Li Galli Islands and Capri Small Group Boat Tour from Amalfi

Capri looks best from the water, where its cliffs, caves, and Faraglioni rocks come into view before you face the island’s crowds. This seven-hour cruise adds two good swimming stops and a look at the private Li Galli islets, all from a traditional wooden gozzo with a sundeck.

I like the small-group size, usually capped at 12, and the friendly onboard hosting from crew members such as Lucia, Alessandra, Desi, and Giovanni. I also like the simple extras: a prosecco toast, two bottles of water, snacks, and often a final surprise such as limoncello or a sandwich.

The main drawback is time. About three hours on Capri can disappear quickly once you reach town, wait for transport, eat, and find your way around. The Blue Grotto is not part of the boat route, and snorkeling equipment, lunch, extra drinks, and a €5 destination fee cost more.

Key points to know before booking

• Traditional gozzo from Amalfi: Board near Piazza Flavio Gioia and see Capri from a comfortable wooden boat with a sundeck.
• Two planned swim stops: Punta Campanella and Li Galli offer clear water, while the Faraglioni stop adds another chance to swim and snorkel.
• Roughly three hours on Capri: Enough for lunch, a little shopping, and a quick look around, but not enough for a relaxed island tour.
• Warm, attentive hosting: Crew members such as Lucia, Desi, Alessandra, and Giovanni are often praised for clear directions and thoughtful service.
• Blue Grotto not included: The boat does not build in the long wait for the famous cave. You can try to visit it during your free time on Capri.
• Good weather matters: The trip can be moved or refunded if sea conditions are poor, and it needs at least six people to run.

Why this Capri boat trip works best from the water

The Amalfi Coast is a place where the sea gives you a better sense of scale. From the road, you see cliffs and villages in fragments. From the boat, you watch the coast fold into coves, headlands, and steep rock walls as you head toward Capri.

The traditional gozzo is a fitting choice. It is not a large sightseeing vessel, and the small group gives the outing a more personal feel. You have room to sit on the deck, watch the coast, and get into the water without the crowded feeling of a big ferry.

The day begins at 9:40 a.m. at the Amalfi port, opposite Piazza Flavio Gioia. This is a central meeting point, but Amalfi can be confusing around the waterfront, so allow time to find the Molo, Darsena area. One crew member may call or message with directions, which is useful if you are staying uphill or arriving by bus.

Once aboard, the crew serves a welcome glass of prosecco. The mood is informal and social, with the skipper handling the route and an onboard assistant explaining sights, timing, and meeting instructions. Several crew members named in the feedback include Lucia, Alessandra, Desi, Giovanni, Elena, and Daisy, though the actual pair working your departure can vary.

Punta Campanella brings the first swim

The boat leaves Amalfi and follows the coast toward Capri. The first planned stop is the Marine Protected Area at Punta Campanella, where you get about 20 minutes for a swim in clear turquoise water.

This is one of the best parts of the schedule because it gets you into the sea early, before the full heat of the day. You jump directly from the boat, so bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep a towel handy. Towels are not included, though one review notes that towel rental may be available.

Do not expect a long shore visit here. The point is the water, not a beach walk. The coast in this area is rocky, and the boat remains your base. If you do not swim, you can stay on deck and enjoy the view, but this tour makes more sense if you are comfortable getting into the sea.

Snorkeling is listed as part of the experience, but equipment is not supplied. Bring your own mask and snorkel if that matters to you. Also keep expectations sensible: this is a boat trip with swim stops, not a dedicated underwater excursion. Some departures may offer better visibility or more time in the water than others.

The Faraglioni are Capri’s signature view

Near Capri, the boat pauses around the Faraglioni, the three famous rock formations that rise from the sea. The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes and may include swimming and snorkeling.

This is the classic Capri photo moment, but it is more enjoyable from the water than from a crowded viewpoint. You see the rock arches and steep sides at close range, with the boat giving you time to take pictures before heading onward.

The exact route can change with sea traffic and conditions. Some departures also pass caves or other coastal features, but the stated plan does not promise every grotto. If you have your heart set on a specific cave, ask the crew early in the day rather than assuming it will be included.

The engine noise is worth noting. A few people found it hard to hear explanations while the motor was running, especially when the guide was speaking from another part of the boat. If you want the coastal commentary, sit near the host and ask questions when the boat slows or stops.

Capri requires a clear plan

The boat drops you on Capri for about two and a half to three hours. This is the longest stop, and it is also where the schedule feels tightest.

Your free time is your own. You can eat lunch, stroll, shop, take pictures, or try to reach another part of the island. But Capri’s transport system can consume much of your stop. Lines for the funicular can be long, and a trip toward Anacapri or the chairlift may leave little time for anything else.

A taxi can save time compared with waiting for a bus. That advice comes up repeatedly in the practical feedback, especially for visitors trying to make the most of a short stop. Taxis cost more, but the tradeoff is useful when you have only a few hours and want to see beyond the port area.

Before you step ashore, choose one main goal. For instance, you might plan lunch and a walk through Capri town, or focus on Anacapri and the chairlift. Trying to fit both sides of the island into the stop can turn a pleasant break into a race.

