The Blue Grotto in Capri: How to Visit by Boat

The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is the most famous sea cave in the world — a dark chamber where sunlight enters underwater and turns the whole cave an electric, glowing blue. It's also the sight guests ask us about more than any other. Here is exactly how a visit works, what it costs, and the honest advice we give everyone who steps aboard.

How the visit actually works

You cannot drive a boat into the Blue Grotto — not ours, not anyone's. The entrance is barely a metre high, so the only way in is aboard the small official rowboats, run by licensed local oarsmen who wait at the cave mouth. Your boat brings you to the entrance, you step down into the rowboat (four passengers at a time), lie back as the oarsman pulls you through the tiny gap on a chain — and then you're inside, floating on water that glows from below.

The visit inside lasts around five minutes. It's short, and we always say so honestly — but for most guests those five minutes are the single most magical moment of the day.

How much does it cost?

The entrance is about €18 per person, paid on the spot at the grotto. That covers the rowboat and the official entrance fee. It is not included in any boat tour price — ours or anyone else's — because it's collected directly by the grotto's licensed operators. A small tip for the oarsman (a few euro) is customary if he sings to you inside, and many do.

Is it always open? The honest answer

No — and be wary of anyone who guarantees it. The entrance is so low that even a modest swell or high tide closes it. The decision is made each morning by the local authorities, and it can change during the day. On average it's open more often than not from late spring to early autumn, but there are no promises. That's why our Capri tour is built around the whole island: if the grotto is closed, you still have the Faraglioni, the Green and White grottoes, the Natural Arch and swim stops in coves most visitors never see.

When to go

Whenever the sea says yes. The blue glow is spectacular at any hour the grotto is open, and every day on the water has its own rhythm. That is the advantage of a private tour: your skipper reads the sea and the queue in real time and chooses the perfect moment of your day — you just enjoy the ride.

Can you swim into the grotto?

No. You may have seen videos of people swimming in at dusk — it's forbidden, dangerous and taken seriously by the coast guard. The swell can throw a swimmer against the rock shelf at the entrance. Go in the proper way, on the rowboats; the experience is better anyway, because from water level the blue is all around you.

Visiting the Blue Grotto from Sorrento

The grotto sits on Capri's north-west corner — conveniently, the side facing Sorrento. On our private Capri tour (full day) we cross from Sorrento, and your skipper will suggest the smartest moment to visit the grotto within your circle of the island. If it's open, you go; if it isn't, you'll know why, and the day is full regardless. You can read how the whole day works in our complete Capri boat tour guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Blue Grotto cost?

About €18 per person, paid on site — it covers the official rowboat and the entrance fee. It's not included in boat tour prices.

Can you swim into the Blue Grotto?

No. Entry is only allowed on the official rowboats — swimming in is forbidden and dangerous.

Is the Blue Grotto always open?

No. It closes whenever the sea or tide makes the low entrance unsafe, decided each morning. Nobody can guarantee entry in advance.

Is there a best moment to visit?

Every moment is beautiful inside the grotto — your skipper reads the sea and the queues and picks the perfect one for you.