Is this a tourist trap? Yes, absolutely, they know it and at every turn you are paying or tipping someone. But, is this a must do experience? Yes, absolutely. I had to see that blue water for myself and I'm so happy I did it. Having been to Capri once before and not seeing the Blue Grotto, this trip we made sure to schedule this first thing in the morning and went with a private tour to simplify the process. Since it's popular and the grotto itself is small, there is often a long wait for your small boat to enter the cave. Especially in high season. Best advice, get there early, before it even opens at 9am otherwise you can wait 1-2 hours. That's waiting in a small boat in choppy waters! Also be aware that if the weather is bad and the water is too rough, the boats can't access the cave. We took a ferry from Sorrento to Capri then hopped on a boat that took the 25 of us over to the Blue Grotto. The ride there was about 15 minutes with beautiful views everywhere. We got there early before the cruise ship passengers and other tourists so the small boats and rowers immediately came over to us and explained the process which I will share, because if you are like me, the details matter. We sat on the edge of the larger boat and stepped down into the small boat with the help of the skipper and then immediately sat flat on the floor, legs stretched out. Each boat can hold 3 or 4 passengers based on weight,, 2 per side, and the second person sits within the legs of the first. Since we were the first boats this day, we didn't get wet but later in the day, I can imagine you will definitely be laying in water. The skipper took us over to a larger boat where you pay an entrance fee. After some discussion and showing proof that we already paid, they let us pass. Be prepared because they will try to get more money from you! The skipper then rowed us over to the cave entrance where we all had to lay flat as he grabs a metal chain attached to the inside wall of the cave and pulls the boat into the cave. It takes just a few seconds and then you can lift your head and marvel over the iridescent blue water inside. The water is as blue as the pictures, a result of the sunlight passing through an underwater cavity that shines upward creating a spellbinding blue color. It's truly one of natures miracles and wonders. The cave is small, much smaller than I envisioned. I assumed once we went through the opening it would be a large pool of water. It's not. It's a small area and there are 10 or 15 other boats and they row around in a circle. All of the skippers serenade their passengers but not in unison! It's quite an experience. It was challenging to get good pics inside. I recommend taking a video as that provided the best capture. After just a few minutes, the ride is done and you exit the cave, once again laying down. The skipper takes you back to the larger boat. This is when I got nervous wondering if I could get out without falling or tipping the boat! You step onto a wooden board that goes across the small boat, then sit on the edge of the larger and turn to bring your legs inside. Phew! Made it. The skippers are aggressive about tips but mine didn't have to be. I happily gave him $5 euros for the experience and for getting me out of the darn boat safely! So yes, it's touristy, but for me, it was a bucket list item and I'm happy I experienced it. Others in my group had been to Capri before and did the Blue Grotto so they passed and just spent more time exploring the shops and cafes. When I go back to Capri, I'll do the same as this is not something I have to experience twice. read more

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How can you rate this other that 5 Stars? What an experience my wife and I enjoyed. The history story our boatman told and the little singing he did was icing on the cake. Make the best of you trip to Capri and see the Blue Grotto. Also enjoy the shopping on the island. My wife bought several pairs of sandals while the cobbler made them. Great experience overall. read more

La Grotta Azzurra - Entrance into the Blue Grotto - Local Flavor Near Me - Anacapri, NA

