Capri Island Cruise: Amalfi Coast, Swim Stops & Free Time

4.65

(254 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be barefoot before 10 a.m., but there I was—shoes off at the dock in Praiano, feeling a bit awkward and secretly loving it. Our captain, Marco, grinned and said it was “Capri style.” The sea was that unreal blue you see in postcards but never believe is real. As we left the Amalfi Coast behind—Positano looking like a pastel cake—I caught myself grinning for no reason. Maybe just nerves or maybe it was the salty air.

We cruised past Li Galli (our guide told us legends about sirens luring sailors—he winked when he said it), then circled Capri itself. The White Grotto looked almost ghostly in the morning light; I touched the side of the boat and felt how cool the spray was. There were two swim stops—honestly, I hesitated at first because everyone else seemed so ready, but once I jumped in… wow. It’s cold for a second and then just perfect. Later, we floated by the Faraglioni rocks and Marco pointed out Villa Malaparte—said some old movie stars used to party there. I still think about that view through the rock arch.

The Blue Grotto wasn’t open for us (waves too high), but nobody seemed to mind much—we had four hours on Capri anyway. I wandered up winding lanes past lemon trees and old men playing cards outside cafés. Lunch was just a sandwich from a bakery (the focaccia still warm), sitting on a wall above Marina Piccola watching little boats bob around. It’s funny how time slips away there; I almost missed getting back to Marina Grande because I lost track chatting with an Australian couple about where to find good gelato.

On the way back, someone handed me homemade limoncello—sharp and sweet—and we all tried to take photos of the sunset but mostly just laughed at our blurry attempts. The wind picked up a little and my hair got wild, but nobody cared. That last stretch along the coast felt quieter somehow; maybe everyone was tired or just full of sun and saltwater and stories.