Please sign in to post.

Best Time to Visit Sorrento When Ferries are running to Positano

We are planning to go to Sorrento sometime between the last week of September or sometime in October. Would like to take a boat trip from Sorrento to Positano but don't know when the ferries stop running. Also, what would be the best time to go when there is the best chance that the weather will permit boats to go? We were there a few years ago and it was overcast all week and we didn't get to go to Capri. Thank you so much for any information as this will decide when we book our air flight.

Posted by
1929 posts

And I'm sure you realize that if the ferries are not running that day, you can still take the SITA bus from Sorrento station to Positano (and back). Inexpensive, and quite the fun ride, about 45 minutes. The route takes you through a little bit of the gritty parts of the peninsula you wouldn't see otherwise.

Posted by
71 posts

While I can't predict the weather, I can suggest that you book the last week of September. I travel to that area twice a year and, increasingly, the weather has become "unusual" each year. More rainy days in May and October than in previous years. As a previous poster suggested, even if the ferries are canceled, you can take the bus. You can also book a taxi or private transfer. Enjoy!

Posted by
1829 posts

The concern is the waves more than the weather outside, if large waves the boats cannot dock in Positano.
Witnessed a beautiful weather day but due to larger than normal waves the boats where not using the Positano dock.
So no Sorrento-Positano nor Positano-Capri boats.

Would take some serious weather to stop the ferry from Sorrento to Capri in comparison.

No way to predict which days will give you the best chance in advance.
The little boats that go into the Blue Grotto on Capri are similar, in season if large waves they do not run those days.

Posted by
7181 posts

fhawkins, there is a tremendous range in the physical size of the ferries, both based on the size of the port they use, and on the expected patronage at a certain time. One day to Capri from Sorrento (both huge docks, unlimited size, and cars accepted on many boats) we went over on a tiny ferry, under 100 passengers, but came back on a fully-enclosed, massive cabin with airline-style seats, carrying hundreds of passengers. I would bet that this latter ferry could go in questionable weather. I also noted that the multiple companies in Sorrento are not likely to refer you to the competition ... ...

Capri can be so hot that some overcast might be a blessing in the course of a day. I agree that the actual A.C. probably looks pretty nice from the water. Maybe it's because we had a hotel with a superb Gulf view, but I wasn't as blown away by the ferry view approaching Sorrento. (Note that avoiding the Circumvesuviana train is a good reason to consider a ferry from Naples if it meets your itinerary.) We saw Positano and Amalfi by car-and-driver.

Posted by
14 posts

Thank you again everyone for the info -- I really appreciate you taking the time.