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Guide · Faraglioni
Capri Faraglioni boat tour: stacks, arch and caves
The Faraglioni are the picture everyone knows, and the sea is the only place to see them whole. A Capri Faraglioni boat tour takes you to their foot and on along a coast of pale caves and clear water.
Check availabilityfrom $461 · cancel at no cost
Editorial team, capriprivateboattour.comUpdated October 18, 2026Read time: 6 min23 sources
The essentials
- 01The stacks
- Stella, still joined to the coast, the Faraglione di Mezzo with its arch, and the Faraglione di Fuori.1
- 02Their size
- Spurs of rock about 100 metres high; a sea tour gives the closer view.2
- 03The boat we book
- A private group of 2 to 6 hours with sea caves, from $416.
- 04Its rating
- 4.89 from 118 reviews, with a perfect 5 for the guide.
- 05In the water
- Snorkelers around the stacks meet grouper and prawns.3
The Faraglioni, stack by stack
The Faraglioni rise off Capri's southeast coast, and each has its own name. The first, still joined to the coast, is Stella; the second, the Faraglione di Mezzo, has a natural arch; the third is the Faraglione di Fuori, and the rocky islet of Monacone lies a short distance away.1 From the water you see how far apart they really stand.
They were divided from the coast by a landslide.4 Italia.it gives them as spurs of rock about 100 metres high, and recommends a sea tour for the closer view.2 From the cliffs above, they look like a postcard; from a boat at their foot, they tower over you, and the scale of the arch only becomes clear when another boat passes through it.
Capri has some animal and plant species that exist only there today, and the stacks are part of that story.5 Look at the rock faces as you pass, and at the water at their foot, which shifts from deep blue to turquoise where the seabed rises. A good skipper slows down here and lets you take it in.
The route
Around the stacks and caves on the private tour
-
Start
Marina Grande
The listing's first named stop.
-
East side
Grotta Bianca
The pale caves, then the Arco Naturale.
-
Southeast
The Faraglioni
Stella, the Faraglione di Mezzo and the Faraglione di Fuori.1
-
Southeast coast
Casa Malaparte
The writer's private villa on its cliff.6
-
Swim stop
Marina Piccola
A rocky beach on a turquoise sea.7
-
West
Grotta Verde and Punta Carena
The green cave and the lighthouse.
Through the arch, and a local custom
The arch of the Faraglione di Mezzo is the moment to have your camera ready. Under it, a local custom says, you should kiss your partner, and the gesture is said to bring good fortune.8 Whether your boat passes through depends on the sea, the traffic and the skipper's judgment on the day, and on a private boat you can simply ask.
If the boat holds back, the view through the arch from a few boat lengths away is still the photograph you came for. Sit at the bow with your back to the sun, wait for the gap to frame the open sea, and take your time. On a private boat nobody hurries you; on a shared one, have your camera ready before the boat slows down.
Above the stacks, on the cliff, the Belvedere di Tragara looks down on all three. It is worth returning to that viewpoint shortly after sunset.9 Seeing the Faraglioni first from the sea and then from above, in the evening light, is one of the simplest pleasures of a stay on the island.
Compare
Boats that reach the Faraglioni
| Listing | Type | Duration | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faraglioni and sea caves | Private | 2 to 6 hrs | from $416 | 4.89 |
| Caves and stacks | Private | 2 hrs | from $357 | 4.84 |
| 2 hours from Capri | Private | 2 hrs | from $236 | 5.00 |
| Grottoes, swim, limoncello | Small group | 2 hrs | from $58 | 4.69 |
| Island trip with grottos | Shared | 1 to 2 hrs | from $29 | 4.32 |
Durations, from-prices and ratings as each GetYourGuide listing states them; prices are starting prices, not exact.
Three boats to the stacks
Private, short private or small group
This page
Short private
Lower priceDecision helper
How should you see the Faraglioni?
Match the boat to what you want at the stacks
The private tour
Up to 6 hours, with Marina Piccola among its stops.
A short private boat
The caves and stacks tour takes 2 hours.
Any boat, calm sea
The Faraglione di Mezzo has the natural arch.1
Add the Belvedere di Tragara
Worth a return shortly after sunset.9
The small-group tour
2 hours with a swim, limited to 10.
