Small group boat tour to Capri

ravensdale, thanks for your first post on the newsboard. It would be helpful to readers for you to say whether you saw the Blue Grotto, and how much time you had on the island itself? What sections of the island did you have time to see? Was the water on the crossing smooth enough? What were the lunch arrangements?

Thank you.

To add: the tour stops at the blue grotto where you can choose to go in or not. (We did, very fun). There is a floating ticket boat that takes credit card or cash for the entrance. Take some cash to tip your grotto dinghy captain. We had 4 hours on Capri which we used to visit Ana Capri and take the chairlift up to the top. Gorgeous view! In addition, the boat stops at a green grotto and white grotto. These are more cavelike which the boat backs in to view. After our time on the island we returned to the boat and went swimming while anchored. Swim noodles were provided. The tour included drinks, water and a substantial caprese sandwich. The weather was perfect, water conditions smooth with light chop on the way back. We all enjoyed a toast on limoncello as we returned to the harbor.

My nephew and I did this same RS endorsed Mondo tour in August of 2022 and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only downside for us was the throngs of tourists on Capri- yikes! Getting transportation anywhere, including the funicular, involved long lines. We ended up on a private tour bus that goes around the island, and it worked out well. We loved Anacapri, the chairlift and the spectacular views. But ultimately our favorite part of this day was getting to Capri and back in a very comfortable boat with its fine crew and relaxing vibe, circumnavigating the island and swimming in the Mediterranean!

We took the same tour in April. Because they overbooked the tour, we were split into two groups. Three of us were put on a small boat with no narrative or guide in an often rough sea. Two of my traveling companions were yellow and green from sea sickness. The Blue Grotto was open and taking tours and our guide had the captain drive right past the reason we took this very expensive tour. We purposely flew 5800 miles and booked the tour months in advance to do so. Shortly after, because our boat driver ( not a captain) was making up time to get to the other boat, a wave washed in and soaked me - head to toe. Fortunately, I had just stowed my camera. But I was thrown into the decking and suffered a severely sprained hand and black and blue leg. The guide, on the other boat ignored me and did not offer aid or any help. Fortunately, people on the island offered me ice. We contacted the company and they offered some compensation. Glad you had a better time. If anyone else reads this and ends up on an overbooked trip, don’t board.
P.S. the site says hydrofoil., it’s not, it’s a ferry.

Although we did not take the Mondo Tour to Capri, years ago we took the Mondo tour originating in Sorrento which went along the Amalfi Coast, and it was a great way to see Positano, Amalfi & Ravello. In the fall, a RS tour of Italy includes a day oyo along the Amalfi coast, & I have already signed up to do the Mondo Tour that day. It's a great value for a full day shared tour.

Very sorry to hear you had that experience. The company we booked thru was the mondo guide group and it was their shared small group tour for Rick Steve’s travelers There are definitely a ton of companies offering a similar tour. We passed numerous boats packed to the gills with people. Whereas we had a total of 8 passengers.
Again, sorry you had that experience!

"P.S. the site says hydrofoil., it’s not, it’s a ferry."

Wow, so sorry you had such an unpleasant experience with this tour company. The Mondo Shared Tours definitely don't operate this way, nor do they use a hydrofoil.

The way it works is you sign up and when they reach 6 passengers, the trip is a go. Then they move on to fill another boat. If they don't get at least 6 sign ups, then the trip is a no go. I don't know how many boats they operate on a given day, but their website probably has that information. There is no charge to sign up but you do need to provide a cc number and then pay cash to the guide.

I used Mondo Shared tours for both the Capri boat trip and their Amalfi Coast tour from Sorrento. They were both excellent, and I highly recommend them!

Yes, Sara. That’s all we planned for and it didn’t happen. When we booked, months before our trip, they highlighted the use of a hydrofoil. The excursion was not only a disappointment, it almost cost me the rest of the trip.