REVIEW · CAPRI
Private tour of Capri & Anacapri with Scenic Shared Boat Ride
Book on Viator →Operated by Raphael Tours & Events · Bookable on Viator
Capri can feel like a whirlwind. This tour strings together the island’s best beats with a mix of scenic driving, time in Anacapri, and pre-included sights like the Blue Grotto (when tide allows) and the Monte Solaro chairlift for big views. I like the private-car feel on Capri, plus the fact that the guide can help you keep things moving. The one real catch: the shared boat portion depends on sea conditions, and rough water can make the day harder.
What also makes it workable is the structure. You meet at Marina Grande at 10:00 am, ride a private convertible or minibus once you’re there, then finish back at the same place to catch your ferry when you want. You’ll cover Mamma Mia Road scenery, get your Augustus Gardens ticket, and still have room to shop and grab lunch on your own.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you go
- Why Capri and Anacapri Feel Better With a Real Plan
- Price and Logistics: What You Pay For, What You Have to Handle
- From Salerno to Capri: Time Your Ferry Like a Pro
- Marina Grande: The Easy Start, Then the Island Gets Real
- The Shared Boat Ride Around Capri Caves and Faraglioni
- Mamma Mia Road Drive and the Blue Grotto Tide Check
- Anacapri Time: Shops, Lunch on Your Own, and a Different Pace
- Monte Solaro Chairlift: The View That Makes the Climb Worth It
- Augustus Gardens and Piazzetta di Capri: Classic Capri, Done Right
- How Tough Is It, Really? Weather, Sea Time, and Footing
- Who This Tour Fits Best
- Should You Book This Capri and Anacapri Tour?
- FAQ
- Do I need to buy ferry tickets for Capri?
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- What is not included?
- Is lunch included?
- Is this a private tour?
- FAQ
- What is the cancellation policy?
- Are there any minimum requirements?
- Is it suitable for kids?
- Where does the tour end?
Key points to know before you go
- Blue Grotto entry depends on tides, so plan for an outside view if water levels don’t cooperate
- Shared boat ride around the island is part of the experience, so seasickness prep matters
- Monte Solaro chairlift tickets included, making the big view stops easier to pull off
- Augustus Gardens + Piazzetta di Capri give you a classic Capri pacing, not just a drive-by
- Your guide handling connections can reduce waiting, but it’s not guaranteed the same day for everyone
- Lunch is your expense, with time built in so you can eat without stress
Why Capri and Anacapri Feel Better With a Real Plan
Capri is one of those places where you can waste a lot of time just figuring out how to get from A to B. This tour helps you skip the mental math. You’re not trying to line up taxis, ticket windows, and bus schedules while the day slips away.
The biggest win for me is the mix of viewpoints and “modes.” You do the coastal road scenery along Mamma Mia Road, you get the chance to visit the Blue Grotto, and then you climb up to Monte Solaro for the island-from-above perspective. Anacapri then slows things down with local shops and a more relaxed feel than the main harbor area.
I also like that the tour includes the chairlift and the Augustus Gardens tickets. That matters in Capri, because waiting for the right line or ticket window can steal time you’d rather spend walking, photos in hand, or eating a meal with a view.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Capri.
Price and Logistics: What You Pay For, What You Have to Handle
At $696.98 per person, this is not a budget day trip. You’re paying for a guided, structured itinerary plus included admissions (chairlift and Augustus Gardens), and transport once you’re on Capri. You also get a professional local guide and a shared boat ride around the island.
Here’s what you still have to arrange yourself:
- You must buy your round-trip fast ferry tickets (Salerno Marino to Capri and back)
- Your tour includes a meeting and drop-off at Marina Grande, not hotel pickup
So the value hinges on two things: first, whether you want someone to handle the schedule and ticket friction; second, whether you’re comfortable with Capri’s “transport shuffle” style—ferries, then a car/van, then walking.
A helpful way to think about it: you’re buying time. If you’d rather not spend your day coordinating routes, this is a strong fit.
From Salerno to Capri: Time Your Ferry Like a Pro

