Private Tour: Cruise along the Amalfi Coast and Capri

REVIEW · CAPRI

Private Tour: Cruise along the Amalfi Coast and Capri

  • 5.018 reviews
  • From $2,253.08
Book on Viator →

Operated by LUXURY BOATS POSITANO · Bookable on Viator

Capri by sea beats the bus. This private cruise strings together Capri’s famous sea sights (Faraglioni and grottos) with real time ashore in both Capri and Amalfi. It’s also loaded with practical comforts: a cabin and toilet on board, life jackets for adults and kids, towels, and drinks plus snacks included.

Two big things I like about this setup: you get snorkeling gear handed to you on the water, and the boat day includes plenty of small upgrades that make it feel like a hosted outing instead of a rushed transfer. One thing to keep in mind: the day runs about 8 hours and depends on good weather, and some key sites on land (Amalfi Cathedral and the Paper Museum) cost extra.

Key Points Worth Planning Around

Private Tour: Cruise along the Amalfi Coast and Capri - Key Points Worth Planning Around

  • Grotto route plus scenic anchors: Faraglioni, Blue/Green/White grottos, and Punta Carena Lighthouse are built into the sea time.
  • Snorkeling gear is included so you can plan a swim without hunting for rentals.
  • Free time on Capri and Amalfi lets you actually walk and not just stare from the deck.
  • Food and drinks come aboard (Prosecco, wine, beer, soft drinks, tea, plus snacks).
  • Captain experience matters: multiple trips highlight friendly, attentive captains like Giuseppe, Enzo, Salvatore, Vincenzo, Andrea, Francesco, and Fabio.

A Private Boat Day That Actually Feels Like a Day

This is the kind of tour where you’re not trying to cram five stops into two hours. You’re out on the water for the big visual payoff—Capri’s coastline from sea level—then you switch gears and get time on land to do the classic Amalfi and Capri moments.

Because it’s private (up to 10 people per group), the day feels less like a schedule and more like a plan that flexes for your pace. You’re also not stuck waiting for other groups to finish photos before you can move.

One practical benefit: the boat is equipped for a long stretch. That means a toilet on board, a cabin, and even a small kitchen. If the sea gets a bit bumpy or you want a break from sun, that built-in comfort helps a lot.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Capri

Boat Comfort You Can Feel in the Middle of the Day

Private Tour: Cruise along the Amalfi Coast and Capri - Boat Comfort You Can Feel in the Middle of the Day
Most boat tours give you a seat. This one gives you an experience that’s easier to live inside for hours. Towels are included, and you get a “courtesy set,” music, and Wi-Fi on board—small things that add up when you’re out on the water all day.

Food and drink are also part of the deal, not an afterthought. Expect bottled water, Coca-Cola and cold tea, plus Prosecco and white wine, beer, and snacks like chips, peanuts, taralli, and dried fruit. On a day like this, it’s the difference between enjoying the views and constantly thinking about what you’ll eat later.

If you want to get in the water, snorkeling equipment is included. That’s huge value because snorkeling gear rentals (and last-minute purchases) can add friction. You also get life jackets for adults and children, which makes the whole day feel more straightforward for mixed groups.

From Positano Toward Capri: Sea Views That Don’t Need a Tour Guide

Private Tour: Cruise along the Amalfi Coast and Capri - From Positano Toward Capri: Sea Views That Don’t Need a Tour Guide
The day starts with departure from the Positano pier. Then the cruise builds toward Capri with a classic “see it from the water” sequence: Faraglioni, the Blue/Green/White grottos, and the Punta Carena Lighthouse.

This is where you should manage expectations a little. The grottos and lighthouse are part of the scenic route, but the exact way you experience caves can depend on conditions. Still, even when you’re viewing from sea level, Capri’s cliffs and formations hit harder than any postcard angle.

One more detail that makes the route smoother: there’s a note about what happens if there’s heavy traffic at the berth. In that case, you wait at the pier and can be reached by a shuttle service to your boat. That reduces the usual “hold on, we’re stuck” frustration that can happen with popular harbors.

Stop at Porto Turistico di Capri: The Moment You Switch to Island Time

Private Tour: Cruise along the Amalfi Coast and Capri - Stop at Porto Turistico di Capri: The Moment You Switch to Island Time
Your Capri stop is at Porto Turistico di Capri. That matters because it’s not just a random coastline pause. It’s the kind of dock situation that supports actual walking time on the island afterward.

Once you’re on Capri, you’ll have free time on land to explore. You can use it for scenic wandering, viewpoints, or grabbing lunch where it looks good to you. The tour description keeps this flexible, which is smart—Capri is all about slow movement and picking your own angles rather than following a rigid script.

Also worth noting: the landing tax in Capri is included. That’s one less fee to track once you’re off the boat.

Capri to Amalfi by Sea: The Best Part of the Transfer

This cruise doesn’t treat the Amalfi switch as a boring connector. You leave Capri by boat and continue along the coast, which is the real reason to do this at all. The Amalfi shoreline works better from the water than from the bus window, and the boat day keeps you in that slow, scenic rhythm.

On board, you also keep the momentum going with the drinks and snacks you already have access to. It’s the kind of pacing that helps the day feel full without feeling exhausting.

