Once a playground for Roman emperors, Capri, Italy, now draws thousands of visitors from Rome and towns along the Amalfi Coast. In addition to ritzy shops and restaurants, the geography of Capri offers a wealth of Mediterranean beauty. One of the highlights of a trip to Capri is a tour of the Blue Grotto. Although tours to the grotto are plentiful, a little planning will help you avoid headaches on this busy route.
A Play of Light
- The Blue Grotto is located on the northwest corner of the island of Capri. Known in Italian as Grotta Azzurra, the site gets its name from the effect of sunlight reflecting off the sea cave's limestone floor. The deep-blue color of the Mediterranean waters within the cave creates a light show of sparkling blue hues on the grotto's walls.
Your Tour Awaits
- Although you can access the Blue Grotto by hiking, a boat tour will get you there with little effort. First, however, you must make your way to the island of Capri. Taking one of the many Capri-bound ferries makes a trip to the Blue Grotto convenient, since you'll be dropped off at the Marina Grande, where grotto tours depart. Once you arrive at the marina, walk to the western side of the docks and look for the boat tour signs. Not every tour goes to the grotto, so read carefully and ask where the tour goes before you pay.
Sailing the Seas
- If you're traveling during the peak tourist season, plan to wait in line for up to two hours to get a seat on a tour. Once you get on board, the boat will whisk you to an area near the grotto. On the way, admire Capri's cliffs, the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean and the many birds that swoop along the edges of the cliffs. The Blue Grotto entrance can accommodate only a small dinghy, so a few people at a time will transfer from the main boat. To fit through the opening, you must lie down on the floor of the dinghy, so don't wear your best clothes on the tour. A guide then rows the dinghy into the cave, where you can admire the colors before being rowed back out and returning to the boat.
Frustrations and Disappointment
- You should be aware that most tours will have you pay one fee to get you near the Blue Grotto and another fee to board the dinghy. Some less reputable dinghy operators will try to charge you to take you back out of the grotto, but this is a scam and you have the right to refuse. However, if your rower has given you extra service, such as allowing you to swim, consider tipping him for the special treat. Also keep in mind that when the sea is rough, the dinghies cannot get into the cave's small opening. To avoid the disappointment of taking the boat tour only to find out you can't get into the grotto, ask about the conditions before you pay for a tour. One of the best ways to avoid crowds and rough water is to get to Capri as early in the day as possible. In the morning, the sea is typically calmer than later in the day when the winds pick up.
