Li Galli Islands and Capri Small Group Boat Tour from Amalfi

The best part of this tour is the contrast: you spend the morning gliding past the Amalfi Coast and Capri from the water, then step ashore for a few hours before swimming again at the Li Galli islets. The traditional wooden gozzo gives the day a more local feel than a large ferry.

I like the small group of up to 12 people, which leaves room to sit, move around, and talk with the crew. I also like the two planned swim stops, plus the welcome prosecco, snacks, and water. The main catch is time: Capri’s crowds, queues, and steep roads can leave you with less than three relaxed hours on the island.

Key points to know before booking

• A full day on the water: Plan on roughly seven hours, from 9:40 AM until about 4:45 PM.
• Swimming is central to the experience: Stops at Punta Campanella, near the Faraglioni, and Li Galli give you several chances to get into the sea.
• Capri time is self-guided: You get about 2.5 to 3 hours ashore, with no organized island tour included.
• The group stays fairly small: The boat holds a maximum of about 12 travelers, depending on the departure.
• Bring your own snorkel gear if you want it: Equipment rental is not included, and the tour does not promise a full snorkeling session at every stop.
• The Blue Grotto is not part of the route: You can try to visit it during free time, but the schedule may make that difficult.

Why this boat trip works better than a simple ferry ride

A ferry gets you from Amalfi to Capri. This excursion makes the journey the main event.

You leave from the harbor opposite Piazza Flavio Gioia and cruise south along the coast on a gozzo, the classic wooden boat used around Campania. You are not simply sitting in a transport seat. You can watch the cliffs, sea caves, villages, and rock formations from the water, then stop for a swim before Capri comes into view.

That matters on the Amalfi Coast. Roads are slow, ferries can feel crowded, and the best views often face away from land. From the boat, you see the coast from the angle that makes its steep shape easiest to understand.

The group size also helps. With up to 12 people, the boat feels more personal than a sightseeing vessel carrying dozens of passengers. Guides including Lucia, Desi, Alessandra, Giovanni, and Elena have been praised for keeping people informed, checking meeting details, and adding small surprises during the day. The exact crew can change, but the format remains the same: a skipper handles the boat while an assistant helps with drinks, explanations, and timing.

At $252.76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Capri. You are paying for the boat, crew, swimming stops, snacks, and the coastal views, not just transportation. If your only goal is to spend as many hours as possible on Capri, a ferry may offer better value. If you want a scenic coastal outing with Capri added in, the price makes more sense.

Starting in Amalfi with prosecco and a wooden gozzo

Meet at 9:40 AM at the Cruise & Snorkel Amalfi Coast dock in the Darsena, opposite the main square. The boat returns to the same place around 4:45 PM, so plan your day around this fixed schedule.

The welcome is simple and pleasant: a prosecco toast before departure. The tour includes two bottles of water per person and snacks. Those provisions are useful, since lunch on Capri is not included and can be expensive. Some departures have included an extra snack or sandwich, but you should not rely on that as a guaranteed meal.

The boat has a sundeck, giving you a choice between sun and shade depending on the vessel and seating arrangement. Bring swimwear under your clothes, sunscreen, and something dry to put on after swimming. Towels are not included, and some departures offer towel rental for a fee.

The boat is not private. You will share it with a small group, and the experience depends partly on the mix of people onboard. That said, the size is small enough for a relaxed feel without the cost of chartering an entire boat.

Punta Campanella: the first swim in protected water

The first stop is the Marine Protected Area of Punta Campanella, reached while sailing toward Capri. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and is intended for a swim in clear, turquoise water.

This is a good early break. The Amalfi Coast can be hot, and getting into the sea soon after departure makes the trip feel active rather than like a long transfer. You swim directly from the boat, so you do not need to find a beach or carry your things ashore.

The water entry is the key point to understand. This is a boat swim, not a beach visit. You will climb down from the boat into the sea and return by ladder. If you are not comfortable with open-water swimming, the crew can explain the setup, but the tour is built around people who want to get wet.

The description includes snorkeling, but equipment is not provided. Bring your own mask and snorkel if that is important to you. Also keep expectations practical: the stop may be short, and conditions can affect how long the boat remains in one place.

The Faraglioni by boat, with another chance to swim

Near Capri, the boat pauses around the Faraglioni, the island’s famous offshore rock formations. The listed stop is about 30 minutes, allowing time for photographs, swimming, and possibly snorkeling.

This is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The Faraglioni are much more impressive from sea level than from a crowded road or viewpoint. You can see the openings and changing colors of the rock as the boat moves around them, while the crew points out the main sights.

The crew may continue talking while the motor runs, and that can make explanations hard to hear. If you care about the commentary, ask questions during a quiet moment or move closer to the guide. Some people have found the boat noise more distracting than expected.

The Faraglioni stop also shows why this is not a pure Capri sightseeing tour. You are combining landmarks with swimming, and neither part receives unlimited time. The boat may pass other caves or formations, but the exact route can change with weather, traffic, and sea conditions.

