A boat ride on Capri’s crystal clear waters sounds like something out of a supermodel’s Instagram feed or a Dolce and Gabbana fragrance commercial. Known for its picturesque views, there are many reasons why Capri’s waters attract the rich and famous, along with 2 million other tourists a year.
Arriving on the island by ferry, there is a sense of uncontainable excitement while approaching the gorgeous green mountainous landscape graced by polished pastel homes, restaurants, luxury hotels, and designer stores. For a first timer visiting Capri, its beauty seems absolutely surreal.
Surrounding Marina Grande (where ferries dock and tour boats await) are colorful buildings lined up one against the other, inviting you to explore their products or services. The scent of lemon, olive oil, sunscreen, and the ocean breeze circle the air among excited tourists. But before you dive too far into Capri’s locales, a boat tour of the island is a must.
Right at the Marina Grande, blue banners advertising a boat tour and transfer to the Blue Grotto will lead you in the right direction for booking a tour, although I recommend booking ahead of time if possible.
The tour guides are very knowledgeable of the island and excited to share Capri’s history, landmarks, and quirks with visitors. They will even help you find a place for lunch after the tour, and provide information on how to access transportation to ground above the marina, where the shopping action really takes place.
It is not until you embark on your boat journey through the Gulf of Naples that you realize how clear and bright Capri’s water is. Accompanied by sights of mountainous rocks and cliffs larger than life, the scene is breathtakingly beautiful. Some of these rocks date back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous eras, which took place 65 to 190 million years ago. The views, history, and delightful weather makes floating through the water feel like a memory from the sweetest dream.
The most impressive part of the tour was a visit to the Faraglioni. Three rock formations crafted to perfection by our very own Mother Nature stand tall and proud, almost as if they are admiring everyone’s fascinated gaze.
According to Citta di Capri, the Ancient Romans were fans of this area. They built ostentatious villas overlooking the Faraglioni along the shores. During the 1900s, Capri was again colonized by intellectuals and artists, who found creative inspiration from the island’s tranquility and grace. The Faraglioni stand an average of 100 meters above the ocean’s surface.
The tour guide will explain how the closest rock to the shore is named Stella, the middle formation is named Faraglione di Mezzo, and the farthest from the shore is named the Faraglione di Fuori, or Scopolo. A short distance away, there is a fourth formation known as the Monacone, named after the sea cows (Monaci) which once lived in the surrounding waters.
Almost unexpectedly, the boat goes through a beautiful and inviting stone archway pertaining to the middle rock formation, the Faraglioni di Mezzo. Seconds before going through, our tour guide encouraged us to breathe in our surroundings. She asked us to close our eyes and make a wish, and instructed us to open them again before exiting the tunnel, to an astonishing view of the rock above us, the radiant water before us, and the fresh wind blowing in our hair. Witnessing the Faraglioni will inspire you to feel that in that moment, you are exactly where you are meant to be.
Lesser known than it’s blue counterpart, the boat tour takes you to the White Grotta. The White Grotta is a large white cave remarkable for its stalagmites, particularly one that resembles the Virgin Mary. The tour guide mentioned that the people of Capri refer to it as nature’s own Madonna. The boat takes you close enough to get a clear look at the phenomenon, which appears to be leaning over a balcony overlooking the crowds.
A boat tour of Capri is incomplete without a visit to its famed Blue Grotto. You read about it in travel magazines, gauze over incredible photographs from travel junkies, and watch it portrayed in films, yet nothing can prepare you for experiencing its magnificence for yourself.
The Blue Grotto was officially rediscovered at the beginning of the 19th Century when Polish poet August Kopish wrote a book about it. According to Around Rome Tours, the cave extends about 50 meters into the cliff at its surface, and is about 150 meters deep. Remains of statues of the sea god Neptune/Triton dating back to 1st Century AD have been found in the Blue Grotto, and they once lined the walls of the cave as decor for Tiberius’ (the second Roman emperor) private swimming pool.
Depending on the day you visit, there could be a long wait to enter the grotto. However, there are worse places to be stuck waiting in a line. Tourists line up on a staircase descending from a nearby rock formation, while others line up on private/tour boats that dock while awaiting their passengers’ turn. Take in the bright blue water that surrounds the grotto, snap some photographs, and prepare for one of the most unique experiences you will ever have.
The boats that travel into the grotto are for 4-5 people max. The oarsman will help you properly position yourself inside the boat as you approach the small opening that leads inside. Seconds before entering, the oarsman will instruct everyone on the boat to lay down completely flat, as the entrance to the grotto is so small, it would be impossible to enter it while sitting upright. The oarsmen use metal chains to quickly maneuver the boat inside as they bend over backwards to ensure their own safety as well.
Once inside, it appears as if you’re in a pitch black hole. However, upon sitting upright once again, the turquoise glow of the grotto’s waters envelops every crevice of the cave. The luminous water reflects off of everyone’s faces. It almost feels as if you’re in a theme park attraction, and you’ll find yourself needing to be reminded that the grotto is in fact, real.
All the oarsmen sing a romantic Italian song that echoes throughout the cave, adding to its dreamy ambience. In that moment, it feels as if you are wrapped in a blue blanket, in absolute serenity.
Unknown to some, you can actually swim in the Blue Grotto by paying 1 extra euro to the oarsman. Tourist Christina Mouttet from Trinidad and Tobago expressed her excitement on not only visiting the grotto, but getting to take a plunge in its freezing waters.
“The water was so blue — it was amazing. Once you swim around it starts to feel so refreshing. When I opened my eyes underwater, I couldn’t believe how bright it was. Visiting the grotto was my favorite part of my trip to Capri. Definitely worth it,” Mouttet said.
After the visit to the Blue Grotto, the two hour boat tour comes to a close and you will be taken back to land in a quick 10-15 minute ride.
To book your own boat tour and Blue Grotto experience with Motoscafisti di Capri, visit http://www.capri.net/en/c/motoscafisti-di-capri. The boat tour is 17 euro and the visit to the Blue Grotto is 14 euro.
A trip to Italy would not be complete without a visit to Capri and its magnificent natural wonders. I don’t think you can find waters as blue and sights as extraordinary anywhere else.