The first spur of rock, still joined to the coast, is known as Stella, the second is the Faraglione di Mezzo, which presents a magnificent natural arch, and the third is the Faraglione di Fuori
A Capri sea caves boat tour on the same route
The stacks are only one part of the coast. The sea around Capri is full of caves and sea stacks, and a Capri sea caves boat tour links them into one route.10 The private listing we book names the Grotta Bianca, the Grotta Verde and the Coral Grotto among its stops, along with the Arco Naturale and the Punta Carena lighthouse.
Each cave has its own color. The white caves on the east side are pale limestone hollows, bright even in shade. The Green Grotto glows with reflected light over shallow water. The Blue Grotto, on the northwest coast, is the famous one, entered only in small rowing boats and only when the tides and the weather allow.11
On a private boat you choose how many caves to visit and how long to stay. Some are best seen from the boat, some invite a swim at the mouth, and a few are deep enough that the boat noses in a little way. Ask your skipper which ones are calm on the day, and leave room for a cave you had never heard of.
Map
Around Capri, and across the gulf
The island's boat stops from Marina Grande, then the towns on the mainland where the other boats start.
1Marina Grande2Blue Grotto3Punta Carena4Marina Piccola5Faraglioni6Arco Naturale7Grotta Bianca
8Naples9Sorrento10Punta Campanella11Capri12Positano13Praiano14Amalfi
- 1Marina Grande
The harbor where the booked private tour starts and ends; a cable car climbs from the port to the Piazzetta.12
In Google Maps ↗ - 2Blue Grotto
Its entrance is partly under the sea, and you go in lying down in a rowing boat.1314
In Google Maps ↗ - 3Punta Carena
The lighthouse on the island's southwest tip, a stop on many of the listings.
In Google Maps ↗ - 4Marina Piccola
A rocky beach on a turquoise sea below the Gardens of Augustus.7
In Google Maps ↗ - 5Faraglioni
Stella, the Faraglione di Mezzo with its arch, and the Faraglione di Fuori.1
In Google Maps ↗ - 6Arco Naturale
A photo stop on the booked listing, seen from the water.
In Google Maps ↗ - 7Grotta Bianca
One of the pale sea caves on the east side, a stop on the booked listing.
In Google Maps ↗ - 8Naples
The Gulf of Naples runs for over 200 kilometres from Monte di Procida to Punta Campanella.15
In Google Maps ↗ - 9Sorrento
A lift runs from the Villa Comunale down to Marina Piccola and the port.16
In Google Maps ↗ - 10Punta Campanella
The headland pointing straight at Capri, with a protected marine area.17
In Google Maps ↗ - 11Capri
An island with caves and sea stacks all round its coast.10
In Google Maps ↗ - 12Positano
The western end of the Amalfi Coast.18
In Google Maps ↗ - 13Praiano
Between Positano and Amalfi, with Capri in view on clear days.1920
In Google Maps ↗ - 14Amalfi
A Maritime Republic from the 9th to the 11th century.21
In Google Maps ↗
Checklist
For a day at the stacks
01
Swim kit
- Mask, snorkel and fins
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
- Water shoes for rocky coves
02
On board
- Ask the skipper about the arch
- Choose the tour length when booking
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead
Cost calculator
Shared and small-group boats to the stacks
Choose a boat, then the size of your party.
People
Total from$116
per person from $58
Check availabilityfree cancellationA total here is the listing's lowest GetYourGuide price times your headcount, turned into your currency at the ECB rate of the day; what you actually pay appears when you book.
Video
Capri's Hidden Sea Caves and Faraglioni Rocks Will Take Your Breath Away
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The private tour we book: Faraglioni and sea caves
The listing this page books is a private group tour of 2 to 6 hours with the Faraglioni and the sea caves, and a live guide in English, Italian and Spanish. It starts from $416 and is rated 4.89 from 118 reviews, with 5 for the guide, 4.9 for transportation and 4.8 for value for money.
Its listed route starts at Marina Grande and continues past the Salto di Tiberio, the Grotta Bianca, the Arco Naturale, Casa Malaparte, the Faraglioni, Marina Piccola, the Grotta Verde, the Punta Carena lighthouse and the Coral Grotto. It names 2 starting locations, so check which one your confirmation gives.
The listing's length runs from 2 to 6 hours, so choose the option that fits your day when you book. It does not say whether its from-price covers the whole boat or each guest; set your group size and read the total. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later.
