Capri's most famous natural wonder is a sea cave illuminated by electric blue light created by sunlight passing through underwater opening. The magical azure glow lights up the 60-meter cave, creating one of the Mediterranean's most photographed natural phenomena.
The Grotta Azzurra — Blue Grotto — is a sea cave on the northwest coast of Capri, approximately 54 metres long and 30 metres wide, famous for the extraordinary electric-blue luminescence that fills the cave interior when sunlight enters through a submerged opening beneath the entrance. Sunlight passing through the 1.5-metre underwater arch is refracted through the water, filtering out the red wavelengths and creating intense blue light that illuminates the water column from below. The effect is most vivid on calm, sunny mornings between 10 AM and 1 PM when the sun angle is optimal. Roman emperor Tiberius used the cave as a private swimming bath — bronze rings used to moor his boats are still visible in the cave walls, and a submerged Roman statue was recovered from the cave floor. The only means of entry is by small wooden rowboat piloted by an oarsman: visitors must lie flat in the bow as the boat is pulled through the 60-centimetre-high entrance opening on a chain attached to the cave wall. The interior is large enough for several boats simultaneously. Visiting involves arriving by motorboat from the Marina Grande ferry dock (or by public bus to Anacapri and then a smaller boat), waiting in queue on the water while preceding groups enter, then being rowed through the entrance for a 5-minute visit inside. Rough weather closes the grotto immediately — the entrance becomes impassable in swell. During peak summer season the queue can extend to 1 to 2 hours on the water.
Good to know
- Hours
- 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (weather dependent)
- Best for
- nature, photography, unique experiences, lifetime travel list
Location
Via Grotta Azzurra, 80071 Anacapri, Naples
40.5647, 14.2063 View on map
Highlights
- Electric-blue water luminescence from refracted sunlight entering through a submerged 1.5-metre arch
- Ancient Roman bronze mooring rings still visible in the cave walls from Tiberius's private bath
- Low-clearance entrance requiring passengers to lie flat as the rowboat is pulled through on a chain
- Cave interior large enough to accommodate multiple small rowboats with singing gondoliers
- Views of the cave from the water before entry — the turquoise glow visible from the opening
Tips for visiting
- Only accessible when seas are calm - check conditions before traveling
- Time inside cave limited to 5 minutes per boat
- Lines can be 1-2 hours in peak season - go early morning
- Must transfer to small rowboats and lie flat to enter low opening
When to visit
Arrive at the Marina Grande dock by 9 AM to join the earliest motorboat queue — the blue luminescence is most intense between 10 AM and 1 PM when the sun angle is optimal. Avoid afternoons when the light diminishes and queues are longest. May, June, and September offer more stable sea conditions than July and August.
Accessibility
The Blue Grotto is not accessible to wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility. Reaching the entrance by motorboat involves boarding from a dock, and entering the cave requires lying flat in a small wooden boat. The experience is physically demanding and requires flexibility.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Blue Grotto?
The total cost includes the motorboat transfer from Marina Grande (~€18 return), the official rowing boat entrance fee (~€14), and the grotto admission (~€5) — approximately €37 total. Prices are set by the local authorities. No credit cards are accepted on the boats; bring cash.
What happens if the Blue Grotto is closed?
The grotto closes immediately when seas are rough or swell is too high for the boats to approach safely. Closures are frequent and unpredictable. If the grotto is closed on arrival at Capri, the motorboat operators at Marina Grande will inform visitors. There is no alternative access or bad-weather viewing option.
Is the Blue Grotto accessible?
The Blue Grotto is not accessible to visitors who cannot lie flat in a small rowboat and bend low through a 60-centimetre entrance. The boats are not suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with significant mobility limitations. The unstable boarding process requires physical agility.