Li Galli Islands and Capri Small Group Boat Tour from Amalfi

Capri looks best from the water. This seven-hour cruise pairs swimming in protected Mediterranean waters with a traditional wooden gozzo, a welcome prosecco toast, and time to explore Capri on your own. I like the small group size, capped at 12 people, and the friendly hosting often provided by crew members such as Lucia, Alessandra, Desi, and Elena. The main drawback is time: Capri can swallow nearly three hours once you wait for transport, so this is more a scenic boat day with a Capri visit than a full island tour.

I also like the route itself. You pass Punta Campanella, the Faraglioni rocks, and the private islets of Li Galli, with swimming stops on the way out and back. The catch is that the Blue Grotto is not included, snorkeling equipment is not supplied, and some departures have offered only brief swims rather than a serious snorkeling session.

Key points to know before booking

• A traditional gozzo carries no more than 12 people, giving the trip a friendly, almost private-cruise feel.
• Punta Campanella and Li Galli provide the main swimming stops, with about 20 minutes scheduled at each.
• Capri time is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, enough for lunch, gelato, and a quick look around, but not every corner of the island.
• The Faraglioni stop combines scenery with swimming and snorkeling, though you must bring your own equipment.
• Snacks, two bottles of water per person, and a prosecco welcome toast are included, while lunch and additional alcoholic drinks cost extra.
• The tour returns to Amalfi around 4:45 PM, after a full day on the sea.

Why this Amalfi to Capri boat trip works

The Amalfi Coast is a place where the sea changes your sense of distance. From the road, the coast can feel crowded and slow. From a boat, its cliffs, coves, churches, and villages line up in a much calmer show.

This tour makes good use of that view. You leave from the port of Amalfi, opposite Piazza Flavio Gioia, and head toward Capri on a traditional gozzo with a sundeck. The boat is small enough for the crew to keep an eye on everyone, but large enough for up to 12 people to move around without feeling packed in.

That group size matters. Several crew members receive praise for being attentive, cheerful, and good at keeping people informed. Lucia is especially warm and energetic, while Desi has helped people find the correct meeting point and explained landmarks along the way. Alessandra, Giovanni, Elena, and others are also noted for friendly service and small surprises during the day.

The experience earns a 4.6 rating from 110 ratings, which fits the overall picture: the boat, crew, swimming, and scenery are the strong points. The weaker points are the limited time on Capri, occasional communication problems over the engine noise, and expectations about snorkeling or grotto visits.

Meeting the skipper in Amalfi at 9:40

Your morning begins at the Cruise and Snorkel Amalfi Coast boat area in the port of Amalfi, opposite the main square. The scheduled meeting time is 9:40 AM, so do not wander far from the port while looking for the boat.

A crew member usually helps with directions, which is useful in Amalfi’s busy waterfront area. One person who got turned around on the way to the boat received help from the crew, but it is still wise to arrive early and keep the meeting point details handy.

Once aboard, you receive a welcome glass of prosecco. This is a pleasant start, not a full bar service. Two bottles of water per person and snacks are included, while lunch and other alcoholic drinks are not. Some departures have included extra treats, sandwiches, or a final limoncello, but those additions should be viewed as pleasant surprises rather than guaranteed parts of the package.

Punta Campanella: your first swim in protected water

The boat heads toward Capri along the Amalfi Coast before stopping at the Area Marina Protetta Punta Campanella. This marine protected area is known for clear turquoise water and makes a good first chance to cool off.

The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes. That is enough for a quick swim from the boat, but not a long beach session. You climb or jump directly into the water, then return to the boat and dry off on the deck.

I would bring a swimsuit under your clothes, a towel, sunscreen, and something dry to wear later. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own mask and snorkel if seeing below the surface matters to you. The schedule allows for swimming and snorkeling, but one departure provided only a short jump into the water, so you should not book this as a dedicated snorkeling trip.

The water stops are best understood as refreshing breaks between sightseeing. The boat does not take you to a beach, and the rocky coast means this is not a soft-sand swimming day.

The Faraglioni rocks from the sea

Near Capri, the boat pauses by the Faraglioni, the three famous rock formations that have become the island’s signature view. Seeing them from a low boat gives you a better sense of their size than a quick photograph from land.

The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes time for swimming and snorkeling. This is one of the most scenic parts of the route, especially if the sea is calm and the boat can linger near the formations.

The captain may also steer near caves and other coastal sights. The exact route can shift with conditions, traffic, and the day’s timing. Some descriptions of the trip have led people to expect several grotto visits, but the Blue Grotto is specifically excluded because waiting there can consume too much of the day.

One practical issue is sound. A few passengers found it hard to hear explanations while the motor was running. If the crew starts describing a landmark while the boat is moving, sit close to the guide or ask for the information again when the engine quiets. The scenery does not need much narration, but clear communication helps you understand what you are seeing.

