A private boat day with Capri and Positano.

This is the kind of Sorrento escape that hits fast: you trade long lines for sea-cave viewpoints and real water time on a private boat, the Raffaelli Shamal 40. I love how the route mixes famous sights (Faraglioni, Punta Carena) with quick stops at places like the White Grotta and Natural Arch. I also love the human touch—captains Nando and Francesco were easy to work with and made it feel like the day was tuned to your group. One thing to keep in mind: the itinerary is weather-dependent, and some costs aren’t included (destination/docking fees plus the Blue Grotto entrance ticket).

You’ll get round-trip pickup via hotel-to-port shuttle, towel service, snorkeling gear, and a generous spread of drinks and snacks on board. And yes, there’s time on land too, including a walk in Capri (Piazzetta and the shopping streets) and time in Positano for those steep, pastel cliffside lanes.

Key Points You’ll Feel From Minute One

• Private boat for up to 10: you’re not squeezing in with strangers or taking turns at every view.
• Capri by sea first: quick, classic photo stops before you ever step onto the island.
• Snorkeling setup included: gear, plus multiple chances to swim and snorkel.
• On-board drinks and snacks: water, soft drinks, beer, wine, Prosecco, limoncello, and fruit/snacks.
• Capri and Positano time ashore: 1.5 hours in each place for a real walk, not just a drive-by.
• Extra fees to plan for: docking/destination fees and the Blue Grotto entrance ticket aren’t included.

Why This Private Boat Day Works for Capri and Positano

Capri and Positano look dramatic from shore. From the water, they get even better—because the cliffs and caves aren’t just scenery. They’re part of how the coastline was built. On this tour, you’re doing that the practical way: boat first, then a bit of time on land when the walking is actually worth it.

I also like the pacing because it feels flexible without being chaotic. You get the famous stops in a structured way, then you can stay on board or go for a swim when conditions and your energy level allow. The boat is private, so you’re not negotiating your day with a dozen other small groups.

The overall feel is: relaxed, scenic, and very hard to replace with a standard ferry day. Ferries are fine. This is different. It’s a “show up, sit back, look out” kind of day.

Boat Comfort and On-Board Perks (Raffaelli Shamal 40)

The boat for this trip is a Raffaelli Shamal 40, and the whole package is set up for a long day at sea. You’ll have towels on board, and you’ll also have snorkeling equipment available. That matters. You don’t want your Capri day to turn into a gear scavenger hunt.

Food and drinks are a big part of the value here. The included list covers water, soda/soft drinks (including light cola options like Coke and lemon soda), beer, white or red wine, Prosecco, and limoncello. There are also lemons and fresh fruit or snacks. That’s the kind of detail that makes people stop thinking about logistics and start thinking about the view.

If you’re the type who worries about being bored on a boat, don’t. When you’re cruising the Capri coast, there’s always something changing—rock formations, tunnels, and those sudden color shifts in the water.

Capri From the Water: White Grotta, Natural Arch, and Faraglioni

Once you reach Capri, the sightseeing section starts quickly. The first stop is White Grotta, with about 5 minutes there. It’s short by design, which is smart on a boat day. You’re not wasting the whole morning waiting around. You get the key visual experience, snap your photos, then keep moving.

Next is the Natural Arch. You’ll see a paleolithic rock formation roughly 12 meters wide and almost 20 meters high. The point of stopping is to catch how the arch shape frames the sea around it. From the boat, you can actually understand the scale, not just look at it from a viewpoint.

Then comes I Faraglioni. This is one of those places where knowing a tiny bit helps you enjoy it more. Each Faraglione has its own name: the one joined to the land is Stella; the one separated by sea is Faraglione di Mezzo (also tied to the idea of an Arch of Love); and the third is Faraglione di Fuori, also called Scopolo. You’ll typically have around 10 minutes at this stop, enough time to look, rotate your angle, and get a few solid shots.

A practical note: don’t expect hours of hovering. The boat day is built for movement. If you love slow travel, you’ll still get it later with your on-land walks—but the rock stars here are best seen quickly and repeatedly from different angles.

Punta Carena Lighthouse and Marina Piccola Swim Time

After the rock stops, you’ll head to Punta Carena Lighthouse. It’s another short stop (about 5 minutes), but it’s worth it because lighthouses on cliffy promontories feel like a movie set. Punta Carena’s light power and importance in Italy are part of why sailors and tourists both care about it.

Then you get Marina Piccola, with about 30 minutes. This is where the tour shifts from sightseeing to doing something. Marina Piccola is known as a seaside spot with restaurants on the sea, but on this day the main draw is that you can get off the boat to swim and snorkel in a relaxed way.

This is also a good moment to think about your priorities for Capri. If you want photos, you’ll do that in the earlier cave and rock stops. If you want water time, you’ll do that here. And if you want both, you’ll still get them—just don’t plan to max everything. Your future self will thank you for not turning a vacation into a checklist contest.

Walking Capri: Piazzetta, Shops, and Real Island Time

You’ll then have time in Capri itself, around 1 hour 30 minutes. This is your land portion, and it’s where the island’s personality shows up: the Piazzetta area, shops, and those famous streets that slope and wind as the town works around the cliffs.

I like this timing because it gives enough duration to stroll without feeling rushed every five minutes. It’s also a helpful contrast to the boat portion. The sea gives you the big, iconic shapes. Capri town gives you texture: storefronts, small streets, and the feeling of being inside the island instead of just watching it from a distance.

One practical caution: Capri can be busy. You can still have a great walk, but plan to keep moving. If you stop too often to stare upward, you’ll lose your loop. A good strategy is to pick one direction, walk it, then circle back toward Piazzetta.