The actual Grotto... STUNNING! (Beyond 5 stars) The actual experience... YIKES! Extremely touristy. And this statement is coming from someone who lives in Orlando, FL! (1 star... youch) What it is: Sunlight, passing through an underwater shines through the seawater, creating a blue reflection that illuminates the cavern. It's absolutely stunning. The weather was absolute perfection on a gorgeous May day so we had a great experience with the color and water conditions. First, let me tell you what I loved: - The surroundings. - The water. - The weather. - Mother Nature. - The color. - Being in Italy. - Being on a gorgeous island. - Once in a lifetime experience. - The comedy in experiencing all of this in Italy. What I did not like at all (read as "what I absolutely loathed about this experience": - Waiting over 45 minutes to enter the cave because of the politics of the row boat crew. I wouldn't have minded the 45 minute wait being on the gorgeous water, but the yelling between our boat captain and the row boat crew... just terrible. - Having to get in a row boat with strangers. Yes, I had to lay down in the lap of girl who was a complete stranger - ha! If it wasn't a once in a lifetime thing, I would have avoided this. - The rude row boat guides... just not cool. Loud, overbearing, and demanding tips. - The fact that you are rushed through the experience once in the row boat. - There were about 12-15 boats in the grotto with you so it was not personal or intimate at all. ALL of the row boat guys are singing too, which could be romantic, but when 10 of them are singing, it's scary. - Taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes for an actual experience of 2 minutes. It's like a ride at Disney. Sad. ****Tips**** - Book your transfer boat online to save a few euros: https://www.capri.net/en/c/motoscafisti-di-capri/i/SRHKX - Have euros ready to pay before you enter the grotto - Yes, you have to get in your row boat and go to another boat to give them money. Really? There has GOT to be a better way. - If you can book a private tour, do that, they let the private tours almost immediately into the grotto so you skip waiting in a boat line, ha! - The water conditions control everything. Since the opening to the cave is so very small, the water conditions have to be calm in order for anyone to enter. - Dress comfy as you have to transfer two boats then lay down in a very small row boat to enter the grotto. read more

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The Blue Grotto ... is an AMAZING little tourist attraction that is gorgeous. It's beautiful to see the water sparkle blue and to have to take a small boat inside. To get inside is 13 euro, but it's worth it especially your first time to Capri. The guys who are on the boat tell you the history of the Blue Grotto and do some singing also (I'll save the history for you to experience.) You aren't supposed to swim inside.. but they usually will let you anyways. They probably only let you spend about 20 minutes in here tops, because there's a constant rush of tour groups trying to get in. Come here by boat or if you are already in Anacapri, take a bus labeled Grotta Azzura and you are on your way! read more

Gorgeous! Stunning! This wonderful cave is much smaller than I thought. However, it's well worth the wait. (Watch your head on the way in!) The gorgeous blue water seems to glow in the dark. A plus: A handsome Italian man will sing to you as he rows. You pay to get taken to the entrance of the Blue Grotto, but once you get there, you also pay to go inside. The ride doesn't last long (2 minutes max.) and our rower told us that they work solely off of tips, which is hard to believe ... so I felt a bit ripped off. Essentially, you pay 3 separate fees for this wonderful experience and if you go during peak season, you can spend quite a while waiting to get inside so I recommend going via private tour. Loved it! read more

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Unbelievable! I was cynical about this tourist trap, but you're not on a two-week Italian vacation every day, so I decided to put my judgments aside and go with the flow. The flow of this particular day was a guided day trip to Capri with five of my friends. Once we got to the island, we piled into a convertible taxi and sped over the hills to the grotto. We descended the steps all the way to the water and waited just moments before hopping into the little boats and disappearing into the magical wonderland of the grotto. As other reviewers have noted, they definitely keep the boats moving so keep your eyes open and soak it all in. It is truly spectacular - words really can't do it justice. I second Harry D's opinion on arriving by land rather than by sea - we got there relatively early in the day and had almost no wait. However, there were already three big motorboats waiting, each full of 25+ people. If you go by boat, muster up some patience because you will most certainly wait your turn. Be prepared to possibly get wet as you enter the cave (shield your camera until you're inside) and don't forget to tip your boat guy. Also you should be aware: if the water is even remotely choppy, the tiny boats can't get into the cave and the grotto doesn't operate. It's sort of a crap shoot. But if your grotto dreams are thwarted, there are other adventures to be had on Capri. read more

