Blue Grotto
The darkness prevented me from getting a really good picture inside the Blue Grotto, but it really doesn't matter because a picture cannot do justice to the magical experience one has while visiting this cave. The Blue Grotto is one of the biggest draws on the island of Capri. It is a surreal experience. The peculiar iridescence of the water bathes the interior of the grotto with a serene light that is similar in color to a sapphire blue topaz.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Since the Blue Grotto is situated on the north-western corner of the island, the best time to visit is in the afternoon when sunlight shines directly on the water outside the cave. We were told that the best coloration occurs when the seas are slightly rough. The one on the left was taken with a flash. With the boats in the picture you can get a better feel for the scale of the cave and the size of the opening. We actually had to lay down flat in the boat to make it through the opening.
From the main Blue Grotto cave, called the blue cathedral, extend many passages that lead to lesser chambers and other underground ravines. The water has a curious affect on anything submerged. Due to the coloration and intense blue filter, anything submerged in the waters of the Blue Grotto appears to be silver in color. In ancient times, the waters of the Blue Grotto were thought to have mystical powers that included healing and prolonging youth. The ancient Romans may have used the grotto as a nympheum.