Capri ashore: three hours that disappear quickly

You are dropped off on Capri for roughly 2.5 to 3 hours of free time. There is no structured island tour, so you decide how to use it.

That freedom is useful if you already know what you want. You can eat lunch, walk around, shop, get gelato, or try to reach another part of the island. One practical tip is to make your plan before stepping off the boat. Capri’s transport lines can consume a large part of the stop, especially in summer.

The funicular from the port area to Capri town may involve a long wait. Several people have reported spending roughly 30 to 45 minutes in line, particularly in the heat. A taxi can save time, though it adds cost. If you want to ride the chairlift, shop, eat, and visit another area, three hours may feel tight.

This is the tour’s biggest weakness. The advertised stop sounds generous, but your usable time is shorter once you account for getting uphill, finding transport, and returning to the meeting point. Capri is not a quick hop-on, hop-off stop.

You should also know that the Blue Grotto is not included in the planned route. The tour specifically avoids it because the waiting time can be long. You may try to visit it independently during free time, but that is only sensible if conditions, queues, and your return schedule allow it. Do not book this experience mainly for the Blue Grotto.

For a smoother visit, choose one or two priorities. If lunch and a walk through Capri town are enough, you can enjoy the stop without racing. If your aim is the chairlift, Blue Grotto, Anacapri, and extensive shopping all in one visit, this schedule will frustrate you.

Li Galli: the final swim before Amalfi

After Capri, the boat heads back toward Amalfi and stops near Li Galli, a group of private islets and a protected marine area. The swim lasts about 20 minutes.

Li Galli is a fitting final stop because it returns the focus to the sea. By this point, you have had time ashore and may be ready for a cool swim rather than another road, queue, or viewpoint. The islets are private, so this is an offshore viewing and swimming stop, not a landing.

The crew often adds a surprise at this point. Depending on the departure, that might mean an extra snack or a local drink such as limoncello. The included offering is not a full bar, and alcoholic drinks beyond the welcome toast are not included, but the small hospitality touches help the boat ride feel social.

The return cruise gives you another view of the Amalfi Coast before arriving back in Amalfi around 4:45 PM. Since the tour starts and ends at the same harbor, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

What the $252.76 price really covers

The price is high compared with taking a ferry, but the comparison is not quite equal.

Your fare includes:

• A professional skipper and onboard assistant
• A traditional gozzo with a small group
• Coastal cruising between Amalfi, Capri, and Li Galli
• Swimming stops
• A prosecco welcome toast
• Two bottles of water per person
• Snacks

You still pay for lunch, extra drinks, snorkel equipment, and the €5 per-person destination fee for docking, mooring, and landing services. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included.

I see the value in this tour if you want the full coastal day, not just island transport. The crew handles the boat and timing, and you get swimming spots that a ferry cannot provide. The value is weaker if you plan to stay ashore on Capri for most of the day or if you dislike swimming from a boat.

Weather, group size, and practical limits

The tour runs only in favorable weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The departure also needs at least six people, and the operator can cancel if that minimum is not reached.

Most people can take part, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The boat is small, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm the boarding setup before booking. The information provided does not promise step-free access or a specific arrangement for mobility equipment.

The cancellation rule is straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, except when the operator cancels for weather or insufficient numbers.

Who will enjoy this Amalfi to Capri outing

I would choose this tour if you want:

• A scenic day on the water rather than a simple ferry crossing
• Several chances to swim in the Mediterranean
• A small group and personal attention from the crew
• A first look at Capri without arranging a private charter
• Snacks and water included during a long day outside
• A relaxed social atmosphere, with prosecco and occasional local treats

I would think twice if you want:

• A long, unhurried visit to Capri
• A guaranteed Blue Grotto visit
• A full guided tour of the island
• Included snorkel gear or a proper underwater excursion
• The lowest-cost way to reach Capri
• A completely private boat

Should you book the Li Galli and Capri boat tour?

Book it if the journey matters as much as the destination. The best memories here come from the water: the Faraglioni from below, swimming at Punta Campanella, the final stop near Li Galli, and the easy company of a small boat crew. Guides such as Lucia and Desi have added real warmth to the day, while the crew’s snacks and drink surprises make the long outing feel generous.

Skip it for a ferry if Capri itself is your main goal and you want more time ashore. The island stop is useful but compressed, especially when the funicular or taxi takes time. For many people, though, the combination of Capri and three coastal swim stops is worth paying more for than transport alone.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at the Cruise & Snorkel Amalfi Coast dock in the Darsena at Amalfi, opposite Piazza Flavio Gioia. It returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the boat leave?

The meeting and departure time is 9:40 AM. Return to Amalfi 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 get roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to explore Capri independently.

Is the Blue Grotto included?

No. The route does not include a Blue Grotto stop because of the long waiting time. You may try to visit it independently during your free time on Capri.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour may be canceled if conditions are unsuitable. You will then be offered an alternative date or a full refund.