Capri - boat tour recommended?

I've been to Capri twice (only made it once while living in Salerno for 2 years! haha another on another vacation), once we didn't get on a boat around the island, the other time we found someone at the port to take us around. Both were enjoyable days. It depends on your interests and what you are most interested in. Both times we took the VERY CROWDED bus to Anacapri and did the chairlift. I would say that if you want to do it, go ahead! There were some great views from the water.

The MAIN thing I am concerned about is that you don't have a full day there and it will be harder to fit a boat tour in depending on your schedule arriving and departing. I wouldn't want to start a boat tour after trekking all over Italy to GET to Capri in the afternoon (maybe if you were only coming from Naples and took an EARLY ferry it would work), but then if it were swimming weather, I wouldn't want to do it the next morning without having a chance to shower off before departing for my next destination.

There are plenty of one hour tours from the port that go around the island. I thought it was fun and a decent value. I believe they will stop at the Blue Grotto if you’re interested in that. It was closed when I was there due to rough seas.

For us the Anacapri chairlift and boat tour around the islands (about 90 minute ride) were the best parts of visiting Capri. The two towns themselves were swarming with people and less enjoyable.

Thank you ! very helpful.

John, what month were you there when it was so crowded? Are the walks where you go to the monastery and the paths that take you past Casa Malaparte crowded as well? Thank you, Laura

Also, John, how much is the 90 minute boatride around the island for 4 people? Thanks, Laura

Be aware that your boat ride may be postponed due to rough seas or winds. We finally went on one after four days of cancellations. It was fine but not a highlight of our time there. . We preferred our time on Capri itself.

Laura, by "monastery" I'll assume you mean the Charterhouse of St. Giacomo. In general, the further away you can get from the center of Capri and Anacapri towns, the fewer tourists you'll encounter. Many day-trippers are not interested in the longer walks to some of the more scenic locations.

I don't expect that the Charterhouse is going to be crowded at all: even though it's not a long walk to that one, it doesn't offer much to see although the remains of some frescoes in the church are interesting. We've also hiked the Pizzolungo trail (what I assume you mean by the path that overlooks Villa Malaparte) and again, the further away you get from the center of Capri town and its closer-in overlooks, the fewer people you will be amongst. I wouldn't worry about it.

You could check in with Elizabeth the owner of Blue Star Boats in Positano, she knows Capri very well