Hi,
We will be heading to Capri in mid/late September (22-24, one of these days). Has anyone been there this time of the year? How busy is it? I'm looking at various boat options to do a cruise around the island with a Blue Grotto stop, but all boat lines say they will return to land if the wait is over 30-60 minutes (depends on the tour company). Most of these boat tour companies get terrible reviews, especially the two RS recommends: Laser Capri and Motoscafisti Capri. I realize that some of the reviews are not the fault of the tour company but rather the lack of the tourist being informed. However, some reviews have legit complaints. I did find another tour company who gets much better reviews, but they state the shortest waiting time (30 minutes) will be allowed before returning to land. I guess I'm wondering if anyone who has been in September to Capri has also been to the Blue Grotto and how long the wait was? I plan on getting an early start so that will help. Thanks for any help!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5651 posts
The Blue Grotto is a tourist trap. Watch some u-tube videos that depict the realities of the wait. I'd advise skipping it. Please understand that south of Naples, a kind of "controlled chaos" is the norm, things don't work as smoothly as elsewhere, don't run on time, etc. The area will still be very crowded in September. Also, the weather is often a variable, the ferries and boats don't run if the weather is bad.
That being said, have a great trip, just be aware of the realities on the ground, and the poor infrastructure that makes moving about inefficient and slow.
Safe travels!
Posted by
8331 posts
I did the Blue Grotto in the 1980s and thought is was amazing. Of course, back then the tourists were far fewer than there are now.
Capri was great, enjoyed visiting it and Sorrento.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
795 posts
I have never been to the blue grotto, but I do know that there is a way to get to it on land to then get in the tiny boats, correct? You could do a normal boat tour around the island and get exactly what you want and THEN do the approach on land to the grotto and you can decide if the wait is too long, instead of being at the whim of boat drivers that are not you....right?
I have done the ferries to the Amalfi Coast around that time a few times and they weren't empty, so I would assume that tourism hasn't completely slowed down by the end of September. Of course, it will depend on the weather and if it is feasible enough.
Posted by
CA, USA
1254 posts
We were there last Sept and took the Motoscafisti Capri tour around the island. I have no complaints about the company. The first boat around the island left at 9:30am but they had different boats just taking people to the Blue Grotto that started at around 9am or so. By the time we circled the island and went by the Blue Grotto (perhaps 10:15am) they told us the wait was already near 90 minutes, so if you're going to do it I'd suggest getting on the earliest boat you can. They did tell us the wait was highly dependent on the sea and it was a bit choppy the day we were there. If you're on Sorrento there are ferries at about 8am to Capri, perhaps even earlier (we went at 8).
Posted by
CA, USA
1254 posts
some more suggestions -- if you're following the RS guide you're going to do boat stuff, then go to Anacapri and Capri Town. Instead of taking the bus up to Anacapri buy a bus ticket for Anacapri to Capri Town, then the funicular back down to the port. Get these as soon as you arrive on Capri before the ticket lines get long. After your boating take one of the taxis (sawed-off cars, you'll see!) up to Anacapri. It costs 30E and it will save you an hour wait at the port for the mini buses they use up to Anacapri; if you're a couple just ask people milling around if there's another couple that want to split the taxi up with you.
A highpoint for us in Anacapri was taking the Monte Solaro chair lift. Even if the line looks long they put someone in a chair every 10 seconds or so, the line goes fast. Views on the way up and at the top are incredible!