Blue Grotto

[cjcruiser27]

has anyone been here? Do you have any info. to share?? Thanks so much!

[Hlitner]

Was just there this past May. This was our 4th trip to Capri, and since we had plenty of time and it was a gorgeous day we decided to go to the Blue Grotto with the knowledge that it is probably an overpriced tourist trap. It is....but its also one of those fun things that is just corny enough to make it worth the money. You do not need any reservations. After you get off the ferry or hydrofoil, you will notice signs for Capri tours on a pier off to your left. You just go over and buy your ticket (they have boats leaving at least every hour if the weather is good) and get on a boat that holds 25 or so passengers. You than get a nice boat ride partially aound the island to the entrance to the Blue Grotto (you can also pay more for an option that would get you a boat ride all the way around Capri). Once you get to the entrance you pull up to a boat and pay another fee for the small boat that will take you into the Grotto. You than have to transfer (on the water) into a small rowboat that holds about 6 folks...and than you are rowed into the grotto (don;t forget to duck as you enter). Once inside, the boat rowers take turns singing while you are in the grotto. The "blue" comes from the sunlight that shines through the water (if there is no sun there is very little blue). I cannot recall the total cost, but I think it was about $35 - $40 per person. Once you leave the grotto your rower will try to insist on an additional trip for his 5 minutes work. We have been in much better (and unknown) grottos located in the Ionian Islands (Greece) but there is only one Blue Grotto. Sometimes they cannot run the tours to the Blue Grotto due to bad weather or high tides (you cannot get through the low entrance). The total time to do the tour varies, but should take about 1 1/2 hours.

 

Hank

[bunnyette]

Thank you so much Hank,

 

We will be there in August 07 and wanted to do something like this on our own. My hubby loves boating and would love to do something like this.

[tee mo]

Our boatman (?) said that Blue Grotto was a private pool or Nymphaeum of Roman emperor Tiberius, who used inner secret passage to get there from the villa above, Villa delle Dame Occulte, (translates: hidden ladies) and now known as villa Damecute, where he used to stay incognito.

 

That there were marble ancient statues found inside of Blue Grotto and traces of the inner passage. And that for a long time this place was considered by Caprese as bewitched.

 

Maybe they still think so, that’s why they sing inside like maniacs. Tip them only on condition they won’t sing. Really, this place requires silence and solitude. It’s nice to swim in there.

[AltaJoe]

I agree with Tee mo, the Blue Grotto is a great place to swin into. You just have to wait until the tour boats are gone and drop right in.

 

BUT, beware that the entrance is only aboout 3' high, so if you are unlucky enough to try to enter when a series of huge wave decide to hit at the precise moment you're heading in, and you'll get creamed. Or if you're already inside, you can only tread water helplessly until the waves subside. I know from experience.:eek: