Blue grotto in capri advice

[ghady]

hello,

i need some advice from anyone who's been to capri

While in amalfi, i wanna go on a day trip to capri, but i dont want to be part of a tour or anything.. can i make my way to the blue grotto on my own? and are there any boats with guides already there, or do i have to book all that beforehand?

thanks

[madamtrashheap]

ghady, the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzura) is amazing and there are a few ways of reaching it:

1. take a large boat from the Marina Grande (where you arrive, look at the wooden boats in the centre of the Marina, more personal and a little cheaper than the larger white ones)
2. do it as part of a cruise around the island (boats leave from the Marina Grande - again look for the little wooden ones in the middle of the marina if you don't want the large ones)
3. walk or bus down from Anacapri (a long way from the top of the island)

Once you get there, the only way in is via the small row boats that cluster around the entrance. This is all organised so don't try to swim in or you'll find yourself beaten around the head by oars and beaten around the sides by rocks (you can swim in, but after sunset?!! so I wouldn't). You leave your large boat (it will wait for you) and then you pay to get in a row boat, then they row over to a floating cash desk to pay entrance to the Grotto (it's deemed part of the Geological and Archaeological Department (or such) so paying helps preserve it. I haven't been for about 3 years, but all up it's around Euro10-12, but this doesn't include the transport to the Grotto. The row boats fit between 2-4 people (3 comfortably) and they will ask for a tip once you get out of the Grotto - give them what you think they deserve, especially if they gave you a little tour and some information, or if they sang!. It's the most expensive 4 mins of your life, but worth it. There used to be a guy called "Pizzaman" and another who sang operettas once inside - it adds to the chaos! Sometimes, if you're lucky, they'll let you hop out for a quick swim, but this is rare so don't count on it. It gets very busy in Summer, so allow at least an hour for the journey there, the entry and the journey back. Try to do it first thing when you arrive.

I hope the weather (and the tide) is good for your visit as they do shut the Grotto if it's bad weather. High tide will also close it but only for an hour or two. A hint for you: when you take photos inside, turn to face the entrance so you capture the blue light properly. There's no need to book ahead for the large boats, just look for signs when you arrive on the island.

Enjoy!