Capri in 2.5 to 3 hours

The boat drops you at Capri for roughly two and a half hours, sometimes described as about three hours in the schedule. You are free to explore, eat, shop, and choose your own route before returning to the meeting point.

This flexibility is useful, but Capri’s transport system can eat into your time. Getting from the landing area toward Capri town may involve waiting for a bus, funicular, or taxi. Several people found the funicular line frustrating, with waits of around 30 to 45 minutes during busy periods.

If you want to make the most of the stop, decide your priorities before stepping ashore. A taxi can save time compared with waiting for the bus, though it adds cost. One useful plan is to go directly to Capri town for a quick walk, lunch, and gelato. Another is to head across the island for a short look at the other side, but that leaves little room for delays.

You should not expect to see all of Capri. Three hours sounds generous on paper, but the clock starts shrinking as soon as you leave the boat. Add a transport queue, a hot walk, lunch, or shopping, and the island visit becomes a taste rather than a full exploration.

The Blue Grotto is not part of the boat route. You can try to visit it during your free time on Capri, but the tour does not promise that you will have enough time, and long waits may make it impractical. If the grotto is your main reason for visiting Capri, this is not the right plan.

Returning by Li Galli

After Capri, you return toward Amalfi and stop near Li Galli, a group of private islets and a marine protected area. The scheduled swimming stop is about 20 minutes.

Li Galli is a fitting final pause. By this point, you have spent several hours on the boat and may welcome one more swim before returning to port. The crew may prepare a special snack or drink, and some departures have ended with a limoncello or another small treat.

As with Punta Campanella, this is a swim from the boat, not a landing on the islands. You will not be exploring Li Galli on foot. The appeal is the quiet water, the unusual shape of the islets, and the chance to enjoy the coast without another road, queue, or timetable.

The boat is scheduled to reach Amalfi around 4:45 PM. That makes this an easy full-day plan from Amalfi, but you should avoid booking a tight evening connection immediately afterward. Sea conditions or a delayed departure can affect the return time.

What the price of $252.76 means

At $252.76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Capri. A ferry usually gives you more independent time on the island and can cost less, depending on the route and date.

The boat tour charges for the experience around the crossing: the coastal views, swimming stops, crew service, snacks, water, and the chance to see Capri and Li Galli from the sea. The small boat is a major part of the value. With up to 12 people, you avoid the feel of a large excursion vessel and get a more personal day.

The price makes the most sense if you care about the water as much as Capri itself. If your goal is to spend six or seven hours walking Capri’s streets, visiting attractions, or riding the chairlift, a ferry or independent day may suit you better.

You should also budget for lunch on Capri, transport around the island, and any extra drinks. The prosecco toast and water are included, but the package is not an all-inclusive drinks plan. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to use it, since equipment is not supplied.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this trip if you want a mix of scenery, swimming, and a short independent visit to Capri. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer a relaxed day on the water rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in Amalfi and want to avoid arranging several separate boats and tickets. The crew handles the route, keeps track of the group, and provides a clear return point.

You may want another plan if you dislike boats, need a long time on land, or have your heart set on the Blue Grotto. It is also less suitable if you expect a serious snorkeling outing. Swimming is central to the day, but the stops are short and conditions can change.

The tour requires at least six people to operate and can be canceled if that minimum is not reached. It can also be canceled for poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. Most people can participate, and the departure point is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Should you book this Amalfi Coast excursion?

Book it if you want a social, scenic boat day with two swims and a Capri stop. The crew hospitality is one of the strongest reasons to choose it, and the traditional gozzo gives you a much better view of the coast than a road transfer.

Before booking, accept three limits: Capri time is short, the Blue Grotto is excluded, and snorkeling equipment is not provided. Arrive ready to swim, carry a towel, plan your Capri route in advance, and use a taxi if saving time matters more than saving money.

For the right person, the best memory will probably not be a shopping street in Capri. It will be the moment you slip into clear water near Punta Campanella or Li Galli, then climb back onto the sunny deck with the coast rolling past.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the Cruise and Snorkel Amalfi Coast boat area in the port of Amalfi, opposite Piazza Flavio Gioia.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled meeting time is 9:40 AM.

What time does the boat return to Amalfi?

The return to the port is scheduled for about 4:45 PM.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How much time do I get on Capri?

You receive roughly two and a half to three hours to explore Capri at your own pace.

Is the Blue Grotto included?

No. The Blue Grotto is not included because waiting there can take too much time. You may try to visit it independently during your free time on Capri.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome prosecco toast, two bottles of water per person, and snacks. Lunch and additional alcoholic drinks are not included.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour is not private, and the maximum group size is 12 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires favorable weather. If it is canceled, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.