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• Capped at eight — the smallest group of any Blue Grotto boat trip here.
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Sorrento, included.
• A Caprese lunch aboard rather than a packed sandwich.
• Swim stops timed around the crowds rather than a fixed schedule.
• If the cave closes, the island cruise carries on.

What semi-private buys you

This semi-private day trip is the upgrade choice for the Blue Grotto, and its standout 4.9 rating reflects what the smaller cap buys: a group of no more than eight, hotel pick-up and drop-off in Sorrento, and a crew with room to look after everyone. It suits travellers who want the island cruise and the grotto without sharing the boat with a large group.

The day runs from your Sorrento hotel door: pick-up, a cruise across to Capri, time along the island's cliffs and coves with swimming, and the Blue Grotto as the highlight, where the skipper coordinates your transfer to the rowboats for entry. With only eight aboard, the pace bends to the group rather than a fixed timetable.

Food and drink are a genuine part of this trip: soft drinks, water, beer, wine, prosecco and limoncello, a Caprese-sandwich lunch and a homemade sweet treat are included. The Blue Grotto ticket itself is not, running about 19 euros on the day, and a small destination or docking fee of around 10 euros may apply, so carry cash for both.

Best for: travellers who want a roomier, more personal day with lunch and hotel pick-up included. Still deciding? Compare all Blue Grotto Capri Tours and tickets to find your perfect day on the water.

How the day runs

When	What happens
Morning	Hotel pick-up in Sorrento and transfer to the boat.
Late morning	Cruise to Capri along the coast; swim stops in coves along the way.
Midday	Blue Grotto stop; transfer to the local rowboats for entry (optional ticket, weather permitting).
Early afternoon	Caprese lunch and drinks aboard; more coastal cruising and swimming.
Afternoon	Return cruise to Sorrento and hotel drop-off.

Who the semi-private day is for

This trip suits you if:

• you would rather pay more for room on deck
• you want the morning handled, pickup included
• you are travelling as a couple or a small family

What is included

Hotel pickup in Sorrento

The tour departs from Sorrento. The group is limited to 8, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Blue Grotto entry depends on the sea on the day; if the cave is closed, the coastal cruise continues. Bring cash for the grotto ticket and a tip if entry is not already included. See getting there for the wider routes and the visitor guide for entry details.

Know before you go

• The Blue Grotto entry is separate and paid in cash at the floating ticket office. Carry around 18 to 19 euros per person, plus something for the rower.
• Eight guests means dates go early in summer. Book ahead; free cancellation up to 24 hours before makes an early booking costless to change.
• Pickup times vary by where in Sorrento you are staying. Confirm your address and time on booking rather than assuming a standard slot.
• You lie flat in a small rowboat to pass a metre-high entrance. Secure hats, phones and loose bags before you transfer; there is nowhere to retrieve them from.

What travellers said

For ratings across every operator, see the reviews and operator ratings page.

Questions about this trip

Is lunch really included?

Yes. A Caprese sandwich and a homemade sweet treat are included, along with soft drinks, water, beer, wine, prosecco and limoncello.

Is the Blue Grotto ticket included?

No. Grotto entry is about 19 euros paid on the day, and a small destination or docking fee of around 10 euros may also apply, so bring cash.

How many people are on the boat?

The group is capped at eight, which is why it is described as semi-private. In practice that means room to move on deck and a skipper who has time for questions. It is the smallest group of any Blue Grotto boat trip compared here.

Is hotel pick-up provided?

Yes, pick-up and drop-off at Sorrento hotels is included. Confirm your address and the time when you book, because the pickup window varies by where you are staying. Nothing outside Sorrento is covered.

What if the grotto is closed by weather?

The cruise around Capri continues with swim stops, so you still get a full day even if the cave cannot open. That is the practical argument for arriving by boat rather than by land: a closed grotto costs you one stop rather than the whole trip. The entry fee is not charged if you do not go in.

Can I cancel if plans change?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. That makes booking early effectively free to change, which matters here because the sea decides on the day. After that window the booking is held.