Sorrento is a good starting point for a day on the water around the Bay of Naples. You can choose a short trip along the Sorrento Peninsula, head to Capri or sail along the Amalfi Coast. This guide covers departure ports, boat types, routes and the extra costs you should know about before setting off.
From Sorrento, you can experience the coast in three different ways: a short trip along the Sorrento Peninsula, an excursion to Capri or a longer journey towards the Amalfi Coast. The right trip depends on whether you want to spend plenty of time on the water, swim along the way or go ashore in one of the coastal towns.
A short trip near Sorrento is easier to fit into a day with other plans. Capri involves a crossing over open water and can be combined with a tour of the island's cliffs and caves. A trip towards Positano or Amalfi offers views of steep stretches of coastline, but often takes longer. Compare time spent travelling and time at stops, not just the total length of the trip.
Marina Piccola lies below the centre of Sorrento. It is the town's main ferry port and the departure point for services to Capri and other destinations. From the centre, you can reach the harbour by taking the steps or the lift from the area near Villa Comunale. The harbour area has both ferry berths and moorings for leisure boats.
It is important to get details of the exact quay. A meeting point given simply as Sorrento is not enough if you need to find a private skipper among ferries and other boats. Agree on a specific place and a contact phone number. Marina Piccola in Sorrento should not be confused with the bay of the same name on Capri.
Marina Grande is a different area of Sorrento. Here you will find a small beach, fishing boats and waterfront restaurants. It is a good place to enjoy the local harbour atmosphere, but it is not the same harbour as Marina Piccola, where the regular ferries to Capri depart.
When a boat hire provider specifies Marina Grande or Marina Piccola, it is therefore important to check which town and which quay they mean. These names are also found on Capri. The exact departure port is particularly important if you are arriving by ferry, have booked transport to the harbour or plan to meet family and friends travelling from different places.
A day trip to Capri can include a crossing from Sorrento, a tour along Capri's coast and the option of swimming stops or time ashore. Faraglioni, Grotta Bianca, Grotta Verde and the lighthouse at Punta Carena are among the places visited by several local operators. The number of stops and the amount of time on the island included in a trip vary.
A standard ferry ticket to Capri provides transport between the ports, but does not include a private tour around the island. A private boat trip can offer more freedom, but depends on the weather and the agreed duration. Ask the provider to break the trip down into crossing time, time spent cruising around Capri and any free time ashore. That way, you know what you are paying for.
The Blue Grotto on Capri can be a destination on a trip from Sorrento, but access to the cave is never guaranteed. The entrance is low, and visitors normally have to transfer to special small rowing boats at the cave entrance. Waves or wind can cause access to close, and there may be a wait during busy periods.
Do not assume that the entrance ticket is automatically included in the boat trip price either. Capri.com describes a separate payment at the cave. If the visit is important to you, ask whether the trip allows enough time to try to visit, and how the route will change if the cave is closed. That is better than paying extra for an experience the skipper cannot promise.
If you want to see Positano or Amalfi from the water, you will need a different plan from a short trip out of Sorrento. The coastal towns are further away, and a private boat needs to allow time for the journey in both directions. Going ashore may depend on berth availability, traffic and local rules. Ask whether the trip includes an actual stop in the town or just views from the water.
If you would rather stay close to Sorrento, there are stretches of coast around places such as Marina di Puolo and Bagni della Regina Giovanna. Italia.it describes these areas as local swimming spots. However, where a boat can dock, anchor or stop needs to be assessed separately. Appealing places on a map are not necessarily legal or safe swimming stops for every boat.
On a private trip, the boat is reserved for your group. This gives you the chance to agree on the focus, duration and any stops, but the skipper must still follow safety rules and take weather conditions into account. A shared excursion can be easier to budget for because the price is normally quoted per person, but the trip is more likely to follow a fixed schedule.
Consider the number of guests, space on board, toilet facilities, shade and how easy it is to get into the water. Also ask whether there is room for children and whether the trip can be cut short if someone gets seasick. A boat licensed to carry many passengers is not necessarily comfortable for a full day of sun and waves.
Compare prices for the same number of guests, the same duration and the same route. A short shared trip and a private full-day trip are different products. For a private boat, the price may be fixed for the boat or depend on the route and fuel consumption. Check whether the skipper is included and whether longer journeys cost extra.
Ask specifically about fuel, food and drink, towels, harbour fees, going ashore on Capri and admission to attractions. Local operators' published trip descriptions show that harbour fees and admission to the Blue Grotto, among other things, are sometimes paid separately. Get a total price and cancellation terms in writing before accepting an offer.
The route from Sorrento towards Capri and the Amalfi Coast is affected by wind and waves, and conditions out on open water can differ from those close to the coast. The skipper may therefore need to change the route, leave out swimming stops or cancel. Ask in advance how the provider handles bad weather and any rebooking.
At Punta Campanella, there is a marine protected area with rules for boating and activities on the water. The managing authority publishes maps, rules and permits, which may change. Do not therefore take a planned route or swimming spot as a guarantee that boating or anchoring is permitted there. Ask the skipper to explain the current restrictions, and use the area's official website to check.
On HejBoat, you can view current boat listings and contact providers about trips from Sorrento and elsewhere in the region. Availability changes, and boats offering trips to Capri may depart from different ports. Check the area shown in each listing and have the exact departure port confirmed.
Include your date, number of guests, desired trip and whether you prefer a short coastal trip, Capri or the Amalfi Coast. Ask for a total quote including the skipper, fuel and any extras. HejBoat puts you in touch, but an enquiry is not a reservation. Availability, payment and other terms are agreed directly between you and the provider.
Checked on 30 October 2026. About Marina Piccola harbour in Sorrento: https://www.portoturisticosorrento.com/en/ . About Marina Grande, Marina di Puolo and Bagni della Regina Giovanna: https://www.italia.it/en/campania/things-to-do/sorrento-peninsula-beaches . About private and shared trips from Sorrento to Capri: https://www.capri.com/en/l/sorrento-capri-tours . About the Blue Grotto and weather-dependent access: https://www.capri.com/en/e/la-grotta-azzurra . About the Punta Campanella marine protected area and current rules: https://www.puntacampanella.org/ . Check current harbour information, rules, prices and weather before departure.
Image source: Chalo Gallardo, Sorrento harbour, Unsplash. Original photograph: https://unsplash.com/photos/boats-docked-at-a-marina-with-a-breakwater-4qoPGttjpZ8 . Licence for commercial use: https://unsplash.com/license .
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