Capri Travel Forum

I am arriving by cruise ship and would like to see the Blue Grotto. I will have a full day there, from 7:00am to 6:00 pm. Since we have been to Capri and Sorrento before, we would like to see the Blue Grotto. Does anyone know how to get from the cruise ship to the boats that will take us to the grotto?

Hi, Fiabina - at Marina Grande where the hydrofoils and ferries dock, as you near the shore, there is a smaller pier on your left with head boats which you can pay directly to transport you to the area of the blue grotto. There you will have to pay several fees to gain entrance after transferring to a smaller rowboat which actually enters the grotto. The row boat person expects a tip as well. Bring lots of 5 and 10 Eu notes for the different fees.
Alternate = go up the funicular to Capri, catch a bus to Anacapri and then another to a site just above the grotto. Walk down and a rowboat will pick you up. You will have to check on the details for this option as we took the access in the first paragraph.
Does your cruise ship actually go to Capri or instead to Naples or Sorrento - if the latter you will have to find the hydrofoil or ferry to Capri.

Don't forget, a tip for the rower, a tip for the boat that takes you to the row boat, prices for both boats, a tip for the singing, a tip for the guy who shows the way to the pier.... ah, Italy, how I miss you! :)

I think everyone gave you good answers already. But I thought I might tag on an extra question!

When I was there in 2001 (grad student) I tagged along with several others from my hostel to the Grotto. We joined nearly 20 others at the end of the day, and ignored the signs and swam into the Grotto. Trecherous getting in with the waves and the rocky terrain, but it was amazing. Do people still do that? Have they cracked down on that? Not suggesting anyone break the law, but it seemed almost common with the hordes of people waiting there to do it each night.

Hi Not sure where the cruise ship berths, but they should be able to arrange a tour whilst on the ship and the tour coy will collect you. Otherwise if you wish to do it yourself just get a taxi from your wharf to ferry terminal. When we went to Capri 2 years ago I recall cruise ships in Naples being very close to ferry terminal , a few hundred metres. Recommend you catch an early ferry say 8am, the day we visited Capri the Blue Grotto was closed due to swell which made it too dangerous for the small row boats to enter the grotto,

Good Luck,
Mike