This is one of the big tourist pulls on Capri. Normally you arrive by bus, or on one of the "round the island" boat trips, get transferred onto a small rowing boat then then serenaded into the cave seeing the amazing blue light coming up from the main big underwater opening. We arrived in the afternoon when the sun was not shining on the entrance, so all the little boats had gone home. This meant we could swim into the cave (dangerous unless you are confident swimmer and there is no swell). Going in through the small triangular entrance the cave opens up ... your eyes adjust to the dim blue light filtering up from below. Amazing. read more

Yelp doesn't have a strong presence over seas but if you are a yelp enthusiast like me, I hope this review finds you well. This was probably one of the worst things I've done while on my trip overseas. But it was definitely on my bucket list so even though there were many obstacles on the way, we powered through. Unfortunately, I was left sorely disappointed. The line was on land or by boat. We started off by boat but due to the 1.5 hour wait, I started to get sea sick and decided to conquer it by land. There was a red flag when nobody else on our tour boat wanted to do it besides my husband and I. When we finally got onto the Island of Capri, we made our way there by bus where we promptly got in line. The line wasn't too long. It didn't make it past the restaurant at the midway point so you would think the line would move pretty smoothly. That was definitely not the case. I watched and watched as the individual boats that pick people in line have absolutely no system at all. They pick and chose who they wanted to pick up. And for some reason, they did NOT want to pick up people standing at the land line. I watched as they picked up people from multiple boats that arrived later than us. And then finally, one group was taken. But by the time they came back out, still nobody else from the land line was taken. You can tell the people at the front of the line was about to explode with anger. Then finally they started erupting with complaints in the front. I overheard them say they've been waiting for two hours watching the boats take other people. I believe it too. In the hour we stood in line, they only took one group from land. So then finally the little boats started coming back to pick us up. By the time I got to the front of the line, there was already 3 in the boat. The worker looked me up and down and said "oh your a big one". I thought it was universal not to call a woman fat! Pretty mortifying moment there. Then he started scanning the line for "smaller ones". When there was none to take, he reluctantly took us. I've had a pretty bad experience so far to say the least. But then it was finally time to see the infamous blue grotto! The experience itself was the most unclimatic experience of my life. We were in and out of there within 2 minutes (if that). The worker was just singing in our face splashing the water saying "natural light. look look." The cherry on top of the sundae... the worker asked for a tip after the whole 5 minute experience. And when the other group in the boat refused, it got awkward. He kept asking and asking and shaming them for not tipping! If I wasn't stuck on a boat, I would have definitely refused too. It is a shame that this beautiful natural wonder can be so ruined by greed. I can see why nobody on our tour group wanted to go. They must have know they've turned it into a tourist trap. You have the option to go after hours on your own. You can't access it without a tiny row boat but you can always jump in and swim in. That might be the way to go. read more

It's a really nice little journey. The trip itself is about 4 minutes and costs 12,50€ per person. Don't forget to tip the boatman. Tourist trap - but still worth it! read more

Worth it. Took boat trip from capri marina to grotto. Was a little busy but boats qued up and got everyone a visit to grotto. Its 27 total boat trip plus entrance fee but its a once visit opportunity not to missed read more

OK. the grotto is very beautiful even though you see it for about 5 minutes in a row boat that is very uncomfortable. And what the boat charters put you through is almost thievery. You pay about 13 Euros at the dock. And what they don't tell you is that they transfer you to little row boats and the charge for that is about 12,50 Euros extra which you have to get out while you are on the row boat. If you don't have money with you, you will have to not see the grotto. After all the mess with hundreds of tourists waiting, the row boaters bribe you to pay them a tip. So probably max is 2 more Euros otherwise if you pay less they will scream at you in Italian and make fun of you. I felt like I was in Tijuana. Worth seeing but be aware of the cheesiness of this tour. I overheard that other tourists like me ran out of money because they only planned for so much on this trip to Capri. I brought something like $100 US for the day trip. It was easily all gone with lunch and a small gift store purchase thanks to the high cost of the grotto. I had to settle for a slice of pizza for lunch which was bad. read more