A Capri coastline boat tour, from Marina Grande around the south
A Capri coastline boat tour usually runs from Marina Grande either east or west around the island. Going east, you pass the white caves and the Arco Naturale before the Faraglioni come into view. Going west, you pass the Blue Grotto and the Punta Carena lighthouse before the south coast and Marina Piccola, a rocky beach on a turquoise sea.7
On the southeast coast, a little east of the stacks, you will see Villa Malaparte on its cliff, the house the writer Curzio Malaparte built. It is private and can be seen from above, from via del Pizzolungo, but from the sea you see it whole.6 The private listing we book names Casa Malaparte among its stops.
Beneath the cliffs at La Fontelina, the rocks form small coves with natural pools.22 The seabed nearby holds red and yellow gorgonian sea fans, Posidonia seagrass and corals of various colors.23 On a calm day it makes a lovely swim stop, with the Faraglioni as your backdrop.
Swimming and snorkeling at the stacks
Around the rock stacks, with fins, mask and snorkel, you will meet grouper and prawns.3 Bring your own mask if your listing does not mention one, and ask the skipper where the water is calmest. The swim stops are often in the lee of the stacks or in a small cove, away from the wake of passing boats.
Safety comes first near the Faraglioni, where boat traffic can be busy. Stay close to your boat, keep in sight of the skipper and never swim across the channel between the stacks while boats are moving. If you have children with you, a float or a noodle makes the swim more relaxed for everyone.
After the swim, there are towels on the private boat this site books, along with soft drinks; on the Faraglioni listing, check the inclusions on the booking page. A dry layer and a hat for the ride back make the rest of the trip much more comfortable, especially in the afternoon sun.
Shorter boats to the Faraglioni
If you only have a couple of hours, the shared and small-group boats from Marina Grande still reach the stacks. A shared island trip of 1 to 2 hours passes the Faraglioni and Marina Piccola, from $29. A small-group tour of 2 hours with a swim and limoncello visits the Arco Naturale and the Faraglioni, limited to 10 participants, from $58.
For a short private trip, a 2-hour boat tour of the caves and stacks is rated 4.84 from 9 reviews and starts from $357. Another private boat of 2 hours, rated 5.00 from 4 reviews, starts from $236. Small samples of reviews mean you should read each listing closely.
Whichever you choose, the Faraglioni are best seen in good light. Morning sun lights the eastern faces, afternoon light the western, and a calm sea lets the boat come closer. Ask your skipper which side to approach from, and enjoy the moment the arch lines up with the open sea behind it.
Your own boat
The caves and the stacks, just for you.
Pick a date, set your group size and cancel at no cost up to 24 hours ahead.
You ask,we answer.
What are the names of the Faraglioni?
Stella, Mezzo and Fuori. Stella is joined to the coast; the Faraglione di Mezzo has the arch; Monacone lies nearby.1
How high are the Faraglioni?
About 100 metres. Italia.it describes them as 100-metre spurs of rock.2
Can boats pass through the arch?
It depends on the day. The sea, the traffic and the skipper decide; on a private boat, just ask.
What is the kiss under the arch?
A local custom. Kissing your partner under the arch of the Faraglione di Mezzo is said to bring good fortune.8
Which caves are on the private tour?
White, Green and Coral. The listing names the Grotta Bianca, the Grotta Verde and the Coral Grotto.
Can I snorkel there?
Yes, when the sea allows. Around the stacks snorkelers meet grouper and prawns.3
How long is the private tour?
From 2 to 6 hours. Choose the length when you book.
Sources
Sources and evidence
- 1Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)La Fontelina↩
- 2Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)La Fontelina↩
- 3Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)La Fontelina↩
- 4Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Ischia, Capri and Procida↩
- 5Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Capri↩
- 6Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Capri, island of dreams↩
- 7Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Capri, island of dreams↩
- 8Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)La Fontelina↩
- 9Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)La Fontelina↩
- 10Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Capri, island of dreams↩
- 11Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Grotta Azzurra, Anacapri↩
- 12Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Capri, island of dreams↩
- 13Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Grotta Azzurra, Anacapri↩
- 14Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)La Fontelina↩
- 15Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Golfo di Napoli↩
- 16Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Sorrento↩
- 17Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Punta Campanella bewitched by the sirens of Ulysses↩
- 18Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Positano↩
- 19Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Praiano↩
- 20Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Praiano↩
- 21Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)Amalfi↩
- 22Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)La Fontelina↩
- 23Italia.it (ENIT, Ministry of Tourism)La Fontelina↩
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