The Blue Grotto is not included in the scheduled boat route. This is deliberate because the wait can be long. You can try to visit independently during your time on the island, but doing so may take up much of your free period. If the Blue Grotto is your top priority, this tour may not be the right format.

Food on Capri is also costly, so budget for lunch if you do not want to spend your island time searching for the cheapest option. Some departures have included a more substantial snack or sandwich, but lunch itself is not included in the price.

Li Galli gives the return trip its quiet finish

After Capri, the boat heads back toward Amalfi and stops near Li Galli for another swim of about 20 minutes. These private islets are also a protected marine area, and the view is quite different from the busier Capri waterfront.

Li Galli is not a normal shore visit. You do not land and walk around the islands. Instead, you swim from the boat while looking at the small rocky islets and open sea around them.

This final stop is valuable because it breaks up the return trip. After the heat and crowds of Capri, a swim from the boat can feel like a reset. The crew may also prepare a surprise, with past departures receiving extra snacks, a sandwich, wine, or limoncello. The exact treat is not guaranteed, so consider it a pleasant extra rather than part of the basic promise.

The boat is due back in Amalfi around 4:45 p.m. That timing gives you an evening in town, though sea conditions and the day’s pace can affect the exact return.

What the $252.76 price really buys you

At $252.76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Capri. A ferry or regular boat connection will usually give you more control over your island time and may cost less. If your only goal is to reach Capri and spend the day ashore, compare those options carefully.

The value here is the complete day on the water. You are paying for a skipper, an onboard assistant, several scenic passages, swim stops, a smaller boat, a prosecco welcome, water, snacks, and the convenience of returning to Amalfi without arranging separate transport.

It is especially good value if you would otherwise book a separate Amalfi Coast boat trip. The Capri stop alone does not justify the price for everyone, since the island time is short and transport can be frustrating. The value improves if you care about swimming, coastal views, personal hosting, and seeing Li Galli as part of the same outing.

Remember the added costs. Lunch is not included. Extra alcoholic drinks are not included, snorkeling equipment is not included, and there is a €5 per-person destination fee for docking, mooring, and landing services.

Group size, comfort, and the feel onboard

This is a shared tour, not a private charter. The stated maximum is 12 people, although some tour details describe the group as 12 to 14. In practical terms, expect a small boat with enough room to avoid the packed feeling of a large excursion vessel, but not the space or privacy of your own charter.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Lucia is praised for her energy, local explanations, and careful attention to timing. Desi is noted for calling with meeting information and helping people who had trouble finding the boat. Alessandra, Giovanni, and other hosts are described as friendly, attentive, and good at keeping the group informed.

Communication can vary by crew pairing. Some skippers speak limited English, while the onboard assistant handles most explanations. Engine noise can make commentary difficult, and smoking by a skipper was a negative point for one person. These are not reasons to dismiss the trip, but they are fair considerations if quiet, detailed guiding matters to you.

The trip suits confident swimmers, couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat day and rocky swimming areas. It is less suitable if you want a slow, detailed Capri sightseeing day, a private boat, or guaranteed access to the Blue Grotto.

Practical advice for making the day run smoothly

Wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes. There are two main swim stops, plus the Faraglioni pause, and changing options on a small boat may be limited.

Bring a towel, sun protection, a hat, and a waterproof case for your phone. Water is supplied, with two bottles per person, and snacks are included, but carry a little extra food if you want to avoid buying lunch on Capri.

Make a Capri plan before boarding. Decide if you want lunch and town, Anacapri and the chairlift, shopping, or a short walk with a sea view. Add transport waits to your plan, and use a taxi if saving time matters more than saving money.

Do not count on seeing the Blue Grotto. The tour specifically avoids building the day around it, and independent access during free time is not guaranteed. The Faraglioni, swimming stops, and Li Galli are the reliable highlights.

Finally, keep your schedule flexible. The trip runs only in favorable weather, and it needs at least six people. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Cancellation by you is free up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book this Amalfi to Capri boat tour?

Book it if you want Capri combined with swimming, scenic boat time, and a friendly small-group atmosphere. The best parts are the traditional gozzo, the clear water at Punta Campanella and Li Galli, the Faraglioni views, and the crew’s personal attention.

Skip it if your main goal is a full Capri visit, the Blue Grotto, or the lowest-cost transport. In that case, a ferry may give you longer on the island and more freedom to set your own pace.

For most people, the smart choice is to treat this as a boat day with a Capri stop, not as a full Capri tour. Set that expectation, plan your island time in advance, and the $252.76 price becomes easier to justify.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

It starts at Cruise & Snorkel Amalfi Coast, Molo, Darsena, 84011 Amalfi, near Piazza Flavio Gioia in Amalfi’s port area.

What time should I meet the crew?

The scheduled meeting time is 9:40 a.m.

What time does the tour return to Amalfi?

Return to the port is scheduled for about 4:45 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

How much time do I get on Capri?

You get roughly two and a half to three hours to explore Capri independently.

Is the Blue Grotto included?

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

Are snacks and drinks included?

Two bottles of water per person, snacks, and a welcome prosecco toast are included. Other alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. You must arrange and pay for lunch on Capri.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. The tour also requires a minimum of six people to operate.