The tour runs with a 10:00 am start tied to Marina Grande, Capri. That means your ferry arrival needs to be on point.
If you’re coming from the Amalfi Coast, the guidance is:
- Catch the hydrofoil from Amalfi at 08:55 am
- Or from Positano at 09:15 am
Then purchase your boat tickets in advance.
After your Capri day ends, you’ll head back to Marina Grande for the ferry ride home. You’re not locked into one rigid return time here; you can catch the ferry back to the Amalfi Coast at your preferred time.
One more practical note: the tour requires a minimum of two people per booking. Since it’s private, your party is the only group on the land transport portion, but you still share the boat ride component.
Marina Grande: The Easy Start, Then the Island Gets Real

Marina Grande is where Capri funnels most visitors. Meeting here keeps things simple. You arrive at the main port, and your local guide meets you near the ferry gate.
From there, you jump into the fun part quickly: a shared boat ride around the island, plus the scenic stuff that makes Capri feel like a postcard instead of a schedule.
Marina Grande is also a good launching point because it’s the hub for ferries and connects you to the rest of the day without extra switching. The downside is obvious: if your ferry is delayed, your whole day can feel rushed. Build in a little buffer when you can.
The Shared Boat Ride Around Capri Caves and Faraglioni

One of the tour highlights is the shared boat ride exploring the caves like the White and Green Caves, plus the Faraglioni rock formations.
This part is special because boat access is where Capri’s coastline really shows off. From the water, you get the full scale of the cliffs and the dramatic rock shapes that look like props from a movie set.
But here’s the realistic caution: this is water time, not land time. If you get wind, swell, or choppy seas, the ride can feel rough fast. One bad-weather day can turn a “nice sightseeing cruise” into a survival mission, including motion sickness for some people.
If you’re the type who gets sick on boats, I’d pack a remedy and keep it handy. Also, dress for a cool sea breeze even in warmer months—Capri can change fast.
Mamma Mia Road Drive and the Blue Grotto Tide Check

After you’re off the water side of the plan, you shift to the scenic drive over Mamma Mia Road. This is where you get those cliffside views over the Tyrrhenian Sea without needing to do the steep island routing yourself.
Then comes the Blue Grotto. The key detail is timing: you can go inside the sea cave only if conditions allow it. The tour specifically notes that entry depends on tide, so on some days you might not make it into the grotto.
What I like about this setup is that the itinerary doesn’t pretend tide never matters. In practice, that means the day can still be worth it even if you don’t get the full cave experience—because the area is photogenic and the tour flow keeps you moving.
Also keep this in mind: the boat-and-cave combo is what people talk about most, but it’s also the part that can swing the day most with weather. If you’re traveling in a season with unstable weather, it’s smart to have flexibility in your expectations.
Anacapri Time: Shops, Lunch on Your Own, and a Different Pace

Once the road and grotto segment is done, you head to Anacapri. This is Capri’s second-largest center, and it feels calmer than the main harbor area. You’ll find local craft shops and typical food to try.
The tour builds in about an hour here. That’s not a long wander, but it’s enough time to do three things well:
- walk the main area and reset your legs
- browse shops without racing
- grab lunch without guessing where to go
Lunch is your expense, and the guide gives you the option to choose how you use your time. Some people prioritize a restaurant break; others use the hour to line up for the chairlift timing later.
If you care about a good meal, aim for a spot that fits your energy level. Don’t schedule a long lunch and then assume you’ll still have time for extra stairs or viewpoints.
Monte Solaro Chairlift: The View That Makes the Climb Worth It
The tour includes chairlift admission tickets to Monte Solaro, the island’s highest point, with a short walking tour afterward.
This is one of the best value-included items on the whole itinerary. The chairlift saves you from a lot of stairs and steep walking, so you can spend more time looking and less time grinding up a slope.
From Monte Solaro, the views are the payoff. You get a big-picture sense of Capri’s shape and how the coastline folds around the island. It’s the kind of view that also makes photos easier, because you’re standing above the clutter.
The chairlift is also where you’ll appreciate the guide’s timing. A strong guide can help reduce waits or get you positioned better, though day-to-day conditions can still change.
Augustus Gardens and Piazzetta di Capri: Classic Capri, Done Right

