Grotta dello Smeraldo — Attraction in Conca dei Marini

Wow. This was an awful experience. The cave is interesting and the glowing water is nice. But I wish we never went. Firstly, we parked our scooter up top and a man walked up to direct us to repark and then says it’s 2 euros. We paid thinking it didn’t seem right. We asked the man at the elevator if the parking is free and it is! So don’t fall for it like us.

Worst of all- the boat “captains” We are waiting to get on the boat, the “captain” is pulling in a tour and asks for tips about 6 times in multiple languages and proceeds to stare everyone down as they walk off the boat. A man tips him and he goes on and on about how beautiful the man’s daughter is but repeatedly says “too young for me but so beautiful.” Creepy. To 6 of us standing and waiting to go on, he tells us multiple times: “his daughter, so beautiful but too young for me.” This girl was very young! CREEPY. At this point, I thought, okay maybe we should just leave. But I heard the cave was incredible so we stayed and do we regret it now.

We had a different “captain”- older and much more creepy. Who also asked for tips about 5 times before we were all even sat. They play and sing and make a “tour” that should last 5 minutes into a 20+ minute uncomfortable experience where he is kissing women!!! He tried kissing the woman in the front of his boat. He kissed another woman who did not look like she wanted that at all. Then another woman was apparently into it? And he played an entire song serenading this woman and making out with her while all the rest of us are extremely uncomfortably waiting. I have never experienced something so uncomfortable. Sexual harassment times 10,000. My husband and I jumped off the boat before he technically “docked.” Definitely don’t go. It’s better...

I'd like to quote Bianca McCluskey as I was on the same boat with her.

"Wow. This was an awful experience. The cave is interesting and the glowing water is nice. But I wish we never went. (...)

Worst of all- the boat “captains” We are waiting to get on the boat, the “captain” is pulling in a tour and asks for tips about 6 times in multiple languages and proceeds to stare everyone down as they walk off the boat. A man tips him and he goes on and on about how beautiful the man’s daughter is but repeatedly says “too young for me but so beautiful.” Creepy. To 6 of us standing and waiting to go on, he tells us multiple times: “his daughter, so beautiful but too young for me.” This girl was very young! CREEPY. At this point, I thought, okay maybe we should just leave. But I heard the cave was incredible so we stayed and do we regret it now.

We had a different “captain”- older and much more creepy. Who also asked for tips about 5 times before we were all even sat. They play and sing and make a “tour” that should last 5 minutes into a 20+ minute uncomfortable experience (...) Definitely don’t go. It’s better in the Photos."

This experience was a total waste of time and this place that is actually quite nice deserves a way better presentation than this self-aggrandizement of those "guides". The whole macho "special Tour for you" was just for getting more tips and therefore singing horrible. Don't forget that the entrence to the grotta costs no less than 6€!!! All in all it was half an Hour that could have been spent way better than with feeling totally in the wrong place and wanting to leave...

The Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto) is a stunning sea cave located near Conca dei Marini, a small town on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. It’s known for its mesmerizing emerald-green water, which owes its vivid color to sunlight filtering through an underwater opening and reflecting off the cave walls.

Key Features of the Grotta dello Smeraldo: Formation and Size: • The cave is about 30 meters long, 60 meters wide, and 24 meters high. • The water inside reaches a depth of about 4 meters. • Stalactites and stalagmites have formed over thousands of years, creating unique rock formations. The Emerald Effect: • The striking emerald glow is caused by light refracted through an underwater entrance. This creates a surreal, almost magical atmosphere. Access: • The grotto can be reached by boat from nearby Amalfi or Positano. • There’s also a road access point, followed by an elevator or staircase leading down to the grotto. Underwater Nativity Scene: • One of the cave’s highlights is a ceramic nativity scene submerged underwater. It was placed there in the 1950s and is visible through the crystal-clear water. History: • Unlike the Blue Grotto of Capri, the Emerald Grotto remained relatively unknown until its discovery by a local fisherman in 1932. Visiting Tips: • Best visited on a sunny day to experience the full intensity of the emerald light. • Guided tours are available, often included in Amalfi Coast...