Cruises in Capri

Cruises in Capri come down to one decision, the Blue Grotto. Boats cannot enter it, so passengers change into a rowing boat and buy a separate ticket at the entrance, in cash; the wait can reach an hour and a half, and in swell the cave is shut. The rest of the lap needs no ticket: the middle Faraglione, whose arch boats pass through, the Natural Arch on the east coast, and the Coral, White, Green, Red and Marvelous grottoes. Marina Grande is the usual start. From the mainland the crossing is part of the trip: 45 minutes from Piano di Sorrento, about 90 in a small boat from Naples, and a run along the Amalfi Coast from Salerno.

Capri cruise tours are measured in hours. Two hours on a private gozzo, the island's wooden boat, covers the Faraglioni and the near caves; three is the least to try the grotto, and four are safer, since the queue is taken off the tour. The seven-hour day adds swimming bays and, on request, panini and wine on board, and a 13-metre yacht does the same seven hours for eight people. A two-hour sunset run adds prosecco and limoncello. Shared boats take up to twelve for a two-hour lap, ages 13 and up. From the mainland there is a small boat from Naples for up to ten, with a swim and free time ashore; Sorrento's eight-hour days leave three to five hours on the island; the Salerno cruise is an Express that never lands or a Premium with two hours ashore; and a private day from Rome takes fourteen hours.

Practical. Capri afternoons average 29C in June, 28C in September, 24C in October and 14C in January. The sea decides: in swell the Blue Grotto drops out, and some operators offer a new date or a refund for weather. Free cancellation is usually 24 hours before; the Salerno cruise leaves terms to the operator, the yacht scales its refund with the days left, and the private day with transfers is final sale.