After Monte Solaro, the tour returns you toward Capri’s iconic pedestrian heart.
You’ll visit Piazzetta di Capri, the main square. This is where you can slow down: people-watching, a quick drink if you want, and a stroll that feels very Capri without needing to plan anything complicated.
Then you head to Giardini di Augusto (Augustus Gardens). Tickets are included, and the gardens are known for a breathtaking view over the Bay of Salerno. Even if you’re not a “garden person,” this stop works because it’s a viewpoint wrapped in a pleasant walk.
One practical thought: Capri can be hot, and walking spots can be uneven. Wear shoes with grip. You’ll likely do a mix of paved paths and short stretches that feel steeper than you expect.
How Tough Is It, Really? Weather, Sea Time, and Footing
The tour notes a moderate physical fitness level. In plain terms: expect some walking, some stairs, and some hill energy. The chairlift helps a lot, but it doesn’t turn the day into a flat promenade.
The bigger variable is weather.
- Great weather usually means clear views, calmer water, and smoother transitions.
- Rough weather can hit twice: first on the shared boat ride, then with tide conditions that affect the Blue Grotto entry.
One review experience described a terrible surprise weather day where the boat ride was rough enough to scare people and cause sickness. That’s not the “normal” day you want—but it’s a reminder that this itinerary includes sea conditions as a factor.
If you’re risk-sensitive, consider choosing travel dates when the forecast looks stable. And bring motion-sickness protection just in case.
Who This Tour Fits Best
This is a good match if you want:
- a guided Capri and Anacapri day trip from Salerno without handling every transport step
- included tickets for Monte Solaro and Augustus Gardens
- a mix of boat views and above-water viewpoints
It may be less ideal if you:
- get sea sick easily
- hate the idea of a shared boat ride with limited control over pacing
- need constant, in-the-moment English commentary on every single boat segment (the boat portion can vary day to day)
This tour also makes sense for small groups since land transport is private in your group and the schedule is tight.
Should You Book This Capri and Anacapri Tour?
I’d book it if you want a guided, high-effort day that hits the big Capri markers—Blue Grotto timing, Faraglioni, Anacapri pace, and Monte Solaro—with tickets already handled for the chairlift and Augustus Gardens.
I would think twice if you’re traveling in a weather-sensitive window or you’re prone to motion sickness. In that case, you’re buying convenience, but you’re also buying some uncertainty from the sea.
If you go, do it with the right mindset: you’re there for views and iconic stops, not a slow beach day. Capri rewards a plan.
FAQ
Do I need to buy ferry tickets for Capri?
Yes. You need to purchase your own round-trip fast ferry ticket at Salerno Marino (tickets are not included). The tour also notes hydrofoil departure times from Amalfi and Positano to help you arrive in time.
What time does the tour start?
The start time listed is 10:00 am, with the meeting point at Marina Grande, Capri.
How long is the tour?
It’s about 6 hours (approx.).
What’s included in the price?
Included are a professional local guide, transport by private convertible car (up to 5 people) or minibus on Capri, a shared boat ride around the island, chairlift admission tickets, and Augustus gardens admission tickets.
What is not included?
Not included are food and drinks, hotel pickup and drop-off, and round-trip fast ferry tickets.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is at your own expense, with time built in during the Anacapri portion.
Is this a private tour?
It’s described as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. However, you do share the boat ride portion.
FAQ
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.
Are there any minimum requirements?
Yes. A minimum of two people per booking is required.
Is it suitable for kids?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Where does the tour end?
It ends back at the meeting point: Marina Grande, Capri, so you can catch the ferry back at your preferred time.























