Excursions to Capri/Blue Grotto from Sorrento

[arsn9lea]

Has anyone had experience with private (not through cruise line) excursions to Capri and the Blue Grotto?  The cruise line option is fairly expensive and I see much cheaper private options, but they seem more oriented towards individuals staying in Sorrento, as opposed to cruise passengers.

 

Suggestions?

[euro cruiser]

Get yourself over to Capri using the public ferries and pick up a tour to the Blue Grotto there.

 

If your port is Sorrento you'll be tendered in and dropped off right where the ferry port is, it's quite easy.

[cruisemom42]

I agree with euro cruiser. You will not find an easier "do it yourself" excursion in Europe than getting to Capri and doing the Blue Grotto, either from Sorrento or from Naples. The ferries depart from right next to the cruise port. Tickets are sold on the spot for the next available ferry and you can look up schedules here:

 

Once at Capri, you'll find that the smaller boats taking passengers to the Grotto also depart from right next to where the ferries arrive -- it's pretty much pay up and go. Remember, this has been a tourist attraction for probably a hundred years, they have it down pat.  Just keep in mind that you have to transfer again from the small boat into an even smaller one and although they assist you, it may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.  Also, if the winds/seas are high, they cannot get into the grotto.

 

[Cruising89143]

Good advice. We’re staying in Sorrento for four nights pre cruise and plan to take daily trips to Capri, Positano and Amalfi. Love this area and after two years of waiting to get back, we’re excited.

[Cookie002]

Hi there, going to tag up this thread with a question of my own. Our ship docks in Naples, how long is the ferry ride over to the Isle of Capri? I get a little anxiety about making it back to the ship in time… also, I understand there is a regular ferry and a hydrofoil. Do they both take the same amount of time? Is one a rougher ride?

thanks for the help!

[euro cruiser]

There are fast ferries, which take just under an hour (50 minutes) and slow ferries that take almost an hour and a half (125 minutes).

 

The fast ferries depart from Molo Beverello, the pier adjacent to the cruise port.  The slow ferries depart from Porta di Massa, about a half mile north of the cruise port.

 

The slow ferries carry cars so they are a bit smoother.

 

One tip - you do not need to purchase outbound and return tickets from the same operator, if you do you limit your options for return times.  Instead, study the schedule (see link below) and either purchase your return ticket immediately upon reaching the island (there is a ticket office on Capri adjacent to the pier) or, if you have time before departure from Naples, buy the return ticket in the morning.  The difficulty with this second option is that each ferry operator has its own ticket office, so that would mean waiting on two lines.  

 

Ferry schedule (this will change as the seasons change):  2022 Capri ferry schedules: from Napoli to Capri - Book online

[Cookie002]

31 minutes ago, euro cruiser said:

There are fast ferries, which take just under an hour (50 minutes) and slow ferries that take almost an hour and a half (125 minutes).

 

The fast ferries depart from Molo Beverello, the pier adjacent to the cruise port.  The slow ferries depart from Porta di Massa, about a half mile north of the cruise port.

 

The slow ferries carry cars so they are a bit smoother.

 

One tip - you do not need to purchase outbound and return tickets from the same operator, if you do you limit your options for return times.  Instead, study the schedule (see link below) and either purchase your return ticket immediately upon reaching the island (there is a ticket office on Capri adjacent to the pier) or, if you have time before departure from Naples, buy the return ticket in the morning.  The difficulty with this second option is that each ferry operator has its own ticket office, so that would mean waiting on two lines.  

 

Ferry schedule (this will change as the seasons change):  2022 Capri ferry schedules: from Napoli to Capri - Book online

thank you!

[cruisemom42]

For the record I've been to Capri 4 times, all on shoulder-season trips (April, May, October) and never felt ill or saw anyone else on the ferry with obvious seasickness. These trips were all on the hydrofoils. Three from Naples and one from Sorrento, which is a much shorter trip.

[roberts2005]

On our first trip to Capri we had no plans.  On the ferry people were selling private tours that included the blue grotto at a reasonable price. We had an overnight in Sorrento and took the tour the first day.