Amalfi Coast Views From the Water and the Li Galli Stop

After Capri, you continue along the Amalfi Coast, a roughly 50-kilometer stretch south of the Sorrento Peninsula. The coastline here is known for steep cliffs, a jagged edge of land, and small beaches with pastel-colored villages.

You’ll also have a stop at the Li Galli Islands for an unforgettable swim in the sea. Even if you keep it simple—just float, rinse off with sea water, and watch the coastline—the stop works. It breaks up the day so you’re not only looking at scenery. It’s the kind of moment that turns into a photo later, but feels best in the present.

If the sea is rough, you’ll likely feel it more in the middle stretches. That’s just reality in this part of the world, and it’s one reason this experience is listed as requiring good weather.

Positano Shore Time: Narrow Streets, Boutiques, and Sandals

Next up is Positano, also about 1 hour 30 minutes. Positano is famous for the way it develops vertically, with streets stacked up the hillside. The vibe is all about walking: narrow lanes, boutiques, and craft shops, including those well-known sandal styles that have been made in this area for decades.

This is the part of the tour you’ll feel most like a tourist. And honestly, that’s the right balance. After hours of being out on the water, you want a change of pace that still lets you explore on foot.

The smartest move in Positano is to pick a few lanes you want to see and accept that you won’t cover the whole town. 90 minutes is plenty for a meaningful stroll and some shopping, but it’s not enough for total conquest. If you’re traveling with kids, grandparents, or anyone who tires quickly, this timing is still manageable because you’re not stuck on a bus between stops.

Price and Value: What You Pay for, What Costs Extra

The price is listed at about $3,472.81 per group for up to 10 people, with an approximate 7-hour duration. At first glance, it sounds pricey. But compare the alternatives: if you add up private boat charter costs, dedicated skipper time, fuel, and the convenience of round-trip pickup, this starts to look like a lot of boat time for the money.

What’s included is a meaningful chunk of the day:

• Skipper and fuel
• Round-trip pickup (hotel to port and back via shuttle)
• Towels
• Snorkeling equipment
• Drinks (including beer, wine, Prosecco, limoncello) and soft drinks
• Snacks/fruit
• VAT as required

What’s not included matters:

• Admission fees and destination fees (dock/mooring/landing-type charges)
• Blue Grotto entrance ticket

So I’d plan your budget with a buffer for those extra items, especially the Blue Grotto if you’re specifically aiming for it. If you’re not chasing that entrance, the rest of the Capri experience still covers the major sea highlights.

The best value angle here is the full-group format. If you have enough people to fill the boat (up to 10), the per-person cost drops a lot. If you’re traveling as a couple, you’ll still get the magic of a private ride, but you’ll feel more of the premium.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Think Twice)

This is a strong match if you want:

• a private day with a small group size
• Capri and Positano in one trip without a ferry-and-transfer headache
• snorkeling time without packing gear
• plenty of included food and drinks on board
• structured viewpoints plus time to walk

It may not be ideal if:

• you want long, slow hangs at each stop (this is more efficient sightseeing)
• you’re extremely price-sensitive once you add destination fees and optional attractions like the Blue Grotto
• seasickness is a concern for you and you’re expecting very smooth water all day

The staff names show up clearly in the positive comments—Nando and Francesco are described as accommodating and attentive to group wishes. That’s a good sign for travelers who care about flexibility and communication, not just scenery.

Quick Practical Tips Before You Go

• Bring sunscreen and a hat. Even when you think you’ll stay in the shade on a boat, Capri sun can surprise you.
• Wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in on uneven streets, especially during your Capri and Positano strolls.
• If you care about the Blue Grotto, check your planning early since the entrance ticket isn’t included.

And one more thing: keep your day light. You’ll be drinking, swimming, and walking. Save the heavy schedule for tomorrow.

Should You Book This Private Capri and Positano Boat Tour?

I think you should book it if your dream day is: sea caves and rock formations by boat, snorkeling with gear provided, and two real town walks in Capri and Positano—without juggling multiple transports. The included drinks, towels, and snorkeling kit make it feel complete, not like you’re paying for a boat shell and then getting nickel-and-dimed for everything.

Skip the extra cost mindset if you’re traveling solo or with just two people unless you really, truly want a private boat. But if you can go with a group and make use of the full capacity, the value jumps.

Bottom line: this is the kind of outing that turns into a story fast. You’ll remember the cliffs from the water, the swim breaks, and the walk through Capri’s Piazzetta area and Positano’s narrow shopping lanes.

FAQ

How long is the Sorrento private boat tour to Capri and Positano?

It runs for about 7 hours.

How many people can be on the private tour?

It’s a private experience for your group, up to 10 people.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from your hotel or the closest meeting point, with a free shuttle to the port of embarkation.

What are the main stops during the tour?

You’ll visit Capri highlights like White Grotta, Natural Arch, the Faraglioni, Punta Carena Lighthouse, Marina Piccola, and time in Capri. You’ll also go along the Amalfi Coast and stop near Li Galli Islands, then arrive in Positano.

Is there time to walk in Capri and Positano?

Yes. You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes in Capri and about 1 hour 30 minutes in Positano for walking and exploring.

What’s included on board?

The tour includes a skipper, fuel, round-trip hotel-to-port pickup, towels, snorkeling equipment, and drinks such as water, soft drinks, beer, wine, Prosecco, and limoncello, plus snacks/fruit.

What snorkeling equipment do I get?

Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the tour.

Are entry fees included for everything?

No. Admission fees and destination fees (dock/mooring/landing type charges) are not included, and the Blue Grotto entrance ticket is also not included.

What if the sea conditions are rough?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Do I get a ticket on my phone?

Yes, you’ll receive a mobile ticket.

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