If you’re sensitive to motion, plan for it the same way you would on any open-water coast route: bring your own comfort items. The tour does include towels and has a cabin, but it doesn’t promise calm seas.

You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Capri

Amalfi Time Ashore: Cathedral + Paper Museum Without the Guesswork

Amalfi is your second major land stop, with free time to visit two specific sights: the Cathedral and the Paper Museum. The tour description is clear that you’re not just passing through—this is structured to let you do the highlights at an easy pace.

Here’s the cost part that’s easy to budget for: entrance to the Amalfi Cathedral is listed as €3 per person, and the Paper Museum entrance is listed as €4.50 for a basic visit. Lunch is not included, and the tour notes an average cost for two people at a middle-class restaurant of around €50. That’s a helpful reality check if you’re comparing this to a “just boats and hope” option.

If you want a simple rule of thumb, plan your day around this flow:

  • do the boat sights for the wow factor
  • use Capri and Amalfi free time to handle the walking sights
  • expect meals to be an add-on

Price and Value for Up to 10 People

The price is listed as $2,253.08 per group for up to 10 people. That’s not a budget tour, but it also isn’t the kind of “you pay a lot and get little” deal.

The value comes from what’s packed in:

  • fuel and insurance are included in the base price (with a note that a fuel surcharge may still apply)
  • towels, Wi-Fi, music, soft drinks
  • snorkeling equipment
  • onboard toilet and comfort features
  • a full list of drinks and snacks (from Prosecco and wine to beer and finger food)

Where the budget can shift is in the extras. Besides lunch, you’ll want to add:

  • entrance fees for Amalfi Cathedral and the Paper Museum
  • any boarding fees depending on where you board (the listing lists additional boarding in Amalfi/Capri/Sorrento as extra charges)
  • a couple of optional items like a straw hat or a personalized cake

If you’re traveling as a family or a small group, this starts to make sense fast. You’re paying for the privacy and the “hosted” feel—plus the time on water that you’d otherwise spend coordinating across multiple trips.

Captains and Crew: The Human Part That Shows Up in Reviews

One of the most consistent praise points is the tone onboard—friendly captains, smooth logistics, and good attention to comfort. Names that come up include Giuseppe, Enzo, Salvatore, Vincenzo, Andrea, Francesco, and Fabio.

People also mention the owner, Lucia, for easy communication and responsiveness when planning the day. In practical terms, that matters because a long coast cruise lives and dies on timing: where you meet, how quickly you get aboard, and how well the crew handles the day’s pace.

If you’re the type who cares about getting the right guide feel, it’s worth paying attention to which captain you end up with. Some comments specifically recommend choosing a certain captain when possible (for example, one named captain was highlighted for excellent English and knowing local waters well). You can use that as a gut-check when you’re booking: you want a team that makes the day feel effortless.

Weather and Timing: What Can Affect Your Day

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s important because coastal cruises can’t operate like museums—wind and sea conditions really do matter.

Timing can also be affected by harbor traffic. That’s why the note about waiting at the pier and using a shuttle to reach your boat is such a big deal. It’s the difference between a minor delay that’s handled well and a delay that turns into stress.

My advice: build in some flexibility around your day. If you’re also trying to schedule dinner reservations, keep them later. When you’re out on the water for 8 hours, you’ll usually want time to freshen up and decompress before you commit to a plan.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This cruise fits you if you want:

  • a private day on the water with minimal hassle
  • Capri sea sights plus real walking time in Capri and Amalfi
  • snorkeling included and drinks/snacks handled for you
  • a comfortable boat for hours, not a quick ride-and-go

It might not be ideal if you’re trying to keep costs tight, since lunch and several site entrances are extra. It also may not be the best fit if you prefer a fully self-paced Amalfi itinerary with no structured sightseeing around grottos and set free-time windows.

Should You Book This Capri and Amalfi Private Boat Cruise?

I’d book it if your goal is a true “Dolce Vita” day: sea views you can’t replicate from land, plus a structured-but-not-rushed break for Capri and Amalfi on foot. The biggest reason to choose this one is that the boat day is built to feel complete—snorkeling gear, snacks and drinks, comfort onboard, and the right sights on both sides of the coast.

I’d pause and budget carefully if you’re price sensitive or you’re planning to do lots of extra add-ons. Also, because it hinges on weather, make sure your travel schedule can handle a possible date shift.

If you want my quick decision shortcut: if you’re traveling as a group (especially up to 10) and you’d rather pay for convenience than juggle logistics, this is a strong match.

FAQ

How long is the private cruise?

It runs about 8 hours.

Where does the tour depart, and where do you stop?

It leaves from the Positano pier. You have key stops including Porto Turistico di Capri and Amalfi.

What’s included on board?

You get a restroom on board, Wi-Fi, snorkeling equipment, towels, and soft drinks. Drinks and snacks are listed too, including Prosecco, white wine, beer, bottled water, soda, tea, chips, peanuts, taralli, and dried fruit.

What costs extra once you’re on land?

Lunch isn’t included. Entrance to the Amalfi Cathedral (€3 per person) and the Paper Museum (€4.50 for a basic visit) isn’t included.

Does the tour include Capri landing fees?

Yes. The landing tax in Capri is included.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Capri we have reviewed