on board?
Included items are bottled water, soda/pop, alcoholic beverages (beer), snorkeling equipment, and a restroom on board.
Do I need to buy tickets for the Blue Grotto?
Yes. Blue Grotto entrance tickets are not included.
Are entrance tickets included for other stops?
White Grotta is ticket free, Villa Malaparte is ticket not included, Faraglioni is ticket free, Marina Piccola is ticket free, Grotta Verde is ticket free, Punta Carena Lighthouse is ticket free, and Bagni di Tiberio is ticket free.
Where do we meet for the tour?
The start is Via Cristoforo Colombo, 34, 80076 Capri NA, Italy.
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends at Porto Turistico di Capri Marina di Caterola, 80073 Capri NA, Italy.
When will I get confirmation after booking?
Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
What happens if the weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Should you book this Itama 38 half-day tour?
If you want Capri from the water fast, this is a strong choice. The private group size, the included drinks and snorkel gear, and the “see several different sides of the island” route make it a practical half-day plan.
Just be honest with yourself about the Blue Grotto. If you really want to go in, plan for extra cost and possible waiting time in busy season. If you’re okay treating it as a bonus and focusing on the sea views, you’ll likely enjoy the day even more.
If you tell me when you’re going and how many people are in your group, I can help you judge whether the Blue Grotto wait is worth it for your specific timing.
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